October 31st

When most people hear the date October 31st, they will think of Halloween. However, October 31st is also Reformation Day. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther, a Catholic Monk, nailed his ninety-five thesis to the church door at Wittenberg, Germany. This sparked what is now know as the Reformation. 

The iconic part of it, Martin Luther wasn't even saved at the time, and he wasn't advocating splitting from the church, all he wanted was to speak about the indulgences being sold. Yet God used him to bring about revival. 

When study Martin Luther, one can't but be amazed at the faith the he had in Scripture. During his trial at Diet of Worms, he repeatedly say "if you can show me from Scripture were I am wrong, I will recant." That statement makes me wonder, how important is Scripture in my life. Sure, I will say, show me from the Bible were I am wrong, and I will change." But, the Bible tells me were I sin, but do I change? It is a challenge to me to follow Scripture and be willing to change areas in my life that contradict the Bible.

With that said, while Halloween is what most people think about on October 31st, let us also remember what happen 491 years ago!

Soli Deo Gloria

P.S. Here is a good post about Luther on John Piper's blog.

Really Really Looking forward to this weekend

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Ok, I am being bad right now. I am blogging well in my debate class. But, anywho, I am really really looking forward to this weekend. I have Saturday off, my first Saturday off in like four months. This Saturday, a bunch of us are going out to Blakes Cider Mill to do all the fun stuff out there. I am really looking forward to be able to spend time with other Christians just having fun.

So, anyways, back to my class. I think we are talking about the cross examination...

*the credit for the picture goes to Rachel Moen. I am not that good a photographer. Thanks Rach!!!

Wonder of The World

Today, as I was driving down to WSU, I heard a song by Rush of Fools called "Wonder of The World." Part of the song goes, "Wonder of the world, you have wonderful to me. As long as I can speak, I will sing so." This got me thinking; Christ is the wonder of the world, I am nothing but a dirty, rotten sinner. Yet, He has been soooooo wonderful to me. The least I can do is proclaim His glory, yet, even in that, I fail everyday. Every time I put something in front of Him, I am saying that the wonder He has been to me is nothing. 

God deserves and demands our praise, yet how often do I fail to give it to Him. It frustrates me to think that when I sin, I am saying that His sacrifice means nothing. Let us not forget the Wonder of the world, for He is truly wonderful and has been wonderful to me. The fact that I am able to breathe, and type these words, and think of the words to types shows what a wonderful and merciful Savior we have. 

Let us worship the Wonder of the World!!!

Soli Deo Gloria

Another MacArthur quote

This quote from MacArthur the other night:

(Referring to Christ's suffering on the cross) "As bad as the curse was from man, the curse came from God. As bad as this was, God predetermined this fro His joy"

Wow, what a thought, that Christ's greatest curse came not from man, but from God. And God did this for His joy. God finds joy in brining sinners to Himself.  "God can't restrain Himself when a sinner comes to Him."

To think that everyday I take this gift that God has given to me and shove it back in His face. And to think that saving me brings Him joy. That thought makes me feel small, really really small.

I am overwhelmed.

Soli Deo Gloria

John MacArthur Live

One of my life goals has been accomplish: I was able to hear John MacArthur live, and meet him

.

I took a video of him when he first got on stage; it's from my phone, so the sound quality isn't the best.

And here is a picture I took of him on stage!

So, what did he preach about? He preached about the prodigal son found in Luke 15.

Some quotes from MacArthur's message are:

The prodigal son is the worst picture of a sinner that Jesus could have painted for the pharisees.

The son's answer to his problem (this is when he is feeding the swine) was a legalist answer, he felt he had to earn his way back.

The Father is Christ

The Prodigal is the tax collectors

The Older Son was the Pharisees

If Christ can forgive the most extreme sinner, He can save all.

God can't restrain himself when a sinner comes to Him.

Jesus did not finish the story, because the Pharisees would write their own. According to MacArthur, the rest of the story is that the Older Brother rose up, and beat his Father to death with a piece of wood. The reason why, is about three months later, that is exactly what the pharisees did to Christ.

Well, needless to say, this was very exciting! John MacArthur has had a hugh impact on my spiritual growth, and to finally meet him was exhilarating. 

I think though, if I am this excited about meeting a man; how much more exciting will it be to meet my Savior!

Soli Deo Gloria