M is for Magnificat

Magnificat

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever." (Luke 1:46-55, ESV)

The name, Magnificat, is the name given to the "hymn" attributed to Mary when the Angel, Gabriel informs her that God has chosen her to be the woman who gives birth to the Messiah. The Magnificat is a "hymn" of praise to God since he has remembered His covenantal promises to Israel. This portion of Scripture receives its name, Magnificat, from the first line in the Latin Vulgate (4th century Latin version of the Greek bible), Magnificat anima mea Dominum. 

The Magnificat is very Jewish in nature. It is  an individual thanksgiving Psalm and it uses Hebraic parallelism and Old Testament phrases, most of which are from the Psalms in its composition. The first part of this "praise" deals with Mary praising God for her selection. The second part deals with the principles supporting God's action.

The main thought in the Magnificat is that God will destroy the proud, exalt the humble, and that God will remember his promises to his people. God deals with men in a consistent pattern - exaltation of the humble and the humiliation of the proud. Mary praises God because with the birth of the Messiah, Israel's hope of exaltation is now being realized.

A very important and major reminder needs to be given at this point: God did not choose Mary because she was sinless, perfect, or in any way earned or deserved this honor. Mary was no different than any other female in the land of Israel at that time. Mary was born spiritually dead in trespasses and sin and needed a Savior and Messiah like any other individual who was born at that time or since. God simply extended grace, unmerited and undeserved favor to this young woman. Mary is not the mother of God nor is she the Queen of Heaven. Mary looked for the Messiah to fulfill his promises like every other pious Jew of her day and God simply chose her, as he chose all of the elect to be a recipient of his grace and his salvation based on his own council and good will. There was nothing in Mary that caused God to choose her for this honor. Every Jewish woman since Eve wanted to be the "one" to bear the Messiah. God chose her for the same reason (s) he chose his elect to be redeemed - HIS MARVELOUS MERCY AND GRACE.

This is a hymn from a heart that understands the grace and blessedness of God's favor. Joy and expectation runs through Mary's Psalm of praise. It is my prayer that you too take joy in and continue to rejoice in the birth of the Messiah, the only and unique Son of God, our Lord and Savior!

*********************************
2010 A-Z Challenge: M is for Mission Field
2011 A-Z Challenge: M is for Magnificat

L is for Labeorphily

First, let me state, I do not remember how I stumbled across this word.

Second, ever since my 8th grade teacher, required us to learn, define, use, and memorize 10 new vocabulary words per week, I have enjoyed building or adding to my vocabulary.

Third, I have certainly enjoyed learning this word and can't wait to work it into a sentence.

Fourth, Hmmm, I wonder how can this be used as a sermon illustration?

Fifth, this post was written in the early part of March, I have grown more nervous about using it ever since. Let's see if I let it post. First,I liked the ending of the word (phily), second, I liked learning a new word I had never heard of, and third, I was amazed learning that there is an actual word for an actual hobby. I just thought people pealed labels off of bottles because they wanted to show off their nails or because they were bord.


labeorphily

the collecting of beer bottle labels. — labeorphile, n.

******************************************
2010 A-Z Challenge:  L is for Longview
2011 A-Z Challenge:  L is for Labeorphilly

K is for Kiss

Kiss

Kiss - "to touch with the lips." The touching of the lips is a gesture of affection or homage. When mentioned in the bible "kiss"or "kissing" is usually devoid of any erotic content. The Old Testament speaks of the "kiss" most often in the context of family. For example, children kissed their father, men kissed their children and grandchildren. Instances of brothers greeting one another with a kiss are recorded. We have records of women kissing their daughter-in-laws, and a man kissing his son-in-law.

The kiss was used in some pagan worship ceremonies. These kisses were prevalent when idols were kissed in worship. Some idolaters as a part of worship "threw kisses" to the moon. There are recorded in the Old Testament ceremonial kisses of a new king.

Kissing in the New Testament was similar to that of the Old Testament. The father in the story of the Prodigal Son embraced and kissed his son. The sinful woman who had been forgiven of her sins by Jesus kissed his feet. Jewish practices included placing a hand on an guest's shoulder then giving the guest the "kiss of peace." When Paul was traveling to Jerusalem and had called the Elders of the Ephesian church the bible tells us that they wept, embraced, and kissed Paul.

We do have examples recorded in the bible of diabolical kisses. These have been called "kisses" of the enemy. Of course the most infamous kiss is the kiss of Judas when he betrayed his friend and master for 30 pieces of silver.

For what it may be worth, the only mention of the erotic aspects of kissing are mentioned in the Old Testament. These types of kisses are connected to the seductive kiss of "the immoral woman" in Proverbs. (Now, for the record, the Old or New Testament does not prohibit or "frown on" the romantic kisses of a man and his wife. Those examples are simply not recorded other than in veiled references.)

There are references in the New Testament that would have believers greeting one another with a holy kiss. We find these references in Romans 16:16; I Corinthians 16:20, II Corinthians 13:12, I Thessalonians 5:26. The early church expressed the intimate fellowship of the redeemed community of believers. It is interesting to note, at least to me, that this practice was "highly regulated" in the churches lest improper behavior would occur. Men greeted men with kisses and women greeted women with kisses. This kiss was known as the "kiss of peace."

The earliest reference that we have to this "kiss" is in Justin's Apologies. He makes this notation, "when we have ceased from our prayers, we greet one another with a kiss." Tertullian spoke of the "holy kiss which is a sign of peace" and asked, "if whether any prayer could be complete separate from the holy kisses."


According to E. G. Selwyn, "by the middle of the second century it was in regular use in the liturgy at the conclusion of the prayers and immediately before the offertory." When the time of corporate prayer ended and as hands reached for the wallet to give in the offering, members of the church would wander around greeting one another with a "holy kiss of peace." We seem to have replaced the kiss portion of our liturgy with the "let's greet one another and shake hands" portion of the service.

The holy kiss seems to have been used at baptisms, ordinations, and marriages. But even regulated and well meaning things become abused and get out of hand.

Clement of Alexandria wrote, "Love is judged not in a kiss but in good will. Some do nothing but fill the Churches with noise of kissing." 

Seems that many members would offer "kisses of peace" and then "live like the devil the rest of the week." In other words, like other parts of the service, even early church members played the hypocrite.

 Clement seemed to be saying you can hear the church filled with the sound of a holy kiss of peace and all the while we are fighting and devouring one another. Eventually the practice of the "holy kiss" or the "kiss of peace" died out in the 13th century. Now we greet one another with a smile and handshake. Is that enough?

J is for Justification

Job asked what is most likely the most important question that any man can ever ask, "How then can man be in the right before God? How can he who is born of woman be pure?" (Job 25:4, ESV) The KJV actually words it a little better in this case when it records Job's question as, How then can man be justified with God..." This is the $64,000.00 question. There is no other question that a man could ever ask that would have more impact on the well-being of man. Sadly, most men never consider this question during their life time. The Bible is clear that man is born spiritually dead which results in the absolute darkness of spiritual blindness. The sad truth is that if left to himself a man would not even know to ask this question nor would he know the implications.

Secondly, it is equally as tragic and sad that when this question is asked Satan is only too glad to continue the death and darkness by providing an answer that is diluted with deadly lies. God has only too gladly supplied the answer to Job's question in His Word. Satan, hating God and all that is connected to God, hoping man remains dead, deceived, and in darkness proffers an answer mixed with the truth and the false.

The question of justification is of utmost importance. How this question is answered determines the eternal state of every individual who has been and will be born. It is crucial that one comes to an accurate answer when it comes to justification. It is not merely a theological issue to be bandied about like some beach ball on the sand.

As complex as the subject can be and as important as it is, there are only two possible answers to this question. Every teaching, doctrine, practice, superstition, philosophical pronouncement, every theological hypothesis can be reduced down to an either or answer. Man is justified before God either by a declarative act of God or the infusion of God's grace into an individual who cooperates in some form or fashion with God. In other words, justification is either an act of God or it is achieved by a system of works. God declares a man to be just or a man works in cooperation with God in order to be justified. Sometimes the difference is so slight that many don't see a difference at all. This pleases Satan who really doesn't care how moral we are, how religious we might be, or how much we depend on God for our justification if he can add just enough lie in order to continue to deceive the human race.

Justification is the teaching that God pardons and accepts believing sinners. Justification is provided by God via the vehicle of faith. Faith is not the basis, the basis is the atoning work of Christ and the acceptance of God of that atoning work. Faith is the means by which this pardon is given by God. Justification determines the whole demeanor of Christianity. Justification defines the saving significance of Jesus's death on the cross by relating his death to the wrath and demands of God.

Justification is to pronounce, accept, treat, and or declare a man as "just." This means a man declared just is not liable to the penal code or penalty and that man is given all of the promises of and privileges of those who have perfectly kept the law of God.

Justification is a "forensic term" that depicts a judicial act of God who administers the law in its entirety, by declaring a verdict of not-guilty which does away with all condemnation and judgement. Justification settles the legal status of an individual.

As scantily mentioned, the grounds of justification becomes the battle ground between God and the forces of the enemy. This is an area, a doctrine, a subject, an issue where one cannot be wrong. There is no margin for error when it comes to the grounds of justification. God hates sin and will not tolerate it. God expresses his wrath in a number of ways throughout both the Old and New Testament demonstrating that sin is intolerable and will receive the fullness of his wrath and retribution. God is impelled by his own nature to pour out his wrath and fury on those who break his law, who are unrighteous, and who are sinners.

Praise be unto God that He has done so. God poured out the fury of his wrath against his only unique Son as Jesus willing gave his life on the cross of Calvary. Here sin was dealt with. God now justifies sinners on a just ground, which is that the claims of the law against those who have sinners have been fully satisfied. Satisfied where? In Christ! Jesus Christ acted on behalf of elect sinners fulfilling the demands of the law and its penalty. The law had not been flouted, altered, or suspended - its full demands for satisfaction and justice was fulfilled in Christ Jesus. As a result God imputes righteousness and declares those who by faith rest in this work of Christ as just or justified.

Believers are justified by faith and faith alone. Faith is only the means or the instrumental cause where the benefits of the cross and Jesus's righteousness is appropriated by a sinner. Make no mistake, the faith exercised does not induce God to declare one just. Believers are justified by the vehicle or instrument of faith. They are not justified on account of faith. Otherwise, faith would be a meritorious work which would alter the gospel.

This is where is gets dicey. Here is where countless billions of souls throughout history have been lost and remain forever unjustified. Justification cannot be earned, merited, or acquired by any human means. One cannot work, perform works, or even cooperate with God in any manner with the expectation of justification.


"knowing that a man is not justified by works of the Law, but through faith in Jesus Christ; even we believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith in Christ, and not by works of the Law. For all flesh will not be justified by works of law." Galatians 2:16 MKJV

"For as many as are out of works of the Law, these are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the Book of the Law, to do them." But that no one is justified by the Law in the sight of God is clear, for, "The just shall live by faith." But the Law is not of faith; but "The man who does these things shall live in them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone having been hanged on a tree"); Galatians 3:10-12 MKJV

I is for Iconium

Iconium was a city in south-central Asia Minor that played a very important part in the life of the Apostle Paul. According to Acts 14:1-6 Paul preached the gospel of Jesus Christ in this region on what is known as his first missionary journey. From information contained in the New Testament, it seems that Paul revisited Iconium on both his second and third missionary journeys.

Iconium was located near the Tarsus Mountains on a very high and very fertile plateau. This area contained a number of streams that provided water in abundance. Since Iconium was not conducive to military protection it became a very prosperous city of commerce. It also served as a very agricultural center. Iconium was also on the major trade route between Ephesus and Syria. Iconium also served as a major crossroad for the Roman Empire. Historical records tell us that five (5) major roads radiated from Iconium.

Christians remember that the events in this city played a major role in the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul. Acts 14 tells us that Paul and Barnabas arrived in Iconium after a contingent of antagonistic Jews drove them out of the city of Pisidian Antioch. Paul and Barnabas had been received well and had been successful in preaching to the Gentiles. The Jews had decided to kill the pair and when Paul and Barnabas learned of the deadly conspiracy they fled to Derbe and to Lystra, neighboring cities of Iconium. Again, Paul and Barnabas enjoyed great success in preaching in these cities.

Jews traveled from Iconium to Lystra and successfully stirred up the city of Lystra against Paul. The citizens of Lystra egged on by antagonistic Jews from Iconium stoned Paul and left him for dead on the outskirts of the city. Paul writes of his persecution in Iconium to Timothy (who was from Lystra) in II Timothy 3:11.

Luke tells us in Acts 14 that the Jews from Antioch and Iconium persuaded the crowds at Lystra to stone Paul and after they did, they dragged his body of the city, supposing him to be dead. Many credible, reliable, and fundamental theologians (including myself) believe that Paul did die from the stoning. In II Corinthians 12:2 Paul speaks of being "being caught up to the third heavens and he entered into Paradise where he heard things that he could not share or speak of. We think when the Iconium's persuaded the people of Lystra to stone Paul and leave him for dead outside of the city this experience took place.

We don't know how long Paul laid dead after his stoning. We don't know how long it took the blood-thirsty crowd to dissipate. We don't know how long after all the dust settled and the would be-murderers departed the scene that the disciples were brave enough to gather around him, but when they did, Paul stood up, brushed the dust off of himself and walked into Iconium and then departed for Derbe with Barnabas. But while Paul laid dead he was apparently caught up and taken into the third heavens.

Blast from the Past!

 First let me say, when I was writing about Herlong in previous posts it was because the experience was a mixture of joy and pain, blessing and trial, excitement and disappointment and it reminded me of God's goodness, faithfulness, and mercy to me through it all.

Secondly, as we await God's direction, blessing, and provision now, it did me to good to remember these things by chronicling them; that God always provided then and he will provide now.

When I was writing about my experiences in Herlong I came across a photo on Google Images of a market that we would shop at from time to time called Heard's Market. That photo reminded of a wonderful little quick stop market at the Herlong Junction called The Mark. As I thought of this market memories flooded back in including this one that I am going to share with you. I was very surprised not to be able to find a photo on Google of The Mark since almost everything else is on there. I was able to find a "stranger" over the internet who took a photo for me and emailed it to me so I could share it with you. So, with a bit of a twist, this photo brought back some awfully good memories and one not so good one. I want to share it with you.

When we were called to the fledgling church in Herlong they were unable to provide a full salary for us. At first to make ends meet I took on a newspaper motor route for additional income. It was the sort of job that suited me for a number of reasons. First, I began delivering newspapers when I was just eleven years old. My dad had become friends with a District Manager who was responsible to drop the bundles of papers off for each carrier and then supervised the carriers and all their related duties. My dad hoped to gain a friend and entrance into the San Jose Mercury News through this DM. In the meantime I talked my mom and dad into letting me deliver papers. (By the way, my dad did get a job as a District Manager and retired after some 20+ years with the San Jose Mercury News.)

I learned work ethics very early as a result. I got up, as an eleven year old boy, every morning at 4:00 AM, dressed, and rode my bike to the paper drop. There I sat on the side walk, folded and rubber-banded my papers. I then loaded them in bags on my bike and off I went throwing the newspaper onto the various porches of my customers. I delivered newspapers for the Mercury News until I reached the age limit of 17. By then I had three paper routes, was making a ton of money, and was now delivering them out of a Datsun, yes I said Datsun pickup truck, remember those?. I had graduated from bikes, to a motorcycle, to a pickup truck.

Secondly, the paper motor route was good for me because I loved to get up early and drive. I spent quite a bit of time with the Lord while we delivered the newspapers. This extra job enabled me to earn a little extra money without interfering with my pastoral duties.

The picture at the top of the blog is a picture of "The Mark". It is located on Highway 395, and if my orientation is right, it is 7 miles west of Herlong. It is 60 miles north of Reno and 40 or so miles south of Susanville.  To reach this market one would drive west on the Herlong Access road seven miles until one reached Highway 395 at which time one would turn right or north towards Janesville or Susanville. The store was on the left or west side of the highway a couple miles from the junction. No, not the Petticoat Junction, the 395, Herlong Access Road junction.

I would pick up my papers and head north towards Janesville and Susanville making deliveries. On the way back, that store would be on my right and I would pull off the highway, drive perpendicular to the front of the building and toss the paper out my left window over the roof of my car and unto their porch. Every morning that I had the route I would make a perfect toss across the top of the car and hit the porch perfectly except one morning.

One dark and deary morning I drove near the front of the store as I always did and I let loose of that rolled up and rubber banded paper. This morning it didn't land on the porch. Do you see the white sign that says "Open 24 hours a day - The Mark"? A plate glass window use to be right about there.

 That's right! The newspaper hit that plate glass window just right and yeppers, broke it. Do you know how quite it is in the early morning hours before daylight in the high desert? There are no factories, no fire trucks with sirens blaring, very few cars at that time of the morning if any, no city noises whatsoever. It is so quite you can hear a pin drop or a plate glass window drop. Do you know how loud a plate glass window falling to the ground is on an early morning in the high desert ? The Stock Market Crash of 1929 couldn't have been any louder.

Now I know you are looking at this building and trying to find the plate glass window and porch. My "new friend" informed the original Mark burned down and this is what was rebuilt. But I digress, let's continue on with the story, shall we?

Mind you, this incident was in the days before the proliferation of cell phones. I did not have one at the time. I don't even know if I had even heard of a cell phone in 1984. Therefore, I had to find a phone, hoping all along no one would drive buy and break into the store; call the owner; and get back in order to guard the store. I can't remember where I found the nearest pay phone; ya, you know that thing where you deposited money, and you got a dial tone, and you were then able to make a call on it? I found one, called the owner, beat feet back to the store and sat there until they arrived.

Needless to say they weren't too happy. But I was responsible so I paid for that window. It cost nearly 200.00 in 1984, it nearly broke us. Everyday I drove by that window I had a small satisfaction that it really belonged to me. I only hope that the glass I replaced served them well. I wanted to get every penny out of it that I could. Hearing it burned to the ground taking my glass window with it was saddening. However, I have never had to replace any glass that expensive.

What was the last thing you broke and you had to replace that wasn't yours?

How did it break or how did you break it?

Do you think windows should be made of glass that waits to be broken

 by part time preachers turned motor-route carriers?

H is for Habits

Habit

Have you ever stopped to think how many things you do simply because they have become a habit? Webster's Seventh Collegiate Dictionary defines habit as "the prevailing disposition or character of a person's thoughts and feelings: mental makeup; a usual manner of behavior: custom; a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiologic expose that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance; an acquired mode of behavior; or an addiction. It goes on and on but we get the picture. A habit is something that you do over and over again.

Habits can develop and continue without rhyme or reason sometimes. There are times we do things repeatedly without any understanding of why we do them. Case and point:

A young woman married her high school sweetheart. Fortunately she was an excellent cook and loved to cook. One of her newly acquired husband's favorite evening meal was roast beef, mashed potatoes, brown gravy, snapped green beans, buttered muffins, and pecan pie. As fortune would have it his new bride was a wizard when it came to his favorite foods. She knew how to cook them just to his expectant delight.

Everything Thursday evening was roast-beef night and mashed potatoes night. She would start early in the day so that the meal was just right when they both sat down to eat it. She would prepare and cook the roast beef the same way each Thursday to her husband's happy delight. She would pull out the roast beef pan, trim all four corners of the roast, apply the proper spices and place it all in the oven to cook at the right temperature.

As the roast beef was cooking she prepared the potatoes, gravy, and vegetables. She always baked on Tuesdays so she would have a wonderful slice of pecan pie for her husband as a tasty desert. Thus each Thursday dinner came, was immensely enjoyed, and heavily complimented by her adoring husband. This talented and endearing young lady would prepare the roast beef in the same manner each time in order to ensure it met with her husband's approval. Everything was the same each and every Thursday. Her habits and routines  gave her great comfort.

However, this Thursday was a little different. Her husband was able to finish his work at the office and come home early in the afternoon. This gave him an opportunity to watch how his loving wife prepared the delicious roast beef that he enjoyed every week. From a safe distance, having been forewarned by his sweet bride to stay out from under foot, he watched the preparation intently.

He watched as she selected the her favorite roasting pan. He watched as she carefully cut off and trimmed all four corners of the roast beef. He wondered about that and wisely kept his question to himself while she finished preparing the rest of the meal. Having his curiosity satisfied he sat down and read the evening paper while the roast slowly cooked. Having gotten home early he didn't realize how long it could take and all of the preparation that went into the delectable feast that his adoring wife prepared every Thursday for him.

Finally, the dinner was ready and placed on the table. After the giving of thanks for God's goodness and as he tasted that first bite he couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. He began, " Much thanks to you my dearest, this roast is as succulent and delicious as all the other roasts you have cooked for me. But, I am wondering about something? Why did you cut off the four corners of the roast?" She looked at her husband and thought deeply for a moment and replied, "Well, Darling, I don't know." "Do you do it each time you cook a roast for us," he asked. She thought again for a moment and said to him, "Why yes,each time I cook a roast I cut off the four corners." "You don't know why," he asked again? "No, I don't know why. Other than as a little girl I watched my mother cut off the four corners each and every time she cooked a roast for us." She said to her husband, "since we are finished, let's go visit my mother and ask her why she cut off each corner."

So, they got in their adorable Buick Century and after securing Fi Fi their miniature poodle safely in the back, they drove over to her mothers home. Fortunately mom was home that night and was delighted to see have her daughter and son-in law to come calling. After all the greetings and pleasantries were exchanged, mother asked them what was the occasion of their visit.

"Well," her daughter began, "When I was a little girl I watched you cut off the four corners of the roast beef every time you cooked it for us. Now I find that I do the same thing each time I cook one for my husband and myself. He asked me why I cut off each corner just before I cooked the roast beef. And Mother, I don't know why I do that other than I watched you as a little girl do it too. So, why did you cut off the four corners of your roast beef each time you cooked one?"

Mother replied, "Daughter, now that you ask me, I don't know why I cut off all four corners of the roast beef before I cook it either. I remember seeing my mother do it each time she prepared roast beef for her family." Let's call your grandmother and ask her why she did such a thing." So, they quickly picked up the phone and called grandmother and asked her the question that no one could answer. "Grandmother, why did you cut off the four corners of the roast beef as you prepared it for cooking," they asked.

"Honey, darling," said the grandmother, "I cut off the four corners of the roast beef because the roast was always to big to fit in the only roasting pan I had. I just made it fit the pan, that's all."

Why did two generations of cooks do the same thing?

What cooking habits do you do religiously?

What do you do out of "habit" that you don't know why you do it?