Mysticism is Dangerous and Unbiblical

I have received a few anonymous comments that are pro-mysticism and seem to think that I may be promoting "Christian" mysticism. Let me be absolutely clear: I do not endorse or support "Christian" mysticism or contemplative spirituality where we try to use man-made methods ( that are found nowhere in the Bible, I might add) to try to "reach" God. The Bible does not promote mysticism and/or using "centering prayers", the "Jesus prayer" or labyrinths or chanting or emptying the mind. You will not find this promoted in the Bible. In fact, practicing these eastern and new age religious techniques may lead you to have a "spiritual" experience, but you may quite likely encountering doctrines of demons and Satan who masquerades as an "angel of light". Let me be clear, having a "spiritual" experience while practicing these man-made methods does not mean that you are encountering the God of the Bible. In fact you may be encountering demons. The Bible clearly warns to not be of this world. We are not to dabble in ancient pagan techniques to try to reach God. When Nadab and Abihu offered God strange fire, he struck them dead. God is not pleased by using pagan techniques to reach him. Don't base your faith on experience. Base your faith on what the Bible says. God has revealed himself through the written word-The Bible. Many who practice this mysticism end up concluding that Jesus is not the only way to God, or God is all and in all. This is completely wrong and unbiblical.You cannot truly be a Christian and have eternal salvation if you don't believe salvation comes solely through Jesus and that Jesus is God.
Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me."
John 14:6

In Matthew 6:7 Jesus tells us not to use vain repetitions as the heathen do.

Jesus taught us how to pray, and He simply spoke to the Father. This is the example we should follow.

When we base our faith solely on experience, this is not a faith that leads to salvation. Salvation comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17) not by experience.

For more information on the dangers of mysticism, click here.

Wake Up, Repent, Believe

I can hardly believe what I am seeing going on in so many of the "Bible" schools and churches these days (promoting mysticism (see previous post), new age ideas and practices, etc). What will the next generation of pastors be like if they are being taught to embrace practices like these (labyrinth prayers, etc)? I pray that there will still be men willing to be obedient to the Word of God and rise up as pastors as God appoints and leads them and that these pastors would reject these ancient mystical practices that are completely unbiblical.

If you are a Christian, please wake up to what's going on if you haven't already done so. When Jesus comes again, don't let him find you asleep.

And if you aren't a Christian and are not saved, I plead with you to not delay your decision any longer. You really don't know how much time you have left. Repent of your sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ who shed His blood and died for you so that you can be seen as blameless and righteous before God on judgment day and then spend eternity in heaven rather than in hell.

Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. Romans 2:4-5

For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.2 Corinthians 7:10

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:12-13

I believe Jesus is coming again very very soon. Even so, Lord Jesus come.

MB Seminary Promotes Labyrinth Prayer

It is very late, and perhaps I should be studying for my 3 final exams coming up in the next 5 days, but I feel I must post about something that both angers and saddens me. I just read a blog from fortheauthor about the MB seminary in Fresno that offers a spiritual formation class where students "must be willing to try a variety of spiritual practices". Click here to go to the course outline.

Some of these practices include "The Jesus Prayer", "Labyrinth Prayer", and "Lectio Divina" and daily "Guided Meditation". These practices are man-made attempts to reach God. But through the Bible, God has already provided us with all we need to know about prayer and how to pray. Prayer is simply talking to God. In fact, we aren't supposed to use vain repetitions:

And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do, for they think they will be heard for their many words. Matthew 6:7

Sure, these methods may be "spiritual" practices, but are they biblical? Definitely not. To say that anything "spiritual" is of God is ridiculous; clearly there are evil spiritual forces as well. The Bible is clear in Ephesians 6:12 that we are in a spiritual battle against spiritual forces of evil. The question is, which side are you on, and who are you fighting for?

Why does Richard Foster, a well-known contemplative professing-Christian, recommend we should pray a prayer of protection before trying these practices? He says to pray something like "All dark and evil spirits must now leave" on p. 157 of his book Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home.

Roger Oakland states the following about this:

"Nowhere in Scripture are we required to pray a prayer of protection before we pray. The fact that Foster recognizes that contemplative prayer is dangerous and opens the door to the fallen spirit world is very revealing. What is this--praying to the God of the Bible but instead reaching demons?" (page 99 Faith Undone by Roger Oakland)

Likely the devil is laughing at this-that Christians would purposely put themselves into a state where they could potentially reach demons (Remember 2 Corinthians 11 tells us that Satan transforms himself into an angel of light and his ministers transform themselves into ministers of righteousness) , while God is probably grieving and angry as Christians attempt to use pagan methods to reach a holy God. Let us not forget that when Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire to God, he killed them. God is a holy God, and it seems many people these days are lacking a proper fear for God.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 11 "I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ."

Unfortunately, it seems many are being deceived and led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ by trying all kinds of man-made pagan techniques to reach God. We need to point out this error to warn others and also pray that people will realize this is not only unbiblical but dangerous. Pray that the Holy Spirit would convict those participating in this and that they would repent.

Love Not the World

The past few days as I've been listening to some Christian radio program interviews and also some preachers speak on the internet, I've been hearing a recurring theme:

Love not the world nor the things in the world.

"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever"
1 John 2:15-17


This one pastor in particular speaks about how most of today's self-professing Christians look, act, and speak just like the world. Click here to listen to a pastor challenging those who claim to be Christians. (Thanks morebooksandthings for bringing this pastor's message to attention.) Over the past few months, I've been especially convicted that I cannot love the things of this world, and as I continue to read God's Word, I find myself increasingly aware of the disgust and hatred God feels toward sin and how I also need to be disgusted by sin and not take pleasure in it and continually pursue righteousness.

Let love be without hypocrisy Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, Titus 2:11-12

In the past few months, I have found myself often putting on a cd and having to throw it out because I cannot stand to hear ungodly talk anymore. Same thing with movies: I find myself increasingly disgusted by even the "tame" movies as they are not speaking God's truth. I'm not trying to say that I've got it all together or anything- I'm constantly reminded that I am a sinner and I would never measure up to God's standards, but it's only by Jesus' blood that has covered my sins that I am able to stand before God on judgment day and not be condemned since I've accepted Jesus as my personal Savior and His payment for my sins in full. It doesn't matter if you've sinned once or a million times-it's still sin-and God cannot accept ANY of it.

Don't get me wrong; I'm NOT saying that we will be perfect and never sin once we are a Christian. The Bible is clear that Christians do continue sin on this earth. I'm also NOT saying that living a godly life is what gets you saved. Salvation is by grace alone-the Bible is clear on that. What I AM talking about is "the good fruits" that the Bible talks about, which is evidence a person is saved.

"So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit."A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."So then, you will know them by their fruits."Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter."Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.' Matthew 7:17-23

Here are some examples of what I mean by look, act, and speak like the world: Many Christians are dressing sensually as to draw attention to their bodies (I see this even in some church services I've been to), and although I have heard some pastors speak about this issue in youth groups and young adult groups, I don't think I've ever heard a Sunday morning message that addresses this problem. The church is to bring glory to God, not to glorify or draw attention to ourselves, and I know I have been guilty of this before too.

I often hear self-professing Christians use God's name in vain and other names God has given himself and also use characteristics of God, such as holy, in vain. I have been personally convicted of the latter and realize that I should no longer speak like this if I am truly one of God's children and want to please and honour him with my life. With the speaking like the world also includes telling inappropriate jokes, laughing at those jokes, gossiping, bragging, boasting, etc.

And with acting like the world, I mean loving money, pursuing worldly pleasures (drinking/partying, smoking, lusting, etc), desiring worldly status, having sex with a person before marriage, etc. And also, I notice that many self-professing Christians think like the world, and even if they don't practice these things, they agree with worldly ideas that are contrary to what the Bible says. For example, they believe homosexuality is not a sin, even though the Bible clearly says it is. Or they see nothing wrong with having sex before marriage, or they believe that God would never allow someone to go to hell, etc. If we are Christians, we need to be transformed. And evidence of having a repentant heart is that you are not only sorry for your sins, but you also turn from your sins and live a life no longer conformed to the patterns of the world, but instead you try to live according to God's commands and instructions he gave us in the Bible.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

If you claim to be a Christian, please examine yourself. The Bible is clear that those who are truly saved will show evidence of this through the way they live by continuing to repent of sins and striving to live a life honouring to God.

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test?
2 Corinthians 13:5

Will Jesus Find You Ready When He Returns?

This was the last thing that I read before I went to bed last night. Jesus spoke these words warning believers to be ready for when He comes and that He should find His slaves alert. (I'm not sure if it is referring to His second coming or the rapture, but I kind of think it is referring to the rapture-let me know what you think). He talks about those who know Him and He will find asleep and not alert when He does come and how it will be worse for them than for unbelievers. But He will bless those who are ready for Him. So, as believers, we need to make sure we are alert and ready and looking for our Master's return. Don't let Him find you asleep when He comes.

Be in Readiness

35"Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit.

36"Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.

37"Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them.
38"Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.
39"But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
40"You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect."
41Peter said, "Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?"
42And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time?
43"Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.
44"Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
45"But if that slave says in his heart, 'My master will be a long time in coming,' and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk;
46the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47"And that slave who knew his master's will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes
48but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

Christ Divides Men

49"I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled!50"But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!51"Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division;52for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three.53"They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."54And He was also saying to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming,' and so it turns out.55"And when you see a south wind blowing, you say, 'It will be a hot day,' and it turns out that way.56"You hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not analyze this present time?Luke 12:35-56 (NASB)

10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.11Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. Romans 13:10-11 (NASB)

Will Jesus find you ready when He returns?

Guard the Flock

I've heard some church leaders say that it's okay and even beneficial to learn church leadership skills from unbelievers. In other words, some people (including some pastors) think that pastors can benefit and learn leadership skills that they can use in church and can benefit their ministry from taking advice and guidance from non-Christians. One church that seems to apply this philosophy is Willow Creek. At their leadership summits, they invite speakers who are successful business men, but not necessarily Christians to share leadership advice. Check out an 8 minute clip from Bill Hybels speaking at the leadership summit about "expanding your learning bandwidth".

Once again, I want to be clear that I am not judging his heart; I am simply asking you to examine his teaching about the importance of learning as much as you can from as wide a variety of leaders as possible. I think this is important to examine because I personally know people who believe he is right about this and that we can and should learn church leadership skills from unbelievers. Here are a few of the comments Bill Hybels makes during the clip:

...claims he has learned “Invaluable leadership lessons from…"...“a Hindu Harvard prof”, “an Agnostic leadership researcher”

"who can you learn from?"

“is your learning bandwidth getting wider or narrower as you mature as a leader”

He then talks about, and in my opinion wrongly criticizes, a pastor who refuses to come to the summit and “protests” it due to Hybels bringing in a faculty member to the leadership summit that the pastor did not agree with.

“it’s my fiercest determination to keep putting faculty lineups together that make a portion of you get your underwear in a bundle” (laughter and applause)

“there are no accidents here friends, this is absolutely intentional” (referring to the speakers chosen to speak)

“we think you can separate wheat from chaff”

“take the good and leave the bad”

“at the end of the day, it’s all about learning leaders”

“I better expand my learning bandwidth so I can learn and grow and do the best job I can”

So, my question is...is this biblical? Can a pastor benefit and learn how to be a better leader by learning from a Hindu prof? I checked out my Bible about this. I didn't find any verse that encouraged pastors or shepherds of the flock to take advice from people who believe in a false god or in no god at all.

But, I did find a few verses about what shepherds (or pastors) should be like.

"For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.
Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. "
Acts 20:27-31

I think this verse is saying that pastors (shepherds) have the responsibility to protect the congregation (the flock) and themselves (be on guard for yourselves) from people who speak things that are not of God (perverse things) that could draw people away from God to false teachers (wolves). It seems pastors should be careful who they take guidance from and also who they allow their flock to take guidance from. I think encouraging yourself and your flock to take advice from a Hindu professor is probably not protecting the flock. How can one be sure of his motives in sharing in a church? He may see it as the prime opportunity to attract people to Hinduism. Hybels says that he trusts those at the conference to "take the good and leave the bad". But this passage in Acts suggests that trying to protect the flock is part of the pastor's responsibility. He's not supposed to just pass that off and trust his flock to take care of themselves. Should the shepherd welcome potential wolves to come and "speak" to the sheep and leave the sheep to fend for themselves? I don't really think so.

Now, back to this whole "learning" thing. Increasing one's knowledge of God is talked about in the Bible as a good thing, yes.

"Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you,
Reprove a wise man and he will love you.
Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser,
Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. " Proverbs 9:8-10

But what about increasing your knowledge of leadership to become a better church leader by taking advice from unbelievers...How can we possibly learn about the spiritual gift of leadership from someone who does not have the Holy Spirit? What useful advice could an unbeliever possibly have that a believer is missing out on? I argue that taking advice from these people actually does harm because they do not know the Spirit, therefore, they cannot understand God's ways and will teach things contrary to the Bible.

The gift of leadership is just that--a spiritual gift from God.

"Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;
if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;
or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." Romans 12:6-8

" But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

The Man of God and the Word of God

10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3

The Bible has given us all we need to know so that we can be equipped for the work God has for us. ("that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work"). We don' t need to, and in fact are warned not to, go to unbelievers for spiritual advice (which includes leadership since it is a spiritual gift). Pastors, along with the rest of us, should look to the Bible and to the Good Shepherd's example to see how a shepherd is supposed to lead and protect the flock.

What Do You Think?

I was doing some more research on Nooma yesterday afternoon, and in the process, I came across a video criticism of Rob Bell that really angered me. In this man's critique, he did a mockery of a Nooma video and also used part of the Gospel of John video to mock Bell. In the Nooma video, Bell also uses mockery to criticize, but I don't think that gives us an excuse to use mockery in return. Both videos really angered me.

Interestingly, last night I was reading Luke 6, and it really spurred some thinking about judging people and using discernment.

Here's the problem I have:While I don't agree with some of Rob Bell's teachings, I don't believe that we are supposed mock people as a way to criticize them. I don't recall Jesus using mockery when he addressed people's sin. He always addressed the sin and condemned the sin, but not the person. I realize that when Jesus addressed the pharisees who thought they had all the answers and believed they were "righteous", Jesus did address them quite harshly (not too harshly though, obviously), but I think that was because he knew their hearts. Jesus was sinless and therefore had authority to address them in this way.

So, my question is...how do we discern (or "judge" so to speak) a person's words without "passing judgment before the time"? I could be wrong, but I think that we are supposed to compare what a person says and does to the Bible, and if it doesn't line up with what the Bible says, then we are not supposed to take guidance from them or associate with them if they claim to be believers. But, at the same time, we will be loving, and we will leave the judgment to God as to what is in that person's heart and where he will spend eternity. Here are some verses to consider:

"Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God."
1 Corinthians 4:5

"I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.
But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves." 1 Corinthians 5:10-13

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."Luke 6:37-38

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Luke 6:41-42

"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. "Luke 6:43-45

Let me know your thoughts on this issue.

Nooma Examined-Faith in Ourself or Faith in Jesus?

Today I came across this video of a pastor's critique of Nooma and exposing some of the false teaching in it. I am not saying Rob Bell is not a Christian, but I am saying that we do need to test what we hear and see if it lines up with what the Bible says.

20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22

We need to be careful who we receive spiritual direction from. This short clip is excellent, and if you are into Nooma, you HAVE to watch this---it shows a clip of a Nooma video, and then a pastor speaks briefly about why some of the teaching is unbiblical. To give you an idea of what I'm talking about. Rob Bell suggests that when Peter went to meet Jesus on the water and started sinking, it was not because Peter doubted Jesus, but because Peter lacked faith in himself. I hope you see what's wrong with that idea....but if you don't, or are curious, watch this video.

9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Living In Expectation

Today my husband and I attended a different church, (we are in search for a different church since we recently left a church for previously-mentioned reasons) and I was really blessed by the pastor's message. Being the first Sunday of Advent, his message was based on Simeon's expectation that, before he died, he would see the Messiah.

"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." (Luke 2:25-32)

The pastor went through many passages of scripture that prophesied Christ's birth and also His second coming. He said that we need to also live in expectation that Jesus is coming again. This is exciting! And we need to be ready for when He comes by making sure we are following Him and living according to what the Bible says. At the end of the message, an elderly man went to the front to lead us in a closing hymn and said that he could be wrong, but he believes that some of those in the congregation, including himself, may very well witness Jesus's second coming because of the signs that we are living in the end days. Then we sang the hymn Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne. Here are the last few lines from this song that blessed me this morning:

"When the heavens shall ring, and the angels sing
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying, "Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee!"

And my heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus!
When Thou comest and callest for me;
And my heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus!
When Thou comest and callest for me."

Sometimes Life is Funny

This post doesn't have much to do with anything, but something kinda funny happened today so I will share it.

2 Christmases ago, I went and bought about 5 Christmas cds with songs about Christ's birth and first coming to listen to. Last Christmas I looked high and low for these cds, and I could not find them anywhere, but by the time I got around to thinking of buying some more, Christmas had come and gone. So, this Christmas I rushed to our local Christian bookstore since they were having a massive sale and I bought 3 Christmas cds for a total of $11--quite a deal! So, anyways, I was excited about this, and rushed home to start listening to some Christmas hymns and catch up on some much-needed house cleaning.

So, then during our house-cleaning, my husband and I come up with the idea to go through all of our cds and throw out ones that we purchased years ago that are not God-honouring and in the meantime organize our remaining cd collection. Well, you can guess what happened during this. Sure enough, I discovered my Christmas cds that I had bought 2 years ago and had disappeared on me sometime before last Christmas. So, now I have 8 Christmas cds. Oh well- At least I didn't buy the sames ones today as I had purchased two years ago. I guess now I have a good Christmas collection of music!

Good Christian men, rejoice,
With heart and soul, and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave:
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
To gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!