Scribblings / Warblings / Daubings
My coworker Tracy just asked fearfully if she might turn the thermostat down “one teensy degree” here in the office. I suppose she thought our friendship would be over if she did so without permission. But of course, we all agreed that would be fine.
Now I’m a little cold.
I still hope to give ample time and thought to the ideas of Church and State, as begun below. But in rereading those thoughts this morning, I am very struck with this irony: the American churches, by and large, have adopted a very American form of church government, and one not so driven by the example of Scripture. Consider: the President (Senior Pastor), Vice President (Associate Pastor), etc. The picture provided us in the Book of Acts is much more organic, operating in team-leadership by several elders and even several (teaching) pastors within each local church body.
I wanted to here make note of this, for later meditation.
I have decided to jot down some notes pertaining to each of these institutions, in accordance with the vision of these given by the Word of God as best I see it. While I admit that my vision may change or fade over time, I wish to set down my thoughts honestly so that, at the very least, I may see the development of the ideas over the years. But my higher hope is that through writing them, I may share both visions and call men and women around me to something higher, greater, and truer than we yet may have seen.
It amazes me how American culture has today grasped this ideal of “the separation between Church and State,” and I cannot help but wonder if the cause of this desperate plaint is that we have failed our fathers in understanding either Thing. The State now is so much larger and undefined than it once was, while the Church is so much weaker and unspiritual, leaving us little choice but to wish them separate. In reality, however, they now may be impossibly merged—-yes, now more than ever, though most do not realise it, for is it not true that the State has sequestered certain functions which, until the latest generations, had been the sole duty of a charitable Church? I think here of welfare aspects, chiefly: money and assistance to the poor, weak, weary, injured, addicted and unfortunate. At one time these duties belonged to the Church, as a matter of grace extended through faith, but now they have been apprehended by an obtrusive State. Were they rightly taken? The next few pages will argue this out, using both Scriptures and the American foundational decrees (including the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights).
This is no small undertaking, if I am to do it well. But I am thankful for the encouragement of my girl Brooklyn, who has almost since we net urged me toward writing down my thoughts of the Church. Add to this the influence of the life of William Wilberforce, which God has used much in my life this year, and it seems good to me in this season of my life to adjoin these speculations upon the role of Government, or the State. May God be pleased to enlighten me toward both these institutions.
But I will start with the utmost thanks and praise that both of these institutions are, and ever have been, under God. Truly, though neither Church nor State is walking presently in accordance with His purer designs, still naught has happened which was outside His sway or permission. And for this I am very grateful! I pray He would guide me, and guide us, as we raise our thoughts toward a better Day and better Future than the present state of things would offer us. I suspect we shall find these as we hearken unto His Words. Thus I again entreat Him to move me by His counsel, that these words would fall along the lines of Truth.
Sola Gloria Deo.
A conversation with a friend tonight reminded me of an old song of mine–Christie the Ministry-Dater. Mattyaction, you were the inspiration for this little handiwork which I threw together to sing for the youth group in Atlanta. Shout out to Lilburn Alliance kiddoes (smile). Here are the lyrics…
I met a boy the other day–he said he wasn’t a Christian
But by the time we were holding hands, I knew my spiritual mission
‘Cause from the way that he looked in his Jimmy-Dean jeans
I knew that God really wanted me to show what love really means…
‘Cause I’m Christie the ministry-dater!
I share Jesus on Saturday night
With the boys who say they’ve never seen Him
But who say I’m really out of sight
Well, it’s a sacrifice–you believe it!
But it’s a spiritual gift, it’s true–
‘Cause I know Jesus wants all the cute boys, too!
Well, the Lord has truly blessed my weekend ministry
I’m up to fourteen boys this year alone, and it’s only early spring!
Now you may wonder how I can guard my heart…
Well, the heart is easy ’cause I just set my lips apart…
Sometimes making the most of every opportunity is hard…
So I always say a quick prayer of thanks as he slowly parks the car!
I’m home, and thanks to a kind sister who let me borrow a few of her CDs for the next few weeks…yes, this actually is what I’m listening to.
Step one! We can have lots of fun…
Eric Liddell vs. Chuck Liddell. Which do you admire more? Why?
Thile and his “How to Grow a Band” were absolutely astounding. Yeah.
stones cast from heaven–
the sun stands still–
vict’ry given–
the hope, the thrill!
God in His temple–
all nations bow–
worship or terror
is all we know now.
never before
and never again
has God heard the voice
of a faithful man
and done such a work,
a marvelous thing,
to shatter His enemies
and splinter Death’s sting!
where are you, Hebron?
Jarmuth, Lachish, where?
can caves which the LORD made
shelter you there?
who but His people
may dwell in His land?
who but His children
may stand firm, may stand?
covenants entered,
covenants kept–
not to destroy men
and rather, protect–
covenants made
not to men but to God
and honoured by Him
who made New in His blood!
God is a covenant-
God from on high–
So press on, His people–
His promises are nigh!
I think I shared this last summer, but as I re-study Ephesians and some related passages (Psalm 118:22, Isaiah 8:13-15, Isaiah 28:16, Matthew 21:42-44, and Romans 9:30-33…check them out!), I came across this poem and thought I’d share it again. May it bless you all as you think on Him!
O Christ, our chief Stone
both tested and precious–
Be Thou our standard
of life and of love!
Break us to pieces–
then, Spirit, come seal us:
Make us Your dwelling-place
ne’er to remove!
1 Do not fret because of evildoers,
Be not envious toward wrongdoers.
2 For they will wither quickly like the grass
And fade like the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light
And your judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath;
Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.
9 For evildoers will be cut off,
But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.
thegreatknock 