The christian faith is not moralism.

The Christian faith is not moralism. Yet, we can (wrongly and dangerously!) pervert the Christian faith into this, in our homes and our churches. Our lists of "do's" and "don't's" can become the sum and substance of our understanding of the Christian faith, and in this self-esteem saturated culture, this ends up redounding to the glory of the "self," not the glory of God. So, we need (all of us, Christian parents and children alike) to understand glorious theological truths --

who God is in his eternal fullness as the triune God,
who God is as Creator of all that is,
who we are as created in his image,
what sin is and has done to us,
why Christ came, who Christ is,
what he accomplished,
how we receive the benefits of his work on the cross,
what God provides for us to grow as his people,
what these communities of faith called "churches" are and what they contribute,
and what hope we have for life now and forever

-- to provide the substance for what the Christian faith is, the faith that then is to be lived out in ways that reflect the character of God and his claims on our lives.

Only when moral teachings flow out of a correct understanding of the character and purposes of God and a relationship with him by faith in Christ can we see how our lives are meant to be transformed by God's work within us, reflecting his character and redounding to his glory above all else.

Bruce Ware, "Big Truths for Young Hearts"

Tripp

Jesus didn't give you his grace to make your kingdom work.
He gave you his grace to invite you to a better kingdom.


True,
Pure,
Perserverant,
Biblical love
is not formed out of duty. It is formed out of gratitude.

Paul Tripp

Duck Robe

When Lillian was very small, Lew celebrated one of her growth milestones with a little gift. She finallly got up to 8lbs, so she got a bath robe. Today, when she got out of the tub, the outfit I wanted her to wear was in the car. Yes, in the car. I have been putting my laundry in a suitcase every time we have to show the house. So, I could outfit the family right out of my trunk! Ah, the joy of having a house on the market. While I ran out to the car to collect Lillian's attire, she enjoyed some time in the play room caring for her babies while wearing her duck robe.

An old song

In a little while,

We’ll be with the Father;

Can’t you see him smile? (ooooooh....)

In a little while,

We’ll be home forever,

In a while....

We’re just here to learn to love him;

We’ll be home in just a little while.

"In A Little While"
Amy Grant

Ten Lessons from Great Christian Minds

From philosophy professor James Spiegel:

1. Augustine (5th century): Remember that you are a citizen of another kingdom.

2. Martin Luther (16th century): Expect politicians to be corrupt.

3. Thomas Aquinas (13th century): God has made himself known in nature.

4. John Calvin (16th century): God is sovereign over all, including our suffering.

5. Jonathan Edwards (18th century): God is beautiful, and all beauty is divine.

6. Thomas a’Kempis (15th century): Practice self-denial with a passion.

7. John Wesley (18th century): Be disciplined and make the best use of your time.

8. Fyodor Dostoevsky (19th century): God’s grace can reach anyone.

9. Dietrich Bonhoeffer (20th century): Beware of cheap grace.

10. Alvin Plantinga (21st century): Moral virtue is crucial for intellectual health.

http://wisdomandfollyblog.com/2009/04/09/ten-lessons-from-great-christian-minds/

Welcome Home, Uncle Mark!

We are so proud of you! Thank you for your service to our country.

Imagination as a Vice, Imagination as a Virtue

There is a simplicity that diminishes and a simplicity that enlarges,
and evangelicals have too often chosen the wrong one.

The first is that of cliche--simplicity with mind and heart removed.
The other is that of art.

The first falsifies by its exclusions,
the second encompasses.

The first silently denies the multiplicity and grandeur of creation, salvation, and indeed all things.
The second symbolizes and celebrates them.

The first tries to take the danger out of Christianity, and in removing the danger it often removes the actuality.
The second suggests the creative and sovereign God of the universe with whom there are no impossibilities.

The contrast suggests that not to imagine is what is sinful.

Clyde Kilby, "Christian Imagination," in The Christian Imagination, ed. Leland Ryken (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1981), pp. 42-43. Formatting and italics mine; emphasis in the last line is original. Cited in James Spiegel's essay, Aesthetics and Worship.