It hasn't even been 2 months since I moved to Blogspot but I'm switching to a different blogging software again. I thought Blogspot would be enough but it's not as flexible as I originally thought.
The new blog URL:
Wayward Now Home @ Wordpress
Hopefully I'll see you all there! If anyone has this blog bookmarked or subscribed, please update your bookmarks and feeds! Thanks.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Still Green Leaves... For Now
God has blessed me beyond description with Charles Leiter's book, Justification and Regeneration. I've read a chapter (sometimes less) every weeknight since I got it in the mail a week ago and it has blessed me in ways that I didn't think possible.
I've been struggling greatly with sin and it has caused lots of doubt in my life. Paul writes in his second epistle to the Corinthians that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed, the new things have come. I hear this so often that I started asking myself, "If you really are a new creature, why are you still committing these horrible acts of sin?" I began doubting my regeneration and salvation, which is a very dangerous thing to do. Doing that will only lead you to wallow in sorrow and despair, which distracts you from looking towards Christ and glorifying Him with your life.
I just read a chapter in Justification and Regeneration that dealt with these issues I have and it brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart.
These sins that I struggle with are just remnants of my old self. Though my flesh will still sin, it is not a representation of who I really am in Christ. Sin will attempt to reign over my body but if I walk with the Spirit, sin has no power over me. If you're reading this and struggle with the same problems, I pray that God would enlighten you with the truth and bring peace to your soul. Seek His face and walk in His ways and His grace will shine upon you!
I've been struggling greatly with sin and it has caused lots of doubt in my life. Paul writes in his second epistle to the Corinthians that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed, the new things have come. I hear this so often that I started asking myself, "If you really are a new creature, why are you still committing these horrible acts of sin?" I began doubting my regeneration and salvation, which is a very dangerous thing to do. Doing that will only lead you to wallow in sorrow and despair, which distracts you from looking towards Christ and glorifying Him with your life.
I just read a chapter in Justification and Regeneration that dealt with these issues I have and it brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart.
Beloved Christian, sin's days are numbered in your life! The ax has already been laid to the root of your sin. Like a tree that has been cut off at ground level, its leaves may still appear green for a while, but the fact is that its life is over. It is only a matter of time until every leaf withers and falls to the ground!
Charles Leiter, Justification and Regeneration
These sins that I struggle with are just remnants of my old self. Though my flesh will still sin, it is not a representation of who I really am in Christ. Sin will attempt to reign over my body but if I walk with the Spirit, sin has no power over me. If you're reading this and struggle with the same problems, I pray that God would enlighten you with the truth and bring peace to your soul. Seek His face and walk in His ways and His grace will shine upon you!
Video Recording & Covers
Today was filled with the same, old activities and routines. However, there was one new thing that I did today: I recorded myself covering a couple worship songs with my sister's digital camera and I uploaded them to my YouTube account. As of now, I've covered Aaron Shust's My Savior, My God and Matt Redman's and Chris Tomlin's Wonderful Maker. Check them out if you want!
I think I'll cover a lot more songs throughout the rest of the summer. Maybe I'll even play a few of my original songs (none of which are complete) and put them up as well!
It was actually fun to see myself playing the guitar. There's just something about hearing and seeing myself on video that makes me laugh and feel slightly embarrassed. I'll keep recording videos of myself, though! Maybe someone will be blessed by one. Praise God!
I think I'll cover a lot more songs throughout the rest of the summer. Maybe I'll even play a few of my original songs (none of which are complete) and put them up as well!
It was actually fun to see myself playing the guitar. There's just something about hearing and seeing myself on video that makes me laugh and feel slightly embarrassed. I'll keep recording videos of myself, though! Maybe someone will be blessed by one. Praise God!
Monday, May 19, 2008
A Blessing and a Curse
On Saturday, my youth group and I celebrated the birthday of one of our kids. We had a great time of fellowship and we spent the majority of the day in a park for a picnic with activities. For the first time in over 6 months, I got to play tennis!
Having come home from college, I can't help but be locked up in my room all day. There's really nothing for me to do around here. I live in the suburbs so anything that is remotely interesting is not within walking distance. I don't have a car. My college friends don't live near me. My youth group is still in school for another month. I'm left with nothing to do but whatever is available on my computer.
Based on how the past week or so went, this is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, I have a lot of time on my hands to spend in the Word, read Christian literature, play my guitar and practice my songwriting. On the other hand, the internet can be a source of procrastination, distraction and temptation. The logical thing to do would be to limit my internet time, and although that would help me immensely, it would also require a lot of discipline, which is something that I lack greatly in the midst of summer and boredom.
So there's really nothing left for me except to pray for strength and grace to keep my priorities in order, to keep my focus where it should be, to make myself smaller and to make God's glory everything. I want to be fruitful. I want to abide in Christ. I want to prove myself a faithful disciple of our Lord, bringing glory unto Him and Him alone.
Having come home from college, I can't help but be locked up in my room all day. There's really nothing for me to do around here. I live in the suburbs so anything that is remotely interesting is not within walking distance. I don't have a car. My college friends don't live near me. My youth group is still in school for another month. I'm left with nothing to do but whatever is available on my computer.
[Jesus said,] "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples."
John 15:5-8
Based on how the past week or so went, this is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, I have a lot of time on my hands to spend in the Word, read Christian literature, play my guitar and practice my songwriting. On the other hand, the internet can be a source of procrastination, distraction and temptation. The logical thing to do would be to limit my internet time, and although that would help me immensely, it would also require a lot of discipline, which is something that I lack greatly in the midst of summer and boredom.
So there's really nothing left for me except to pray for strength and grace to keep my priorities in order, to keep my focus where it should be, to make myself smaller and to make God's glory everything. I want to be fruitful. I want to abide in Christ. I want to prove myself a faithful disciple of our Lord, bringing glory unto Him and Him alone.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Justification and Regeneration
I haven't updated much lately because I don't know what to write. Ever since I came home for the summer, there hasn't been much to talk about. I suppose I'll start talking about what I read in the Word for the next few days.
Something that I haven't mentioned before is the kindness of the Leiter family. I'm talking about Charles Leiter, author of Justification and Regeneration, and his wife, Mona. A few weeks ago, I had a random urge to check the inbox of an e-mail account that I had never used. Lo and behold, sitting in my otherwise empty inbox was an e-mail from Mr. Leiter!
We had a short discussion over the next few days and I asked him for some recommended Christian reading and he was kind enough to give me a huge list of books. I don't know if I'll ever finish reading all of the books on the list but I'll definitely try!
The reason I'm writing this is that the Leiters offered to send me a free copy of their book as a gift. As a poor college student who doesn't have many book resources for theology, I happily and joyfully accepted the offer. Since last weekend, I've been the excited owner of their book and I am learning a great deal from it.
Mr. Leiter explains the intricacies of the doctrines of justification and regeneration in such a way that anyone could understand. Although I'm only halfway through the book (just started the section on the doctrine of regeneration), I've already learned a great deal about these doctrines. I've heard many sermons that dealt with these issues and they taught me a lot but this book is precious to me for its content.
I highly, highly recommend this book for any and every Christian out there walking with the Lord.
If either of you happen to read this, thank you so much, Mr. Charles and Mona Leiter.
Something that I haven't mentioned before is the kindness of the Leiter family. I'm talking about Charles Leiter, author of Justification and Regeneration, and his wife, Mona. A few weeks ago, I had a random urge to check the inbox of an e-mail account that I had never used. Lo and behold, sitting in my otherwise empty inbox was an e-mail from Mr. Leiter!
We had a short discussion over the next few days and I asked him for some recommended Christian reading and he was kind enough to give me a huge list of books. I don't know if I'll ever finish reading all of the books on the list but I'll definitely try!
The reason I'm writing this is that the Leiters offered to send me a free copy of their book as a gift. As a poor college student who doesn't have many book resources for theology, I happily and joyfully accepted the offer. Since last weekend, I've been the excited owner of their book and I am learning a great deal from it.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now, all these things are from God...
2 Corinthians 5:17-18
Mr. Leiter explains the intricacies of the doctrines of justification and regeneration in such a way that anyone could understand. Although I'm only halfway through the book (just started the section on the doctrine of regeneration), I've already learned a great deal about these doctrines. I've heard many sermons that dealt with these issues and they taught me a lot but this book is precious to me for its content.
I highly, highly recommend this book for any and every Christian out there walking with the Lord.
If either of you happen to read this, thank you so much, Mr. Charles and Mona Leiter.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Our Daily Bread
I haven't posted much lately because I've been busy. My finals went well, as far as I know, and I'm relieved to be finished for the semester. I packed up and handed in my dormitory key and I moved back into my house for the summer. I spent the weekend relaxing and catching up with my youth group kids, so it has been a great few days.
What I've come to realize is just how damaging or encouraging an environment could be. I didn't really notice it while I was at college but the college environment, even though I try my best to avoid parties and ungodly activities, really has a creeping influence on the life of a believer. I read the Word less when I was there; I spent less time with my Father there; I started enjoying the things of the world more, such as video games and television shows and movies.
Now that I'm home, I've actually read my Bible a few times. I've actually talked with others believers and had genuine fellowship, talking about the things of Christ and the life of a Christian. Just the change in environment has had a positive influence on me.
God has opened my eyes and helped me to see the tremendous importance of Christ and His Word, our daily Bread. How can we profess to be spiritually alive if we do not eat the Bread of Life every day? Without it, we will starve. I pray that the Holy Spirit would guide me, and anyone who reads this, into spending time in the Word daily so that we would not starve.
What I've come to realize is just how damaging or encouraging an environment could be. I didn't really notice it while I was at college but the college environment, even though I try my best to avoid parties and ungodly activities, really has a creeping influence on the life of a believer. I read the Word less when I was there; I spent less time with my Father there; I started enjoying the things of the world more, such as video games and television shows and movies.
Now that I'm home, I've actually read my Bible a few times. I've actually talked with others believers and had genuine fellowship, talking about the things of Christ and the life of a Christian. Just the change in environment has had a positive influence on me.
God has opened my eyes and helped me to see the tremendous importance of Christ and His Word, our daily Bread. How can we profess to be spiritually alive if we do not eat the Bread of Life every day? Without it, we will starve. I pray that the Holy Spirit would guide me, and anyone who reads this, into spending time in the Word daily so that we would not starve.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Insomnia Leading to Lyrics
I've had final exams all week, which is the reason why I haven't been doing daily updates. Today is my last final exam and I'll be packing up and leaving for home for the summer!
I was laying awake in my bed last night at 2 in the morning. I couldn't sleep and all I did was stir around in my bed, so I did what came to my mind naturally: ponder. I thought about God and His greatness and various lyrics began popping into my mind. In retrospect, I was thinking of lyrics because I wanted to write a song, but I was also saying a prayer of sorts to Him. A prayer of praise, awe and wonder.
It turns out that the lyrics are more poetry than song but that's a fine line, isn't it? I can always add a melody later and revise the lyrics if they need revising.
I was laying awake in my bed last night at 2 in the morning. I couldn't sleep and all I did was stir around in my bed, so I did what came to my mind naturally: ponder. I thought about God and His greatness and various lyrics began popping into my mind. In retrospect, I was thinking of lyrics because I wanted to write a song, but I was also saying a prayer of sorts to Him. A prayer of praise, awe and wonder.
It turns out that the lyrics are more poetry than song but that's a fine line, isn't it? I can always add a melody later and revise the lyrics if they need revising.
You gave foundations to the earth
And set all things in motion,
From the swaying of the treetop leaves
To the roaring of the oceans.
And the beauty of the things You've made
Have filled me with such wonder
Of why You would come down and die
To heal a bond we sundered.
You revealed Your glorious plan to man
When You hung on that cross.
Now everything that I once sought,
I count it all as loss.
And I'm giving up my sinful ways
To search and seek Your face,
To glorify Your holy name
Because I stand in grace.
And set all things in motion,
From the swaying of the treetop leaves
To the roaring of the oceans.
And the beauty of the things You've made
Have filled me with such wonder
Of why You would come down and die
To heal a bond we sundered.
You revealed Your glorious plan to man
When You hung on that cross.
Now everything that I once sought,
I count it all as loss.
And I'm giving up my sinful ways
To search and seek Your face,
To glorify Your holy name
Because I stand in grace.
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