Update And Songs

As some of you may have seen on Sunny's blog, our grandmother's health has been going downhill for the
past few weeks. I am sorry, but mostly glad to report that she left this world at 3:30 a.m. this morning, and is
now in the presence of her Savior. Praise the Lord, for He is good.
  We will be going down to Florida on Friday, and the funeral will be on Saturday. Please pray for all the
family involved, as it is still hard to see a loved one leave.

  The songs that Blane and I recorded this week are amazingly appropriate, I think, as they are about the
sufficiency of Jesus' blood to save, and the brevity of life. Enjoy.

Make-Up Monday - Proverbs 27:12

"The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple goes on and suffers for it."

We should strive to be prudent people. Much sorrow can be avoided by examining our situations through the

lens of God's word. If any situation requires, or tempts you to compromise on God's standards, you need to

get out.

  In scripture, it is clear that we are to guard our heart, to keep it and our ways pure and pleasing to God.

We have a responsibility before Him to stay away from things that are displeasing to Him and, by definition,

dangerous to us.

  As parents, and to a higher degree, as fathers, this responsibility extends to our families. By God's decree,

fathers are the leaders of the family, and He holds them accountable for how they lead their families.

Do they lead with wisdom and humility, teaching them the word of God? Do they discern danger and heed

warnings, so as to protect their families?

  This responsibility also extends to our brothers and sisters in Christ, our fellow believers. We are commanded

to build one another up in love, and one of the ways we do this is to, if necessary, refrain from doing certain

things or going certain places that would be a stumbling block for them. Another way is to look out for sinful

and destructive behaviors that they may fall into, and go to them, in love, showing them their error with scripture.

  Following this line of thought, I am reminded of the responsibility we Christians have to proclaim the gospel,

to shine the light of the truth, so that those whom God will save may hear and believe, and that all the rest may
be without excuse.

  This is our responsibility, our calling; to be a prudent and holy people in a foolish and fallen world.

Amazing Video

I just found this guy's YouTube channel and had to share this video! (there is a link to the channel on the video)


The "Chapman Stick", as it is called, is a very intriguing instrument. More about it at the manufacturer's site.

Scripture Sunday - Proverbs 19:27

"Cease to hear instruction, my son,

and you will stray from the words of knowledge."

It is the very nature of humans to forget instruction. We need to be almost constantly reminded of
the truth to walk in it. This is just one of the reasons that Christians need to find a good church in
order to truly grow, because we need to hear the word preached. Not just in personal study,
but examined and put forth rightly in the pulpit. We need the interaction, the encouragement, and
the accountability. But even in addition to that, we must still immerse ourselves in the Bible,
studying the truths therein, or we will be out-of-touch, ineffective, unable to properly discern or
defend with scripture. (2 Tim 3:16-17)
  I believe another way of looking at this passage is that "cease to hear instruction" can also mean
"Refuse to accept rebuke". Our flesh doesn't like rebuke, it wants to have its own way. And besides,
"Rebuke is a mean word. It's just not nice!" (said in a whiny voice) Well, about that...

"Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life,

but he who rejects reproof leads others astray." - Proverbs 10:17

"A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding

than a hundred blows into a fool." - Proverbs 17:10

"Better is open rebuke

than hidden love." - Proverbs 27:5

So, we need rebuke. It may not be pleasant, but it is an act of love, and one that is needed in the church.

  The lesson of this verse is that we must be in our Bibles, we must be studying the truth to walk in it.
And we must have an attitude of humility, so that if we must be rebuked, we may see our error,
repent of it, and seek to walk again in the truth. 

Sorry about the mess, Blogger is having some problems... it is at times like these when I wonder how
hard it would be to switch to WordPress... B)

Make-Up Monday - Ephesians 4:30

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."

Just this evening, the power at our house went out for an hour or so, and as I began to write, a thought came to

Me: How often do we Christians ignore the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit that would have shown us the

right way to go, and instead pull back into the darkness of our old self, trying to get around by our own power,
and by our own plans? If my own life is any indication, too much.
  A very great gift has been given to us in God's Holy Spirit, a gift of new sight, of guidance, and of strength.
By Him we are sealed, we are pardoned and set apart. We are made His. Yet we can so often refuse to hear His
warnings, which are given so graciously, and we can so often refuse the light that He gives so freely. We
cannot expect to grieve His Holy Spirit again and again without consequences, and if we do not continually
repent of our sins and surrender to God, our hearts will surely end up cold and dark, estranged from God and
hardened towards Him.
  If nothing else, let us constantly call to remembrance what mercy God has shown to us, that we sinners
could be called His children. Let us remember the darkness that He delivered us from, and may He grant us
soft hearts to receive His word, and faith to walk by His Spirit!

Here is a new song from Blane Jr: (Lyrics are on the YouTube page)

"Try-Again" Tuesday - Hebrews 10:23

(I failed to write Sunday and Monday, so I have "tried again", and succeeded, today)

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,

 for He who promised is faithful."

There are a lot of pressures and cares in this world, the bulk of which I have not personally experienced yet,
being as young as I am. But now, especially after going through drivers-ed, I am starting to get real glimpses of
the responsibilities I will soon bear. Of owning and driving a vehicle. Of having a job. And yes, of having and
providing for a family. I have learned much in the past few years about these things, so I have come to this
point understanding that these are goals that I am to work toward. However, it is one thing to learn about and
accept these ideas, and another thing entirely for them to become realities that must be navigated with faith,
prayer, and perseverance.
  All this to say that sometimes, the idea of "growing up" just about scares me silly, but I am reminded that
God is in control, and that if I concentrate on pleasing Him, He will bless my feeble efforts and guide me in
the way I should go.
  My prayer for all of us is that we would indeed hold fast to Him who is the assurance of our hope, even when
we don't feel hopeful. That we would always remember that even though all else should seem a bleak, heavy
burden, He who promised to "never leave nor forsake" us is faithful and will never go back on His promises.

Now, on a not so different note, here is a new song we recorded Sunday:

We had done another, an excellent new song from Blane Jr, but after further review decided to do it over next Sunday. Until next time, Grace & Peace!