As I prepare to attend the funeral of one my first cousins, I would like to take a moment to share about him.
Edwin G. Cox ("Eddie" as I remember him from my childhood) passed away on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011 at the age of 72. The bulk of my memories of this man are from my childhood, as he was already a teenager when I was born. I was the ring bearer in his wedding some fifty years ago. He was mostly raised by our grandparents who lived on the same land my house now rests upon.
I knew my cousin "Eddie" had served his country in the navy, attended NC State where he studied engineering, and worked for NASA. What I did not know about him, and I only learned this yesterday, is that he actually invented technologies which were used in Minute Man missiles, and the Apollo 11 and Voyager space programs. He also invented military technology used to this day by the U.S. Navy.
Edwin G. Cox was 14 years my elder and we never lived in the same community, but I wish I had gotten to know my cousin better. I count it a privilege to attend his funeral today.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
I remember this man's life story being featured on a Christian radio network I served with years ago. I hope they have realized that this so-called evangelist was nothing more than a Pelagian heretic and hopefully they do not broadcast anything positive about him any longer:
http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/articles/finney.htmhttp://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/articles/finney.htm
http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/articles/finney.htmhttp://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/articles/finney.htm
Friday, November 18, 2011
The Heart of Evil
Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs.
(John 11:45-47 ESV)
This scripture follows the raising of Lazarus from the dead by the Lord Jesus Christ. What struck me was how these Jews, after witnessing this great miracle, ran to report to the religious leaders instead of falling on their faces and worshiping the God of the universe. Then the religious leaders plot the death of Christ! This is fascinating! If I knew of a man who could raise the dead, I think I would be afraid of his power to kill me, instead of me planning his death. I guess this demonstrates the darkness of the hearts of the impenitent and the depths of evil. "The heart is desperately wicked...who can know it?"
(John 11:45-47 ESV)
This scripture follows the raising of Lazarus from the dead by the Lord Jesus Christ. What struck me was how these Jews, after witnessing this great miracle, ran to report to the religious leaders instead of falling on their faces and worshiping the God of the universe. Then the religious leaders plot the death of Christ! This is fascinating! If I knew of a man who could raise the dead, I think I would be afraid of his power to kill me, instead of me planning his death. I guess this demonstrates the darkness of the hearts of the impenitent and the depths of evil. "The heart is desperately wicked...who can know it?"
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Thought for the Day
The organization "Freedom From Religion" is wrongly named because atheism is a religion.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Revelation....At Least Somewhat
As Moses was forty years in the desert......
Do you ever have one of those moments when a thought or idea "pops" into your head and then you realize it may have actually been the Lord speaking? I had one of those moments this week during my morning prayer. The fact that it came in the middle of praying is one reason I don't believe it was a random thought on my part.
First, I believe some background is in order. Shortly after the Lord saved me I felt the need to be serving in a Christian ministry and Christian radio fit the bill since I was in radio broadcasting at the time. Over twenty years ago I left the radio ministry for several reasons, some good, some probably not so good. During the decade of the 90's I taught a couple of adult Sunday school classes at different churches and also served in an administrative position in a children's ministry. I was approached by the pastor of a brand new church of which I was a founding member in 2002 to consider being an elder if nominated. However, I asked that I not be considered as I felt I was not in any way qualified.
Fast forward nine years and I now find myself in my late fifties wondering where has the time gone and whether I have wasted most of my life in relation to Christian ministry. This is where the "idea" or "revelation" I had the other morning comes in. I must put this in question form, because I am so confused right now and I must confess...I don't know if this of the Lord or me. I pray He will reveal this to me clearly, but the question is: Have the past thirty years actually been a time of preparation for some type of service or ministry? I do not have the means to return to school...humanly speaking, but all things are possible with God. Maybe He has a plan for me that doesn't involve any formal training. Only He knows.
The other great spiritual struggle I am dealing with at this time may actually tie in to this situation. I thought I had finally "arrived" four years ago when I discovered reformed theology and joined a Presbyterian (PCA) church. I trust my use of the word "arrived" is not misunderstood in this context. One must have a "system" by which he approaches and understands God's Word and now, for the past four years through reformed theology, the Bible has made more sense to me than ever before. However, nothing ever seems to be "settled" in my life. There has been a restlessness I cannot explain. I have been thinking it is all about my job. I've been scheming to get a new job and/or move to the coast where my son lives for the past two years. I have probably been looking in the wrong direction all along. Maybe God is calling me into full time gospel ministry. It may not be as crazy as it sounds, but I'm still seeking the Lord's direction.
And then comes the wild card thrown into the mix. Over the past few months I have been investigating the Anglican church. There are two parishes here in the local area. They and the groups with which they are affiliated are theologically and socially conservative. They view the Bible as the Word of God and as supreme authority for our lives. Their theology is also reformed. Their worship services are formal and liturgical, and I now find that after all of these years, that appeals to me. I believe this type of worship to be more God-centered than the informal, contemporary services in most of our evangelical churches. I speak only for me....I have evolved to the point where I now feel closer to the Lord in a more "traditional" church setting. The Anglicans trace their heritage back 2000 years to the apostles of Christ. This also strongly appeals to me. I believe the early church in the first century had it right. The error and non-biblical additions to the faith came later especially with the Roman church. The Anglican church claims its heritage in the early church and the reformation of the 16th century. One of the two local Anglican churches holds their weekly service at 5pm on Sundays. I attended that service this past Sunday and all I can say is I want to return to experience and learn more. I realize I have been in many churches during my life and I don't want to make any sudden moves because I happen to get caught up in the "flavor of the month" or the latest fad, so to speak. Actually, due to a (hopefully unfounded) concern for the future of my current church, I was investigating other local possibilities of churches and that's what led me to my discovery and further investigation of the Anglican church.
I rekindled some old acquaintances this past Sunday and quickly made some new friends as well. I also attended a class currently studying a book on church history, which I really enjoyed. Some of us interestingly came from similar spiritual backgrounds. If it is God's will for a move to be made, I dread breaking the news to my brothers and sisters at my current church. What is the big picture here? What does it all mean? Which way must I go? Am I emerging from the backside of the desert to begin what may be a great new chapter in my life? I pray the Lord will make it clear.
Do you ever have one of those moments when a thought or idea "pops" into your head and then you realize it may have actually been the Lord speaking? I had one of those moments this week during my morning prayer. The fact that it came in the middle of praying is one reason I don't believe it was a random thought on my part.
First, I believe some background is in order. Shortly after the Lord saved me I felt the need to be serving in a Christian ministry and Christian radio fit the bill since I was in radio broadcasting at the time. Over twenty years ago I left the radio ministry for several reasons, some good, some probably not so good. During the decade of the 90's I taught a couple of adult Sunday school classes at different churches and also served in an administrative position in a children's ministry. I was approached by the pastor of a brand new church of which I was a founding member in 2002 to consider being an elder if nominated. However, I asked that I not be considered as I felt I was not in any way qualified.
Fast forward nine years and I now find myself in my late fifties wondering where has the time gone and whether I have wasted most of my life in relation to Christian ministry. This is where the "idea" or "revelation" I had the other morning comes in. I must put this in question form, because I am so confused right now and I must confess...I don't know if this of the Lord or me. I pray He will reveal this to me clearly, but the question is: Have the past thirty years actually been a time of preparation for some type of service or ministry? I do not have the means to return to school...humanly speaking, but all things are possible with God. Maybe He has a plan for me that doesn't involve any formal training. Only He knows.
The other great spiritual struggle I am dealing with at this time may actually tie in to this situation. I thought I had finally "arrived" four years ago when I discovered reformed theology and joined a Presbyterian (PCA) church. I trust my use of the word "arrived" is not misunderstood in this context. One must have a "system" by which he approaches and understands God's Word and now, for the past four years through reformed theology, the Bible has made more sense to me than ever before. However, nothing ever seems to be "settled" in my life. There has been a restlessness I cannot explain. I have been thinking it is all about my job. I've been scheming to get a new job and/or move to the coast where my son lives for the past two years. I have probably been looking in the wrong direction all along. Maybe God is calling me into full time gospel ministry. It may not be as crazy as it sounds, but I'm still seeking the Lord's direction.
And then comes the wild card thrown into the mix. Over the past few months I have been investigating the Anglican church. There are two parishes here in the local area. They and the groups with which they are affiliated are theologically and socially conservative. They view the Bible as the Word of God and as supreme authority for our lives. Their theology is also reformed. Their worship services are formal and liturgical, and I now find that after all of these years, that appeals to me. I believe this type of worship to be more God-centered than the informal, contemporary services in most of our evangelical churches. I speak only for me....I have evolved to the point where I now feel closer to the Lord in a more "traditional" church setting. The Anglicans trace their heritage back 2000 years to the apostles of Christ. This also strongly appeals to me. I believe the early church in the first century had it right. The error and non-biblical additions to the faith came later especially with the Roman church. The Anglican church claims its heritage in the early church and the reformation of the 16th century. One of the two local Anglican churches holds their weekly service at 5pm on Sundays. I attended that service this past Sunday and all I can say is I want to return to experience and learn more. I realize I have been in many churches during my life and I don't want to make any sudden moves because I happen to get caught up in the "flavor of the month" or the latest fad, so to speak. Actually, due to a (hopefully unfounded) concern for the future of my current church, I was investigating other local possibilities of churches and that's what led me to my discovery and further investigation of the Anglican church.
I rekindled some old acquaintances this past Sunday and quickly made some new friends as well. I also attended a class currently studying a book on church history, which I really enjoyed. Some of us interestingly came from similar spiritual backgrounds. If it is God's will for a move to be made, I dread breaking the news to my brothers and sisters at my current church. What is the big picture here? What does it all mean? Which way must I go? Am I emerging from the backside of the desert to begin what may be a great new chapter in my life? I pray the Lord will make it clear.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Odds and Ends Concerning Bible Translations
You know the old saying, "The more things change, the more they stay the same." I don't know that this saying strictly applies, but I have realized something ironic:
I discussed in an earlier post about my interest in the Anglican church. I noticed that one of the two new Anglican churches in my local area apparently only uses the King James Version of the Bible. After the Lord saved me over thirty years ago, within a couple of years I found myself in an independent Baptist church. As some folks know, the reputation of the "fighting, fundamental, independent Baptists" is that of being "King James Only". King James Onlyism is another subject for another time, but the point I want to make is, that if I end up a part of that particular Anglican church (which at this time is highly unlikely) I will have come full circle in the use of the KJV. The real irony here is that independent Baptists and Anglicans are totally at opposite ends of the theological spectrum.
Switching gears a bit on a totally urelated subject, but having to do with Bible translations....I hope to soon be receiving my new Allan ESV Bible in blue goat skin binding in the next couple of weeks. Great anticipation abounds!
I discussed in an earlier post about my interest in the Anglican church. I noticed that one of the two new Anglican churches in my local area apparently only uses the King James Version of the Bible. After the Lord saved me over thirty years ago, within a couple of years I found myself in an independent Baptist church. As some folks know, the reputation of the "fighting, fundamental, independent Baptists" is that of being "King James Only". King James Onlyism is another subject for another time, but the point I want to make is, that if I end up a part of that particular Anglican church (which at this time is highly unlikely) I will have come full circle in the use of the KJV. The real irony here is that independent Baptists and Anglicans are totally at opposite ends of the theological spectrum.
Switching gears a bit on a totally urelated subject, but having to do with Bible translations....I hope to soon be receiving my new Allan ESV Bible in blue goat skin binding in the next couple of weeks. Great anticipation abounds!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Restlessness Continues
It seems like I stay on a continuing quest. Every time I think that I have "arrived" in a particular area of my life, something else pops up. I have been a Christian for over thirty years and have been through many different ministries and churches. Four years ago I began my involvement with reformed theology. This approach to the Word of God has opened my eyes in many ways and answered a lot of questions I have asked during my walk with the Lord. I am finally in a church where I am able to sit under good expository Bible teaching. This has been a goal of mine for many years. So, why do I have this restless feeling? That may be part of my problem...feelings. They can get you in trouble sometimes.
I am a part of a wonderful, but small church in my community, which, after ten years of existence still seems to be struggling more than maybe it should at this stage. One thing working against growth (but is not an excuse) is the fact that almost half the congregation "commutes" from other areas of the state. Practically the majority of our church family is only able to congregate once a week. In recent weeks we have lost some of our long-time members due to the distance factor. I wonder if this small group of believers will maintain a presence in the long run. We rent a building and are stretched for workers in the various ministries. I know I should and do trust God with this situation, but I also find my attitudes changing at this point in my life.
Of course, there are other reasons for my "restlessness" and I'm sure it comes under the heading of selfishness and at the very least, my own eccentricity. I have investigated the area for other churches in the case something would occur that would cause the necessity of a move. As I age into my retirement years, I find myself yearning to worship in a "real" church building and worship in a more traditional and formal way. I know some of this is not very sound logic, but it is how I "feel". I find myself wanting to return to the singing of traditional hymns. I seem to feel closer to God and experience the Spirit with more classical type music. This is problematic, considering I am the bass guitar player in our church's praise and worship band.
One thing I have learned over the past few years is that there are plenty of true Christians in other denominations and churches, and there are many more "solid" denominations than I ever thought existed. At one time I believed all Presbyterians were liberal theologically and apostate. Now, I am one! Recently I have been investigating the Anglican church. Why? First I found out, like the Presbyterians and other groups, that many concerned and true believers have split from their liberal churches and groups of churches and started new, conservative denominations, or groups. Two of these "groups" are the Anglican Church in North America and the Anglican Province of America. Two Anglican churches, one from each of these groups have been planted in my community, and from what I understand so far, they are growing ministries. From my experience, growth is unlikely in a dead, liberal church. I believe these new churches hold to the basic, "non-negotiables" of the Christian faith. These basic beliefs would include, but not be limited to Christ's atoning sacrifice for sin as the only means of salvation, the virgin birth, and the Trinity. I put out some feelers, seeking information from these two local churches, but as of this writing I am quite disappointed with the response, or lack thereof to my emails. I still may visit each one of these churches at least once as the opportunity presents itself. I pray the Lord will reveal to me whether this new direction is His will or mine.
I may be restless, but I do not want to make a wrong move!
I am a part of a wonderful, but small church in my community, which, after ten years of existence still seems to be struggling more than maybe it should at this stage. One thing working against growth (but is not an excuse) is the fact that almost half the congregation "commutes" from other areas of the state. Practically the majority of our church family is only able to congregate once a week. In recent weeks we have lost some of our long-time members due to the distance factor. I wonder if this small group of believers will maintain a presence in the long run. We rent a building and are stretched for workers in the various ministries. I know I should and do trust God with this situation, but I also find my attitudes changing at this point in my life.
Of course, there are other reasons for my "restlessness" and I'm sure it comes under the heading of selfishness and at the very least, my own eccentricity. I have investigated the area for other churches in the case something would occur that would cause the necessity of a move. As I age into my retirement years, I find myself yearning to worship in a "real" church building and worship in a more traditional and formal way. I know some of this is not very sound logic, but it is how I "feel". I find myself wanting to return to the singing of traditional hymns. I seem to feel closer to God and experience the Spirit with more classical type music. This is problematic, considering I am the bass guitar player in our church's praise and worship band.
One thing I have learned over the past few years is that there are plenty of true Christians in other denominations and churches, and there are many more "solid" denominations than I ever thought existed. At one time I believed all Presbyterians were liberal theologically and apostate. Now, I am one! Recently I have been investigating the Anglican church. Why? First I found out, like the Presbyterians and other groups, that many concerned and true believers have split from their liberal churches and groups of churches and started new, conservative denominations, or groups. Two of these "groups" are the Anglican Church in North America and the Anglican Province of America. Two Anglican churches, one from each of these groups have been planted in my community, and from what I understand so far, they are growing ministries. From my experience, growth is unlikely in a dead, liberal church. I believe these new churches hold to the basic, "non-negotiables" of the Christian faith. These basic beliefs would include, but not be limited to Christ's atoning sacrifice for sin as the only means of salvation, the virgin birth, and the Trinity. I put out some feelers, seeking information from these two local churches, but as of this writing I am quite disappointed with the response, or lack thereof to my emails. I still may visit each one of these churches at least once as the opportunity presents itself. I pray the Lord will reveal to me whether this new direction is His will or mine.
I may be restless, but I do not want to make a wrong move!
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