Looking and Waiting for the "Perfect Bible"

On an earlier blog I sang the praises of the ESV Bible. It has become my translation of choice (and also the one used predominately by my local church as well). Since my discovery of this wonderful version of the Holy Scriptures in the fall of 2007 I have purchased several (six, I think) copies in various formats. I am still hoping that the publishers (Crossway) will come up with that "perfect" edition for me. They have come close twice. I own a SCR (Single Column Reference edition) and a PSR (Personal Size Reference edition). The SCR has an acceptable font size for the text, but it is sort of on the large size for carrying to church. It also does not offer the text layout in paragraph form. The PSR has the wonderful single column WITH paragraph format, but the text is small for my aging eyes. Now if Crossway could just publish a hybrid of these two editions! If you could take the PSR and just enlarge it somewhat, you would have what I would consider the almost "perfect" Bible! If necessary, it would be ok with me if they would eliminate the side references in favor of larger, readable print. Also, darker print for the text would be great. I know it can be done. I owned a copy of the NIV in the 70's and a copy of the NASB in the 90's which fell into this "middle category" perfectly...large, readable print with the paragraph format in a handy size. Until that wonderful day arrives (hopefully) I will use my SCR for daily reading and devotions at home and my PSR edition for carrying to worship services and Bible studies. Come on Crossway...I know you can do it!

Random thoughts

It never ceases to amaze me that atheists and agnostics spend so much of their time arguing against, fighting against and generally trying to disprove something or Someone in which they don't believe in the first place.

And to my friend "Mad Bob" who has a problem with people using the phrase "thank God": Again, it's just words....why should you be concerned about it? Besides, it has become so over-used that it actually doesn't mean much to the majority of those who use it anyway.

The "Word" on Homosexuality

There has been so much in the media about homosexuality thrown in our faces for years. You know the arguments, the protests, etc. I will not debate the subject or even offer my personal opinion. I will let God's Word reveal the simple facts about this so-called "alternative lifestyle":

Old Testament:
You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. Leviticus 18:22

New Testament:
Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who PRACTICE HOMOSEXUALITY, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, MEN WHO PRACTICE HOMOSEXUALITY, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine....1 Timothy 1:8-10

Remember....homosexuals cannot REPRODUCE....they must RECRUIT! Do you know where your kids and grandkids are?

The word for today boys and girls is.....ABOMINATION.

Go to that quiet place where you talk to yourself and ask this question: Is this "lifestyle" natural?

Dark Days

Before I go off on my negative rant, let me say that ultimately I am a man of faith. I believe God will see me through anything this world can throw my way. My Lord will deliver me from this mess somehow, sometime....I leave that up to Him.

I am so fed up with this country....the government in particular. When it comes to the current economic crisis, we all can probably be blamed to a certain extent. It all comes down to selfish, human nature. If everyone would spend half the time seeing to the needs of others than they do their own needs, we would not be in the mess we face as a nation now. We are probably heading into a depression like none in my generation or younger has ever experienced. I am no financial expert, but I can read the signs of the times.

As of this writing, supposedly our government in Washington is trying to agree on a plan to bail out "Wall Street" and "fix" the financial mess we are in. It's too late people. At best it will be a temporary stopgap. And like the government is going to accomplish anything for the good of the people....yeah, right.

I am also disillusioned once again with the whole political scene. Two men running for president, neither of which I want to vote for. I was going to vote third party, then along came Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate who seemed to be really sharp and a breath of fresh air. Then, I thought, I could vote for McCain (lesser of two evils) and actually make my vote count against Obama whom I feel is very dangerous whether he intends to be or not. But, now Palin is proving to be what her detractors claim her to be....not ready. She unfortunately has not impressed me in the growing number of interviews I see her in. Do I vote Republican just to cancel out one vote for Obama....or do I go for the Libertarian or Constitutionalist party and be able to live with myself? There is a lot to be considered. Stay tuned...there may be more on this subject before the November election.

You gonna serve somebody

Whether a person believes in God or not, they still have a god of some sort....a belief system. Maybe your god is money, your family, something you made, or yourself. Deny it all you want...everyone worships something.

Just read this: http://www.theonion.com/content/news/evolutionists_flock_to_darwin

The evolutionists make my case for me.

The Great Debate

I have found myself in recent days arguing with atheists on different forums and blogs. I have hesitated in the past to even lock horns with these types...you know, the old "casting your pearls before swine" idea. I probably will not return to it any time soon because, for me, it's like banging your head against a brick wall. It's hard to discuss anything when there is no common ground or starting point. These people have no clue where I am coming from, whereas I know where they are coming from because at one time I WAS an atheist (at least agnostic). It's two people with two totally different world views and neither the twain shall meet. Skeptics are very intelligent people, but it's the wisdom of the world (system) they possess. Their eyes are blinded by the evil one.

I learned last week from my son that a mutual friend/acquaintance of ours announced to my son that he has "become" an "atheist/agnostic" (I don't know which he is....they are two different animals, you know). He has turned his back on the God he has believed in and worshipped most of his life and now denies His existence. This very thing was prophesied...1 Timothy chapter 4 says "in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons." I can't help but wonder, did this individual come to this conclusion through years of calculated intellectual study, or is he attempting to justify sin in his life? I am not being judgmental....I can sin with the best of them. I am fascinated with what must be going on in this guy's head. Does he now believe he wasted the first 54 years of his life? The apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:17 "...if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins." Also verse 19 says "If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied."

The bottom line.....if the doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is true....then our atheist friend (and anyone else who does not believe) is screwed. If the Lord Jesus Christ was not raised from the dead, then we are all screwed. The way I see it, my atheist friend loses either way. I've got a 50-50 chance at the worst. But I believe Jesus Christ did come out of that tomb some 2000 years ago, so it is not a gamble for me. It's a sure thing because I know God is real and His word is true.

Balance is normal

It is amazing how time is a teacher. As I age I learn things I could not understand, say ten or twenty years ago. I remember being labeled as "wishy-washy" by a brother-in-law once when it came to some matters of faith. At that particular time I was going through some changes in my beliefs, but it was not a matter of "waffling" but of growth. I was growing and changing as I learned more. I thought at one time I was a "fence-sitter" because I allowed others to label me as such. Thankfully I have realized that is not the case. I have definite beliefs and opinions. I am convinced you have the two extremes....left and right (whether political, social, religious, whatever) and the middle, where the majority (average people like myself) falls. As I said, I have definite beliefs and opinions....some of them may be considered conservative, others liberal. I know people who fall in the two "extreme" camps, some are friends, some are relatives and they look at me as if I were from another planet when I expound my "libertarian" views. So, brother (in-law), I am not "wishy-washy", I am just an average guy who stands firm on the non-negotiables and is open-minded enough to discuss the negotiables. If I have said it once, I have said it a hundred times, God is a God of balance. Since we are made in His image, it is only logical that we be balanced as well.