Friday, January 7, 2022

Christmas Doxology

 Christmas time a Savior born (sarah)

               Oft times we dismiss through sin and strife

We know by heart the cold, dark morn

               The Incarnate Christ who gave us life.

 

Glad tidings bring far and near (mom)

               Our hope, our joy, our wondrous fear

The lonely manger that kept the child

               Emblaze our Savior so meek and mild


The wintry, dreary Holy Night (joshua)

    A virgin birth - a Son so bright

But we afore, all men forlorn

    Our hope fulfilled, Emmanuel born.


Hallelujah the world now shouts (lolo)

    Israel's Son born in Bethlehem

What, you wonder is this about?

    A priceless Savior, a brilliant Gem.


Snow calmly falling among the trees (steph)

    Hope answered, the Christmas story

And our hearts we pray to appease

    God's Son born to manifest glory


The Joy of Jesus Birth we see (steph2022)

    A calmness of the night

Our glorious Savior nailed to a tree

    Proclaim his Love from dark to light.


A dreary night, a time so boring, (sarah2022)

    But a bright light shining that maybe

We never forget the familiar story

    Of God born as a humble and Glorious baby 


The angels cry out "Glory" so deafening (josh2022)

    Their bright light proclaim a Savior born

The shepherds weary and alone sitting

    Then joyous hearts leaping this wondrous morn.


Glory to God in the highest (Mom2022)

    The angels proclaim the birth of a lamb

Our Father gives us our King, the best

    Wonderful Savior, triumphant God-man.


The ressurection of Jesus our faith rely  (assurance)

And on the cross our sins on Christ die

The beginning our Savior as a child lives

Glory to Bethlehem, salvation gives 


Christmas-time, a season of gift giving

God's gift, the Messiah, makes life worth living.

Another titanic gift God has made,

Is the gift that saves, our priceless faith.


In despair we live life and a day

Sometimes our faith once strong, gives way

Grasping for salvation we work forlorn

But God's great gift, a Savior, a baby born

2023=============================================

Our savior sits at God's right hand 2023 Joshua

Saints and angels and all cause to stand

Began many year ago on a cold quiet morn

Our savior, sin's death was silently born


One cannot believe the Christmas Story 2023 Stephanie

A baby born to bring His Father Glory

We with hushed wonder why God would give

His Begotten son to die that we might live.



The baby born set our hearts aflame2023 Sarah

He lives to die to set us free

Immanuel, Messiah thy glorious Name

Gladly, lovingly, lowly kneel to thee


The agony on the cross for all to see2023 Mom

That our Jesus saves us and dies for thee

Began in a town in a manger that night

God's wondrous gift, a child, our Christmas light.






Sunday, December 26, 2021

Biblical Doxology

 Biblical Doxology - 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with

every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

                                                                - Ephesians 1:3

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be glory forever. Amen.

                                                                - Romans 11:36

Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

                                                                - Ephesians 5:14

He was manifested in flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations,

believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

                                                                  - 1 Timothy 3:16

Monday, December 20, 2021

My Doxology

I love you my God!

 My Doxology for God alone

 My hands are lifted high in praise

               My God who deserves it so

For struggles seem to hide His grace

               Exalt Him from whom all blessings flow.

======================================================== 

Total Depravity

The best sins so very foul  (T)

    Darken my weary soul

Say I, Free Will! I must, I save!

    A millions years, never! But to the grave.


Adam and Eve befell the Devil's spell.

    Our federal head's deadly destiny for a lie 

Why O why can't I  salvation compel

    Through my power and strength still to die.


Unconditional Election

Why does He choose me so? (U)

               The answer I cannot find.

My good manners and manifest power show?

               No! His good pleasure and unrevealed mind.


The love of God is oh so pure

    that before the world's foundation

Even finding the path to hell so sure

    His perfect mercy bought my salvation


Limited Atonement 

Oh what a terrible curse is Adam’s fall (L)

               The Triune’s plan before creation doth atone.

But hath Christ saved the world, all in all?

               Nay! The King died for His sheep alone.


Christ died for all, states the universalist

    For God so loved the world

But wait, not so says the Christian purist

    He calls only His own whose ears unfurled

    

Irresistible Grace (Effectual Calling)

 Run hard, run swift, run far away  (I)

    From my Savior who dearly waits

But His love tempts me to stay

    Until the Gospel's demand He creates


God draws me to His kingdom by force

    Kicking and screaming my back to the wall

Yet His kind mercy, a matter of course

    Yields mine heart to His effectual call


Perseverance of the Saints

Jesus loves me, I cannot tell  (P)

    One foot in heaven, one foot in hell

But the Lord has sealed me forevermore

    To walk with Him upon eternity's Celestial shore.


Not knowing our hope is sadness

    But God preserves to finish the race

Our soul finds joyful gladness

   As we gaze into His glorious face



=======================================================

The cross, atoning justification

    The head bowed low, knees gently bent

Crucified in gross supplication

    God! Yet man His blood hath spent!


A desolate and wicked corpse am I

    God's righteous wrath ruins me

Sins so foul never escape His eye

    Man O man cannot from His justice flee.


My love of Christ even a minute finds me wanting

    Sin prevents, my scheming heart prolong

But the Spirit set's the soul a-searching

    For the hope within my heart belong

But the Spirit set's my soul a-craving

    For a sliver of true love that is oh so strong


Our God, great Savior how can this be?

    Your love for the elect never wavers.

Abundant thanks for opening our eyes to see

    All worthless sinners for the Word to save us.


You rule in absolute sovereignty

    An iron hand your justice stands

And you demand from us glorious piety

   Tenderly bestow grace as your love commands


My sin, Adam's sin a disaster

    Forever destined, the curse of death

But assuredly saved by the Master

   Our joy as far as heaven's breadth


The Love of Christ that never fails  (valentines day)

    Our joyous refrain unfold the way

His hands pounded, pierced by spike and nails

    Proclaim His raging love this Valentine's day.


Truly God and truly human

    Incarnate Christ authors our salvation

Alas disobedience rejects His communion

    Still bestows mercy to a chosen nation.


Difficult not to praise Your sovereign grace,

    My soul, in love with you my Savior

Thou affectionate smile at my homely face

    Find joy in forgiven fault and unmerited favor.


There must be other paths to God - the almighty

    Christ is not enough so they say

A blasphemous lie, a godly catastrophe 

    Jesus is the Truth, the Life and the ONLY Way


Pure heaven our joyful assurance

    In that your mercy and love explode

Bestows our soul a hopeful endurance

    Forever thanks, our praises flow


Impotent God knows not what the future hold

    He cannot guarantee the outcome

Arminian man has the will to be so bold

   And God to him win's some and lose some.


Justification alone is absurd Finney says

    We have the power not to sin

But no matter how and in so many ways

    Sin always overtakes us and Oh Man! never to win


Our lives are always running forward

    In an effort to praise You

And our hearts always moving toward

    A furious love that springs anew


Should we throw the Law away

    The old covenant now so stale

But His commandments we still obey

    For God's true nature does not fail


The ineffable love of God (or God's ineffable love so true

    Too much for our minds to bear

 But our voices rejoice so bold

   That nothing in the universe compares


Satan's shames us attacks everything and in between

    But once and for all our conscience reprieved

    The mighty Blood of Christ washes us clean

From eternal guilt we are cleaved/grieved

  

True faith a gift from God so glorious

    Sinners, so hard to always believe

Try to live our lives for Jesus vicarious

    Honor, praise and glory in return we give.


Faith, God's gift so undeserved

    Yet we strive not to receive it

Covenant promise given without reserve

    Compel our grateful hearts to submit


A great gift, a beautiful Mom  (Mother's Day)

    The heavens raises a joyful dove

A sister in Christ builds a wonderful home

    Signed and sealed with love from above


The greatness of a Mother can always be (Mother's Day)

    Shining, stunning with a crown of glory    

God's unique gift for eyes to see

    Truly fits in His redemptive Story


Mother's Day 2024(Stephanie)

A wise mother is a family's strength,

    And working hands will surely show

That God's love has no width or length,

   His grace for her, fills to overflow.


Mother's day 2023 (for Donna)

A mother's love that will not fail,

    God's mercy and grace for her to avail.

A husband's heart that swells with pride,

    No doubt, wed again his glorious bride.


God has granted me a glorious gift.

Undeserved, yet my heart it lifts,

To wonderous heights of passion so giving

And without her my life not worth living,

For my wife graciously blessed from above

Never to forget, always to cherish, always to love.

Happy Birthday! 20230927

=======Retreat==========

 Sadness through this weekend came

       Lives falling in a confused tangle

Men living with vigorous regret and shame

    Reaching, grasping for heaven's example 


Still stands in our way is one perilous fault

    To be dealt with at a desperate pace

Once destroyed, open heaven's vault

   And see our Father's magnificent face.


Always life finds us wanting

    God hides not from us, eternally there

Man's search undone, ever failing 

     Our hearts for God alone, we cannot spare

      

The maturity of men, difficult to find

    .A spiritual journey, life's gruesome test

Obstacles of every different kind

    Persevere 'til death but still not our best


The Easter message ever rings true

    Christ, a sniless life for thrity three years

On Calvary's hill blood shed for our lives anew

    Removes our wordly fears.



Justified by His love for us

    Can we  truly ever know

Our Savior in whom we trust

 He gave His life, our God! To truly show

==============Pain ============

Life deals me a bitter defeat

    God's plan I did not meet

But along with profound agony

    My Lord opened my eyes to see


That I control not my fate

Still His care gentle and great

Feebly my aching heart wants more

Ably to crawl, to climb, to soar.


Where O God, I find no trace?

    Far from my stinging soul

Find not your kind, forbearing face

    In my world so greedy and foul 


But 'tis I who cannot find

    You O God have never left

Forever still, merciful and kind

    Though unseen have guided my path


 ==================================

The Mirror of Man

More frightening, screaming place of awe

    This earth, this dirt a cruel place to be born

For we travel, humans, through this fateful life

    As always strive for more, nevertheless forlorn.

But ahh, we grasp at things known and unknown,

    And find that fatefully we live as men of scorn


I gaze in the mirror for the face of faith

    But only a shadow's future ruining in decay

My hope dashed and gone as a wisp in the wind

    Days of running and turning finally back as they

Perhaps to seek a Savior who seeks me

    That today He found a soul adrift, this very day


The despair of man, now defeated

    Nights of hopelessness never to lament

My God who descends so low to meet me

   My journey starts to soberly repent

I gaze in the mirror at the face of faith

    My Jesus, living, loving, magnificent.

May 2023


The glint in my eye

The glint in my eye that precious Jesus comes someday                                                                 

The glint on my hand found in work and in play

The glint in the moon, as I write, in shadows of gray

The glint on the road finds paths of dismay

The glint of my sin will send me to hell they say

The glint of forgiveness, these sins, thrown far away

The glint in my soul found longing to repay

The glint in my heart knows there is no way

The glint of God's mercy so loving and aye

The glint of heaven's jewels and gold on display 

For the glint of hope that my precious Jesus comes today

May 2023

My wife My Love

Against the sun our Love fades as parched paper
Against the moon our Love hides in the shadows
Has our Love gone like an old song long forgetten
Struggling to sieze that fierce love again

We grasp but like a mist, is gone in an instant.
How, how can I find the unsearchable longing,
The passion as a furious ocean is gone forever.
Why, why has my love so much diminished.

But the love of Christ formidable still
Heavens bounty like sheets of cooling rain
Has given my the joy of loving
Loving Christ always and forever

Ahh how can I not love my wife.
My precious joy, my intimate affection
Against the sun our Love brilliant still
Against the moon our Love uncovered thrill

The Glory of God
We fight for our 
 
Death's Door
Death's door swings open wide
For we  to enter our feet to slide
On the far side of the vale we find
Young and old, short and tall all in line

Our journey through life full of despair
Toiling with hands of work to repair
Sickness approaches at every turn
Another  simple breath we fail to earn

At times or two we live so joyous
A baby born, a wedding glorious
Strolling through fields of amber grain
Skipping through puddles in a Spanish rain

A delicate balance of lows and highs
Falling, stumbling, then reach for the sky
How can we live in a world so indifferent
At every turn, men so belligerent

Heavy is death's door, slightly tinted
The wood, antique with shards so wilted
Many is the soul that passed this way
Never to return forever and a day

The door now leisurely closing
One final gasp haplessly disclosing
That we cannot stop it unto the end
Eternity in hell or heaven for us to spend

The choice we see so very clear
To decide when alive, cowering in fear
The right decision forever more
Oh stop! Creaking, closing relentless door 

The final glimpse of life for us to peek
A few inches more as tears fall from our cheek
Has the tempting harlot seized our very soul
Our lives without regard to the One, oh so foul

The door now shut, not with a slam
But the quiet, sighing hush of a lamb
A lifelong journey between love and hate
On the vale's other side we await our fate

july 2023

=========================


Sexual lust my heart strives for

    Forgetting God in my mind and soul

I try and turn but want much more

    Falling, stumbling, a night so foul


But like David whose sin so dire

    Sought to find God's grace again

Inevitable  consequence, a blazing fire

    Can't escape the unending, wrenching pain 

        


In Progress....

Praise Him, Praise the Father Praise the Spirit,

    All things should give glory to All,

But our hearts are fallen and sinful

     Because of Adams gigantic fall

So we praise discreetly thoughtful 

    And through our life and to the grave we shall    






From Belgic    

    as much as we need in this life,

        for God's glory

        and for our salvation

            ** God gets the glory yet he saves us...

ineffable

immorality

bitter passion

disobedience

he paid back what he had not stolen

renders believers perfect forever

Christ is not enough is greatest blasphemy against God

brother and sisters all over the world

Pure Doxology

How I love God so, 

Why? Because of his Son who came to save

I don't deserve such love because I'm a great sinner destined for hell, 

but out of His mercy He saves

So what can I do but give thanks, profusely

And give glory to Him always. Soli Deo Gloria!

Shall I begrudge other Christians of their doxology?

Forgive me for thinking myself so highly.

What is doxology - a word or song of praise. 

Why is doxology important - to praise God without ceasing! Always! Forever!

A Calvinist is know for his Doxology.

CS Lewis Quote

"For my part, I tend to find the doctrinal books often more helpful in devotion than devotional books, and I rather suspect that the same experience may await others.  I believe that many who find that 'nothing happens' when they sit down. or kneel down, to a book of devotion would find that the heart sings unbidden while they are working through a tough bit of theology with a pipe in their teeth and a pencil in their hand. "

Sometimes devotions are only something to get through from. Read and done

Thank you Lord for allowing me to worship you and love you.

Let my ears hear and eyes see in all, Doxology. 

Lord, a major disappointment not keeping the class.  My fault! For we know all things work together for Your good according to Your will for those who Love You!  Amen!

But Your love is so wonderful, glorious, unending, crazy, unbelievable, perfect. My diploma was sent to me last week (03/12/22)

missionfrontiers.org

423communities.org

Dort - justice and mercy kiss in the cross of Christ.

TBA - Trust in the Lord with all your heart.., Be anxious for nothing.., For we know ! that All things

work together for good...

05/03/2022 - In a disjointed space last couple of weeks. Is it because there is no men's meeting?  Is it because missing church?  Is it because losing faith? Feeling not close to God.  Kind of tired of studying.  Listening to Christian music though, Still praising and worshiping God.  But definitely not on a mountain top.  Still trying to be faithful.  Still believing in God's covenant promise. Wonderful Donna is still at it.  Listening, studying and moving forward.


==================================================================

Faith 

Move to its own book.

==================================================================

JM 20220203 - did not say much, did pray with dave ed and scott which was nice.

Disagreed with so many things. ... All things work together for good is trite.  but if that's the only thing you can hang on to then it's very good.  A maturity that's beyond comprehension., Need to work at relationships - but upwards relationship with God more important?, Claude asked help of a pastor, pastor rejected PJ said that's really bad. almost condemning but do not hear the other side.  Methinks that Claude was being a pain and the pastor had other things to do.

JM 20220210 - said a bunch of things - hopefully helped but can't help wonder if it's going in one ear and out the other.

Ed shared, Paul shared, Scott shared.  Jeremy talked too much about himself.  I'm thinking of the maturity level of the men.  (What about me!!!)  Sorry Lord, maybe too holier than thou! 

I also wonder about the climate/culture of the group.  Almost having problems is a badge of courage.

Men are willing to share their downtrodden life but to what purpose? Is it a release for them. I don't see any benefit to us who listen. Even Pastor John seem to bring up the muck and mire that we are in.  But they are stuck there, and I think they have been stuck there for a long time. LORD help me to pray for these men, that they see growth and maturity in You and Through You.


JM 20220303 - Fatherhood - Claude and Paul told about their experiences in their school,  how the kids are just out of control. Disrespectful.  Thought about how the church has fallen down in their responsibility in teaching the next generation. Is it the church's fault?

Efrain shared about his time in the ministry.  About being criticized.

I shared this time and Pastor John thanked me for sharing.

JM 20220310 - Integrity - good talk table of what's consequence of good integrity and consequence of bad integrity.  Paul wanted prayer for his baby.  I guess it's ok.

JM 20200317 - Tongue - Efrain brought some tongue tacos.

PJ shared a chart that had Compassion and Honesty where honesty goes from seen to the unseen to Jesus doing the Fathers will.  He said that the Honesty/Truth side is doctrine and is not as important as the other side - Compassion.  I told him that for me doctrine has made me so close to God and my love for him has grown exponentially along with love for the Son.

Hmm don't know.  again preaching to the choir.  Maybe put PJ on the defensive.

Also instead of being angry or indifferent to the men, maybe feel sorry for them. Maybe pray more for them, pray more for my interaction. Help Lord to convey my Love for you.  I'm sure they love you the same.  Who am I to think that I'm so much better than them?  Just hope they have the same zeal and want-to to learn about God.

JM 20200324 - Perseverance (on call)

JM 20200331 - Church / Giving - Talked more than any time else.  Got a bunch off of my chest.

PJ said that the most important thing is relationship in the church.  I said I don't agree.  I said that teaching the Gospel and solid Biblical doctrine is key.  If your relationship vertically is sound, then the horizontal relationships will take care of themselves.  Also said RC's quote about teaching at an 8th grade level.  I said that I understand that the teaching has to cater to both new Christians and mature Christians.  But we as Christians have to learn more about God apart from sermons.

JM 20220407 - 

Hmm interesting meeting.  PJ was gone so Jeremy was leading.  Talked a lot. 

Challenged men to be men of conviction.  I asked them if I were to ask their wives where there was no repercussions and the husband will not know.  what would they say about him.  I told them that I told PJ to ask my wife or ask my kids how I am.  If they ask do I love Jesus, they would say Yes.  If they ask am a good husband or father, they may hesitate.  Then we we talked about sin. A lot of guys were focusing on their sin and lamenting over it.  I said that Yes, we sin it's a part of our nature from original sin from Adam.  But I said don't forget who we are,  don't forget about the Gospel. That Christ died for our sins once and for all, Our past, present and future sins have been absolved.  Then they started asking questions about my faith.  How do you get faith.  I told them that it comes with maturity.  You have to live a life long enough to go through numerous trials to exercise your faith, With each victory you faith get stronger.  I started feeling uncomfortable. Who am I to answer these questions? Hopefully the Holy Spirit spoke through me...

Patrick texted: Thank you for a wonderful group last night.  The spirit was certainly stirring!: Erick texted: It was really good!! Amazed by what the Lord did last night.

JM 20220415 - 

Only 6 men showed up.  Good meeting.  Shared about equally yoked with wife.  Told them about moving our ego out of our way to have a more loving relationship with your wife.  Also witnessing, They all laughed when I told them "You know I'm a Calvinist", but I told them that we are elect and God has appointed persons to be saved.  So we can do what we can but God will not be thwarted, I don't do it, someone else will.  Patrick shared at the end of the meeting that he really appreciated what I shared last week.  Nice.  Always pointing to Jesus > God.

JM 20220505 - Just a few men Dave, Paul, Claude, Me, Efrain. Jeremy led. Topic was Discipline in Ministry and Discipline in Discipline. We talked about Ministry most of the time, Paul and Claude spoke about their struggles.  Claude did say some things that surprised me.  He knows more about theology than he lets on. Prayed for the men who weren't there.  Scott was missing, PJ was not there (Covid). It looks like Chris bailed out

JM 202205/13 - Only 7 men (PJ, Dave, Scott, Paul, Efrain, Jeremy, me).  Great ribs from Lucille. They had beef ribs.  We had a round robin exhorting and praising fellow JM. Dave - great hospitality servant always willing to help.  Scott - how much he has grown spirtually from initial study with him and Suzanne to now. Paul - how he willing to share every week, his problems and issues and how he seems to rise above them.  Efrain - how he struggles with ministry, told him to persevere because there are not enough good pastors out there. Jeremy - told him he was a capable leader when PJ was gone. How he led but let us talk the previous weeks at Dave's house with Patrick and Paul asking questions.  Me - the praised me for not letting things go and make sure everything was correct.  Dave called me a berean.  PJ said that he valued me speaking in the group.  Paul said that when I got emotional talking about God he knows that I really love Him.  Efrain said don't remember.  Jeremy said that was kind of hesitant until I started to speak about God.  PJ - I told him how we was a man of character.  The last JM yeeay!!

Hi Men, don't text often but just a word... tomorrow is Easter Sunday, the day in which our faith hinges on.  I know that i probably sound like a broken record but remember who you are in Christ.  Forgiven from our sins past, present, future so we can stand blameless before a Holy God. How can we not live for Christ or fall on our face in adoration? Now we look to an empty tomb, redeemed and justified and well on our way to sanctification.  Hallelujah! 

What do I think about Joshua's men?

Don't ask:)

I wouldn't do it again, even if it was free.

There wasn't in-depth study of the chapters.  We didn't do a deep dive into the reading.  Just asked questions based on reading and relating to the men's experiences.

It seemed that there was one thing that prohibited the men from a true deep relationship with Christ. Men were being patronized and babied.  There was no kick in the pants.

The retreat should have been at the end where guys new each other and less posturing and more friendship.

Jeremy still needs maturity in leading a group.  Talked too much about himself and his experiences. He didn't facilitate as well as he could have.

My time would have been better spent studying on my own or hanging out with Donna.

Talked more about individual problems than giving glory to God.

Didn't know my place in this group? Kinda like a fish out of water.


20220507 - St5raight Ahead - Partnered with Kathleen.  Met the guys for the first time.  I was surprised that they talked a lot.  Didn't have to draw words out of them.  Some had great insight.  Initial prayer was the Lord's Prayer.  Kathleen said that I need to lead next time.

20230316 - Straight Ahead - did the 3 day Ready for Life with Scott Larson and Jason ?  Wrestling with God. Having thoughts of what I am doing and what I want to do... wanting to tell the kids more about the Gospel and to talk more about being righteous.  The Holy Spirit won't leave me alone... I can't sleep.  Why is God doing this to me? Regurgitating the Gospel. Almost like trying to convince myself of God's magnificence. LEAVE ME ALONE, (not really), let me sleep.

20230411 - Opted out of Straight ahead.  Kathleen sent out an email telling us that it would be better to go to Sundays (every Sunday), because the staff is overworked and it would better for them for Straight Ahead to visit on Sundays.  In my heart, I know that Sundays would be tough. Because of Donna's permanent day off and we usually have get-together's on Sundays. Dave and Kathleen said they were sorry that I opted out.  The gave heartfelt praises for my involvement.  Now more than ever Romans 8:28.  What am I feeling... hurt, I think I need not apologize in preaching the Good News to the kids.  Had a great relationship with them. I will always remember their smiling faces. " For we know that all things work together for good to all those who love God and are (the) called according to His purpose.  In all things, You get all the glory. A new chapter; what will my Lord require of me.

 20230507 - Didn't go (backache)

20230520 - Drove with Kathleen to SMYC.  Talked about our conversation at Dave's house. Will compromise and will not talk about homosexuality and Islam directly.  Will try to talk one - on one.

A good day of ministry.  Everyone was involved and participating.  I love these guys. A lot will going home this June. The asked when I was coming back?  Can I come every week? Will bring Taki's next week.

20230603 - Tag-teamed with Scott, did forgiveness and recap the months we have been together.


I'm not sure who would get this book, but I am sure that whoever get's it will be blessed beyond words.

You are not only guys I minster to but I also call you my friend.  You have sat through the weeks when I preached the Gospel, the Ten Commandments and living a godly life.  As you go through your new journey out of SMYC, remember that God loves you.  He would not have sacrificed His only Son if he did not love you.  And I love you also.  A love that is surrounded by joy, sadness and anticipation.

I will always remember you and will keep praying for you and your family.  Not that you would stay out of trouble only, but that you find the riches that God will present to you.  

As I said if you want to have lunch or breakfast one day when you get out, text me and I will take you to get something to eat.  Then we can talk about anything you would like.  Most of all I want to make sure that you know that we care.

My contact info:

Mr. German Rivera (pronounced Herman)

email: germanprivera@hotmail.com

702 508 6568

                                                                                     With much love through Jesus Christ.

                                                                                        Mr. German.


            

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Christmas Songs

What Child is this

Rock around the Christmas tree

Let it snow

We wish you a Merry Christmas

Feliz Navidad

have yourslef a Merry Little Christmas

All I want for Christmas is You

What a glorious night  -Sidewalk prophets

How Many Kings

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Into the Silent Night

Christmas Offering



GOLIVE
Joy to the World/Unspeakable Joy
Rockin Around the Christmas Tree
Have A Holly Jolly Christmas
O Come All Ye Faithful (Rock-3rdDay)
Angels We Have Heard On High (Josh Wilson)
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Christmas Offering
Its the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Let It Snow
Jingle Bells
What A Glorious Night
Feliz Navidad


Tuesday, November 14, 2017

DIY



Ramboard floor covering
Paddle mixer

purple delicate release tape

bondo all-purpose putty

backer rod


Vanity 

Remove silicone  replace with Latex caulking
tsp cleaner

sanding 60 grit  (rough up glossy surface)

Tape around area to be sprayed

Bonding primer (thin layer)
even thin coat

grey undercoat (2x)

stone spray

clear expoy

Glossy ultimate top coat

Coffee Table

white, brown, little bit of blue earth mica, copper mica and touch of diamond dust


Thin coat of Bonding Primer
    Let dry for 20-30 minutes

Black Epoxy undercoat
    Sand lightly

Make a tape dam

Stone Coat Epoxy
    1:1 ratio 
    Pour part B first
    Then pour part A
    mix 2 minutes with paddle mixer
    
Get 5 different dyes
    liquid additives and crystals
    mix in clear cups with epoxy
    mix well with wooden stirrers
  
Pour all colors into large bucket
    Random pour
    DO NOT MIX OR STIR
    Pour down sides for cool looks

Pour extra left over epoxy from cups on table to even out

Pour multi-color epoxy side to side

Use Heat Gun to remove air

Leave tape dam a few hours after pouring
    3 hours

Remove tape dam - pull down and away

Use your finger to break surface tension of sides so the epoxy will flow down.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Spiritual Diary


JM 20220203 - did not say much, did pray with dave ed and scott which was nice.

Disagreed with so many things. ... All things work together for good is trite.  but if that's the only thing you can hang on to then it's very good.  A maturity that's beyond comprehension., Need to work at relationships - but upwards relationship with God more important?, Claude asked help of a pastor, pastor rejected PJ said that's really bad. almost condemning but do not hear the other side.  Methinks that Claude was being a pain and the pastor had other things to do.

JM 20220210 - said a bunch of things - hopefully helped but can't help wonder if it's going in one ear and out the other.

Ed shared, Paul shared, Scott shared.  Jeremy talked too much about himself.  I'm thinking of the maturity level of the men.  (What about me!!!)  Sorry Lord, maybe too holier than thou! 

I also wonder about the climate/culture of the group.  Almost having problems is a badge of courage.

Men are willing to share their downtrodden life but to what purpose? Is it a release for them. I don't see any benefit to us who listen. Even Pastor John seem to bring up the muck and mire that we are in.  But they are stuck there, and I think they have been stuck there for a long time. LORD help me to pray for these men, that they see growth and maturity in You and Through You.


JM 20220303 - Fatherhood - Claude and Paul told about their experiences in their school,  how the kids are just out of control. Disrespectful.  Thought about how the church has fallen down in their responsibility in teaching the next generation. Is it the church's fault?

Efrain shared about his time in the ministry.  About being criticized.

I shared this time and Pastor John thanked me for sharing.

JM 20220310 - Integrity - good talk table of what's consequence of good integrity and consequence of bad integrity.  Paul wanted prayer for his baby.  I guess it's ok.

JM 20200317 - Tongue - Efrain brought some tongue tacos.

PJ shared a chart that had Compassion and Honesty where honesty goes from seen to the unseen to Jesus doing the Fathers will.  He said that the Honesty/Truth side is doctrine and is not as important as the other side - Compassion.  I told him that for me doctrine has made me so close to God and my love for him has grown exponentially along with love for the Son.

Hmm don't know.  again preaching to the choir.  Maybe put PJ on the defensive.

Also instead of being angry or indifferent to the men, maybe feel sorry for them. Maybe pray more for them, pray more for my interaction. Help Lord to convey my Love for you.  I'm sure they love you the same.  Who am I to think that I'm so much better than them?  Just hope they have the same zeal and want-to to learn about God.

JM 20200324 - Perseverance (on call)

JM 20200331 - Church / Giving - Talked more than any time else.  Got a bunch off of my chest.

PJ said that the most important thing is relationship in the church.  I said I don't agree.  I said that teaching the Gospel and solid Biblical doctrine is key.  If your relationship vertically is sound, then the horizontal relationships will take care of themselves.  Also said RC's quote about teaching at an 8th grade level.  I said that I understand that the teaching has to cater to both new Christians and mature Christians.  But we as Christians have to learn more about God apart from sermons.

JM 20220407 - 

Hmm interesting meeting.  PJ was gone so Jeremy was leading.  Talked a lot. 

Challenged men to be men of conviction.  I asked them if I were to ask their wives where there was no repercussions and the husband will not know.  what would they say about him.  I told them that I told PJ to ask my wife or ask my kids how I am.  If they ask do I love Jesus, they would say Yes.  If they ask am a good husband or father, they may hesitate.  Then we we talked about sin. A lot of guys were focusing on their sin and lamenting over it.  I said that Yes, we sin it's a part of our nature from original sin from Adam.  But I said don't forget who we are,  don't forget about the Gospel. That Christ died for our sins once and for all, Our past, present and future sins have been absolved.  Then they started asking questions about my faith.  How do you get faith.  I told them that it comes with maturity.  You have to live a life long enough to go through numerous trials to exercise your faith, With each victory you faith get stronger.  I started feeling uncomfortable. Who am I to answer these questions? Hopefully the Holy Spirit spoke through me...

Patrick texted: Thank you for a wonderful group last night.  The spirit was certainly stirring!: Erick texted: It was really good!! Amazed by what the Lord did last night.

JM 20220415 - 

Only 6 men showed up.  Good meeting.  Shared about equally yoked with wife.  Told them about moving our ego out of our way to have a more loving relationship with your wife.  Also witnessing, They all laughed when I told them "You know I'm a Calvinist", but I told them that we are elect and God has appointed persons to be saved.  So we can do what we can but God will not be thwarted, I don't do it, someone else will.  Patrick shared at the end of the meeting that he really appreciated what I shared last week.  Nice.  Always pointing to Jesus > God.

JM 20220505 - Just a few men Dave, Paul, Claude, Me, Efrain. Jeremy led. Topic was Discipline in Ministry and Discipline in Discipline. We talked about Ministry most of the time, Paul and Claude spoke about their struggles.  Claude did say some things that surprised me.  He knows more about theology than he lets on. Prayed for the men who weren't there.  Scott was missing, PJ was not there (Covid). It looks like Chris bailed out

JM 202205/13 - Only 7 men (PJ, Dave, Scott, Paul, Efrain, Jeremy, me).  Great ribs from Lucille. They had beef ribs.  We had a round robin exhorting and praising fellow JM. Dave - great hospitality servant always willing to help.  Scott - how much he has grown spirtually from initial study with him and Suzanne to now. Paul - how he willing to share every week, his problems and issues and how he seems to rise above them.  Efrain - how he struggles with ministry, told him to persevere because there are not enough good pastors out there. Jeremy - told him he was a capable leader when PJ was gone. How he led but let us talk the previous weeks at Dave's house with Patrick and Paul asking questions.  Me - the praised me for not letting things go and make sure everything was correct.  Dave called me a berean.  PJ said that he valued me speaking in the group.  Paul said that when I got emotional talking about God he knows that I really love Him.  Efrain said don't remember.  Jeremy said that was kind of hesitant until I started to speak about God.  PJ - I told him how we was a man of character.  The last JM yeeay!!

Hi Men, don't text often but just a word... tomorrow is Easter Sunday, the day in which our faith hinges on.  I know that i probably sound like a broken record but remember who you are in Christ.  Forgiven from our sins past, present, future so we can stand blameless before a Holy God. How can we not live for Christ or fall on our face in adoration? Now we look to an empty tomb, redeemed and justified and well on our way to sanctification.  Hallelujah! 

What do I think about Joshua's men?

Don't ask:)

I wouldn't do it again, even if it was free.

There wasn't in-depth study of the chapters.  We didn't do a deep dive into the reading.  Just asked questions based on reading and relating to the men's experiences.

It seemed that there was one thing that prohibited the men from a true deep relationship with Christ. Men were being patronized and babied.  There was no kick in the pants.

The retreat should have been at the end where guys new each other and less posturing and more friendship.

Jeremy still needs maturity in leading a group.  Talked too much about himself and his experiences. He didn't facilitate as well as he could have.

My time would have been better spent studying on my own or hanging out with Donna.

Talked more about individual problems than giving glory to God.

Didn't know my place in this group? Kinda like a fish out of water.


20220507 - St5raight Ahead - Partnered with Kathleen.  Met the guys for the first time.  I was surprised that they talked a lot.  Didn't have to draw words out of them.  Some had great insight.  Initial prayer was the Lord's Prayer.  Kathleen said that I need to lead next time.

20230316 - Straight Ahead - did the 3 day Ready for Life with Scott Larson and Jason ?  Wrestling with God. Having thoughts of what I am doing and what I want to do... wanting to tell the kids more about the Gospel and to talk more about being righteous.  The Holy Spirit won't leave me alone... I can't sleep.  Why is God doing this to me? Regurgitating the Gospel. Almost like trying to convince myself of God's magnificence. LEAVE ME ALONE, (not really), let me sleep.

20230411 - Opted out of Straight ahead.  Kathleen sent out an email telling us that it would be better to go to Sundays (every Sunday), because the staff is overworked and it would better for them for Straight Ahead to visit on Sundays.  In my heart, I know that Sundays would be tough. Because of Donna's permanent day off and we usually have get-together's on Sundays. Dave and Kathleen said they were sorry that I opted out.  The gave heartfelt praises for my involvement.  Now more than ever Romans 8:28.  What am I feeling... hurt, I think I need not apologize in preaching the Good News to the kids.  Had a great relationship with them. I will always remember their smiling faces. " For we know that all things work together for good to all those who love God and are (the) called according to His purpose.  In all things, You get all the glory. A new chapter; what will my Lord require of me.
 
20230420 - Straight Ahead. Sent my plan of what I was going to do at SMYC
Muslim, Ephesians 2:8, "After getting out" activity.
Kathleen answered that it wasn't a good idea to do any of the above.
She wanted to go by the book.
I was upset but did not reply.

20230422 - Straight Ahead
Dave sent out the study for Saturday (Money)
Went with Scott. Modified my plan. Substituted Muslim with the Money study from the book.
Scott led the "After getting out" activity.
Had a meeting with Kathleen and Dave after meeting and voiced my concerns
She said that the book had to be followed.  I said I follow the book but I need
to enhance or modify the book.  We will pray about it.  God knows what is in my heart.
But it seems like I want them to fire me.  I gave the an ultimatum (kind of).  I said that I know that Kathleen needs to protect the ministry and that I can't be going off like a Lone Ranger and doing stuff on my own.  We'll see. Kind of unsettled right now.  But in all God gets all the glory!!

2024 May - Aug 11 - Grace Valley Christian Reformed Church
We started attending this church after a long time away from Summit Ridge.  Researching the doctrines of the church, the followed the Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism and the Canons of Dort. Sounds good.
The pastor, Pastor Ralph Mack was a tall black man with a commanding voice.
The preaching was refreshing, no opinions, just the Word of God.
But he mentioned that they were reformed but not very conservative, just middle of the road reformed.  He also mentioned that they had a woman elder. (The other elder was a man, Denny).
I knew in scripture (1 Timothy and Titus) that an elder/pastor/overseer is a man.  But I was satisfied with the rest of the church where the congregation was really friendly and down to earth.  Donna was also enjoying the church.  Another important aspect was that they had communion once a month. 
We had been going and tithing faithfully for several weeks.  Until the first week of August where we were invited to take membership classes.  At this point we were sent packets of homework to be filled out and then talk about in class.
I read the commitment page where we affirm all the doctrines and bylaws of Grace Valley.  This gave me great pause, knowing that scripture does not support women elders.  I could not in good conscience commit to this church that goes against scripture.  They also use the Apostles Creed for their communion liturgy, and I don’t agree with the phrase hat Jesus descended into Hell (but this is a minor point).
So on August 11, before the 2nd membership class, I talked to Pastor Mack and voiced my concern.  He was disappointed but he knew that I could not go against my conscience.  Also, in the CRCNA Church Order, there was an addendum that said that each congregation can or cannot have women as elders or pastors.  This also gave me great pause. Donna and I will continue our study of Mark with Kim Riddlebarger and pray  that God lead’s us into a future church.



Sunday, December 11, 2016

Spiritual Notes

Kim Riddlebarger - Eschatology
Pre-millennial - 
Christ comes back before the millennial age and He will set up a semi renewed kingdom on the earth where Jesus will be reigning over the earth from  Jerusalem on David's throne.  People on earth will be pro-creating alongside those who have been resurrected and glorified - for 1000 years.

Problem:
But everyone is judged when Christ comes back
Wheat/Tares   Sheep / Goat   Elect / Reprobate
1 How do you get anybody through that judgement who isn't cast into Hell or resurrected?
It's hard to find a category for people who aren't resurrected or judged.  Where do they come from, it's impossible.

2 Jesus rules from David's throne in Jerusalem, after the millennial reign, people revolt again, a second fall.  Evil in the millennial age is big problem, where does it come from?  Where is that defended in scripture? 

3 You have people on earth in resurrected bodies, who can no longer pro-create living next to people with natural bodies that can pro-create.

Post-millennial - 
The millennium occurs before Christ comes back
Some point before Christ comes back the Gospel will succeed in converting the nations to Christ so the earth is essentially saved and this will have economic, political and religious impact on all aspects of life so in essence the world is Christianized before Christ comes back.

A-Millennial - 1000 year period between Christ's first coming and second coming. 

Preterist view - (All prophecy has been fulfilled before 70 AD)
All prophecy has been fulfilled up until the coming of Christ.  There is no more eschatology.  All we're waiting for is the second coming.  Christ came in judgement in AD 70.

Partial preterist - most Reformed and Orthodox agree - Kim disagrees

Full preterist - Heresy - Christ came in judgment in 70 AD and so there is no bodily resurrection of Christ or the believer.

No Secret Rapture - Return of Christ comes at the second coming.  No such thing as a 7 year tribulation period taught anywhere in the Bible.  Taken from Daniel 9:24-27  70th week of Daniel. That prophecy was fulfilled in the life of Christ, the last 1/2 week of that remains.
When Christ returns it is always visible time when the saints will be caught up with Christ in the air, so there is no secret rapture7 years ahead of Christ's bodily return.  It's all one event.  1st Cor 15 and 1st Thess 4 the language says that this event is going to be a well-known universal event.  It's not a cosmic dog-whistle where only believers hear the 2nd coming.  Everyone will know when Christ appears.

Michael Horton - Word Faith
Besides throwing out doctrines like the Trinity and confusing ourselves with God, the movement teaches that Jesus went to the cross not to bring forgiveness of our sins but to get us out of financial debt, not to reconcile us to God but to give us the power to claim our prosperity, not to remove the curse of death, injustice and bondage to ourselves but to give us our best life now. Jesus is "not the only begotten son of God," just the first.  We're all divine and have the power to speak worlds into existence.

RC Sproul - Roman's 8:28
For we know that all things work together for good for those who are the called according to God's purpose.

For we know... (not maybe, not I think so). For we know!!! It is a certainty!
This is in the midst of affliction that God is for us and God is working all things, He is not absent.
Remember who you are in the midst of your pain and suffering from before the foundation of the world He has chosen you to be redeemed.  It show's God's profound care for his children.
Golden Chain:  Foreknew>>Predestined>>Called>>Justified>>Glorified
The reason for predestination is to be conformed to the image of God.
Ordo Salutis - Order of Salvation
 

John Piper - Hebrews 10:26-27
If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgement and raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

1 - Do these verses teach that we can lose our salvation?
No, I don't think genuine believers in Christ lose their salvation.

2 What does Hebrews 10:26 mean by referring to "sinning deliberately" (or "willingly")
since in one sense all sin is an act of the will and thus deliberate?
I think there is a kind of sinning that is more deliberate, more eager, more persistent than 
the way genuine believer sins - sins that are confessed and forgiven.

Pelagius Denied Original Sin
Adam sinned for himself alone and was no way imputed to the rest of mankind.  Adam set an example and humans after him, all people followed in sin.
Original sin - The doctrine of original sin teaches that people sin because we are sinners. It's not that we are sinners because we sin, but rather, we sin because we are sinners; that is, since the fall of man, we have inherited a corrupted condition of sinfulness. We now have a sin nature.

Pelagius gave enormous power to man's will by rejecting original sin.
If God gives a command - man must be able to and capable in and of himself to perform such a command.  God would never command man to do something he couldn't do.
(Augustine - Give what you command; command what you will.)

If man's will is free, then there is no need for divine grace.  Grace can assist a sinner but not necessary.  Man's freedom would be undermined if divine grace was necessary.

Grace - that which reveals right and wrong and further illuminating man's obligation to obey the law of God and follow Christ's example.

Christ did not atone for our guilt  but set an example. Man in and of himself can attain heaven.  He believes in monergism, but human monergism.

Arminians refer to infant baptism and people who never hear the gospel that Adam's sin was not imputed to them so then they are absolved. But the obvious refutation of the Arminian view unfortunately is the grim fact of infant death. If infants cannot sin - which leads to death - why then do infants tragically die?  The Arminian  must state that infant death results from human finitude or from the sins of another against the infant.  Yet scripture clearly teaches that death is a result of sin!

From R.C. - Adam and Eve did not sin personally.  Adam - man, Eve- Mother of all, - both stood as supreme representatives before Almighty God    .

Michael Horton - Sanctification needs our involvement
Regeneration - Passive, we're acted upon
Conversion - Active, Repentance and Faith
Justification - Passive, we're declared righteous
Sanctification - Active - we're being made righteous
    All is of God, all is of Grace.  It is because we're united with Christ that we bear fruit, but
    we are active for the first time in this process.

Michael Horton - The Need for Doctrine
A lot of people say that the Christian faith is about deeds not creeds. It's about what we do, not about doctrine.

The Gospel is a doctrine.  An announcement what God has done to save us.  It's not good advice.  It's not good principles for living.  The Gospel is Good News .
If you don't know the doctrine that Jesus was crucified for our sins and raised for our justification, then Christianity is nothing more than a self-help program or bland moralism.  But Christian deeds are rooted in the Gospel. I want to know about Jesus, I want to KNOW Jesus.  The more we know about God, who He is, what He's done for us, the more we fall in love with Him.  The more we entrust our lives to Him, our faith grows and out of faith our love grows and out of love come works.
Genuine Christian piety, truly good works that come from faith which come from doctrine. 
The 4 D's
Drama - what God has done
Doctrine - How that relates to us
Doxology - Emotion, Thanksgiving, Experience 
Discipleship -Our lives in the world  
If we remove one of those, we have an incomplete Christianity.

Christian Liberty
With respect to those things about which God has not spoken about explicitly.
Believers are free to act according to conscience in areas where Scripture is silent. 
Eating meat sacrificed to idols is ok according to Paul because we have nothing to do with pagan gods. But if a weaker brother still thinks it's a sin to eat meat sacrificed to idols, then the stronger brother should not eat the meat in deference to the weaker brother.  

1 Cor 2:2 
I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Paul was a man of many talents and had acquired much worldly wisdom and religious knowledge.  Paul was a logical thinker and had plain common sense and yet as he grew in grace, he determined to know nothing other than Jesus Christ and Him crucified. In five short words, Paul gave the foundational truths contained in the glorious gospel of God -JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED.

For I determined He determined. He made a resolution, This was my fixed and deliberate purpose when I came here. Not to know I resolved not to give my time and attention while among you to the laws and traditions for the the Jews; to your orators, poets, philosophers, to the beauty of your architecture Anything among you Anything while I was with you or anything that may exist, Save Jesus Christ Except Jesus Christ.  This the only thing of which I purposed to have any knowledge among you . And Him crucified He determined to make the Messiah a "crucified" Messiah who died for the sins of the world.

From RC Sproul.
The answer is obvious. Paul was saying that in all of his teaching, in all of his preaching, in all of his missionary activity, the central point of importance was the cross. In effect, this teacher was saying to his students, “You might forget other things that I teach you, but don’t ever forget the cross, because it was on the cross, through the cross, and by the cross that our Savior performed His work of redemption and gathered His people for eternity.’”

Luke 9:62
Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."
#1- Jesus replied - The statement to which Jesus is replying is "I will follow you Lord; but first let me go back and say good bye to my family."
#2 - "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back..." - It could be Jesus is saying that if he goes back to say "goodbye" to his family that he will have second thoughts and bring judgement on himself,. Obviously, there is nothing wrong with bidding farewell to one's family, but Jesus discerns  in all these excuses a halfhearted attempt to follow Him without laying down their life in a way necessary to truly receive the Kingdom of God.
#3 "... is fit for service in the kingdom of God." - Being "fit for service" in God's kingdom is to live utterly in the alternate reality that is the rule and reign of Christ in the midst of the current dominion of darkness on the earth.  It is to be in the world, but radically not of it.  Jesus commands not just loyalty to Himself, but a whole new kind of existence. 

Supralapsarianism / Infralapsarianism-
When did God decide to elect people to salvation?
Was it before God made the decision to create the world and permit the fall (supralapsarianism)
or
After His decision to create the world and permit the fall.  (infralapsarianism)
The order of things happen in God's mind. not in time.
Which came first, the decree of election and reprobation or the decree to create the world and permit the fall.
Supralapsarianism view - has God's sovereignty in mind
Infralapsarianism view - has God's mercy in mind (most Reformed hold to)

Laps - means the fall. 
The order 

Covenant Theology
Covenant of Redemption- Agreement before creation
The Son's agreement - perfect obedience in death promised to the Father
The Father's agreement - promised to the Son 1) all the Son's needs to be met 2) Holy Spirit given to the Church 3) salvation to all believers 4) exaltation of the Son

Covenant of Works - Lasting from creation to the fall
Man's condition - Adam must obey God
God rewards obedience with eternal life, disobedience with death.
God told Adam that he could eat from any tree in the garden except the tree of the
knowledge of Good and Evil.  If Adam disobeys, he will surely die.

Covenant of Grace - Lasting from the fall until the second advent
Man's condition - saving faith issuing in obedience
God's response - salvation in all its phases


Covenant of Redemption
The covenant of redemption is the agreement made between the members of the Trinity in order to bring us salvation. We find allusions to it in several biblical texts. Under this covenant, the Father plans redemption and sends the Son in order to save His people. The Son agrees to be sent and to do the work necessary to save the elect (John 10:17–18)17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”, and the Spirit agrees to apply the work of Christ to us by sealing us unto salvation (Eph. 1:13–14).13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Dispensational Theology
Dispensation of Innocence - Untested Holiness
Creation > Fall
People could have direct fellowship with God, but they must not eat from the Tree
    of the Knowledge of Good and Evil
Final judgment: People expelled from the Garden

Dispensation of Conscience - Cain and Abel
Fall > Flood
People were responsible to live according to their God-given conscience
Final judgement: Universal flood

Dispensation of Government - Noah
Noah(Rainbow covenant) > Tower of Babel
People were to follow God both through their own conscience and by establishing just
    government
Final judgement: The Tower of Babel- confusion of tongues

Dispensation of Promise - Abraham
Calling of Abraham > Exodus
The Covenant people were to remain faithful to Yahweh alone and practice
    circumcision's
Final judgement: Slaves in Egypt

Dispensation of Law- Moses
Law and Moses > Second advent of Christ
The Covenant people were to be faithful to Yahweh through obeying the Law
Final judgment: The great tribulation (notice that the church age is inserted as an unforeseen hiatus
    in the midst of the dispensation of law. The church is therefore removed in the rapture before things          revert to the conditions as they were in the Old Testament period)

Dispensation of Grace or the Church
Last from the day of Pentecost > Rapture
The church is to render saving faith in following Christ
No ending judgement for this dispensation except for the counterfeit church, which goes into the 
    tribulation with the rest of the world.

Dispensation of Kingdom
Corresponding roughly to the Millennium
People are to obey Christ who reigns on earth
Great White Throne`
--------------
Lives on the distinction of a program for Israel and one for the Gentiles.  The point of Christ coming is that there is only one program.

Michael Horton: Working for God's Glory (youtube 32:27) - IF you're not a Sunday Christian, then you can't be a Monday Christian.

Double Imputation

From RC Sproul

“This is the very heart of the gospel.  In order to get into heaven, will I be judged by my righteousness or by the righteousness of Christ?  If I have to trust in my righteousness to get into heaven, I must completely and utterly despair of any possibility of ever being redeemed.  But when we see that the righteousness that is ours by faith is the perfect righteousness of Christ, we see how glorious is the good news of the gospel.  The good news is simply this: I can be reconciled to God.  I can be justified, not on the basis of what I do, but on the basis of what has been accomplished for me by Christ.”

“Of course, Protestantism really teaches a double imputation.  Our sin is imputed to Jesus and his righteousness is imputed to us.  In this twofold transaction, we see that God does not compromise his integrity in providing salvation for his people.  Rather, he punishes sin fully after it has been imputed to Jesus.  This is why he is able to be both ‘just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus’ as Paul writes in Romans 3:26. So my sin goes to Jesus and his righteousness comes to me.”

“This is a truth worth dividing the church.”

1 Peter 2
24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

Christ's Righteousness - Proof text

21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor 5:21)

30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[d](1 Cor 1:30-31)

19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. (Rom 5:19)

Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. (Rom 10:4)

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.(Phil 3:9)

10 I delight greatly in the Lord;
    my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
    and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isa 61:10)

He descended into Hell.

Jesus told the thief that today he would be with Him in paradise. Also Jesus said on the cross "It is finished".

Jesus’ spirit never went to hell, but on the cross He suffered the full wrath of God that is poured out in hell. True, the scourgings of the guards, the nails in Christ’s hands, and the other physical pains Jesus suffered manifested God’s wrath. Nevertheless, the most intense suffering Christ experienced was spiritual in nature, the hopelessness of losing the gaze of His Father’s blessing and the torment of experiencing God’s wrath for the sins of His people (Mark 15:34). John Calvin comments, “After explaining what Christ endured in the sight of man, the Creed appropriately adds the invisible and incomprehensible judgment which he endured before God, to teach us that not only was the body of Christ given up as the price of redemption, but that there was a greater and more excellent price — that he bore in his soul the tortures of a condemned and ruined man” (Institutes 2.16.10).

Threefold uses of the law - 

Is first function is to be a mirror reflecting to us both the perfect righteousness of God and our own sinfulness and shortcomings. As Augustine wrote, "the law bids us, as we try to fulfill its requirements, and become wearied in our weakness under it, to know how to ask the help of grace." The law is meant to give knowledge of sin (Rom. 3:20; 4:15; 5:13; 7:7-11), and by showing us our need of pardon and our danger of damnation to lead us in repentance and faith to Christ (Gal. 3:19-24).

A second function, the "civil use," is to restrain evil. Though the law cannot change the heart, it can to some extent inhibit lawlessness by its threats of judgment, especially when backed by a civil code that administers punishment for proven offenses (Deut. 13:6-11; 19:16-21Rom. 13:3, 4). Thus it secures civil order, and serves to protect the righteous from the unjust.

Its third function is to guide the regenerate into the good works that God has planned for them (Eph. 2:10). The law tells God's children what will please their heavenly Father. It could be called their family code. Christ was speaking of this third use of the law when He said that those who become His disciples must be taught to do all that He had commanded (Matt. 28:20), and that obedience to His commands will prove the reality of one's love for Him (John 14:15). The Christian is free from the law as a system of salvation (Rom. 6:14; 7:4, 61 Cor. 9:20Gal. 2:15-19, 3:25), but is "under the law of Christ" as a rule of life (1 Cor. 9:21Gal. 6:2)."

Antinomianism - Free from the Law  O blessed condition, I can sin as I please and still have remission.

The First Death  -  When people die the first time. Physical death. 
The Second Death - Exclusively for people who reject Jesus Christ. They die physically the first time, then at the end of the age: the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
What Happens to Us When We die
Where did God come from?  (Kent Hovind)
Which god are you talking about?  The Creator of the Universe.  Well the God of creation is not affected by time space or matter.  If he's limited by one of those then He is not God. This is a continuum, they all have to come to existence at the same instant.  If you have time but no space where would you put it, if you have space and matter but no time, when would you put it.  The Bible explains the continuum in 10 words.  "In the beginning" (time), God created the heaven (space) and the earth (matter).  Time is past present future, space is length width height and matter is liquid solid gas.  And God is outside of the continuum or he is not God, He has always existed.  If a spiritual force cannot affect a material body, then how do you explain the feelings of love, hate, envy, jealousy, rationality. God is not a limited god.
Council of Trent - Justification by Faith Alone
CANON IX.-If any one saith, that by faith alone the impious is justified; in such wise as to mean, that nothing else is required to co-operate in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not in any way necessary, that he be prepared and disposed by the movement of his own will; let him be anathema.
Christ' Incarnation - 
Christ had to take on human form because we as humans die.  So Christ had to die also. 
Hebrews 2:14. 14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 


Imprecatory Psalms

Imprecatory Psalms, contained within the Book of Psalms of the Hebrew Bible (Hebrewתנ"ך), are those that imprecate – invoke judgment, calamity or curses upon one's enemies or those perceived as the enemies of God. Major imprecatory Psalms include Psalm 69 and Psalm 109, while Psalms 561112353740525456575859798394137139 and 143 are also considered imprecatory. As an example, Psalm 69:24 states toward God, "Pour out Your indignation on them, and let Your burning anger overtake them."

Women Elders

1 Timothy 3:
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer[a] must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,[b] sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 

Titus 1:
This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife,[d] and his children are believers[e] and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer,[f] as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound[g] doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
5100 [e]
tis
τίς
anyone
IPro-NMS
1510 [e]
estin
ἐστιν
is
V-PIA-3S
410 [e]
anenklētos
ἀνέγκλητος  ,
blameless
Adj-NMS
1520 [e]
mias
μιᾶς
of one
Adj-GFS
1135 [e]
gynaikos
γυναικὸς
wife
N-GFS
435 [e]
anēr
ἀνήρ  ,
[the] husband
N-NMS
5043 [e]
tekna
τέκνα
children
N-ANP
2192 [e]
echōn
ἔχων
having
V-PPA-NMS
4103 [e]
pista
πιστά  ,
believing
Adj-ANP
3361 [e]

μὴ
not
Adv
1722 [e]
en
ἐν
under
Prep

The Greek word anēr (ἀνήρ) means "man," "male," or "husband"It can refer to an adult male