There seems to be a growing number of people studying the "Doctrines of Grace" again. Don't believe it, check out this Time magazine article included in the 2009 10 Ideas Changing the World Right Now - #3 The New Calvanism. Available to read here: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1884779_1884782_1884760,00.html
It's been years since the church fully embraced these sacred truths once set forth by Calvin and Luther in the days of the Protestant Reformation. I am posting this, prompted by this article, Smelling the Tulip available here, http://junkerjorge1.blogspot.com/2009/03/smelling-tulip.html#comment-form
And, because of this comment posted by one of his readers,
"I am having a bit of trouble with this post, mainly because it suggests that we have no free will! What do you do with these verses??? John 3:16 "...WHOSOEVER believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." What about Romans 10:11? "...WHOSOEVER believeth on him shall not be ashamed." Romans 10:13? "For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Isn't whosoever whosoever??? If you believe that God has chosen only "the elect" to be saved - I have some questions:1)how do you know you are one of the elect?2)What does that say about our free-will as mankind?3)Why then should you even bother to evangelize?It is really hard for me to believe that I am just a robot, that I have no choice in the matter whether I believe in Jesus or not, that God has chosen me and forced me to believe, but he is going to let my grandpa and grandma go to hell because He didn't pick them. I strongly believe that WHOSOEVER believes will be saved."
Here is my response:
I just wanted to say to Adam, I was right there with you brother!!! Been there, and felt that! When the Lord first began to reveal these truths to me in the Word, my flesh screamed out, "Wait a minute, but what about me???? I want to be in charge of this thing. It should be my choice! What about my children??!!??"
Well, I was in charge alright, bound to my flesh and to my true nature to sin. Without divine intervention, which some like to call irresistable grace, I was not looking for God, but praise be to our God and Father, He was looking for me!
How do we know we are truly the elect? Make no doubt, you will know. That is the true promise and seal of the Holy Spirit. Once he comes calling, and draws you unto the Father, you will never be the same again. And, if THAT has happened in your life, and you are indeed a "new creation" with the old having passed away (2 Corinthians 5:17), you can likely put to rest any worries you might have.
An old friend of our ours (in his late 70's) once told me, (I'm paraphrasing)... If you're really worried about it, you probably don't have anything to be worried about, but just in case, now would be a good time to get alone with your God.
Indeed, "whosoever will" may come, but we're all born "whosoever wont's" until the Lord with His precious Word and the work of the Holy Spirit reveals Himself to us through Christ.
Now, as for evangelism, God, acting fully within His Sovereignty, CHOSE that man would come - by hearing the Word, and having faith (Romans 10:17). A faith, by the way, which is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:4-9). It is through preaching, Titus 1:2-3, that the Lord has chosen to spread that Word.
Amazing how He has chosen to use simple, fallible, mistake making, frail human beings to complete such an amazing task! (2 Corinthians 4:6-7; Ephesians 2:10)
Ahhh, "A Rose, by any other name, (in this case TULIP) smells just as sweet!! We like to call them, "The Doctrines Of Grace"!
Abiding in His grace,
Lori Mc.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
S*H*I*N*G*L*E*S!!!
Sorry I haven't posted in a bit, but I have shingles!!!
They hurt, they itch, they are on my head and face, and they are about to drive me insane!!
Todd is feeding me these super duper smoothies first thing every morning with ingredients you wouldn't believe trying to help boost my immune system. My body is so "out of whack" thanks to the fall, the surgery, and all of the constant medications over the past year. So, we're trying to get some good nutrition back in me and hopefully get everything back under control.
Please pray for me, and my family, I'm not much of a pleasure to be around, or even look at right now.
Feeling more like Job on a daily basis, and trying to keep up my sense of humor-
Lori
Hey does anybody have some sack cloth and ashes I could borrow? :O)
They hurt, they itch, they are on my head and face, and they are about to drive me insane!!
Todd is feeding me these super duper smoothies first thing every morning with ingredients you wouldn't believe trying to help boost my immune system. My body is so "out of whack" thanks to the fall, the surgery, and all of the constant medications over the past year. So, we're trying to get some good nutrition back in me and hopefully get everything back under control.
Please pray for me, and my family, I'm not much of a pleasure to be around, or even look at right now.
Feeling more like Job on a daily basis, and trying to keep up my sense of humor-
Lori
Hey does anybody have some sack cloth and ashes I could borrow? :O)
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Snow in Alabama!
Well, it isn't often that we enjoy a little white dusting here in the South, but today we got a little snow!
My girls enjoyed playing in it, and I got a couple of pictures of them and the snow around our house to share with you here.
I've added a couple of other new pictures. Sarah had been playing all afternoon with a pair of Anna's old sunglasses and binoculars, and when she stopped for a drink and a snack, she pushed them up on top of her head like I do. It was hillarious!
Enjoy,
Lori
My girls enjoyed playing in it, and I got a couple of pictures of them and the snow around our house to share with you here.
I've added a couple of other new pictures. Sarah had been playing all afternoon with a pair of Anna's old sunglasses and binoculars, and when she stopped for a drink and a snack, she pushed them up on top of her head like I do. It was hillarious!
Enjoy,
Lori
Friday, February 27, 2009
Would you sponsor a child?
Dear Friends,
James 1:27 (NIV)
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
The orphanage where Sarah Beth was cared for while waiting to come home is having much financial struggle at this time. Because of the changing laws in Guatemala, many children - already matched with families - are caught in a system that does not seem to have the best interest of these precious ones at heart.
In the meantime, Eagle's Nest is unable to take in more children because the adoptions are all on hold and no families are allowed to be matched with incoming orphans. As a result, they can not take in children because there are no matched families to provide the needed funds for their care until they come home. When Sarah was there, they were caring for approximately 70 children, they are now down to 24 or less, and they have let most of the nannies go.
Our family is interested in sponsoring a child, the cost is $250.00 a month. When you consider that this covers the cost of full time care, food, milk, diapers, medical needs, etc... it is indeed a small amount. And of course, any amount is small when it provides for the needs of a child. Consider, if you have children in daycare, or dance, or music lessons, etc... what that cost is. These precious ones need these funds to provide for their very basic needs, not for the extras that our children enjoy.
We would like to find friends and family who would be interested in going in with others to sponsor a child, or encourage you and your family to fully sponsor a child and find others who would be willing to do so as well. The Eagle's Nest home is run by American Missionaries, these children are being loved on and cared for in the name of Christ and this ministry desperately needs help RIGHT NOW from the body of Christ.
I urge you to go to their website at www.EaglesNestInt.org, and click on the link for "Sponsor a Child". Here's an excerpt from their website from the "boys" page. They have both boys and girls available for sponsorship. You can see their precious faces and choose one to sponsor. They currently need only 8 more sponsors for children currently in their care, and with additional sponsors, they will be able to take in more children again.
"We have a few faithful sponsors of our little boys without families. Thank you! As you can see they are growing and went through chicken pox and colds and some pneumonia was reported. I wish sickness did not touch children, but we deal with it as will their parents soon. $250 a month is like a car payment for some thank you for those who sacrifice so the babies can be cared for. We are called weekly to take on more babies, but until we have sponsors we can’t take them in. Please consider share this need with your friends. Children Home expenses and Nido Camp and Chapel expenses are separate accounts. The children need your help. “How Can I Help?” pages gives instruction to how you can get involved. God Bless"
I know that things are tight right now for most people. We understand, but there are things we can cut back on to support a precious one. How about you? We would be glad to facilitate putting together a group of people to support a child. Perhaps your Sunday School class would consider taking on a child, or your family members, or a group of friends. Donations can be made directly to the orphanage through paypal. If we can help facilitate, please email me at tnlmcguire@yahoo.com. Or go with your family or group directly through their site and contact them about sponsoring one of these precious ones.
Abiding in His grace, and seeking desperately to die to myself so that HE might live through me,
Lori
James 1:27 (NIV)
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
The orphanage where Sarah Beth was cared for while waiting to come home is having much financial struggle at this time. Because of the changing laws in Guatemala, many children - already matched with families - are caught in a system that does not seem to have the best interest of these precious ones at heart.
In the meantime, Eagle's Nest is unable to take in more children because the adoptions are all on hold and no families are allowed to be matched with incoming orphans. As a result, they can not take in children because there are no matched families to provide the needed funds for their care until they come home. When Sarah was there, they were caring for approximately 70 children, they are now down to 24 or less, and they have let most of the nannies go.
Our family is interested in sponsoring a child, the cost is $250.00 a month. When you consider that this covers the cost of full time care, food, milk, diapers, medical needs, etc... it is indeed a small amount. And of course, any amount is small when it provides for the needs of a child. Consider, if you have children in daycare, or dance, or music lessons, etc... what that cost is. These precious ones need these funds to provide for their very basic needs, not for the extras that our children enjoy.
We would like to find friends and family who would be interested in going in with others to sponsor a child, or encourage you and your family to fully sponsor a child and find others who would be willing to do so as well. The Eagle's Nest home is run by American Missionaries, these children are being loved on and cared for in the name of Christ and this ministry desperately needs help RIGHT NOW from the body of Christ.
I urge you to go to their website at www.EaglesNestInt.org, and click on the link for "Sponsor a Child". Here's an excerpt from their website from the "boys" page. They have both boys and girls available for sponsorship. You can see their precious faces and choose one to sponsor. They currently need only 8 more sponsors for children currently in their care, and with additional sponsors, they will be able to take in more children again.
"We have a few faithful sponsors of our little boys without families. Thank you! As you can see they are growing and went through chicken pox and colds and some pneumonia was reported. I wish sickness did not touch children, but we deal with it as will their parents soon. $250 a month is like a car payment for some thank you for those who sacrifice so the babies can be cared for. We are called weekly to take on more babies, but until we have sponsors we can’t take them in. Please consider share this need with your friends. Children Home expenses and Nido Camp and Chapel expenses are separate accounts. The children need your help. “How Can I Help?” pages gives instruction to how you can get involved. God Bless"
I know that things are tight right now for most people. We understand, but there are things we can cut back on to support a precious one. How about you? We would be glad to facilitate putting together a group of people to support a child. Perhaps your Sunday School class would consider taking on a child, or your family members, or a group of friends. Donations can be made directly to the orphanage through paypal. If we can help facilitate, please email me at tnlmcguire@yahoo.com. Or go with your family or group directly through their site and contact them about sponsoring one of these precious ones.
Abiding in His grace, and seeking desperately to die to myself so that HE might live through me,
Lori
Thursday, February 26, 2009
"Fastest Growing Cult" ???
Another powerful blogpost regarding the Word of Faith movement...
http://junkerjorge1.blogspot.com/2009/02/fastes-growing-cult-in-world.html
Whew,
Lori
http://junkerjorge1.blogspot.com/2009/02/fastes-growing-cult-in-world.html
Whew,
Lori
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