Resolved; no more resolutions

Here is a list of resolutions from one of my dead mentors. Jonathan Edwards wrote these in one sitting one evening in 1722. (No it wasn't on New Years Eve!)Hope you find them inspiring so that you may write your own...

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad's of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.

2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.

3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.

9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don't hinder.

12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.

13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.

14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.

15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings.

16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.

19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.

20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.

21. Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.

22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.

If you want to view the other 48 click on the title...

TSC Library Contributions

Just finished a great book dealing with the topic of 'worldliness'. Very good read, especially the chapter entitled, "My Heart, God and Stuff".

Three new addtions that I received for Christmas this year;

Faith Alone?

Well, it's been so long since I've written anything. It seems a little strange to be back in the blogger. And this entry has been on my mind quite a bit and I'm not even sure that I am going to post it - I guess if you're reading it then it means either that I decided to post and take my chances or I've had some kind of mental disconnect and will regret it later.

Faith alone. That what Sola Fide means. It's roots are buried deep into the Reformation and it means that we as Christians have been saved by grace through faith alone. It means that with every step we take we should be walking in the reality of taking God at His word, trusting in His decisions and placing one foot in front of the other knowing that He has my back, my front, my sides and my future.

Now don't panic - I'm not having a crisis of faith. I love my Saviour and I am not afraid to declare publicly that Jesus is my king, my priest and my shepherd. I have not turned my back on God, the church or my relationship with him. But...

I am working through an issue that has been on my mind for quite awhile. It affects me personally, it affects my family, it affects my relationship with my wife and it has implications on my job. It is an issue that has plagued me for years, and quite frankly has bothered me for as long as I can remember. And interestingly enough is connected to how I view sola fide. You see, if I claim to live my life by Sola Fide then why can't I deal effectively with this issue? If I claim that my Jesus is as powerful (if not more) than what the Bible says, then why can't this issue be dealt with once and for all? Why the constant struggle? Why is there so much baggage that comes along with it? If I claim that Jesus is powerful enough to deliver then why are the chains still there? Sometimes I feel so hypocritical when I have opportunities to preach the power of the resurrection and yet daily look in the mirror and see meager attempts that lead to disappointment and frustration. I'm sorry but I'm just trying to be real with myself. You just get to read 'into it'.

So, enough already; what's this big issue that I'm dealing with that has me so upset and discouraged at the same time? It's my weight. There, I said it. I've wanted to write about this for so long but I've been afraid to because I figure that once it's out in cyber-land then I'll have to stay committed for the sake of those few who read this. And I've been held captive by fear for so long that I have done nothing about it. I've been so worried about what people will think and more importantly - how those will judge my faith and my saviour by my actions, that I've been paralyzed to do anything except become more and more frustrated and dis-content. But that's been the down fall all along. I can't do this for you. I can't worry about what you think or what you'll say. All I am supposed to do is trust my Saviour and honor His name - not mine.

Our youth pastor had a great blog awhile ago in which he described himself as the 'fat-pastor'. I first thought that he was insane for putting it out there for everyone to read and to judge. But he made his goal and is sticking to it. And I am proud to know him. I thought, 'should I do the same thing, only call it the 'fat elder' program? Can I chronicle my attempts at transformation knowing the risk of failure? Can I post about how I really feel about myself and risk the ridicule? I thought about starting a new blog and not telling anyone, that way if I failed then no one would really be able to place a face with the name. No one would be able to connect the real me with the cyber-me. What a joke - if I did that why even bother with the program? If there's no risk of accountability then why even blog about it?

So, where does this leave me? Well...it leaves me with this gigantic post. It leaves me with yet again the proverbial question - Am I willing to put it out there? Am I willing to share my journey with all it's bumps and bruises? Am I really able to give up Bacon? Can I cook without real butter? If I don't, we go back to the regular routine. I go back to feeling like an idiot because I can lead people to the cross and I can lead people through deep theological issues but I can't lead myself through the steps necessary to change my body composition.

Faith alone. Grace alone. Christ alone. I know that I believe in these with all my heart, mind and soul. What I also know is that I can't do this alone and I can't be fake about it any more. Despite what others may say, do or think.

More to come...

Starting Something New

As of this September, our care group will be working through the book of Hebrews. We want to invite you to join us as we walk through what has been deemed as the 'most comprehensive collection of information on Jesus Christ - outside of the gospels and the revelation.'

It will be an interesting and hopefully an interactive exploration. This means that you will have the option of doing as much or as little work with the material as you wish. There will be an email option for those who may want to remain somewhat anonymous. I encourage your feedback and comments. I really want this to be as effective as it can be as well as honoring to Jesus as it can be.

Just click on the title and you will be transported to the new blog. Have fun,

peace

give me a break

OK, so we've heard and seen the ads for how restaurants are offering your hamburgers and sandwiches in the form of a wrap. This is to help us feel that the restaurant is looking out for our best interest. Its like they are trying to help us feel better about the healthy choices we are beating ourselves into while at the same time trying to cater to our 'indulgent' side. I mean really - do you want your Big Mac in a wrap? Do you want that Italian meatball sub in a wrap instead? Here I am as a discerning consumer trying to switch my love of the bread slice for the healthier wrap. It's thinner, has less volume and it even tastes bland - all the pre-requisites for a healthier tomorrow.

Until now.

My darling wife - who happens to have graduated from University with a science major - sheepishly (yet with that cute smile she gets when she knows she is right)tells me that the wrap I am about to consume is boldly ling to me and that any thoughts of 'healthier' choices should be cross-referenced with the nutritional notes on the package. In a half-mocking, half 'I can't believe it' tone I refer to those sections where the math does not lie.

To my horror I discover that one measly, skinny, ridiculously thin and flimsy freak of the leaven has more calories, more fat, more sodium and more carbohydrate than two - yes that's right two - pieces of my beloved yet "bad for me like oil to a duck" slices of bread. Well, snap. I lose it. What a joke. What a waste of my time and effort. By the time I have forced myself to consume two of those discs of displeasure I could have enjoyed five slices from the bread bag of fun. Never again. People, stop buying into the lie and return to the freshly baked loaf of goodness. Besides, has anyone ever seen anybody dip a plain wrap into their gravy? I didn't think so.