The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards

Johnathan Edwards was a great Christian man. Not only was he a pastor, writer, theologian, and leader in the first Great Awakening of America, but he fathered 11 children. He “is widely acknowledged to be America’s most important and original philosophical theologian,” and one of America’s greatest intellectuals. These are the resolutions that he made.

The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards
Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.

Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

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 myriads 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 soever, and how great soever.

2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention 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. July 30.

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 do not 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 any thing out of revenge.

15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards 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 any thing, 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 any thing, 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.

(Resolutions 1 through 21 written in one setting in New Haven in 1722)

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.

23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God’s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.

24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.

25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.

26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.

27. Resolved, never willfully to omit any thing, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.

28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.

30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.

31. Resolved, never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.

32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that, in Prov. 20:6, “A faithful man who can find?” may not be partly fulfilled in me.

33. Resolved, to do always, what I can towards making, maintaining, and preserving peace, when it can be done without overbalancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, 1722.

34. Resolved, in narrations never to speak any thing but the pure and simple verity.

35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.

36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.

37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,- what sin I have committed,-and wherein I have denied myself;-also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.

38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord’s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.

39. Resolved, never to do any thing of which I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or not; unless I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.

40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.

41. Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.

42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.

43. Resolved, never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’s; agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12. Jan.12, 1723.

44. Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. Jan.12, 1723.

45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan. 12 and 13, 1723.

46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye: and to be especially careful of it with respect to any of our family.

47. Resolved, to endeavor, to my utmost, to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented and easy, compassionate and generous, humble and meek, submissive and obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable and even, patient, moderate, forgiving and sincere temper; and to do at all times, what such a temper would lead me to; and to examine strictly, at the end of every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5,1723.

48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or not; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.

49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.

50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.

51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.

52. I frequently hear persons in old age, say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.

53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.

54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.

55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if, I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.

56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it, and let the event be just as providence orders it. I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty, and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.

58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May 27, and July 13, 1723.

59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 11, and July 13.

60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.

61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.

62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty, and then according to Eph. 6:6-8, to do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man: “knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.” June 25 and July 13, 1723.

63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. Jan.14 and July 13, 1723.

64. Resolved, when I find those “groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those “breakings of soul for the longing it hath,” of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be weary of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness, of which I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton’s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.

66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.

67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what am I the better for them, and what I might have got by them.

68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Aug. 11, 1723.

70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. Aug. 17, 1723.

Interview with Ernest Hancock

My Dad was interviewed on a radio show hosted by Ernest Hancock.

Hence, below.

 

Hour 1:

Hour 2:

– (M)

Army of Truth

As part of school, Mom and Dad decided to have us entering writing contests and then post them here. That way we will *hopefully* be posting more deep and well thought out things than music and funny pictures in the future.

This was my first poem admission to AFHE’s ‘Why I like Homeschool’. It didn’t win, but I have the satisfaction of giving my best. Critiques are welcome.

*WARNING* I’m a homeschooler, a capitalist, a Christian, a stay-at-home daughter, a Calvinist, a reformist, a re-constructionist, and I believe in the Biblical patriarchy. My poem will be tinted as such.

 

“Dark and organized completely

Covered in a mass of lies.

But still they manage to look neatly

Though the deception glazes their eyes.

Prepared to fight an unseen battle,

Marching out in Hitler style,

Their tools of trade loudly rattle,

Prepared to herd the preoccupied cattle,

as they march the extra mile.

 

Going to teach the proletariat

What the ones on high want said.

For this was the army Invariant

With the devil leading at their head.

When they have the child’s heart won

Then the parents would they beguile

And then would begin the fun

And they would be stopped by none

As they march the extra mile.

 

This army was of people just doing their job

Believing that billions of years was the truth,

That complex DNA started out as a blob,

That we were monkeys in our youth.

The bible was fairy tale, contradicting itself,

Christianity was empty, religion; vile.

That if anyone wanted to better himself,

He had better submit to the devil himself,

As they march the extra mile

 

They would bring up their students

To look to the State.

Not care about truth

Just stack the next crate.

And get on with real life

Just walk in single file

And march with the State fife

And they might grant you a wife

As they march the extra mile.

 

They would take away reason

For it was overrated.

They could make thought treason,

Though it was already outdated.

For These were the teachers of the generation

Leading the children down to hell

Ushering this young generation

into a brave new world under spell

Of the tyrant red school bell

As they march the extra mile

 

But I knew who they were

I knew what they would say

they would make truth a blur

And then society would decay

But I was prepared for the fight

For I knew well the church aisle

And God’s word was my delight

And I knew everything would be alright

As I marched the extra mile

 

I knew their lies well,

their infamous tools of trade,

And I had been taught to dispel

That dull over-used blade.

Taught by the ones seasoned in war

Who were there next to me in the church aisle

Who I will always adore

who taught me darkness to abhor

As they marched the extra mile

 

My parents were there ready to fight

Strong and confident

That they had done right

And in good deeds they were opulent

They knew how the world would be

in this new lifestyle

And they to this would not agree

Because they looked out for me

as they marched the extra mile

 

They understood me completely

My strength and weakness

And they felt for me deeply

And knew what it meant to be weakest

And they cared for my future

So they told me to hate the vile

And try to be a producer

And because they were my tutor

I now walk the extra mile

 

Their words are my guide

Through this mountainous valley

And as I walk in their stride

I miss those years badly

Though the fight rages on

I miss them in the aisle

and though they are now withdrawn

I have been called upon

To march the extra mile

 

This war is not new to me,

And I shall march with pride,

As I go to join the free

And we shall ride side-by-side.

Our differences we shall cast aside,

The holy word will be our guide,

With confidence in our every stride.

For Light and darkness will collide

Across the whole worldwide

And darkness will be split wide

As we gloriously, victoriously ride

the extra mile

~N

No Matter How Hard You Try, You Can’t Stop Time…

“If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it.”

– Rudyard Kipling

The Way I Want To Be…

When I am married for half my life with my best friend, and I am 50+ years old.
(M)

True Women

“Why do women want to dress like men when they’re fortunate enough to be women? Why lose femininity, which is one of our greatest charms? We get more accomplished by being charming than we would be flaunting around in pants and smoking. I’m very fond of men. I think they are wonderful creatures. I love them dearly. But I don’t want to look like one. When women gave up their long skirts, they made a grave error…” ― Tasha Tudor

Scocha – Scots Wha Hae

“Aye, fight and you may die. Run and you’ll live — at least a while. And dying in your beds many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one chance to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom!!!” – William Wallace, Braveheart

Alba gu bra! (Scotland forever!)

…..

We think we are part scotch on me father’s side.

And I know I’m 99.9% scotch in me head. And I dont’ knuw abut you, but thes jest gets me blood up.

-M

Notes on Beauty

After making a lot of cozy cups for our church family, we were able to raise enough money for a intriguing webinar by the Botkin Girls on Reclaiming Beauty.  We were very excited when we sat down the first night in front of our laptop, eagerly anticipating the wonderful style advice and quick-fix techniques. But we had to get through the ‘spiritual’ stuff first. That stuff that is boring, old and just the precursor to the things that matter about turning heads. But really, that is where the true beauty begins.

We are now on week four of listening to it so I don’t remember much from the first one. Here are some well-compiled notes that a sister in Christ wrote that I have shamelessly stole to cover my embarrassment:

“What God says about Beauty and Beautification: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”

By Anna Sofia & Elizabeth Botkin

The webinar started with the Botkin ladies announcing their disclaimers, such as that they are not teaching men, nor elders, but that they are speaking to their peers, young ladies. They also made a point to say:

“We are not encouraging daughters to figure these things out apart from their parents.”

These are my thoughts and notes on their first session of their seven part series. I hope you enjoy my ramblings.

When we think about beauty, we tend to have images of Hollywood actresses and models in our minds, yet, we are constantly barraged by the pairing of ‘beauty and sex/seduction’ together. So conservatism has placed a new standard of beauty in our minds, we think of nuns, shapeless clothes, dim colors, and faces devoid of make-ups. But what we have missed is that these are the extremes, we see what we don’t like, so we immediately run to the furthest extreme.

“The truth is not between two extremes, but in a totally different direction.”

So, to get a clear perspective of what God says beauty is, we first would have to remove all the other pictures of what we think beauty is. A few views of beauty are as follows:

–          Neo-Platonism

 Body/Spirit, meaning that the spirit matters, and the body doesn’t.Not the same as “spirit/flesh”.

–          Romantisim

 To have the ideal body

–          Naturalism

 …hippies, indulgence of the body

–          Distortionism

 Remake the body in your own image (plastic surgeries and defacing the body)

–          Sexualization

 Beauty means to be seductive in nature. But this isn’t how we are to behave, yes we are created as sexual beings, but we are to keep that in the context of marriage.

So, now what? If neither of these is the correct answer, what is? First we need to realize that:

“The world did not create beauty: God did.

The world does not own a copy write on beauty: God does.”

We must remember that we are the temple of God (I Cor. 3:16-17).  A temple is beautiful, majestic, grand…but we need to remember that we MAINTAIN the temple but we do not worship the temple. To be the holy of holies as it were, as a Christian, means more than simply an outward appearance, but inside the heart needs to be nurtured, groomed, guarded, protected, and grown.

“What does the Bible say about Beauty?”

Psalm 27:4

“One thing I have asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.”

The word used for beauty here, means delight, pleasant, tangible, to be enjoyed.

“We must remember that all of creation was created to be enjoyed by its Creator.”

(These are pulled directly off a picture I took of two slides on the webinar.

–          The body is created in God’s image, and should reflect God’s image. (Genesis 1:26)

–          The body is fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

–          The body is part of the physical world we are supposed to tame, cultivate, refine, and take dominion of. (Genesis 1:28)

–          The body does not belong only to its owner. (I Corinthians 6:19, 20, I Corinthians 7:4)

–          We’re supposed to be glorifying Someone Who is not ourselves in our bodies. (I Corinthians 6:19, 20)

–          The body is a symbol for Christ’s church. (Ephesians 5)

–          The body apart from the spirit is dead. (James 2:26)

–          The body will be glorified for God’s eternal purposes. (I Corinthians 15)

–          The first body is natural; in this body men toil for God’s mandate in hope of the resurrection. (I Corinthians 15)

–          Deeds performed in this natural body will be judged. (Acts 17:31, John 5:22, 27, I Corinthians 6:3, Jude 6, II Corinthians 5:10, Ecclesiastes 12:14, Matthew 12:36, 25:32-46, Romans 14:10, 12)

–          The body is a temple for Someone greater than ourselves. (I Corinthians 6:19, 3:16, II Corinthians 6:16))

Psalms 19:1

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”

His glory, His beauty, His creation ought to proclaim His glory. …What is your body, your appearance, proclaiming?

Beautification

 

Now, some think that since the world tries to make us think that beauty equals seductive, that we should just abandon it entirely. Besides, we have natural beauty, so if we use make ups, then we think we are trying to say God’s creation isn’t good enough, right? NO, this is wrong thinking. We must remember not to be legalistic, thinking that being plain, simple, or our attempt of being invisible is a work for righteousness. The Pharisees tried that, it didn’t work for them either.

Matthew 6:16-18

““And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.””

Their actions were motivated by their pride and vanity, we must remember that we are chosen, not because of ourselves, but by His pleasure, and now we are to represent Him, and His glory.

You see, God’s creation was made perfectly, but in Genesis 2:15, God tells Adam to “dress and keep” the garden. That is to make something that was already perfect and lovely, even better.

Ezekiel 16:9-14

“Then I bathed you with water and washed off your blood from you and anointed you with oil. I clothed you also with embroidered cloth and shod you with fine leather. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk.And I adorned you with ornaments and put bracelets on your wrists and a chain on your neck.And I put a ring on your nose and earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was of fine linen and silk and embroidered cloth. You ate fine flour and honey and oil. You grew exceedingly beautiful and advanced to royalty.And your renown went forth among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through the splendor that I had bestowed on you, declares the Lord GOD.”

We see in this Scripture, that God takes His bride, and enhances her natural beauty.

“The body left in its natural state is an ideal that we never see in Scripture.”

His clothing us, is a ‘type’ (a shadow of something to come) of Him covering us with His blood.

We are gloriously redeemed, let us display that.

How Beauty goes from Good to Bad to Ugly

If we continue to read on that story in Ezekiel, we see that God’s people sorely abused the lavishing that God had bestowed upon them, and played the whore to all the nations, she misused her beauty. So….God removed it from her.

Ezekiel 16:15-22

““But you trusted in your beauty and played the whore because of your renown and lavished your whorings on any passerby; your beautybecame his. You took some of your garments and made for yourself colorful shrines, and on them played the whore. The like has never been, nor ever shall be.  You also took your beautiful jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given you, and made for yourself images of men, and with them played the whore.  And you took your embroidered garments to cover them, and set my oil and my incense before them.  Also my bread that I gave you—I fed you with fine flour and oil and honey—you set before them for a pleasing aroma; and so it was, declares the Lord GOD.  And you took your sons and your daughters, whom you had borne to me, and these you sacrificed to them to be devoured. Were your whorings so small a matter that you slaughtered my children and delivered them up as an offering by fire to them?  And in all your abominations and your whorings you did not remember the days of your youth, when you were naked and bare, wallowing in your blood.””

I would encourage you to go read Ezekiel 16 to the end…it just stunned me how much God expounds on His unfaithful people. And here again in Isaiah…

Isaiah 3:16-24

“The LORD said: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go, tinkling with their feet, therefore the Lord will strike with a scab the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will lay bare their secret parts.

In that day the Lord will take away the finery of the anklets, the headbands, and the crescents; the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves;the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets; the signet rings and nose rings; the festal robes, the mantles, the cloaks, and the handbags; the mirrors, the linen garments, the turbans, and the veils.

Instead of perfume there will be rottenness; and instead of a belt, a rope; and instead of well-set hair, baldness; and instead of a rich robe, a skirt of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty.”

Another thing to note:

“Beauty is not dangerous, we are.”

Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

We need to remember that we are being watched, whether we care or not.

You are a billboard, what are you writing on it? Or are you trying to tear it down?

I Timothy 2:9 “likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire,”

In this verse, we find the word “kosmios”, or in English “cosmos”. It means orderly, virtuous, decent, modest, well-ordered. The cosmos is the universe, a single spoken sentence, things are unified, and ordered.

The mind, body, and soul are not separate units, but they are one person.

Your personality, intelligence, and outward appearance ought to be unified.

We also see the word “kosmeó” which means to decorate or put into order. This verse also lists modest and self-control, and when I looked up their Greek words and meanings, they are more like character qualities than descriptions of outward beauty, such as shamefacedness, discretion, and sanity. (for more references to the character qualities of inner beauty, look up I Peter 3:3-4)

God created beauty, because it is a facet of Himself, it is not to be used for seduction.

Our culture has a ‘simple’ formula for understanding their reasoning for doing things.

Subjectivity —> Objectivity —> Culture —> Religion Externalized

For example:

Subjectivity – I want to be sexy.

Objectivity – I want this because its an idol, because someone else is sexy and I want to be like that person.

Culture – I want this because it is the cultural norm, its cool to be this way, if im not this way I’m excluded, an outcast, worthless.

Religion Externalized – atheism, there is nothing after death, thus enjoy as much as possible now, whatever feels good…do it.

What are some biblical ideals of beauty?

“Beauty is not 22 years old.”

We do find a few things in the Bible that are listed as beautiful.

–          Youth

–          White hair

–          Sarah was called beautiful (I think she was 100+ years old at that point too!)

….yes I do realize that to stop right here is sort of nonconclusive, but this is all I have for now. I hope that you have enjoyed my thoughts on this lecture done by the lovely Botkin ladies.

God bless!

~ Jessica Blomgren September 29, 2012

~N

 

The Gay Protest That Encountered the Love of God

I am re -posting this. Very good, and excellent encouragement.

You can read the original post here.

– M

Last week, Scott Volk, one of the pastoral leaders at FIRE Church, my home congregation, received a call from the local police informing him that there would be a gay protest outside our building on Sunday morning.

The leader of the protest announced on Facebook, “We will meet just before service begins, and protest as they gather, we will have a silent protest as service is going and let them have it as they leave for the day. Remember we will be peaceful and respectful, something they don’t understand. We are going to STAND TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY to show that our love is stronger than their hate.”

In response, I wrote on my blog: “On behalf of FIRE Church, I want to extend to you the warmest welcome and let you know that we are thrilled that you are here with us on Sunday. We have been praying for you for a long time!

“As always, you will only meet with love, kindness, and respect from the FIRE leadership and congregants, and we proclaim to you once again the amazing grace of God. Jesus died to save us from our sins, heterosexual and homosexual alike, and only in Him can we find forgiveness, redemption, and transformation. Jesus alone is the Healer, Savior, Deliverer, and Transformer.”

On my radio show, I also encouraged them to come in good numbers so we could greet them, and Scott posted a note on Q-Notes, a local gay website that had announced the protest, saying, “As the pastor of FIRE Church, I just want you to know that you’ll be greeted with the same love and compassion as we always endeavor to show anyone–you are more-than-welcome! You make mention of the ‘hate’ that we show. Yet, in all our years here we’ve only desired to reach out with love to everyone in the local community here whether they are labeled as gay or straight. Hopefully, you’ll see that love demonstrated on Sunday as you protest.”

Not surprisingly, given the suspicion, and misunderstanding that exists, Scott’s gracious invitation drew some hostile responses:

David: “Love is the most disfigured mask that hate wears.”

Sue: “If what you think is reaching out in love is perceived as hateful attack, perhaps you should reconsider your actions.”

David: “You can fool yourself, Mr. Volk. You can fool your parishioners. But you can’t fool God. He knows what’s in your heart, and it isn’t love. It’s hate.”

Tom: “What these fire church people probably don’t understand is that spending an eternity ANYWHERE with them is what I would consider a true HELL. They should concern themselves with their own pathetic lives and leave other alone to theirs …”

Scott responded by inviting them to his home for dinner to spend a night with him and his family. And he explained that, “to call someone hateful without ever meeting them, seeing them, or hearing them speak, is an indication of a heart that needs love. I make myself available.”

On Sunday morning, Aug. 26th, about 10 protesters showed up (we were disappointed there were so few) and some of our FIRE leaders met with them, offering them water and snacks, sharing God’s love and truth with them, and then inviting them to join us in the service. After a few minutes they left, explaining that we were too nice and loving to deserve a protest!

Bear in mind that these protesters know the stands we have taken for biblical values and some of them have listened to my radio broadcasts or read my writings, so they recognize how strongly we differ with them on many key issues. Yet they also recognized our genuine love for them and saw that we were not full of hate. The love of Jesus, flowing out of Spirit-filled, godly hearts, makes an impact that cannot be denied.

Scott shared this good news on the Q-Notes website, along with the invitation to those calling us hateful to join him for dinner at his house. In response Spydre wrote, “I want to hear more about this Jesus,” and Jaybea commented, “Even I would be welcome there? It would be an honor to meet Scott Volk and Dr. Brown. I’m beginning to see light as very attractive.” How amazing!

The next day, Monday, Aug. 27th, the leader of the protest called into my radio show to apologize publicly for the protest, explaining that their “anger  … was aimed [in] the wrong direction.” And then he said these words: “Once we got there Sunday morning we were greeted with absolutely perfect love. I mean, it was fantastic.” Praise God!

After the broadcast, we exchanged contact information and are looking forward to sharing a meal together and, more importantly, candidly sharing our hearts. This is genuinely good news.

When the Lord called me to get involved with homosexual issues eight years ago, He said to me, “Reach out and resist,” meaning, “reach out” to the people with compassion and “resist” the activist agenda with courage.

Is it possible to do both? By God’s grace, the answer is yes, and in the end, love never fails.

Michael Brown is the author of The Real Kosher Jesus and the host of the nationally syndicated talk radio show The Line of Fire on the Salem Radio Network. He is also president of FIRE School of Ministry and director of the Coalition of Conscience.