White Wings

White wings are forever happy, symbols of escape and ascent, of peace and of joy, and a spot of earth about which they beat is secure of its happiness.

- Elizabeth Goudge, The Bird in the Tree

My work is loving the world.  Here, the sunflowers, there the hummingbird - equal seekers of sweetness. - Mary Oliver

Interpreting Biblical Instructions - Dr. Robert Spinney

"When we consider any teaching text in the Bible, we interpret it with one of two initial presuppositions (or assumptions).

Presupposition A: We assume the passage under consideration does not apply to Christians today and was binding only upon its original listeners. We place the burden of proof upon the position that claims this instruction is binding upon us (or is applicable) today. In other words, we assume the rationale for the instruction is cultural in nature or is dictated by peculiar cultural factors, which means it is binding only upon its original listeners. When we approach a commandment or instruction with this presupposition, we must be convinced by strong evidence before we decide this instruction is binding upon (or is applicable) to Christians today.

Presupposition B: We assume the passage under consideration does apply to Christians today and was binding upon both its original listeners and all future listeners. We place the burden of proof upon the position that claims this instruction is not binding upon us (or is not applicable) today. In other words, we assume the rationale for the instruction is transcultural in nature or is dictated by timeless and eternal principles, which means it is binding upon all men everywhere. When we approach a commandment or instruction with this presupposition, we must be convinced by strong evidence before we decide this instruction is not binding upon Christians today.

Presupposition B is more sound. This is the assumption we normally use when we interpret the Bible. For example, pastors do not begin sermons on "children obey your parents in the Lord" by proving that such instruction is applicable to Christians today. We all assume (correctly) that such teaching passages are applicable unless we have strong biblical reasons for believing otherwise." 

A Prayer for Resurrection Sunday

Reposted from Daily On My Way to Heaven

 

The Disciples Peter and John Running to the Sepulchre on the Morning of the Resurrection by Eugène Burnard

God of our Lord Jesus Christ, Father of Glory, give me a spirit of wisdom and revelation so that I may fully know Jesus. Enlighten my eyes that I may know what is the hope to which You have called me, what are the riches of this glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of Jesus' power toward me and my brothers and sisters, toward us who believe, according to the working of the great might that worked in Christ when you, Father, raised Him from the death and seated him at your right hand in heavenly places.

Thank you for your grace, for your rich mercy, and the great love with which you have loved us. Thank you because you made us alive with Christ! Just like today we remember and rejoice that the tomb is empty, that death was conquered, so today we rejoice that we are alive in Him! We are no longer dead, because of the power of the Resurrection, we are alive in Christ! Oh what a Glorious Grace that brings life through death! What a glorious Grace that conquers sins and through the power of the Resurrection gives us victory over the sin that once enslaved us!

Thank you because you have raised us up with Jesus and seated us with him and in Him in heavenly places. I pray that we may be a grateful and obedient people that proclaims a risen Christ and the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us, sinners.

Father help me live as you have taught us, knowing that my sinful nature has been crucified with Christ, that it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. Thank you, because now, by grace I can live a life by faith in Jesus, who loved me and gave himself for me.

I praise you Conquering King!

In Jesus' name,

Amen

  

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A prayer based on Ephesians 1: 15- 23; 2:1-10, and Galatians 2: 20-21

Love Lustres at Calvary

My Father,

Enlarge my heart, warm my affections, open my lips,

supply words that proclaim "Love lustres are Calvary."

There grace removes my burdens and heaps them on thy Son,

made a transgressor, a curse, and sin for me;
There the sword of thy justice smote the man, thy fellow;
There thy infinite attributes were magnified, and infinite atonement was made;
There infinite punishment was due, and infinite punishment was endured.
Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy,
cast off that I might be brought in,
trodden down as an enemy that I might be welcomed as a friend,
surrendered to hell's worst that I might attain heaven's best,
stripped that I might be clothed,
wounded that I might be healed,
athirst that I might drink,
tormented that I might be comforted,
made a shame that I might inherit glory,
entered darkness that I might have eternal light.
My Saviour wept that all tears might be wiped from my eyes,
groaned that I might have endless song,
endured all pain that I might have unfading health,
bore a thorny crown that I might have a glory-diadem,
bowed his head that I might uplift mine,
experienced reproach that I might receive welcome,
closed his eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness,
expired that I might for ever live.
O Father, who spared not thine only Son that thou mightest spare me,
All this transfer they love designed and accomplished;
Help me to adore thee by lips and life.
O that my every breath might be ecstatic praise,
my every step buoyant with delight, as I see my enemies crushed,
Satan baffled, defeated, destroyed,
sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood,
hell's gates closed, heaven's portal open.
Go forth, O conquering God, and show me the cross,
mighty to subdue, comfort and save.

-- The Valley of Vision

The Struggle

Just broken people

I've been watching and crying over videos of the Houghton College Choir tonight. This video describes just a little of what it was like.

My heart breaks with missing these people.