Psalm 90:10-12, 10 The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 11 Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. 12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
The man of God (Moses) gives us a daily exercise! September the 16th was placed in my life as one of the scariest moments to date. My son Devin was involved in a Horrible fall at the Wer'e Board skate park! Without giving all the details, I truly though that I had lost my first Born son. I Was unable to do anything (physically) yet, I had the most powerful weapon known to man, PRAYER, And that's what I did! God was merciful, we don't deserve any blessings in this life, yet our Heavenly Fathers mercy extends to the Heavens. Psalm 108:4 4 For Your mercy is great above the heavens, And Your truth reaches to the clouds. This accident was a reminder to me that indeed each second of the DAY we are at the ABSOLUTE MERCY OF GOD!
PAUL WAS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT IN Acts 17:28 "for in Him we live and move and have our being. Each day we live should be in the light of the return of Christ! Moses ask the question in verse 11, "Who knows the power of your anger?" If we die outside of Christ we will embrace the wrath of Him who will consume all sin with a Holy fervor!The apostle Paul felt the weight of this and he pleaded with the people with these words found in 2 Corinthians 5:11 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.
May Our great Triune God work in our hearts to live each day for Christ's glory and holy anticipation of our coming King!!!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Daddy's Little Girl! "Kaira Jean Kirkman" Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Today at 2:49pm our Heavenly Father blessed us with Kaira jean Kirkman. Here are a few pics!
Daddy's Little Girl!
KAYLA'S WISH HAS BEEN GRANTED! A SISTER!
GRANDMOTHERS ARE HAPPY AS WELL!
AND GRANDDAD'S TOO!
ESPECIALLY MOM!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Red Butt Baboon's
We went to the zoo on Monday. One of our favorite animals to see are the baboons. The dominant male has the ultimate life of luxury! The females comb and pick off any blemishes that he may have in his fur. This seems to be an all day event. I'm so jealous!! Not because he has a big red butt, but he is the ultimate ladies man. I don't think these guys are ever in the dog house:0. Here are a few pics!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
MY HEART OVER FLOWS WITH A GOOD THEME!
Psalm 45:1 My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
This morning my dear wife brought to me a poem written by my precious daughter Kayla. After reading my mind was quickly brought to the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 45:1 My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
What joy filled my heart to have a daughter who could recite such truth concerning Him who is the very essence of all life! The Psalmist heart overflowed with immense joy when his mind was brought to contemplation of the coming Messiah!
How much more should our hearts be overjoyed, our cups filled to the top running over, for to us the contemplation of the Messiah should be more than a theme He is a present reality!!!
Listen to how John responded to such a marvelous theme!
1 John 1:1-4 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life -- 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us -- 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
Here is Kayla’s poem!
I KNOW
I know you had to die for people,
who hated you, I know.
I know you had to choose to die for mockers,
But I also know that you rose from the dead,
and many was amazed.
You said judgment will come any day,
Yes, that is what you said.
You will raise people from the dead,
Yes, the dead shall be raised,
And all who had faith, you will take to your place on high.
Not just any place, My God’s place.
And I will bow before my God of Grace,
For A King who took on death,
For a King who took my place!
This morning my dear wife brought to me a poem written by my precious daughter Kayla. After reading my mind was quickly brought to the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 45:1 My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
What joy filled my heart to have a daughter who could recite such truth concerning Him who is the very essence of all life! The Psalmist heart overflowed with immense joy when his mind was brought to contemplation of the coming Messiah!
How much more should our hearts be overjoyed, our cups filled to the top running over, for to us the contemplation of the Messiah should be more than a theme He is a present reality!!!
Listen to how John responded to such a marvelous theme!
1 John 1:1-4 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life -- 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us -- 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
Here is Kayla’s poem!
I KNOW
I know you had to die for people,
who hated you, I know.
I know you had to choose to die for mockers,
But I also know that you rose from the dead,
and many was amazed.
You said judgment will come any day,
Yes, that is what you said.
You will raise people from the dead,
Yes, the dead shall be raised,
And all who had faith, you will take to your place on high.
Not just any place, My God’s place.
And I will bow before my God of Grace,
For A King who took on death,
For a King who took my place!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
A WOMAN PRESIDENT! BIBLICAL OR UNBIBLICAL
It's sad to say but the majority of professed Christians will probably vote without even considering this subject with a Berean spirit! It would seem so archaic in our culture to do so! Regardless of the nominalism that abounds in modern professed Christendom, first and foremost a Christian is a man or women of the book, bottom line, no if and or buts!!
Acts 17:11 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
I will not be your champ or chump on this issue. Pastor Mark Chanski speaks upon this issiue in his new book "Womanly Dominion".
Here is and excerpt from his book.
Womanly Dominion: More than a Gentle and Quiet Spirit by Mark Chanski
Mark Chanski is a pastor of the Reformed Baptist Church of Holland, Michigan, and the professor of hermeneutics for Reformed Baptist Seminary. Below is an excerpt from his soon-to-be published Womanly Dominion: More than a Gentle and Quiet Spirit. The book is due to be available on September 12, by Calvary Press. Chapter 13 is entitled “Womanly Dominion in the Public Square.” The subheadings are: 1. A Woman President? 2. A Woman Warrior? 3. A Woman Athlete? 4. A Woman Worker?
A Woman President?
Right now, it’s January, 2008. The polls indicate that Hillary Clinton is the frontrunner for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. Past polls have shown that in a general election, pitted against any Republican candidate, Hillary would win. There’s also been talk on the Republican side of the nominee possibly choosing the present Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, as his running mate, placing a woman a “heartbeat away” from the oval office. Setting aside for the moment specific personalities and liberal vs. conservative ideology, would this be a good thing in general, for a woman to become our President? [Ed. Although Hillary and Condolezza are out of the picture at this point, John McCain has just announced Sarah Palin to be his running mate as VP. So the scenario of a woman president is still within the scope of possibility!]
Important Considerations
1. The Bible views it as a judgment and calamity upon a nation for it to be ruled by women. Isaiah 3:12 reads: “O My people! Their oppressors are children, and women rule over them. O My people! Those who guide you lead you astray, and confuse the direction of your paths.” Surely here, God views women and children as less than ideal rulers. This probably refers to an inherent constitutional weakness in womanhood (1 Peter 3:7, 1 Timothy 2:14), which generally hinders them in high-pressured leadership challenges.
2. Esther was a wise queen, but she did not rule as a monarch. Persian authority rested with her husband, King Ahasuerus. Her influence on national policy was profound, but as a bold and advising helpmeet behind the scenes (Esther 5:1-4; 7:2-6), not as a political ruler. In her we find a noble pattern for our daughters. If George W. Bush is the most powerful man in the world, his wife Laura may arguably be the second most powerful man in the world (Esther 4:14).
3. Deborah was indeed God’s appointed leader for Israel during the period of the Judges (Judges 4:1-5:31). But this was a morally dark and bleak era for Israel, and Deborah’s rise to power was actually an indictment against shameful male dereliction. (See chapter 4 of this book in explaining Deborah.) The accomplished Puritan Poet, Anne Bradstreet, (whose husband Simon Bradstreet and father Thomas Dudley served as governors of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1600’s) understood that in trying times God could use a Deborah. In a poem commending the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Anne Bradstreet penned:
She hath wiped off th’ aspersion of her sex,
That Women wisdom lack to play the rex . . .
Was ever people better ruled than hers?”[i]
4. The Bible looks favorably on the competence of the Queen of Sheba and the legitimacy of her secular rule over her gentile nation (1 Kings 10:1-10). Such national leaders as Elizabeth I in England, Margaret Thatcher in the United Kingdom, and Golda Meir in Israel are examples of competent women who have admirably led their respective nations. It’s interesting how the latter two were both given the nickname “Iron Lady,” indicating that their mettle was uncharacteristically strong for their gender. Steely firm toughness, an essential trait for effective ruling, is typically more pronounced in men (1 Corinthians 16:13). It’s interesting how David Ben Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister, called Mrs. Meir “the only man in his cabinet.” [ii]
5. It is difficult to imagine a high-ranking female politician’s being able to conscientiously fulfill her priority obligations as a helpmeet to her husband and a mother to her children. Golda Meir broke off her political responsibilities for four years to stay at home and raise her two children. However, upon returning to public life, her enormous workload contributed to the collapse of her marriage in 1945.[iii]
Summary Opinion
Though I would never vote for a woman as my pastor, I could, under the right circumstances, be persuaded to vote for a woman as my president.
Acts 17:11 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
I will not be your champ or chump on this issue. Pastor Mark Chanski speaks upon this issiue in his new book "Womanly Dominion".
Here is and excerpt from his book.
Womanly Dominion: More than a Gentle and Quiet Spirit by Mark Chanski
Mark Chanski is a pastor of the Reformed Baptist Church of Holland, Michigan, and the professor of hermeneutics for Reformed Baptist Seminary. Below is an excerpt from his soon-to-be published Womanly Dominion: More than a Gentle and Quiet Spirit. The book is due to be available on September 12, by Calvary Press. Chapter 13 is entitled “Womanly Dominion in the Public Square.” The subheadings are: 1. A Woman President? 2. A Woman Warrior? 3. A Woman Athlete? 4. A Woman Worker?
A Woman President?
Right now, it’s January, 2008. The polls indicate that Hillary Clinton is the frontrunner for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. Past polls have shown that in a general election, pitted against any Republican candidate, Hillary would win. There’s also been talk on the Republican side of the nominee possibly choosing the present Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, as his running mate, placing a woman a “heartbeat away” from the oval office. Setting aside for the moment specific personalities and liberal vs. conservative ideology, would this be a good thing in general, for a woman to become our President? [Ed. Although Hillary and Condolezza are out of the picture at this point, John McCain has just announced Sarah Palin to be his running mate as VP. So the scenario of a woman president is still within the scope of possibility!]
Important Considerations
1. The Bible views it as a judgment and calamity upon a nation for it to be ruled by women. Isaiah 3:12 reads: “O My people! Their oppressors are children, and women rule over them. O My people! Those who guide you lead you astray, and confuse the direction of your paths.” Surely here, God views women and children as less than ideal rulers. This probably refers to an inherent constitutional weakness in womanhood (1 Peter 3:7, 1 Timothy 2:14), which generally hinders them in high-pressured leadership challenges.
2. Esther was a wise queen, but she did not rule as a monarch. Persian authority rested with her husband, King Ahasuerus. Her influence on national policy was profound, but as a bold and advising helpmeet behind the scenes (Esther 5:1-4; 7:2-6), not as a political ruler. In her we find a noble pattern for our daughters. If George W. Bush is the most powerful man in the world, his wife Laura may arguably be the second most powerful man in the world (Esther 4:14).
3. Deborah was indeed God’s appointed leader for Israel during the period of the Judges (Judges 4:1-5:31). But this was a morally dark and bleak era for Israel, and Deborah’s rise to power was actually an indictment against shameful male dereliction. (See chapter 4 of this book in explaining Deborah.) The accomplished Puritan Poet, Anne Bradstreet, (whose husband Simon Bradstreet and father Thomas Dudley served as governors of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1600’s) understood that in trying times God could use a Deborah. In a poem commending the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Anne Bradstreet penned:
She hath wiped off th’ aspersion of her sex,
That Women wisdom lack to play the rex . . .
Was ever people better ruled than hers?”[i]
4. The Bible looks favorably on the competence of the Queen of Sheba and the legitimacy of her secular rule over her gentile nation (1 Kings 10:1-10). Such national leaders as Elizabeth I in England, Margaret Thatcher in the United Kingdom, and Golda Meir in Israel are examples of competent women who have admirably led their respective nations. It’s interesting how the latter two were both given the nickname “Iron Lady,” indicating that their mettle was uncharacteristically strong for their gender. Steely firm toughness, an essential trait for effective ruling, is typically more pronounced in men (1 Corinthians 16:13). It’s interesting how David Ben Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister, called Mrs. Meir “the only man in his cabinet.” [ii]
5. It is difficult to imagine a high-ranking female politician’s being able to conscientiously fulfill her priority obligations as a helpmeet to her husband and a mother to her children. Golda Meir broke off her political responsibilities for four years to stay at home and raise her two children. However, upon returning to public life, her enormous workload contributed to the collapse of her marriage in 1945.[iii]
Summary Opinion
Though I would never vote for a woman as my pastor, I could, under the right circumstances, be persuaded to vote for a woman as my president.
Monday, September 1, 2008
THE WONDER OF REALLY BEING A CHILD OF GOD!
1 John 3:1-2
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
1 JOHN 3:1-2, IS SOME OF THE MOST ENCOURAGING WORDS FOUND IN OUR BELOVED BIBLE. JOHN THE SON OF THUNDER BRINGS BEFORE OUR MIND THE AWESOME THEME THAT IS OURS IN OUR SAVIOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!
BEING CALLED A CHILD OF THE ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD IS MORE THAN JUST A LABEL! IT IS WAY MORE THAN SUBJECTIVE TRUTH, IT IS OBJECTIVE REALTY! WE ARE SONS OF GOD AND JOHN IS DETERMINED FOR BELIEVERS TO MIGHTILY GRASP THIS AWE INSPIRING REALITY. BELOVED, WE ARE GOD'S CHILDREN NOW. THIS IS NOT WHAT WE MIGHT BE OR WHAT WE MIGHT BECOME BUT BLESSED BE OUR GOD WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD RIGHT NOW.
WHO ARE THE ONES WHO CAN LAY CLAIM TO THIS MIGHTY TRUTH? THE APOSTLE PAUL EXPALINS, Galatians 3:7-9, 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
Knowing God as our Father is the greatest blessing in the world! In the words of one commentator, “My Brothers and Sisters, if we realized the truth of our own adoption into the family of God, we would never leave off marveling at it” This great provision that our Heavenly Father has lavished upon us should shape and frame how we think and how we walk in this present world!
J.I. Packer in his book entitled knowing God speaks upon the subject with great clarity, “If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he or she makes of the thoughts of being God’s child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thoughts that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all”
AS WE PONDER SUCH LOVE AND MERCY MAY OUR HEARTS SING WITH
GEORGE W.ROBINSON in his beloved hymn,
Loved with everlasting love,.
Loved with everlasting love, led by grace that love to know;
Gracious Spirit from above, Thou hast taught me it is so!
O this full and perfect peace! O this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine.
In a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine.
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
1 JOHN 3:1-2, IS SOME OF THE MOST ENCOURAGING WORDS FOUND IN OUR BELOVED BIBLE. JOHN THE SON OF THUNDER BRINGS BEFORE OUR MIND THE AWESOME THEME THAT IS OURS IN OUR SAVIOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!
BEING CALLED A CHILD OF THE ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD IS MORE THAN JUST A LABEL! IT IS WAY MORE THAN SUBJECTIVE TRUTH, IT IS OBJECTIVE REALTY! WE ARE SONS OF GOD AND JOHN IS DETERMINED FOR BELIEVERS TO MIGHTILY GRASP THIS AWE INSPIRING REALITY. BELOVED, WE ARE GOD'S CHILDREN NOW. THIS IS NOT WHAT WE MIGHT BE OR WHAT WE MIGHT BECOME BUT BLESSED BE OUR GOD WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD RIGHT NOW.
WHO ARE THE ONES WHO CAN LAY CLAIM TO THIS MIGHTY TRUTH? THE APOSTLE PAUL EXPALINS, Galatians 3:7-9, 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
Knowing God as our Father is the greatest blessing in the world! In the words of one commentator, “My Brothers and Sisters, if we realized the truth of our own adoption into the family of God, we would never leave off marveling at it” This great provision that our Heavenly Father has lavished upon us should shape and frame how we think and how we walk in this present world!
J.I. Packer in his book entitled knowing God speaks upon the subject with great clarity, “If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he or she makes of the thoughts of being God’s child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thoughts that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all”
AS WE PONDER SUCH LOVE AND MERCY MAY OUR HEARTS SING WITH
GEORGE W.ROBINSON in his beloved hymn,
Loved with everlasting love,.
Loved with everlasting love, led by grace that love to know;
Gracious Spirit from above, Thou hast taught me it is so!
O this full and perfect peace! O this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine.
In a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine.
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