tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31686590342961948982024-03-06T00:08:22.736-05:00Pete's BlogPete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.comBlogger980125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-68466145188131368462017-12-14T10:12:00.000-05:002017-12-14T11:06:18.421-05:00Thankful for Memories: A Christmas Letter<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoewokjiABU-8V3PULQ2lhNbj0vVyr32JNFiMJypEh1OkV_JvBPZnGpwiDx34xDbraUq536kTFxaRX_RxzR-QdGvENj4cbuC9uCsq6oYivSGZychvJCrAkqNAEFIWIOrNJSmBXgnfCmA/s1600/FJS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoewokjiABU-8V3PULQ2lhNbj0vVyr32JNFiMJypEh1OkV_JvBPZnGpwiDx34xDbraUq536kTFxaRX_RxzR-QdGvENj4cbuC9uCsq6oYivSGZychvJCrAkqNAEFIWIOrNJSmBXgnfCmA/s320/FJS.JPG" width="320" /></a>Genealogy is one of my favorite hobbies. I find it especially gratifying
to get acquainted with ancestors that I otherwise never could have
known. For instance, I
never met my great-grandfather, Rev. Frank J. Scribner (he died four years
before I was born), but I am quite certain that I would have greatly
enjoyed him. Not only
did he share my ministerial calling, but by all accounts he was a generous,
intelligent, and loving man. He had a quick wit and was a maestro in the art of turning a phrase. I don't know that my dad ever came out and said it, but I'm pretty sure that he was the man my dad most admired. <br />
<br />
One of the primary means through which I have gotten to know him is
through the reading of his journals, his sermons, <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uva.x030125686;view=1up;seq=7">his book</a>, and his various personal
correspondences. Among these are this Christmas letter which he penned
60 years ago. Reading it has become part of of my holiday tradition, just like singing carols, decorating the tree, or setting up the Nativity scene.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Despite tradition and most portrayals of the Nativity, in reality there is no more than a 1/12 chance that the visit of the Magi came in December. Every December though, I experience the gift of being visited by this wise man. I
hope you will enjoy reading his Christmas letter and be blessed by it as well.</div>
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Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-88849977763603612002016-12-24T19:08:00.000-05:002016-12-24T19:08:00.159-05:00The Blessed Dawn of Christmas Day Another one of my favorites from Harry Connick Jr.:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jddPieGcip8?list=PLTPYnbH0fPBFh1ePw9ooFGBmH2ub6R7MQ" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
The blessed dawn of Christmas day<br />
As honestly as children pray<br />
The warmth that melts the eve away<br />
The holiness of alpenglow<br />
<br />
I rose to join the glorious morn<br />
Whose calm and splendor would adorn<br />
The virgin mother's infant born<br />
The blessed dawn of Christmas day<br />
<br />
The hearts of sinners reconciled<br />
Amid the ancient morrow mild<br />
Exalt the birth of Mary's child <br />
The blessed dawn of Christmas day<br />
<br />
I pray one day my heart will see<br />
The light of God's eternity<br />
And know that Jesus died for me<br />
Now close, my eyes<br />
So I may rise<br />
At blessed dawn of Christmas day<br />
<br />
<div class="writers">
<b>Songwriters</b><br />
CONNICK, HARRY JR</div>
<div class="writers">
<b>Published by</b><br />
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
Read more: <a href="http://www.metrolyrics.com/the-blessed-dawn-of-christmas-day-lyrics-harry-connick-jr.html#ixzz4TmSXgsxO" style="color: #003399;">Harry Connick, Jr. - The Blessed Dawn Of Christmas Day Lyrics | MetroLyrics</a> </div>
Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-76496067621485857742016-12-24T12:29:00.002-05:002016-12-24T13:13:16.101-05:00I Pray on Christmas<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="347" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pftr04RvTE4" width="615"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div class="lyrics-body">
<div class="js-lyric-text" id="lyrics-body-text">
<div class="verse">
I pray on Christmas<br />
That the Lord will see me through<br />
I pray on Christmas<br />
He'll show me what to do</div>
<div class="verse">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse">
I pray on Christmas<br />
He'll help me understand<br />
And I pray on Christmas<br />
He'll take me by the hand</div>
<div class="verse">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse">
I pray on Christmas<br />
That the sick will soon be strong<br />
I pray on Christmas<br />
The lord will hear my song</div>
<div class="verse">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse">
I pray on Christmas<br />
That God will lead the way<br />
And I pray on Christmas<br />
He'll get me through another day</div>
<div class="verse">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse">
I pray on Christmas<br />
I pray on Christmas<br />
I pray on Christmas<br />
He'll get me through another day</div>
<div class="verse">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse">
I pray on Christmas<br />
All our problems gonna be worked out<br />
I pray on Christmas<br />
God'll show us what love's about</div>
<div class="verse">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse">
I pray on Christmas<br />
To do your will each day<br />
And I pray on Christmas<br />
That I'll be with you in heaven some day</div>
<div class="verse">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse">
I pray on Christmas </div>
<div class="verse">
Oh, the sick will soon be strong<br />
I pray on Christmas<br />
The lord will hear my song</div>
<div class="verse">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse">
I pray on Christmas </div>
<div class="verse">
That God will lead the way<br />
And I pray I really pray on Christmas<br />
He'll get me through another day<br />
He'll get me through another day...</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="writers">
<br /></div>
<div class="writers">
<br /></div>
<div class="writers">
<strong>Songwriters</strong><br />
CONNICK, HARRY JR</div>
<div class="writers">
<strong>Published by</strong><br />
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<br />Read more: <a href="http://www.metrolyrics.com/i-pray-on-christmas-lyrics-harry-connick-jr.html#ixzz4TmRwWBfH" style="color: #003399;">Harry Connick, Jr. - I Pray On Christmas Lyrics | MetroLyrics</a> </div>
Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-89295179049353658302016-12-06T09:25:00.000-05:002016-12-06T09:25:12.227-05:00A Minister's Regrets<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUUorLgjCzCCEuIJOkXfutH4_RU2VarVMHYuqjf15aDch8mOaAE7DhuEvKMHuEAo_8aq_-TUHPaBTVuUexiMgn_aq6oN0PcTr_h7M7OtR1PTL2ApHb7KrY5PAzupPzHKeDaFfR9O5WCA/s1600/CM5Lzh3WcAEgYWp.jpg+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUUorLgjCzCCEuIJOkXfutH4_RU2VarVMHYuqjf15aDch8mOaAE7DhuEvKMHuEAo_8aq_-TUHPaBTVuUexiMgn_aq6oN0PcTr_h7M7OtR1PTL2ApHb7KrY5PAzupPzHKeDaFfR9O5WCA/s200/CM5Lzh3WcAEgYWp.jpg+large.jpg" width="230" /></a>I was introduced to Geoff Thomas some years back at the <a href="https://www.prts.edu/about/annual-conference/">Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary Conference</a> that I attend each August. Thomas is a Welsh pastor who has served the congregation of <a href="http://www.alfredplacechurch.org.uk/">Alfred Place Baptist Church</a> for over <b>fifty</b> years.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The other day a friend shared with me <a href="https://banneroftruth.org/us/resources/articles/2011/a-ministers-regrets/">a post</a> that Thomas wrote in 2011 for <a href="https://banneroftruth.org/us/">Banner of Truth</a>. In it, he drew from his considerable experience and shared what his greatest regrets have been in his half-century as a minister. He listed eight in all, and they were all convicting for this minister.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That said, the last one stood out above the rest. What a passionate, familiar, heart-felt expression of both regret and glorious gospel truth there is in these words: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b class="mti_font_element">I am sorry that my love for Jesus Christ is cool and shallow.</b>
‘Weak is the effort of my heart and cold my warmest thought.’ It was
true for Newton and it is true for us today. Sometimes I think, ‘Do I
love him at all?’ Where is the affection, the glow, the delight and
anticipation of meeting with him? M’Cheyne wrote in his diary, ‘Rose
early to meet him whom my soul loves. Who would not rise early to meet
such company?’ I wish that that reflected my own heart’s longing for the
Saviour. I wish I could give myself to him anew each Sunday, thinking,
‘I am going to go where the Lord Jesus is.’ When I have nothing else to
think about I wish my mind naturally gravitated to him. Here is someone
who laid down his life for me. This is the one who delivered me from
hell. Behold my Saviour who is taking me to glory for ever. Here is my
beloved and here is my friend who is working all things together for my
good. This dear Lord of mine is going to do an eternal makeover on my
whole life. The Lord Jesus is my personal teacher and personal trainer
and personal counsellor and personal bodyguard. He can protect me from
the biggest devil in hell. Christ is so fascinating a personality, wise,
caring, fresh, creative, stimulating, patient and so kind to me. It is
my chief complaint, that my love is weak and faint. I who encourage
others to love him am amazed that I can love him so little, but what is
more amazing is the fact that I love him at all.</blockquote>
</div>
Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-7806257902478238842016-11-09T13:35:00.002-05:002016-11-09T15:09:46.565-05:00It's NOT Just Like 2008 & 2012<div data-contents="true">
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8rpdi" data-offset-key="58b5g-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="58b5g-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="58b5g-0-0"><span data-text="true">I’ve heard some of my Republican friends say today, “I know exactly how the Democrats feel, because it’s how I felt in 2008 & 2012.” The reality is though, that for many, this is an altogether different situation:</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8rpdi" data-offset-key="aqbrr-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="aqbrr-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="aqbrr-0-0"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8rpdi" data-offset-key="atc7k-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="atc7k-0-0">
<ul>
<li><span data-offset-key="atc7k-0-0"><span data-text="true">There are women who have been sexually abused, who feel like this election has told them that the actions of their attacker didn’t really matter…</span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8rpdi" data-offset-key="8pe4-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8pe4-0-0">
<ul>
<li><span data-offset-key="8pe4-0-0"><span data-text="true">There are African-Americans who feel like this election has told them that their country would like to undo the progress that’s been made over the last 150 years…</span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8rpdi" data-offset-key="6nlfl-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="783eg-0-0">
<ul>
<li><span data-offset-key="783eg-0-0"><span data-text="true">There are legal immigrants and their children who feel like this election has told them that they are not welcome in this country, the country they call home… </span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8rpdi" data-offset-key="3027d-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3027d-0-0">
<ul>
<li><span data-offset-key="3027d-0-0"><span data-text="true">There are people with disabilities who feel like this election has told them that they exist only to be the butt of other people’s jokes…</span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8rpdi" data-offset-key="6as2s-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5ev8m-0-0">
<ul>
<li><span data-offset-key="5ev8m-0-0"><span data-text="true">There are people of certain religions who feel like this election has told them that the protection of the law afforded by the first amendment doesn’t apply to them…</span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8rpdi" data-offset-key="9oi05-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9oi05-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="9oi05-0-0"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8rpdi" data-offset-key="83npb-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="83npb-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="83npb-0-0"><span data-text="true">Now you may disagree with how these people interpret the results of this election--that's certainly your right. The fact remains though that this IS how they interpret them. And the feelings they have as a result are very real. And they are very different than the feelings you had in 2008 & 2012.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8rpdi" data-offset-key="60o9v-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="60o9v-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="60o9v-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8rpdi" data-offset-key="c4a2n-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c4a2n-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="c4a2n-0-0"><span data-text="true">If you are a member of the GOP, your candidate won the election and you can be happy about that. But (especially if you are a Christian) please show some compassion for those who are not just sad to have lost an election, but are hurting at a very deep level as a result of it. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-offset-key="966ta-0-0">Often Republicans are caricatured as mean, hateful, backwards bigots. Take this opportunity to prove the caricature wrong. <span data-text="true">Only then can we even start to think about what it might look like to move forward together as "one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Wouldn't it be great for those to not just be empty words, but a national way of life? </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-74520403947749600832016-11-07T08:37:00.000-05:002016-11-07T08:37:01.006-05:00A Look Beyond the Election<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I've posted the following thoughts <a href="http://pcscrib.blogspot.com/2012/02/heading-to-polls.html">before</a>,
but given that the election is rapidly approaching, I felt like I wanted to
re-state these truths (with a few very minor adaptations to fit our
current context).<br />
<br />
Election day is tomorrow in the United States of America. Not only will the presidential election be held, but votes
will be cast for and against many other candidates and issues.
As an American, you have a right to express your opinions and vote for
the candidates that you feel best represent them. Some would argue that
these are not just your rights, but your responsibility. So go ahead
and vote. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As
you vote though--especially if you're a Christian--I want to remind you
of these important facts: Regardless of who is ultimately elected, </div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">They will serve not just because they got the most votes, but because it is the will of God that they do so (<a href="http://www.esvbible.org/search/romans+13%3A1/">Romans 13:1</a>), <i>even if it's not "your candidate.</i>"</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">As such, and in light of their position, they are entitled to our respect (<a href="http://www.esvbible.org/search/1+Peter+2%3A17/">1 Peter 2:17</a>), <i>even if it's not "your candidate</i>." </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">We are to pray, intercede and give thanks for them (<a href="http://www.esvbible.org/search/1+timothy+2%3A1-2/">1 Timothy 2:1-2</a>), <i>even if it's not "your candidate</i>."</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ultimately, we need to remember that
whoever wins this (or any election), we must not fall into the trap of
believing that their election will fix (or ruin) everything. Things are
already pretty messed up, and that goes back not to any decision made by
a politician, but to Adam’s decision in the Garden of Eden to forsake
the will of God (<a href="http://www.esvbible.org/search/genesis+3%3A17-19/">Genesis 3:17-19</a>). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There
is One coming though who <i>will</i> set all things right. But he will not
come to power on the basis of the electoral college in accordance with
the laws of the land. Rather he will come with power that is already his
in accordance with the promises of God (<a href="http://www.esvbible.org/search/revelation+21%3A1-5/">Revelation 21:1-5</a>).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Regardless of political trends and election results, may our ultimate prayer on election day (and every day) be this: Come, Lord Jesus!</div>
Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-27738272227022757822016-10-18T10:01:00.001-04:002016-10-18T10:50:34.912-04:00Don't Vote Your Fears; Vote Your Faith<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmeWer0DhR6eS4QKh8RFJti1jTaL0f9HG39DTQiBgNa54yt_VTkA52Jfs_tS8GZ3L9NF4ckmIp4pyJF231EndT1IwQq6nXMwjUFLF7YERgG34tbmthUO9HjfPYgjcXfg4t7659drxL6U/s1600/vote3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmeWer0DhR6eS4QKh8RFJti1jTaL0f9HG39DTQiBgNa54yt_VTkA52Jfs_tS8GZ3L9NF4ckmIp4pyJF231EndT1IwQq6nXMwjUFLF7YERgG34tbmthUO9HjfPYgjcXfg4t7659drxL6U/s400/vote3.JPG" width="196" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>This is an excerpt from a sermon delivered at Calvary Presbyterian Church on Octo<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">ber 16, 2016<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> entitled, "<a href="http://calvaryflint.com/sermons/current-sermon-series?id=167945">The Power of Christ</a></span>."</span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Think about the Apostle Paul and some of the hardships he faced. He speaks about these in 2 Corinthians 11:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hardship in labors </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many imprisonments</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Countless beatings, often up to the very
doorstep of death</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">5x received 39 lashes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3x beaten with rods</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Once stoned</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3x shipwrecked, including one night
& day adrift at sea</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Danger from all directions and all sorts
of enemies</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sleepless nights, </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hunger and thirst</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cold & exposure</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And in the face of ALL OF THIS, he says in Philippians 4:11, “I have learned in whatever situation
I am to be content.” He trusts in the power of God.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then
you look at us, coming into next month’s election, and we
are filled with fear. There are those among us who can’t fathom voting for
Hillary Clinton, and you're scared of what our country will become. Others among
us can’t imagine voting for Donald Trump and you're terrified at the
prospects of him being President. Yet others of us have consciences which won’t
allow us to vote for either of them, and we fear what is going to become of our nation either way.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I plead with you, on November 8, step into a voting booth and cast your vote. Do so prayerfully; do so thoughtfully; but do so in faith, trusting in God and not making a decision based on fear. The same Jesus that enabled
Paul to be content in all situations is sovereignly in control of this
election.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As my friend Chuck Jacob wis<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">ely </span>once said: "The Kingdom of
God will not arrive on the wings of Air Force One."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Often we say that the President is the most
powerful person in the world. That is a lie. The most powerful person in our world
was, is, and always will be JESUS CHRIST. It was true when he created the world, it is true today, and it will be that way for all of eternity. </span></div>
Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-56436817576028065802016-08-01T11:57:00.000-04:002016-08-01T11:58:00.144-04:00Growth PainsThis Sunday in church, we sang a new hymn. Actually, it's not a new hymn, <i>per se</i>, just a new hymn for our congregation. Its words were written almost 250 years ago by John Newton (who also wrote Amazing Grace and many other hymns).<br />
<br />
In an age where so many in the church seem to promise nothing but smiles and happiness for those who follow Jesus, our own experiences can quickly disavow us of such thinking. Sanctification is a struggle and the march to humble holiness is a long, hard, and (at times) painful one. For this reason, hymns like this one are necessary. I know it speaks to my experience. Perhaps it speaks to yours as well.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ffmYLSEXCQQ?rel=0" width="640"></iframe><br />Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-35646690758094565962016-07-07T21:40:00.001-04:002016-07-08T12:34:17.158-04:00A Brief Thought on How We Should RespondIf my wife were to tell me that she doesn't feel loved by me, my response ought not to be to share anecdotal and empirical evidence with her, excusing my actions and thereby disproving the validity of her perception. To even attempt to do this is to actually verify that her perception, as it turns out, was accurate. Rather, my duty in such a situation is to listen to her concerns and work my hardest from this point forward to demonstrate my love to her in such a way that she might indeed know that it is real.<br>
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When my African American brothers and sisters (who I claim to love) tell me that they feel marginalized, oppressed, devalued and threatened by the larger culture of which I am a part, in the same way, it ought not to be my response to share anecdotal and empirical evidence with them, excusing our actions and thereby disproving the validity of their perception. Rather, my duty in such a situation is to listen to their concerns and work my hardest from this point forward to demonstrate my love to them in such a way that they might indeed know that it is real.Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-67189168550559153912016-03-09T13:51:00.000-05:002016-03-09T14:06:24.138-05:00Wednesday's Words of Wisdom...Thomas Watson on How Faith is Wrought<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">How is faith wrought?</span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddHmRuSzJG94Nu7HSvLBBfaIYBcJ9Rub0XRVkKN8boviVpV8Q3Yut3jJPHhtpIpp7bcYfU0d0yFzpBC9KQygtjAr2KIngMEtT_pH8l15i98oU-0YWNml_r8TUO2rl97pUmeCImonw1us/s1600/Thomas-Watson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddHmRuSzJG94Nu7HSvLBBfaIYBcJ9Rub0XRVkKN8boviVpV8Q3Yut3jJPHhtpIpp7bcYfU0d0yFzpBC9KQygtjAr2KIngMEtT_pH8l15i98oU-0YWNml_r8TUO2rl97pUmeCImonw1us/s1600/Thomas-Watson.jpg" /></a>By the blessed Spirit; who is called the "Spirit of
grace," because he is the spring of all grace (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=zech+12.10&version=ESV">Zech 12:10</a>). Faith is the
chief work which the Spirit of God works in a man's heart. In making the
world God did but <i>speak </i>a word—but in working faith he puts forth his
<i>arm</i> (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+1.51&version=ESV">Luke 1:51</a>). The Spirit's working faith is called, "The exceeding
greatness of God's power" (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=eph+1.19&version=ESV">Eph 1:19</a>). What a power was put forth in raising
Christ from the grave when such a tombstone lay upon him as the sins of all
the world—yet he was raised up by the Spirit. The same power is put forth by
the Spirit of God, in working faith. The Spirit irradiates the mind, and
subdues the will. The will is like a garrison, which holds out against God:
the Spirit with sweet violence conquers, or rather changes it; making the
sinner willing to have Christ upon any terms; to be ruled by him as well as
saved by him.</div>
Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-31621067655628784452016-01-27T08:24:00.000-05:002016-01-27T12:12:00.443-05:00A Light in the Darkness<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4BkTUb_3yEy8lWhh1jFoarlmaUqXFnJfA5btyMV-0DXA0A9-6WsRx60S98gMB9cHt5iWgCFO2YdjhAUBtTm0I7x-oBTrPd1lDpdFicEz3ZvLWdI5ZodPMgHTDi9LI5AvM8UTJwq_Z9Y/s1600/moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4BkTUb_3yEy8lWhh1jFoarlmaUqXFnJfA5btyMV-0DXA0A9-6WsRx60S98gMB9cHt5iWgCFO2YdjhAUBtTm0I7x-oBTrPd1lDpdFicEz3ZvLWdI5ZodPMgHTDi9LI5AvM8UTJwq_Z9Y/s200/moon.jpg" width="220" /></a>It was still dark Sunday morning as I drove to church, when my eyes beheld the most beautiful sight. Hanging against the backdrop of a black
sky, a big, beautiful full moon shone brightly. To be sure, there was an attractiveness that the moon had in and of itself, but it was made all the more luminous in contrast with the darkness of the morning sky which surrounded it. I wondered at its beauty there, the only celestial object my eyes were able to behold at this early morning hour, and then the enigmatic truth struck me: Even as my world was shrouded in darkness and the sun was at this moment obscured from my eyes, it was still the source of the light that made the moon so radiant.</div>
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As I continued on my way, it occurred to me that we too, as Christians,
are to shine brightly against the backdrop of our setting. We live in a world
which is at times exceedingly dark, and people should note the contrast when they see
our lives. It should be a thing of breath-taking beauty. This is only possible because (just like the moon) the light with which we shine does not emanate
from within us. Rather, it is a reflection of the Son, who (for a time) is also hidden
from our sight. But his light shining in and through us is a reminder to ourselves and to others that he
will return; light will overcome darkness and it will be day once again.</div>
Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-32860603708659934422015-12-03T09:16:00.001-05:002015-12-03T10:31:38.229-05:00Peace on Earth, Good-Will to Men<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Matthew 5:9)</i></blockquote>
With the confluence of the Advent season and mass shootings occurring at (what should be) alarming rates, I am reminded of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, "<a href="http://www.potw.org/archive/potw118.html">Christmas Bells</a>." It was penned during a time of great personal pain for Longfellow. As the Civil War raged, Longfellow lamented the loss of his wife to a terrible accident and the near-fatal injuries his son had sustained in battle. He described the dissonance within his own heart at hearing Christmas bells wring out, "Peace on earth, good-will to men!" while his own experiences demonstrated anything but. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
And in despair I bowed my head;<br />
"There is no peace on earth," I said;<br />
"For hate is strong,<br />
And mocks the song<br />
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"</blockquote>
But even as Longfellow's circumstances truly were terrible, they would not get the final word. Instead, he turned his attention to what he knew to be true about the loving God who superintends those circumstances:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:<br />
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;<br />
The Wrong shall fail,<br />
The Right prevail,<br />
With peace on earth, good-will to men."</blockquote>
This Christmas season, may the bells (and all the other trappings) of Christmas remind us that just as Jesus came once, he is coming again. And when he does, he will set all things to rights, for it is his heart that there should be "peace on earth, good-will toward men." In a world filled with so much Wrong, I can think of no greater encouragement than the knowledge that the Right will indeed prevail!<br />
<br />
But let's take it a step further, shall we? For if this idea of "peace on earth, good-will to men" is important to Jesus, then it should also be important to those of us who are his followers. Therefore, let us take tangible steps to promote peace, to demonstrate good-will:<br />
<ul>
<li>Love your neighbor, even when they're not very lovely</li>
<li>Forgive those who have wronged you, even though they don't deserve it</li>
<li>Seek reconciliation with those with whom you are at odds </li>
<li>Focus less on how we've been wronged (be it as individuals or as a group) and spend more time prayerfully considering where we might have been wronged by others</li>
<li>Humbly seek forgiveness from others regardless of whether they're willing to admit the wrong that they've done</li>
<li>Pray (really pray) for those who are your enemies </li>
<li>Show
respect to everyone, as those who bear the image of God, even if you disagree
vehemently with them on the most fundamental and important of issues</li>
</ul>
In doing these types of things, we will truly be followers of Christ, those who are about "peace on earth, good-will to men."<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M7670CXvPX0?rel=0" width="600"></iframe></div>
Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-56462221634234745892015-11-03T15:21:00.001-05:002015-11-03T15:21:16.142-05:00Stott on Having a God-Directed View of Prayer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw60AoFtkFfF8ORDisFpL5_rE6UvDGdZGWLhoDLeXjyoTGU2tOaRNJaH26T8e4RWD_UTUnUU6ySUZ-HmBlSwpSj-QExv8uaYhm4_7wA0TyCEBUIUjQYWXnED_SfTN3WY7iiAWB14-Dbys/s1600/Stott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw60AoFtkFfF8ORDisFpL5_rE6UvDGdZGWLhoDLeXjyoTGU2tOaRNJaH26T8e4RWD_UTUnUU6ySUZ-HmBlSwpSj-QExv8uaYhm4_7wA0TyCEBUIUjQYWXnED_SfTN3WY7iiAWB14-Dbys/s200/Stott.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
"It will be seen that the fundamental difference between various
kinds of prayer is in the fundamentally different images of God which
lie behind them. The tragic mistake of Pharisees and pagans, of
hypocrites and heathen, is to be found in their false image of God.
Indeed, neither is really thinking of God at all, for the hypocrite
thinks only of himself while the heathen thinks of other things. What
sort of God is it who might be interested in such selfish and mindless
prayers? Is God a commodity that we can use to boost our own status, or
a computer that we can feed words into him mechanically."<br />
<br />
John Stott<br />
<i><a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/message-of-the-sermon-on-the-mount-john-r-w-stott-9780877842965?utm_source=pscrib&utm_medium=blogpartners">The Message of the Sermon on the Mount</a></i> Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-57325594610327350672015-10-29T13:39:00.002-04:002015-10-30T14:53:30.963-04:00 Get a case of 40 Bibles for $40<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHINlioAlGuriZPykqh2XW_HadgKD60qVX18Km-PJjwbC83_KE6mBRzb3jslNBmgCXnn-t0CaT27icSY4cH7mGrgPV12tLO6obdIIj1n7hxTy5Tjsv2NdRLDzdDCFKEKuxIYpV1faKI3A/s1600/ESV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHINlioAlGuriZPykqh2XW_HadgKD60qVX18Km-PJjwbC83_KE6mBRzb3jslNBmgCXnn-t0CaT27icSY4cH7mGrgPV12tLO6obdIIj1n7hxTy5Tjsv2NdRLDzdDCFKEKuxIYpV1faKI3A/s1600/ESV.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Westminster Seminary Bookstore is running a great special right now. Get a case of </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/esv-economy-bible-9781433528460-case-40?utm_source=pscrib&utm_medium=blogpartners">40 Bibles for $40</a>. At our church, we keep a bunch of these on hand so we can give them to visitors or anyone else who might have need of a Bible. The ESV is a great translation (my preferred one, in fact) and you'll never beat the price.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The special only runs while supplies last, so be sure to act now!</span>Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-68344383891929632842015-10-16T15:19:00.003-04:002015-10-16T15:20:07.333-04:00Give us this day our daily bread...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8z1ZjFdtlcykpx3HytcJ2vU4qzEJ_KTClJM6aXWvtv3T0u5nRZy0IFK8KbuNMz9Px87dQsHUXUqZy4h4HvhLX2-KT991EREQrcJVymRpVAUxCskNTi-NM356D-6BPa32VgxdxalLlH0/s1600/bruner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8z1ZjFdtlcykpx3HytcJ2vU4qzEJ_KTClJM6aXWvtv3T0u5nRZy0IFK8KbuNMz9Px87dQsHUXUqZy4h4HvhLX2-KT991EREQrcJVymRpVAUxCskNTi-NM356D-6BPa32VgxdxalLlH0/s200/bruner.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
"The prayer for bread in this petition should be allowed to remain, first of all, a prayer for bread. At times in the church's exposition this bread has been turned into spiritual bread...It is possible to be more spiritual than God. Why would Jesus who fed his five thousand not want us to pray for the feeding of our six billion? And while Jesus says that man does not live by bread alone, he is too realistic to say that man does not live by bread at all."<br />
<br />
Frederick Dale Bruner<br />
<i><a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/matthew-a-commentary-volume-1-the-christbook-matthew-1-12-frederick-dale-bruner-9780802845061?utm_source=pscrib&utm_medium=blogpartners">Matthew: A Commentary, Volume 1: The Christbook, Matthew 1-12</a></i><br />
<br />
<br />Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-47472396314084863752015-09-09T12:04:00.001-04:002015-09-09T12:04:56.425-04:00Calvin on Why We Pray<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJJ-JepmWOBtekTbUoGSzjBIaqp6mzbajSxgsdGVC9IgJ05aBiH5Ns-_6jir0pfmvCchClUEyjrX6gSOZB4UBZerX4R2IxXRtWTpnUFVcqflxL_19RedgqhV4d7QUVX9bCTfyHzahJfA/s1600/calvin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJJ-JepmWOBtekTbUoGSzjBIaqp6mzbajSxgsdGVC9IgJ05aBiH5Ns-_6jir0pfmvCchClUEyjrX6gSOZB4UBZerX4R2IxXRtWTpnUFVcqflxL_19RedgqhV4d7QUVX9bCTfyHzahJfA/s1600/calvin.jpg" /></a></div>
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“But if God <i>knows what things we have need of, before we
ask him, </i>where lies the advantage of prayer? If he is ready, of his own
free will, to assist us, what purpose does it serve to employ our prayers,
which interrupt the spontaneous course of his providence? The very design of
prayer furnishes an easy answer. Believers do not pray, with the view of
informing God about things unknown to him, or of exciting him to do his duty,
or of urging him as though he were reluctant. On the contrary, they pray, in
order that they may arouse themselves to seek him, that they may exercise their
faith in meditating on his promises, that they may relieve themselves from
their anxieties by pouring them into his bosom; in a word, that they may
declare that from Him alone they hope and expect, both for themselves and for
others, all good things. God himself, on the other hand, has purposed freely,
and without being asked, to bestow blessings upon us; but he promises that he
will grant them to our prayers. We must, therefore, maintain both of these
truths, that He freely anticipates our wishes, and yet that we obtain by prayer
what we ask. As to the reason why he sometimes delays long to answer us, and
sometimes even does not grant our wishes, an opportunity of considering it will
afterwards occur.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John Calvin</div>
<i>Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, and Luke</i>, volume 1 Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-35237361341222278082015-07-01T11:03:00.000-04:002015-10-30T14:55:23.744-04:00A Quick Thought About Our Differences<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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You and I might very well come from different types of
cultural backgrounds. Your skin color may be different than mine and we might
be different genders. We might disagree on sports, art, politics, morality, religion, and
just about everything else. We might each live our lives in a totally different fashion, with completely different understandings of what’s right and wrong, even true and
false.<br />
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<br /></div>
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I want you to know something about me though. Even though I passionately
hold to those things which I believe to be true, I am 100% committed to this fact:
<b>No matter who you are or how you live your life, you are created in the image of God, </b><span class="uficommentbody"><b>fearfully and
wonderfully made, and worthy of my respect as such.</b> Please forgive me when I fail to
live up to this ideal, and know that those who do not espouse such belief, do
not act in the name of Christ, no matter what they may claim.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="uficommentbody">I'd love to really get to know you, and have you know me. Where we differ, let's at least try to better understand one another. We don't need to agree in the end, but perhaps we can avoid the almost reflexive vilifying of each other that is all too common in our culture. And where we do happen to find common ground, let's commit to working together for what we agree is the common good. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="uficommentbody">No doubt, we will continue to disagree on any number of issues, ideas and areas of belief. But if such a mindset and practice as I've outlined here were to become commonplace, the world--though still far from perfect--would certainly be more pleasant. That would be nice. And I think that's something about which we can all agree.</span></div>
Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-31263580648568960932015-05-15T12:13:00.000-04:002015-05-15T12:15:59.112-04:00On the Importance of Reading Church History<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJH9VhEXWpzIWFj3qVrqreDvNfCVZshB0i7pDCh66y01h__-KtbkpoMM8eZ1uL24yk10K1QOkXKNBHGOE-qDeubMIoTyEypymC1qH6iyRzfTlWrGZlgfSGuiYDHJ5poih-fFM-6tX9MdY/s1600/peterson-square1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJH9VhEXWpzIWFj3qVrqreDvNfCVZshB0i7pDCh66y01h__-KtbkpoMM8eZ1uL24yk10K1QOkXKNBHGOE-qDeubMIoTyEypymC1qH6iyRzfTlWrGZlgfSGuiYDHJ5poih-fFM-6tX9MdY/s200/peterson-square1.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>“When I started
reading (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Descent-Dove-Charles-Williams/dp/1573832073/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431705995&sr=8-1&keywords=descent+of+the+dove"><i>The Descent of the Dove</i></a> by Charles)
Williams, I was a sectarian, ‘related’ only to a small coterie of people who
lived and thought and prayed like me.
When I finished, I was part of a congregation centuries deep and
continents wide.” </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Eugene Peterson</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Take-Read-Spiritual-Reading-Annotated/dp/0802840965"><i>Take and Read: Spiritual Reading--An Annotated List</i></a> </b></span></div>
Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-61746937444242223762015-05-05T10:49:00.002-04:002015-05-05T10:49:45.007-04:00Tim Keller on Prayer<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOfFvc7ySynNarLxB1Z1rHLQAKe5fVSVLfP6Sdxlr9_Q463tg7kPb2j59Kmvf21x_zn7kpdF_aacyH9gBbht2XDW8tZGZ9B1FuPS9Igw85RXP9lhjTsMH-D0rZIPX7zsiiNq9ayAI6MM/s1600/timothy-keller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOfFvc7ySynNarLxB1Z1rHLQAKe5fVSVLfP6Sdxlr9_Q463tg7kPb2j59Kmvf21x_zn7kpdF_aacyH9gBbht2XDW8tZGZ9B1FuPS9Igw85RXP9lhjTsMH-D0rZIPX7zsiiNq9ayAI6MM/s1600/timothy-keller.jpg" height="120" width="90" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">"To fail to pray, then, is not to merely break some religious rule--it is a failure to treat God as God."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tim Keller</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/prayer-experiencing-awe-and-intimacy-with-god-timothy-keller-9780525954149?utm_source=pscrib&utm_medium=blogpartners"><i>Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God</i></a></span>Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-61374801585730216102015-04-07T10:48:00.001-04:002015-04-07T13:39:56.333-04:00Easter: Tragic Mistake or Deeper Magic?<br />
Here is a nice video that Stephen Altrogge put together for Easter, poetically discussing the deeper magic* of Easter.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OwBN5vt9QAo?rel=0" width="640"></iframe> <br />
<br />
<br />
*-Whenever you can invoke <i>The Chronicles of Narnia</i>, that's a winner in my book! Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-10271479114220171822015-04-05T06:55:00.000-04:002015-04-05T06:55:20.290-04:00Why Does the Resurrection Matter?<div style="text-align: left;">
This great video was put together by the folks at Central Presbyterian Church (EPC) in St. Louis. May it be a blessing to you this Easter.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="337" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/123760137" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="600"></iframe></div>
Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-44087431518980161452015-04-03T09:21:00.001-04:002015-04-03T09:21:35.473-04:00It May Be Friday...But Sunday is Certainly Coming<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YByT6wfdhJs?rel=0" width="600"></iframe><br /></div>
Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-77944675318030208772015-04-02T20:26:00.000-04:002015-04-02T20:26:18.876-04:00The Cross As finite beings...<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">We can not bridge the infinite chasm
that separates us from a holy God.</span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">We can not pay the infinite debt that
God is due on account of our sin.</span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">We can not convey the infinite glory
that God possesses.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">But Christ can...and
did…on the cross.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-language: HE;"></span>
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<![endif]-->Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-20079602045059525802015-03-17T09:49:00.000-04:002015-03-17T10:05:43.132-04:00Jesus Outside the Lines<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwOsPEisliJhrXfKhSx13kM_uhfWU84BL82w3LzAZPFQ7eV0A2CjLe1LKDwOeVMFjdAZy_ZyAmq3_umXF_1Tp83-rxQibY3ab_uAT9bSoQ-_1qOMTa0OQQPCwb-XXXBgeUrkZ0INB8r4/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwOsPEisliJhrXfKhSx13kM_uhfWU84BL82w3LzAZPFQ7eV0A2CjLe1LKDwOeVMFjdAZy_ZyAmq3_umXF_1Tp83-rxQibY3ab_uAT9bSoQ-_1qOMTa0OQQPCwb-XXXBgeUrkZ0INB8r4/s1600/index.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a>After much anticipation on my part, my copy (finally!) arrived. I can't wait to dig into this new book by my friend and former pastor, Scott Sauls. </div>
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<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Jesus-Outside-Lines-Forward-Taking/dp/1496400933/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426599887&sr=1-1&keywords=jesus+outside+the+lines"><i>Jesus Outside the Lines: A Way Forward for Those Who Are Tired of Taking Sides</i></a> is advertised as being for those who are "weary of us against them," instead showing how "Jesus offers us a way forward-- away from harshness, caricatures, and stereotypes." Sounds like a book that Scott would be the perfect guy to write, and it sounds awfully good to me!</div>
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If it sounds good to you too, join me in checking out it out. Watch the video below and <a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Jesus-Outside-Lines-Forward-Taking/dp/1496400933/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426599887&sr=1-1&keywords=jesus+outside+the+lines">pick up your copy</a> while they're still in stock so you don't have to wait like I did! Endorsements, a sample chapter, and study materials that go along with the book <a href="http://scottsauls.com/jesus-outside-lines/">are also available here</a>.</div>
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Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168659034296194898.post-13016115067773989302014-12-24T12:36:00.000-05:002014-12-24T12:36:39.746-05:00N.T. Wright on the Problem of Evil<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_G4hfbtBo7wjo4qohg0PLpk_qQY4AC3_cq08NhexCnGkzP7lq_9ds3_1N22NvuJMxEf-sruwsLzmHsNQO4av7IzyRVB214mB2KJM7LV2QSJFG8jv7-USFzRY9UEE7_4J5ZLoAqf1T1o/s1600/NTWright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_G4hfbtBo7wjo4qohg0PLpk_qQY4AC3_cq08NhexCnGkzP7lq_9ds3_1N22NvuJMxEf-sruwsLzmHsNQO4av7IzyRVB214mB2KJM7LV2QSJFG8jv7-USFzRY9UEE7_4J5ZLoAqf1T1o/s1600/NTWright.jpg" /></a></div>
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"We are not told—or not in any way that
satisfies our puzzled questioning—how and why there is radical evil
within God’s wonderful, beautiful, and essentially good creation. One
day I think we shall find out, but I believe we are incapable of
understanding it at the moment, in the same way that a baby in the womb would lack the categories to think about the outside world. What we are promised, however, is that
God will make a world in which all shall be well and all manner of thing
shall be well, a world in which forgiveness is one of the foundation
stones and reconciliation is the cement which holds everything together.
And we are given this promise not as a matter of whistling in the
dark, not as something to believe even though there is no evidence, but
in and through Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection, and in and
through the Spirit through whom the achievement of Jesus becomes a
reality in our world and in our lives. When we understand forgiveness, flowing
from the work of Jesus and the Spirit, as the strange and powerful thing
it really is, we begin to realize that God’s forgiveness of us, and our
forgiveness of others, is the knife that cuts the rope by which sin,
anger, fear, recrimination and death are still attached to us. Evil
will have nothing to say at the last, because the victory of the cross
will be fully implemented."</div>
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N.T. Wright</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Evil-Justice-God-N-Wright/dp/083083415X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1419442382&sr=1-1&keywords=evil+and+the+justice+of+god"><i>Evil and the Justice of God </i></a></div>
Pete Scribnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08565043023531614917noreply@blogger.com0