@ostrachan Agreed. This old sermon is a great example of Dad's Biblical exposition providing tremendous practical/motivating implication. He let the Bible productively constrain/free us, not our opinion/experience. It happened all around life.
-Ready to die-
We are not losing ground.
We are gaining eternal perspective.
We are in a better position to fight the battles of this age.
We are seeing the mighty Hand of Yahweh in action, affirming His power.
God raises up faithful men to display His Glory, not theirs.
It is not often we get to see God Almighty's Providence in real-time.
We are witnessing it now, and it is undefeated.
Watch, listen, strengthen your grip on the wondrous promises of Heaven, not on earth.
Consider the beauty of Yahweh's Holiness.
He brings His soldiers to Heaven, yet beckons us to live as those ready to die.
Our ability to live with infectious purpose is dependent on our readiness to die.
Be like Apostle Paul:
"I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.
And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
Galatians 2:20
Who is this King of glory?
Yahweh strong and mighty,
Yahweh mighty in battle.
Pan out. Ecclesiastes and many other books encourage us to "Remember" from where you once were.
https://t.co/lZt3IIZNAM
One year ago...turmoil worldwide.
Israel/Gaza chaotic tragedy.
USA: Rancor over Presidential election.
Unrest between various "Christian" groups.
Dark, seemingly dire world.
Often, this is when Yahweh displays His might. His care. His power.
The night is darkest just before sunrise.
The Great Sovereign God moves mightily, in the literal flash of a rifle's firing pin.
The backdrop for all the inspiring clips, photos and reports is of profound consideration.
No individual, company, government, could organize what was on display in the last 45 days. But it was all being developed over many years without us even knowing it.
A twinkle of Heaven's joyful mourning of a long faithful life at my Dad's service, to the resounding cascade of unified and confident naming of Jesus Christ "shouted" from a world-watching stage without hesitation, in response to a focused and intentional life shortened.
100s of thousands of people watching as person after person, who by their own admission were just recently reticent to even affirm "religion", now standing and speaking the name of Jesus with carefree boldness.
No matter the particulars of theological finer points, let's applaud and pray for a massive wave of Spiritual re-calibration in America with this awakening.
Only the Sovereign Yahweh could move with such hastening power to take Satan's diabolical trigger finger and nearly instantaneously turn it into the starters gun for metaphorical refreshing/normalizing of spiritual-mindedness.
Matthew 9 comes to mind...
The Harvest just grew into large bundles.
In periods of God's quietness, we see clearly the fallenness of Man and its devastating effects.
And when Yahweh moves, we see the miraculous made simple loudly.
His care and concern for the Lost becomes evident, and His call to obedient repentance is suddenly comforting, not conflicting.
Over the weekend, I realized my disheartened concerns are often inconsistent with the truth of Yahweh's power.
When God determines to act, He will shift Heaven and Earth.
He will draw His own.
He will judge the living and the dead.
Today, we are seeing both His mercy and judgement on display. Both are present if we look carefully.
"Seek the Lord while He may be found" Isaiah 55.
Psalm24
The earth is Yahweh’s, as well as its fullness,
The world, and those who dwell in it.
For He has founded it upon the seas
And established it upon the rivers.
Who may ascend into the mountain of Yahweh?
And who may rise in His holy place?
He who has innocent hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to worthlessness
And has not sworn deceitfully.
He shall lift up a blessing from Yahweh
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This is the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face—pay heed O Jacob. Selah.
Lift up your heads, O gates,
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!
Who is this King of glory?
Yahweh strong and mighty,
Yahweh mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O gates,
And lift yourselves up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!
Who is He, this King of glory?
Yahweh of hosts,
He is the King of glory. Selah.
Who is this King of glory?
Yahweh strong and mighty,
Yahweh mighty in battle.
Pan out. Ecclesiastes and many other books encourage us to "Remember" from where you once were.
https://t.co/lZt3IIZNAM
One year ago...turmoil worldwide.
Israel/Gaza chaotic tragedy.
USA: Rancor over Presidential election.
Unrest between various "Christian" groups.
Dark, seemingly dire world.
Often, this is when Yahweh displays His might. His care. His power.
The night is darkest just before sunrise.
The Great Sovereign God moves mightily, in the literal flash of a rifle's firing pin.
The backdrop for all the inspiring clips, photos and reports is of profound consideration.
No individual, company, government, could organize what was on display in the last 45 days. But it was all being developed over many years without us even knowing it.
A twinkle of Heaven's joyful mourning of a long faithful life at my Dad's service, to the resounding cascade of unified and confident naming of Jesus Christ "shouted" from a world-watching stage without hesitation, in response to a focused and intentional life shortened.
100s of thousands of people watching as person after person, who by their own admission were just recently reticent to even affirm "religion", now standing and speaking the name of Jesus with carefree boldness.
No matter the particulars of theological finer points, let's applaud and pray for a massive wave of Spiritual re-calibration in America with this awakening.
Only the Sovereign Yahweh could move with such hastening power to take Satan's diabolical trigger finger and nearly instantaneously turn it into the starters gun for metaphorical refreshing/normalizing of spiritual-mindedness.
Matthew 9 comes to mind...
The Harvest just grew into large bundles.
In periods of God's quietness, we see clearly the fallenness of Man and its devastating effects.
And when Yahweh moves, we see the miraculous made simple loudly.
His care and concern for the Lost becomes evident, and His call to obedient repentance is suddenly comforting, not conflicting.
Over the weekend, I realized my disheartened concerns are often inconsistent with the truth of Yahweh's power.
When God determines to act, He will shift Heaven and Earth.
He will draw His own.
He will judge the living and the dead.
Today, we are seeing both His mercy and judgement on display. Both are present if we look carefully.
"Seek the Lord while He may be found" Isaiah 55.
Psalm24
The earth is Yahweh’s, as well as its fullness,
The world, and those who dwell in it.
For He has founded it upon the seas
And established it upon the rivers.
Who may ascend into the mountain of Yahweh?
And who may rise in His holy place?
He who has innocent hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to worthlessness
And has not sworn deceitfully.
He shall lift up a blessing from Yahweh
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This is the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face—pay heed O Jacob. Selah.
Lift up your heads, O gates,
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!
Who is this King of glory?
Yahweh strong and mighty,
Yahweh mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O gates,
And lift yourselves up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!
Who is He, this King of glory?
Yahweh of hosts,
He is the King of glory. Selah.
@grcastleberry@SBTS Keep on GC! This project/work has not only influenced you in many good ways, but it is seeping into your pastor/shepherd life in biblical ministry thinking/perspective. I know I've benefited from you.
@RoyLMattox “We are mildly optimistic we have seen the lows in many of the next leaders even if the averages roll over after today. “
☝️Herds buy/sell index. Investors allocate/build w/ aim. Relative strength flashes bright in chaotic markets.
@farmingandJesus The DNC has a radical, reprobate agenda led via odd, angry feminists to weaken men's vociferous objection and platforms a docile/"Uncle-next-door", grossly progressive man as a seemingly innocuous force.
Don't be fooled, this is intentional.
Evil comes in all shapes.
@grcastleberry Since Creation, men have defended women and never offered or encouraged altercation. That's physiological and mental arena of men.
A culture that would allow, nay encourage, this event are the same people whom also cry for protections. Displays the inverted and insane culture.
@grcastleberry Agreed! A missing observation in this fiasco is the foolishness of women's boxing as an Olympic event. I don't understand how/why its deemed a worthy exhibition. Boxing is a pugilistic encounter far from a display of exalting females in sport. The trans issue isn't a big leap.
This is a charge to all men (and women).
Be/get strong(er) every day.
This had me thinking and wanting to communicate.....
Happy Birthday Dad/Papa!
Your 85th was another year of displaying an increase in strength.
To God be the Glory.
This brings me to simply say:
Happy Birthday to a man that, although physically slowing, is a profound example of increasing strength. A perpetual bulwark for The Church.
A profound shepherd to his church.
An inspiration and model to many around the world.
Now my stewardship.
How?… by their humility. That does not give us license to be stupid/foolish, but it does give us hope. We are cracked pots, but not useless vessels, in the hands of a Redemptive-oriented God.
Happy Birthday Dad.
This little video is an example of "the love spread abroad in the hearts of @GraceComChurch families, stemming from their joy in Christ through the Word of God.
Children usually love what their parents love and respect. Praise God.
Consider two of the “young guys” in the Bible. David and Samson. Both men had significant physical presence, but lacked maturity in many areas. Yet God used them mightily AFTER (not because) they stumbled badly.