School Hangover

Well, I had one of those weeks, where full-time work meets full-time school. For those of you who have experienced this at any level, you understand that it is a rough go. In any case, after a brief final bout with school I have emerged.

Throughout my class on Worship, I have been inspired to continue to develop musically. Part of this has manifested itself in the writing of new songs, and part of it has manifested itself in my desire to work through the Olney Hymns. So far I have written music to two songs, one of Newton's and one of Cowper's (/cooper/, not /cow-per/), and am considering a CD which may include them, as well as (and more importantly) speaking with the elders at Braidwood concerning this.

I'll post the songs in time. For now, my muscles are recovering...

Work

Praise the Lord for a job this sunny season! I am working for a landscaping company doing manual labour. Raking, digging holes, etc. Its sort of like a re-run of the gravel days at HVDC. Only this time I get paid!

That's all for now.

Contemplating good music

Check out this hymn by John Newton. The last 4 lines in particular strike me very powerfully, but take the whole thing together.


John Newton
8,6,8,6

Looking at the cross.

In evil long I took delight,
Unawed by shame or fear;
Till a new object struck my sight,
And stopped my wild career.

I saw one hanging on a tree,
In agonies and blood;
Who fixed his languid eyes on me,
As near his cross I stood.

Sure, never till my latest breath,
Can I forget that look;
It seemed to charge me with his death,
Though not a word he spoke.

My conscience felt, and owned the guilt,
And plunged me in despair;
I saw my sins his blood had spilt,
And helped to nail him there.

Alas! I knew not what I did,
But now my tears are vain;
Where shall my trembling soul be hid?
For I the LORD have slain.

A second look he gave, which said,
“I freely all forgive;
This blood is for thy ransom paid,
I die, that thou may’st live.”

Thus, while his death my sin displays,
In all its blackest hue;
(Such is the mystery of grace)
It seals my pardon too.

With pleasing grief and mournful joy,
My spirit now is filled;
That I should such a life destroy,
Yet live by him I killed.

Sermon Outline - Exchanging Glory

OUTLINE FROM MANUSCRIPT

Intro
1) Pray FOCUS: verses 23&25 EXCHANGING
2) Story
3) Read Romans 1:18-32
4) Context – church at Rome
Vs 16-17 thesis: God’s righteousness revealed
Man needs this righteousness
5) Intro to Questions:
a) What is exchanged?
b) Why is it exchanged?
c) Effects of this exchange

Questions

What is exchanged?
1) Glory of Incorruptible God
a) Explain Glory – radiance, glow, shiny
WORTH, VALUE.
Example engagement ring
b) Display God – incorruptible, immortal, everlasting, never fading, eternal, Incomparable

2) An image in the form of corruptible man . . .
a) Explain 3-fold degradation
WORTHLESS
Quote - “copy of a copy of a copy” – Piper
Example - $100 bill → monopoly → child’s picture → photocopied

Why is it exchanged?
1) Foolishness of man (21-22)
a) Futile in speculations – because they don’t honour God they’re useless
b) Foolish heart darkened
c) Professing to be wise they became fools [Reversal of natural function of mind and heart]
2) God gave them up/over
- 3 times (24, 26, 28)
- Purpose is twofold 1) Reveal man’s sinfulness
2) Show God’s longsuffering

Effects of this exchange
1) God restrains (Example – dog straining on a leash)
2) Debasement (24, 26, 28)
a) Lusts of their heart – bodies dishonoured
b) Degrading passions – homosexuality
c) Depraved mind – Don’t acknowledge God
- Sin, knowing it is evil and give approval to others (APATHY)

Personal Application
1) Test your heart (What do we exchange?)
2) Nothing you can do to make Jesus look most beautiful to your heart – No matter your understanding
3) Plead with God

Annual Hairstyle

Alrighty folks. Its that time of year again. Hairstyle time! As many of you are aware, my hair has extraordinary properties. It defies gravity with a simple tilt of the head. It has the ability to appear outrageously messy and calmly cool within seconds. But it is that time of year when decisions MUST be made about the trajectory of this hair.

Should it be:
a) trimmed
b) buzz-cut
c) layered short
d) mullet
e) hold out for the dreads
f) mohawk
g) maybe just washed
h) b + d for the skullet
i) a + g for job interviews
j) none of the above

Send your votes in now!!