Prince Caspian Review

Check out these reviews of the movie "Prince Caspian." I think they offer perceptive thoughts. Especially check out the second one.

http://www.dougwils.com/index.asp?Action=Anchor&CategoryID=1&BlogID=5450

http://lookingcloser.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/the-looking-closer-review-prince-caspian/

God does not change

I have finally finished my last paper for the year. The class was Hebrew Exegesis with Dr. Willem VanGemeren, and the paper was on an issue from the Old Testament book of Malachi, the prophet. My paper was on Malachi 3:6, which reads, "Because I, Yahweh, do not change, you, sons of Jacob, are not consumed." The paper examined in what specific sense, in the context, Yahweh is presented as not changing, and how that first clause of the sentence relates to the latter clause. The conclusion? On account of God's firm, unswerving commitment to his promise, his covenant he made with his people, his people are not consumed by his wrath, though they deserve to be. The people of God are not spared from destruction along with the wicked because of any good in them, but rather because they were graciously chosen to be God's people, as chapter 1 verses 2-3 of Malachi states: "'I have loved you,' says the LORD. But you say, 'How have you loved us?' 'Is not Esau Jacob's brother?' declares the LORD. 'Yet I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.'" Continually the people of God deny God's love for them, saying instead, "It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts? And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape" (3:14-15). In response to the bitterness and grumbling of his people, God affirms his covenant love for his people, noting their not having been destroyed as evidence of God's own covenant love, and promising a day when it will finally be clear that God treats his people different from the wicked: "They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him" (3:17-18).

Happy Mother's Day

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised (Prov. 31:25-30).

I have been blessed with a mother and grandmothers who fear the Lord. They exhibit strength, dignity, wisdom, kindness, and dedication to the Lord that this passage portrays. Proverbs 1:8-9 instructs, "do not forsake your mother's teaching; indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head, and ornaments about your neck." I pray I may be adorned with the fruit of their teaching in my own life. As your child, let me this Mother's Day call you all blessed. Thank you for your godly example.

Only a Few Weeks Left

God helped me through my craziest week of school yet. I now have a week of finals, and then a two week class on Hebrew Exegesis. I will finish May 23 and hopefully will return the 24. I also preached my second sermon yesterday on Titus 2:11-14. The text reads:

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldy desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly in the present age, as we wait for our blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all ungodliness, and to purify for himself a people for his own possession, who are zealous for good works.