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Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Many Forms

Posted in Connotations, Consequences, Dependence, General, Implications, tagged , , , , , , on May 12, 2024| Leave a Comment »

A sermon on Matthew 5:5 that I heard this morning strongly confirmed an idea that I have been mulling over for several months: “Blessed are the meek [humble, lowly, gentle], for they shall inherit the earth.”

As the preacher said, “meekness is not weakness… but strength under control.”

So, what is lack of meekness? Irritability, anger, or domineering attitude? And why does our sin nature push us in this direction?

How about complaining? Why do we engage in it? Or fretting? Why do so many of us find it to be our go to at the first sign of difficulty?

I have come to conclude that these sins have a common denominator. Consider the following Scripture passages:

Numbers 11:1: “Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the Lord; and when the Lord heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.” Why was God angry?

1 Samuel 15:23: “For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king.” Why did God reject Saul?

Luke 12:29-31: “And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” Why is worrying counter to seeking Jesus’ Father’s kingdom?

Ecclesiastes 7:8: “The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.” Why is patience so much of a better end than haughtiness?

Ephesians 4:26-27: “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.” Why does anger give the devil opportunity?

Complaint, rebellion, worry, irritation, and anger are various forms of blasphemy, because they communicate that we believe that God is not sufficient for our needs and wants.

Why do I say “blasphemy”? It is “the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God” (1) We usually think of words, but acts can show contempt or lack of reverence for God. When I don’t trust God, I am communicating that He is not willing or able to care for me and not worthy of my trust. I am declaring God to be less than God. For me, as I have contemplated this idea, it razor focuses the sinfulness of even common every day, garden-variety complaining, fretting, and reacting irritably. By the power and grace of the Holy Spirit, I want no more of it.

  1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blasphemy

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Jones Falls

Posted in General, Nature, Outdoors, Waterfall, tagged , , , on March 20, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Back in October I went on a hike with three young people from my church. I had been to Elk River Falls numerous times in years past and even recently, but I did not know until recently that there are two falls beyond that on downstream tributaries. My hiking partner and I were looking for the second one but didn’t find the trail. We have to go back and try again. On the way back I stopped for water and a snack while he went to catch up with the other two who had turned back after Jones Falls. They temporarily got off trail and I passed them, going all the way back to the parking lot at back. Finally, we met up, but I must confess that I was a bit nervous for them. None of that spoiled the beautiful day we enjoyed in the woods finding something new. Click on “Jones Falls” for a few pictures.

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Mount Rogers VA

Posted in General, Hike, Nature, Outdoors, tagged , , , , on March 17, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Due to time, distance, and responsibility, no sixer (1) in reach, we decided to hike Mt. Rogers, the highest point in Virginia at 5729′. The easiest access is from Grayson Highlands State Park, but that is not how we roll. So, we came from VA 603, 6.5 miles to the summit. The road does most of the elevation, leaving a 2400′ elevation gain to the summit. Though listed as hard, for 13 miles out and back, this is a very moderate route with easy grade and smooth trail surface.

My daughter and I hardly felt tired at the summit, so we decided to go back another way, lengthening the return a little and the difficulty a bit. But it was well worth it because the best views and most interesting details were on the return trip. We followed the Appalachian Trail around to the Lewis Fork Wilderness Trail and then the Lewis Fork Spur Trail back to the Mount Rogers Trail back to VA 603. As best I can calculate, our return trip was 7 to 7.5 miles. Being conservative, we hiked 13.5 miles. The cost was some bouldery, ankle-twisting sections and a good half-of-a-mile boggy section. My daughter corrected me to say it was a fen since it was flowing, but I don’t know if there is a term for flowing saturated flat areas in a high mountain forest. It was wet, squishy and required much rock and log hopping to navigate.

When got to the section where the Appalachian Trail and Grayson Highlands Trails used the same path, it was well frequented. On the rest of the Mount Rogers and Lewis Fork Trails, we saw no one. The hike was moderate enough that we finished in less than 8 hours with much sight-seeing and some lounging for peaks and views. If you would like to share a small bit of our adventure, click on “Virginia’s Highest” for pictures and commentary.

  1. Previous posts: https://creatorworship.net/2022/09/19/eastern-sixers/ , https://creatorworship.net/2022/11/03/2-out-of-3-aint-bad/

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Trust God Rather Than Man or Things

Posted in Faith, General, God Thoughts, God's Word, Mercy, tagged , , , , , on March 10, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Psalm 62 gives praise to God by drawing a strong contrast between 1) God, who is strong, stable, and substantial, and 2) man, who is weak, unstable, and insubstantial. By men David means a) evil men (v.3-4), b) all men (v.9), and c) himself (v.3) who he describes as a “leaning wall” and “tottering fence”. And yet, because he “waits…for God only” (v.1, 5), that is he trusts in God rather than men (v.9) or things (v.10), he “shall not be greatly shaken.” (v.2)

This is indeed the theme of the psalm: Trust God rather than man or things. Matthew Henry wrote, “We are both in the way of duty and comfort when our souls wait upon God…” I wait for His timing, His way, His provision, His defense, His wisdom, His understanding, His justice, and ultimately His salvation. The basis of our trust is twofold: 1) His Word wherein His attributes, works, and promises are recorded, and 2) our experience of Him wherein He proves His Word in our walk before Him. The latter can never inform the former, but our experience does fortify and deepen our trust. The result is as follows: The Word declares that He is good. He has been good to me. Therefore, I may trust fully that He will be good to me. Afterall, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

Take note of the structure of the psalm, which is after all a poem to be sung. It begins with a refrain of trust in verses 1 and 2 which is repeated in verses 5 and 6, though with some variation. Starting thus, “My soul waits in silence for God only” (v.1), David communicates the way in which he trusts in God. In battle, David no doubt moved and was at the ready with his weapons and slashed both offensively and defensively. He was a man of action. But here he sits or bows in anticipatory trust. And for what or who does he wait? He waits for God, not salvation. He knows that when God comes and when God acts, He will bring salvation, but David’s focus is on God. Though best and ultimate is eternal, spiritual salvation, I do not believe, based on what David does and says that he does not also mean physical salvation. There are just too many times when he calls on God to rescue him in and from situations. The skeptic and doubter will immediately throw exceptions on this blaze, but God does rescue His own and help them in time of trouble. He does also allow them to take hits for His glory and their greater good. I am thankful that I may ask for rescue as He has helped me many times.

The variation in the refrain is of interest. The first time he says, “From Him is my salvation,” while the second time he says, “For my hope is from Him.” (v.1, 5) This looks like Hebrew parallelism to me, which means he is saying the same thing with difference in emphasis. He does a similar thing with the other variation. He says, “I shall not be greatly shaken”, but then says, “I shall not be shaken.” (v.2, 6) Is his faith strengthening at the thought of God’s protection? A fright may shake us from our composure temporarily, but we will not ultimately be shaken, for God is able to keep us unto salvation (2 Timothy 1:12).

The psalm ends with an admonition. I like best the translation of verse 11 and 12 from the Wycliffe Bible: “God spake once, I heard these two things; that power is of God (that power belongeth to God), and, thou Lord, mercy is to thee; for thou shalt yield to each man by his works. (and, O Lord, that true love is from thee; for thou shalt yield to each person according to his works.)” The center notes for the NASB agree with this rendering and it makes more plain sense, namely that there were two things in the one pronouncement. Those two things are power and mercy belong to, and therefore are implied to have come from, God. The last phrase grates upon our “by grace alone through faith alone” hearing: “For you recompense a man according to his work.” (v.12) Works prove the faith present (see James 2:14-26). It is God who saves, in whom we should trust, the very point of this psalm.

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Murphy to Manteo

Posted in Analogy, Cultural commentary, General, tagged , on March 6, 2024| Leave a Comment »

I had a discussion with my brother recently about a camping trip that he and his wife took to Murphy, NC. He asked if I knew where that is, since I lived in NC for a number of years. “Oh yes,” I replied, “As they say, “From Murphy to Manteo”. By that ‘they’ mean the full length of the state or applying to everyone in NC (1). In Tennessee where I have returned to after all those years in WNC, they say “Mountain City to Memphis” to mean across TN (2). Are there other states or countries that use this code of place names to mean all of the territory? And what is the origin of this type of phrase? Is it the Bible? Nine times in the Old Testament the writers refer to the full extent of Israel in a way similar to the following: “Then all the sons of Israel from Dan to Beersheba, including the land of Gilead, came out, and the congregation assembled as one man to the Lord at Mizpah.” (Judges 20:1) Dan was not on the northern border and Beersheba was not near to the southern border, even less so than the 4 “M” towns of TN and NC, but it meant all of the territory or all of its people. If that is not the source of this turn of phrase, then is it somehow baked into our perception to use location names over the word “all” to designate the full extent of a territory? Do any of you know of places names representing all of you territory where you live or have been?

  1. https://www.ncpedia.org/manteo-murphy
  2. An example of its use: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=816943725607249

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How We Glorify Him

Posted in Delights, Faith, General, Glory, God Thoughts, tagged , , on March 1, 2024| Leave a Comment »

A catechism is “a summary of the principles of Christian religion in the form of questions and answers, used for the instruction of Christians.” (1) Catechisms are useful tools for instructing the one poor in Bible knowledge, fortifying unity among like-minded believers, explaining the Gospel and Scripture to the unsaved, and rooting out wolves and heretics from damaging the church. However, they are not Scripture, and therefore, they are not inspired and may be discussed as to faithfulness and accuracy in summarizing Scripture.

In the varied church company that I have kept over the years, the most well known catechism question is the first one of the Westminster Shorter Catechism: “1. What is the chief end of man?” Answer: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” (2)

It is a concise statement, but I think slightly inaccurate. As I have contemplated it over several years as it comes up in sermons and discussions, I feel that I want to make two changes to the answer. Firstly, I think that the purpose of all things created is to glorify their Creator. The second reason given in the answer is an example of how we do that. Therefore, I would change “and to enjoy” to “by enjoying”. This thought is not original with me (3), and I honestly don’t know if I came up with it independently or if I just cooped it from things I had heard or read unawares. That doesn’t really matter. Relationship with God and enjoying it is certainly beneficial for us in every way, but it is also glorifying to Him, especially in an environment of God-hating demons and people.

Secondly, I think that there is more to glorifying God than enjoying Him forever. One iteration of my change would read something like the following: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God by enjoying, worshipping, obeying, and serving Him forever.” Then my list grew and grew. So much for conciseness. I considered my list and concluded that all of the items after enjoying Him were examples of serving Him. Some will argue, and this probably includes the writers of the question and answer, that serving is a subset of enjoying. I would agree that we do enjoy Him when we serve Him, but He will have service for us to do.

Therefore, my final draft of how I think the answer should read for the reason of better faithfulness to Scripture is as follows: “The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying and serving Him forever.”

  1. Oxford Languages online
  2. https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/westminster-shorter-catechism
  3. https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/our-grand-obligation
  4. 2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 4:10, 7:9

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Nostalgic Snow Day

Posted in General, Hike, Memories, Nature, Outdoors, Photo, Reminiscence, tagged , , , , on January 22, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Halfway through high school I took up backpacking with my older brother’s friend. We hiked quite regularly all through my senior year of high school, 4 years of college, and for a few years declining frequency into my marriage. Most of our trips were one, two, or three nights. Though we always intended to go longer, we never did go longer than 6 nights. Even so, two nights is enough to clear your head and your lungs. Carrying a pack weighing between 30 and 45 pounds up and down steep grades is challenging. Our packs tended to be on the heavier side because we preferred to hike in winter and carry our own tent. We could have cut a few pounds, but equipment was not as light then as now. I have spent many years and many miles day hiking since my 20’s but very few nights out since then. After our backpacking days, our families spent some time together camping and visiting for nearly a decade but various things in our lives over the years drew us apart.

Today the business I work for was shut down for snow. I arose late and had a leisurely day about the house with my wife, only going out for an afternoon walk in the snow. Midmorning I received a message from my old backpacking buddy. He sent a picture of three fresh faced young men in full gear at the beginning of the trail smiling for our pre-trail photo. Check it out at “Old Backpacking Memories.”

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D18E, “Therefore”

Posted in Consequences, General, God's Law, Psalm 1, Wickedness, tagged , , , on January 18, 2024| Leave a Comment »

“Therefore” Psalm 1:5

Not because “they are like chaff” (v.4). That is a metaphor the result of their conduct and belief, not the cause. They shall not “stand in the judgment…” (v.5), because they do not delight in God’s law (v.2), and therefore not in Him or His salvation. God said, “I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts, a people who continually provoke Me to My face.” (Isaiah 65:2-3a) “…They refused to take correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; They have refused to repent.” (Jeremiah 5:3) “But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing.” (Zechariah 7:11) God’s wrath upon them is fully justified and justice demands it, because of their refusal to listen or believe in God and their participation in evil. (v.1)

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D14M, “Path”

Posted in General, Judgment, tagged , , on January 14, 2024| Leave a Comment »

“Nor stand in the path of sinners” (Psalm 1:1)

The path or way of a man speaks of more than habit, procedure, lifestyle, or perspective. It is the very course of his life. Therefore, it will perish with him. The righteous, declared so by God, are under the blood of Christ, a strong umbrella shielding them from the wrath of God. The wicked are out in the open, unprotected from God’s judgment. God cares and He wants us to care, too: “Deliver those who are being taken away to death, and those who are staggering to slaughter, oh hold them back.” (Proverbs 24:11)

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D13M, “By Streams of Water”

Posted in Blessing, General, Grace, Sustaining, tagged , , , on January 13, 2024| Leave a Comment »

“He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water.” (Psalm 1:3)

God fully supplies the needs of His own with an overflowing abundance. Do you suffer, particularly for His cause and as a believer? Yes, but even then He provides comfort, confidence, and purpose. Tap into the Source that never runs dry.

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D11E*, “The Assembly”

Posted in General on January 11, 2024| Leave a Comment »

“Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.” (Psalm 1:5)

Many in present society would say that it is cruel and condemning to talk about Hell and the judgment of sinners, but it is a kindness on the part of God and His witnesses to warn people of the result of their rejection of Him. Revelation 22:14-15 one last time contrasts the righteous and the wicked: “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.” They will not be with the righteous, in the presence of God, in eternal bliss. They will be where there is “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:12, 13:42,50, 22:13, 24:51, 25:30)

Conversely, the righteous are “a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes,…” (Revelation 7:9) It is not too late for you to be included in this assembly, worshipping the Lord Jesus. Submit to Him now; worship and serve Him now; He saves those who trust in Him.

*Oops, missed another one

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D9E, “Firmly Planted”

Posted in General on January 9, 2024| Leave a Comment »

“He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water.” (Psalm 1:3)

Only the NASB of the English translations inserts the word “firmly”. The question is why? The “NAS Exhaustive Concordance” defines the word as simply “planted”. I believe it is an interpretative translation (1) based on the good watering (“by streams of water”) and other Scriptures that confirm the idea by similar metaphors. For example, Psalm 92:12-14 speaks of the “righteous…planted” as flourishing, being substantial tree palms and cedars, yielding fruit, full of sap, and green. Such vigor supports the idea of being firmly planted. Jeremiah 17:7-8 uses similar language with the addition of “extends its roots by the stream”. (v.8) “It is planted in good soil beside abundant waters.” (Ezekial 17:8) And all of the references tout the fruitfulness and drought resistance of this planting. I think the metaphors support the idea but the Hebrew does not support the addition of the word.

  1. I do not like it. Why not have a side note with reasons and other Scriptures supporting why the planting is substantial, as I have done, rather than adding to the Word with an interpretation.

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D9M, “Blessed”

Posted in Blessing, General, God's Law, God's Word, Joy, Piety, Sanctification, tagged , , , , on January 9, 2024| Leave a Comment »

“Blessed is the man who does not…does” (Psalm 1:1,3)

Blessed in a biblical sense is to be “granted special favor by God resulting in joy and prosperity.” (1) That it is granted clearly shows that this blessedness results from God’s grace. The Hebrew word is “baruch” meaning “to increase (in joy, in peacefulness)” (2)

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them:

The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.’

So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.”

(Numbers 6:22-26) God commanded the priests through Moses to speak this blessing over the Israelites. God has the intention of blessing His people, and more so those who delight in Him.

“It [blessing] bestows on a person the honor of experiencing God’s presence, His care and His favor.” (2)

The word “How” (v.1) emphasizes the overwhelming extent of the blessing. I want Your presence, care, and favor in my life, Lord.

  1. biblestudytools.com/blessing/
  2. firmisrael.org/learn/the-hebrew-meaning-of-blessed/

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D7E, “Not Stand”

Posted in General on January 7, 2024| Leave a Comment »

“The wicked will not stand in the judgment” (Psalm 1:4) “Behold, these are the wicked…I perceived their end. Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction” (Psalm 73:12,17-18) By the grace of God through faith in Jesus’s substitutionary death your end can be far different.

“The servant…will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.; (Romans 14:4) How? “the gospel…in which you stand.” (1 Corinthians 15:1) We participate in standing, though it is positively in his strength: “It was for freedom that you were set free, therefore keep standing firm.” (Galatians 5:1) Furthermore, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil…, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:11,13)

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D7M, “Seat of Scoffers”

Posted in Blessing, General, God's Law, God's Word, Piety, Sanctification, tagged , , , on January 7, 2024| Leave a Comment »

“Blessed is the man who does not… sit in the seat of scoffers.” (Psalm 1:1)

What is the problem causes one to be a scoffer and what is the result? “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling (a fall, KJV).” (Proverbs 16:18) Perhaps that is the reason that they stay seated. In reality, I think they are armchair quarterbacks for life. “They continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people…” (2 Chronicles 36:16) But life is no game, and neither is scoffing. “Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you.” (Proverbs 9:8) “…if you scoff, you alone will bear it.” (Proverbs 9:12) There are many such judgments proclaimed upon scoffers in Proverbs. Not merely wicked action is judged but also wicked, proud, derisive speech is an abomination to God that portends a bad end for scoffers. Jesus suffered at the hands and mouths of scoffers, as Luke 18:32 says, “He…will be mocked and mistreated.” He patiently bore their abuse “yet He did not open his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7) While witnessing to others, I must share in His suffering by not reacting to their abuse other than with love and truth. It is a balancing act, because I must discern when to “not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matthew 7:6) Do not be surprised by such treatment because “in the last days mockers will come…” (2 Peter 3:3).

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D6E*, “Knows”

Posted in General on January 6, 2024| Leave a Comment »

“The Lord knows the way of the righteous. v.6

“knows” (approves) (NASB), “watches over” (NIV),

“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me and I know the Father.” (John 10:14) “….even as the Father knows me and I know the Father.” (v.6) It is an intimate, kindly knowledge. God knows of the wicked and will judge them, but He neither reveals Himself to them nor is He known by them.

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D3M “Does”

Posted in Blessing, General, God's Law, God's Word, Piety, Sanctification, tagged , , on January 3, 2024| Leave a Comment »

“In whatever he does, he prospers.” verse 3

What do the righteous do? They delight in and meditate on God’s law, His Word. What one delights in he spends time with, thus day and night. There is not an ounce of passiveness in this pursuit but all intentionality and passion as with a first love.

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D2E* “How Blessed”

Posted in General on January 2, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Continuing reflection on Psalm 1, I wondered…

How blessed?

A “tree” is substantial, long-lived. Though the word “firmly” is not there in the original, the implication of “planted” is not easily pulled up, pushed over, or beaten down. Being “by streams of water” means it does not suffer drought, is always supplied, and has confidence in that supply. “Yields fruit” communicates that the tree is useful, has purpose, supplies others, nourishes, and is sweet to those who feed from it. “In season” says that the fruit is ready at the appropriate time and patient with full confidence of yield. When a “leaf does not wither”, it is always growing, not threatened, fresh and supple rather than dried and brittle, and must be evergreen, not experiencing autumn. “Whatever he does” will be by God’s will and power, and aptly led by the Spirit. “He prospers” because God has promised it, even as He did to Joshua: “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” (Joshua 1:8). In a word, tremendously blessed.

.

*Yes, other than outright missing 4 days, I also missed writing twice daily several times, so there is no D2M, Day 2 Morning.

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Psalm 1 D1E Contrasts

Posted in Blessing, General, God's Law, God's Word, Piety, Sanctification, tagged , , , on January 1, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Day 1 Evening reflection:   Preliminary Contrasts:

tree vs. chaff; firmly planted vs. blown away;  blessed vs. not so; 

nor stand in the path of sinners vs. nor sinner [stand] in the assembly of the righteous

LORD knows the vs. way will perish;  yields fruit vs. [worthless] chaff

prosper vs. perish

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The Psalm 1 Challenge

Posted in Blessing, General, God's Law, God's Word, Piety, Sanctification, tagged , , , on January 1, 2024| Leave a Comment »

The radio preacher challenged his listeners to read Psalm 1 twice each day for 21 days and journal impressions, adding, “It will change your life.” As best I could, I took him up on that. I began reading the psalm on December 1st and completed my 21 days in the 25th. As, you will see, I also failed to record impressions or read twice each day on four occasions. I was curious to see if non- repeating insight would come 42 separate times (38 in reality since I missed 4 times). I hand wrote my journal which I intend to copy to here with only minor corrections and clarifications. I will be labeling the entries along the following scheme: D1M means Day 1 Morning, etc., and here it is:

v.1-3: does not, does, is

v.4-5: not so the wicked

v.6: both their ways

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