The Sad State of Our Generation

A paragraph I took from the book I'm reading "Cry Havoc! The Great American Bring-down and How it Happened":

A recent survey of seniors at 55 leading colleges shows that 98% could identify the rap "artist" Snoop Doggy Dogg, but only 34% knew that George Washington was commander-in-chief during the War of Independence. A Department of Education study discloses that 50% of white college students and 80% of blacks could not use a bus schedule; 90% could not use a calculator; 57% could not reckon the change they should receive from $3.00 on a $2.55 check or calculate the tip; 42% could not put the American Civil War in the right century; and 35% did not know the difference between the European Reformation and our post-Civil War Reconstruction. Of those who had heard of the Reconstruction era, half placed it after World War II.

Where is this generation headed? Sad days.

Sermon notes on Family Roles

Ephesians 5:22-33

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Wives: Submit - there is one who leads and one who follows. Wives are to submit to their husbands freely, and he cannot force her to submit. It doesn't mean she is worthless, or cannot be strong-willed, or well-educated. She has influence and talents. Her role under the husband is part of the hierarchical realm. She is to follow her husband, and her motivation is to be that by doing that she will also be serving Christ. As unto the Lord she is to submit to him, but not if he commands her to do things that are not under God. The husband is not the absolute power.

Husbands: Leader - they are to see to, love, and care for as well as prioritize their wives. They are to be like Christ to the Church. He is called to lay down the self and to completely devote himself to the welfare of his wife. With the husbands role we are reminded of Christ: his sacrifice and service and our salvation.

Children: are called to obey their parents. That is the call and if we follow it we are promised long life on the whole of the earth. The land of God brought the fullness of the flowering of God's kingdom.

Fathers: are to train, exhort, and instruct their children as unto the Lord. He is to be a shepherd to his family, leading them ever before God and His Word; reminding them of God's promises to a Godly, Biblical family. Fathers are to train up their children under God and to lead their wives gently and with tender love. If they are the husband and father they should be, then it will not be hard for his children to obey or his wife to submit. It would be easy and a joy for them to live out their Godly roles if their family head is faithful to his role.

Prayer to the Government

Dear Obama, who art in the White House; hallowed be they name alone. Your campaign win, your healthcare be passed, in America and worldwide. Be our sole provider (‘cause God ran out of bread) and forgive us when we doubt your perfection. Control us so we cannot think Biblically and deliver us from freedom. For you should have all the power, complete dominion, and our praise and glory forever. Amen.

Simple Faith

SIMPLE FAITH

Gijsbert J. Vanden Bogerd


"Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief."

1. When hearts unclean are pained by sin,
Then straight to Jesus they should fly;
For He alone makes pure within,
And willing is before they cry.


2. Yet dangers often block the path,
Directly leading to the cross;
And hide from view the love Christ hath,
Thus causing to the sinner loss.


3. Though Jesus showed the Way so clear,
That all to Him might quickly flee;
He's often grieved by sinners' fear,
Who in His love but vengeance see.


4. "Now unclean as am I," some say,
"Would be presumption so to come."
So oft' they leave the only Way,
And seek to make their conscience numb.


5. And oft' alas the more inclined,
Seek after Christ by tears and prayers;
Yet when no broken heart they find,
Are discouraged and hope despairs.


6. But simple, child-like faith we need,
Apart from self, in Christ alone;
In Him who gave Himself to bleed,
And died for sin, though not His own.


7. "Lord if Thou wilt, Thou surely can,
Yet freely how, for such as I?
And though Thou bled for sinful man,
Was it for me that Thou didst die?"


8. Ah sinner, why these doubts attend?
This great salvation now receive;
For know assured thou art condemned,
Except in Christ thou dost believe.


9. A father once, when pressed to faith,
With tears cried out, "I do believe."
And for his doubts, as Scripture saith,
He cried, "Lord help mine unbelief."


10. All sinners Christ doth still receive,
Yea freely for His own Name's sake.
These depths of love none can conceive,
But those who of His grace partake.