Sabbath

I wish they wouldn't have football games on the Sabbath. If they didn't, then I could go and watch them. Performances are also on the Sabbath. I don't understand the argument of why things should be put on the Sabbath. The Sabbath is the Lord's, not ours. It is not a day for games, entertainment, or time to be spent on our own pleasures. We need to use this day to bring glory to God.

True Love

There is a country song that really bugs me. One of the lines in it says something about an only first true love. Now, I doubt that it would have bugged me so much if the only and first had been left out. I believe that "true" love comes from God. To say that you can have more than one true love doesn't sound right. I don't think God would give that love that lightly. If you "truely love" somebody, treasure that love. Don't throw it away like you would a whim. It is God's gift to you.

The Soul

I read something really interesting in The Institutes of Christian Religion by John Calvin yesterday, and I just thought I would share it with you.

The soul consists of two parts; the intelect and the will. God gave man the intelect so that he would be able to reason and discern right from wrong. The will was so he could choose right or wrong. Eve knew that eating the forbidden fruit was wrong, but she chose to do it anyway. In the same way, Adam also knew it was wrong; yet he chose to share with Eve in her sin. Because of their sin, came the curse. They died! By this, I mean that they not only became mortal, but that they died spiritually to God. They were still able to discern right from wrong, but they did not have the ability to choose good. They were slaves to sin, and could thus only choose that which was evil. But God is able to redeem those He chooses. We cannot come to Him on our own because our souls are dead to Him.

Philosophers look for free-will where is cannot be found. They reason that man could not be a rational being without the freedom to choose between good and evil; that the distinction between virtue and vice would have been ruined if man did not live according to his own decisions. This is logical if the Fall had not occured. Because they don't realize there has been no change, it is no wonder that they are confused.

Only God can bring us out of this pit of despair into which we have fallen. Why He does it is beyond me except that He does it for His own honor and glory. He doesn't have to save any of us, or He could save all of us. The Potter can do anything He wants with His pots. He can save them or break them.

In all we do, may we bring honor and glory to His name.

The Retreat

The retreat was awesome! I was benefitted by the sessions and communion with others. The topic was discipleship and mentoring. I should pay more attention to what I do, because other people might be watching what I do. I liked all of the speakers. One of the things that was emphasised was to spend time in private devotions and prayer daily. We cannot help others if we do not spend time with the Lord.