tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188399182024-03-07T20:24:24.883-07:00New Lumps<i>Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.</i> I Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.comBlogger522125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-89049824606364852562019-07-18T18:47:00.002-06:002019-07-18T18:58:00.150-06:00Obituary<br />
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<i>Joshua Ryan Stauffer – July 13, 1992-July 14, 2019<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Our dear Joshua left us suddenly of a ruptured aortic
aneurysm on July 14, 2019. He was the beloved husband of Marie Michelle and
father of their little one who will arrive in mid August. He will be greatly missed
by his mother and father, Terry and Juanita Stauffer and sisters Petra and Anne
Stauffer, his Nana and Papa, Allen and Sheila Hern, as well as many aunts,
uncles, and cousins. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joshua was
predeceased by his sister Emily Joy on September 27, 2008. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Josh was very close to Marie Michelle’s family, Andre and Renate
Constant, Rebecca and Samuel, and Paul-Andre, as well as extended family
members. Josh was a good friend to many people. His passing is going to leave a
hole in our lives. We grieve, but we have hope. Josh had a vibrant faith in the
Lord Jesus Christ, his Saviour, and the sure hope of eternal life in him. </i><i>We
will see you soon, Josh.</i></div>
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If you are wondering about flowers, or an "in lieu of flowers," we have set up a fund for little baby Stauffer who is due in the middle of August. You can find more information at <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/donations-for-baby-stauffer">https://www.gofundme.com/donations-for-baby-stauffer</a><br />
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<br />Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-2154809111306907632019-07-17T10:09:00.001-06:002019-07-17T10:09:30.312-06:00Funeral Details<br />
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<span style="color: black;">The funeral
service for Josh will be on Saturday, July 27th at 12:30 pm at </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Église chrétienne du Plateau in Gatineau, QC. We plan to fly home on Tuesday, July 30. </span></div>
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We are very thankful for the people that helping us up in many practical ways - taking care of our house, our dog, our flights, and so much more. We are humbled by your expressions of love. </div>
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We do feel carried by the prayers of God's people. Maranatha. </div>
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-57305541614487838652019-07-16T08:22:00.000-06:002019-07-16T08:22:50.125-06:00Joshua Ryan StaufferOn Saturday morning, July 13th, we talked to our son Josh as we were driving from Edmonton to Calgary for a wedding. He was at a Farmer's Market with Marie-Michelle and was having a great birthday. That night, he went to sleep and never woke up. We don't know the details of the medical incident that took his life, but we should know more by the end of the week. It seemingly came from nowhere, and everything happened very quickly. He was 27.<br />
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We were able to book flights right after we heard the news. We had planned to return to Edmonton on Sunday morning, but, instead, we flew from Calgary on Sunday morning and arrived at Marie Michelle's parents place at about 4:00 pm. We are so thankful that we could come and be here with this wonderful family so quickly. </div>
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I used this old blog to announce the death of our precious daughter Emily about ten and a half years ago. I never expected to report the death of her older brother in this same place. It is a hard providence, but we are leaning into God's goodness. Where else can we go? We know that he is with the Lord, but we will miss him terribly as we wait to see him again. </div>
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I will post more here as we know more details about the service. I know that many of you reading this have already heard this news and are praying for us and serving us in many other ways as well. We can't respond to very many of the messages that we have received to express our love and thanks. I wanted to use this place to respond to you at all one time. Given the dormant nature of this blog, I will post links on Facebook and Twitter for future updates. </div>
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-- Terry, for Juanita, Petra, and Anne, July 16, Gatineau, Quebec</div>
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-74961003381215242952015-10-28T14:25:00.002-06:002015-10-28T14:25:42.821-06:00How to Defeat Idolatry<div class="MsoNormal">
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Excerpt from “<a href="http://www.calvarygrace.ca/resources/sermons/the-folly-of-king-solomon/" target="_blank">The Folly of King Solomon” sermon</a> on 1 Kings 11, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">October 11, 2015</span></i></div>
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In the first post on idolatry, we have considered what
idolatry looks like in the life of the Christian. In the second post, we have
reviewed some diagnostic steps that will help us to identify idolatry in our
hearts. Now, how do we defeat it? </div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Repent</b>
when you recognize these idols, call sin SIN and leave it behind as the
terrible evil that it really is. If God is convicting you, don’t turn your back
on him. Turn away from idols.</div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Pray</b>.
Ask God to reveal Himself as more glorious, more desirable than anything else.
Pursue the excellence of Christ in prayer, wrestle with God for joy and
satisfaction in Him. </div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Read the
Bible</b>. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind – study the Word of God,
meditate on it, grow in knowledge and application of the Bible. Taste and see
that the Lord is good. </div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Give Thanks</b>
to God for everything: Memorize this question from 1 Corinthians 4:7, “What do
you have that you did not receive?”
Apply this as an antidote to pride, as a guard to your heart, as a
reminder to give God thanks and glorify Him. </div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Be a
Disciple</b>. Be engaged with your church. Don’t just show up to services,
although that’s a good start. Hear the Word preached together, sing, pray,
confess and give thanks together. Be in community with other church members
during the week – community group, hospitality, prayer meetings, go for coffee,
serve one another, study the Bible together. Use your community of believers to
help you recognize hidden idols, root them out and smash them! </div>
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As you apply these things to your own life, remember to pray
for Christian leaders. Think about the
fall of some Christian celebrities in recent times. Dreadful news of spiritual
disaster can come from surprising places. </div>
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“We are never doing so well that we are beyond
the need of grace. We are never doing so badly that we are beyond the reach of
God’s grace.” Jerry Bridges</div>
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Do you want a really hopeful word in the conclusion? I said
in the introduction to my sermon on King Solomon’s idolatry, “As it goes with
the king, so it goes with the people.”</div>
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We don’t follow in the Legacy of King Solomon. Our king is Jesus. Are you feeling better
yet? </div>
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King Jesus is not only mighty to save, He really is FOR us.
He invites us to come to Him and receive full forgiveness because He died on
the cross to pay the penalty for our sin. He invites us to come to Him FOREVER
because He rose from the dead, defeating the power of sin and death. He has, as
the Only Righteous King and Saviour, fulfilled all the conditions of the law
that stood against us. We can REST in Him, forgiven, justified and counted
righteous in Him by FAITH ALONE. </div>
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Avoiding idolatry is easy in the sense that we simply keep
looking to him, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Think
about Matthew 11:25-30. Take comfort in the Saviour’s invitation to rest. We
can’t keep ourselves from idols, but Jesus will help us. Jesus can be our joy
and our delight. Desiring and enjoying God will be the only power that will
overwhelm the futility of idolatry. Christ will keep us from idols by the power
of the Holy Spirit. This is GRACE. Walk in it. </div>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-82639162424362177662015-10-22T13:23:00.000-06:002015-10-22T13:23:03.813-06:00How Do We Diagnose Idolatry?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Part II of an excerpt from “<a href="http://www.calvarygrace.ca/resources/sermons/the-folly-of-king-solomon/" target="_blank">The Folly of King Solomon</a>” sermon on 1 Kings 11, </i></span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">October 11, 2015</span></i></span></div>
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Idolatry begins in our hearts. Our hearts are tricky to
diagnose – we are often our own worst judges of what our hearts desire. But
here are some warning signs:</div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Obsessive thoughts. What do we think about and
worry about more than anything else?
When our heads hit the pillow at night, what are the thoughts that keep
us awake? Could these thoughts point to desires and ambitions that are crowding
out God in your heart? <br />
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->“If onlys...” can be key threads to pull on. Do
you keep coming back to that One Thing that you wish could change – a better
job, a nicer house, recognition by your spouse or employer, obedient children,
retirement, an ideal marriage? <br />
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Regarding our “if only?” idols. Try replacing “if only” with “I covet.” For instance, <i>I covet a better income. I covet obedient kids. I covet a loving,
supportive spouse. I covet a better house for my family. </i>That puts a
different construction on some of our desires, doesn’t it?<i> <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Don’t get me wrong – not every dream or
desire is idolatry. As a matter of fact, we are encouraged to enjoy God’s good
gifts, to work hard, to find satisfaction in the goodness of God’s good
creation – but not ultimate satisfaction. We must keep created things in their
place under our Creator God. </div>
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To love God with all our heart is to
recognize that our many other legitimate loves are all gifts from the hand of
our Good God. Of course it is good to love family, leisure time, good food, the
beauty of nature, friendship and many more things, but how do these things
measure up compared with God in our hearts? Do we thank God while we are
enjoying these things? Does our participation in these other things that we
desire and enjoy bring glory to God? </div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Pride. We can recognize this when we begin to be
irritated that other people do not recognize our contributions, or even our
potential contributions. We feel slighted. We are bothered because things we
understand to be our entitlements are not being satisfied. The most common idol
that I must fight is the idol that is ME. <br />
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Another note of caution here: Idolatry doesn’t always come to us in the
clothing of worldly desire. Some of the worst forms of idolatry are legalism in
its various forms. <br />
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You might see two professing Christians, one who seems to be happy-go-lucky and
tuned into enjoying life and the other is spiritually earnest and highly
disciplined – apparently consumed with pursuing obedience and holiness. Don’t
assume that the easy-going person is in greater danger of falling into
idolatry. <br />
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READ 1 Timothy 4:1-5 – And remember the Pharisees! <br />
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Anger and Conflict in our relationships – James
4:1-2. If there is conflict in your relationships, chances are you are fighting
an idol of unfulfilled desire. We should see conflict as red warning light
glowing on our dashboard. Check your desires, root out your unfulfilled cravings. <br />
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Bitterness – an Unforgiving Spirit. Hebrews
12:15, “See that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by
it many become defiled.” Bitterness doesn’t stay contained in our heart. It
will spill over. It will defile many,
just like all idols do. When we, as redeemed sinners, stand at the foot of the
cross, what right do we have to be angry? <br />
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Complaining. When we complain, we are accusing
God of failing to govern his universe up to our standards. Understand that we
can be legitimately sad, confused and disappointed and not be guilty of
idolatry, but we need to keep a watch on our attitude. We run the danger of
accusing God of wrongdoing when we complain. <br />
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Persistent, Remaining Sin. Don’t be content to
call it “my struggle with sanctification.” You need to call it idolatry,
recognize what it will cost you and turn away from it. If your particular sin
is the “lust of the eyes,” then stop it. Do what it takes to see how
destructive this idol is. Get help. Confess this sin and KILL IT. Pornography
and sexual idols are a terrible problem in the church. Remember, this is where
Solomon first went wrong. Don’t call him a fool if you still succumb to sexual
temptation. <br />
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Loss. We may not be aware that something is an
idol until it is taken away from us. How do we respond to God when really bad
things happen? We may face a difficult diagnosis at the Dr.’s office. We might
lose our job. What if lose a loved one? These are harsh tests for idolatry, but
they happen under God’s sovereign providence. Losses can be a gift from God in terms of diagnosing
idols of our heart. Meditate upon the question, “What can truly <i>devastate</i> us when we are hidden with God
in Christ?” Letting go of the important things and even people is a great test
of our identity IN CHRIST. The Apostle Paul knew what it was to suffer loss. In
2 Corinthians 1:9, he wrote , “...we felt that we had received the sentence of
death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the
dead.” </div>
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That’s a distressing list. Is there any of us who isn’t
challenged by these things? </div>
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What are we doing when we fall into idolatry? </div>
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Consider this word from the Lord in Jeremiah 2:11-13:</div>
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<i>Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my
people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. <sup>12</sup>
Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the
LORD, <sup>13</sup> for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken
me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
broken cisterns </i><i>that can hold no water</i>.</div>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-6197282155879977502015-10-21T09:47:00.000-06:002015-10-21T09:47:00.545-06:00What is Idolatry? <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>An Excerpt from <a href="http://www.calvarygrace.ca/resources/sermons/the-folly-of-king-solomon/" target="_blank">“The Folly of King Solomon” </a>Sermon on 1 Kings 11, October 11, 2015</i></span></div>
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Idolatry is a really big deal in the Bible. It comes up over
and over again as the most basic of sins, both for Old Testament Israel and New
Testament Christians. Both the presence and damage of idolatry is obvious in
much of the Old Testament, but its presence in the New Testament is not as
obvious. However, idolatry is no less a foundational sin in the New Testament. </div>
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We might be tempted to think that idolatry is for ancients,
or pagans – not something that we have to be concerned about. But remember how
the Apostle John concluded his first letter: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”
(1 John 5:21). John hadn’t mentioned idols in the rest of the book, but these
are the words he chose to conclude the book. Why did John warn Christians about
idols? </div>
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Earlier in 1 John, the Apostle warned against idolatry using
different words: </div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Do
not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the
love of the Father is not in him. <sup>16</sup> For all that is in the
world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is
not from the Father but is from the world. <sup>17</sup> And the world is
passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides
forever. </span>1 John 2:15-16<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Idolatry is often behind the words “love,” desire” and
“passion” in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul called greed, or covetousness,
idolatry (Ephesians 5:5, Colossians
3:5). Paul also warned us against various forms of idolatry in 1 Corinthians
10, pointing to the experiences of the Children of Israel in the Wilderness as
a warning.</div>
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Simply put, an idol is anything that exists in creation –
physical or imagined – that we put in the place of God or above God. It might
be money, another person, our work, our perfectly imagined future or any number
of things. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Idolatry is always a reflection of unbelief. If we believed
God, if we knew God, we wouldn’t turn from him to pathetic substitutes. If we
walked by faith, we wouldn’t turn to alternative gods that will always fail
us. Consider the warning in Hebrews
3:12: “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving
heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. “</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Practicing idolatry is letting our hearts be more attached
to any created thing rather than the Creator. The failure to glorify God and
give him thanks (Romans 1:21) is the fruit of this fundamental sin. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Idolatry begins with our hearts. It is not so much about the
object of our affection, but that this object of our affection is a competitor
or a replacement for God in our lives. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Evil things can be idols – like the altar to Chemosh or
Molech, or pornography or drug addiction. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, a subtle danger of idolatry is that it may also be
something that is good in and of itself. How can a good thing become an idol?
If it becomes an “instead of” God – a substitute saviour. When we get things
out of proportion to God, then that
created thing will become an idol. </div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good, religious people can be just as guilty of idolatry as
Solomon was. It might be invisible to others – at least for a time – but
idolatry is a destructive, foolish sin. </div>
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-83121918922054578212015-07-10T14:02:00.000-06:002015-07-10T14:02:08.466-06:00Come, Lord Jesus<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaCe8tfV2AvOzZVZFQ0vQx2lbJ0MkvY3gtLePKZaa6SdA4XmvNaGTqQ_kge9aiWv8tDu_icFoBy9kyY_7BfX4r98l7bE4dHQ9U_LH33m8oidDb93Mi9Kw6RQbXmMXC9BCmUnE/s1600/Coz+Sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaCe8tfV2AvOzZVZFQ0vQx2lbJ0MkvY3gtLePKZaa6SdA4XmvNaGTqQ_kge9aiWv8tDu_icFoBy9kyY_7BfX4r98l7bE4dHQ9U_LH33m8oidDb93Mi9Kw6RQbXmMXC9BCmUnE/s400/Coz+Sunset.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Right at the end of the Bible, in Revelation 22:20, we read,
“<i>He who testifies to these things</i> (the
Lord Jesus Christ Himself) <i>says, ‘Surely
I am coming soon.’</i> (To which John adds) <i>Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus!</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many professing Christians, let alone the general
population, consider the bodily, glorious return of the Risen Christ to be
impossible. If this truth is not rejected outright, its neglect in so many
churches points to an uneasiness concerning this doctrine. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perhaps this is because many North American believers
engaged in crazy speculation about the future, particularly at the end of the
20<sup>th</sup> Century. When people looked away from the hype
(understandably), they also turned away from the clear teaching of the Bible regarding
the return of Christ. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a deeper reason for the neglect of eschatology (the
study of last things) in the church. Unbelief. Specifically unbelief concerning the "weird stuff" in the Bible. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For instance, I was reading Joshua 10 the other day about “The
Long Day of Joshua.” The sun and moon stood still so that Joshua’s army could
keep on fighting for an extra day. Accounts like this, or Noah’s Ark or Jonah’s
Great Fish or other Bible stories are just that – stories. Or are they? How can
we moderns believe such things? How can we believe that the bodily resurrected
Christ went up into Heaven (wherever that is) 2000 years ago and will return from
there? </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Critical
theologians have redefined the resurrection over the past 200 years. They teach that resurrection was a <i>spiritual</i> concept, invented by the
disciples to keep Jesus’ <i>ideas</i> alive
at the dawning of Christianity. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That just won’t do. If we lose the bodily resurrection, we
lose everything (1 Corinthians 15). I would also argue that if we lose the long
day of Joshua or Jonah’s fish, we lose everything. If the Bible is God’s Word,
it either is entirely or not at all (2 Timothy 3:16). If I lose Noah’s ark, I
lose the gospel. The same is true regarding the future return of Christ.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I have thoughts of, “That’s weird!” when I read the Bible,
I fight unbelief with the truth of creation. If God made everything out of
nothing by the power of his Word, what is too difficult for him? Consider
Hebrews 11:3 <i>By faith we understand that
the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made
out of things that are visible.” </i>Right at the beginning of the Faith
Chapter, we have this foundation of creation. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the errors that modern skeptics make is to engage in
what C.S. Lewis called chronological snobbery. “We <i>modern</i> people can’t believe in such things.” The fact is, the
ancients didn’t believe these things either, unless God changed their hearts. Conversely,
many people do believe today because God has changed our hearts. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you are a professing Christian, don’t shy away from talking
about the return of Christ. This is our great hope. People will think that we
are crazy, but what’s new about that? Jesus promised that as they hated him,
they will hate us. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you are reading this and you are not a Christian, let me
thank you for persevering this far through this post! I’m glad you are reading
this. What I’m writing might be crazy talk to you, but consider your
foundations. If you are a naturalist (no belief in the supernatural), how do
you account for anything? Take a good, long look at your presuppositions and
your assumptions about the world. Ask God to help you understand what is true,
good and beautiful and eternal.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for us Christians, if we contemplate what the Bible teaches
about Christ’s return, we will be motivated to live godly lives (read 1
Thessalonians 4 and 1 John 2:29-3:3). The world will hate us for this, too, by
the way.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are called to be ambassadors of God. We bring the Good
News that God’s judgment of sin has broken into space/time history at the
cross. All who trust in the forgiveness and righteousness of Christ secured for
us by his obedient life, atoning death and bodily resurrection are safe from
the terror of Christ’s return. We may welcome it and long for it. The question
is, how much do we believe in this future reality? Does God’s love compel us to
warn those who do not yet know this truth? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t judge” is the word of our day, but have you
considered how genuinely loving it is to warn people of God’s coming judgment? Sure,
we are not to be “judgmental,” but we are to be witnesses to the truth of God’s
coming reckoning with those who disregard him and his Word. No matter when
Christ returns, it will be “soon” in the calendar of Heaven. Consider also that
the sure, righteous judgment of God will become immediate and personal at the
time of our death, and who knows when that may be? </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>And just as it is
appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having
been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to
deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him</i>. Hebrews 9:27-28</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As you “... grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord
Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18), don’t neglect what the Bible says about Christ’s
return. It is a great, sure hope and a powerful motivator for faithful witness in
a world that desperately needs the gospel. </div>
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<br /></div>
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-57716246233506743562015-07-07T21:30:00.000-06:002015-07-09T09:51:39.642-06:00A New OpportunityIt is Tuesday evening on my first full week on the job at Calvary Grace Church - full-time. I am very thankful for this opportunity. It is a new thing, even though I was a full time pastor from 1990 to 2011 (with two years out for school). I have been an elder at Calvary Grace since January, 2012, so I haven't stopped being a pastor. However, I have a new respect for long-term bi-vocational pastors.<br />
<br />
I am one of five elders at Calvary Grace. Pastor Clint Humfrey is the lead pastor and he does most of the preaching, though we all take our turns. That means that I am full-time and not preaching most weeks. That is different. I am the pastoral care pastor, though we are all simply pastors -- we all do each others' job. We each have our area of specialization, either according to gifting or simply the need of the hour.<br />
<br />
Our church isn't perfect, what church is? However, I consider this season to be a golden time, a very special blessing. It is a great privilege to work with the other elders here and serve with the other members. We are growing together and the church is maturing and deepening and learning to reach out more and more.<br />
<br />
I am looking forward to being more available to the people in our church . I also will have more time for reading and writing -- maybe even on this blog.<br />
<br />
I am thankful for my three and a half years at TransCanada Turbines. I won't miss the work, but I will miss the people I worked with. I will keep in touch with some of them. I hope that full-time job gig for that season has made me a better pastor. God knows. I know that I am very thankful for the opportunity to go full-time and, to be honest, to sleep-in just a bit later every weekday.Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-645901990686817252014-11-17T12:19:00.000-07:002014-11-17T12:35:06.748-07:00Funeral Meditation for Charles Ray Stauffer – November 10, 2014, Lethbridge, Alberta<div class="MsoHeader" style="text-align: center;">
<i>For family and friends that were unable to be at the funeral, here is a summary of my message. </i><i>If you were at the funeral, you may notice some differences and omissions. I speak from an outline, so much of what is written here is rewritten from memory. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I learned on
Saturday that my brother Charles had a favorite verse. It is</span> 2
Corinthians 12:29, which includes the promise from the Lord Jesus Christ, “My
grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are you feeling weak today? Weak with grief? Weak with
thoughts of your own mortality and the shortness of life? Weak in comfort as
you don’t know what to do about the hurting people around you? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perhaps you are here today weak with unbelief – thinking
that maybe nothing has an ultimate purpose and that God, if there is one,
really doesn't care. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Standing before God, before death, before eternity, even the
strongest of us are very weak. Being weak is not a problem. Refusing to admit
weakness is a problem. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is
the Kingdom of Heaven.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mighty King David was struck low with guilt when he faced
his sin and confessed it before God. He knew at that moment that the only
acceptable sacrifice before God is, “a broken spirit; a broken and contrite
heart.”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If we are feeling week and helpless today and don’t know
what to do, we are in a good place before God. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In fact, if we don’t feel small and weak and powerless, we
haven’t been paying attention. There is so much evil and hurt in the world –
violence, injustice, pain and grief. We should also take a good long look at
the remaining sin in our own hearts as we stand before our Holy God and admit
our need for His help. It is freely offered. Consider Jesus' invitation in the Gospel of Matthew:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>25 At that time Jesus
said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have
hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little
children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is
what you were pleased to do. 27 "All
things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the
Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son
chooses to reveal him. </i><i>28 "Come to me,
all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for
I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light"
(Matthew 11:25-30).</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The way to God is through Jesus Christ alone. That way is
barred to the self-righteous, those who are strong and wise in their own eyes.
The Kingdom of Heaven is open by invitation only – invitation from God the
Father. The Narrow way of entrance is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,
but this way is for those who come as little children. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why should we want in? Because Jesus promises rest. Sweet,
holy, everlasting peace, security, joy and significance are all wrapped up in
this Promised Rest. Our souls are restless until they find their rest in God.
Jesus and Jesus alone holds the keys to that rest. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This invitation to rest is given to “ALL who labour and are
heavy laden.” If they will come on God's terms, anyone an everyone may come. This invitation is not given to those who have it all together,
the carefree and light-hearted. It is offered to those who know they need rest for their souls. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This theme of finding God’s rest is found in many places in
the Bible. The restlessness that we all experience from time to time is only
satisfied by finding peace with God. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the anchor points in the history of God’s
people is the Exodus – God’s deliverance of the Children of Israel
from slavery in Egypt through Moses. Their destination was the Promised Land. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This deliverance from Egypt to the Promised Land has become
a picture of salvation. Our Egypt is sin and evil. Our Promised Land is the New
Heavens and New Earth of Eternal Joy with Christ. <span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the book of Hebrews, the big theme is, “Jesus is better –
so don’t fall away.” Don’t turn back to empty man-made traditions and “mere”
religion. There is no life in these paths. Life is found in the Risen Saviour, Jesus
Christ. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The author of the book of Hebrews takes two chapters near
the beginning of the book (Hebrews 3-4) to describe the rest of God and the
danger of losing it. With all of God’s signs and wonders during the Exodus and
all of His supernatural help, most of the Children of Israel failed to enter
God’s rest. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The author of Hebrews warns Christians that were tempted to
turn away from Jesus to empty religion that entering God’s rest was their
urgent need. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He says <span lang="EN-US">in
chapter 4:11, </span>“Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no
one may fall by the same sort of disobedience” (English Standard Version). The
King James Version says, “let us labour, therefore to enter that rest.” The New
International Versions says, “make every effort to enter that rest.” </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we think of rest, we might find it strange to hear
these action words “Strive,” “Labour,” “Make every effort.” Isn't rest just the
opposite? </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it comes to trusting God with the most important
things, simply believing God’s Word and receiving His grace is really hard
work. We want to be strong. We want to earn our acceptance before God and prove
ourselves to others by our performance. Trusting the free gift of Christ’s
offer of rest in God’s grace is very difficult.Grace is free, but it kills our pride to receive it. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What’s involved in finding this rest? </div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">Repentance. Repentance is
a total change of mind that results in a 180 degree change in direction.
It is to admit that I am under God’s judgement as a sinner and that I need
to turn from my sin and turn to God in faith, anticipating his
promised mercy. Repentance is not a work that we get credit for before
God, but an honest admission of our sin before our Holy God. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Faith. Believe God’s Word.
Take it all. Don’t pick and choose to fit in with our culture. This faith
is simply believing like a little child. It is a rest in the wisdom and
goodness of God, but it puts us at opposition to the world around us: </li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal">Be willing to believe in
the face of ridicule and even persecution. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Adopt God’s perspective
on morality and truth. Take God at His Word. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">This is a fight – the
fight of FAITH. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Compare Romans 1:5 and
Romans 16:26: The gospel is for the “obedience of faith” among the
nations. Taking God at his Word and following Christ as Lord is at the
heart of this fight of faith. </li>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal">Confession. “… if you
confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that
God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with the heart
one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is
saved.” Romans 10:9-10</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">“Grow in the grace and
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” – 2 Peter 3:18</li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal">Who is this Jesus?
Matthew 11 – He holds the keys of access to God the Father. He is greater
than the greatest of men. John the Baptist was commended as the greatest
man because he pointed to Jesus and said, “Behold the Lamb of God who
takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). In Matthew 11 we also read
Jesus’ warning that to reject the Son of God is to store up greater
judgment for yourself than the notorious cities that were destroyed long
ago. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Our need for rest from
God in Jesus Christ does not end when we first confess faith in him. We must
keep coming back to Jesus’ offer for help time and time again. The gospel
is for Christians, too! It is through him that we come to God for the
help that we need. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Listen to this glorious invitation from the same chapter of Hebrews, soon after we are told to "strive to enter that rest." This is what it looks like: </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed
through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our
weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet
without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace,
that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need</i> (Hebrews 4:14-16).</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
These are the things that we need to fight for. It is hard
work to confess that someone else is your Lord. It is even harder to admit that
you need a Saviour. In fact, this is impossible without the work of God in you.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are you weak? Are you burdened? Are you restless? Jesus
invites you to come to Him and, though Him, right into the presence of God to
find mercy and grace in your time of need. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The eternal Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, left His
Father’s side and took on flesh to live among us. This is how we know that God
is good, even though the world is full of pain and evil. God did not ignore our
need. God came down. </div>
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<br />
Jesus lived a life of perfect righteousness, keeping the law perfectly when we
failed. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus died on the cross for our sins. That means that He
died in our place for us. He is our substitute – “the Lamb of God who takes
away the sin of the world.” There is now no CONDEMNATION for those who are in
Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus rose again from the dead in his body – not just
spiritually. He is the first-fruits for all who believe. The way He rose, we
will rise if we believe this good news. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christ now prays for His people in Heaven. He sent the Holy
Spirit to us so that we will believe and keep on believing and growing in
holiness for God’s glory. “… he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw
near to God though him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews
7:25).</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you are here today and you are in need of rest for you
soul, you are invited. Turn to Jesus. Ask Him to receive you and give you
forgiveness and life everlasting. He is the Good Shepherd. He will take care of
you! </div>
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<br />
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<br /></div>
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-57491201577230426062014-04-18T15:51:00.002-06:002014-04-18T15:51:09.260-06:00The Sure Hope of Good Friday<div class="MsoNormal">
The people of Calgary and surrounding area have been shocked
at the stabbings near the University of Calgary. We ought to pray for the
families and friends of the victims. But what should we pray? How should we think
about this tragedy? How should we talk about this horror with our friends and
family? The stark reality of evil is staring us in the face once again this
week. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We should not speculate about
the details. The Bible (and life interpreted through good, gospel theology)
teaches us that sin and evil are capable of profound harm. This same theology
teaches us that every human being is made in the image of God and is incredibly
valuable. God’s creation still bears the marks of His goodness, but it is a fractured,
twisted image. We must keep this tension in mind. God is sovereign. He is good.
The time for ultimate judgment is not yet. Don’t try to sort out the motives of
the perpetrator or any of the other details of that terrible night. Grieve for
those whose lives are permanently changed. Pray that those left behind will run
to God and “Ask, seek and knock” until He answers them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We should talk about this
tragedy, however. Christians, of all people, should be able to face evil
and talk clearly about it. Every religion and every human being faces the
problem of evil. God’s Word, particularly as it reaches its summit in the
Gospel of Jesus Christ, teaches us about evil and about God’s ultimate response
of Good. Tomorrow is Good Friday. What does Good Friday have to do with the
untimely death of five young people? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Often the first reaction when
something awful happens to people who believe in God is a loss of faith in the
goodness of God. They believe that God exists, but they feel that they can’t
trust him. They don’t believe that He is good. There are many people who are
very conscious of the reality of God but because of some bad thing that
happened, they shake their fist at him and will not worship or follow Him. This
is why a generic belief in God is not enough. It will not withstand the storms
of life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The rock under the feet of
Christians is the Gospel. When we doubt God’s love, when we question His
goodness, we must look to the cross. When the evidence in our own experience
suggests that evil is winning or has won, remember that God came down. The
Eternal Son did not have to leave the glories of Heaven and perfect, immediate
fellowship with the Father and the Spirit, but He did. He took on human flesh
out of love. <o:p></o:p></div>
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What did it cost our Lord to
come and not only face evil, but to take up the curse that rests on creation
and bear God’s holy wrath in our place? What did it cost the Father to send His
only Son as Saviour of the world? What Christ suffered on the cross is not only
an answer to the problem of evil, it is the solution to the problem of evil. It
is in Christ’s atoning death as the substitute for sinners and through His
bodily resurrection on the third day that suffering, death and evil are finally
vanquished. It is only through the finished work of Jesus Christ that we can
confidently say, “God is Love. God is Good.” If we understand this, nothing can
shake this sure hope that we have for all eternity. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As we talk to people about the
terrible events in Calgary this week, pray that God will give us opportunity
and courage to declare this truth. There is no hope without it. </div>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-25195918267144284382013-09-27T23:33:00.000-06:002013-09-27T23:33:23.379-06:00Five YearsWe didn't do anything special today -- not in relation to<a href="http://newlumps.blogspot.ca/2008/09/emily-joy-stauffer.html"> the anniversary </a>that September 27th marks, anyway. Juanita went to a piano teachers' conference in Red Deer. I took the day off work to use up my last holiday day before the end of September (a new holiday schedule begins in October). Petra and Anne did their school work and routine Friday activities. Josh is in Toronto at school for his fourth year at Toronto Baptist Seminary, though he took the train to Gatineau for a visit this weekend.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-4XDdcS_Il7WP_N6C3SOK7B3vjceyppPs86gLwg-6X5lcEGWlclaQ-EV74p9jK_63y9DizU_qfQW9pQDtCL_Nnm7SyIJ8cXL6MhVyWyQNWCd_eV-81KuPIcgL1LVWR571e5K/s1600/Emily+at+JB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-4XDdcS_Il7WP_N6C3SOK7B3vjceyppPs86gLwg-6X5lcEGWlclaQ-EV74p9jK_63y9DizU_qfQW9pQDtCL_Nnm7SyIJ8cXL6MhVyWyQNWCd_eV-81KuPIcgL1LVWR571e5K/s320/Emily+at+JB.jpg" width="240" /></a>For all of us, though, this sober anniversary is very present. We miss Emily. We are all doing well, by God's grace. We are thankful for the many good things in our lives and we are content. We don't walk around in a fog of grief -- not at all. However, there are reminders - like anniversaries - that get us all thinking. There is a sorrow that returns. Emily should be here, though we trust God that He is working out the best for all of us.<br />
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I am reminded today that this world is not our home. There is sin and evil in the world, yet there are glimpses of future glory here and now. God is good. He has proven that to us more than anyone could anticipate or demand. How? By intervening in this sin-soaked world by coming to redeem us. More than that, Christ came to defeat death and Satan. He has already done that by His life, death and resurrection. We have a Sure Hope that Christ will return to make all things new. All will be well.<br />
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One of the lessons that I have learned in the last five years is that there are a lot of suffering people out there. There are many reasons: relationship difficulties; loneliness, disease; depression and other mental illnesses; addictions; abuse and the list goes on and on. Even people with the best lives get old, sick and die. We can't hold on too tightly here.<br />
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We can't ignore evil and trouble in the world, yet we must not despair. We must look up. We must look to Christ's sinless, righteous life, His atoning death and bodily resurrection. If you don't know what this all means, please ask! Ask God to teach you, ask a Christian that you know to explain this to you. This is where true, everlasting life is found. You can't do an end-run around suffering and evil, but you can be reconciled to God and find forgiveness and eternal life in Christ.<br />
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It is such a gift to be given eyes to see - to be granted the "upward call" in Christ Jesus (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=phil%203:14&version=ESV">Philippians 3:14</a>). This is our comfort. Jesus is our life, our hope, our all.Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-29027080379792835242013-04-09T22:00:00.000-06:002013-04-09T22:00:26.926-06:00Are the Dead Raised? 1 Corinthians 15 is the Resurrection Chapter. Nowhere in Scripture do we find such an extensive treatment of the importance and extent of the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of believers. However, this second aspect, the resurrection of believers, is often given less emphasis than it deserves.<br />
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How could I criticize anyone for holding high the resurrection of Christ - which is indeed writ large in this chapter? I would not do that. Our accent should be upon our Lord's historic, bodily resurrection. For example, <a href="http://www.challies.com/articles/if-dead-men-dont-rise#more">Tim Challies just posted</a> on this passage today (his excellent piece prompted me to write this post). I commend his article to you and have no complaint against it.<br />
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However, I think that there is some background to Paul's address to the Corinthians regarding the resurrection of the believer that is often overlooked, and it points to a bigger problem in many churches than many pastors know.<br />
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I really don't think many people in the Corinthian church were overtly denying the resurrection of Christ, nor were they denying the immortality of the soul. Some flying the banner of "Christian" will always deny Christ's resurrection -- these are impostors that the Apostles warn about elsewhere. However, what prompted Paul to write primarily was faulty doctrine concerning the future bodily resurrection held by some in the church. Of course, Paul addresses other crucial doctrines in this chapter - chief among them being the absolute necessity of Christ's resurrection. However, I can imagine people in the church saying, "You don't really think that <i>these </i>bodies of ours will be raised?"<br />
<br />
Consider how Paul writes:<br />
<i>Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised</i> (15:12, 13). And in case we missed it,<br />
<br />
<i>For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised </i>(15:16).<br />
<br />
It appears that Paul is arguing back to the resurrection of Christ from the necessity of the resurrection of everyone else. In other words, if the resurrection is not true, then it can't be true that Christ has bodily risen from the tomb. The proclamation of Christ risen from the dead was and is essential Gospel doctrine (15:1-4), but if Christians fudge on the doctrine of the resurrection going forward, they are effectively - even if unwittingly -- jeopardizing the truth of Christ's "first fruits" resurrection in the past. <br />
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Is a denial of the resurrection a real problem in the contemporary evangelical church, or am I just doing theological nit-picking? I do believe that there is confusion in evangelical churches among regular attenders regarding the future bodily resurrection of believers. Pastors need to be explicit in their teaching regarding the resurrection of believers because it is dangerous to assume that people understand and hold on to this doctrine. I have heard upstanding church members mock the idea that we will be raised <i>literally</i>. I've heard more than one professing Christian say, "This body? I don't want this one back!" I've heard others say that they hadn't really thought about the future resurrection, even though they'd attended church for decades.<br />
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I don't think there is an area that Christians are more tempted to drift into Gnostic (matter bad / spirit good) heresies than in this matter of the future bodily resurrection and the coming New Creation.<br />
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Yes, by all means, we must proclaim the reality of Christ's historic resurrection! Soberly consider the consequences of denying this doctrine and shudder. Celebrate the glory of this life-giving, justifying miracle of our Risen Lord. However, don't neglect to trace out the cosmic and personal consequences of our future, bodily resurrection as well.<br />
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There is so much more urgent teaching regarding the reality of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15 than I have mentioned here. Go and read it carefully. Listen to some good sermons on it. Read the Challies article. All I wanted to do in this post was prompt you to think about the resurrection in a personal, urgent way and think about the consequences of failing to do so.<br />
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As Paul argues, if we get the resurrection of believers wrong, we will also distort the reality of Christ's resurrection. Then we will indeed be the ones most to be pitied.<br />
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<br />Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-21067358294213123112013-03-30T20:27:00.002-06:002013-03-30T20:27:32.829-06:00Gospel ResourcesWhen I first started this blog, I was amazed at the rich Gospel resources available online. Since then, it has become impossible to keep up. I would like to highlight a couple of messages that are about six years old -- ages ago in the internet economy. They are the opening two plenary sessions from the inaugural Gospel Coalition Conference. I thought they would be appropriate to post on this Resurrection Sunday eve as they are clear, essential presentations of what the Gospel is all about: I have recommended these two messages many times over the years. Even if you have seen them, they are worth reviewing.<br />
- Dr. D. A. Carson, <i><a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/resources/a/What-Is-the-Gospel-1-Cor-15">What is the Gospel?</a></i><br />
- Dr. Tim Keller, <i><a href="http://vimeo.com/20424671">What is Gospel-Centered Ministry? </a></i>(video only, the link for the audio didn't work at the Gospel Coalition site). <br />
<br />Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-89230936486556205602013-03-30T20:15:00.002-06:002013-03-30T20:15:54.103-06:00Resurrection Sunday UpdateWow. It's been almost a year since I've posted anything here. All is well, but the blog has not been a priority, obviously. I have been wondering what to do about this blog. I thought that before I jumped back in I would create a new blog with a new name, maybe a custom URL. That was ambitious enough that it only contributed to my neglect of this old place. I also thought that I might do more on Twitter and Facebook, but if I'm going to write anywhere, it'll be here at good old New Lumps.<br />
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So, for good or ill, I'm back.Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-57676960022175011372012-04-08T08:32:00.002-06:002012-04-08T08:42:30.767-06:00A Forever BodyOther people have risen from the dead. Even Lazarus was in the tomb for longer than Jesus. What makes Jesus' resurrection unique? <div><br /></div><div>Christ rose from the dead in the body that He died with, but, when He arose, it was with a glorified body - a body that would never die again. Jesus did not leave this body when He left the earth. He will return to earth in that same body. </div><div><br /></div><div>At His return, all who are waiting for Him in faith will share with Him a glorified, forever body. We won't become someone different or an angel. This body will be us, our body, but new, restored, perfected, glorified and fit for eternity in God's presence. </div>Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-89605105003359385142012-04-08T08:07:00.002-06:002012-04-08T08:11:04.502-06:00He is Risen!<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 100%; ">But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; font-style: normal; ">1 Corinthians 15:20</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><br /></span></div><span ><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Because He has risen, we will rise. </span></div></span>Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-82520233389552423952012-01-22T15:31:00.002-07:002012-01-22T15:39:00.448-07:00Calvary Grace Conference 2012We've had a great weekend with Dr. Carl Trueman of Westminster Seminary, Philadelphia. The audio for Friday and Saturday is up already. There is a Sunday School hour interview and a sermon by Dr. Trueman to follow, but the Reformation part of the conference is up. Here is the <a href="http://calvarygrace.ca/Section/Online-Audio.aspx">audio page for Calvary Grace</a>.Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-82457522917036568732011-12-18T20:21:00.004-07:002012-01-05T20:39:50.757-07:00What are We Doing Here?It is January the fifth. I've been at work for three months, I will be installed as an elder at Calvary Grace on Sunday (Lord willing) and it is the beginning of a new year. It is a good time for reflection - and an update for my friends and family who follow this oft dormant blog. <br /><br />God has been very good to us. When I couldn't find and job and the house wasn't selling after several weeks, I was getting worried. I was convinced that this move was the Lord's leading, so my prayer back in September was, "Lord, I am looking forward to looking back at your provision for these things...." God has graciously exceeded that expectation. He has provided - more than we expected! <br /><br />First, I knew Pastor Clint, and working with him was a key reason for wanting to come here, but I didn't know the other elders at Calvary Grace, Paul and Jeff. I have been very pleased with their wisdom, ability as preachers and teachers and their heart for God and His people. It will take a while to get to know people here, but it is coming along very well. We are thankful for our new church. <br /><br />My job is a good fit. The company is great - really people friendly and the work is interesting. The schedule couldn't be better and the pay is better than I was hoping for when I was submitting all those resumes in the summer. <br /><br />We love our house. It is great for entertaining, accommodating for our daily needs, and has some very nice details. It is an easy drive to the places we need to go and it is in a quiet neighbourhood. <br /><br />A few big things and a whole bunch of little things add up to more proof of the kindness of God to us. We are thankful. I had big expectations for this adventure, even though I thought it was crazy at times, but God in His kindness has worked things out better than I could have planned them. <br /><br />We continue to be thankful for our time in Edson, but what we are doing here is what God has led us to do. It will be very interesting to see how things develop in the months and years to come.Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-69377794474468896922011-12-10T07:08:00.003-07:002011-12-18T21:38:25.414-07:00Calvary Grace Conference 2012<img src="https://calvarygrace.ca/image.axd?picture=2011%2f12%2fconference2012poster-600.jpg" alt="Register now!"><div><br /></div><div>Direct Link <a href="https://calvarygrace.ca/page/Conference-2012.aspx">here</a> for more information and an invitation from Pastor Clint. </div>Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-89777054434799888042011-11-17T21:23:00.002-07:002011-11-17T21:32:57.957-07:00Touching BaseWow, it's been a long time since I've put anything here! This won't be much, but we are much more settled now and I have been thinking about posting. I'm afraid the blog is near the bottom of the list (though playing Angry Birds or X-Box is lower). <div><br /></div><div>The job is going well. I'm getting to know the system and I have had some very good conversations with my coworkers. I'm trying to <i>not</i> get too used to handling <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Electric_LM6000">mega expensive jet</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls-Royce_RB211">turbine parts</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>We're very pleased with Calvary Grace (www.calvarygrace.ca). We're getting to know people and our family is a good fit. </div><div><br /></div><div>More later. We're heading to Edmonton for a Bible Quizzing meet tomorrow. We're looking forward to that, but the weather? Not so much. </div>Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-51616753633161793022011-09-27T21:54:00.002-06:002011-09-27T22:02:17.295-06:00September 27Today is the third anniversary of Emily's death. We are still so thankful to God for His grace to us in many, many ways. We miss Emily, but we know that we will see her again. <div><br /></div><div>I never cease to be amazed at the people who tell us that they've been praying for us and have been thinking about Emily. As I've said many times, all of this is humbling.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, dear readers, thank you for your prayers. We are doing well, by God's grace. We will keep on talking about Emily's legacy in our lives until we do see her again. </div><div><div><br /></div></div>Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-85358616154164952742011-09-23T18:44:00.002-06:002011-09-23T18:51:50.197-06:00Rejoicing in God's ProvisionThis was a productive Friday. The house is officially sold and I signed a job offer. We have found a house we really like in Calgary, and a couple others that we could be happy with, so we are very thankful. <div><br /></div><div>I won't say more about the job just yet (unless you ask me in person) because I do still have to do a medical exam before it is official. It looks very good, though. </div><div><br /></div><div>In this relatively short time, I have had a taste of what being unemployed feels like. There are many people that have been looking and waiting for a decent job for a very long time. Economic conditions are quite good in this part of the world, but in many other places there are high unemployment rates and the "working poor" not quite making things work on too little income. </div><div><br /></div><div>We do feel humbled and very blessed at God's good provision. </div>Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-54149995339981907052011-09-19T16:04:00.003-06:002011-09-19T16:05:47.205-06:00Mostly...I've been waiting to post the big news about our house and the new job, but all I can say is that the house is <i>mostly </i>sold and I <i>mostly </i>have a great job in Calgary (Airdrie, to be specific). <div><br /></div><div>More details very soon, I hope. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for our transition. </div>Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-18450035663605202672011-08-31T11:21:00.002-06:002011-08-31T11:31:23.660-06:00Last DayToday is my last day as pastor of Edson Baptist Church. Tomorrow will mark 14 years. I started on September 1, 1997. Josh was 5 and Emily was 3. There has been a lot of water under the bridge here in Edson. <div>
<br /></div><div>The church had a farewell for us on the 21st and my last Sunday was the 28th. Finishing up here feels strange, but God is good and we're looking forward to making the transition to Calgary. <div>
<br /></div><div>I am still looking for work and we haven't sold the house. We're trusting that these things will happen in God's good time. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions regarding work contacts in Calgary, I'd be happy to accept any advice!</div></div>Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18839918.post-77151547192931196242011-08-13T11:05:00.001-06:002011-08-13T11:07:44.339-06:00Quick UpdateNo buyer for our house, no job yet. We're trusting God and waiting on His timing. Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042532951722883487noreply@blogger.com3