Tomorrow Finally Comes

All my tomorrows ended ten years ago. 

If there was a single redefining moment in my life, it was when I was hit by a truck.  I was a long distance bicycler with visions of becoming a semi-pro racer – in the old man classification!  But, in one brief inattentive second by a driver on a cell phone, I was launched 65 feet through the air, my bicycle and left arm shattered.  It was actually the second truck that smashed up the spine.

As the doctors worked to put my spine back together, they discovered I had cancer.  Probably had it most of my life and never would have probably known about it – my body would have just started to fail early.  So, on the one hand, if I live to have an old age – it was because the tumors had been found by accident.  On the other hand, I have had to find other diversions in my life!

So, I no longer could count on any tomorrows.  The cloud of cancer returning hanging over me like a mace ready to strike at anytime.  Would I wake up one day and find my legs no longer worked?  Or perhaps my digestive track would stop and I would slowly starve to death?  You can not make plans when you never really know…..

As you might remember, I messed up my left shoulder rather badly a few weeks ago (being the ultimate klutz I am!) and had to go in for an MRI (shudder!).  Well, if I am being feed into a tube once, I may as well has have them do the spine as well – something I was putting off until December so I could take the holiday to recover from the nerve tests (very  painful!!!).  So, I did it all on Friday.

And Kris is cancer free!  Yippee!  Ten years with no reoccurrence!  Looks like there will be tomorrows after all!

Now, what do I want to do with the rest of my summer? 

The rest of my new life? 

Hmmmmm………..

A Heck Of A Week…

Well, it certainly has been a heck of a week!  From finding out I am going to be a somewhat premature grandfather, to meeting the young man in question, to meeting with his families, to being roped into somehow doing a religious wedding…  

I would far rather older daughter not marry but she never will listen until it is way too late.  Sigh.

And the Lord works very mysteriously.  I received a two page email from a lady telling me of how she managed to do exactly what my daughter has done – right down to not listening to Papa – all the way through the divorce 5 years later and then onto today.

What you must understand is that she has known me for probably 15 years and I doubt said more than “eh” once to me!  But, at the rate of speed gossip spreads in a small town she had her email to me in under 12 hours from my hearing of the situation!

I never would have guessed her life’s story, I doubt more than maybe a few do know (otherwise everyone in this town would know!), but she felt strongly enough about the subject to write to me.

Why?

Because even though she knows that what OD is doing will head her straight to disaster – she has also been there herself and her summary points were this:

• Tell her what is right and what is wrong. 
• Respect her choice. 
• Give her full support and love right up to and through the inevitable in a few years.

And I was humbled by how correct she is.  How mysterious the ways of the Lord.

God In The House

Much to my displeasure I find something I have suspected since April is actually true – my oldest daughter (OD) is about to make me a grandfather.  Of course, she has chosen to keep the child and marry the father – whom believes there is now a target painted on his back…

So what better way is there to talk about the differences between cultural Christianity and real Christianity than with my own family.  Sigh.

Cultural Christianity tells us that we are going to fail and sin but we still have the ability to do the “right” thing, at least by man’s rules.  So, even though OD chose poorly, she is at least doing the “right” thing by marrying the man – thus it is all “okay”.

Real Christianity though lays out a somewhat different path.  We have to address the problem, before we can go forward.  Here the problem is rebellion.  If you have been around long enough (Blog 1) you know that OD decided when she turned 18 she no longer needed parental advice and moved out.  For the next year our relationship was at best poor.  However, with the Godly advice of Kelly http://kelly-kellyskorner.blogspot.com/, a semi-normal relationship has been restored.  And now she is pregnant, what began with her rebellion to me transferred to rebellion against what she knew was right – and knew long before she ever met me.

Now, she does not believe her choices have been necessarily wrong.  However, I was able to get her to understand that she did not wake up one morning and say, “Gosh, I would really like to get pregnant by a non-Christian guy and bring shame upon myself at church and in my family…”  No, sin comes in easily little steps, thus quickly carrying you far from where you should be.  And so, what began with her refusal to listen to me at age 18 and “live her own life” was really sin.  Not that I am any smarter or spiritual than her – but because her eyes were on herself and not God’s desires for her.  Which led an 18 year old girl into the arms of a 25 year old guy.  Which led to last night’s discussion.

However, the young man in question is not a Christian.  “But, Papa, only God can decide that!  No one can say whether or not anyone else is a Christian or not!”  And here is where OD never could understand the concept of the Gifts of the Spirit.  I never pushed her in this area because she had so much more to learn.  I always thought I had time to fully disciple her…  “Father” though will admit to having Discernment – as God wills, to know generally what natural man could not.  So, yes, if it is important, God does reveal to me the true natures of people, peoples and situations.  Then again, I can be frustratingly blind and stupid as well.  So, I can at least say in this situation – he is not a Christian.

So, to what end have I shared this situation?

I told my daughter – I am her father no matter what.  God saw to that when He brought her into my life.  That does not mean I approve of what she has done – but I fully understand that only God can create life and what is in her – is by the grace of God and now she needs to step up to responsibility in the raising of that life.  Or to put differently for some of you whom are not following this well, what sin has created – God will use for His good, not necessarily OD’s.

As to the proposed marriage; well, I am more concerned about her marrying a non-Christian than I am her having a child out of wedlock.  Yes, her friends, church members and town will probably brand her for life with gossip – either way.  But, you know, she created the situation, now she needs to live with it in humility before God.  I expect to welcome a grand daughter into this life, no matter her last name.

I would of course be remiss in not having a gloves off conversation with a certain young man.  But, there is no need to fear.  My concern is he understand, perhaps for the first time, his need for a Savior – spiritually speaking.  And to that end your prayers are greatly desired, I hope to speak with him this evening).

Hopefully, I will have more to say tomorrow….

Calvinism, Arminianism and Me

“A” is Arminius’ argument.  “C” is Calvin’s argument.

C1.  Total Inability 

A1.  Free Will or Human Ability

Calvin is correct, Romans 1 clearly shows man is completely incapable of finding God without God’s direct intervention in each of our lives.

Arminius is also correct, we are free to choose God’s offer of forgiveness or not.

Therefore, I believe God makes at least one if not many opportunities available to everyone, so that they may be without excuse when they face Him in judgment.

C2.  Unconditional Election

A2.  Conditional Election

Here I am somewhat in disagreement with both theologians.  God tells us He foreknew and therefore predestined those whom are saved.  And yet, the offer of salvation is made to everyone.  Arminius argues correctly that if only those whom were predestined are the only ones saved, then God is effectively condemning the vast majority of man – for never having a choice to make!  It is certainly within God’s power to harden hearts and then punish those for what they have done.  It is also certain that God desires that none should be lost to Him.  So a quandary exists.  Unless, God predestines some, because He wants or needs them, whereas others are the ones the predestined are to reach.

C3.  Particular Redemption or Limited Atonement

A3.  Universal Redemption or General Atonement

Here I side with Arminius, I do believe Jesus’ death and resurrection were for all of mankind – to accept or reject as they choose.  So whether you are a Pastor’s kid, a Muslim, a Buddhist, etc., Jesus paid the price for your sin – if you will allow Him too.

C4.  The Efficacious Call of the Spirit or Irresistible Grace

A4.  The Holy Spirit Can Be Effectually Resisted

I am hesitantly siding with Arminius again.  You have the ability to reject the call of Jesus on your spirit, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  I say hesitantly, as I also believe that once you are His, you have a much harder struggle overcoming the influence of the Holy Spirit in your life.  I have often commented to friends I am sure the Holy Spirit plays baseball, as I often think I am getting whacked by a BIG bat when I am out of line.

C5.  Perseverance of the Saints

A5.  Falling From Grace

Now I must side with Calvin.  Jesus said no one may snatch us out of His hand.  So be it.  It is hard for me to believe that Jesus will not give us up nor at least roast our codlings in pay back over some of the messes we make.  But, I rejoice He does not.  So much of what we understand about this doctrine is directly a reflection upon the model of our own father in our lives.  Mine was a legalist and harsh, therefore my first 30 years as a Christian were under a God whom was just that.  But, even old dogs can be taught…….. 

Woof!

(C1/A1) (C2) A3 A4 C5

Parentheses are for one with problems…