It is with sadness that I report what many of you already know that Dr. Samuel Bachiocchi has died. Dr. Bacchiocchi was an interesting scholar, his writings were not confined to the libraries of the academically gifted, but was taken to common people. Certainly his writings were not "dumbed-down," but they were accessible to many.
I have the four volumes on the Sabbath in my library and refer to them often. Reading his book Divine Rest for Human Restlessness was the beginning of my thinking of the Sabbath along these theological lines. His book Advent hope for Human Restlessness and the book on Hal Lindsey's prophecies helped me to think about the end times in terms of more than just end time speculation and waiting for doomsday. I can't say that I always agreed with him, but I can say that I was always challenged by him to think Biblically and more deeply about the subject. My MP3 player right now has all of his available MP3s. I love to listen to his energy and enthusiasm.
When one finds oneself in the depths of a temptation that is almost overpowering. And the enemy assails you, you ask Jesus for help. However when you ask Jesus for help you do it with a few things firmly in mind. First you ask for help knowing that Jesus Understands the plight of your soul for Jesus decided to place himself in the depths of human woe. It would have been an infinite humiliation for Jesus to come as Adam in the garden, but Jesus decided to take on the seed of Abraham so that he could be a merciful and faithful high priest. (Hebrews 2:16-17).
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May God send you help from the sanctuary...Psalm 20:2
As we encounter another Sabbath day, I encourage you once again to keep the Sabbath as a day to set aside the things of this side of the Jordan so that you can more fully interact with family, community, and God. When we do this, we can truly begin to see the other side and more fully partake of the blessings of eternity.
I probably spend too much time wondering about what's behind many closed doors. I wonder if the closed door hides something that would be a blessing to me. You know what I'm talking bout. What is the closed door? It may be the school that hasn't accepted you for admission but you still want to apply for the fifth time. What is the closed door? It may be that special someone who has made it clear that there is no future between the two of you. What is the closed door? It may be on the job where the promotion that you desperately wanted eludes you.
Many websites and ministers are predicting or implying that this economic crisis will culminate in the final crisis that will usher in our Lord's return. I wish to repeat, it may do just that, but then again it may not, but in any case this crisis is a real one for many.
How do you Praise God? Today we have battles over the music that is sung in church. We have the traditionalists calling us back to the solid songs of their youth. They argue that the best music supports the church theologically and musically. It is largely a call to the rich heritage of the church.
As the housing and financial crisis deepens the hearts of many are fearful. People are losing their homes, people are losing their retirement. And some are even beginning to attempt to take their own lives. The fear can be paralyzing and overpowering. What do you do?
