guaranteed ... in writing

Ever promised someone something, but then reneged and failed to keep your word? 

I certainly have; you probably have, too:  after all, "weasling out" of an agreement is only human (though it's certainly easier to remember the times other people have broken their pledges than it is to remember the times we've broken ours).

Especially if you're the one doing the weasling, which can be easily rationalized with excuses like "Well, things change" or "I didn't know as much then as as I know now," breaking a promise or going back on your word might not seem like such a big deal ... until we remember that breaking a vow is something God will never do.

"Get It In Writing"

If somebody offered you an irresistible deal on the car of your dreams, what would be the first words to come flying out of your mouth?  Will you put that in writing and sign it?  In ink too please, if you don't mind.

"Getting it in writing" serves to spell out the terms and offers an assurance that the other guy is willing to follow-through without reneging, while a signature serves as authentication and acknowledges an agreement to the contract. 

So how can we know our salvation is assured through Christ?

Here's the terms ... guaranteed

We know our salvation in Christ is assured because God doesn't renege or break his promises.  Unlike us, God doesn't change his mind, have second thoughts or go back on his word.  God doesn't make excuses either, because God does not change ... and besides, God already knew everything about everything and everybody before he created the universe: God had all the 411 up front.

Which tells me it's impossibly hard to surprise, outsmart or out-negotiate the Creator ... no matter how hard folks keep trying.

But but but ... who signed the guarantee?

The promise of our salvation wasn't written in ink; after all, ordinary ink is short-lived and unstable.

Our promise of eternal life was signed in Christ's blood instead.

And that's an imperishable guarantee.

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

- Hebrews 9:15

This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

- Matthew 26:28

But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

- Galatians 3:22

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

- Hebrews 10:28

"I'm very in touch with the universe because I'm a very spiritual person" (updated)

Huh?  

I've got no idea what that gobbledygook means (or even if it means anything), except that it's a catch phrase often heard from folks who pour their brains into New Age self-help books; from folks who're searching for Your Hidden Inner Power! ... from folks who're anxious to affirm "the progress of their on-going journey of self discovery, revelation and awareness of the infinite universe."

Like, wow.  

The universe is infinite, so it seems to make good New Age sense that the goal of any sincere spiritual space-quest is to "become a harmonious part of the infinite whole."  The infinite whole ... really?

Then why does God Jehovah somehow end up being in the hole instead of being the whole?

When God is mentioned in holistic spaceology, we find New Agers trying to re-define Him either as "something we're all part of" or as "a concept each person must decide for themselves."

So if you decide I need a miracle now! it's no problem, because Me-First theology insists God can be processed  into a kind of convenient between mind-meals spiritual snack, or  re-packaged as a take-as-required vitamin supplement: "The Secret's" own power bar.

Anybody out there wondering what's wrong with defining God according to our own terms?

What's wrong with that is 

(1) God created us, and doesn't need us to return the favor 

(2) God reveals Himself in scripture, not through the latest Have-Him-Your-Way best seller 

(3) If "We're all part of everything" then Satan must be part of everything too, so it follows that "We're all part of Satan" ... except that folks content to voyage along inside their inner-spheres never say that.

What's the critical difference between faith based on "I'll make up God as I go," and faith in Christ through total and complete surrender?

The consequential differences are that unlike a I-Deserve-To-Be-Happy paperback author, God the Father never said Go Ahead, Have It Your Way ... nor does God allow excuses for our sins. 

"Now then," said Joshua, "throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel."

- Joshua 24:23

Blessed is the man 
       who makes the LORD his trust, 
       who does not look to the proud, 
       to those who turn aside to false gods

-Psalm 40:4

If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

- 1 Timothy 6:2-6

pursuit of the perfect picadillo

I dunno if should keep trusting my memory.  Lately it's been running me around in circles, because no matter how hard I try, recollection tells me that Picadillo was better when I was a kid.

(above: boat-made Picadillo, version 22 Feb 09)

The best picadillo I remember was in Ybor City at Cafe Mercedes in Tampa ... but that was so long ago, I can't even find a hint of Cafe Mercedes anywhere on google.

The serving line at the Mercedes included fresh Cuban bread and a delicious ropa vieja, too.

I keep trying and failing, without ever coming close to the flavor of Cafe Mercedes picadillo.

Try your own ropa vieja: recipe here.

Is an Internet campus really a church?

Here's one powerful response.

Just one more thing I thought I'd never see

(Monday morning blog lite: marina neighborhood news)

It's been windy here, sometimes gusting to 60mph, for almost a week. It's been so windy that trash gets blown from all over the Inner Harbor and winds [sorry] up stuck here around the docks.

So this past weekend the trash boat (technically, a "trash skimmer") came cruising down the fairway between adjoining docks and got busy skimming the trash mangroves from between boats before the morasses of driftwood, tree limbs, lumber planks, plastic bottles and assorted amalgamations of suburban debris grew large enough to become floating islands and a menace to navigation.

• Regular readers already know I love, and am a great fan of, trashboats of every description. You can watch a real TrashCat™ video here.

(above: UMI Trash Skimmer clearing debris along the promenade in Baltimore's Inner Harbor)

Further Reflections on Trash Skimmers

I suppose the name trash skimmer was chosen because it's pretty straight forward and self-explanatory when itemized in a city council's budget request. But a brand like The Trash Shark or The Dock Mess Monster would make every port authority practically start drooling to have one.

(above: a UMI TrashCat™ operating at the heart of Baltimore's waterfront tourist area, the Inner Harbor. TrashCat™ photos from trashskimmer.com)

A Ground and Pound Specialist

If you attended either one of the services today at New Spring's web campus, you already know what I'm talking about.

If you missed out, you can watch the podcast here (it'll be uploaded & available Tuesday).

In the meantime, check out Perry's blog here.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

- 2 Timothy 1:17

You didn't get here by accident

How'd you get here?  Maybe you googled, maybe you were scanning blog rolls or maybe you accidentally clicked the wrong link on another site.  Or, maybe you're a regular reader just checking in.  

However you arrived on this page, it's no accident that you're here and that you're about to read this:

I WANT A NEW MARRIAGE

New Spring Church Web Campus

tonight 6:00 PM ET  [11:00 UTC]

Just click on the text above at 6PM and find out for yourself. 

Bringing it

As BIG as it gets

(Tech-geek update)

Yesterday I picked up both a SVGA and a stereo miniplug cable ... so now I can watch the New Spring Web Campus on my LCD TV.  With real stereo speakers, too.

That's what I'm talking about.

And The Loser Is ...

(Sunday morning blog lite)

Me?  I think it must be, because The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will be presenting the Academy Awards tonight, including the "Oscar" for Best Picture.

Isn't that exciting?  Yawn, here's the 5 nominees:

How many have I seen?  Nada.  Not a single one ... so am I missing anything?

Nope, I don't think so.  And besides, the category that would matter most to me is Best Cinematography.  Here's the nominees in that category:

Notice they're almost identical to the nominees for Best Picture.  So what does that mean?

It means film is a visual medium and that 99.9999% of everything you see on the screen is there because of lighting (the rest is dirt, scratches, film grain and emulsion blur).  Without light, there's no need for a camera to capture the action ... and we might as well sit blinking in the dark, trying to watch the soundtrack.

________________

Log on to the web and watch this before the Oscars:

Where?  New Spring Web Campus

When?  Today at 11:15 AM and 6:00 PM

What?   I Want A New Marriage - part 3

Why?     Even if you're not married, this amazing series deserves your undivided attention.

BIG Plans for a Full-Size weekend

It's freezing outside today with sustained winds at 50mph, same as it was yesterday, but I'd still like to get over to Radio Shack tomorrow ... and pick up a SVGA cable to connect my laptop to my TV screen.

That way, come Sunday morning, I can visit the New Spring web campus and watch I Want A New Marriage pt.3 on a full-size screen.

I mean, as "full-size" as full size gets on a 28-foot cruiser.

;-)

In the meantime, check out Can Church Work Inside A Social Network for the Masses? on Nick's blog. 

You're on my mind

No matter what happens,

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

- Philippians 1:19

Starbucks goes Green in SC

Starbucks touts new ‘green’ S.C. roasting plant

Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle)

Starbucks Corp. said its new roasting plant in Calhoun County in South Carolina has been awarded a “green” designation from a national building organization.

The Seattle coffee giant (NASDAQ: SBUX) said the central South Carolina plant has been awarded a “silver” LEED certificate for new construction from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Starbucks officials have vowed to “significantly” reduce the company’s environmental footprint by 2015. At the new plant, 20 percent of building materials were from recycled content and more than 75 percent of construction waste was recycled, they said, adding that a portion of the plant’s power will be supplied by wind energy.

“In this business climate, it’s more important than ever that we make the right investments in our business, while making sure we do it in ways that support our business, the communities we work in, the environment and our people,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, president and CEO, in a statement.

- source

Whatcha reading?

Who Moved the Stone?

English journalist Frank Morison had a tremendous drive to learn of Christ. The strangeness of the Resurrection story had captured his attention, and, influenced by skeptic thinkers at the turn of the century, he set out to prove that the story of Christ’s Resurrection was only a myth. His probings, however, led him to discover the validity of the biblical record in a moving, personal way.

Who Moved the Stone? is considered by many to be a classic apologetic on the subject of the Resurrection. Morison includes a vivid and poignant account of Christ’s betrayal, trial, and death as a backdrop to his retelling of the climactic Resurrection itself. - amazon.com

33

- source: BaltimoreSun.com

Gross Love

Around 7 PM tonight it occurred to me that some folks might read today's earlier "Tithe First" post and get the impression from the imaginary budget I used that I'm suggesting tithing should be based on post-tax, post-withholding, net income.

Sorry, but for folks looking to cut corners around God and set set-asides for themselves, I've got bad news.

We should never we think we're smarter or more important than God, and waste time figuring out workarounds to keep for ourselves what God said belongs to Him.

What did Jesus surrender, and do without, to take our place on the cross? Did He hold something back for Himself, or did He willing surrender everything in our place?   Was the Son of God's sacrifice based on Net, or Gross?  

Christ gave up everything because He loved us more than any thing in the world.  His love was gross ... unqualified, without profit, without deductions and without withholdings.

So if tithing still seems financially difficult, remember that a Tithe means 10% ... and represents the bare, basic minimum: we haven't even started talking yet about Offerings.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1 Timothy 6:10

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

- 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8

Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." 
      And they were amazed at him.

- Mark 12:17

Why Men and Women are just like Computers

Here's a video clip from Perry's second message in the I Want A New Marriage series.

You can catch Part 3 on Sunday at 11:15 AM and 6:00 PM on the New Spring web campus.

Tithe First

Probably the most-often heard excuse people offer for not tithing is "I can't afford it."

Sometimes they'll frown or shake their heads, hoping for a sympathetic reaction, but remember: "An excuse sounds best to the guy who's saying it." 

An Excuse is not a Reason ... and it's their Reasoning, not their income, that's the problem. 

--  --  --

Budget Me This

Let's say your take-home income, after taxes and withholdings, is $2000 per month.  A quick peek at your Budget looks like this:

Mortgage/Rent: $600

Utilities: average $250

Groceries: $450

Insurance: (all)  $300

Property Taxes: $150

Credit Cards: (minimum payments) $200

Sound good so far?

Sure it does, except that the total spent so far is $1950 ... and we haven't even started tacking on all the "other necessities" (like internet access, NetFlix, dining out or weekend shopping).  And there's nothing left over for savings, either.

No wonder folks say they can't afford to tithe: they're out of money before they're out of month. So what's the solution when you "can't afford to tithe"?

A Two-Step Program

Step 1: Pray to God, and ask Him take control of your finances.

Step 2: Move tithing to the top of the list ... and calculate your God Goes First Budget from there.

But what about my standard of living?    How will I pay my bills?  I'm not gonna work like a slave for nothing, just to scrape by in life.

Hint: Instead of concentrating on a standard of living as your #1 priority, focus instead on Serving God, and make Obeying Him your only priority ... and see if a change of heart doesn't induce a change of finances.  Besides, about 95% of the world lives with lots less than what you've already got.  

If you're still having trouble taking the first step, remember that your eternal life was paid in full at a price ... and Christ didn't use a revolving account or Easy Terms to do it.

My goodness, did you really miss it?

Did you miss the 11:15 AM service at New Spring's web campus?

Well there's good news ... today's 6:00 PM service is just around the clock-corner.

Sorry, I'm just a little stuck around the edges

No matter what you may think of my skills (or aptitude) as a marine mechanic/plumber/electrician, I'd be the very first to tell you I'm really not very good at spreading goo.

Whether it's 3M 5200 adhesive, caulk, silicone, JB Weld, Bondo, di-electric compound, fiberglass resin or carpenter's glue, I'm genetically pre-disposed to doing a horrifically bad job and making a big mess.  But being ever-optimistic, I don't let that stop me from trying.

So yesterday afternoon I mixed up a big heapin' batch of white marine epoxy and began touching up some of the little nicks, scratches, pinholes and gouges in Calypso's fiberglass hull. 

To make a long story short, it's been almost 32 hours since I stopped working and cast my epoxy spatula aside.  And since then, I've been finding traces of white epoxy in the most unlikely places.  It keeps showing up in places where you'd never expect to see it.

On the rims of drinking glasses, on TV remotes, keys, door handles, tools and in my nose.  I can't help wondering Where did that come from? even though I can't hide from the answer:  White epoxy could only come from one source ... me.

Yes sir, sin is like that, too.  Even if you think other people can't see it, sin has a way of sticking to everything it touches, and showing up where you'd least expect to see it.  Sin separates us from God.

And like a bad epoxy job, sin can't be blamed on anyone else.

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

- 1 John 2:1