Semper Reformanda

I took the LG's (little girls) to High Rise, yesterday.  Turning 47 today, it was a good reminder of 2 Cor. 4:16: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." While my body is slowing down (and "high rise" has become "low rise"), I am continuing to grow spiritually.  I am thankful for that.  I am also thankful for just enough energy to keep up with these little ones: These verses give me hope: Isaiah 46:4  " Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you." Job 12:12 " Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?" Love, ~Dad

Last weekend, I drove to Dallas for a Bible Conference on...Hell.  I realize that is a very odd, narrowly-focused conference.  It may even sound a little morose, but it's something I've been studying in-depth for several years, for which this was a kind of culmination. Universalism is the belief that everyone will go to heaven.  Eventually. Somehow.  Most of the arguments are "theological", based upon the nature and character of God's love.  However, the Biblical support for this position is lacking. Meanwhile, there is another position that has been held by some throughout the last 2,000 years of church history, and has gained recent momentum within the last 100 years and even more within the last 10.  It has many names, but the most popular is Annihilationism .  This is the belief that God will still punish unbelievers in hell, BUT that punishment will not be eternal.  A preferred name is "Terminal Punishment".   I am convinced ...

This weekend, we  started cleaning out the garage.  I have 2 huge bins of Sermon Tapes.  They are a collection of all my favorite sermons over the years...(that include some of my own sermons). I had this fantasy that after I died, my children would all listen to all of my favorite sermon tapes. (I know, right? Just being transparent, here) My thoughtful wife encouraged me to just save my own sermons and maybe someone will listen to one of those.  So, I did that. It feels good to let some things go.  (My book library is next and that is going to be a much more savage and painful purge). Solomon's reflections helped me realize that people have their own dreams, struggles, and memories to make, and they won't be dwelling on old messages...especially ones on plastic cassette tapes: Ecclesiastes 1:11 "No one remembers the former generations, and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them." Ecclesiastes 2:16 " For the wise...