I am the husband of one and the homeschooling father of five. I am a singer, songwriter, and a worship leader who plays guitar and piano. I am the Executive Director of Trinity Arts Center, a small Christian Arts Academy in Eastern Tennessee. I'm also a guitar teacher and -- I spend about half my time building web sites and helping companies organize their thoughts, fine tune their products, and turn their customers into company evangelists. I've been involved with four music projects in my life -- Hot Pink Turtle, Spin Radio, Stand Like Stone, and of course, Jamin Rathbun. I'm also training to be an Ultimate Fighter (that's not true). = )
bibleRomans 9:15-16
I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.
I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.
There's some heavy stuff in Romans 9 about God's sovereignty. It reminds me of another passage, one I've referenced before, in Philippians.
Philippians 2:12-13
Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Not much room for interpretation there eh? He has the sovereignty to create some of us for noble purposes and some for common. He's even been known to harden the hearts of some (like Pharoah) in order that he might display his power. It's hard to feel good about that kind of statement isn't it? It stirs up a sense of fear and uncertainty and maybe, in some of us, rebellion or anger.
Honestly... My chest feels heavy when I think about how I would respond after discovering that I had been created without hope -- as an orphan who will never have a father. What a desperate position. What an overwhelming sense of sadness and anger. I imagine an incredibly dark picture of myself... cursing the skies until my voice gives out and then weeping into my hands.
This can't be true, can it? That some are created only to be defeated? Did Pharoah have an opportunity, at some point, to repent? Did he reject that call, that opportunity for salvation, that offer of love and forgiveness or -- was it never offered to him?
That reminds me of a lyric from an old song of mine...
More Like You
I am amazed. I am confused. I see the way I am. Wonderfully made and inadequate, but always enough for Him. Use me in strength. Use me in weakness. Do with me what you will. All for your sake. All for your glory. Given to take. My God.
I see you and I see me. Lord make me more like you.
All of this grace. Undeserved gift. I owe all things to you. Mercy to me when I deserved less. Why have you chosen me? Almighty God how can you see something in me to use? All my mistakes. All my confusion. I give it all to you.
I see you and I see me. Lord make me more like you.
I see your strength. I see my weakness. I learn to lean on you. I am afraid of things you've created. I need to trust in you. Almighty God, Savior, and Lord. Giver of all I am. Bless those in need. Fill up the empty. All in your name, my God.
I am amazed. I am confused. I see the way I am. Wonderfully made and inadequate, but always enough for Him. Use me in strength. Use me in weakness. Do with me what you will. All for your sake. All for your glory. Given to take. My God.
I see you and I see me. Lord make me more like you.
All of this grace. Undeserved gift. I owe all things to you. Mercy to me when I deserved less. Why have you chosen me? Almighty God how can you see something in me to use? All my mistakes. All my confusion. I give it all to you.
I see you and I see me. Lord make me more like you.
I see your strength. I see my weakness. I learn to lean on you. I am afraid of things you've created. I need to trust in you. Almighty God, Savior, and Lord. Giver of all I am. Bless those in need. Fill up the empty. All in your name, my God.
Sorry about the sad tone of today's thoughts but, for whatever reason, I felt led to write them down. I'll close with this.
Romans 11:33-36
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Forever and ever. Amen.
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