What sayest thou?

Theological question

Does the bible teach negative causation?

Let me explain, a few years ago a missionary came to my church and said that we are responsible for the souls of men, that people are going to hell, because we are not evangelism them. Now this dear missionary man is a Pentecostal, at least I gathered that, from many other things he was propagating. My pastor, the following Sunday, abrogated some of the issues and cleared up some of the false teaching this missionary had promoted. Including the belief that we are the reason that some go to hell. Of course people don't go to hell because of us, rather because of their own sin, they are headed there already; therefore that is why they, and all of us, need the gospel; namely Jesus Christ Himself, for Christ alone too reconcile us to God.

However this missionary got me to thinking. We Calvinist have no problem believing that we can be the means (positive causation) to save some. How come we do not believe that we might be the means (negative causation) to keep others from salvation, or that the neglect of caring out the great commission, might fulfill God's negative decrees?

I have many more thoughts on the subject, and many scriptures I could of cited, but I want to hear your thoughts on the matter. Please remain biblical, and please don't use humanistic thinking. But let me hear from you. I will be out of town for a few days, some times my lap top does not work at the motel I stay at. So I will answer back from your comments as soon as I can. Again the question is " Does the bible teach negative causation?"

Do I Hate God?

Sometimes; actually many times things in life just don't seem to make sense. In the area of prayers being heard and answered I do not often understand God, and His ways. His ways, sometimes, feels cruel to me, that He is against me. That He has not heard my cries, that He has abandon me. The natural man would hate God.

Back in May 2000, I was to be married to a gal named Rebecca. Rebecca and I courted for two an a half years. We had met each other while in Mexico at what was called "The Mission", a handicap orphanage. Five months away from our wedding date, several interesting events occurred. I heard on the radio station on KLOVE, one of the band members of "Big Tent Revival" say, how he was to be almost married when he prayed that if it weren't God's will for them to be married, to make it known and cancel the marriage. I thought to myself "what a heavy payer? Can I pray something like that? Am I willing to pray something like that? Do I love God more than Rebecca?" So I pulled over my car, and prayed that "if it is your will Lord, that Rebecca and I should not be together, that it is best not to be married to her, then give me strength to call off the marriage or take her from me."

Mean while Rebecca and I did lots of group activities together. I had meant her in a group setting in Mexico. We both worked together at the "Solid Rock coffee shop " at the church we both attended. While in a group setting there was a guy name Chase, who hung out with us. One time a group of us male guys were together and Chase wanted prayer. Chase wanted prayer, for God to grant him a wife. He was lonely. I prayed for Chase that God would grant him a wife. Within a short few weeks I notice Chase was checking out my fiancee. And Rebecca notice too, and she told me she did not like it. I confronted the situation, and Chase said "that I should not be so insecure." I had much more to say to him. Within a couple more weeks Rebecca called off the marriage, she dumped me for Chase. My heart was ripped out of me, and stomped on. I could not believe it.
At this same time, my father died. And the church decided to cut all our hours way back, from my 40 hours a week to 10 hours a week, with only a three day notice. I found myself disagreeing with 80% of my pastors theology. I knew of many who were living immoral lives. Many people were sleeping with each other. I had just read the book "When Boy Meets Girl", and my thought was 'I want to go to a church like that, where there is accountability, and I want to meet my future wife like that'. So I went searching for another church. Plus I did not want to see my ex-fiancee with another man.

So God had answered both of my prayers. God had taken Rebecca from me, and had given Chase a wife. Chase and Rebecca got married shortly after my leaving. My fighter verse became Psalm 84:11b "No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly." So I figured Rebecca must of not been a good thing for me.

Fast forward to now, here I am still single. I must trust God, that in Christ he withholds no good thing from me. I just don't understand why it seems that God answers some of my prayers, and other He sometimes seems to tease me. To pray and pray, and it seems that God is working, bringing specific desires to be, or it seems to be before me, only to come to nothing. Does He not put desires in our hearts, will He not fulfill them. If I ask for bread, will He give me a stone? How am I suppose to reconcile these verses? Perhaps I am not to understand, but to trust Him. Psalm 84:12 says "O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you! I know through all the pain, Christ has always been good to me, and most of all He has given Himself to me. To live is Christ.


If I am ever to be married it will be a blood bought gift, purchased by Christ. It will not be my eloquence of speech nor my good looks (that's a joke), nothing but sheer grace. My mom says that I will never be married, cause I am the most assertive of my brothers. Their wives seem to be the leaders, it won't be that way with me. They have followed after my dad. It's not biblical. I seek to please God, and to trust Him fully, though much I do not understand . Must I understand? No, But I must trust Him. As a child I loved the old hymn "Trust and obey". It is as if God is asking me "do you love that old hymn, have you Daniel found it to be true, then I must inflict you, to make it true, to you". Trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

On March 2006 i met a virgin Christian girl named Cheriluz in a Christian conference, she was 18 years old, i told her i love her...

A Hunger for God

"If we don't feel strong desires for the manifestations of the glory of God, it is not because we have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because we have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Our soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great". -John Piper

" If we are full of what the world offers, then perhaps a fast might express, or increase, our soul's appetite for God."

Back in last May, I was visiting a friend's church "The Open Bible Church" in the bay area. They had a John Piper book, that I had not seen before. "A Hunger for God" is the name of the book. A book on 'desiring God through fasting and prayer'. I purchased the book, and I decided to both read the book and try going on a fast. Now, on one hand you could count how many times I have fasted in my life. It is not a spiritual discipline that I have a handle on. I have found it very profitable though in the past. Usually the reasons why I have fasted, were because I needed direction in my life and/or there were big decisions to be made in my life. I have a humble, humiliating, funny story to go with my fasting in last May. On May 15, my pastor delivered a sermon in titled "Dying Well". Pastor Dale mentioned in his sermon, that whenever the pastor preaches on the subject of "death" or on "dying", we think perhaps we have jinx ourselves, and that someone close to us so now going to die. So we all ask ourselves, alright who is going to die now?

After church, a friend and I went to a local restaurant. I had just fasted for 14 days. Mistake one, don't try eating meat, when coming off a long fast. It is strange after two or three days you loose your hunger. I was not hungry, just wanted to celebrate coming off the fast. Mistake two. Don't eat fast. Eat very slow when coming off a fast. Normally I am a pretty slow eater. This day however I was eating quite fast. Again not because I was hungry, rather I had forgotten how good food tastes, so there I was enjoying all the deferent kinds of food flavors and textures. Mistake three. When fasting for a while the saliva juices slow way down, so drink plenty of fluids and again eat very slow. I was eating some meat when, all of a sudden, I swallowed some meat prematurely, and it got lodge in my throat. I started to choke, I reached for some water. Time slowed way, way, way down. My thought was, should I drink some water to make it down further, then I began to choke more. Now every eye in the restaurant was upon me, my friend was standing over me at this time wondering and asking me if he should do the heimlich maneuver. I am trying to tell him no. I could still breath, but not very well. I was wondering at the same time if this would be the day that I would die. Then finally I was able to cough up the chunk of meat. Talk about embarrassment, and humiliation. We did laugh, and we talked more about the sermon on, "Dying well". The day I almost died on some well done meat.

Back to the subject of fasting. Why fast? There are many good reason for this practice. Primarily though for creating an appetite for God. Piper in his book ..."Invites us to turn from the dulling effects of food and the dangers of idolatry, and to say with some simple fast: "THIS MUCH, O GOD, I WANT YOU."

Fasting feeds your faith...Your confidence begins to deepen. Your hope begins to rise, for you know you are doing what pleases the Lord. Your willingness to deny self and voluntarily to take up this added cross kindles an inner joy. Your faith begins to lay hold of God's promise more simply and more firmly.-Mighty Prevailing Prayer,P. 189.

Is fasting ever a bribe to get God to pay more attention to the petitions? No, a thousand times no. It is simply a way to make clear that we sufficiently reverence the amazing opportunity to ask help from the everlasting God, the Creator of the universe, to choose to put everything else aside and concentrate on worshiping, asking for forgiveness, and making our requests know-considering His help more important than anything we could do ourselves in our own strength and with our own ideas. -Edith Schaeffer

I Love The Gospel

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" Romans. 1:16

I cherish the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is to know God, and Jesus: who is God.. "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." John. 17:3

Some friends and I are starting a evangelistic association. We are currently seeking a non-profit status. We have come up with a name, but we need to see if it has been taken. Our plan is to work with the local body of churches in our area. At first I was not big on the idea of working with many different church's, because some times the gospel gets watered down to fit into an acceptable mold for ordinary consumption, lest anyone get offended by the truth. We have also secured a spot down at our local gospel mission for preaching, we are going to be rotating positions so we can all preach. I am looking forward to it.

The lot has been cast, and it has fallen upon me. Actually my friends have chosen me as the designated track writer. I am both humbled and honored, buy such an endeavor. I do like using tracks, it was Charles Spurgeon who said "never leave home without tracks". Sounds like 'American Express' has stolen Spurgeon's quote, with a little modification. Tracks usually leave people standing, so therefore I am able to talk to them longer. Tracks, can go where people can't and don't; such in private homes, prisons, and around the world. We know of many missionaries, and missions that we can send them our tracks. I know of people personally that God had used tracks as the means to preach the truth to them and God saved them. I am so excited to be able to play such a role, and be able to develop God-centered tracks. Most of the tracks I have been using, or I have seen, have either been cheesy or unsound in doctrine. By making my own, I will have none other than myself to blame.

My business partner and I; the both of us want to work full time in the ministry. I want to be able to study hard the bible, theological works, then go forth and evangelize, and preach the word. My business partner wants to focus primarily on evangelism. So we want to perhaps sell our business. We do have several people and organizations that want to contribute to our cause. May God grant us wisdom, and direction for our lives.

Please pray for me, as I start to write these tracks. Please pray that they be sound in doctrine, Christ exalting, God-centered and God glorifying. I plan to write at least one per month. First topic is on the subject of the atonement. If you have any good advise, I love to hear it, and I would vastly appreciate it as well. May we all go forth and herald the grand glorious Gospel of our wonderful God and King; our King of Kings Jesus Christ, who exalts His own name above His sacred word, and sits upon the throne forever. Amen

"My Views on Socializing" Part 3

Healthy fear
I clean windows on high rise buildings sometimes between fifteen to thirty six stories high. People often ask me, are you scared of heights? My reply back is "You can say I have a healthy fear of heights." I have been doing this for a couple years now, at first I was scared witless. Having this healthy fear, I have a profound respect for gravity, and the God who made it. I know where my feet are at all times. I am oh so careful, I have to tie the squeegee to my wrist so I don't accidentally drop it. That might hurt getting hit by a flying squeegee at fifteen stories high or higher. And I do a lot of praying while up there. I believe it is similar when it comes to women. That is I think men should have have a healthy fear of women. We men should have a profound respect for women, and the God who made her. God made her unlike all the other creatures, she is unique, and intriguing while often more delicate. We should know where our feet are at all times, that is we should stand firm: firm on the solid foundation of God and his word. Standing to protect women, from the on slot of the bordrage and the malaise of falsehoods spewed out from our media and culture. While lying to her, they are telling her what it means to be of, true womanhood, while lies and deceit is all the world knows. Us men need to be careful in guarding the hearts of women, and protecting their purity, and trust. Praying always with holy hands, so God will enable us men, to be the men we ought to be, and have the wisdom of knowing how we should treat our sisters in Christ.

I am old fashion
I am old fashion. I think there ought to be, some awkwardness and discomfort between guys and gals. Let me explain: go to your local high school at lunch time or after school, and you will see how comfortable guys and gals are with each other. Hugging and kissing doing all kinds of inappropriate behavior. If the boys were taught respect, and had it toward the girls, they would not be doing such things. They would be exercising self control. Ladies are to be treated with dignity and honor. I never could understand why in youth groups or in other Christian social gathering, that it was acceptable if guys and gals gave each other back rubs. It always seemed odd to me, and not wise. I don't think gals should be treated as one of the guys either, nor buddies. It has always bothered me if I hear a guy call a girl a dude. I was in Saint Arbucks recently and some guy called a girl a dude. I looked up, and noticed a gal, that was caring herself more like a dude, probably living up to being called a dude. Or, the dude looked like a lady. One of the two. She didn't seem to mind being called a dude. I have though confronted guys, usually when the gal is gone, and have said to the guy, "that was a lady you were talking too, not a dude." I have gotten some blank stares back, but I have had some dudes say "thanks, I will watch myself, and try not to do that anymore." Perhaps this might all sound weird to you, but I forewarned you that I am old fashion. Hers how old fashion I am. I think if a guy likes a girl, he should feel uncomfortable, and awkward around her, he should have shaking knees, hot ears, and dry mouth; perhaps forgetting the words he wanted to say to her. Yet, within himself courage rises amongst his fears. He knows what he's got to do. So he tries to overcome the fear and fights to win the affection of this dear lady, that he has been delighting in, and has been watching her from a distance. This used to be called romance. Now a days everyone wants to become buddies, blurring the mark between the guys and the gals.

"My Views on Socializing" Part 2

What I have seen
Being owner and operator of a window cleaning business, and cleaning residential homes. I usually clean the interior windows, while my business partner cleans the exterior windows. I love people and I get a chance to chat and work at the same time. Sometimes they follow me from room to room while we are talking. A while back, in a Wednesday men's group from my church, I discuss what things I see sometimes, in people's homes that appall me. I can't believe some of the things I have seen in professing Christian homes. One time, I needed to use the bathroom. So I go to the restroom and I am about to relive myself when I look down and see a magazine. I saw an immodest dress gal on the cover, and thought to myself, and said out loud, man! Another immodest dress gal. I thought it was a "Cosmopolitan " magazine or something like it. But than I saw the title at it was a "Playboy" magazine. What do you think I did? I ran and fled to another bathroom. I could not believe it. I kept saying to myself; what a fool. I was thinking of the husband and father of the home. What a fool to destroy the home, not love his wife, not protect his wife and children. What is he thinking, or not thinking. I know I have to be careful with the word fool. Jesus had some strong words about calling your brother fool. I have in other homes seen all kinds of posters and pictures. What is really disheartening is seeing the girls rooms full of pictures of immodest, non-feminine appealing gals that they want to imitate. And raunchy indecent music blaring. My heart saddens, then I think where is the father? Does he even care? In the past year I come home complaining to my roommate, where are the men? How can fathers idly stand bye while the world dictate the thoughts and actions of their precious sons and daughters? We live in a feminized world, where most of the men seem like cowards.
I have cleaned windows of families of my home church and it has been, an all together different experience. Just a sweet aroma, of fostering godliness and holiness. But even in my home church , (this might get me into trouble), the ladies seem to me a bit stronger than the men in leadership in the home, and in understanding and appreciating good theology. Maybe I am wrong. Two Sundays ago a sweet kind older married lady came up to me and asked me a theological question "what is covenant theology". She was directed to me by someone else. It was a good question. I enjoyed answering her question. But afterward I thought perhaps, it would of been better and wiser for me to tell her in a tender kind way, to go ask her husband. (1 Cor 14:35) So if he knew the answer great, if not perhaps it would provoke him to learn, and therefore grow in understanding. And her to grow in respect toward her husband.

Lord willing if I am ever married, I will not be ruling and reigning with an iron fist, but with God's grace of enablement I will lead. We men need to be men, isn't that profound? A month ago I asked a friend if he could think of any TV shows from the past to the present, that put Fathers in a good light. That Fathers were leaders, not pansies, not viewed as buffoons, not knowing what is going on in the house. Can you think of any? Not many come to mind? Perhaps Charles Ingalls, any others?


Courting or Dating?
As a child life can seem pretty big and scary at times. Yet life as a child is usually quite simple. Mom and dad support you; they give you a place to live; they make most of the decisions, and help you make the others. But as an adult, life can be so more complex. When it comes to relational stuff, there are many competing views. I have a truck load of relational books, most of them I have read. And it can quite confusing at times. There is Joshua Harris's famous book "I kissed Dating Goodbye", he promotes group activities. Then there is Joshua Harris's follow up book "Boy Meets Girl", where he talks about meeting, and courting Shannon. He pursued her outside of a group setting. He notice her godly character and asked her out alone, to a bagel shop, if I recall correctly. And he used the "m" word ( marriage), right then and there. So they began courting with the intent of possibly marriage. Then we have Jeramy Clark's book "I gave Dating a Chance", which pretty much speaks for it's self. Doug Wilson's book "Reforming Marriage", and " Federal husband", promotes guys to approach the Father of the girl interested in, not necessarily the girl herself, since she is in most cases under her father's headship. So what's a guy to do? Do the scriptures, which is our only rule of faith and practice tell us men, what way we ought to do about this whole boy girl thing? Well, actually the bible does not have much to say on this matter. Sure there is wisdom to be obtained in these extrabiblical books, and good godly counsel. But primarily we need to walk in the Spirit, trusting in God's providence. Which in some sense can be a bit challenging, since we need to walk by faith and not by sight. Yet, at times, what do we men do with what seems like coincidences, are they the providential hand of God, or are we reading into them? This is where prayer is vital, and deep intimacy with God grows profoundly. Every situation is different, that is why there is no biblical manual on this subject. This causes us to have to lean heavy on God, and to trust him fully.

Group activities
I think group activities are great. Before attending the church I now attend, I went to a "mega Church", a very large Church of 4,000 or so people. I attended this Church almost everyday of the week. I worked at this Church. They had a coffee house called "The Solid Rock", I practically lived at this Church working on Sundays even sometimes for 16 hours. It was not hard work, I was just a barrista guy. I enjoyed the job, I got to spend lots of time with people and talking to them. I organized get together often. I organized a Christmas caroling group, and we headed out to rest homes, retirement homes, and the shut inns. And a Christmas party afterwards. I organized hiking expeditions, and various activities. My point is to say I got burnt out on being an activities director myself. Trying to get people motivated and staying motivated can be hard work. Being so social can put a damper on focusing on Spiritual disciplines like the basics- prayer and the word. I also saw girls flirting with all the guys, and vice versa. A lot of the girls seemed to like all the attention of the guys, and were competing over it. All that makes me sick. Proverbs 31:11a. Reads " The heart of her husband safely trusts her"...I think gals can prepare and begin this quality of virtue by guarding their heart not to indulge in the desire for attention from each and every guy. Therefore they will seek to please God, and desire a godly man who is faithful and will not play games neither.
Like always I have so much more to say, so I think I will save it for part 3.

"My Views of Socializing" Part 1

I decided to write on the issue of socializing. Due in part to a couple of my friends and sisters in Christ; Julianne made a post on men being more assertive in making the move to initiate small group activities , and Ana, who had some preconceived ideas about me, (I forgave her), (I love you in Christ- just teasing you) . I just wanted to let my friends know where I am coming from, and perhaps there will be some good edifying feedback from my small readership. These are the views of this blogger. I want to be candid and honest and just pour my little heart out. So here it goes, my .50 cents worth of thoughts (inflation has gone up) and you can make a phone call to my shrink for help.

My views on public socializing
Many of my heroes of the faith, had a hard time with socializing with people, Jonathan Edwards, C.H Spurgeon, A.W Tozer, and A.W. Pink, just to name a few, and oh remember Jack, C.S Lewis. Why did these guys have a hard time socializing? Because they were thinkers, and found much of their talk of their day shallow. Today it seems that our knowledge is an inch deep and a mile wide. So we know little about everything, and not much about anything. These men paid the cost for being a little less social. As an example C.H Spurgeon, instead of playing with the other children at recess time and other times, he read the Puritans. Are we not thankful he did? Jonathan Edwards wrote some his best books while alone, and not being as social as he could of been. He was the more reserved quiet one, while his wife was more of a social type. Now my roommate reminds me that I am not Jonathan Edwards nor Spurgeon. I know that. Not that I need to be reminded. I am not even close. I do not dare compare myself to them, but I do want to emulate their strengths. Many guys want to be like John Piper, many gals want to marry a guy like Piper, but hardly anyone would like to live like Piper. What do I mean? Well Julianne asked if Piper would watch the "Seinfeld Show". My answer is no. From his preaching I have heard, he has preached against it, and shows like it. He doesn't hardly ever go to the movies. My pastor preached on the subject of "movies" a couple of summers ago, right before I went on a mission trip to Brazil. My pastor P.D. quoted from Piper. If you want to know Piper's view on this go to his web cite and type in movies. While in Brazil , in a group setting everyone was talking about the movie "signs". Now I had seen it too. However I remained quiet pondering how would John Piper feel right now? What would he say, or would he remain quiet? Since he didn't go to movies as a kid, did he ever feel ostracized from the other kids? These are the kinds of questions that festered in my mind. Therefore I remained quiet. Living as if I could see through Piper's eyes.

I feel and agree that much of our socializing is very shallow. I am more of a one on one kind of guy. Because the talking is sometimes a little deeper. And I love people, and their stories. Now, I know I don't have to always talk theology, though it is my passion. And we seem to talk about the things we really enjoy. Last night I watched the movie "Glory Road", with some friends. Now, I don't go to movie myself to often, but this one was really good. And it didn't offend my conscience and my sensibilities. And I was able to pray, and watch and give God thanks, and praise, through out the whole movie. So I was doing theology. Stopping to smell a rose , can be good theology, if I enjoy God; who made the rose. And thus glorify God by my attitude of the smelling of the rose.

In part 2 "My Views of Socializing", I will discuss the pratical ways of working out socializing in group settings, My personal views of courting and dating, and relational stuff. I will share more of my heart, as I hope my friends will understnd me more, and that we can learn together from each other. May God bless you much, my friends.
To the Glory of God

Modes of Evangelism

Do Calvinist and non-Calvinist evangelize the same?

I really started back in 1997 to evangelize on a regular basis. First I meant my friend Dave, then Rick. Both were not Calvinists at the time. I had just discovered that I was a Calvinist. I had just spent one year and three month at a handicap orphanage in Carmen Sedan Mexico, changing infant diapers, braiding the little girls hair, changing big boys diapers, feeding the animals, tending the garden, and cooking up a storm in the kitchen. All the while getting to listen to literally hundreds of John MacArthur preaching tapes. What a great time that was, being able to take in so much, having lots of time to just read, and soak it all in. It is when I started to collect books and build my own library. I discovered that I was indeed a Calvinist. When I left the mission God had gave me, new found love to evangelize. I soon found out that I had no Calvinist friends. But I meant Dave and a bit later Rick and we would go to high Schools, and college campus's to hand out tracks and evangelize to the people. Dave and I had conflicts at times over 'what is the gospel and it's particulars'? There were other people too, who would come out and evangelize, and I would find myself in disagreement with them. Most of the time I would keep my mouth shut, and ponder these things. Trying to reason these things out. Once hanging out with a guy by the name of 'Forest', he told this gal , who professed to be a lesbian, that she did not need to repent, but rather just turn to Jesus, because all her other sins had all been atoned for. If a person rejects limited atonement , than they are forced to (if consistent) to preach only, to trust in Jesus, while repentance is glaringly missing. This is just one way of many, that Calvinists and non-Calvinists evangelize differently.

And yes, Praise be to God! God opened both Dave and Rick's eyes to the truth of "the doctrines of grace".

P.S Sorry, while posting my resolutions I lost this post temporally.

Resolutions

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"...Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.." -Heb. 12:1,2a




It's that time of the year again when people make their resolutions, and make an attempt to lose those unwanted pounds. Gyms all across America are filled with people eager to lose weight, only to give up in a few short lived months. In Hebrews. 12:1 we are exhorted to "lay aside every weight", this is different from the "sin" mentioned next. Athletes in Paul's day and ours would strip away every piece of unnecessary clothing before competing in a race. In this case the Hebrews weight was legalism. The Hebrews were weighted down by the Levitical system that was impeding them to run the race without encumbrance. Their "sin" was refusing to leave this system and to turn to the perfect sacrifice, Jesus Christ Himself.. Their "sin" therefore was one of unbelief.

As application to our own souls, what weight do we need to lay aside? What encumbrances us from running the race with endurance? "Endurance" here means to run with determination regardless of many temptations to slow us down and to have us quit and give up. I have come up with my own resolutions to help me to run this race with endurance, and like an athlete I have a deliberate strategy to run this race, to lay aside every weight that might impede me. I wrote some of these resolutions about two years ago, while on a Brazil mission trip. I wrestled with whether or not, if I should post these, lest it should look like I am making my self out to be real spiritual guy. I fall short . I boast only in Jesus Christ, who I rely upon, by His grace to run this race as far as these resolutions are according to His will. I stand upon the shoulders of Jonathan Edward's. I am only a secondary learner, therefore I have used Jonathan Edward's resolutions as a guide line. I have adopted some of his, and changed some of his wording to fit mine. I am a real stickler for organization and order, so I have organized my life in seven categories. Making resolutions in each category. May you the reader be encouraged and edified to make resolutions of your own. Perhaps you can pray for me as to be able, by God's grace to run the race with vigor, and be unencumbered with unnecessary weight. May God use these resolutions to glorify Himself.

Spiritual
1. Resolved, to love God with an increasing measure of vigor, as to love God with all my mind (intellect) so to have God's thought after Him.
2. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
3. Resolved, to live in the fear of the Lord, as the prerequisite for increasing in knowledge.
4. Resolved, to take captive all thoughts to the obedience of Christ.
5. Resolved, to put to death ( mortify) sin in me, and my members, by the Spirit, through the word.
6. Resolved, to live as to make the most of every opportunity, redeeming the time.
7. Resolved, to live confidently in God's providential care, not being afraid to live boldly.
8. Resolved, to never waste one moment of time , but to improve upon time, to make it the most profitable.
9. Resolved, to make much of God
10. Resolved, to live as to have no regrets, when I come to die.
11. Resolved, to think much of the day when I shall give an account of my life, before God.
12. Resolved, to live daily in repentance, asking God to search my heart, confessing my sins of omission and my sins of commission.
13. Resolved, to set my mind on things above, on the eternalities of being forever with the one I love
14. Resolved, as to pray without ceasing, believing that God is faithful to answer. That in hope, by faith, God will grant whatever is asked in His will.
15. Resolved, to preach the gospel to my own soul. And trust God to enable me to keep these resolutions, asking Him for His amazing efficacious grace to be bestowed upon me, for His glory alone.
16. Resolved, as to live to do all, to the glory of God, and to enjoy Him now and forever.

Social/Church
17. Resolved, to evangelize, to tell at least one person per day, of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
18. Resolved, to speak that which is only to edify, encourage, and/or is of necessity.
19. Resolved, to never speak evil of anyone, (except if of necessity), but rather disdain evil..
20. Resolved, to never take revenge, but to pray for love to be shed abroad in my heart for my enemies, remembering that it is God who is the revenger.
21. Resolved, not to gossip nor be the hearer of it, thus giving wood to fire.
22. Resolved, to imitate the good I see in others; first to give thanks to God, then to ask God's help to work this good thing in me.
23. Resolved, when seeing sin in others; first to see my own vileness, and helpless estate if grace had not been worked in me. To ask God to search my own heart, if this sin be found in me.If so, readily confess this sin, entreat God for His mercy, and grace, to abhor this sin in me, and to uproot it.
24. Resolved, to strive when speaking of God and heavenly things to be of a happy delightful spirit, and entreat God's help to have a countenance that matches the truth spoken of.
25. Resolved, to have a serious sober mind when speaking of the unregenerate, of the fires of hell, and of the judgment to come.
26. Resolved, to speak with clarity, precision, and accuracy.
27. Resolved, to be hospitable, kind, tenderhearted toward all, and treat the household of faith even better.

Family
28. Resolved, to honor my mother: and show her, the utmost respect, tenderness and care.
29. Resolved, to keep in touch , with my siblings through writing and calling.
30. Resolved, to prepare by all means, for the high estate of my own marriage (Lord willing) by prayers offered to God: by the reading of good relatable books, and by the careful observation of other marriages. So as to learn what wisdom there might be to emulate.
31. Resolved, to pray for my future wife (Lord willing) for her preparation, and sanctification.
32. Resolved, as to live in such a way that my future wife would be happy and content if she could see me now, in private.
33. Resolved, as to live in such a way, that if my future children (Lord willing), were to view me now, that it would be the most profitable to them if they were to imitate me.

Education
34. Resolved, to study the sacred scriptures so regularly, and faithfully that I grow in a comprehensible fashion of the full counsel of God.
35. Resolved, to grow in a working knowledge of words, because God is a communicator, and I communicate God to a lost world. Thus writing, and spelling to the glory of God.
36. Resolved, to store up knowledge as to have wisdom applicable.
37. Resolved, to grow in knowledge of the world about me. As to be able to understand and explain the functionary created order, as to give all praise and glory to God.
38. Resolved, to understand the times I live in, so I know how I ought to (live) do.(1 Chronicles 12:32). So I can be able to recognize " worldview bias"-the fundamental assumptions of those around me.
39. Resolved, to be equip to answer the one, who asks for the hope that is in me, and to answer the fool according to his folly.

Financial
40. Resolved, as to manage the assets God has entrusted me with. (Psalm 24:1)
41. Resolved, to hold on to material gain with a loose hand.
42. Resolved, to be a generous cheerful giver. (Acts 20:35)
43. Resolved, to remain debt free, always paying all bills on due date or before.
44. Resolved, to give to who is in need, when it is within my power to give it.

Occupation
45. Resolved, to work diligently, heartily, joyfully, according to the power and strength at work in me by His Spirit.
46. Resolved, to work not as unto man, but unto God.
47. Resolved, to cherish a good name above that of silver and gold.
48. Resolved, to strive for excellence in all that I do, to the glory of God.
49. Resolved, to be honest in all work to all people.

Physical
50. Resolved, to eat and drink to the glory of God. And to give thanks to God for His bountiful provision
51. Resolved, to exercise physically regularly, and to remember bodily exercise does profit little.
52. Resolved, to remember that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, by God for God.
53. Resolved, to remember my Body belongs to the Lord, that I have been bought, and purchased, thus to glorify God with my body.
54. Resolved, to keep myself pure, not giving myself to bodily gratification nor to fornication
55. Resolved, to dress modestly, and not to draw attention on purpose, by the dressing of a little amount of clothing, nor bizarre attire.
56. Resolved, to realize that someday my body will belong to my wife, thus I can honor her now; by keeping pure, by keeping in shape, and by making every endeavor to look my best.

WHY

READ

THE

PURITANS ?

what do the Puritans have to offer us?

Dr. Don Kistler has done the church a huge favor by writing the booklet " Why Read the Puritans Today? A Soli Deo Gloria Publications, in which Don Kistler is fonder and president . Don has given us his ten reasons to spur us on to the reading of the Puritans. I encourage you, my readership, to read Don's booklet, if you have not done so as of yet. These great booklets are great to hand out to promote the proliferation of the reading of sound theological depthness that is exhibited in the Puritans. My love affair for the Puritans began back in 1997. In 1996 I had discovered the writings of a man that many have called " the Prince of Preachers" Charles Haddon Spurgeon. I found myself quickly entranced by his passion for Christ and His cross. I kept encountering quotes from the Puritans from Spurgeon's writings. So I set out to embark upon the writings of the Puritans, so as to find out, first hand, what had such a profound influence on Spurgeon. I found out indeed. It was love at first sight or should I say love at first read. My desire to read the Puritans seems to grow with every new book. Now I want to share my reasons with you, and to the Church, as to why read the Puritans? However I don't want to steal Dr. Don Kisler's reasons, but it would be very hard not to come away with some of the same reasons. These are my reasons, in my words primarily before I had read Dr. Don Kistlers booklet.

Why Read the Puritans?

1) Coram Deo- The Puritans had a way with exalting and esteeming the goodness, glory and grandeur of God. Getting us to move toward the throne room of God. And beholding His face. Upholding all of God's attributes, not just the singularity of God's love, but encompassing His manifold manifestations of His nature. Before the Puritans, John Calvin said, "Man never achieves a clear knowledge of himself unless he he has first looked upon God's face, and then descends from contemplating Him to scrutinize himself." The Puritans knew their God well, thus they knew themselves well.

2) Christ-centric- The Puritans often plea with us to flee and fly to Christ. And Christ alone. The sufficiency of Christ, as mediator between God and man. The great physician of the soul. The excellencies of Christ were Cherished, loved, and herald among the Puritans.

3) The sufficiency of scripture- The Puritans knew their bibles. On average they would read 15 chapter per day. They had an assiduous appetite in the reading and studying of the Holy Scriptures. When guests were over to their houses, they read to each other from the bible or from other good books sometimes for hours.

4) Physicians - The Puritans were often called "The physicians of souls". They had a profound love for one another, and would analyze the poor soul in question, in light of the full council of God. And diagnosis the poor soul for the biblical remedy.

5) Sin mortifiers- The Puritans spoke much on the evils of sin. I call this talking down sin. That is they would show the awfulness, heinousness, and ugliness of the reality of sin. They had an ardent abhorrence for sin. This is where the Puritans were really strong. Where we have much to learn.

6) The Gospel - The Puritans were evangelists. Their evangelism was God-centered rather than man-centered. They made much, rightly so, of being made right with God. Unlike much of today's so called evangelism, that promises that your felt needs, can be meant, like any other relationship. The gospel was seen, as the full council of God. The evangelist task was to teach it. Not to deduce the gospel to mere four points, and make the gospel easy for consummation. But rather teach the great doctrines of sacred scripture. Predestination- Election - regeneration-Justification- propitation- reconciliation- sanctification- and glorification. They would not shun away from these biblical doctrines. Making your calling and election sure, was an integral part of their preaching.

7) Practical- The Puritans were a practical bunch, but not pragmatists . Most of the Puritans were Calvinists who believed in what they would call "experimental Calvinisim". They firmly believed that without holiness no one will see the Lord.

8) Worship- The Puritans believed that all of life is worship to the King of Kings. No part of life was not under Christ's Lordship. Worship was not compartmentalize nor was it considered to be only the time reserved for singing and music. The pulpit was highly esteemed. The preaching of the word was at the height of the whole Church service. The Lords day was viewed as a day of joyous celebration of the manifold grace found in Christ. The Lords day would not be a day to fast , but to feast on Christ's body both at the Lords table (communion) and with the body of Christ (the Church). Yet reverence for Christ, and the fear of God was exhibited, and was a prelude to Knowledge.

9) Family- The Puritans had a high view of the family. Children were seen as a blessing , and not a curse. The Puritans where match makers. They stressed that it not good for man to be alone (Gen. 2:18). That Companionship was the top primary reason for the institution of marriage. Sex was not to be suppressed , but rather lavishly enjoyed, with in the bounds of holy matrimony. Sex was viewed as a sacred God given gift, first for the enjoyment between husband and wife, than for the progeny of the gospel by bearing children as a means to carry out the first command, to be fruitful and multiply, so to have dominion. The culture mandate was to be carried out through the proliferation of raising a godly family. The husband was seen as the pastor of his little flock. Prophet priest and king. Provider and protector. The wife as the helpmate to the man's joy. As a good wife, mother, and lover. And as the cultivator of the heart of the family.

10) StrongVocabulary- The Puritans had a way with words. In our day much of our literature seems so drab, dry, and deficient; of fostering ardent affections for anything. Let alone of the eternalties of what seems often to us as mundane, boring, and even useless. Their literature is able to arouse, and awaken us out of our lethargy. We Christian here in the West seem to be asleep in the light. My own prayer for myself has been "Lord save me from this cesspool of indifference". The Puritans were good at painting word pictures to heighten the will, so as to move it, to it's highest climax of emotions. They weren't only concern about information and facts but they wanted people to be moved and stirred in their emotions as to act differently. So long it was under the masters umbrella of truth.

Puritan Belief

Sorry, I do apologize, I said I would post ten reasons "why read the Puritans?". Due to unavoidable circumstances of life (work). I have not yet posted it as you see. I want it to be a good post, and not rushed. I want to be a man of my word. I planned to take a week of work off, and I found myself working today. I do planned to post it today Friday December 30 (Lord willing). Again sorry for any inconvenience. Mean while why not check out "Puritan Belief". You will not be disappointed.
In Christ Daniel

Puritan Belief: Fridays Top Posts

Fervent Desire

Augustus Toplady

Father, I want a thankful heart,

I want to taste how good Thou art.

To plunge me in Thy mercy's sea,

And comprehend Thy love to me-

The length, and depth, and breadth, and height

Of love divinely infinite.

Jesus, my great High Priest above.

My friend before the throne of love!

If now for me prevails Thy prayer,

If now I find Thee pleading there,

Hear, and my weak pertitions join,

Almighty Advocate, to Thine.

O sovereign Love, to Thee I cry,

Give me Thyself, or else I die;

Save me from death, from hell set free,

Death, hell, are but the want of Thee;

My life, my crown, my heaven Thou art!

Oh, may I find Thee in my heart!

Toplady, Augustus. The Worrks of Augustus Toplady,

London: J. Chidley, 1837,p. 914.

Can I Turn you on to the Puritans?

Can I encourage you to check out some Puritan literature? I don't know about you, but I cherish good poetry. Here in this book "Worthy is the Lamb" is some of the best, Christ centered, poetry. Tomorrow I will give you 10 reasons of my own , Why I think you should read the Puritans.

Books > Puritan and Reformed Writings > Works of Puritan and Reformed Authors > Worthy is the Lamb Author: Maureen BradleyEdited by: Don KistlerPublisher: Soli Deo Gloria You won't want to miss this inspiring collection of Puritan poetry! Like Valley of Vision, this volume will not only serve as a source of refreshment and encouragement for your spiritual life, it will help you help others when you can’t find the words

MERRY CHRISTMAS, ALL YE SAINTS!!!

The lyrics to ( Joy To The World) this well known loved Christmas carol believe it or not, is really not about the birth and incarnation of Christ Jesus, rather it is about His second coming. There is no better time, than during this season of remembrance of our Savior, Lord and King's first coming, that we ought to be reminded of His soon second coming; the consummation of all things. O happy happy day. Christ Jesus will return not as a lowly humble servant , but rather as a fierce grand glorious triumphal King, to rule and reign in all His fullness. We can fully trust that He is coming to take us (the elect) to be with Him forever. Because He has come the first time, thus keeping His precious,prophetic, promises. Are you ready? Do you long for His appearing? ..."Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you may be sure that He is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him." 1 John 2:28-29

"And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure." 1 John 3:3




The scripture-based words are by Isaac Watts. The music was adapted and arranged by Lowell Mason from an older melody which was then believed to have originated from Handel; not least because the theme of the refrain (And heaven and nature sing...) appears in the orchestra opening and accompaniment of the recitative Comfort Ye from Handel's Messiah, and the first four notes match the beginning of the choruses Lift up your heads and Glory to God from the same oratorio. However, Handel did not compose the entire tune.]

JOY TO THE WORLD
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

YOU KNOW JACK!!!

You thought you knew Jack?

Better known as C.S. Lewis. Clive Staples Lewis was born in 1898 in Belfast, Ireland. At an early age of 3 or 4 he changed his name to Jack. Do we blame him. Interesting facts of Jack, includes that he liked to spend time with friends at the Eagle and Child pub, drinking pints, and smoking pipes.

He was an avid reader. Lewis distrusted the latest trends and in all

aspects of culture: People become enamored with what's hip and plunge " into it because it seems successful. " You may call Lewis" old school." Lewis lived a very modest life; he was a very generous man, giving away two-thirds of his income to Church and other charities. Jack did not travel much nor cared too. Jack never learned to drive a car. Jack loved the sea, but disliked swimming. He wasn't one for small talk, so he avoided social functions and he said " I have a distaste for all that is public." He hated radio and television though later his voice would be heard on the radio. In World war 1 he suffered a wound to his wrist which later would cause pain while writing the 37 books he would produce. Jack memorized books including Greek and Latin books and would recite them from memory. If he like a book he wanted to own it so he could read it again and again. He enjoyed reading so much that he would read and walk at the same time, even when getting ready and walking out the door. Truly a man after my own heart.

Jack of many trades

Many different genres of literature Jack wrote; from theology (Mere Christianity)( God In The Dock). My first apologetic books I read. Poetry (Dymer), allegorical novel (The pilgrim's Regress) this would not be politically correct today, it talks about dark skin girls, which represent lust. Philosophy ( The Abolition of Man), children "suposal" fairy tale ( The Chronicles of Narnia), space travel fiction (The ransom Trilogy) interesting in light of the fact that he had a distaste to travel. Myth (Till WE Have Faces), analogue (Letters to Malcolm), literary criticism ( Discared Image) and autobiography ( Surprised by Joy).

Surprise!!! Joy

Yes indeed he surprised many including himself in when in 1957 he started to fall in love with Joy his wife, that's right, he first entered into a civil marriage with Joy. In 1956 Joy's visa renewal was refused by the British authorities, unless she would marry an Englishmen she was to return to the United States. Later in 1956 they would a have legal ceremony. She was 37 years of age and he was 55 years of age when they tied the knott. Only four years into their relationship she would die of cancer. Joy's death nearly destroyed Jack. In response to his pain he wrote the book "A Grief Observed". A book that many have found helpful in the loss of a loved one.

What does Jack know?

Though Jack has contributed much to Christian subculture and has influenced Christians to engage in the arena of apologetics, he did not subscribe to penal substitution, and biblical inerrancy. He believed in baptismal regeneration and purgatory. Even with this marred deficient theology he has impacted much of Christendom, including myself. He paved the way for a passion for apologetics and to worship God in the duty of delight, with the whole mind and intellect. He helped fuel a passion for reading. In "God In The Dock" chapter 4, titled "On the Reading of Old Book" we read "I do not wish the ordinary reader to read no modern books. But if he must read only the new or only the old, I would advise him to read the old." That is good sound advice. I might add Puritan literature at that.

alledged allegory

Perhaps the single most common question about The Chronicles of Narnia asks whether Lewis wrote the series as an allegory. After all, even if your biblical knowledge is limited to a few Sunday school classes in third grade, you probably notice that Aslan has many similarities to Jesus Christ. If Lewis added that symbolism on purpose, does that mean that everything in Narnia represents something in the Bible? C.S. Lewis makes clear that he didn't write the Narnian Chronicles as a biblical allegory. But you may be asking: How can this be true given the obvious symbolism used throughout the series? In order to understand Lewis's side of the story, you need to understand the difference between allegory and something he called supposal.

An allegory is a literary device in which an author uses the form of a person, place, or animal to represent an abstract idea. For example, an eagle can represent the abstract concept of "freedom," a witch can represent "evil," or a photo of yours truly can express "amazing, profound wisdom." Some of the more popular literature in history is allegorical. In Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy, for example, Dante represents humanity as he journeys through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. In John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, concepts like hope and mercy become real-life characters in his saga of a man (named Christian) searching for salvation. So too, Lewis's first book written after his Christian conversion was The Pilgrim's Regress, a Bunyan-like allegory that describes his road to the Christian faith. In The Allegory of Love, Lewis writes that when you use allegory, "you can start with [facts] . . . And can then invent . . . Visible things to express them." He adds, "What is good or happy has always been high like the heavens and bright like the sun. Evil and misery were deep and dark from the first." A slightly broader definition of allegory applies when an author represents real people or places in a fictional context. George Orwell's Animal Farm is a well-known example of this allegorical type. As a way of addressing the issues surrounding the Russian Revolution, Marx, Lenin, Stalin, and other real historical figures are represented as pigs on a farm.The Chronicles of Narnia is not in this genre. Lewis did not write the series as an allegory using his fantasy setting to represent abstract concepts or real people. In terms of literary style, the series bears no parallels to allegorical works like The Divine Comedy, Animal Farm, or even Lewis's own The Pilgrim's Regress.In fact, Lewis explicitly warns readers against trying to make a one-for-one match between Narnia and the real world. In a May 1954 letter to a fifth grade class in Maryland, he writes, "You are mistaken when you think everything in the books 'represents' something in this world. Things do that in The Pilgrim's Progress but I'm not writing in that way."

Supposedly, this is a supposal
Although Lewis makes it clear that The Chronicles of Narnia isn't an allegory, he doesn't deny that some symbolism was written into the series. But, to understand his approach, you need to recognize that Lewis differentiates allegory from something he calls supposal. In a December 1959 letter to a young girl named Sophia Storr, he explains the difference: I don't say. 'Let us represent Christ as Aslan.' I say, 'Supposing there was a world like Narnia, and supposing, like ours, it needed redemption, let us imagine what sort of Incarnation and Passion and Resurrection Christ would have there.' Allegory and supposal aren't identical devices, according to Lewis, because they deal with what's real and what's unreal quite differently. In an allegory, the ideas, concepts, and even people being expressed are true, but the characters are make-believe. They always behave in a way reflective of the underlying concepts they're representing. A supposal is much different; the fictional character becomes "real" within the imaginary world, taking on a life of its own and adapting to the make-believe world as necessary. If, for example, you accept the supposal of Aslan as true, then Lewis says, "He would really have been a physical object in that world as He was in Palestine, and His death on the Stone Table would have been a physical event no less than his death on Calvary." Aslan isn't an allegory of Jesus Christ. Instead, he's a supposal. Lewis emphasizes this point in a December 1958 letter to a lady named Mrs. Hook: [Aslan] is an invention giving an imaginary answer to the question 'What might Christ become like if there really were a world like Narnia and He chose to be incarnate and die and rise again in that world as He actually has done in ours?' This is not allegory at all. Much of The Chronicles of Narnia is built on the concept of supposal. For example: Suppose Christ came into the world of Narnia as Aslan. What would he be like? Suppose Aslan created Narnia out of nothing and centuries later brought it to a conclusion. How would these stories play out? Suppose evil were introduced into Narnia. What would that be like? Suppose a person or talking animal could freely choose to obey or disobey Aslan. What would life in Narnia be like? By using supposal, Lewis doesn't feel compelled to have a direct 1 to-1 correlation between the experiences of Aslan and the real life of Jesus Christ. In his letter to Sophia Storr, Lewis talks of this freedom: "When I started The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, I don't think I foresaw what Aslan was going to do and suffer. I think He just insisted on behaving in His own way." Using supposal as the vehicle for getting him there, Lewis views The Chronicles of Narnia as myth. He explains that an allegory is a story with a single meaning, but a myth is a story that can have many meanings for different readers in different generations. According to Lewis, an author puts into an allegory "only what he already knows," but in a myth, he puts "what he does not yet know and could not come by in any other way."

So you think you know Jack?

studs

December 19, 2005
Daniel Mann, left, and Dave Mazzella are partners in Pane-Less Window Washing.
They emphasize professionalism
Owners: Daniel Mann and Dave Mazzella
Phone: 773-2290 and 1-888-873-2290
Employees: Two employees

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one in a weekly series of profiles on locally owned and operated businesses in Southern Oregon.
What do you do and how long have you been doing it?
We do both commercial and residential window cleaning, big and small, from Ashland to Grants Pass in the Rogue Valley and as far south as Bakersfield, Calif. We do a lot of hospitals and have been doing it for the past five years.
How long have you lived in the Rogue Valley?
Daniel: moved here with my parents in 1978 from Orange County, Calif., and Dave moved here a few years later.
What inspired you to go into this line of work?
Daniel: It was something I knew how to do and was experienced at. It pays well. It was a great opportunity to make good money and do a professional job of doing it.
What decision or action would you change if you could do it again?
I probably would have spent less on advertising. I probably would’ve got a vehicle with a logo on it right away. You build a clientele by word of mouth and just going to accounts and making bids.
What’s the toughest business decision you’ve made?
Whether or not to work for a subcontractor part of the time. That involves going down to the Bay Area, doing hotels and high-rise buildings, up to 36 stories. Most of them are 15 stories and below. Subcontracting involves doing the job and then getting paid by the account holder.
Who are your competitors?
There are more and more every day. Southern Oregon Window Cleaning and Crystal Clear — probably the biggest one, because other people subcontract for them.
How do you define success for your business?
Our goal is primarily to establish a good name for ourselves through our professional work. Most other window cleaners I’ve seen don’t have nice uniforms and don’t necessarily look professional. We aim to please and have no complaints.
All of our work is guaranteed. You don’t like our work, you don’t pay, and so far, we’ve had no complaints.
What are your goals?
To be a household name. When you think of toothpaste you think of Crest and when you think of tires, you usually think of Firestone. So when you think of clean windows, that you would think of Pane-Less. It would be nice to have more employees. I can foresee in the future, especially during certain seasons that we would need help.
What training or education did you need?
Window cleaning techniques to help speed up and save time. Being able to fix previous scratches as well. There are products such as soaps, squeegees and scratch-removal products. Then you have to learn how to use the device that buffs scratches out and chemicals that remove water spots.
What’s your advice for budding entrepreneurs?
Work hard and create a good name for yourself. Have a good reputation.


This appeared today in our local paper the Medford "Mail Tribune" under Business.
Are not these the most handsome and debonair fellows you have yet seen? Sorry one is taken and has a family of three adorning children.

God in not safe

" Who is Aslan?" asked Susan.

"Aslan?" said Mr. Beaver, " Why don't you know , He's the king..."

"Is -is he a man?" asked Lucy.

"Aslan a man!" said Mr. Beaver sternly. "Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-beyond-the-sea. Don't you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion-the Lion, the great Lion."

"Ooh!" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel

rather nervous about meeting a lion."

""That you will, dearie, and no mistake," said Mrs.Beaver, " if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're neither

braver than most or else just silly."

"Then He isn't safe? " said Lucy.

" Safe?" said Mr. Beaver. " Don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you?

Who said anything about safe? ' Course he isn't safe. But he's good.

He's the King, I tell you."

later toward the end of the movie Lucy says... He (Aslan) is not tamable, but he is good.

Now, I had watched the movie with a group of friends Saturday night. I thought it was a pretty good movie. I don't go to movies much . Usually when I do I have to think back 'ok what movie did I watch last?' It takes a couple minutes to think what it was. I have gotten into some discussion on my friend ( Julianne's) blog www.sempersolideogloria.blogspot.com It appears that C.S. Lewis (Jack) did not intend "The Chronicles of Narnia" to be taken as an allegory, however I do like the line, "He is not tamable, but he is good. or how it's put the other way, He is not safe, but he is good. I do think it is a good description of Jesus Himself. A few years back I read a book called "God is not safe" good book. It should remind us that God is sovereign. And as My header declares from a verse that God does as He pleases. We toy not with God. God is a consuming fire. God is not at are beck and call. He answers to no one, but to Himself within the triune Godhead. If God were only sovereign and not good, there would be no point in worshiping Him. We could not trust Him, and we would be consumed in His fierce anger. O but He is good and He lavishes His goodness upon us . Knowing that He is both sovereign and good is comfort to our souls. Knowing he has both the power and the will to work all things for our good.

Time is of the Essence

Time is of the Essence

"Time is of the essence" This a phrase I often said and repeated in my growing up years. I don't know where I had pick it up, but it sound deep and profound to me as a child, so I took hold of it, and used it myself. Whenever something seemed important and time was a factor to the equation, to get the task done: I would quote those words "time is of the essence".

Remember as a child how slow time went. I could not wait to be out of school, and I mean out of school for good. I hung out with my momma a lot as a younger child and being the baby of the family, I was with my mom much of the time. My mom seem to always be killing time. 'What are we doing' I would ask as we would drive around the same block 3 times to wait and pick up my older brother from school; my mom would reply, 'we are killing time'. Great now I was an accomplice to the murder of time, with my own mother.

I don't know about you, but these days I don't have 'time to kill'. I wish I could have both the time that my momma and I killed, and the time it took to kill time. Oh, how I miss that time. It was the best of times. But all I have now is the time at hand. I have repented of killing time. I no longer take the time of killing time. I have found out, it is after all, just a big waste of time.

Time is like a dollar, you can spend it however you wish, but once you spend it, it is gone.
So really 'time is of the essence' We are here today and gone tomorrow. 'For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.'-James 4: 14b


Me and the Ladies

Not long ago, I went to the Golden Arches (McDonald's) for lunch. I took a book in with me.(I take a book with me where-ever I go) I was going to eat and read a little: when I notice a white haired lady approaching my way, I gave her a courtesy smile and she gave me one in return. She too had a book in hand. She evidently saw my open book and ask me 'what are you reading?' I told her, than asked 'what are you reading?' then this frail lady told me the name of the book; she was about to read. I invited this elderly lady to sit down with me. She accepted and from then on, she proceeded to share her life story with me. I listened intently and I enjoyed hearing her explain to me how the providential hand of God wrote her life story. Would you believe it, I was there for three hours conversing with this lady, and yet it seemed like three minutes. Shortly, after that encounter I found myself counseling a 65 year old lady (for 2 hours) who had recently lost her husband. I was able to direct her to good resources for the grieving.

I got checked into a Mental Ward

A few weeks ago I was checked into a mental ward. That's right! I am an owner and operator of a window cleaning business. I travel from where I live here in southern Oregon to clean windows in the Bay area . I work in a lot of hospitals. I had to check in at the desk of the mental ward before entering to clean their windows. As far as the rest of the hospital I had to knock on the door of each patient room upon entering, most are not cognizant: others think I am their nurse wanting to hand me their bedpans. Without tripping over tubes and wires I make my way over to the window to clean it. I like to joke around with the patient, so I ask 'how do you like your stay here at the Hilton . And I like to tell them now that their window is clean their rent will double. Most however are not cognitive of what's going on, they are on the verge of passing out of this life into the next. Many I know are bound for Hell. Few are homeward bound to Heaven. Seeing this really gets me to thinking about time and my relationship to it. How life is so fragile, and Oh so short. Many of these people die alone with the glowing idol (TV) before their eyes. I DON'T WANT TO DIE LIKE THIS. Not that it's all up to me how I will die. However, First I want make my life count. Please no TV, no Oprah or any other foolish empty worldliness. Read me from the Bible, sing me a godly edifying song. And I don't want to die alone. If I had it my way, I would like to die like Stonewall Jackson with my wife (Future) leaning over me as I comfort and encourage her to continue to fight the good fight. And all my children present and grandchildren, to pray a blessing upon their heads.

Time to Live

Over three years ago I had to watch my father die. As I stood by his side, I took his hand, and he looked up at me as a stranger. He had alzheimer's . He was 81 years old. And his body was all shutting down. He had been healthy all his life. I will talk about him later as I will write a blog giving him a tribute. But for now I just want to say that death has always been around me, especially growing up with older parents. But I have been moved in heart from seeing so many in our Hospitals dying alone; hopelessly. I want to live my life loud. I want to make an impact in our wicked generation. I want to make my life count. 'For to me, to live is Christ...Philippians 1:21a. I understand the rest of the verse to die is gain. Sure heaven, loved ones that have gone before us, no pain, no suffering, no sin, and coarse being with Jesus. But what does 'to live is Christ' mean? That I think I have meditated on more than any other verse in the entire Bible. Jesus Christ is the reason for being.'Time is of the essence' I will use the rest of my time to learn of Christ and what it means to live is Christ.

How Do They Do All That?

I enjoy reading a good biography. The first one that I had read was on the life of 'John Wesley'. How could he accomplish so much? He wrote over 500 books, between him and his brother 'Charles' they wrote over 6000 hymns. And the list goes on, how could he do so much? I recently took home a booklet from Church 'Priorities mastering time management' by James C. Petty. I thought I needed to get more prioritize so I could have more hours of the day. Well, I was 20 hours over per month and I still don't know where to cut back. I want to practice 1 hour a day at least on the guitar, I am learning the Djembe( African drum). I have to read, study the bible, pray, cook, and work. I have a 3 year paid membership at 24 Hour Fitness that I have not used in months. I joined toastmaster (a public speaking club) I am taking classes on the internet. I want to memorize books of the Bible verse by verse (I am going to start with Galatians since that is perhaps my favorite book) Then there are things I wish I could do like learn Greek, Hebrew, take singing lessons (If you heard me you'd know why) Dance lessons, many kinds of dance ( If you'd seen me you would know why). I'd like to sky dive (it might take some time to get the nerve to do it) Write a good reform book ( endorsed by J.I. Packer of course ) and catch up on reading. ( that's more unlikely than all the desire put together) get married and make 12 babies ( this sometimes seems the most unlikely) Well the list can go on and on, but time does not. For 'Time is of the essence'.

redeeming the time, because the days are evil. -Ephesians 5:16