Ligonier National Conference

I've arrived in Orlando for the 2009 National Ligonier Conference. The focus of the main conference is the Holiness of God. Tomorrow's sessions deal with John Calvin (Celebrating a Legacy) as part of the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth. Speakers are Steve Lawson, Joel Beeke, Al Mohler, Ligon Duncan, Sinclair Ferguson - quite a line up. I'll post a followup tomorrow evening.

You can get information about live streaming here.

The Legend of St. Patrick

I thought I'd get a jump on things with this post. I'll be busy on Tuesday the 17th.

As much as we might like corned beef and cabbage, green beer, the shamrock and the ridding Ireland of snakes – this has very little to do with the real St. Patrick.

Patrick was born in Britain @390. At age 16 he was captured by Irish pirates and held for 6 years, during which, as one of my chaplain instructors used to say, “He had a ‘significant religious experience’.” After his escape/release he sought training as a priest either in Britain or Gaul (France). He returned to Ireland and was responsible for the conversion of most Irish to Catholicism. He was opposed by the Druid (pagan) priests.

Patrick spent the remainder of his life in Ireland and died there @460.

The following is attributed to him. It is from a longer work called “St. Patrick’s Breastplate.”

I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,Through the belief in the threeness, Through confession of the oneness Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today Through God's strength to pilot me: God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me, God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me, God's host to save me From snares of devils, From temptations of vices, From everyone who shall wish me ill, Afar and anear, Alone and in multitude.

The entire text may be found here.

So here’s to St. Patrick from this Presbyterian; lift a glass and toast his memory.

Preparing for The Lord's Day

“Tragically, most of us have been taught that duty, not delight, is the way to glorify God. We have not been taught that delight in God is our duty! Being satisfied with God is not an optional add-on to the real stuff of Christian duty. It is the most basic demand of all. ‘Delight yourself in the LORD’ (Psalm 37:4 is not a suggestion, but a command. So are: ‘Serve the LORD with gladness’ (Psalm 100:2) and, ‘Rejoice in the LORD always’ (Philippians 4:4).”

– John Piper, The Godward Life

'Nuff Said

I have not posted becaues I am so frustrated with the new President and Congress; but this was a photo-shop not to be resisted:

Friday Musings

We get to have all four of our grandchildren for a while tomorrow. they are ages 3- 14 months. I'll bet it will be a great deal of fun. We get to spoil them and then send them home. Given the dramatic changes in the last few months I wonder what kind of world will they inherit? Then I remember God is still in charge and I take great comfort from that.

I have been meditating on this excerpt from John Piper:“Part of saving faith is the assurance that you will have faith tomorrow. Trusting Christ today includes trusting him to give you tomorrow’s trust when tomorrow comes. Often we feel like our reservoir of strength is not going to last for another day. The fact is, it won’t. Today’s resources are for today, and part of those resources is the confidence that new resources will be given tomorrow.’ John Piper in A Godward Life.

I read, meditate and am reassured.

Friday the 13th

A random scary thought - what's the rush with the stimulus bill, except maybe a lot of things to hide? I bet Freddie Kreuger would be scared by this piece of payoffs to liberal causes. Sure seems to contradict Biblical principles of honesty and fiscal responsibility. I am so glad God and not the government is in charge.

Sure and Certain Hope

We had another saint pass into glory. If it were not for the sure and certain hope of the resurrection I think I'd go nuts. But I take great comfort, as did she, in Heidelberg Catechism Q & A #1:

Question 1. What is your only comfort in life and death?

Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.