Thanks, Mr. Moore

Yes, folks, it's true. Matt is alive and well, and back with fresh inspiration. I liked his map of visited states, and thought I'd participate. My folks love to travel, and consequently, we've visited quite a few places. I think my map is accurate, though it may need some correction by the folks (feel free).

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New Addition

I’ve added a link to Kelly’s blog, Dry Tea. He’s one of my friends from church. One nice thing about blogs is that it is a way for us to connect. I feel like I know Kelly better because of his blog. He posts frequently, and gives me a glimpse into his thoughts. This accelerates the process of community. Who knows how long we would have to attend church together, have Bible study together, etc, before we would have conversations covering the content of these posts? I’m glad to know Kelly, and I’m thankful for his desire to share his thoughts on his blog.

A Pretty Piece

Here is a particularly beautiful portion of Calvin’s Institutes. He relates how every part of our great salvation is met in the Savior, and found in Him alone.

"We see that our whole salvation and all its parts are comprehended in Christ [Acts 4:12]. We should therefore take care not to derive the least portion of it from anywhere else. If we seek salvation, we are taught by the very name of Jesus that it is “of him” [1 Cor. 1:30]. If we seek any other gifts of the Spirit, they will be found in his anointing. If we seek strength, it lies in his dominion; if purity, in his conception; if gentleness, it appears in his birth. For by his birth he was made like us in all respects [Heb 2:17] that he might learn to feel our pain [cf. Heb. 5:2]. If we seek redemption, it lies in his passion; if acquittal, in his condemnation; if remission of the curse, in his cross [Gal. 3:13]; if satisfaction, in his sacrifice; if purification, in his blood; if reconciliation, in his descent into hell; if mortification of the flesh, in his tomb; if newness of life, in his resurrection; if immortality, in the same; if inheritance of the Heavenly Kingdom, in his entrance into heaven; if protection, if security, if abundant supply of all blessings, in his Kingdom; if untroubled expectation of judgment, in the power given to him to judge. In short, since rich store of every kind of good abounds in him, let us drink our fill from this fountain, and from no other."

Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day He arose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.

Amen.

Are you singing with Rich as you read this? If not, download his song.

Why post about the Apostles Creed? Because this morning I was enjoying John Calvin’s exposition in Institutes of Christian Religion. Most contemporary scholars do not believe this creed goes back all the way to the apostles, with a date sometime in the 4th century AD. Nonetheless, this creed has been important to the life and worship of the Church for centuries. It is a succinct summary of our faith, derived from the Scriptures. We used to recite creeds in the church of my childhood. I never really appreciated them until Seminary. These creeds summarize our central teachings (sound doctrine). These core beliefs describe the essence of our faith. They define the boundary lines, uniting us, and separating us from those who are not Christians. We should memorize them, and say them together. This reminds us of our forever-bonds not only with our brothers and sisters within the four walls of our local church, but also with all our brothers and sisters throughout the world. It also reminds us of all those saints who have gone before us (indeed, a great cloud of witnesses) who have protected and taught this great faith.