It Is Not Good

“It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him” (Genesis 2:18 [RSV]).

It is rare that one finds spiritual wisdom and godly truths in a rock song, but such is the case with a little ditty from 1965 called Game of Love by Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders. In this tune are found these words: “The purpose of a man is to love a woman, and the purpose of a woman is to love a man. It started long ago back in the Garden of Eden when Adam said to Eve, ‘Baby, you're for me!’”

As this song so rightfully declares, God made us to be men and women. He made men to desire women, and He made women to desire men. Adam soon discovered that animals were not a substitute for a wife. God also did not provide another man to be Adam’s helpmeet. What God has reserved in union of marriage between a man and a woman is not to be abused by men with men, men with animals, or women with women. Woman was made for man. Men are to desire women, and vice versa. As the words to the song rightfully say, “The purpose of a man is to love a woman, and the purpose of a woman is to love a man.” Even more than this, the purpose of both men and women is to “Fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man,” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 [RSV]).

The answer to man’s loneliness was provided by God, and it was one woman. Adam had no one to love, to talk to, or embrace, no one to help or give himself to, no one to comfort and no one to produce others like himself. But God provided. If we are in a married relationship we should be thankful for His provision.

We see the Lord God in Genesis 2 as the first matchmaker in history. God was also the first anesthesiologist. He put Adam in a deep sleep before performing this rib surgery. When Adam awoke, God presented him with a great gift. Adam could see he was like her, but she also differed from him. He had an immediate reaction. It is not unreasonable to conclude that Adam offered the first love poem in history at the initial moment he laid his eyes upon her. “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man” (Genesis 2:23 [RSV]). In Hebrew ‘ish’ means man and ‘ishshah’ means woman, but ‘ishshah’ also can mean soft and cuddly. It was love at first sight! You might think you could make a more beautiful poem, but this is amazing for the spur of the moment. It is interesting to note that from the first, even before Valentine’s Day and Hallmark cards were invented, love expressed itself in poetry. Adam accepted God’s gift.

May the Lord bless you!

Steel Boys Record Now at 4-0

The Steel Boys 3rd Grade flag football team upped its record to 4-0 with a 16-6 victory on Tuesday, September 15, 2009.

The Steel Boys' defense held their opponents on the opening drive as Cooper Simmonds' interception of a Brock Smith pass attempt turned the ball over, and quarterback Donovan Ferguson engineered a Steel Boys touchdown drive on their first possession, culminating in an 8 yard TD scamper from the fullback position by Derek Owens. Donovan faked a handoff to Ben Mendella and dove into the end zone for the 2 point conversion, giving the Steel Boys an 8-0 lead. Neither team scored during the remainder of the half.

The Steel Boys scored on the opening drive of the second half on a 10 yard touchdown pass from Cooper Simmonds to Derek Owens. The tandem hooked up again on the extra point conversion to give the Steel Boys a 16-0 lead.

Neither team could amount any offense for the rest of the game until the Steel Boys's opponents broke through for a 40 yard touchdown run as time expired.

By Faith

In John 2:1-11, we have the first recorded miracle performed by Jesus whereby He transformed 120 gallons of water into wine. At Mary’s urging, Jesus rectified the situation. When the host of the wedding was about to run out of wine, Jesus told the servants to fill the water pots with water. They did as they were told, and out came new wine.

What connection is there between filling stone pots with water and the production of wine? Was the source of this wine simply grapes?

When Joshua and the Israelites marched around Jericho thirteen times in six days at the command of God, what did marching around the city have to do with the subsequent falling down of the walls of the city on the seventh day? Absolutely nothing! But the Hebrews writer tells us, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days” (Hebrews 11:30 [RSV]). It was “by faith” the walls fell because God makes the connection, not man!

Was there something magical about the waters of the Jordan River, some medicinal value they held that would cure leprosy, as happened with Naaman when he dipped in the water seven times as he had been instructed in 2 Kings 5:10? No, not all. It was his faith response which saved this Gentile Syrian commander (Luke 4:27).

What does immersion in water have to do with the forgiveness of sins? Does physical water have the power to remove spiritual sin (Acts 22:16)? No again! There is no power in the water. God makes the connection, not man.

Faith is taking God at His word. The master at the wedding feast in Cana would never have tasted the newly produced superior wine had he not acted in faith and done as Jesus had instructed him. When the Israelites conquered Jericho it was because they acted upon faith by marching around the city as commanded, and Naaman was cured of his leprosy once he dipped seven times in the Jordan River as the prophet of God had told him.

Jesus has “all authority” (Matthew 28:18), and if we are going to call Him our Lord, then we must do as He says: Jesus asked in Luke 6:46 [RSV], “Why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?” Whether we accept it or not, the authority Jesus wields is over Heaven and Earth today. He does not need man’s approval! Jesus tells us in John 12:48 that in the judgment we will be judged by His words. At the Mount of Transfiguration, God demonstrated that Moses and Elijah were not on equal footing with Jesus. God’s voice declared, “Listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:5 [RSV]) Will you not do so today?

May the Lord bless you!

The Earth Is the Lord's

Found within the Bible are numerous passages that teach how the world is God’s, and it belongs to Him. The psalmist declared in Psalm 24:1-2 [RSV], “The Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein; for He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers.”

The Earth is the Lord’s because He created it. Speaking of Jesus Christ, the writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 1:1-3 [RSV], “In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days He has spoken to us by a Son, Whom He appointed the heir of all things, through Whom also He created the world. He reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of His nature, upholding the universe by His word of power.”

Not only is He the Creator of the world and all of the wonders of the cosmos, Jesus Christ is also the Sustainer of the universe. The Apostle Paul says in Colossians 1:17, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Without Jesus Christ being alive and well, the universe would cease to exist.

Since we have seen how the Earth is the Lord’s because He created it and He continues to sustain it, it behooves all Christians everywhere to do what we can to respect and honor God’s world so that we will have it and the resources it offers and produces for future generations to come. This is only being a good steward.

Christian environmental stewardship – as image-bearers of God – is a central, joyful, satisfying aspect of our task here on God’s Earth. As communities of God’s stewards, our churches and our lives can be vibrant testimonies that glorify our Redeemer and Creator, as the Body of the One Who made, sustains, and reconciles the world. “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being” writes John in Revelation 4:11.

Yes, we should honor God by being a good steward of His creation. But we should never do as we see some doing, which is replacing God the Creator with idols, and elevating the Earth to the status of a goddess to be worshipped. As Paul warned, they have “exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man or birds or animals or reptiles” (Romans 1:23). Let us respect the Earth, but never worship it. Let us always give our lives in worship to the one and only true and living God Who created everything!

Donovan Ferguson Leads Steel Boys to Third Straight Victory

Donovan Ferguson led the Steel Boys 3rd Grade Flag Football team to its third straight victory, keeping their season unblemished with a 24-0 victory on Tuesday, September 8th, 2009.

The Steel Boys held their opponents to a three and out on the opening possession, and Donovan went behind center to engineer the Steel Boys' opening drive. In a very methodical and workmanlike performance featuring conversions of one third and long and two fourth and long, Donovan ate up the clock as he drove his team down field, culminating in a 6 yard quarterback keeper for Donovan's first touchdown of his football career.

With about 2 minutes remaining in the half, their opponents tried to work a score quickly, but once again the defense of the Steel Boys held their ground, getting the ball back with about 24 seconds remaining in the half and with the clock running. As time was running down, Donovan took a snap, and as the clock showed zero, Donovan handed off to Cooper Simmonds, who ran in untouched for the Steel Boys' second TD, giving them a 12-0 lead at the half.

As the second half opened, Derek Owens ran for 30 yards and a score to make it 18-0. The final score came as Donovan Ferguson and Derek Owens sandwiched a receiver with Donovan tipping the attempted pass into the hands of Derek, who ran the interception back for the game's final score, giving the Steel Boys a 24-0 victory.

In His Image

I want to take a look at a couple passages of Scripture from Genesis 1:26-31 [RSV] and Genesis 2:7 [RSV]:

26. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the Earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the Earth." 27. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created Him; male and female He created them.

28. And God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the Earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the Earth."

29. And God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed which is upon the face of all the Earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. 30. And to every beast of the Earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the Earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so. 31. And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.

“ . . . then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

The fact that man holds a unique place in creation and that man was made in the image of God and has the capacity to know God proves that man is a singular creature in the eyes of the Lord. This establishes the fact that God is sovereign over the creation of human life.

Sadly, we are living in a world where human life has become a cheap commodity. It has become effortless to throw human life away before it ever appears in our world through abortion. And it is becoming easier to discard those individuals that are seen as worthless and as being a drain on society.

We are unique. The real trouble with the world today is that man does not know who he is and what he is; he does not realize his own greatness. For instance, the theory of evolution is an utter insult to man from the standpoint of the biblical account which clearly shows that man is great and glorious and wonderful in the mind and conception of God, and the place God placed man in the creation process.

Human beings are not a product of chance. We are specially created. God knows you! He knows your name! With the psalmist we can declare, “ . . . for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). This is what sets us apart. God created us and proclaimed us “very good.” Never forget that!

Steel Boys Improve to 2-0

The Steel Boys 3rd Grade Flag Football team won their second consecutive game on Tuesday, September 1, 2009, holding on for a 12-6 victory. What appeared to be a high octane offensive outburst for both teams turned into a defensive struggle. The Steel Boys' opponents took just 2 plays to score the game's first touchdown as Donovan waited along the sidelines, but their extra point effort was stopped, and the Steel Boys found themselves down quickly 6-0. They did not allow themselves to stay down, however, as they followed suit and scored on just 2 plays themselves. Donovan Ferguson showed off his blocking ability as he opened a big hole for Derek Owens to scamper through, advancing the ball inside their opponents' 20 yard line to the 18. Quarterback Ben Mendella then ran it in unfazed on the next play to tie the score 6-6.

The Steel Boys tightened up their defense and they got the ball back on downs. Donovan Ferguson trook over at quarterback, and the team was moving down the field. On a first down play, Donovan's first pass attempt of the season was almost picked off by Jackson Nichols. On second and 10 Cooper Simmonds rushed for just over 8 yards, with the ball just outside their opponents' 12 yard line. On third and short the Steel Boys tried a fullback run, but Owens was stopped for no gain, bringing up 4th and short. Ben Mendella was open on the right sideline, but the snap was low, and the Steel Boys turned the ball over on downs with just under a minute to play in the first half. Their defense held as Donovan Ferguson's rush on Jackson Nichols caused an errant pass to be picked off by teammate Cooper Simmonds. Donovan Ferguson then completed a 10 yard pass to Derek Owens as the horn sounded, ending the half.

The Steel Boys started the second half with the ball, and once again, Donovan Ferguson's blocking opened up a big hole for Derek Owens, who gained 30 yards to the 10. Cooper Simmonds then tucked the ball under his arm and followed his blockers into the end zone for the Steel Boys' second touchdown of the game. The extra point pass attempt was foiled, leaving the score 12-6 in favor of the Steel Boys.

Neither team was able to mount any further offense as both teams' defenses took over. Donovan had 3 more tackles, two of these occurring on 4th down and short plays, and these proved to be very big plays.

God's Comfort

Even while hiding out in a cave and literally fleeing for his life, David still found the time to reflect on the nature of God. And David was able to conclude that God was in control, and David placed his faith in Him. 8. Thou hast kept count of my tossings; put Thou my tears in Thy bottle! Are they not in Thy book? 9. Then my enemies will be turned back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. 10. In God, Whose word I praise, in the Lord, Whose word I praise, 11. in God I trust without a fear. What can man do to me? 12. My vows to Thee I must perform, O God; I will render thank offerings to Thee. 13. For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, yea, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. (Psalm 56:8-13 [RSV]) Later, David was able to plea to the Lord, trusting in His promises as the One Who is in control, even when David was being punished, and say, 49. Remember Thy word to Thy servant, in which Thou hast made me hope. 50. This is my comfort in my affliction that Thy promise gives me life. 75. I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments are right, and that in faithfulness Thou hast afflicted me. 76. Let Thy steadfast love be ready to comfort me according to Thy promise to Thy servant. (Psalm 119:49-50; 75-76 [RSV])

In one of the most moving passages of Scripture found within God’s holy word, the Prophet Isaiah declares, 28. Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the Earth. He does not faint or grow weary, His understanding is unsearchable. 29. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. 30. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31. but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31 [RSV])

Even during our most difficult and trying of times, God is there to comfort and protect us. “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 66:13 [RSV]). God as Comforter was fulfilled in Christ, Who promised His disciples in John 14:16, “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may be with you forever.” This Comforter, this Spirit, is Christ: 17. Even the Spirit of Truth; Whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:17-18) Jesus declared He was the Truth in John 14:6, and the Apostle Peter said we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when we are immersed into Christ (Acts 2:38). It is the Spirit of Christ Which Paul says indwells all believers (Romans 8:9 [RSV]): “But you are not in the flesh, you are in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him.” Praise God for His comfort!