Monthly Archives: July 2012

Why We Chose “Mercy Rea”

20 Friday Jul 2012

Posted by in Biblical Counseling, Shepherding, Theodicy

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , ,

Mercy Rea Wilhite

“Friend of Mercy”

Dispensing compassion upon observing a lowly physical state compels the compassion of God to be magnified. Mercy, in the simplistic and broadest meaning, is the bestowing of some form of compassion or kindness due to the physical condition of the party. The name “Mercy” serves an Ebenezer for a specific time in our relationship. How many of us can honestly peer into our past and point to specific moments and, with great confidence, say, “God was working there.” Predominantly found in the OT, memorial stones (i.e, an Ebenezer) were set up to remind the future generation of God’s deliverance, acts of providence, etc. They predominantly served as a teaching reminder to the people. “Mercy” is our Ebenezer.
Continue reading »

Did God change his mind about the nations?

18 Wednesday Jul 2012

Posted by in Missions

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

I remember early in my walk struggling with the concept of Israel being the “chosen” nation. I remember thinking, “Wow, God chose Israel but left all of the other nations out in the cold? Why?” . . . Probably to judge us. Or maybe the church is the new name for Israel? Both of those seemed like potential answers.

As I studied more, I began to realize Scripture has too many references to the restoration of Israel to deem one answer true. Yet God changed His mind and opened the Gospel up to ALL the nations! Diving into the depth of the Prophets brought out the reality of Israel’s sin and the fact that not all Israel is Israel — meaning not all Israel is saved and the Israelites were in the same predicament as the nations! So I just dealt with it. Israel is God’s chosen nation who needs a Savior. Chosen for what? Why them? The second question is easier to answer: because God chose them! So I left my inquiry open thinking God held off from the nations during the OT, but now in the NT the mandate is clear.
Continue reading »

Why Time Heals No Wounds….Well Sorta!

17 Tuesday Jul 2012

Posted by in Biblical Counseling, Preaching, Shepherding, Theology

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Within the arsenal of pastoral ministry is biblical/pastoral counseling. You’re the spiritual guru, or at least, should be. Within the pastoral endeavors, you’re bound to come across those that are spiritually lazy, faint and tender hearted, need encouragement, or those who refuse to stop drinking from the fountain of sin. Within my shepherding undertakings thus far, one of the major themes within my biblical counseling is that of broken relationships central to forgiveness.

Extending forgiveness is one those spiritual disciplines, yes I meant spiritual disciplines, that may be the easiest conceptually to see but the hardest to personalize. For example, one lady I’ve counseled communicates her longing to be forgiven by God for her sins. She comprehends the depth and extent of forgiveness that God will offer, but not it’s not for her and only for others.

Continue reading »

Why inflation may be worse than abortion

10 Tuesday Jul 2012

Posted by in Theology

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , , , ,

As election season approaches one common (and maybe the most common) political issue for Christians is abortion. It is as if this one issue is the deciding factor for every elected official. I get the sense with some people if abortion were outlawed involvement in politics would cease. Abortion is sin. Killing people and placing it under the banner of “human rights” is calling “dark” “light”.

Yet the levels of injustice seen in other areas of government are cause for GREAT concern. Currently the US continues to print money on demand. The effect of our continuous printing drives the value of the dollar down. Why are gas prices higher today than five years ago? Many of you will blame Obama and his lack of ordering drilling in some secret field, only Fox News knows about, that would produce enough oil for us to give to our grand-kids’ kids. But the main reason is the value of the dollar. Gas is traded internationally with the dollar. As inflation rises and the dollar devalues gas prices go up. For the rich man this hits the pocket book, but does not hurt the pocket book. For the poor family, on a tight budget, this devastates the penny purse.

Continue reading »