Making Fiends Episode One

Making Fiends

Check out the online cartoon, Making Fiends, for a few good laughs. I've watched the first few, and I thought they were pretty funny. Since the show was so popular online, it will begin airing on Nickelodeon in 2009.

Augustine on Seeing and Knowing God

If, as Augustine believes, God is the only Thing to be enjoyed, then it is imperative that we cling to Him since He is the true source of all blessedness. After quoting 1 Corinthians 13:12 ("For now we se in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.") Augusine writes,

But unless we now love Him, we shall never see Him. Yet how can one love what one does not know? A reality may be known and not loved; but whether that which is not known can be loved is questionable. If that is impossible, no one can love God before knowing Him. (On the Trinity 8.4.6)

Augustine on Enjoying God

At the beginning of his work On Christian Doctrine, Augustine states that there are three categories of things: 1) things to be enjoyed, 2) things to be used, and 3) things that are to be enjoyed and used. To enjoy something, according to Augustine, is to "cling to it with love for its own sake." Therefore, the only thing that belongs to the first category is God himself. Augustine writes,

The things which are to be enjoyed are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, a single Trinity, a certain supreme thing common to all who enjoy it, if indeed, it is a thing and not rather the cause of all things, or both a thing and a cause" (On Christian Doctrine 1.4.4)

Trials for the Millers

In light of my previous post regarding trials, I thought that it would be an opportune time to ask for you all to pray for Patrick and the Miller family. Over a month ago Patrick ruptured his Achilles tendon. When given the option between surgery or casting, Patrick chose to go through six weeks of casting. On this past Tuesday, he went to get the final cast off, but he found out that two blood clots had formed in his leg...so he had to be hospitalized. Unfortunately, over the next day a blog clot formed in his lungs. Somehow though (it can only be attributed to the grace of God) Patrick isn't having to use oxygen.

As I type this, Patrick is still in the hospital. Although he seemed in good spirit tonight, I know that this is a huge trial for the Millers. Here are a number of ways that you can pray regarding this situation:

*Since they do not have insurance, this will be a huge financial burden. Pray that they will be supplied with the resources they need.

*Pray for his wife Julie as she cares for Patrick and their five children.

*Pray for me and the other leaders at Redeemer as we seek to minister and fill in for Patrick. We really aren't sure how long it will be before he'll be able to get back to full swing.

*Pray for healing.

*Pray that God will be glorified in all things.

Trials with a Transmission

About a week ago, while Amy and the girls were driving, our Ford Explorer's transmission decided to blow up. (I think this is why mechanics have affectionately renamed Explorers as "Exploders.") When the car began making a loud noise Alora said, "Oh gracious mom! That noise scared me!" Thankfully, Alora's comment kept Amy from breaking down in tears. Thankfully, Amy's friend Kelly was driving behind them when it happened, so she was able to take them home.

While this grand event was taking place I was enjoying lunch with my friend Daniel. So, when I came home you can imagine how surprised I was to find out that our (supposedly) best vehicle was out of commission. It was at this point that a few of my faithful foes--complaint, worry, anxiety, and frustration--decided to pay me a visit. Thankfully, a few of my friends--faith, grace, and hope--were around to help me throw those enemies off of my property.

But this isn't the end of the story.

When we found out that it was going to cost us over $1700 to fix the car, we felt overwhelmed. Just a couple of months before this time, Amy and I had spent almost $2000 for Amy to get a root canal. So, we knew that we didn't have enought money to cover the cost of the repairs. But Amy and I knew who we could turn to: our God! So, we did the only thing that we knew to do: pray and ask others to do the same.

On the next day, I recieved a call from Patrick (the pastor at Redeemer), and he told me that someone in the church had donated the money to pay for our car to be fixed. I was floored! Once again, God showed His provision for our family. We didn't have to pay a dime! (We barely had a dime anyway.)

I write all of this in hopes that some of you will be encouraged as you see various trials come into your life. Remember: Trust in the Lord because He is always faithful. The many trials that He places in our lives are not purposeless; rather, they are given so that our faith will be tested and strengthened. James reminds us of this when he writes, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (1:2-4).

After Augustine

My blogging will continue to be minimal until I finish writing my church history paper on Augustine. I've been spending most of my "free" time reading some of his works...On Christian Doctrine, On the Trinity, and others. After Tuesday, I should be blogging with more regularity.

The Religious Affections

Every month Christian Audio gives away one free audio book. This month's selection is Jonathan Edward's The Religious Affections. If you'd like to take advantage of this free offer, then go here. Once you set up an account, add the book to your shopping cart, enter the free code (NOV2007), and begin downloading. Enjoy.