franz schneider | daily doctrine

An Update: Journey for Truth and Transcending Religious Abuse

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 12:19:00 +0000

Short Version

This post stands as a message to any who stumble upon this memory-hole of a website. I no longer align with my writings on this blog aside from the basic values that align with natural law and true morality, not manmade religious ideas of "morality." I am not religious and passionately anti-religion. I now expose occulted knowledge and the true meaning of religions that were created for behavior control and mind slavery–religious like modern Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Catholicism and others that are corrupted versions of pure occulted science of consciouness and our world.

To start, follow my current work here and find all of my links here.

Longer Version

Much has transpired in the 4,953 days between this post and my last. This blog sits, largely, untouched, but I have left it up as one of many archives of my journey through life and refinement. I like history. In addition, this post serves as the front page of this site for any who would stumble upon it so they will know where I stand on my past writings with which I no longer align due to what I have learned about natural law and the dark-occult truth about cult religion and religious abuse.

I would be glad to share much about the personal, relational, spiritual, practical, etc. journey I have been on, but I have found that victims of abuse–including abuse by cult-member families and church "leaders"–are so often gaslit and misinterpreted. So, I'll keep it summary for now.

In short, I was in a cult–modern-day so-called "Christianity" during the era when I built and populated this site with articles. No, I was never the religiousy culty type and hated people like that even back then–but it is the cult I grew up in due to my family upbringing. To take matters deeper, I was in a cult within the cult called Sovereign Grace Ministries–a disgusting abusive church-planting corporate cult that ended up wasting eleven years of my life not counting the abusive marriage I was tied up in. But to say I learned a lot about religion and cults firsthand because of these experiences would be an understatement.

I have always been passionate about knowing truth and wanting to know and live in accordance with what is actually right–not what I am told is right. Even while embedded in these cults, I was well-intentioned. I legitimately wanted to know the Source of Life and what was true, but I had to sift through a crazy amount of religious clutter to get there. My desire to know and live in respect to the source of life was even the reason I was in this cult until January 2010. But my instinct was right all along. Something was not right and people were pulling unreasonable expectations out of their asses and beating me over the head with them. "The Bible is the authoritative word of God and is not up for debate! This is want morality looks like and you must live this way or you are a worldly hedonist sinner! Commit to our church, believe the gospel, hang your head in shame and remember what a piece of shit you are as you bring your sins to the foot of the cross and donate to our church!"

If you think that is exaggerating, it is to the contrary. That's an incredibly-light version and hardly scratches the surface of the abslute nonsense I have had to put up with in my lifetime of religious abuse. But I won. I came out the mature adult who knows astronomically more about what is really going on in this world than they do–because I value truth and they do not and because chose to do the work and they did not. To settle down with simple truth has been one hell of a ride. Simply-put I just needed to throw off the glasses of viewing the world through the restricted lens of "does it align with Christianity and the gospel" to IS IT TRUE? The world should be evaluated through the lense of what is right and true, not soneone's religion, religious text, religious figure, etc.

Of course, many "Christians" would respond, "Christianity is not a religion; it's faith!" or "it's a relationship with God!" As with any cult, they always think they are right and everyone else is wrong. They always think they got it right and everyone else is wayward and missed the mark." Go over to Islam and you will find the same. "Our prophet is the THE LAST propet and no one else is allowed to say anything else." It's like a child trying to get the last word in an argument. Muslims claim their book is perfect and uncorrupted and the Bible is corrupted. The truth is, both have gone through long processes of change are eually used to promote the worship of false authority (authority which does not exist on this earth). Judaism, same thing. Endless micromanaging rules about what to eat and what rituals to do when lest ye violate the law are no different than Christians saying you must accept Jesus, go to church, and not wear skirts that go above then knee–than Muslims saying women must dress like garbage bags by covering their natural bodies from head to toe, men must not show their mid section, and dietary micromanagement (though I do agree with not eating dirty meats and with treating animals humanely). And let's not overlook usury propelled by so-called "Jews" (the banker mafia).

In the end, truth is simple. Natural law is the only law there is. Natural law are the laws built into our world and very existence. Natural law is the way the world functions. Natural functions no matter what anyone feels about it and even as people live in direct violation of it–stealing, abusing, squandering, and not caring for their fellow man. If the majority chooses shit, the world will be shit. And, indeed, that apathy and the majority choosing government and religious false authority, supporting military and police order-following murderers, enabling psychopath dark-occult control freaks and narcissists, white-knighting for Feminism, and more is they world is, indeed, shit.

There are few left in this world who give a damn about truth and even few willing to spend their life learning and teaching it. Well, that is what I use my life for and plan to until I draw my last breath. Appreciate the prophets (which literally means one gifted in divulging divine truth) while they are here–because they are near extinct. I fear for the survival of the human species–especially after the COVID hoax that I was at the forefront of exposing. It revealed a lot of true colors. But if you are willing to attract the few good left in the world and teach people truth, due your due dillegence to study it and accept the truth no matter how uncomfortable it might make you. Let go of the religion (Statism included) and free your mind.

I will likely refine and update this post over time, but I just wanted to get this up as I sit in a coffee shop across the ocean. I left America because I couldn't take the retatardation and religious oppression any more. I needed to get away to clear my head and charge my shell naked on the beach after decades of spiritual, psycholoigcal, marital, and family abuse. I haven't quite gotten that rest yet because I am helping others escape, too. But this felt like a good time to post this for whoever will listen.

See ya. ;)

An Answer to Bordeom

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:01:00 +0000

In a society of instant gratification, instant access, and instant mashed potatoes, it's easy to get bored. I mean--what else is there to life if we have just about "everything we need" in an instant and at our fingertips? For example: Let's be honest with ourselves: So much of life is motivated by sex--and the sad truth is, there is so much sexual content available with little effort and is being consumed by millions.

WHAT ELSE IS THERE?

Perhaps the right question is...

WHAT IS THE ONE GREATEST THING?

...or even...

WHAT'S MISSING THEN?

Re: Boredom

As cliche as this might sound, the answer is Jesus. Yes, to some, boring old Jesus. And the truth is, He just might be boring--but not because He's changed, but because perhaps you decided to consume of the world and the world, resultantly, has consumed you.
With our heads at a worldly level--be it consumed by work, vocational pursuits, education, hobbies, preoccupation with friends or a particular relationship, pornography, sports, or whatever--it's not hard to see Jesus as boring when we view Him through that worldly lens.

Now, some of the things I listed above that can consume us are obviously bad (i.e. pornography). Hoever, not all of them are (i.e. work, education, sports). Not even the pursuit of a relationship or marriage is wrong. Those are examples of good things caused by the way God wired us and the desires He chose to build in us. They are beautiful things when done honorably, even if situations do not turn out the way we planned in long past.

Where's My Easy Button?

Only would such a tense battle such as battling sexual immorality be easy had God decided not to put sexual desire in us. But there are all kinds of reasons he did put sexual desire in us that we wouldn't want to do without--and there's a right way to use that desire.

A Place for Everything

Well, there's a right way to use every God-given desire and the right use of them (meaning the effort and heartfelt action to use them rightly) can result in far better (NONT-boring!) effects in our lives than we might think!

Is That Easy?

How can we use each desire to seek the Lord? In a culture that seems to become more and more bored with life by the day, will we simply join them or will be instead use our very desire NOT to be bored to seek Him?

No, being a Christian is not easy. There is no "just-do-this" answer to anything. Simply reading your Bible for five minutes is not going to transform your life in an instant, but know this: God will transform you. He said He will not let His Word return void. And you know what that means? His Word will not return to Him having gone out into the earth without having affected someone--whether that be you or someone else or both.

Can we replace just one--JUST ONE Facebook login to log in to God's Word and spend just 5 minutes with Him?
Can we skip just one Twitter post to jot down a thought God impressed on us so we don't forget?

And look--it's so easy to read 1, 2, maybe 3 verses in God's Word instead of reading that your friend Nicole just made an omelet or your classmate, Ryan, from your college Algebra class just got a job. Nothing wrong with that--I'm into Facebook and those things--but let's give God 5 minutes--just 5 minutes--out of the hours of our days and we'll want more eventually. But today may not be that day. Just start with 5. It is so worth it to us!
Remember, there is no--zero, zip--of any kind of formula to praying or impressive approach we have to take to God. In fact, He'll have none of your trying to impress Him. He knows us because He's our Father and He just wants us to come to Him like children do--happy, crying, guilty, excited, injured, discouraged, hurt, messed up.

COME.

"The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack NO good thing."
~Psalm 34:10 (ESV)

Give the Book a Chance

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 20:35:00 +0000

Parent Fright

We often see it portrayed in movies and in real life: Parent fright. It's a difficult adjustment to change that says, "I'm not ready for my child to grow up and do mature things." There's a stage where most children begin to take an almost rapid interest in the things around them such as driving, working for income, relationships with the opposite sex, exploring their gifts and abilities, etc. Parents can sometimes resist the idea of their children becoming, "less dependent on the nest."

But at other times, parents may have to have a conversation that ends in something like this: "Let's just give the kid a chance."

That Chance Matters

Sometimes we don't know or see what someone is capable of until we give them a shot at it. The Bible can be the same way to us. Much of our lives, I would venture to say, are spent in a need for the awareness of what the Word can do. Our lives are often full of dark places of struggle that we wish to see changed--yet it seems it's the same battle day after day after day. And just as the battle becomes monotonous, the lack of change is even more in our face.

For others, we are a dry and weary land lacking water. A once flourishing rainforest in out souls has been reduced to a pile of dry brush in baking sun. All hope of ever seeing water in the thirsty territory of our soul has seemingly been removed or given to someone else.

We've strayed.

We've become disinterested.

We've overestimated the world.

And now we're paying for it.

Infinite Grace

There is hope. No, listen! There is hope! Remember that intimidatingly-thick book full of stories that make us yawn? Yes, there is your hope--the things communicated within it are your hope. Best termed, the Author of that Book is your hope, and He wants to talk to you.

Pick it up again.

You've not found a refuge in this world. But even if you're bored at the start, He will lead you UNTIL you have found a refuge to dwell in and UNTIL you realize it's Him and UNTIL you find delight again.

Taste and see that He is good--and you won't be able to resist Him!

They Cried; He Delivered

Listen to these parts pulled from across Psalm 107:

Verses 4-6: "Some wandered. Hungry and thirsty. Their soul fainted. They cried. He delivered them. He led TILL they reached a city."

Verses 10-14: "Some sat in darkness. They rebelled. They fell down. None to help. They cried. He delivered. He burst their bonds apart.

Verses 17-20: "Some were fools. They suffered affliction. They drew near to death. They cried. He delivered. He healed.

Verses 23-30: "Some went to the sea. He commanded the stormy wind. Their courage melted. They were at their wit's end. They cried. He delivered. He made the storm still.

"For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things." (Verse 9)

"He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water." (Verses 33, 35)

Trust that no matter how dry, bitter, tired, sinful, or weary your soul is, God is our only resort. So give the book a refreshing and ongoing chance--and be blessed!

Working in a War Zone

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:22:00 +0000

The Battle that Never Seems to End

In our war with sin, we're often looking for a breaking point--a point of rest and refuge where the battle thins and some of the dust settles to reveal the sunrise. But the reality is, all of us have likely noticed that it just doesn't "happen" that way.

Disaster at Every Turn

The true way to describe our daily battles, especially if there is an obvious area of struggle again sin we are facing, would probably be something like this:

"At every turn I face yet another temptation.

At every sign of hope I am reminded of my failures.

At every inch of growth I am crushed by a mile of backsliding.

At every Word of Christ's, the enemy is ready to smash me over the head yet again."

It really is hard to procede when we're working in a spiritual warzone.

Then Where is the Rest?

Does that sound like you? Do you ever feel that not even the Words of Christ can stay true in your mind long enough to have effect?

Know this, fellow Christian:

He Who does not let you stray hopelessly will neither let you fight battles hopelessly.

THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE.

He Who provides words of hope IS the hope.

THERE IS ALWAYS HELP NEAR.

He Who designed growth will give it to you.

THERE IS ALWAYS A PATH OF OBEDIENCE AND RESULT.

And "He Who did not spare his own Son but freely gave Him up for us all,

HOW WILL HE NOT ALSO WITH HIM GIVE US ALL THINGS?"
-Romans 8:32 (ESV)

The rest you seek is in His Word. Fill your mind with truth of God and weakness will dwindle. Rest your body with prayer in mind and trust that He will keep you from harm.

The battle rages on for life, but God blesses on for eternity.

Recommended Resources

The Word of God

Too Late

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 21:17:00 +0000

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"

~Psalm 34:8 (ESV)

Once you taste and see that the Lord is good...
...It's pretty much too late for you.
No matter where you go, where you stray, what you pursue,
There is likely always a nagging--a knowledge deep down--
That the Lord is the only good.
That the Lord is the only One Who can or will ever satisfy.

Can you relate?
Can you reminisce?
There are times upon which you reflect,
Times of goodness and assurance with Christ--
Times of surety at His being the only-way--
Times of satisfaction in what He has provided.

KNOW.
Know that you can experience those days again.

BE SURE.
Be sure that you will praise Him again, if you will only embrace and obey Him.
Be sure of it!

INSIST.
Insist that you make your body your slave and that it seeks the truth every day.

For without a pursuit, we are sure to go nowhere with Him.
But with one...

Who knows what treasures God has in store for those who seek Him?

So it is God's kindness that if you've tasted of His goodness before that it is not easily forgotten.

YOU WILL BE REFRESHED.

"The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever!"
~Psalm 22:26 (ESV)

"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God."
~Psalm 42:11 (ESV)

"The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him."
~Lamentations 3:25 (ESV)

Recommended Resources

Psalm 35

The TV / Computer Addict's Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:15:00 +0000

Friends: Are we afraid, demotivated, or just plain discouraged to get out and make a difference? to live a life of significance? The following is sobering as it is likely the default option of choice in our generation when we retire from the idea that we can indeed affect others for Christ.

May it rightly nudge us push us in the RIGHT direction:

THE TV / COMPUTER ADDICT'S PRAYER

The computer / TV is my shepherd, I shall not want.
It makes me lie down on the sofa.
It leads me away from the faith. It destroys my soul.

It leads me in the path of sex and violence for the sponsor's sake.
Yea, though I walk in the shadow of Christian responsibilities,
There will be no interruption, for the TV and internet are with me.

Its cable and remote control--they comfort me.
It prepares a commercial for me in the presence of my worldliness.
It anoints my head with humanism and consumerism.

My coveting runneth over. Surely, laziness and ignorance
shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the house watching a screen and clicking a mouse forever.

(Author Unknown; slightly modified)

Come Awake

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 02:23:00 +0000

"He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay."

~Matthew 28:6 (ESV)

There is Life to Live!

Oh, wow! Oh WOW!! That's all I could say in response to the truth- and life-proclaiming video below. God has saved us unto battle and victory, joy, freedom, and LIFE! It is time to no longer dwell on the past except to thank Him, to confess our sins to be freed, and to leave our former selves to embrace the life we don't have to feel guilty to take--for that guilt that the enemy attempts (and often succeeds) to tell us is a reason not to embrace a life of freedom unto God's glory was nailed to the cross with our Savior.

And that Savior--He is not dead, HE'S ALIVE, HE'S ALIVE! HE IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD! HALLALUJAH, HOSANNA, PRAISE THE SAVIOR!

Enjoy--and I can't wait for you to progress through this video and reach timer 2:06 and 2:42. Yeah! Our God is not dead, He's alive, He's live!

Enjoy!

Christ is Risen by Matt Maher

Challenge and Application Questions

Is your focus more on the past and the weight thereof, or on the freedom available through Christ's blood and resurrection?
Will you seek to draw your gaze increasingly to the life of the Christian life? How?
Is it valid to hold off on the life of Christianity in order to "fix" one's self?
The enemy has a battle plan against you, what will be yours against his lies and for God's promises to rule your life?

Recommended Resources

Low Humility - Our Best Battle Tactic

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:21:00 +0000

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

~1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)

"But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at My Word."

~Isaiah 66:2b (ESV)

Best Time to Attack

It is often among victory that the enemy most-aggressively seeks to trip us up. When we are already on the ground, the enemy usually must only kick us while we are on the ground in order to reign thoughts of condemnation and defeat upon us. But it is when we are in victory that the enemy has something else to fight past--he must first get us upon the ground again.

Christian, stand in victory, but do not stand tall in self-confidence. This leaves your legs vulnerable to tripping, an opportunity that the enemy will always take to get us far from rejoicing in his enemy--God. March not forth in boldness if your motive is that you are through with the battle. It will never be done on earth!

Low Humility

Instead, stay low in the humble and desperate dependence that is to characterize Christians who have left the life of self absorption behind. March forth in the boldness that naturally comes after gazing upon the power of God to save. It is His strength that will deliver you. Is is His hand that will hold you up from temptation. It is His call that will be loud enough for you to flee sin as strong Christians do.

Mighty God

He is here! He is mighty! As sure as the enemy will not give up on your soul's destruction, much mightier will God not give up on your soul's refining. As the battle against sin and for holiness will never end until your exhale your final breath, so far shall He be with you--from now until you inhale your first eternal breath of Heaven. Then shall you be with Him, Christian, never to sin again, always to joyfully praise Him without interruption.

Recommended Resources

Highlighted Song: Stronger by Hillsong

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 01:15:00 +0000

"Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."

~1 John 4:4 (ESV)

I LOVE BIG songs with a BIG message. And this song is BIG.

Life Commonalities

Trying to kick a bad, sinful habit? Asking "why do I have to go through this" for the thousandth time?

We all have these things in our lives at different times, at the same time, or perhaps seemingly all the time! Struggles with sin and trials of life can become such a constancy and can so consume our minds that soon they seem to be ruler of our lives.

God is Stronger

However, whatever that sin--no matter how unbeatable it seems, whatever that fiery trial--no matter how heated, endlessly ablaze, and rekindling it seems, God is bigger, God is greater, God is stronger.

I, being "one of those people," have been so very encouraged by the song, Stronger, by Hillsong--both in listening and singing it with the congregation of God's church! This song's musical BIGNESS greatly supports the BIGGER message in the song--that God is BIGGEST!

"You broke my shame and sinfuless"--sin is already shattered and completely defeat-able! "You rose again victorious"--It is He Who has done it! "Faithfulness none can deny"--None can honestly deny that He is yet with us and will eventually see He has never left! "There is truth that sets me free"--There is LIFE to live! "You are stronger you are stronger, Sin is broken you have saved me..."

Now TURN IT UP LOUD and enjoy!

Add to a playlist More from this artist

Stronger
by Hillsong

There is love that came for us
Humbled to a sinner's cross
You broke my shame and sinfuless
You rose again victorious

Faithfulness none can deny
Through the storm and through the fire
There is truth that sets me free
Jesus Christ who lives in me

You are stronger you are stronger
Sin is broken you have saved me
It is written Christ is risen
Jesus you are Lord of all

No beginning and no end
You're my hope and my defence
You came to seek and save the lost
You paid it all upon the cross

So let your name be lifted higher
Be lifted higher be lifted higher

Recommended Resources

The Biggest Thing We Know

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:52:00 +0000

"Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world."

~Jesus in John 17:24 (ESV)

Providential Moment

This morning as I traveled to work in the beginnings of what is supposed to be a major winter storm, I was grateful that the traffic was quite good. I observed the fast moving cars moving through the increasingly-heavy snow and kicking up spray and mist from the streets (actual action-packed imagery to the right). As I rounded downtown Denver, the city could not be seen but a few buildings on its parameter.

As I observed these things, the song, "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus," (an outstanding hymn, came on on my iPod. Wow. What perfect timing.

Life Becomes Big...Too Big

Here's what I observed of my own heart and the habits of the human heart: This morning when I left, this commute was the greatest concern I had. It was the biggest thing to me..

The words of the songs sounded:

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim (as I observed the fading view of the city)
In the light of His glory and grace."

God Is Big

Wow. This commute wasn't so big after all. The hustle of the city, like all of our problems and riches, quickly fades when we truly behold Him. Nothing compares to Him. This weather is a small thing. God is big. When we join Him in Heaven, we won't be thinking about how fast or slow we got to work--all eyes will be fixed on Him, and it's small ways like this that He uses to train our eyes to stay on Him now.

Lord, draw our eyes to You and fix them upon your glory! Let us see each day that You are the biggest thing we know--bigger than all our struggles, commutes, earthly gain, relationships, pain, managers, poverty, emptiness, riches--bigger than all the voices of this world raging for our life. You are real, You are big, You are the God Who works mightily! Amen.

Challenge and Application Questions

What small (or big) ways has God reminded you of His greatness and bigness?
What things that the world (or you apart from grace) might see as an inconvenience do you appreciate that are frequent reminders of our big God?
How does knowing God's bigness (sovereignty and work in everything) comfort you in your present struggles?
How does knowing God's bigness keep your eyes on the ultimate Good (Christ Himself) in the midst of great gain?

Recommended Resources

Health-Care Reform, Abortion, and My Stance on Current Issues

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:11:00 +0000

Where I Stand on Current Issues

When it comes down to how much of our time, attention, and effort should be applied to what, the ultimate question is, "what is important to God?"

I do not believe our lives should be consumed by politics. Neither do I agree with the tone and approach that pretty much every political talk show host I have heard (I'm sure there are good ones) takes to current issues and politics. From my past experience, the approach taken largely in secular and supposedly God-fearing talk radio is usually dishonoring to the subject (person) of discussion, has a tone of self-righteousness, and seems to encourage listeners to a self-righteous judgment of everything. This clutter can be such an unhelpful distraction from the joy of life and our communion with God. Knowing I would be tempted to the same, I have chosen to avoid mainstream talk shows.

Our lives should be consumed by God's Word AND communion in His presence--not just knowledge and conviction alone. Yes, there are good, non life- and communion-consuming means to knowing about and acting upon what is most important--ways to act on Biblical principle without the mind-clouding side-issues and non-helpful verbal clutter. But getting your does of the important issues doesn't have to consume your whole and every day--it can be obtained in summary form.

Where Christians "Come In"

First of all, Christians shouldn't "be out." When it comes to a voice being heard on important issues, Christians should be the loudest voice. The definition of right and wrong comes from God, and that is what should fuel, discern, and shape our convictions, responses, and actions on current issues. What is important to God is important for us to speak out on. But first and foremost, we need a relationship with Him--not just the knowledge of and insight on what is right and wrong.

~~~~~~~<>~~~~~~~

Times to Act: Abortion. Life is Important to God

There is a particular current issue--the Health Care Reform Bill--I feel it is important to mention and encourage action upon to resist, primarily for the cause of resisting abortion justification further in our country--because God in the Bible is clear on where He stands on murder. And that is what abortion is.

Go Rush Limbaugh! He posted 1 or two phone numbers to the Capital for people to call and say to stop Obama's "Healthcare Reform" bill that (1) would make abortions easier and more accessible for women (2) another step toward socialism in America (which has been tried elsewhere in other countries and it DOESN'T WORK), and (3) a whole bunch of other gobbledy goop contained in over 1000 pages.

This morning I heard an audio clip of Obama saying, "I am confident it will pass because it's the 'right thing to do.'" Make killing babies easier? The "right thing to do?" Here's a time to act.

The phone lines were near their maximum capacity due to this. Way to make a statement Rush and America!

Finally, I want to close with an aggressive, stern, but also humble approach to this issue:

Challenge and Application Questions

How do you approach current issues and cultivate humility simultaneously?
What sort of knowledge and information do you count as non-beneficial in the political talk world?
Why is it important to stand on what is important? (Whatever the Bible speaks to and is important to God ought to be counted important to us.)

Recommended Resources

Site: Citizenlink.org

Highlighted Song: Stand in Awe by Jeremy Riddle

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:46:00 +0000

"The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

~John 1:29 (ESV)

Stand in Awe

I just discovered a GORGEOUS song this morning! It's called Stand in Awe by Jeremy Riddle, who also wrote one of my other favorite songs, Sweetly Broken.

This song is a powerful invitation to simply come and behold and worship our kind, awesome, "gracious and astounding" Lord Whose "love so confounding appears to us in a CLEANSING FLOW of blood."

"God raised Him from the grave--for Him arm is MIGHTY TO SAVE!"

"All hail the Lord of every man!"

The melody and choir voices in this recording combined with the words they are singing make my hair stand on end!!

To listen, go here and scroll down to "Stand in Awe," or listen below!

Main Playlist

Enjoy!

Add to a playlist More from this artist

Lyrics: Stand In Awe
by Jeremy Riddle (c)

Gracious and astounding
God's love so confounding appears to us
In a cleansing flow of blood!

The Son left throne and glory,
Bore the Father's wrath and fury in our stead;
And for the sins of all He bled!

Stand in awe and worship!
Raise a voice and worship; Come adore
The King of kings and Lord of lords!

Behold the Lamb in Heaven
He was dead but God raised Him from the grave;
For His arm is mighty to save!

Now glorified and reigning
The keys of death and Hades in His hand;
And all hail the Lord of every man!

The King of kings and Lord of lords.

Recommended Resources

The Ordainer is the Healer

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:08:00 +0000

"Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?"

~Job 2:10 (ESV)

As much as God is the Maker of our humanly-unclimbable mountains, the Creator of the seas that rage around us, and the Ordainer of our trials, He is the Provider of strength to climb, the calmer of the seas, and the Healer of our excruciation.

I WILL LIFT MY EYES

Bebo Norman

God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now
God, be near calm my fear and take my doubt
Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in

I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

God, my God, let mercy sing
Her melody over me
And God, right here all I bring
Is all of me
Your kindness is what pulls me up
And Your love is all that draws me in

I will lift my eyes to the Maker
of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

'Cause You are and You were and You will be forever
the Lover I need to save me
'Cause You fashioned the earth and You hold it together, God
so hold me now

I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now

Recommended Resources

A Fallen Pilgrim's Discourse

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:11:00 +0000

Oh Father,
What grace has ordained for me such pain?
What sovereignty has chosen for this pilgrim
That he should walk through fire and ashes and filth?

My hands cling feebly to your grace,
While my body rebels against me and enters into places of death.
I could not hold on any longer to the purity which once defined me,
I had not the spiritual Water to convince me to keep on.

Not that the Water had left me, but I failed to drink it.
A dehydrated being I stood, expecting to continue on in grace,
But instead stumbled, then stumbled in the midst of stumbling
And alas crashed to the ground in sin and hurt and pain.

Oh, to see your face again!
How can I see it when my own lies now burrowed in the dust?
My limbs are broken, and my muscles find not strength to even move or lift themselves.
My life is broken. My soul is broken. I am broken to pieces.

Rain now falls upon my rotting carcass--or so it feels I am a carcass.
What use am I in the kingdom of God? Why have I been called here to die?
Oh, the pain and sorrow I feel in this moment.
All I have built with you is lost--the strong walls have crumbled.

The stream of rain that now runs under my shattered face is refreshing;
At least there is a little hope--if only a little.
A little is all I need to know that you are still here.
Where are you?

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over."

Ah--how I remember those words.
Yet they have been forgotten by me.
How I should love to cherish them again!
What have I done?
What happened so quickly?

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever."

I shall die now.
I shall die now.
I shall die.
I am open to You, God.
Will You take me now?

Why answer You not?
Have I--
Yes, I have.
I have broken our fellowship.
God, is there hope for one who has done as I have done?
Help! Answer! Curse my life. It is a loss! I hate it!

I am in such turmoil
Yet I have this nagging little pull of life that won't leave me alone
What is that? Lord, what?
Who are You? Are you hope?

---

I now experience desert. I have been laying here for years.
My eyes are dry as my lips.
The light and heat is so bright,
Yet it illuminates things I could not see before.
Howcome I can't learn these things when on my feet?
Why not teach me before I am in such a hopeless predicament?

God, You are good. I am stupid.
I lie here with everything stripped away.
I am such a fool--so blind.
I was more blind when I could see.
I thank Thee that my eyes are now dried out.
I thank Thee that Thou hast taken the limbs I used for sin
For pinning me here to the ground.
It is almost now humorous--
Yet I don't know how I have come to that given my initial state when I fell.

Perhaps then I have not broken our fellowship.
I haven't, but rather neglected our communion to only harm's way...

Will I be rescued soon? No?
No.
Okay.
Gah! I wish to move on with life!
Will you satisfy me in You?
I find it wrong humanly to ask for that, but it would be sin not to.
There is nothing wrong with asking that one be filled with His God and not the world.

I vomit.
I see what I have been consuming in Your place now being cast to the heat.
My vomit is turning of a human's stomache,
Yet I strangely find no more beautiful sight right now--
For what be expelled now is what causes me to be in rotting state.
What casts it out is what caused the purifying river to flow beneath my face
Leave me, vomit, and be no longer my god.
May I not return to you again as dogs do to theirs!

I'll wait for you God, for you are continuing now the work You began.
I see it now.
I see it.
My living or dying be in Your hands.
You will complete Your work.
I will not die; I will live again...
I trust you; help me trust you.
I love You, God.
I love...You.

"...for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God."
-Psalm 42:11

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Seeing to Grace - Part 1: The Role of Sympathy (Sympathy - Part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:25:00 +0000

"See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God..."

~Hebrews 12:15 (ESV)

"...weep with those who weep."

~Romans 12:15 (ESV)

Off to an Odd Start

Umm....sympathy? What kind of topic to start a set of writings is sympathy? Perhaps it seems odd to start here, and perhaps it is. But let me tell you why I begin a series on seeing that grace is present in your life and conduct with a focus on sympathizing: Because it may be difficult to grasp other areas of extending and receiving grace in our lives if we are not sympathetic to the reality of struggle and the reality of grace for struggle. My intention is to knock away hesitation to accept the reality of these things from the outset and say, "let's get down to earth together and do life alongside each other."

Where We're Going

When we hear the word, "sympathy," we often might think of experiencing sorrow alongside someone that has just experienced pain--making the pain of someone else your pain. And that is a form of sympathy.

Our focus is on a wide-spread, but intentionally specific sympathy to any situation outside of us (situations experienced by other people).

Why We Need This

Why do we "need" a general sympathy toward others? Well, there's a very real lesson that can be learned (if we are attentive) from life as we progress through life and that lesson is:

Human Hardship and Struggle is Real.

It is real and should not be denied! If we go through life denying and dismissing that the complaint of another person just might have a true struggle behind it, we will be high (in our own eyes), self-righteous, cold, hard Christians lacking aptitude to understanding others. Resultantly, people will naturally be drawn away from an unfeeling person when they need help--a sure hindrance to personal evangelism and contribution to God's work in the church.

Coming to the Reality of Other Peoples' Pain

It's my turn to testify to what the Lord has pried at my own heart and taught me in terms of my own pride.

I can recall specific types of weaknesses that, in the past, I assumed others had in different areas and thereby judged them internally as "weak." A big part of my problems was that...

I had forgotten that I have the same weakness by default and have lived in it,
I had failed to remember that any transformation in my life is purely the grace of God and I would still be dwelling in that weakness were it not for the grace of God,
I dismissed that you've got to start somewhere and there is a time to learn everything
I had not experienced that person's hardship myself and therefore would have a harder time relating,
I had dismissed the power of God's transforming grace and the fact that it is available to all, believer for sanctification and unbeliever for saving salvation and then sanctification,
I had forgotten my own struggles and the grace shown me.

So what does God often use to break down this kind of pride in our lives? Well, He gives us hardships of our own. He gives us struggles that put our faith to practice and that reveal to us that it really is hard to be a Christian in this life and world--that...

we humans really do lose sight of God, that

we really do need restoration for drifting, that

we really do get honestly frustrated with prayer, that

we really do tend toward attempting to earn grace and focus on performance rather than God working and reigning down daily, already-paid-for grace on us, that

we really can become angry at God for lack of change in our lives--whether that be circumstances or sin--and that that is a very real, dangerous struggle, that

people are lusting creatures and it is not abnormal to find things that you hate in your heart--dark desires for forbidden things--and that that also is a very real and dangerous and fight-able battle, that

people really do struggle at times to worship God--whether it be due to condemnation for wrong, dryness of spirit, a learning season simply ordained by God (as all seasons are), or spiritual starvation.

And of course, there is a myriad of other real struggles of people. Why deny these struggles exist? Let us instead put them on the table and live the fight together and alongside each other.

A Confession

Let me give a couple revealing examples from my own life:

I have judged countless people for not engaging in musical worship on Sunday mornings when I've stood among the congregation. Sure, my passion was genuine and my excitement for what we were singing about was real, but there was a disconnect in my thinking between the grace I was excited to sing about and extending it to those immediately around me as we sang! Sheesh. The way God has worked on this was by giving me plenty of hardships and dry seasons that made it evident--this is a human issue, not a "them" issue. I haven't always felt like worshiping on Sunday mornings, neither have I worshiped enthusiastically every Sunday. I've come with burdens, condemnation, dryness, and starvation. I need help like anyone else.

Plus, I remember a teen retreat I attended in my teen years (duh) back in 2002. The worship so affected a quiet, fearful, sinful young man (me) that it was a breakthrough moment in my life. I moved from being fearful that anyone would even see my mouth move in worship to leading worship with passion. It took a miraculous work of God to get me that willingness--and it will for others too. That's the wonderful reality.

I have seen relational difficulties--relationships ended or consumed by conflict. I assumed there was something characteristically wrong or weak with a guy or girl if a courtship didn't work out for them--until I experienced the most excruciating relational difficulty myself. When a close friend abruptly and ungraciously ended a friendship with me despite my efforts of reconciliation (and I had failed to lead in that friendship too), I felt wronged (and of course we need to monitor our hearts against claims that we were wronged when in reality it is "simply" or mostly a hard time handling someone else's well-meaning action). I was hurt. I was crushed. It was real. It was excruciating. I was now in the place of the people I judged.

Previous beliefs of mine would have led me to believe, "boy, if I ever had a relationship cut off from me like that, I would just say, 'it's all for my good and I'll learn from it and move on.'" Not so. There are people apparently more able to do that, but for me there was a lot of work to do. I need God's grace to this day for it and always will.

So it WAS Meant for Good?

There are more examples I could give, but I want to make a point: I have an honest sympathy and passion to encourage others in those and other situations because God called me through the same heat of trial. It was through those tests that God stripped me from my arrogant pedestal and brought me to fellowship and sympathy and encouragement of other struggling pilgrims on the same path. Yes, it was meant for good. Yes, I still struggle with the outcome of my life. Yes, there is more yet to be revealed as to why this happened.

Helpful vs. Non-Helpful Counsel

I can tell you one thing, the least helpful counsel I received in those times (by perhaps well-meaning individuals) was this:

"Just get over it!" Not helpful.

The most-helpful counsel I have received in any circumstance was when the individual attempting to help me did the hard work of coming down to my level and truly tried to understand what it might be like to be in my position and have experienced my struggle. Anyone I've in turn feebly attempted to help was more affected by understanding than anything else. That's not a pointing to myself, it's only a testimony to what God does through hardship and how sympathy really does make fellowship more valuable.

Small Cautions

Now, there are small cautions to this. It is possible to be only sympathetic to the point one is not even helped and their issues are never addressed. It is critical to any true friendship to contain the aspect of input, correction, and feedback. But let us not forget to pave the way there by following our Lord's example. Read the Gospels and you will quickly see a Savior of compassion and sympathy for the lost, broken, sinful, hurting, and those experiencing loss. Next time, we'll look at some examples from the life of Christ that I trust will minister to our souls in learning to see to grace in our lives and the lives of others.

"See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God..."
~Hebrews 12:15 (ESV)

Challenge and Application Questions

What were you convicted by while examining your own heart?
Could you relate with my mistakes?
Can you relate with lessons born from humbling hardships?
To whom specifically can you extend sympathy, grace, companionship, and pilgrim-like friendship?
What about your outlook on other peoples' hardships do you have faith God will work in?

A God Who Hears and Answers

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:12:00 +0000

"'I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. ...if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.'"

~2 Chronicles 7:12-13 (ESV)

A God Who Hears

The Lord hears prayer. The words and pleas uttered from our mouths and that resonate unspoken in our hearts all meet His Fathering ear. None are unheard; none are disregarded. More powerful is the Father's hearing of us than the audible speaking and hearing of two humans conversing. More caring is the Father's heart for us than a mother's affection to her nursing child. And more important and powerful are the Father's acts of grace toward us than the transfer of any earthly gift from one human to another.

A God Who Sympathizes

Our God, more than anyone, sympathizes with your specific weaknesses:

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

His ear is not mute when you bring your complaint and struggle. His back is not turned to you at any time. He is Father, He is welcoming, He will not condemn His saved children. So fear not that He will fail to sympathize, for He will not. Instead, He will counsel and shepherd you back to His pasture. He will tell you a million times and beyond about the cross, for that is where we are convicted, refreshed, and changed.

A God Who Answers

So then why has not your prayer been answered? Why have you cried so long with nothing but "pray more" as an answer? Why have you had your heart seemingly ripped from you and the pain remains when you have brought it time and time again?

Oh the mystery of how our God works. I wish I could give an easy answer, but none of us have it. It's part of what keeps us chasing after more of Him. I speak not from a position of no experience, for, though I speak not much of it, my life has been long full of difficulty, hurt, struggle, pain, and unfortunate circumstances. But I can say this, though in the midst of great trial now:

A long time in the coming, and coming still I am--I have experienced much more of the goodness of God than I have of my excruciating life. And I know it will always be that way because God is always that way and ever will be that way.

Therefore I am happy, though earthly sad at times and through seasons. Therefore I still experience joy--such as a pool of water sitting in the middle of the desert. Sometimes that pool runs low due to the heat, then rains pass over and it is full again though the surrounding sand remains dry.

What we know are the solid promises of God:

"'[I]f my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.'" (2 Chronicles 7:12-13)

"[B]ecause, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 5:8)

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." (Romans 5:8)

Dive into the Word; you will never stop finding His promises there! He will only ever answer and act with what is best for you--even if it's an answer of, "No."

The Non-existent Answered Prayer

So great God's passion for His glory and love for us that there was one specific prayer never uttered in all history prior to God providing the solution. And yet, this un-uttered prayer was the most critical and important prayer that needed uttering--the cry for salvation.

God sent His Son in answer to the need only he knew existed--the human need of a Savior. Therefore we should feel quite content if we find ourselves still without earthly possession or position--for our greatest need is met in Christ. That is not always easy to grasp, but behold! We can (and indeed let us) pray and ask that God in His kindness would bring us there--He is a God who hears, sympathizes, answers, and acts.

Challenge and Application Questions

Have you brought your burdens to God lately?
Is there wisdom in praying and waiting while continuing to live by faith?
What promises of God are you storing in your heart?
What promises of God is He working to bring you to believe? In what related ways is He training you to trust Him?
Whatever be your need and whatever be your unanswered questions, will you seek to apply prayer as the first solution to the immediate struggle for long-term hope?

Recommended Resources

Full of Starvation - A Spontaneous Poem of Conviction and Joy

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:46:00 +0000

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."

~James 4:8 (ESV)

Full of Starvation

This morning, I am hungry but I do not want to eat. Food sounds, for what reason might be, non-appetizing.

Hmmm....

I believe the Lord is speaking to me from this odd little situation this morning. This strangely reminds me of how I often treat God's Word and time with the most wonderful Being in existence--our awesome God.

Where's the tie? Well, hunger is not easy to ignore when present. When our stomache growls, our prompt and desire is to fill it. Spiritually, however, it is far possible to go days, weeks, months, and for many, years starving.

We usually know when we are starving spiritually. I have gone long periods without the Word or minimal Word and the effect is more serious that I've thought. I feel dry. I feel empty. I am far more prone to fill that void with other content. I run after something other than God to satisfy me--something other than God to be God.

A Void is an Entrance for Worldliness

What are your temptations? When there is an open tank in your heart for other things to fill it, what are you tempted to "drain" into your heart? How easy it is for us to fill our being--which God and God alone can rightly fill--with other things such as TV, video games, pornography, isolation, idleness, food, friendships, social activities, work, education, study of less-important things, internet, online "social" networks and "communities," e-mail, instant messaging, texting, phonecalls, shopping, spending...

...and you may have guessed my next line--the list, of course, goes on. You are more likely to know what your temptations are than me.

The Deathbed Lesson

I wrote a post once upon a time called, The Deathbed Picture. When I reach that day when I lie upon my deathbed (should the Lord will that to be the manner in which I leave this earth), I don't want to regret having neglected the Word. And oh, I have. But there is grace to change. Whether there is time is unknown, and is sobering.

The True Reason to Absorb the Word

But is shortness of time the only reason to fill ourselves with the Word? No, it isn't reason, but a helpful push toward the true reason:

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."
~Deuteronomy 6:5 (ESV).

In exposing yourself more and more to the Word, He will refresh you! As you position yourself not as a confident, self-sufficient "I'm gonna love God more" person but as a student of the Word, He will form you into a matured son or daughter of God who is confident in His grace always for spiritual water. The Word is sweet. Dive in. God wants to work in you through it!

The Word is Sweet
A spontaneous Poem of Conviction and joy

The Word is sweet,
It is filled with the face of God
Sweet language of highest wisdom,
Let me leave you not

How much I miss,
When His value I dismiss
Yet, how much I gain,
When I return to it again

Where now are the things,
With which I filled my life
The things I've called my gods,
That shut out Christ's pure light?

Where now are the friends,
I thought would stay my side
The ones whose faithfulness,
I always would confide?

The things of earth have failed me,
My friends are off and gone
Though perhaps they have not sinned against me,
There is no faithfulness as God's Son

There is no reassurance,
No solid hope in all the world
Except that which is spoken to me,
In the pages of Thy Word

Oh, help me, God, to get this,
Incline me to Thy Word!
For to continue to live without it,
Means a life purpose pathetically served

But make Thy glory my only goal,
I know my prayer You have heard!
May the days ahead see me know Thee more,
Sweet Savior and Thy Word

(c) 2010 Franz Schneider

Challenge and Application Questions

What is the Word of God? It is a helpful refreshing of our desire for the Word when we remind ourselves once again what we hold in our hand!
How precious is it and has it been to you?
What are the common things (idols) with which you are tempted to replace God's Word
Have you asked the Source of strength, God, to help you find satisfaction in Him and His Word? As you do, He will answer! He will increase your staisfaction in Him as you taste more of His Word day by day--as you "taste and see that the Lord is good!" and realize that "blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!." (Psalm 73:25).

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Next 2010 - Annual Promotion

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 07:41:00 +0000

"Either we’re building our life on what God is truly like or we’re basing our life on our own misconceptions."

-thisisnext.org

Life - Based on One Thing

Whether a believer or unbeliever--whether realized or not--all of life is centered, defined, and based off of one thing: What we believe about God.

What we believe about God does not change Who God is--He is the great I AM and cannot change. We, however, are defined by whether or not we believe that God is God, that Christ is Lord, and that God raised Him form the dead to pay for our sins as the only Savior.

Come

Each year I like to promote one of my favorite conferences in life--Next (formerly New Attitude). This is a conference consisting of four days filled with passionate worship, outstanding speakers (this year including C.J. Mahaney, Mark Dever, Kevin DeYoung, D.A. Carson, Joshua Harris, and Jeff Purswell), fellowship, and down time to reflect upon what God's been drawing your attention to.

I love to browse the bookstore that is packed with the finest materials to equip you in your Christian walk, look around the conference center rooms and observe peoples' joy in coming to learn more about Christ, and enjoying a trip away from the craziness of life for several days. It's great!

Now, enjoy this year's promotional video:

Next 2010 Promotional Video from Sovereign Grace Ministries on Vimeo.

Visit thisisnext.org for conference details and registration.

I Have a Shelter

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:26:00 +0000

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling."

~Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV)

I was particularly blessed by the following song as I commuted to work this morning. We have a God Who will not refuse us in our deepest sin. He will not forsake us in our biggest, most-constant, "never-ending" trial. When the constancy of trying and tests would break us like a brittle branch enduring as long as possible in a fierce winter wind, God's strength will never forsake us! Therefore, brothers and sisters, we shall not break--because He shall not and cannot break His promises.

Enjoy the lyrics of this song, "I Have a Shelter." I have bolded some of the text that I found a blessing today.

I Have a Shelter

I have a shelter in the storm
When troubles pour upon me
Though fears are rising like a flood
My soul can rest securely
O Jesus, I will hide in You
My place of peace and solace
No trial is deeper than Your love
That comforts all my sorrows

I have a shelter in the storm
When all my sins accuse me
Though justice charges me with guilt
Your grace will not refuse me
O Jesus, I will hide in You
Who bore my condemnation
I find my refuge in Your wounds
For there I find salvation

I have a shelter in the storm
When constant winds would break me
For in my weakness, I have learned
Your strength will not forsake me
O Jesus, I will hide in You
The One who bears my burdens
With faithful hands that cannot fail
You’ll bring me home to heaven

© 2008 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP) (Admin. By Integrity’s Hosanna! Music) Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)(Admin. By Integrity’s Praise! Music)

Recommended Resources

Constrain Us Never to Leave

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:53:00 +0000

"Glorious Lord, constrain us that we may never leave Thee, but dwell by the well of the living God."

~Charles H. Spurgeon (Morning and Evening for February 17/AM)

An Invitation to the Depressed: Coming Just As You Are

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:47:00 +0000

What You Want to Overcome

There may be a sin pattern--a weakness--that is at the lava-hot center of your spiritual battle. It's the main topic of your thought and concern. It's what you want to overcome...but it's overcoming you.

No End In Sight

The battle has become such a loss that you may be beginning to lose hope that you will ever change--and that is what, through the lie of condemnation and spiritual depression, that Satan yells loudly in your face at times like these, isn't it?

The Bottom Line of the Lie

The bottom line is, Satan takes advantage of lack of Godliness to tell you and attempt to snag your belief into the lie that your God is not mighty or sovereign enough--that He doesn't provide the "way of escape" from temptation promised in Scripture (1 Corinthians 10:13), and that no one cares and is only better off without you in the world. He can take you all kinds of directions on any given shortfall.

But...

But, God is still God! I have been facing a fierce battle in my own walk where I have never felt (or been) weaker. During worship at church recently, my wonderful mother-in-law sensed a word from the Lord for me as I wept, and it was this (paraphrasing as accurate as possible):

"I believe, Franz, as you face the areas of your life that you have expressed you feel weak in and you have told us that you have fallen short in, that the Lord is saying to you, simply come--just as you are--in your current condition, with all of your failures. Come to Him because you are simply a child of God and for no other reason."

That hit the nail right on the head.

Fight the Battle Already Won

God wants to show us His captivating majesty and glory. He wants to pour out His blessing, His refreshment, His strength on us. He has won against sin, He has won our hearts (even with our failures), and He will see us win this battle. Run forth in the freedom of grace, soldier!

And now to close with one of my all-time favorite songs:

Mighty to Save
by Hillsong

Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.
Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The Hope of nations.

Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
And fill my life again.
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.

Savior, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus

Challenge and Application Questions

Do you take comfort in the words above?
Will you ask God for confidence in His promises and delight in His care for you?
Think or even write down the lies Satan has led you to believe, then find truth in the Word for each one. It's there!
Meditate on these passages, and see that the invitation to return to the Father and remain in His arms is wide open: "...return to the Lord"(Isaiah 55:7), "...return to the Lord" again (Lamentations 3:40), "...return to the Lord" yet again (Hosea 6:1), "...so turn, and live" (Ezekiel 18:30-32), and Jesus' parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).

This is just a sample of the abundance of hope found in the Word. May we dive into it and find our only hope!

Recommended Resources
Article: Hope for the Depressed by Ed Welch

Glorious Benefits of the Gospel

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:45:00 +0000

"The Gospel has many glorious effects--like not having to look over your shoulder any more."

-John Piper
02/08/2010 from Twitter

What a solid quote! Be not wearied by the thought that your past is beyond overcoming and your sin beyond defeat. Your past was forgotten by the only One Whose forgetting has eternal implications (your salvation). Your failures were already defeated at the cross of the Gospel. And with that crucified Savior's rising, you, Christian, are risen to new life of freedom without regard to the guilt of the past.

The symbol of the empty cross is God's "go-ahead!" to the freedom of a joyous, Christian life.

Recommended Resources

"I Would Rather Be..." (The Theory of Greener Grass)

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:39:00 +0000

"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe[...]"

~Hebrews 12:28 (ESV)

The ol' Saying

What is really on the other side of the fence? You've heard the saying, "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." Is it greener grass? Is there yet another path beyond the greener grass that leads to even greener greener grass? There's a mystery to it...

...or is there?

From season to season and desire to desire we live--always wanting what's on the other side. I find it sobering how fast I move from desiring the next stretch of my life's road to only wanting the one after that once I get there.

Is it possible to simply enjoy the present?

It is possible to enjoy the present--where God has us individually. Right now as I write this post on a break at work, I would rather not be at work--because I'm tired, my job is repetitive and demanding, and it's a rather negative atmosphere most of the time. I would rather be home...

Words to (not!) Live By

Four words: "I would rather be...."

No one needs to tell us to live by them, because we already do by default. Rather, we must fight to throw them out of our vocabulary--and not just our verbal vocabulary, but our heart vocabulary. Why? Well, here is what I've found those words to mean coming from my own mouth:

"I would rather be somewhere other than where God has me."

"I've got a better plan for my day (or life) than God does!"

"I'm more knowledgeable than the God of infinite, flawless, and authoritative wisdom."

"Therefore, I am flawless!"

Okay, stop. I'm embarrassed now--and there's reason to be. Those statements sound radical and perhaps even ridiculous. Do they not? But that's a good exercise to recite them, because if we dig down to that thing in the center of us called our heart, it is ridiculous and does in reality make statements as such. Pulling them out to the light will help us take our wicked hearts seriously and realize where we need God to work.

The Grass is [Never] Greener

Once we get to the "greener grass" on the other side of the fence, here is what we will always find: It's really not greener or better. Is it practically or tangibly better? In some cases it could be. But we will always--without exception--find our lustful selves desiring and reaching for the next thing regardless of what we've been blessed with!

The fact is, the other grass is never greener. Why is it never greener? Because of lust. Simply put, because that is not where God has us. And there is no better place to be than where God has us now or possession to have than what God has ordained us. And frankly, anything good we have is far better than the Hell we deserve! Amen?

Get In the Game!

I smile now at the simplicity of being satisfied. Now for the fight...

"Gratefulness is the first step to joy."

Challenge and Application Questions

What do you most often complain about?
How can you practice thanking God for specific things each day?
What do you believe gratefulness does for the soul?
Would the consistent practice of gratefulness have an affect on other areas of life? Explain.

Recommended Resources

Weekly Poll Response: Powerful Repetition in Ezekiel

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:53:00 +0000

"[Y]ou shall know that I am the Lord."

~The Book of Ezekiel (Click for multiple references)

Poll Results

Last week I posed the following question to readers:

What is the often-repeated statement of God throughout the book of Ezekiel?

Here are the results of what you answered!

100% of readers answered that the statement often repeated throughout the book of Ezekiel is "you shall know that I am the Lord," and that is correct! The book starts off early with this phrase and is themed on it for the entirety of it.

What Do We Learn from This?

I have taken this feature of Ezekiel--that that statement is repeatedly emphasized--as one of the loudest evidences that God is passionate for His glory!. Not only that, He will share His glory and Lordship with no one!.

When we struggle with the pride of power-grabbing and exaltation seeking, Ezekiel is a book to which we can run (and flee for that fact). It is filled with images of the majesty of God (Ezekiel's vision in chapters 1-4), proclamation of the just character and acts of God (just read the whole book), and His desire to not see anyone perish, but to save them (see Ezekiel 18:28-32--one of my personal favorite sections of the Bible).

Read this book and be affected by this phrase, sobered by God's character, undone by His mercy to save us who deserve wrath. Find new joy in your salvation and Christian life!

Can Singing About the Gospel Become Rote?

noreply@blogger.com (Franz Schneider) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:45:00 +0000

This article was revised on January 19, 2011

I read an article today by Bob Kauflin on the Gospel and worship. While I do not agree with all of his content or theology on worship, the emphases on making the Gospel a major part of our diet is a valid and critical point. Here's a bit of personal elaboration on the point.

Not only can the Gospel become a familiar and repetitive (even monotonous if we're not careful and intentional) subject of our daily worship (not just Sunday song), but the temptation to become in effect "annoyed" or merely act on obligation to include words of Gospel in our daily diet exists.

And aren't we all familiar with words becoming "just words?"

The Gospel is not a set of words from Sunday school. It's The Gospel of God!

"The cross stands for all that was accomplished through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God. It focuses on his substitutionary death at Calvary but includes everything that gave meaning to that act. His preexistent state in glory. His incarnation. His life of perfect obedience. His suffering. His resurrection. His ascension. His present intercession and reign in glory. His triumphant return.

It’s our responsibility as leaders to make sure, as the Puritans said, that we always 'labor to be affected by the cross.' The gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest news the world has ever heard and our singing should show it.

What have you done to make sure that singing about Christ’s redemptive work on the cross never becomes rote?"

-Bob Kauflin

From Can Singing About the Gospel Become Rote? from WorshipMatters.com - January 29, 2010

And the natural effect of the Gospel, when it sinks into our hearts, is to affect our lives for God's glory and overflow to our worship. Honestly, if we are not passionate about the Gospel, and if we have no interest in singing to the Lord with a might shout of thanks, something is wrong--but we're not hopeless. Find hope in this: As you expose yourself to the Gospel truth--that while we are weak, our sins are paid for and we are FREE to LIVE, and that God has an amazing desire to teach us about and display to us His glory--you can be affected and transformed!

I hope that served you, friends! Thanks for reading and contributing. God bless.