Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Halleluyah, or Alleluia, is a transliteration of the Hebrew word הַלְלוּיָהּ . Halleluyah is a composite of Hallelu and Yah (Jah). It literally translates from Hebrew as "Praise Yah, [third-person plural]!" or simply "Praise Yah!" Yah is the shortened form of the name Yahweh(Jehova). For most Christians, "Hallelujah" is considered the most joyful word of praise to God, rather than an injunction to praise Him. The term is used 24 times in the Hebrew Bible(mainly in the book of Psalms (e.g. 113-118), where it starts and concludes a number of Psalms) and four times in Greek transliteration in Revelation.

Our Third World Brethren

I've been reading the book The Next Christendom by Philip Jenkins which reflects on the rising numbers of Christians in third world countries and in the global south matched simultaneously by the decline of Christians in the western world. It is a fascinating book, and it has caused me to praise God for things like Westminster Theological College in Uganda as it seems like very soon our brothers and sisters in Africa, Asia, and Latin America will be leading the charge for the cause of Christ in the world of this age. Christianity started as an Eastern religion, moved to the West, and is quickly moving back to the East again. Already, when you think of an average Christian, you should not think of a modern and "enlightened" American or European , but rather an African shepherd, an Asian businessman, or a Latin American farmer.

Religion V. Gospel

By Pastor Mark Driscoll

Religion says, if I obey, God will love me. Gospel says, because God loves me, I can obey.

Religion has good people & bad people. Gospel has only repentant and unrepentant people.

Religion values a birth family. Gospel values a new birth.

Religion depends on what I do. Gospel depends on what Jesus has done.

Religion claims that sanctification justifies me. Gospel claims that justification enables sanctification.

Religion has the goal to get from God. Gospel has the goal to get God.

Religion sees hardships as punishment for sin. Gospel sees hardship as sanctified affliction.

Religion is about me. Gospel is about Jesus.

Religion believes appearing as a good person is the key. Gospel believes that being honest is the key.

Religion has an uncertainty of standing before God. Gospel has certainty based upon Jesus' work.

Religion sees Jesus as the means. Gospel sees Jesus as the end.

Religion ends in pride or despair. Gospel ends in humble joy.

Be Thankful

In my first week at the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless I have learned and noticed many things. It would take more time than I have to write and more time than you have to read to document all my thoughts and musings here on this blog, but I thought one thing in particular was worth pointing out.

Homeless people, perhaps understandably, complain a lot. They complain about their health problems. They complain about their relationship problems. They complain about their financial problems. On and on it goes. All of this might seem like a bit of what you would expect at a homeless shelter, but when I went to my second (or is it third) job at Starbucks, I found that people there, surprisingly enough, complain as well. People complain about the way their coffee drink was made. Coworkers complain if we are too busy. Coworkers complain if we are too slow. I hear people complaining about their kids. I hear people complaining about their jobs. Even away from the homeless shelter, on and on it goes.

Then it dawned on me: it seems to be human nature to complain regardless how well life is actually going. From the lowest of the low, to people who can regularly pay $5 for a cup of coffee, people are, by and large, whiners. Why? Do we like drama that much? Do we want attention? Does pitty make us feel that good? Are we that egocentric? Are we unaware that there are people who are actually suffering and aren't having to invent problems to complain about? Silliness I call it. The whole business is silliness.

This is your friendly reminder to be thankful and grateful this week. Life is rarely as bad as we think it is, and almost never as bad as it could be. We have much to be grateful for. I could probably go on some poetical spill about the splendor of the sunrise and the simple pleasure of taste buds, but you know that I am right without another diatribe from me. Just be thankful.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. " -St. Paul

New Job

I started a new job this week at the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless. As of right now, I am working as part of the programs staff. After one week, I feel very blessed to have been given this job and opportunity. Soli Deo Gloria.

John Piper's Prayer for His Church

O Lord, by the truth of your Word, and the power of your Spirit and the ministry of your body, build men and women . . .

Who don't love the world more than God,
who don't care if they make much money,
who don't care if they own a house,
who don't care if they have a new car or two cars,
who don't need recent styles,
who don't care if they get famous,
who don't miss steak or fancy fare,
who don't expect that life should be comfortable and easy,
who don't measure truth with their finger in the wind,
who don't get paralyzed by others' disapproval,
who don't return evil for evil,
who don't hold grudges,
who don't gossip,
who don't twist the truth,
who don't brag or boast,
who don't whine or use body language to get pity,
who don't criticize more than praise,
who don't hang out in cliques,
who don't eat too much or exercise too little;

But who are ablaze for God,
who are utterly God-besotted,
who are filled with the Holy Spirit,
who strive to know the height and depth of Christ's love,
who are crucified to the world and dead to sin,
who are purified by the Word and addicted to righteousness,
who are mighty in memorizing and using the Scriptures,
who keep the Lord's Day holy and refreshing,
who are broken by the consciousness of sin,
who are thrilled by the wonder of free grace,
who are stunned into humble silence by the riches of God's glory,
who are persevering constantly in prayer,
who are ruthless in self-denial,
who are fearless in public witness to Christ's Lordship,
who are able to unmask error and blow away doctrinal haze,
who are tough in standing for the truth,
who are tender in touching hurting people,
who are passionate about reaching the peoples who have no church,
who are pro-life for the sake of babies and moms and dads and the glory of God,
who are keepers of all their promises, including marriage vows,
who are content with what they have and trusting the promises of God,
who are patient and kind and meek when life is hard.

Amen