toe cam

New image from the toe cam. (No, there isn't really any such thing.) This was just my regular o'l Pentax. It's a gorgeous day out there, today. If I had a camera in my shoe, this is what it would look like, here.

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That reminds me. Some folks were talking about what to wear at church, and we had different perspectives on whether it is okay to wear flip-flops or sandals. What do you think? Does it bother you when people wear sandals or flip-flops to church?

tiptoe through the tulips

We had fantastic weather 'round there this weekend. Friday night, Mrs. Craver and I took a stroll around the neighborhood. There is one neighbor who's house and yard is always pretty. I rang the bell and ran. (No; I'm kidding.) I rang the bell and asked if we could traipse across their lawn to take pics of the pink tulips. In appreciation, I will go back there later, and give them a print.

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You know, this gentleman extended his hand and told me his name, and I immediately forgot it. Shame on me; I will have to ask again.

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These reds are from my own flowerbed. My neighbors probably get a good laugh when they see me with my camera crawling after a bug or laying down to get this angle on the flowers. Maybe I should put a little photo album together and invite them over for coffee and cookies. Of course, if I keep doing peculiar things as I try to capture an image, maybe they have pictures of me!!

"i" is for irresistible

For those kind souls who want to know how I am doing since my recent surgery: I'm doing okay and getting better. The gall bladder removal was quick and recovery was quite normal. But we are still trying to get my blood pressure under control. I get tired a lot and still have pains in my neck and frequent (mild) headaches. But as I said, I'm getting better; I can mow the lawn now without the fear of tearing things up inside.

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I heard this on the radio:

"We have a free will. If we were forced to love him (God), it wouldn't be love." --Chuck Colson

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First, let me say that I have a great respect and admiration for Chuck Colson. His efforts to help the incarcerated, and society-in-general are noble. Wisdom abounds in his public discourses concerning the matter of "world view." But politely and respectfully, I believe the above quote reveals a common theological error and is biblically unsubstantiated.

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When it comes to "free will," R.C. Sproul explains it well. I paraphrase: We are free to choose anything we want; the problem is that we are incapable of wanting God (on account of our natural/fallen state).

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Since the unredeemed are dead in their transgressions, the Holy Spirit must first quicken a person, and only then he or she is able to appreciate and respond to the irresistible grace of God. It is a mistake to call that "forcing his love" ...it is grace.

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The apostle Paul was on the Damascus road looking to persecute Christians when the Lord apparently "violated" his free will. That sounds silly, doesn't it? Don't worry; nobody will be dragged into heaven kicking and screaming.

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Imagine that a lifeboat approached a drowning person from the Titanic. We would not say that the rescuer is forcing life upon those he reaches out to. Those who were grabbed from the dark and icy deeps would be grateful for having been rescued.

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Neither would we imply anything evil of the rescuer on account of those who were not plucked from a watery grave. (That is double-predestination.)

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If we pressed the illustration to be more accurate, we'd say that the lifeboat pulled an already dead body from the water and resurrected the victim to life. Is that "forcing" life upon a dead person?

changing of the guard

Behold the fragile yellow calyx,

Its windswept sepals barely surviving,

Grasping clumsily to a brave flower's fading dignity.

Raindrops, like medals adorn a proud warrior's chest.

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The same mulch patch yields younger soldiers,

Standing strong, though less mature.

Unacquainted with the storm,

Boldly, they post their colors.

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Youthful sentries, the rains shall visit you as well.

Honor the memory of your predecessors.

Lift high your banner, your legacy.

Old soldier, I will remember you.

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© Craver Vii, 2009

"T" is for Tulip

A few days ago, people were asking questions about the Five Points of Calvinism. Maybe this will help. Think "T.U.L.I.P." It's a handy way to remember the five points that together distinguish the doctrines of grace adhered to by Reformed Theology, and commonly referred to as Calvinism.

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Total Depravity. Mankind is not basically good. We do not have a natural bent towards good and godly pursuits. Man has been sinful and corrupt since the time of Adam.

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Unconditional Election. God chose from eternity past whom to bring to Himself. His choice was not merited or initiated by us.

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Limited Atonement. It is not the power of God that is limited, but Jesus died for those (and only those) who the Father had chosen before the world began.

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Irresistible Grace. If God has purposed that someone should be saved, that individual will certainly be saved.

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Perseverance of the Saints. Sometimes referred to as "once saved, always saved," (except that apostacy indicates that a person might not have been saved at all).

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Let me say that this extremely brief "working definition" is by no means a good or thorough explanation. It took me a year, from the first time I heard of it, before I was ready to call myself a "Calvinist."

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What won me over was that there seemed to be a better treatment of the Scriptures by the Calvinist apologists. But more than that, as I read through the whole Bible that year, there was so much that I had not noticed before that made me feel like my own salvation was God's sovereign decision, not my own. In other words, I made a "decision for Jesus," because God had ALREADY decided to save me.

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Why does it matter, the order of salvation? Does it make any difference whether God decided first, or my own decision activated the free gift of salvation? It made a huge difference for me. For example, sharing the gospel is an issue of simple obedience. Whether or not a person comes to faith when I proclaim the good news is neither a reason for pride nor shame. It's all God. And I rejoice to be a part of His plan, and always count it a victory because of having obeyed the Great Commission, regardless how the message is received. Besides, just because someone says "no" now, doesn't mean that God hasn't chosen them. He may have predestined that they see the light at a later time.

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Spinoff conversation by LL Barkat here.

Image by barryed