Author: Ron Baker

This author has written 2766 articles

The notion of sin

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A quote every once in a while just hits you on the forehead.  This is a short quote from USA Today at Easter time called "Has the notion of sin been lost".  The article has previously been talking about merely helping people change without them recognizing the root of sin as a problem in their lives.

The Rev. Michael Horton, professor of theology at Westminster Seminary in Escondido, Calif., calls this "moral therapy."

"It’s changing your lifestyle to receive God’s favor," Horton says. "It’s not heaven in the hereafter but happiness here and now. But it is still up to you to make it happen."

He finds sad truth in an old newspaper headline he once saw: " ‘To hell with sin when being good is enough.’ That’s the drift of American preaching today in a lot of churches. People know what sin is; they just don’t believe in it anymore. We mix up happiness and holiness, and God is no longer the reference point."

In other words, he asks, if you can solve your problems or sins yourself, what difference does it make that Christ was crucified?

People have to see themselves as sinners — ultimately alienated from God and unable to save themselves — for Christ’s sacrifice to be essential, Horton says. "(The apostle) Paul didn’t see Easter as therapy."

When least expected

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Recently I was sitting with my father.  We were chatting about life.  In general and specific.

As I listened to some difficult experiences, I suddenly became rather emotional.  Now, I’m not one to let on. And perhaps my father didn’t notice.

But I noticed.  It was unexpected. . . definitely uncalled from my emotional memory banks.  I’m still processing this and other emotions that have surfaced to the light in the last while.  This is unlike the emotions that came in surgery recovery.  Those were uncontrolled – other than as the side effect of drugs.

Now, these emotions are related to events, and people, and things that rightly deserve notice.  But now the notice is deeper than previously.  In the past excess emotion has scared me.  This is not of that sort – I sense a peace with these feelings.  And as I say, I’m still processing this – and I sense leaning into another day will not hurt.

So, for this day – may you also sense peace and protection.  May God’s presence somehow overtake you when you least expect.  And may you continue on to understand the fear of God that leads to great wisdom and understanding.

Oh, for the old Fargo

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Funny the things you remember from your childhood.

We had a picture of an old truck of my father’s, taken around 1959. A rabbit stands in the backyard of a Saskatoon house. The Fargo truck reflects light off the snow.

At least that’s how I remember it.

Then, maybe a decade ago – almost – my parents were having their 50th Anniversary. As a family we were on an island, at a retreat centre, celebrating. We drove the island roads, which were not many. On one sideroad, there was another Fargo truck. Mom and dad posed by the front grill, leaning on the truck bumper. That picture sits framed in our front hallway.

So, to my surprise, as our local pastor’s network retreated in Herschel, there was another Fargo truck. If you’ve never seen one, look below. There is something about the cab of the truck that still intrigues me years later. Maybe this is a style that could return without too much problem!!

fargo truck

A new day

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It’s been an early morning and I’ve been listening to two sermons from Andy Stanley in a CD series called “Starting Point – find you place in the story.” One sermon is on grace, the other on Spirit. Both are right where I’m at.

Growing up in a church background, I’ve heard terms such as “Spirit filled life”, and “law and grace”. In another day and age, with a society that still had a Christian memory, those terms were defined with now archaic (but true) language. People “got it”, and “lived it”. But, the old sermons are not being listened to by a present generation. The Christian classics are stored on shelves and not in this generations’ hearts. Words and their definitions have changed. So, we need to find a way to communicate with them truths about the Christian life that are timeless.

Perhaps its my age, recent life experience and a heart cry that I can’t drown out. In my journey and strugglings, I’m seeking to come closer to an understanding of “the deeper Christian life” that I can pass on to others in our “Post Christian Age”.

Right now I’m working my way on this “redefinition road” through sin, law and grace, and into ways to speak of the Spirit filled life. I’m understanding more fully what giving God control of my life is about. I’m trying to put into practice the concept that God is first and the good life is second. And if I have God, then all the rest is just additives!! As I study God’s words (the Scriptures) and I pay attention to His promptings (pay attention means more than just listening to His Spirit – doing comes in here!!), I’m changing.

And truth written in a person’s life is a primary point of speaking to this generation. Then all the books written, songs sung, videos created and truth expounded have impact!!

OK, so that’s a start for the day. Any thoughts??

BTW, if you need a first cup of coffee before you can figure out what I just wrote – drink up and come back – this blog entry will still be here!!