Mike's Blog

I've been told, and I've confirmed, that my RSS feed is shot. I've spent several hours tracking this last night and this morning. Bummer! If anyone has any experience with resolving an issue of FTP Response 421 received. Server closed connection when trying to republish my entire blog, I'd be most grateful if you drop me a note at mike@mikesoutherland.com. In the meantime, if you click on the subscribe link at the bottom, you'll get routed to an error page. It's weird that I can still publish blog entries. I just can't seem to get the feed working. If this isn't resolved soon, it may be time to start shopping servers.

Mike

Labels: Technical

As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
-Isaiah 3:12

It’s been announced. John McCain’s running mate is Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. I know very little about this woman besides the few accolades that I’ve read in the press this morning. Apparently, she is a defender of life to the point of giving birth to a Down Syndrome child. She is also a defender of our second amendment rights. These issues are near and dear to my heart. However, she is a woman. Isaiah tells us that it is a sign of God’s judgment when our rulers are women.

America is the last major nation on Earth not to have a female ruler in this high of an office. God has set His order in place according to His own design. Don’t get me wrong. Men are not superior to women. Many women excel many men in many areas. I do not question their competence. My beef is that Gov. Palin is rebelling against God’s order by accepting this nomination.

Earlier this year, it seemed as though the Democrats would be the ones to seek to place a woman in the highest office in the land. Yet, it is now the Republicans who have actually set this up as a likely scenario. It’s entirely possible that John McCain could die in office. Palin would then rise to the position of president. It’s also likely that if the McCain presidency is popular, Palin could be the presidential nomination when McCain’s two terms are over in 2016.

So, this November, we are left with the choice of electing a Muslim in Obama, or a woman in Palin. There is a third choice. Sadly, though, many Christians will ignore this choice. Chuck Baldwin is running as the Constitution Party candidate. If all nominal Christians would vote for him, he would be a shoo-in. However, we are living in an age when Christians vote for the “lesser of two evils” rather than casting a vote for the best *man* that is running. It is my prayer that this philosophy would change over the course of the next few generations. God help us, though, in this present age.

Labels: Politics

Praise be to God who works all things according to the council of His
will! I am nearing the end of my second week away from my family as I
am working several hours away from them in Texas. God's heart is for
husbands and wives, fathers and children to live together, not apart.
It appears that God is making a way not only to be reunited with my
family, but also a way to remain in the Church where He has placed us.
I'm being deliberately vague until such time as things are finalized,
but suffice it to say that He is answering prayer and rescuing me out
of my own unwise decision that I made several months ago.

I believe that God had a purpose for the circumstances in which I
found myself over these past few months. But I also thank Him that it
is not a permanent arrangement and that restoration is right around
the corner.

Perhaps then, I can concentrate on bringing FatherToFather.net online.
No, I haven't forgotten it. But in the everyday bustle of what's
been going on in our lives, it has not received the attention it
deserves. Stay tuned. God is working…

Labels: Family Values, Misc

This weekend my two oldest sons and I are heading out to Colorado to participate in Vision Forum’s Father Son Conference.

Earlier this year I took my oldest daughters to the Father Daughter Conference. We had a great time and our relationships were strengthened. I pray the same will be the case for this conference as well.

Our culture is overflowing with immature boys who are encouraged in their immature foolish behaviour by media and peer groups. Vision Forum is a wonderful exception to this rule. They understand that a boy is distinctly different from a girl. There needs to be physical activity and times for boys to be loud. Yet there are also times of seriousness. As parents we are raising men and women for the glory of God. They start out as boys and girls, but maturity is our goal.

My prayer for us for this conference is that God would really strengthen the relationships I have with my sons. I pray that He would bring a new level of maturity to my oldest son as he approaches his 13th birthday this year. Boys are great, but I really desire to have men for sons. I want to raise godly men who can intelligently carry on a conversation regarding doctrine, politics, and family issues. I want men who desire to lead a family. I want men with whom I can work alongside once I break free from the chains of corporate America. I want godly, Christian men for sons that I can have serious conversation with on the scriptures. I want men who will read their Bibles and other works by godly authors and challenge me in my own life as I lead my own family with the help of God to the best of my ability.

God, give us men for sons. Let the world keep their immature, effeminate fools. I desire men of God to train for His service.

Labels: Family Values, Patriarchy

I’ve recently been involved in an online conversation with a pastor who sings the praises of multi-culturalism. It comes as no surprise that he has a problem with requiring homeschooling of the families in his church. Here is my “tongue-in-cheek” version of Deut 6 with a multi-cultural slant.

Deut 6:1
These are the suggestions that the LORD your God really wishes you would do when you go into another land…not to possess it, by the way, because that would be “stealing” it from the current owners…but rather to live peaceably side by side them.

6:2
That thou mightest consider the LORD thy God your “buddy” and someone who would never violate your own will. Pretty please, would you just consider following His suggestions? And if it’s not too much trouble, would you mind letting your children know about these things as well?

6:3
If you’ll decide to do these things, I’ll give you a honey graham cracker…with milk!

6:4
{verse four must be stricken…because to say “The LORD our God is one LORD” is way too exclusive and non-“multi-cultural.”}

6:5
Try God for a while. I think you’ll like Him. You’ll at least like what He can do for you.

6:6
Think about these suggestions…they really make a lot of sense...but don’t feel compelled to do them.

6:7
Here’s the deal. I’d really like you to teach your own children. But, don’t feel like you must do this. In fact, if you’re requiring it of others in your church then SHAME ON YOU.

6:8
These little words of suggestions would make a great piece of jewelry that you wear on your head, but never live by. Oh, and by the way, make sure you remove this jewelry if you’re going to be around other people. You wouldn’t want to make them feel uncomfortable.

6:9
You can write them on your doorposts, if that really makes you feel good. Just be sure to use a dry erase board and marker so you can quickly get rid of it if you are expecting company.

6:10
When God brings you into this land, remember that *you* don’t own it. You are simply borrowing it from the people who were there first. Make sure not to do anything that would disrupt *their* culture.

6:11
When you see all the things that they left behind, you should feel extremely guilty. After all, this was all built on the backs of slaves. You should, right now, begin a plan to return these things to the poor souls who have lost it. After all, it is their culture, and you wouldn’t want to do anything to disrupt it.

--------------------------------
Sorry, I just can’t keep this up any longer. You see “multi-culturalism” is an evil that is plaguing our land. It is ruining the Church.

Multi-Culturalism respects other cultures and lets them remain as they are.
Christianity changes the culture for the glory of God.

Consider this verse from Isaiah. I covered it yesterday in our Lord’s Day meeting.

Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.
-Isaiah 2:6

This speaks clearly against “multi-culturalism.” Consider John Gill’s analysis of this verse:

Isa 2:6 - Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people, the house of Jacob,.... These words contain a reason of the divine conduct, in calling the Gentiles, and rejecting the Jews, because of the sins of the latter hereafter mentioned; though some, as the Targum and R. Moses, refer this to the Israelites; and read, "because ye have forsaken", &c. and interpret it of their forsaking the Lord, his worship, and his law. What is hereafter said does not agree with the Jews, literally understood, neither in the times of Isaiah, nor when they returned from Babylon, nor in the times of Christ, nor since the destruction of Jerusalem, or in the latter day, a little before their conversion; for after the Babylonish captivity they were not given to idolatry, nor did they abound in riches, and much less since their dispersion among the nations; nor will this be their case in the latter day: wherefore Kimchi applies the whole to the times of Solomon, when the land abounded with gold and silver, with horses and chariots, and with idolatry also, in the latter part of his life: but it seems best to interpret this of antichrist and his followers, who call themselves the people of God, and the house of Jacob, say they are Jews, but are not, and are of the synagogue of Satan; and are therefore rejected of the Lord, and will be given up to utter ruin and destruction, for the evils found in them, hereafter charged with.

Because they be replenished from the east, or "more than the east"; than the eastern people, the Syrians and Chaldeans; that is, were more filled with witchcrafts and sorceries than they, as Kimchi explains it; of the sorceries of the Romish antichrist, see Rev_9:21 the words may be rendered, "because they be full from of old time"; or, as of old, or more than they were of old; namely, fuller of idols than formerly; so the Targum paraphrases it,

"because your land is full of idols, as of old;''

and so Rome Papal is as full of idols, or fuller, than Rome Pagan was. Some, as Aben Ezra, understand this of their being filled with the wisdom of the children of the east, 1Ki_4:30 and others of the riches of the east:

and are soothsayers like the Philistines: who were a people given to divination and soothsaying, 1Sa_6:2 and some of the popes of Rome have studied the black art, and by such wicked means have got into the Papal chair; for under this may be included all evil arts and fallacious methods, by which they have deceived themselves and others:

and they please themselves in the children of strangers; being brought into their convents, monasteries, and nunneries; the priests and nuns vowing celibacy and virginity, and contenting themselves with the children of others: or they love strange flesh, delight in sodomitical practices, and unnatural lusts with boys and men; wherefore Rome is called Sodom and Egypt, Rev_11:8 or they content and delight themselves in the laws, customs, rites, ceremonies, and doctrines of other nations; many of the Gentile notions and practices being introduced into the faith and worship of the church of Rome; wherefore the Papists go by the name of Gentiles, Rev_11:2. The Targum is,

"and they walk in the laws of the people,''

or study strange sciences, and not the statutes and laws of God; so some interpret it, as Ben Melech observes, and who also mentions another sense some give, that they please themselves in images they renew daily.

------------------

Dear Christian. We are told not to be like the world. Rather we are called to change it. Hold fast to that doctrine against all the praises of multi-culturalism you may hear proclaimed from modern pulpits.

Labels: Doctrine

GOSPEL SONNETS
By Ralph Erskine
Chapter 3

SECTION III. – True saving faith magnifying the law both as a covenant and as a rule. False faith unfruitful and ruining.

PROUD nature may reject this gospel-theme,
And curse it as an Antinomian scheme.
Let slander bark, let envy grin and fight,
The curse that is so causeless shall not light.(1)
If they that fain would make by holy force
‘Twixt sinners and the law a clean divorce,
And court the Lamb a virgin chaste to wife,
Be charged as foes to holiness of life,
Well may they gladly suffer on this score,
Apostles great were so maligned before.
Do we make void the law through faith?(2) Nay; why,
We do it more fulfil and magnify
Than fiery seraphs can with holiest flash.
Avaunt, vain legalists – unworthy trash!
When as a cov’nant stern the law commands,
Faith puts her Lamb’s obedience in its hands;
And when its threats gush out a fiery flood,
Faith stops the current with her victim’s blood.
The law can crave no more, yet craves no less,
Than active, passive, perfect righteousness.
Yet here is all, yea, more than its demand,
All rendered to it by a divine hand.
Mankind is bound law-service still to pay,
Yea, angel-kind is also bound t’obey.
It may by human and angelic blaze
Have honour, but in finite, partial ways.
These natures have its lustre once defaced,
‘Twill be by part of both for aye disgraced,
Yet had they all obsequious stood and true,
They’d given the law no more than homage due.
But faith gives’t honour yet more great, more odd –
The high, the humble service of its God.
Again, to view the holy law’s command,
As lodged in a Mediator’s hand;
Faith gives it honour, as a rule of life,
And makes the bride the Lamb’s obedient wife.
Due homage to the law those never did,
To whom th’obedience pure of faith is hid.
Faith works by love, and purifies the heart,(3)
And truth advances in the inward part;
On carnal hearts impresses divine stamps,
And sully’d lives inverts to shining lamps.
From Abram’s seed that are most strong in faith.
The law most honour, God most glory hath.
But due respect to neither can be found,
Where unbelief ne’er got a mortal wound,
To still the virtue-vaunter’s empty sound.
Good works he boasts, a path he never trod
Who is not yet the workmanship of God,(4)
In Jesus thereunto created new;
Nois’d works that spring not hence are but a shew.
True faith that’s of a noble divine race,
Is still a holy sanctifying grace;
And greater honour to the law does share,
Than boasters all that breathe the vital air.
Ev’n heathen morals vastly may outshine
The works that flow not from a faith divine.
Pretensions high to faith a number have,
But, ah! it is a faith that cannot save:
“We trust,” say they, “in Christ, we hope in God:
Nor blush to blaze their rotten faith abroad.
Nor try the trust of which they make a shew,
If of a saving or a damning hue.
They own their sins are ill; true-but ‘tis sad
They never thought their faith and hope were bad.
How evident’s their home-bred nat’ral blaze,
Who dream they have believ’d well all their days;
Yet never felt their unbelief, nor knew
Their need of pow’r their nature to renew.
Blind souls, who boast of faith, yet live in sin,
May hence conclude their faith is to begin,
Or know they shall, by such an airy faith,
Believe themselves to everlasting wrath.
Faith, that nor leads to good, nor keeps from ill,
Will never lead to heaven, nor keep from hell.
The body without breath is dead;(5) no less
Is faith without the works of holiness.(6)
How rare is saving faith, when earth is cramm’d
With such as we believe, and yet be damn’d;
Believe the gospel, yet with dread and awe
Have never truly first believ’d the law.
That matters shall be well, they hope too soon
Who never yet have seen they were undone.
Can of salvation their belief be true,
Who never yet believ’d damnation due?
Can these of endless life have solid faith
Who never fear’d law threats of endless death?
Nay, sail’d they han’t yet to the healing shore,
Who never felt their sinful, woful sore.
Imaginary faith is but a blind
Which bears no fruit but of a deadly kind:
No can from such a wild unwholesome root
The least production rise of living fruit.
But saving faith can such an offspring breed,
Her native product is a holy seed.
The fairest issues of the vital breath
Spring from the fertile womb of Heav’n-born faith;
Yet boasts she nothing of her own, but brings
Auxiliaries from the King of kings,
Who graves his royal law on rocky hearts,
And gracious aid in soft’ning showers imparts,
This gives prolific virtue to the faith
Inspir’d at first by his almighty breath,
Hence, fetching all her succours from abroad,
She still employes this mighty pow’r of God.
Drain’d clean of native pow’rs and legal aims,
No strength but in and from Jehovah claims;
And thus her service to the law o’ertops
The tow’ring zeal of Pharisaic fops.

(1) Prov. xxvi. 2.
(2) Rom. iii. 21.
(3) Gal. v. 6.
(4) Eph. ii. 10.
(5) James ii. 26.
(6) James ii. 17. 10.

Labels: Doctrine, Poetry

There's a reason I haven't personally authored anything on this blog since June 17. It's certainly not lack of desire. Due to an unwise decision I made in my life I am suffering under the thumb of an oppressor. There is an entity that would steal away every last waking moment of my life and rob me of my precious family time. Last Lord's Day I selected Psalm 146 as the hymn I selected for my family. The words in the Trinity Hymnal are metrical, but enjoy with me the Word of God as it is written in the Geneva text. When reading, remember that our trust of provision comes not from man, but from an eternally loving Father God who faithfully feeds His own.

Psalm 146
1 Praise thou the Lord, O my soul.
2 I will praise the Lord during my life; as long as I have any being, I will sing unto my God.
3 Put not your trust in Princes, nor in the son of man, for there is no help in him.
4 His breath departeth, and he returneth to his earth; this his thoughts perish.
5 Blessed is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God,
6 Which made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that therein is; which keepeth his fidelity forever,
7 Which executeth justice for the oppressed, which giveth bread to the hungry; the Lord looseth the prisoners.
8 The Lord giveth sight to the blind: the Lord raiseth up the crooked: the Lord loveth the righteous.
9 The Lord keepeth the strangers: he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but he overthroweth the way of the wicked.
10 The Lord shall reign forever: O Zion, thy God endureth from generation to generation. Praise ye the Lord.

Amen, so let it be. I make this my prayer today. Lord Jesus, overthrow the way of the wicked and preserve me, your son, as I stand in the righteousness of Christ alone.

Labels: Doctrine, Occupation