Blessed Quietness Blog

Blessed Quietness began one year and one day ago today because of the Lord. Thank you for joining me on this journey and I look forward to what the Lord will do in 2015. 1. Remember the Lord.   Psalm 103:1-2. 2. Thank God in everything.   I Thessalonians 5:18 photo credit: The All-Nite Images via photopin cc 10, 9, 8...7!! 3. Never doubt the Lord's love for you. Psalm 100:5 4. Stay in the Word. 2 Timothy 2:15 5. Put yourself in a place to be discipled and held accountable. Hebrews 10:25 6. Remember Whose you are. I Corinthians 6:19-20 7.   Remember you have value and worth in the body of Christ. Get involved. Do not allow yourself to keep the chair warm on Sunday only to find your escape hatch after the sermon is over and you call it a day.   I Corinthians 12:14-18   Blessings to all who may read this blog in the New Year. Remember the Lord!

Reasons to Believe. Despite the questions raised against the veracity of miracles, there are some points to consider and reasons to believe that the miracles depicted in the Gospels and Acts are true. Below are some reasons to seriously consider for the veracity of miracles: photo credit: kevin dooley via photopin cc " This very day in the town of David, there was born for you a Deliverer who is the Messiah" Luke 2:11 Public Performance:  Miracles were performed by Jesus in public for both His followers and those who did not believe. Works and Words of Jesus Intertwined:  Jesus' life and ministry was closely intertwined with His spoken words. If we removed the miracles from Scripture, much of the Gospel accounts would not be coherent or make logical sense. Primary Purpose of Miracles:  To verify what the Prophets foretold in the Old Testament of the messianic age. Presented as Historical Events:  The miracles that Jesus performed were in keeping wit

There is a gap between the probable and the proved. How was I to cross it? If I were to stake my whole life on the risen Christ, I wanted proof. I wanted certainty. I wanted to see him eat a bit of fish. I wanted letters of fire across the sky. I got none of these. 1 ~Sheldon Vanauken   Recap.  We last discussed a bit of what David Hume believed or did not believe about the occurrence of miracles. In this post, we will look at an opposing viewpoint to Hume's position. These posts are not exhaustive on this topic, nor are they intended to be. The purpose of these posts on Miracles is to cause us to ponder some thought provoking questions many have wrestled with over the years.  photo credit: Thomas Hawk via photopin cc An Objection.  Thomas Sherlock, author of  Tryal of Witnesses,  presented a mock trial where the apostles are accused of hoaxing the resurrection of Jesus. During the trial it is argued that because the resurrection was a violation of nature, and

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.  Luke 1:31 Miracles: Impossible? Remembering David Hume's definition of a miracle from the last post: " [a] violation of the laws of nature; and because firm and unalterable experience has established these laws, the case against a miracle is--just because it is a miracle--as complete as any argument from experience can possibly be imagined to be." 1  If we take a look at Hume's definition of miracle, at first glance, it would seem as if he is declaring miracles to be an impossibility because they cannot violate the laws of nature. Is this really what Hume is attempting to argue? Hume taught "that what we call the laws of nature are simply an account of what has happened up to the present plus a belief that the future will continue to be like the past." 2  According to Hume, we observe what has happened and we believe, or shall we say, take a step of faith to belie

Happy Anniversary!   Blessed Quietness is quickly approaching it's one year anniversary! In celebration of what the Lord has accomplished through this blog, the last few posts of the year will be quite different from what you've previously read each week. We will focus on the topic of miracles and end with the Virgin Birth. For those who are familiar with and used to the format of Blessed Quietness , hang in there with me as we examine the topic of miracles for the next few posts. My prayer is that the Lord will bless you in the process with me. photo credit:  twm1340  via  photopin   cc "I believe...I believe...it's silly but I believe." Are miracles impossible? The question regarding miracles is rather significant. If you come to the conclusion that miracles are impossible and therefore, do not occur, what you believe about Christianity will be greatly impacted. If you determine that miracles are simply impossible, then it will call into question

Behold, The virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name "Immanuel," which translated means,  "God With Us."  Matthew 1:23 God With Us. God is not far away from us but with us, desiring to be close, so close that He sent His Son in the form of a man to be " with us ."  An act of humility and an act of love directly from the God of the universe. We did not beg for His attention nor did we attempt to ingratiate ourselves into His good graces. God initiated contact with us, with all of the human race. ( Philippians 2:8 ) He entered the sinful world we chose to be part of without reservation, knowing His entrance into this world, would inevitably mean suffering. The God of the universe, perfect in every way, entered this world willingly, knowing He would suffer greatly for me and for you. photo credit: Curtis McCormick via photopin cc The Word Became Flesh God Desires That We Seek Him. He came and dwelt a