On Old Testament Restoration And, Perhaps, Regeneration?

The Prophet Isaiah reminds us that this is the Word of God:

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners..."

Then he reminds Israel of their hopeful redemption as a nation of priests. He ends with praise. And why rejoice? I will let the text speak for itself:

"I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, bridegroom as decks himself with a a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes the things own in it to spring up, so the LORD GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations."

- Isaiah 63:1; 63:10f

On Corporate Repentance

"Almighty God, we are unworthy to come into Your presence, because of our many sins. We do not deserve any grace or mercy from You, if You dealt with us as we deserve. We have sinned against You, O Lord, and we have offended You. And yet, O Lord, as we acknowledge our sins and offenses, so also do we acknowledge You to be a merciful God, a loving and favorable Father, to all who turn to You. And so we humbly ask You, for the sake of Christ Your Son, to show mercy to us, and forgive us all our offenses. Forgive the sins of our youth, and the sins of our old age. By Your Spirit, O God, take possession of our hearts, so that, not only the actions of our lives, but also the words of our mouths, and the smallest thought of our minds, may be guided and governed by You. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with You and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen."

- Corporate Prayer of Repentance at Christ The King, August 23, 2009.

On The Love Of God

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss

to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul!

to bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

- Alexander Means, "What Wondrous Love Is This?"