Ben Zornes

Living and Dying to Show the Preciousness of Christ

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Ben Carson’s “Take the Risk”

Ben Carson’s “Take the Risk”

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Update 08/15/16: Ben Carson lost a good deal of my respect by endorsing Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential primaries, after his own bid softly fell asleep to the sounds of the good doctor’s gentle intonations of some fairly incomplete policy plans. Thus, take this older post with a grain of salt.

In a culture that wants to bubble-wrap our kids, eat gluten & MSG free, as well as hand-sanitize everything, and yet doesn’t see the problem of the bigger risks facing us (i.e. $17 trillion debt, failing education, and horrendous health care system), the calm and collected voice of Dr. Ben Carson is rather refreshing. He also has a great first name! Dr. Carson gained notoriety for being the first neurosurgeon to successfully separate twins conjoined at the head. I, however, first heard of him after he spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast on February 15, 2013. His comments on the problems in our country, with President Obama sitting only a few feet away, garnered more than a little attention. The buzz began that he could be a possible presidential candidate.
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Spurgeon’s Opinion on Young People

Spurgeon’s Opinion on Young People

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I stumbled upon this lovely sermon by Spurgeon, and in it I found a refreshing perspective on how we ought to treat troubled times.blogpost 09.10.14 When the days grow dark, we must always remember that God raises up young men and women who are ablaze with a holy fervor for His name and His renown. Whether you are a young person, or have young people in your life who you are striving to lead, may this be a reminder to not despair of this generation but pray to God that He would raise up such young people as are described here:

[. . .] in that very court where Jezebel was mistress, Obadiah was a man who feared God greatly. Never be surprised to meet with a believer anywhere! Grace can live where you would never expect to see it survive for an hour! [Read more…] about Spurgeon’s Opinion on Young People

Giving Birth to Your Mom

Giving Birth to Your Mom

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Gungor, a band headed by its namesake Michael Gungor, recently made waves in the evangelical world with a blogpost entitled photo“What Do We Believe?” The post told us nothing substantial about what they believe, even after 2600 meandering words. Let me toss my hat in the ring and trade blows with some of the questions/issues raised by this whole affair. Gungor is not the first one to make these assertions, and while I wish otherwise, he won’t be the last. Doubt is, after all, a rather popular house-guest for mankind.

First it should be stated that this is not meant to be an assault upon a man, but upon his beliefs (or lack?). We live in an age where to poke fun at someone instantly implies judgementalism, rudeness, intolerance, and narrow-mindedness. However, wherever silliness appears, I think we ought not be afraid of our chuckling being perceived as hate-speech. Philosophical and theological silliness abound in our generation, and Elijah would likely encourage his New Testament brethren to crack a few well-timed jokes at the expense of Baal’s prophets. [Read more…] about Giving Birth to Your Mom

Exposing Sin with “Daily Light”

Exposing Sin with “Daily Light”

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Elsje and I have been using the old devotional book  “Daily Light on the Daily Path” as part of our study of the Word together. It is dust 09.04.14a precious volume that basically is a clump of scriptures that all have a similar thought or theme. The result is a really rich scriptural meditation that is deeply meaningful and encouraging!

Last night, September 3rd, we read the day’s entry, and my soul was deeply pricked. I want to live with no leaven in any corner of my life. It opened my eyes to numerous areas where I’d allowed the dust to collect in the corners. If you find that you are in need of a fresh sweep of truth through your life, may this be a stuff gust of wind:

Neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters. [Read more…] about Exposing Sin with “Daily Light”

Praying to Darius

Praying to Darius

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In the days in which we live we, as Christians, must be faithful to keep a few things in mind. One, we win. Two, darkness loses . . . King Dariusevery time.  Now, the darkness occasionally wins a battle here and there, but those “victories” are more like the defense calling an all out blitz on Peyton Manning only to realize that they left the receivers wide open. Sure, they were fast off the line . . . but that victory is short-lived, as Manning launches a bullet to the end zone. The defense, then, has very little to actually celebrate.

Increasingly, our government views itself as the answer to everything. Ironically, this is nothing novel. We ought not to be surprised that human governments view themselves as indispensable; they seem to have a track record of concluding that. The lust for power inevitably leads to the worship of demons. The lust for votes inevitably leads to sacrificing our children to Molech. The lust to rule with a pen and phone, without any sort of accountability, always leads to idolatry. [Read more…] about Praying to Darius

Two-by-Fours, Square Between the Eyes

Two-by-Fours, Square Between the Eyes

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The Church is often in grave danger, though it is almost entirely unaware of it. The danger is that we think that spiritual work and 8531689712_b76c970081_zministry can be carried out primarily by physical means. This is a grievous error, but oh so common. While everything we do has both physical and spiritual consequences, our modernism has connived a way for us to go about doing spiritual work using physical means, trusting that these physical means will bring about a spiritual result.

It goes like this . . . a math teacher can get up in front of class of 14 year olds, explain the quadratic equation, pass out the homework, grade the homework, likely re-explain it in the next class, and by the end of the term (granted that he is a dexterous teacher with a relatively engaged class) he will have passed along the knowledge and understanding of these deep algebraic mysteries; mysteries even angels long to look into. [Read more…] about Two-by-Fours, Square Between the Eyes

Sixteen Precious Words

Sixteen Precious Words

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Luke 12:32- Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

These sixteen precious words are a sweet balm to the soul of the saint. In these words we see a gentleness and encouragement 8.12.14 blogpostunrivaled; no other work of literature could, in so few words, offer encouragement so great. So, let us treasure these words, and make of them, as Spurgeon would say, a song which we might sing in the night. Indeed, this earthly sojourn must often traverse sorrowful, difficult, and dark paths. When all the lights goes out, will you (even with a faltering voice) have a song to sing? You must. It is imperative that you understand that right now truth might seem clear and your senses are not confounded. But there will come a day of testing in the not too distant future which will assail you and buffet you for all you’re worth. In that day the mettle of the saint is tested, and may it be said that when all around your soul gives way, Christ remains your hope and stay. Even though all the natural realm might imply that he has forsaken you, the saint clings to precious promises such as this one. [Read more…] about Sixteen Precious Words

Ben Zornes