Ben Zornes

Living and Dying to Show the Preciousness of Christ

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All Things to Me (ENTRY #1)

All Things to Me (ENTRY #1)

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With the launch of this fundraiser via Kickstarter to help fund my first full lengthimage studio album, some have asked about why I landed on the title of “All Things to Me” for the album. Over the course of this recording adventure (Lord willing) I’m going to share some reasons and thoughts as to why I selected this as the title!

First, one of my favorite poems is Jehovah Tsidkenu by RM M’Cheyne. Here are two stanzas, the last of which is where I originally got the phrase: [Read more…] about All Things to Me (ENTRY #1)

Sweeter Than Honey

Sweeter Than Honey

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I recently came across this little factoid about honey, that it is considered to have an eternal shelf-life. In fact, some archaeologists3432013868_b9f1e9c84a have found pots of honey that are thousands of years old in ancient Egyptian tombs, and it is still edible!! This got me to thinking, and it led me to some other interesting facts about mankind’s first source of sweetener.

Some might call honey a sort of miracle food. It just doesn’t go bad. And here’s why: though sugar is a classic breeding ground for spoiling bacteria and organisms, the acidity which gives honey its signature flavor also acts to repel any would-be spoiling agent. In essence, though bacteria would love to make its home in and destroy honey, the honey has a defense mechanism so that it can last, in a sense, forever.

Nutritionists will tell you that honey is one of the best energy boosts for the body. In our day of energy drinks, and power bars, we would actually do better to eat a bowlful of honey. Whereas most sugary treats give a short boost and then a crash, honey gives a boost and––because of the protein in it––is able to sustain the boost. [Read more…] about Sweeter Than Honey

Sinking like a Stone

Sinking like a Stone

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When a nation, church, family or individual forsake God’s holy commandments there are only two options: continue in rebellion orblogpost 10.15.14 repent. Rebellion is a whole lot easier, just like it is easier for a stone to sink into water. Repentance, on the other hand, runs contrary to our sinful nature and we’d much rather keep sinking like a stone, because it is all we’ve ever known. However, the only rescue from the calamity that is sure to come when either an individual or organization is walking in rebellion to God’s law is repentance.

Repentance, we must understand, is not a “once-off” thing. It is a discipline of soul. Further, we must remember that it is a proof of God’s goodness and kindness towards us (Rom. 2:4). We, as Christians, often think that we repent once (at some alter, with tears streaming down our cheeks) and then we are handy-dandy from then on out. However, God, in sanctifying you, will lovingly bring you to a deeper understanding of Himself, and in coming to understand Him we come to understand how far we’ve fallen from His likeness. When we realize how out of whack we are, the godly response is repentance.  [Read more…] about Sinking like a Stone

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”

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

New Birth and Bellybuttons

New Birth and Bellybuttons

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I recently ran across this interesting book full of legends about Jerusalem, Israel, and Hebrew history. While with any extra-biblical 06.30.14 post photovolume of this nature, one must always sift out the outlandish from the profound. One legend in particular has captured my imagination and just won’t seem to let it go. Here’s a section of it:

“Within old Jerusalem rises Mount Moriah, upon which stood the Holy Temple [. . .]. On the summit lies a big rock, the Foundation Stone–in Hebrew Even ha-Shetiyah–the base of the whole world and its very center. The sages of Isreal commented: ‘And it was called the Foundation Stone, because the world was founded on it. For Isaiah the prophet said: ‘Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone . . . a costly cornerstone of sure foundation.’ [. . .] And when the Holy One, blessed be He, shall renew the world, He shall renew it out of Zion (Legends of Jerusalem by Zev Vilnay).’” [Read more…] about New Birth and Bellybuttons

Ho-Hum or Holly Jolly

Ho-Hum or Holly Jolly

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This world is fraught with wonders large and small. Often we find ourselves so anxious and discontent with every day life 6829279_cbb6a810f3that we shift restlessly hoping for the next vacation, weekend, or getaway. We fork over the cash to go see the wonders of the world, and yet we miss the wonders right in front of us, if we but had the taste buds and eyes to taste and see that the Lord is good (Ps. 34:8) in ten thousand ways right in front of us. [Read more…] about Ho-Hum or Holly Jolly

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