Finding comfort in the teachings of Calvinism

When Shawn Vickers was told at the age of 15 that he was HIV positive, the news was unexpected and the results have been profound.

In the 16 years since he received that news, Vickers has struggled with the conflicts between his faith in a God that heals and his reality of a disease that has no cure.  Read the rest here…

 

HT: Lee Shelton IV

Thanksgiving

A NATIONAL THANKSGIVING

Whereas  it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and whereas  both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness”:  Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplication to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our national government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

  Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, AD 1789  George Washington

And in related news..

Dolly creator shuns cloning

I think someone better tell Lucas he may have rename that one Star Wars chapter.

This just in

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071120/ap_on_sc/stem_cells

Just think the exact same stem cells as those harvested from babies without killing the babies.  I wonder how the pro-abortions feel now that another prop has been knocked out from under them?

Please stand by

Technical difficulties, or as my friend Jeremy Weaver says: “Life” , has kept me from posting here. Also I’ve got be honest I’m not thrilled with the standard WordPress themes I have available here. I’m contemplating using my own meager html/css skills to come up with my own site. However, that will wait until after the New Year, Deo volente, until then I am planning on keeping up with the Catechism posts and at least one on Thanksgiving. After all it is the season. Also something on Advent.

Catechism

Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereunto man fell?
The sinfulness of that estate whereunto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the
want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called
original sin, together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.

For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
Romans 5:19 ESV

As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; Romans 3:10 ESV
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins Ephesians 2:1 ESV

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6 ESV

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Psalms 51:5 ESV

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19 ASV