Rebecca Stark is the author of The Good Portion: Godthe second title in The Good Portion series.

The Good Portion: God explores what Scripture teaches about God in hopes that readers will see his perfection, worth, magnificence, and beauty as they study his triune nature, infinite attributes, and wondrous works. 

                     

Thursday
Jan242008

What special use is there of the moral law to the regenerate?

Although they that are regenerate, and believe in Christ, be delivered from the moral law as a covenant of works,[1] so as thereby they are neither justified [2] nor condemned;[3] yet, besides the general uses thereof common to them with all men, it is of special use, to show them how much they are bound to Christ for his fulfilling it, and enduring the curse thereof in their stead, and for their good;[4] and thereby to provoke them to more thankfulness,[5] and to express the same in their greater care to conform themselves thereunto as the rule of their obedience.[6]

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Wednesday
Jan232008

Book Review: The Literary Study Bible, ESV

2007.04.literary.exterior.jpgLeland Ryken and Philip Graham Ryken, General Editors

This Bible is different than any of the other Bibles you own. It is, to use the words of the editors, “a literary guide to the entire Bible,” using the English Standard Version. This means that the purpose of The Literary Study Bible is to explain the literary forms used by the biblical authors so the reader can get a better handle on what is being said.

I’ve been reading from this new study Bible and carrying it to church and Bible study with me since November, and I like it. (Except for the cover. The book jacket and the book cover look the same, and I prefer plain covers on my Bibles so I don’t look so much like I’m packing a children’s Bible.)

I’ve had a nagging feeling that I haven’t been paying enough attention to the literary features of the Bible. The Literary Study Bible has proven to be an excellent way for me to start giving literary form it’s rightful place in my Bible study. Here are some of the features in this Bible that make it useful for this purpose:

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Tuesday
Jan222008

Weather Reporting: January 22

icesnow_logo2.jpgWhat’s up today in the world of weather?

  • Carla had an Ontario winter driving adventure (or two). I’m pretty sure she was driving slow, but the ice and snow tried it’s best to do her in anyway. Never fear, like all really good adventure stories, her tale ends happily for all.
  • Rosemary shows us her Colorado hoarfrosty trees. Says she, “The skiers are loving all the fresh snow, but personally, I have a big hankering for some milder weather and snow-free roads. “
  • Violet, crack investigative reporter, has stunning photo proof that it isn’t always rainy during the winter on the lower mainland of British Coumbia.
  • Kim from Illinois has directions (with photos) for a cold weather project: An energy saving draft blocker for your doors.
Me? I thought I’d show you what an an aurora forecast looks like. Our aurora borealis activity is currently moderate to low. “Weather permitting, northern lights displays will be visible directly overhead from Dawson City to Watson Lake and visible to the north from Whitehorse.”
 
In general,
In northern regions like the Yukon, the best time to view the aurora is from late August to mid-April. During the summer months the night skies are not dark enough to see the aurora borealis even at times when the solar wind activity is strong. In midwinter the temperatures may fall to the minus 40 degree range and it is important to wear appropriate winter clothing…to enjoy the displays.  
The best time of day for viewing the northern lights is around astronomical midnight, which is about 12:58 AM local time. See these FAQ for more information.
 
You can be a weather geek, too. You’ll find the details for participating here. If you send me a link to your weather related post before tomorrow (Wednesday) noon, I’ll add your link to this post. If you send it after that, expect to see your post linked in this coming Friday’s weather report. If you sent me a link to a weather post and it is not included with these, chalk it up to my malfunctioning mailbox and give it to me once more in the comments of this post. I’ll add your link up here in the regular post, I promise.