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Category Archives: God

This Looks Like a Good Place for a Toilet

The bible can be the source of wonderful amusement while reading through it. Today my daily reading took me through 2 Kings 10. The text describes the events of Jehu, king of Israel, and his purging of the prophets of Baal. In an effort to round up all of the worshipers of the false god Baal, Jehu proclaims that he wishes to have a grand assembly of the prophets, worshipers, and priests, of Baal. He does this by also proclaiming that whoever is missing from this assembly of worshipers of Baal will be put to death. The worshipers go into the “House of Baal” and offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. As soon as the end of the offering is made, Jehu and eighty of his guard go in and slaughter all of the worshipers. Jehu also orders the demolition of the “House of Baal” and “made into a latrine to this day.”

Ok, my first thought was of a pile of rubble and the infamous Calvin (of Calvin and Hobbs) peeing on it. But I chose a more appropriate image as you see.

And they demolished the pillar of Baal, and demolished the house of Baal, and made it a latrine to this day. (2 Kings 10:27)

28) Thus Jehu wiped out Baal from Israel.

God is very serious about that first commandment.

Soli Deo Gloria!!

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Posted by barrydean on May 17, 2012 in 2 Kings 10, Baal, Daily Bible Reading, false gods, God, the first commandment, worship

Something smells fishy here

06 Jan

Usually the above idiom has a negative connotation. This is not the case here. I am referring to the introduction of lean proteins in my new eating lifestyle. The past couple of weeks I have been transitioning into Phase 2 of the weight management program I’ve been involved with since October of 2011. During this transitional period I get to reacquaint myself with lean proteins that are outside of the HMR shakes and entrees I’ve been consuming since that autumn date. HMR does not currently produce an entree with any form of fish in it. I have heard that it is to hard to process a fish entree with any kind of shelf life. So, I have missed seafood and fresh water fish for several months.

The first week of Phase 2 I was able to eat a serving of lean white turkey breast along with my family for Christmas Eve dinner. The following week we could have two servings of lean protein. I found some white fish called Swai at the grocery store. I hadn’t heard of it before. I lightly breaded it, added some spice, Parmesan cheese and baked up a couple of pieces for my bride and I. It was delicious, and so great to once again savor the taste of good fish. For my other weekly allowable serving I had a meal laced with a can of albacore tuna. Yummy!

This week I can have three servings of lean protein. Woo Hoo! I have found a recipe for smoked Tilapia that looks very good. It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to smoke. I miss using my smoker and the delectable products it produces. (sniff..sniff) So, while it is still fairly warm in Nebraska, I am going to fire up the smoker for some fish. It should be great. For the rest of the week I am not sure what else to have, but I have so many resources at my disposal. One of them is you, the reader? Any ideas?

Weight loss wise, I am once again back on track. At my last weigh-in this past Wednesday I was down 6.2 lbs for the week. That figure puts down what I had gained over the Christmas break plus another couple of lbs lost. I have adopted those Sprint 8’s and do those on every other cardio exercise day. I am finally feeling stronger in my weight lifting, thanks to my additional protein intake. Sore muscle means muscle growth.

As always,

Soli Deo Gloria!

Update: The smoked Tilapia was excellent. See FB posting with comments link below.

Smoked Tilapia

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Posted by barrydean on January 6, 2012 in exercise, fish, fitness, glory to God, God, HMR, lean protein

Seasons are for Change

13 Oct

This morning as I walked out to the mailbox to return a Netflix DVD, I noticed something. Maybe I’m not the most observant person in the world, but I noticed that fall had come, basically over-night. Our yard was beginning to get that ever consistent colorful covering, you know, leaves. UGH!! It looks like some raking will be in order this weekend. (BTW, the movie was called “Red”. See it. I recommend it.)

Fall has always been my favorite time of the year. The days are not as hot and the nights are cooler. The leaves on the trees begin to change color and the air has the distinct smell of wood being burned in fireplaces. Aside from the spring season, fall is replete with signs of change and change about to come. It reminds me of our God and creator and how he set the earth in its rotation. As this blue rock rotates around the sun it also tilts on its axis causing the changes in the seasons. Depending where you live on this beautiful blue rock, throughout the year you are getting nearer the sun or further away. I know, Earth Science 101.

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Posted by barrydean on October 13, 2011 in change, Fall, Galatians 6, God, HMR, seasons

Tags: Galatians 6

Reflections of Mother’s Day

09 May

I will have to admit I am one of those people who tend to get cynical with days like Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. I mean, why do we really need to focus on one day to celebrate our lover, or another for our mother, right? We should be appreciating them throughout the year. My mother passed away a couple years ago so Mother’s Day has some what of a bitter sweet tone in the years following her death. But I get real cynical when folks try to lump Valentine’s Day in with Mother’s Day by substituting the wife for mom. When someone asks “What are you going to do for your wife on Mother’s Day?”, my response in past years has been, “Why, she isn’t my mother?”. A bit cynical, right?

This year Mother’s Day was particularly special. My bide and I went to church to worship and fellowship with the local saints. We did a bit of yard work, and then traveled the twenty or so miles into Omaha to participate in the Starbucks Frappuccino happy hour, and pick up a few things at Walmart. I know, the phrase “the little things in life” is our life song. When we returned, our son Corey and his wife Sara, their daughters, our daughter Amanda and husband Reece, their daughters, our son Beau stopped by for a visit and to wish my bride a happy Mother’s Day. We had a wonderful day. We filled up the new kiddie pool for the granddaughters and Crysta, cooked some barbecue chicken, and visited for several hours. It was a glorious and God blessed day spent with family. It was one of those days we will be able to point back, smile, and remember.

I know we should appreciate all of our days as blessed from God, but there are some days that stick out more than most of the others as indeed blessed. I believe this was one of those. It brings to mind one of my favorite contemporary worship songs.

Shout To The Lord

My Jesus, my Saviour
Lord there is none like You
All of my days I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love

My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You

Shout to the Lord all the Earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name

I sing for joy at the work of Your hand
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have
In You

Soli, Deo, Gloria!

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Posted by barrydean on May 9, 2011 in Family, God, Mother's Day, worship

Those humanistic naysayers are at it again.

13 Oct

Today I read a Facebook posting that reminded those who follow Kevin DeYoung’s blog that his blog address had Overpopulation moved. He is now under the Gospel Coalition domain. Anyway, as I went to check out the new location I read his latest addition to the blog. The article is about a reincarnation of failed theories by Thomas Malthus resurfacing under the British group Optimum Population Trust or OPT. They are concerned about the effects of overpopulation of planet earth. It is great stuff when he refers to the biblical mandate that man is created in the image of God and “have an incredible knack for creating”. Man doesn’t just create problems on the earth he also solves them. I don’t want to rehash what DeYoung does quite well in his article, so you should go to the link here and read it for yourself.

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Posted by barrydean on October 13, 2009 in God, Kevin DeYoung, Optimum Population Trust, Thomas Malthus

It’s grace, grace, God’s grace.

31 Jul

Thanks first of all to the grace of God. The grace of God is freely given to those who believe and the righteousness of Christ is credited to him. We read in Romans 4:1-8:

1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7 Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.

Secondly, a big hat tip to Scott at Through The Veil for finding this incredible video that says it all.

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Posted by barrydean on July 31, 2008 in God, grace, Jesus Christ, righteousness

The Wonderful, Awful Motivation For Ministry

28 Aug

If you were asked to describe God, what words would you use? You might use several such words as omnipresent, Isaiah before the Holy God omniscient, creator, sovereign, or holy. Based on the sermon series I just listened to by Mike Abendroth I would contend that the best way to describe God is Holy, Holy, Holy. The sermon series is based in Isaiah 6 and verses 1 – 13. Pastor Mike takes you through this passage as he lays out the experience of Isaiah the prophet as he encounters the holy God, and his response to the holy God. I would encourage you to read through this passage and imagine yourself in the shoes (or sandals) of Isaiah. He lived in an age where no one who truly knew God would ever think to approach Him in any way but prostrate and head bowed to the earth. The only way to approach the holy God of Israel was through sacrifice and with fear and trembling. I think we have (I know at least I had) forgotten how God was approached prior to the ultimate sacrifice of His Christ. I would also encourage you to listen to the four part series entitled “The Wonderful, Awful Motivation For Ministry”. Take the time and effort to listen to all parts. Pastor Mike does such a wonderful job of building the imagery of Isaiah’s encounter with God in the first two parts and then he takes two more parts to bring home the ultimate point. There was more accomplished at the cross of Calvary than just the redemption of God’s elect. See if you can see the awesomeness of the cross more clearly after this. The audio links to the series can be found at the link below. Soli Deo Gloria!