Today's Meditation

A verse that keeps popping into my mind is Matthew 10:28.  In the ESV, it reads:

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

I've often struggled with having more fear of those around me rather than fear of the True, Living God.  I pray that He forgives me of this misplaced fear, and that my fear of him grows as my fear of man diminishes. 

Heidelberg Catechism, Week 9

Lord’s Day 9

26. What do you believe when you say: “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth?”

That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who of nothing made heaven and earth with all that in them is,¹ who likewise upholds, and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence,² is for the sake of Christ, His Son, my God and my Father,³ in whom I so trust as to have no doubt that He will provide me with all things necessary for body and soul;⁴ and further, that whatever evil He sends upon me in this troubled life, He will turn to my good;⁵ for He is able to do it, being Almighty God,⁶ and willing also, being a faithful Father.⁷

¹ Gen 1-2; Ex 20:11; Job 38-39; Ps 33:6; Isa 44:24; Acts 4:24, 14:15; Col 1:16; Heb 11:3; ² Ps 104:2-5, 27-30, 115:3; Mt 6:30, 10:29-30; Acts 17:24-25; Eph 1:11; Heb 1:3; ³ Mt 6:8; Jn 1:12-13; Rom 8:15-16; Gal 4:4-7; Eph 1:5, 3:14-16; ⁴ Ps 55:22, 90:1-2; Mt 6:25-26; Lk 12:22-31; ⁵ Acts 17:27-28; Rom 8:28; ⁶ Gen 18:14; Rom 8:31-39, 10:12; ⁷ Num 23:19; Mt 6:32-33, 7:9-11

(source: URC Learning)

Thoughts from Paralegal Land...

It's been a year since I swapped duties in my office and became a Court/Trial Paralegal, two years since I started with the Agency (TM), and a little over two years since I completed my Paralegal studies.  Many jobs have learning curves, but I think that for the first time, I think I actually understand my job.  I finally feel confident when a judge asks me a question, or if I have to talk to an Attorney or a Paralegal who's unfamiliar with DSS policies and procedures, and even arguing with starting spirited and emotional discussions with some of the other Case Workers, Paralegals, and Attorneys in our office.  It's becoming natural for me.

However, what comes with that confidence is a bit of sadness.  While rebuilding one of my Trial Files, I finally had a chance to really pay attention to a lot of the Court Orders and other reports and such (that I will not discuss here because I like my job and need to feel* my family), and I finally realized that one aspect of my work that I often forget is that each piece of paper in our court files has to do with people, all made in God's Image.

Often, the trappings of a legal career--hearings, trials, mediations, depositions--can all become a huge game of chess or Risk, with Paralegals and Attorneys focused on building an amazing win/loss record and climbing up the Golden Chains of Success and Power.  One thing I think we often forget is that all of our work in the industry has to do with people and the best interest of our clients and (hopefully) any other folks involved in the matter.  I realize now that if I ever reach the point in my career in the legal field that I become numb to the fact that my work and actions has a direct impact on my fellow man and get caught up in the Golden Chain climb, I need to find another line of work.



*Okay, I know, it's supposed to be FEED my family, not feel.  Well. ay least my Bride will be happy to see that.  :-)

Heidelberg Catechism, Weeks 7 and 8

I didn't get a chance to post last week; Jenn and I were out of town, and, once again, life got in the way of posting.  I plan on doing a better job of keeping up with my blog in the future.

In the meantime, here are weeks 7 and 8 of the Catechism.  Once again, this translation can be found at the URC Learning web page.  

Lord’s Day 7

20. Are all men, then, saved by Christ as they have perished in Adam?

No, only those who by true faith are ingrafted into Him and receive all His benefits.¹

¹ Ps 2:12; Mt 7:14; Jn 1:12-13, 3:16, 18, 36; Rom. 11:16-21; 1 Cor 15:22; Heb 4:2-3, 10:39

21. What is true faith?

True faith is not only a sure knowledge whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in His Word,¹ but also a hearty trust,² which the Holy Spirit³ works in me by the Gospel,⁴ that not only to others, but to me also,⁵ forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness, and salvation are freely given by God,⁶ merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ’s merits.⁷

¹ Jn 17:3, 17; Heb 11:1-3; Jas 1:6, 2:19; ² Rom 4:16-21, 5:1, 10:10; Heb 4:16; ³ 2 Cor 4:13; Php 1:19, 29; ⁴ Acts 16:4; Rom 1:16, 10:17; 1 Cor 1:21; ⁵ Gal 2:20; ⁶ Rom. 1:17; Heb 10:10, 11:1-2; ⁷ Acts 10:43; Rom 3:20-26; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:7-10

22. What, then, is necessary for a Christian to believe?

All that is promised us in the Gospel,¹ which the articles of our catholic, undoubted Christian faith teach us in summary.

¹ Mt 28:19-20; Jn 20:30-31; 2 Tim 3:15; 2 Pt 1:21

23. What are these articles?

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, a holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Lord’s Day 8

24. How are these articles divided?

Into three parts: the first is of God the Father and our creation; the second, of God the Son and our redemption; the third, of God the Holy Spirit and our sanctification.¹

¹ 1 Pt 1:2

25. Since there is but one Divine Being,¹ why do you speak of three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

Because God has so revealed Himself in His Word,,² that these three distinct persons are the one, true, eternal God.

¹ Deut 6:4; Isa 44:6, 45:5; 1 Cor 8:4-6; ² Gen 1:2-3; Ps 110:1; Isa 61:1, 63:8-10; Mt 3:16-17, 28:18-19; Lk 4:18; Jn 14:26, 15:26; 2 Cor 13:14; Gal 4:6; Tit 3:5-6

Heidelberg Catechism, Week 6

Lord’s Day 6

16. Why must He be a true and righteous man?

Because the justice of God requires that the same human nature which has sinned should make satisfaction for sin;¹ but one who is himself a sinner cannot satisfy for others.²

¹ Rom 5:12, 15; 1 Cor 15:21; Heb 2:14-16; ² Isa 53:3-5; Heb 7:26-27; 1 Pt 3:18

17. Why must He also be true God?

That by the power of His Godhead¹ He might bear in His manhood the burden of God’s wrath,² and so obtain for³ and restore to us righteousness and life.⁴

¹ Isa 9:5; ² Dt 4:24; Isa 53:8; Ps 130:3; Nah 1:6; Acts 2:24; ³ Jn 3:16; Acts 20:28; ⁴ Isa 53:5, 11; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 Jn 1:2

18. But who now is that Mediator, who in one person is true God and also a true and righteous man?

Our Lord Jesus Christ,¹ who is freely given unto us for complete redemption and righteousness. ²

¹ Mt 1:21-23; Lk 2:11; 1 Tim 2:5, 3:16; ² Acts 4:12; 1 Cor 1:30

19. From where do you know this?

From the Holy Gospel, which God Himself first revealed in Paradise,¹ afterwards proclaimed by the holy patriarchs² and prophets,³ and foreshadowed by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law,⁴ and finally fulfilled by His well-beloved Son.⁵

¹ Gen 3:15; ² Gen 12:3, 22:18, 49:10-11; ³ Isa 53; Jer 23:5-6; Mic 7:18-20; Acts 3:22-24, 10:43; Rom 1:2; Heb 1:1; ⁴ Lev 1:7; Jn 5:46; Heb 10:1-10; ⁵ Rom 10:4; Gal 4:4-5; Col 2:17; Heb 10:1

(taken from URC Learning)