Lord of the Rings

So, I've been sick and I watched the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings trilogy over the last couple of days. Now, I'm a big fan of the novels and to date it is the only set of books that I've read more than once. However, I am not really certain about the Christian themes that are said to be rife throughout the book(s).

I know that Tolkien was a devout Christian whose faith helped lead C.S. Lewis to redemption in Christ. But I just don't see any overt Christian allegories in the Lord of the Rings. Perhaps I am not looking deeply enough or perhaps I am looking for a neat and tidy allegory that isn't there. Either way, other than the general sense of good triumphing over evil, I don't find too many connections leaping out of the text that would make me say, "Ooo, now that's a good analogy for original sin."

Now discuss...

Humble yourself

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (1 Peter 5:6)

My faith doesn't seem to cover this promise from God. I do my best to keep humble before God, but I can't stop wondering when "due time" will come. Today, perhaps?

Of course, when I reflect on "God's mighty hand" it gives me pause. I don't want to be a grumbler and God's mighty hand is a rather intimidating (in a good way) means of keeping me humble. I guess I'll keep reminding myself that being humble isn't just about me being humble, but it's also about being under God's mighty hand.

Purpose of this blog

So, there are a few different ideas of how to use this blog and maybe it would be a good idea to "discuss" them in the comment section of this post. Here are some of the ideas floated around for blog purposes:

• book discussion (Jonathan suggested Crazy Love by Francis Chan)
• Bible study (either prescribed or ad lib)
• whatever suits our fancy

Other thoughts I had this morning are about "rules" that should govern this blog in the event that we wanted to open it to more people (or make it public). For example...should the the sub heading of our blog read:

For Christians who want to blog. For encouragement to stay in the Way. To glorify God and His only Son, Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Or something like that.

Maybe I'm making too much out of this. My computer time is seriously limited and I am considering limiting it even more by jettisoning my DSL service (not that it's bad, just expensive and not used enough to justify the cost).

A different preposition

I am going through another Beth Moore study (she's great, by the way - I highly recommend her stuff - even for guys!), and she talked about Christ's sacrifice this way:

Jesus not only died for you, He died INSTEAD of you.

Wow. I guess I intellectually knew that, but I had never pondered it in quite that way. Instead of me. That puts a whole new spin on Christ's sacrifice.

A Good Analogy?

So, I was reading Romans 6 this morning and this verse jumped out at me:

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (v. 11)

I was pondering the substitution of Jesus' life for mine so that I can be alive in God. Without His obedience I would be subject to the fullness of God's wrath because I am a sinful man. Because of Jesus, I am able to stand confidently before God boasting in my righteousness through faith in Christ. I was thinking of how I could explain the substitution in terms that might be more understandable to some one who struggles with the concept of the depraved nature of man.

Do you think this would work as an acceptable analogy?

Jesus' death on the cross would be like some one going to work for me and giving me all of the income that they earn.

Comments? Thoughts? Am I way off?

No fear of bad news.

He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. (Psalms 112:7)

This was one of the scripture verses that comforted me during Meredith's initial stay in the hospital. In context with the rest of Psalms 112, it provided me with assurance that because I am His, I have no reason to fear.