Остин|Доран

Culpable Sinner True, repentance. The heart of a man who has sincerely repented of the sins he has committed is perhaps the greatest struggle between the depraved flesh and the ever more sanctified soul. In order for one to undergo a genuine change of heart and enter into full contrition for his sinful infractions requires understanding of whom he has harmed. Given a proper understanding of sin and the locus of malfeasance one can develop a perspective that considers God as the primary victim in any instance of iniquity. Thus, repentance requires more than a contrite and humbled spirit with regard to the moral implications of ones own sins. Repentance demands a respect, honor and appreciation for the sanctity of the Lord and savior. Regarding ones own sins as a personal affront to God’s own glory is the central concept of repentance, it is to see ones actions as the most heinous of crimes against the most glorious, Holy, perfect and compassionate of beings. Accepting full respons...

This post compliments my last one and elaborates further on the thoughts I articulated therein. If you haven't read it I would suggest reading it first. What about Us? The question you may be pondering at this juncture as did I, is: How does one achieves the level of righteousness that Moses and Paul lived? For in doing so they attained a level of righteous humility that draws us in and compels us to consider how we too can be vessels of the Lords work in this same manner. Certainly the simple answer is the power of the gospel, that is to reflect upon our own depravity, acknowledge the loving mercy and forgiveness that God has extended and accept it as salvation from ourselves and the consequence of our sinful existence. However, with regard to the humility that these men developed and sustained throughout their faith this can come as a striking contradiction to what we see among the common believer, be it ourselves or those around us. Accordingly, we must ask ourselves wh...

Understanding the paradox of ones gracious inclusion within the family of God juxtaposed with ones utter unworthiness to be in the presence of our Lord is unfathomable to say the least. The thought that we, an absolutely depraved, unjust, unsanctified and avoidably unrighteous, not to mention unholy creature, could be loved, counted as just and placed within the realms of sainthood should baffle even the most learned, nay especially the most learned. Such an unfathomable juxtaposition is beyond the capacity of man to comprehend. It is with this in mind that we should humbly submit to the paradoxical pursuit of continual sanctification that Moses and Paul so profoundly articulated. For they themselves said without hesitation that they were the worst of sinners, the most unworthy. If they could in perfect sincerity utter such words, how then are we to see ourselves? How can we honestly perceive our own condition in light of these righteous men's humble claims? Authentic Hum...

Today, I was really wanting to be in Colorado, specifically up in the mountains enjoying the fresh air, the forest of trees, the peaceful silence and the loving fellowship of everyone at the ranch. As I was walking through the city here in Chicago, it was so incredibly difficult to find anything around me that resembled the sheer beauty that fills the mountains. I was desperately craving the pond and the grandness of the mountains as they jut up all around, pressing in open me like a comforting embrace. Dragging my feet along those cracked concrete slabs that joined together to create the closest thing to a hiking trail I could find, I begrudgingly wandered into the park. Where I was immediately greeted by a charming character, he was a spry fellow, small in stature, but filled with ambitions and dreams. His warm greeting sparked a tenderness within me that slowly made its way to my face, forming into an awkward smile. Stooping down to return the friendly gesture of this handsome...

Two years today, Faith and Caitlin Kadlub were whisked away from our lives. As I sit reflecting upon their absence I am struck with sorrow, loss, pain and agony. I miss the long conversations we shared, imagining our futures and discussing the finer points of a life lived to the glory of our great Lord. Struggling to make sense of why they have been taken from us and how we can survive the despair and sadness of their death, I still can’t believe they are gone from this earth. I hope, even believe that they will return, walk into my life again and we will simply pick up from where we left off. Yet, I find it no small coincidence that the Lord in His divine sovereignty has placed Easter where it lies this year. A time that is reserved for reflection upon Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection poses exceedingly difficult and yet beautiful as I mourn the death of my friends in parallel with this time. So as the sun rises tomorrow morning, revealing the truth of God’s eternal lo...

Maintaining a standard for Christian community and the individuals who claim to ascribe themselves to the morays and moral regulations of a particular Christian subculture is often defended as one of the most essential tasks of church members. Thus, water tight doctrines and operating procedures have been drafted as a means of standardizing and regulating the definition and application of “appropriate Christian behavior”. Standard of Christian Practice These practices though very tangible in some communities such as the church, where they are labeled as church “law,” or in schools where they are known as “Student Life Guides,” they are just as present outside of such formal settings. Throughout the Christian community referred to as “appropriate” dress, actions and behavior. It often falls on the shoulders of officially recognized church leaders and a select few “respected” individuals within the community to be the authority regarding such practices. Overseeing the enforce...