Who I am and Why I Keep This Blog

There have been more people frequenting this blog recently due to the birth of our son Eden. I thought it would be appropriate to welcome you all and invite you to read an updated writing about who I am and why I keep this blog. I desire that you would be blessed in reading it.
Welcome, friends and love to you all!
The grace of God be with each of you in Christ Jesus,
Joshua

Eden's first week...

Eden Rivers' first few days have been spent in a winter wonderland. It is gorgeous outside! The snow is heavy and thick. When we awoke this morning, we looked out the window and beheld all the trees white and glistening. It's the variety of snow that clings to everything. Our nook is overwhelmed with white!

Inside, we have been nestled from the daunting snow storm. It's nice and toasty in here. We are thanking God that our power did not go out this time! He and momma have been cuddled in bed learning together the art of nursing. I have been frantic around the house juggling endless phones calls, dishes, and attending to the needs of baby and wife. Julia's wonderful mother and sisters have been a tremendous help in this area, as I feel ill equipped for such an arduous task. I have the utmost respect for my wife who joyfully accomplishes these things daily. Praise God for such a wonderful woman.

Eden has been doing very well. A little jaundice, but no worse for wear. He has been cozy wrapped in blankets, cooing and singing. Sunday, I played some guitar for him and he was singing along. What a blessing it was to be making music with my son so early on in his life!

His eyes have been opening more and more as time passes. The first time he and I made eye contact was inexplicable. The three of us have been getting to know each other better and better in this time.

In the past week, God has surrounded us with a cloud of such generous people. We have been given a surplus of clothes and baby supplies. We have onesies plentiful, blankets in abundance, and teeny tiny hats coming out our ears. What a blessing! Hardly anything fits our little preemie because he's so tiny. Even though he was 6 lbs when he was born, he seemed smaller than most 6-pounders. He's sweet and delicate.

Today marks one week since Eden's birth. It has been unreal, to say the least. We woke up this morning to find a most gorgeous sunrise. It is as if the LORD painted Eden a heavenly masterpiece in celebration of his birth. We rejoiced with our son this morning in bed.

Julia and I have been so thankful to our Lord Jesus Christ. We ascribe all the glory to God as the Giver of all good things. Our desire is that our Lord might raise up our son for His Kingdom's sake. We know our son is not our own, but he is the LORD's, the God that owns all. Eden Rivers Klein is offered to Christ for His purposes and glory. Please pray with us that God would raise him up to salvation and use him mightily in gospel work in the world.

Thank you family and friends for your earnest prayers to God for us during this pregnancy. It has been a turbulent ride, but the LORD has ordained it for our good and we trust in His mercy in everything. Let this be yet another testimony of the goodness of God.

Eden Rivers Klein

Eden Rivers Klein
Born 2/19/09 at 11:48 am
6 lbs. 0 oz.
18 inches

The name Eden is a reference to the garden of Eden in Genesis chapter 2, “And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. … And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Genesis 2:8-10, 15

The Hebrew word ‘Eden’ means “pleasure or delight”. Hence, the garden of Eden was a place of great pleasure and delight. This was because man had an unbroken fellowship and relationship with God. “…they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day…” Genesis 3:8 This relationship existed until man sinned and was cast out of fellowship with God. “Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” Genesis 3:23-24

Since then everyone has inherited a sin nature that is passed down from Adam, the first man created. No one is exempt from this nature. “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Psalm 51:5 and “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Romans 3:10-12 This has separated us from knowing God. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2

We, as fallen humans, are in a desperate state from conception. The Bible explains our spiritual situation as “death”. (Ephesians 2:1-3) We are born spiritually dead, that is, we are all unable to do anything to please God, because our hearts are so hardened in sin and pride. (Romans 8:8) The only just action that could be taken is punishment. Our sins are infinitely evil because they are against God, who is infinitely holy, therefore, the punishment is infinite. The Bible calls this place of damnation ‘hell’. “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalm 9:17

Because of the severity of our condition, Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 He explains that as we all were born physically to experience this life, so must we also all be born “again” spiritually in order to experience eternal life with God.

This reconciliation between each individual person and God, their Creator, is possible only by the finished work of Jesus Christ. This means that God became a man named Jesus born two thousand years ago. Jesus said that He came “to do the will of His Father”, which was to die, crucified on a cross for all who would believe on Him. By Jesus own authority, He laid down His own life, paying the penalty to redeem men back to God. He was raised from the dead three days later and went up to heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. He is now reigning as Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:30-36) He is the Sovereign King over all. This payment made by Jesus was of infinite value and is freely offered to all who come to Him. When a person repents of their sins and places their trust in Jesus Christ as the only merit they have for eternal life, this is evidence that they have been born of God. He has given them a new nature to love God and hate sin.

“… Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37-38

“When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.” Isaiah 41:17-18

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” Psalm 42:1-2

“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips” Psalm 63:1-5

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3

God does not take delight to punish anyone. “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” Ezekiel 33:11 He desires that all men everywhere be saved and commands them to. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31

This is the reason that the name ‘Eden Rivers’ is of such importance to us. The true “rivers of pleasure” are found only in God. Both Julia and I have found this to be so and we desire that as our baby Eden grows up, he will be granted eternal life delighting in God, as well. Our sincere prayer to God is that you would consider these things and place your trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. We love you all very much and are looking forward to watching with you this blessing from God grow up to be “a man after God’s own heart”.

“How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.” Psalm 36:7-9

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5



“For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.” 1 Samuel 1:27-28

You can see some pictures from his birthday here.

Grace and Peace to you all!

-Joshua and Julia Klein

Pink on Spiritual and Natural Ability

"But now the question returns, How can God hold the sinner responsible for failing to do what he is unable to do? This necessitates a careful definition of terms. Just what is meant by "unable" and "cannot"?
Now let it be clearly understood that when we speak of the sinner's inability, we do not mean that if men desired to come to Christ they lack the necessary power to carry out their desire. No; the fact is that the sinner's inability or absence of power is itself due to lack of willingness to come to Christ, and this lack of willingness is the fruit of a depraved heart. It is of first importance that we distinguish between natural inability and moral and spiritual inability. For example, we read, "But Ahijah could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age" (1 Kings 14:4); and again, "The men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them" (Jonah 1:13). In both of these passages the words "could not" refer to natural inability. But when we read, "And when his brethren saw that their father loved him (Joseph) more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him" (Gen. 37:4), it is clearly moral inability that is in view. They did not lack the natural ability to "speak peaceably unto him" for they were not dumb. Why then was it that they "could not speak peaceably unto him"? The answer is given in the same verse: it was because "they hated him." Again; in 2 Peter 2:14 we read of a certain class of wicked men "having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin." Here again it is moral inability that is in view. Why is it that these men "cannot cease from sin"? The answer is, Because their eyes were full of adultery. So of Romans 8:8-"They that are in the flesh cannot please God": here is spiritual inability. Why is it that the natural man "cannot please God"? Because he is "alienated from the life of God" (Eph. 4:18). No man can choose that from which his heart is averse-"O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things?" (Matt. 12:34). "No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him" (John 6:44). Here again it is moral and spiritual inability which is before us. Why is it the sinner cannot come to Christ unless he is "drawn"? The answer is, Because his wicked heart loves sin and hates Christ.

...

Should some sinner here object, I cannot help being born into this world with a depraved heart and therefore I am not responsible for my moral and spiritual inability which accrue from it, the reply would be, Responsibility and Culpability He in the indulgence of the depraved propensities, the free indulgence, for God does not force any to sin. Men might pity me but they certainly would not excuse me if I gave vent to a fiery temper and then sought to extenuate myself on the ground of having inherited that temper from my parents. Their own common sense is sufficient to guide their judgment in such a case as this. They would argue I was responsible to restrain my temper. Why then cavil against this same principle in the case supposed above? "Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee thou wicked servant" surely applies here! What would the reader say to a man who had robbed him and who later argued in defense, "I cannot help being a thief, that is my nature"? Surely the reply would be, Then the penitentiary is the proper place for that man. What then shall be said to the one who argues that he cannot help following the bent of his sinful heart? Surely, that the Lake of Fire is where such an one must go. Did ever a murderer plead that he hated his victim so much that he could not go near him without slaying him. Would not that only magnify the enormity of his crime! Then what of the one who loves sin so much that he is at 'enmity against God'!" - Arthur Pink "The Sovereignty of God"

Latest Photos...

Some of my latest photos at Flickr...

The Revelation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

The Revelation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the History of Redemption

The Whole Bible is about Jesus.

“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. … And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures” Lk 24:25-27, 44-45

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures [The Old Testament], which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim 3:15

“Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me” Ps 40:7

This the Apostles learned from Jesus.

“And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.” Acts 3:20-25

“For he [Apollos] mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures [The Old Testament] that Jesus was Christ.” Acts 18:28

“And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he [Paul] expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.” Acts 28:23

The gospel was in a mystery state since the world began, but now is clearly manifest by the church.

“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.” Rom 16:25-27

“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” Col 1:25-27

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds” Heb 1:1-2

“How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel … And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” Eph 3:3-6, 9-11

“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory” 1 Cor 2:6-7

“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” 1 Cor 4:1


The gospel seed was planted in Gen 3:15,

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel”.

Moses saw the seed and wrote of it.

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. … Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?” Jn 5:39, 45-47

Abraham saw the seedling and rejoiced to see it.

“And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” Gal 3:8

“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.” Jn 8:56-59

“Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.” Rom 4:16-18

David saw the sapling and spake of it.

“[Jesus of Nazareth] Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.” Acts 2:24-31

All the Prophets saw the tree and testified of it.

“And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him [Jesus of Nazareth] give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:42-43

“[the salvation of your souls] Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.” 1 Pet 1:10-12

“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh” Rom 1:1-3

The fruit tree of the gospel of Jesus Christ “blossomed” to us at His advent.

“[The Beloved] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded (Greek Strong’s 4052: perisseuo= “blossomed”) toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself” Eph 1:7-9

We are now in the spring time of the Gospel age.

“My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.” Song 2:10-13

We are sitting under the tree, eating His fruit.

“As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love.” Song 2:3-5

What is Humility?

John Piper "What is Humility?"


There are many more gems on the Desiring God YouTube Channel.