Hurricane Isaias

It is Friday afternoon and I wanted to get this blog post out just in case we lose power like we did with Hurricane Irma.

The last few days, I have been in hurricane preparation mode. That meant hauling all my plants into my screened in porch. I have been using grow bags with handles which makes it much easier to move plants. One of my tomato plants is about 4’ tall which made it interesting to carry.

We are in Central Florida and at this time it does not look like the winds will be as bad as Irma. But you never know for sure what path the hurricane will take.

Hopefully we won’t lose power. Summertime in Florida with no A/C is not fun. Hurricane Irma demonstrated that to me all too well!

Blessings,

Bob

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The Place of Man under Grace
by William R. Newell

1.   He has been accepted in Christ, who is his standing!

2.   He is not “on probation.”

3.   As to his life past, it does not exist before God: he died at the Cross, and Christ is his life.

4.   Grace, once bestowed, is not withdrawn: for God knew all the human exigencies (needs) beforehand: His action was independent of them, not dependent upon them.

5.   The failure of devotion does not cause the withdraw of bestowed grace (as it would under law). For example: the man in I Cor. 5.1-5; and also those in 11.30-32, who did not “judge” themselves, and so were “judged by the Lord, -- that they might not be condemned with the world”!

 

Bob’s COVID-19 Update #4

Well it is time for another "COVID-19" update.

The good news is that no one here at The Homes of Ethnos360 has contracted the virus. The bad news is that the number of daily new cases in Florida continues to rise dramatically.

As a result, Florida is walking back some of their reopening regulations.

Seminole County just imposed a new order requiring everyone to wear face masks while in public places. There are some exemptions such as exercising outdoors.

These new developments certainly make life interesting. For example, the last few days I have been asked to help several folks out with computer issues. In some cases, I can simply work on their computer in another room and practice social distancing. But in other cases, I need to show the person how to do something on their computer. It is difficult to "social distance" with someone sitting right next to you while giving them instructions as to what they need to do. Such is life in this "new normal" that we are coping with.

In the last few weeks, we have started having a "virtual chapel" service for our folks here. That has been quite interesting to say the least. You know what they say about trying to teach an old dog new tricks. The same can be said for teaching seniors how to navigate software for doing "virtual chapels."

Stay safe!

In Christ,

Bob

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The Nature of Grace
by William R. Newell

1.   Grace is God acting freely, according to His own nature -- as Love; with no promises or obligations to fulfill; and acting of course, righteously -- in view of the cross.

2.   Grace, therefore, is uncaused in the recipient: its cause lies wholly in the GIVER, in GOD.

3.   Grace, also is sovereign. Not having debts to pay, or fulfilled conditions on man's part to wait for, it can act toward whom, and how, it pleases. It can, and does, often, place the worst deservers in the highest favors.

4.   Grace cannot act where there is either desert or ability: Grace does not help -- it is absolute, it does all.

5.   There being no cause in the creature why Grace should be shown, the creature must be brought off from trying to give cause to God for His Grace.

6.   The discovery by the creature that he is truly the object of Divine grace, works the utmost humility: for the receiver of grace is brought to know his own absolute unworthiness, and his complete inability to attain worthiness: yet he finds himself blessed -- on another principle, outside of himself!

7.   Therefore, flesh has no place in the plan of Grace. This is the great reason why Grace is hated by the proud natural mind of man. But for this very reason, the true believer rejoices! For he knows that "in him, that is, in his flesh, is no good thing"; and yet he finds God glad to bless him, just as he is!