Splinters of Silver Scripture declares that the Words of God are pure, as silver tried in a furnace [Psalm 12:6], that God proves us as silver is tried [Psalm 66:10], and refines us as silver is [Zechariah 13:8-9]. I pray through this blog, not my words but, through the reading of the scriptures, through the presentation of thoughts and of comments, splinters of silver may prick and stay with us throughout our lives. Statistics Unique Visitors: Total Unique Visitors: Outgoing: Total Outgoing: 5 1147 68 8511

Articles from Splinters of Silver

Christians in Heaven or Sleeping Elsewhere 2008-02-11 10:42:00 A friend of mine just sent me a link to an article where an “Anglican challenges widespread belief, [and] says believers [are] asleep until God returns.”Article notes: “A bishop described as "one of the most formidable figures in the world of Christian thought" is now challenging the widely held belief that Christians go to heaven when they die.”Mr. Wright’s rejection of Biblical Truth is as follows (from the article):“"There are several important respects in which it's unsupported by the New Testament. First, the timing. In the Bible we are told that you die, and enter an intermediate state. [The Apostle] Paul is very clear that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead already, but that nobody else has yet. Secondly, our physical state. The New Testament says that when Christ does return, the dead will experience a whole new life: not just our soul, but our bodies. And finally, the location. At no point do the resurrection narratives in the four Gospels say, 'Jesus has ...

Clarence Larkin on "The Book of Revelation" 2008-02-08 12:54:00 The complete web verison of "The Book of Revelation" study by Clarence Larkin, 1919. An insightful and interesting read.The printed version may be purchased here, along with his "companion" study of "The Book of Daniel".Enjoy! ...

Vox Day - The Irrational Atheist 2008-02-06 13:09:00 Vox Day's book "The Irrational Atheist: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens" is now available from Amazon.com, though he also has the download here.I am thinking this should be an interesting read... He is also the writer of: http://voxday.blogspot.com/ ...

Possible Misunderstanding Concerning "Oh, the Bigotry of Bigotry" 2008-02-06 10:31:00 I appreciate Austin Cline taking the time to read my blog post and posting his opinions concerning it at his blog. I do however believe there may have been a slight misunderstanding as to the thoughts he pulled forth from my posting though.The title of my post was “Oh, the Bigotry of Bigotry” whereas Austin Cline entitled his reply/rebuttal of such “Anti-Atheist Bigot Denying Own Bigotry”. Though my original thoughts were in reference to another blog entry entitled “Bigotry Should Disqualify a Presidential Candidate”.At the very onset of the topic “Bigotry Should Disqualify a Presidential Candidate”, the writer begins their thought of bigotry as they see it from “many Republican campaigns” towards race, to sexual preference (called “anti-gay”, namely homosexuality), and atheism (called anti-atheist).They make the notion that although bigotry of race is not tolerated whereas bigotry toward homosexuality and atheism is, for they state “I long for the day when an ...

When Time Shall Be No More 2008-01-29 14:51:00 “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” [Matthew 24:3]According to Discover, brought to my attention by a friend of mine:“The meaning of time has become terribly problematic in contemporary physics,” says Simon Saunders, a philosopher of physics at the University of Oxford. “The situation is so uncomfortable that by far the best thing to do is declare oneself an agnostic.” (emphasis mine)Here is my question to: “The possibility that time may not exist is known among physicists as the “problem of time.””If time does not exist, what does that do with the rest of science’s theories based on time? Would they then become nonexistent as well?Oh, to understand the mind and magnificence of the Almighty, Holy God, though a lifetime would not allow such mortals as us to comprehend.Retirement (Book III, Hymn 45, page 583 ...

Do You Love Me? What About Them? 2008-01-29 10:09:00 I am going to just come out and say it: “I Love You!”Am I the only one that finds that which we are commanded to do in Scripture to be sometimes awkward and/or unnatural? I didn’t personally come from a “huggy” family that often told each other “I love you.” Even now, I find it somewhat uncomfortable to tell someone besides my wife or children that I love them. I believe I may show it to others by my actions, but to have the words flow from my mouth seems maybe even harder than saying, “I’m sorry.”Scripture teaches us there should be a love between husband and wife (Ephesians 5:25, Ephesians 5:33, Colossians 3:19, Titus 2:4), a love between parents and children (Proverbs 13:24, Ephesians 6:4, Titus 2:4), a love between friends (Proverbs 17:17, John 15:13), a love between Christians (John 13:34-35, Romans 12:10, 1 Peter 3:8-9), and even a love concerning our enemies (Matthew 5:43-45, Luke 6:35).Paul covers the act of love with his use of the word charity in 1 Corinth ...

Oh, the Bigotry of Bigotry 2008-01-24 10:25:00 Looking in the blog world of Atheism, again we have the use of the term bigotry. Dictionary.com defines bigotry as “stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own.”Coming from the title “Bigotry Should Disqualify a Presidential Candidate” we have a discussion of:“Try to imagine what would happen if video got out in which one of the Presidential candidates used the dreaded "n-word." That campaign would be over in an instant. Why? Because that type of bigotry would not be tolerated and would be accepted by an overwhelming majority of the American people as grounds for disqualification. Unfortunately, other types of bigotry are not only accepted but are actually an important strategic component of many Republican campaigns. I long for the day when anti-gay and anti-atheist bigotry will disqualify a candidate as quickly as racism.”First off, I would like to note the simple fact of the comparison made by the writer: Race (whether ...

Make a Joyful Noise unto God 2008-01-17 09:04:00 The Scripture is full of verses asking us to Make a Joyful Noise unto God, with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs of praise, not only to ourselves but also to others.There is probably not a Christian that would object to such teaching from Scripture, even from those which may not sing aloud themselves while sitting in the pews during worship services.The thing I would like to ponder is the idea of children verses adult singing specials in the church. In fact, I’ll just come right out and ask the question:Why do we accept and applaud a child that sings a special, though it may be off key, but seem to dare not let an adult sing that does not have the “voice of angels”?Is it simply because they “look cute” and the adult may not? I know that sounds silly, but it appears this is indeed the reasoning behind it. I mean, what else could be justifiable reason to allow a child that does not have the prefect voice to sing, but not the adult?Should not the underlying factor be the heart ...

No Preaching Zone 2008-01-11 13:37:00 Taking a glance over at Atheist Revolution, it appears that one may “Curb "door-to-door disciples" in your neighborhood!” by purchasing a “No Preaching Sticker ” or “"No Preaching Allowed" door plaque ” from Ring of Fire Enterprises.Interesting… ...

Mark of the Beast Confusion 2008-01-11 10:59:00 Sent to me, by a friend of mine, was a news article from FOXNews.com about a young man who had apparently “believed he bore the "mark of the beast" [and] used a circular saw to cut off one hand, [and] then he cooked it in the microwave and called 911, authorities said.”There has been discussion concerning “mental health” in these articles, but they all seem to leave a lot to be desired as to fully understand the context of what may have transpired for this man to do such. The article truly falls short when it comes to much of the story, but I noticed they made sure to include the Scripture references of Revelation and Matthew. They are as follows:Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire a ...

Ekleipsis: In the Land of Erde - Review Proposal 2008-01-10 13:43:00 Beast, a regular, Atheist commenter to Splinters of Silver has proposed the following concerning my recently finished book Ekleipsis:Books, books, books: You seem to be churning them out by the dozens! Am I supposed to be impressed?May I propose this to you: Send me a softcopy of your book, and then I will evaluate it and write a book review, after which you can put it up on your blog.As with all my comments, I will be as objective and truthful as I can.Dare you accept the challenge?BeastBeast,As concerning your proposal of me sending you the PDF file of my book, Ekleipsis:You propose:“May I propose this to you: Send me a softcopy of your book, and then I will evaluate it and write a book review, after which you can put it up on your blog.”You claim:“As with all my comments, I will be as objective and truthful as I can.”My reply and stipulations:1. I will send you the current, complete PDF file for my book entitled Ekleipsis. This will be the file that has been edited and rerea ...

Book Two: Daegsteorra - Introduction 2008-01-10 10:50:00 Continuing in the Land of Erde, where book one, Ekleipsis, left off, will be book two, entitled Daegsteorra. I have actually been writing on this book since November 2007, while book one was going through editorial corrections. Now that Ekleipsis has been completed, I can give Daegsteorra my full attention.As with the title of book one, using the Greek word for “eclipse”, Ekleipsis, I have decided to use the Old English word for “the day star”, Daegsteorra, for the title of book two.With Ekleipsis newly out, I would hate to give too much insight into book two, Daegsteorra, at this point, fearing I may spoil the excitement and story of book one.As book one, Ekleipsis, begins with:Ekleipsis (Greek, eclipse): Judarius claimed that darkness would one day overcome and destroy all light. The name of that day, he called thus.Book two, Daegsteorra, begins with:Daegsteorra (Old English, the day star): The Ekleipsis cometh but for a moment, then shall the daystar yet arise above the Dark ...

Ekleipsis: In the Land of Erde - Published! 2008-01-09 13:26:00 Good news!Today I uploaded the “final” corrections to book one, Ekleipsis, to Lulu for publication. It is now available for purchase, although I have just placed the order for my proof copy. Once I have read through the proof copy and am satisfied (which should already be), it must be approved through Lulu before it will be available at Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and other stores which wish to carry it.I will update the Land of Erde blog as to when I have officially approved the book, and please remember to register by January 31, 2008, for your chance to win a free autographed copy.Any questions or comments before or after purchase, please contact me.Check out: http://www.landoferde.com/ISBN: 978-0-6151-8434-0 ...

Trying to Silence a Moment of Silence 2008-01-08 11:10:00 According to the Dallas Morning News, “An atheist couple whose children attend a Carrollton-Farmers Branch elementary school have filed a complaint in federal district court arguing that the state's mandated moment of silence in public schools is unconstitutional.”The claim is that one of their children was apparently asked to be silent for a “time for prayer” during the normal morning “moment of silence”.Apparently the father also claims he doesn’t believe “there is any secular reason for a moment of silence” and that a moment of silence is just a way to allow prayer in school without calling it prayer. He asks the question, “Is there any study showing a moment of silence helps education?” But I would also ask if he has done any research to show that a moment of silence hurts education.I fail to understand why this couple would like us all to believe that a moment of silence is synonymous with prayer. That is simply not the case. How often do we take moments of ...

“God Doesn’t Want Me To Be Unhappy” 2008-01-02 10:54:00 I have heard this statement more than once, and largely in the context of a wife desiring to leave (divorce) her husband. Where exactly does such a thought arise? I find it not within the writings of Scripture, so who then is the author of such?First, I would like to take a look at the central word, which is interestingly “Me”. Now, I may be going out on a limb here, but usually when a person centralizes their thoughts upon self they are considered to be self-centered. A synonym for self-centered is selfish, meaning “devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.”Now, I am not going to assume that everyone (or anyone) that claims this line of reasoning, when considering the idea of divorce, may not have a legitimate reason for separation from their spouse (though Biblical justification is very limited and seldom adhered to), but I do believe this says more about their spiritual condition than ...