Happy Reformation Day!

Today is Reformation Day!

That's right. Today is the 491st anniversary when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the doors of the Schlossenberg Church in Wittenburg. As Tim Challies so eloquently put it, "That small act triggered a series of events that forever changed the world. It stands as one of the most important events in all of history—though an event that has been largely forgotten. Today we remember that day and express our gratitude to God for raising up men such as Martin Luther."

I highly encourage anyone, Protestant/Lutheran or not, to check out about the Protestant Reformation. It is a defining moment in history, theologically and culturally speaking, and offers a unique and indelible view of Christianity and the Gospel. Among these are:



The Solas:

Sola Scriptura: Scripture Alone, meaning that all Scripture is God-breathed and is the written authority of the church.


Sola Fide: Faith Alone, meaning that people become saved by believing, and only believing, that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins and arose on the third day.



Sola Gracia: By Grace Alone. Nothing we do earns us salvation. By Christ's grace, we are saved.



Sola Christus - Christ is the exclusive mediator between God and man. By Christ's death, and by Christ's death only, do we have access to God.





Soli Deo Gloria - To God alone be glory.



Here's what bloggers across the blogosphere are saying about Reformation Day:

Dave Bish reflects on the book of Genesis.
Church Ethos wishes Happy Halloween to Martin Luther.
Per Caliginem writes about sola scriptura and the Reformed confessions.
Renewing Minds covers Luther’s theology of the cross.
Monergism Books announces the release of a new five solas sweatshirt.
Nick Bogardus says, “If one wanted an image of what obedience in Christianity looked like, we might simply say, ‘A hammer and nails.’”
Ray Van Neste writes about two chapel messages delivered this week at Union University.
Word Pictures discusses “Reformation and Election … but not the kind you’re thinking.”
Stephen Lay uses that great Reformation phrase “After darkness light.”
Barry Wallace writes about reformation with a little r.
The Spyglass offers “Ecclesia reformata semper reformanda secundum verbum Dei “

Th’eternal Promise offers a three-part article on Christianity vs Calvinism.
Ron Man in his worship notes (PDF) says that Reformation Sunday is not just for Lutherans.
Gairney Bridge writes about the audacity of the pope.
Justin Pearson says that the Reformation continues, even in 2008.
James Grant looks at “The Beginnings of the Reformed Tradition: Calvin, Bucer, Vermigli, & Bullinger.”
Dispatches from the Valley of the Shadow of Death shares his Reformation Day address.
Ray Rhodes writes about Luther and prayer.
Stay, Stay at Home My Heart shares her idea for a Reformation Day party.

Martin Downes offers a Reformation Day challenge.
Then Face to Face images a world without Luther.
Jared Wilson offers five solas for evangelicalism today.
Strengthened by Grace celebrates with a look at solus christus.
Boaly asks for ideas for celebrating Reformation Day.
Listening to the Wind reflects on what God has done for us.
Relentless Grace writes about a love for reformational theology.
The Merrie Theologian takes a light-hearted look at a few of Luther’s lesser-known resolutions.

Daniel Hames writes about “the dangerous thing about faith.”
Stephen Macasil gives “Analysis of John Knox’s Argument That the RC Mass is Idolatry Before the Bishop of Durham (1550).”
Rebecca Stark says that the Reformation was all about the gospel.
A Second Reformation writes, “Here in Québec city we are celebrating the 20th bay of the Église réformée du Québec (The Reformed Church of Québec)this year and tomorrow my little local church is hosting a big party for the entire province.”
SynerJACK writes about Roger Williams, the American Reformer and looks at one of the many social extensions of the Reformation.
Gospel Centered Musings compares Rob Bell to the Wild Boar.
D.J. Williams warns against the temptation to take our Bibles for granted.
Darryl Dash follows Luther in saying “the whole life of believers should be repentance.”
Doug Smith looks at the implications of sola scriptura in planning worship services.
Detours and Devotions thanks God for continued reformation.
Nephos takes a brief look at the story of James Guthrie, a Reformation martyr.
Boston Bible Geeks looks at the Reformation’s impact on the Bible.
Ligonier Ministries looks to some of the Reformation heroes.
Crossway Life has written a whole series on the Reformation solas.
168 Hours offers a profile of the Huguenot Marie Durand.
Writings of a Woman offers a few of her thoughts on Reformation Day.

Here is also a link to the 95 Theses

Happy Reformation Day, everyone!

Soli Deo Gloria!
Sola Scriptura!
Sola Fide!
Sola Gracia!
Sola Christus!

Oh, Boy....We've Done It Now!

Hi, everyone,

Remember that sweet little kitty I told you about in August? Well, my family and I have done it now.

We fed her.

That's right. We fed her.

Now she'll never leave.

I don't really mind. I like it when she hangs out in the morning, meowing at us to feed her and give her water. It was two weeks ago, when we realized that it was getting colder, and our furry friend might be getting chilly. We've never seen her go into her owners' house, so we were worried that she might be out all night.
So........
My dad and brother built her a cat palace. It's a box with all the sides taped together. We put blankets on the bottom and put the box on top. Then we put a thermal blanket on top of the box for extra warmth. Now we've put a trash bag on top to secure the box from the rain. Now that cat has a nice warm place to stay.
But the night my dad and brother were building the kitty bed, my mom suddenly got out our own cat's food bag and dipped up some cat food into a plastic container. She started heading for the door.
Uh oh.

"Mom!" I said, "Are you sure we should?"

"Yes," she said, "I'm not going to let that cat go hungry."

So she put the food bowl out there, which Dicey, the cat, eagerly started sticking her little nose in and chomping up the food.

She ate for five minutes.

Cats don't do that when they're not starving.

So now, Dicey has become an unofficial member of the Brown household. She cries for her food and water, like all our other cats (who are indoors) do. She bids us good morning and sees us off to school, and she waits for us until we get home. Just like a dog. She's become our friend for life, ever since that first bowl of food, and even before that.

Who woulda thunk?

God bless,
Lauren