When I decided to start building a print library (I've been using software for most of my years), I started with Systematic Theology Books. Systematic Theology helps us engage with our beliefs in a more coherent way. Specific Theological subjects are arranged in a topical way and each Systematic Theological Resource has its unique Theological Method that distinguishes it from others. This is why one Systematic is never enough The Systematics I've enjoyed more are those that have helped me both engage with various interpretations and historical voices. A good place to start with you newbies is with Wayne Grudem :-)

Coram Deo is a Latin phrase translating to "before the face of God" or "in the presence of God." It’s a phrase that is found in the Vulgate (a 4th Century Latin version of the Bible), namely Psalm 56:13 (ESV): "For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God [coram deo] in the light of life." To live Coram Deo is to live one’s entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God. The big idea of the Christian life is Coram Deo. We live for an audience of One and we live submitted to His authority. To live each day out with this notion brings glory to God and in turn simplifies our lives in the midst of all the chaos! Friends, may this be the desire of our hearts! To WALK BEFORE GOD in the light of life! To ENJOY HIS PRESENCE! To SEEK HIS FACE! To SUBMIT TO HIS AUTHORITY AND WORD! Live before an audience of One! CORAM DEO!

This morning, a precious memory came to mind of a hymn by Horatio Spafford called, "It is Well with my Soul." In the 1990's when I was a little kid, my grandmother used to play the organ in a Congregational Church. The choir would every so often sing this classic, it was a favorite. The hymn was triggered by one of the verses in Psalm 23 that I preached from on Sunday; Verse 2: "He leads me beside still waters." One of the lines in the hymn reads as follows: "When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul." PEACE is what the LORD gives us! He gives us two kinds of PEACE, an objective and subjective peace: OBJECTIVE PEACE: This is a peace that ends our war against God. When we were sinners were ignorantly, in our fallen nature, were enemies of God. Romans 5:10 teaches: "For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life." Earlier in Chapter 5 Paul made clear mention of how this peace is brought about, verse 1 "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." We receive this Peace with God, only through what Christ accomplished for us on His glorious Cross and Resurrection, and we respond in repentance. Scriptures also teaches us about a SUBJECTIVE PEACE. This is the peace of God. Philippians 4:6-7 states: "Do not be anxious about anything... And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." The peace of God that He puts in our hearts gives us confidence and calm in the face of our trials and adversity. This peace you discover when your mind is fixed on the Lord and His promises. Isaiah 26:3: "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." It's a peace that the Holy Spirit produces in our hearts according to Galatians 5:22.