Zach Uram's Blog

  • I HAVE THE POWER

    I have many powers
    I can fight for hours

    I am a real He-Man
    I have a master plan

    I can time travel
    Satan will unravel

    I have mastered telekinesis
    Can blast a foe to pieces

    I bark at the moon
    I escaped the monsoon

    I am rather insane
    I have a defective brain

    I run at full speed
    For food I have a need

    I am a heavy sleeper
    My dreams go deeper

    I will fart on your snoot
    It’s really a hoot

    I shall bray like an ass
    When will this madness pass

    by Zachary Uram
    (C) 2025

    ,

  • A Knight’s Tale

    I slew
    A fire-breathing
    Dragon

    And rescued
    A damsel
    In distress

    I won
    The jousting
    Tournament

    King Arthur
    Made me
    One of his knights

    I made
    A pilgrimage
    To the Holy Land

    We fought
    The Saracens
    And won

    I returned
    To Camelot
    We had a feast

    by Zachary Uram
    (C) 2025

    ,

  • The End Times

    The rapture
    Is true
    Jesus will meet us
    In sky so blue

    At the last
    Trumpet’s sound
    We the Church
    Will be heaven bound

    The dead in Christ
    Will first rise
    For the nonbelievers
    It will be a surprise

    This rapture
    Will occur
    Before the
    Tribulation to be sure

    The Church shall not
    Be under God’s wrath
    We will take
    A different path

    After the rapture
    We will join Christ in heaven
    For the Marriage Supper of the Lamb
    There will be all the brethren

    Next is Christ’s Second Coming
    He will arrive on earth
    Before the millennium starts
    We the Body of Christ shall have mirth

    by Zachary Uram
    (C) 2025

    ,

  • The First Thanksgiving

    The Pilgrims
    Came to
    The New World
    America
    Across the
    Ocean
    It was a
    Perilous journey
    They were fleeing
    Religious
    Persecution
    Had to hunt
    And live off
    The land
    Every day
    Was a struggle
    Then winter hit
    And disease spread
    The majority
    Of the settlers
    Died
    Then they
    Befriended
    Native Americans
    Who taught them
    How to survive
    They became
    Friends
    On a chilly
    November day
    The Native
    Americans
    And the settlers
    Shared
    A delicious
    Thanksgiving meal
    Together
    They thanked God
    For all
    Their blessings
    There was
    Succulent turkey
    Sweet potatoes
    Pheasants and fish
    And pumpkin pie

    by Zachary Uram
    (C) 2025

    ,

  • Problems with Roman Catholicism from a Reformed Protestant Perspective

    The Reformed Protestant tradition has long critiqued Roman Catholicism on theological, ecclesiastical, and doctrinal grounds. Rooted in the principles of the Reformation, these critiques emphasize the authority of Scripture, justification by faith alone, and the sufficiency of Christ’s work. Below, we explore key concerns raised by Reformed theologians and Puritans regarding Roman Catholic doctrine.

    1. The Authority of Scripture vs. Tradition

    One of the central issues between Reformed Protestantism and Roman Catholicism is the question of authority. The Catholic Church holds that Scripture and Sacred Tradition are equally authoritative, with the Magisterium serving as the official interpreter. Reformed Protestants, however, adhere to sola Scriptura, the belief that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority in matters of faith.

    John Calvin, a leading Reformer, emphasized this point:
    “The Word of God is the sole rule of our faith and practice. To add to it is to corrupt it; to take from it is to deface it.” — John Calvin

    2. Justification by Faith Alone

    The doctrine of justification was a major point of contention during the Reformation. The Catholic Church teaches that justification is a process involving faith, works, and sacraments. In contrast, Reformed Protestants affirm sola fide, the belief that justification comes by faith alone, apart from works.

    Puritan theologian Thomas Watson wrote:
    “To know that nothing hurts the godly, is a matter of comfort; but to be assured that all things which fall out shall co-operate for their good, that their crosses shall be turned into blessings, that showers of affliction water the withering root of their grace and make it flourish more; this may fill their hearts with joy till they run over.” — Thomas Watson

    3. The Role of the Papacy

    Reformed Protestants reject the Catholic doctrine of papal supremacy, arguing that Christ alone is the head of the Church. The Pope’s claim to infallibility and authority over all Christians is seen as an unbiblical addition.

    John Owen, a Puritan theologian, critiqued this view:
    “Labour to grow better under all your afflictions, lest your afflictions grow worse, lest God mingle them with more darkness, bitterness and terror.” — John Owen

    4. The Sacraments and Transubstantiation

    The Catholic Church teaches that the Eucharist involves transubstantiation, where the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ. Reformed Protestants reject this, affirming that the Lord’s Supper is a symbolic remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice.

    Richard Baxter, another Puritan, stated:
    “Death is half disarmed when the pleasures and interests of the flesh are first denied.” — Richard Baxter

    Conclusion

    The Reformed Protestant critique of Roman Catholicism is rooted in a commitment to biblical authority, justification by faith alone, and the sufficiency of Christ’s work. While acknowledging the historical significance of Catholicism, Reformed theologians and Puritans have consistently argued that its doctrines diverge from the teachings of Scripture.

    , , , ,

  • Multa Bona in Mundo Sunt

    I jumped
    Into the air
    I didn’t have a care

    I laughed
    At my sister Vi’s jokes
    We saw some strange blokes

    I jogged
    Down the street
    My vigor was complete

    I sat
    By an oak tree
    I felt truly happy

    I danced
    Under the full moon
    I whistled a tune

    I ran
    In the rain
    It made me insane

    I wept
    For my grandparents’ passing
    It was depressing

    I cried
    Out to the Lord Jesus
    He will never leave us

    I sang
    A gospel song
    In Christ, we are strong

    I slept
    And dreamed of paradise
    We’re saved by Christ’s sacrifice

    by Zachary Uram
    (C) 2025

    ,

  • Concerning Salvation

    The Image of God
    Was lost in man
    With the Fall
    Every person
    Is born
    Tainted
    With original sin
    We are wretched
    Sinners
    Satan’s children
    God chose who
    Would be born again
    We are redeemed
    Through
    Sovereign grace
    We are saved
    By grace alone
    Through
    Faith alone
    In Christ alone
    According to
    Scripture alone
    For the glory
    Of God alone
    Biblical theology
    Is Reformed
    Our soteriology
    Is key
    We are born
    Totally depraved
    Our election is
    Unconditional
    It does not
    Depend
    On any quality
    Or merit of man
    Christ’s atonement
    Was limited
    He died solely
    For His elect
    We are saved
    By irresistible
    Grace
    God takes
    A dead soul
    And quickens life
    We affirm
    The perseverance
    Of the saints
    Those who are
    Regenerated
    Cannot lose
    Their salvation
    God takes
    A stone heart
    And replaces it
    With a heart
    Of flesh
    We receive
    A new nature
    When we are saved
    Regeneration
    Precedes faith
    We are gifted
    Sincere repentance
    And faith
    When our soul
    Is quickened
    By the
    Holy Spirit

    by Zachary Uram
    (C) 2025

    ,

  • White Christmas

    The sun
    Shines bright
    The fields
    They are covered in white

    Snow crystals
    Are gleaming
    Like millions
    Of diamonds glittering

    It’s a winter
    Wonderland
    I pick up some snow
    In my hand

    Today is the day
    When Christ was born
    On a cold
    Winter morn

    Snow reminds us
    Of God’s love
    When regenerated
    We are born from above

    Though our sins are crimson
    God makes us white as snow
    No longer are we
    Filled with despair and woe

    by Zachary Uram
    (C) 2025

    ,

  • The Memory of Trees

    I walk
    In the autumn
    Deep into
    Schenley park
    Above me
    A canopy
    Of many
    Colors
    The leaves
    Crunch
    Satisfyingly
    Under foot
    I hear
    Beautiful
    Bird songs
    Green moss
    Covers
    The mighty
    Trees
    I see
    Chipmunks
    In the
    Stone wall
    A cool breeze
    Blows on me
    Above I spot
    A peregrine
    Falcon
    Squirrels
    With red
    Bushy tails
    Scurry past me
    It starts
    Raining
    I welcome
    The cold
    Rain
    I feel alive
    I head
    Back home
    I fall asleep
    And dream
    Of the park

    by Zachary Uram
    (C) 2025

    ,

  • I Need Energy

    I have chronic fatigue
    And overwhelming lethargy
    What I truly need
    Is some rejuvenating energy

    I lay in bed
    Like a beached whale
    Please listen
    To my sad tale

    I languish each day
    I feel like a prisoner
    Trapped in my body
    I don’t feel like an achiever

    I long to run around
    And play
    It doesn’t look like
    I can do it today

    I am very
    Lackadaisical
    My problems
    Are psychological

    Frequently I feel
    Down in the dumps
    I fight every day
    And take my lumps

    by Zachary Uram
    (C) 2025

    ,