Posts
Lord, High and Holy, Meek and Lowly,
Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.
Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.
Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,
and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;
Let me find thy light in my darkness,
thy life in my death,
thy joy in my sorrow,
thy grace in my sin,
thy riches in my poverty,
thy glory in my valley.
in the name of Jesus, Amen
Monday, March 2, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Ask Waymer
Ask Waymer about his "Doubting Thomas" testimony that he gave at upwards basketball last saturday.
Waymer also has a question. When Thomas is quoted in John 11:16, after Jesus says "let us return to Judea", as saying to the rest of the disciples: "Let us also go, that we may die with him." was he being "serious" or "sarcastic" or maybe "resigned" when he made this statement? Which do you think it was and why?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Quote of the Day
“A fair result could be obtained only by fully stating and balancing the facts on both sides of each question.” –Chas. Darwin
Seems like Charley's disciples these days don't subscribe to this statement.
Seems like Charley's disciples these days don't subscribe to this statement.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Encounter with a Darwinist Today
Don't tell me Darwinism is not a "religion". Have you ever seen those Christian fish symbols attached to the rear of vehicles with "evolved" feet and "Darwin" on them?
Well, today, I was driving to court and I saw one of these symbols on the rear of a truck. On a whim or maybe after being sensitized to the issue by reading about Darwin earlier in the day, I followed the truck into a parking lot and waited until the driver, sporting a beard, stepped from the vehicle. I rolled down my window and called out to him: "Hey, do you know that today is the 200th birthday of your savior?" He look quizzically at me for a moment, and then smiled and said: "Yeah, I know. I going to a celebration party tonight." I responded: "Can your savior save your soul from eternal damnation?" He looked at me warily, and then condescendingly replied: "Actually, my soul is in pretty good shape." I countered with the "J" word: "Then you know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord?" The fellow looked at me with disgust, turned and walked away without responding.
The foregoing is an absolutely true and verbatim account of what happened.
Well, today, I was driving to court and I saw one of these symbols on the rear of a truck. On a whim or maybe after being sensitized to the issue by reading about Darwin earlier in the day, I followed the truck into a parking lot and waited until the driver, sporting a beard, stepped from the vehicle. I rolled down my window and called out to him: "Hey, do you know that today is the 200th birthday of your savior?" He look quizzically at me for a moment, and then smiled and said: "Yeah, I know. I going to a celebration party tonight." I responded: "Can your savior save your soul from eternal damnation?" He looked at me warily, and then condescendingly replied: "Actually, my soul is in pretty good shape." I countered with the "J" word: "Then you know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord?" The fellow looked at me with disgust, turned and walked away without responding.
The foregoing is an absolutely true and verbatim account of what happened.
Lincoln vs. Darwin: Co-Shaping the Modern World?
Two hundred years ago today, two boys were born within hours of each other; one in the United States and the other in England. Both would become renowned and affect the lives of their contemporaries as well as generations to come. One would lead his nation to a “new birth of freedom” and pay with his life. The other would be responsible for an idea that would justify and rationalize the worst cruelty and oppression the world has ever seen. Whose 200th birthday is getting the most attention?
The cover story of this month’s Smithsonian magazine tells readers “How Lincoln and Darwin Shaped the Modern World” The author of the article writes that Lincoln and Darwin had “midwifed” a new world where “the hierarchies of nature and race and class that had governed the world”, had been brought into question, if not overthrown. According to the author, “evolution” and “emancipation” are co-laborers in this transformation. What?
Tell that nonsense to the millions of people murdered in the name of ideologies that cited Darwin’s On the Origin of Species as justification for their acts such as the perpetrators of the gulags and the death camps. They saw themselves as acting in concert with the laws of nature: specifically, nature according to Darwin and his successor supporters. And what about “Social Darwinism”; which ideas have been utilized to justify and rationalize class hierarchies (Hitler's so-called "master race") around the world rather than “weaken” “question” or “overthrow” them.
The adverse social consequences of Darwinism are spun and portrayed as after-the-fact corruptions of Darwin’s thoughts. However, it has been documented plainly from Darwin’s own notebooks that he anticipated his ideas’ influencing “competition, free trade, imperialism, racial extermination, and sexual inequality”. Not to mention his endorsement of ideas about eugenics. Where is the outrage over the social consequences of Darwinism and Darwin’s complicity in these consequences and the destructive impact those ideas have had on one particular species: man himself?
So as for me and my house, I think I’ll celebrate Lincoln today.
Credit for much of the content and concept of the above post is attributable to Chuck Colson.
And we haven't even started talking about the justification for the denial of God or avoiding accountability for lack of morality that has spun off from Darwinism. We'll get to that.
Happy 200th Birthday: Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin
Whose birthday do you want to celebrate today? Lincoln or Darwin? Emancipation or Evolution? Both born February 12, 1809. More thoughts to come on this. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Read the Bible in a Year with Devotion
Going to start up a new blog activity.
"Read the Bible in a Year with Devotion".
What's different about this plan from others? 1) we are starting now rather than at the first of the calendar year; 2) we are starting in Leviticus, the third Old Testament book; and 3) the daily posts will cite the passages to read for the day (usually 2-3 chapters) and there will be some devotional commentary related to the daily passage of Scripture (that's the "with Devotion" part).
Why? 1) systematic reading plans such as this usually start at the beginning of the year, after the holidays, when people are immersed in attempting to implement numerous new things, most of which have since been abandoned by this time of year; 2) starting in a book that will require discipline to get through it (along with the next one, Numbers); thereby rewarding the faithful reader with the formation of a good habit that will allow the reader to perservere to completion of the goal, which is reading the entirety of God's revealed truth within a year; 3) the devotional commentary will hopefully enhance the understanding of the passage along with enriching and encouraging the readeer.
Additionally, this activity will allow active participation of the reader by being able to post "comments" on the day's passage, and see what other people have commented as well. Further, as a group activity, it allows whatever degree of accountability desired to stay the course to completion.
My suggestion is to pick a certain time to do this each day and sit down first and read through the daily chapters, in a relaxed, casual manner or pace. Allow God, through the Holy Spirit, to speak to you. After reading the passage, you can review the devotional commentary, consider it, and post whatever comments you desire for your own expression and/or for the benefit of others.
My plan is to post the daily passage cites the evening before the next day's reading. You can do the reading in the Bible version that you typically use for study or you can choose another version for additional edification.
Come on now, let's give it a shot together.
"Read the Bible in a Year with Devotion".
What's different about this plan from others? 1) we are starting now rather than at the first of the calendar year; 2) we are starting in Leviticus, the third Old Testament book; and 3) the daily posts will cite the passages to read for the day (usually 2-3 chapters) and there will be some devotional commentary related to the daily passage of Scripture (that's the "with Devotion" part).
Why? 1) systematic reading plans such as this usually start at the beginning of the year, after the holidays, when people are immersed in attempting to implement numerous new things, most of which have since been abandoned by this time of year; 2) starting in a book that will require discipline to get through it (along with the next one, Numbers); thereby rewarding the faithful reader with the formation of a good habit that will allow the reader to perservere to completion of the goal, which is reading the entirety of God's revealed truth within a year; 3) the devotional commentary will hopefully enhance the understanding of the passage along with enriching and encouraging the readeer.
Additionally, this activity will allow active participation of the reader by being able to post "comments" on the day's passage, and see what other people have commented as well. Further, as a group activity, it allows whatever degree of accountability desired to stay the course to completion.
My suggestion is to pick a certain time to do this each day and sit down first and read through the daily chapters, in a relaxed, casual manner or pace. Allow God, through the Holy Spirit, to speak to you. After reading the passage, you can review the devotional commentary, consider it, and post whatever comments you desire for your own expression and/or for the benefit of others.
My plan is to post the daily passage cites the evening before the next day's reading. You can do the reading in the Bible version that you typically use for study or you can choose another version for additional edification.
Come on now, let's give it a shot together.
"Barnabas Example" Challenge -- First Bite
Colossians 4:6
"Let your speech/conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt..."
OK, so I ran off at the mouth last Sunday in Bible study challenging us to consider being an encourager to someone this week and speaking positively to them in preparation for our study of the encouragement that Barnabas was to Saul/Paul in Acts 9, etc.
Little did I know that I was opening myself up to be convicted about my speech. Got to thinking about it after Bible study. Why do I talk so negatively so much of the time? Why don't I speak more positively? Why do I default to the negative in so many circumstances? So I have talked myself into taking the "Barnabas Example" challenge. But I want to make a commitment that I might have some chance of keeping. I do not want to bite off more than I can chew, so to speak, especially when it comes to possibly having to eat my own words. Therefore, rather than trying to "eat the whole elephant" at one time, I will instead try to do it one bite at a time. Let me explain my "first bite". I am going to limit the scope and length of time of the commitment. Rather than trying to speak positively and encouragingly to everyone (what a burden), I will select one person. Rather than committing to do such for the rest of my life (let's not get carried away here), I will make the commitment until this coming Sunday morning at 9:30, at which time my official commitment will cease, if I so choose. By way of accountability, I will report and have my "one person" report to the group whether or not I was successful in keeping my commitment.
Therefore, my "one person" I have chosen to encourage and speak positively to is my wife, Carri. I kind of cheated on choosing my "one person" because she is always so nice and pleasant. I also kind of cheated on choosing the time frame because Valentine's is coming up, so you sort of have to be nice during this time anyway, don't you?
Well, here we go! It's Wednesday afternoon at 5:00 pm, so I will amble up to the church and see what happens. Since I have not let her in on this yet, let's see how long it takes her to wonder if something is wrong with me.
"Let your speech/conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt..."
OK, so I ran off at the mouth last Sunday in Bible study challenging us to consider being an encourager to someone this week and speaking positively to them in preparation for our study of the encouragement that Barnabas was to Saul/Paul in Acts 9, etc.
Little did I know that I was opening myself up to be convicted about my speech. Got to thinking about it after Bible study. Why do I talk so negatively so much of the time? Why don't I speak more positively? Why do I default to the negative in so many circumstances? So I have talked myself into taking the "Barnabas Example" challenge. But I want to make a commitment that I might have some chance of keeping. I do not want to bite off more than I can chew, so to speak, especially when it comes to possibly having to eat my own words. Therefore, rather than trying to "eat the whole elephant" at one time, I will instead try to do it one bite at a time. Let me explain my "first bite". I am going to limit the scope and length of time of the commitment. Rather than trying to speak positively and encouragingly to everyone (what a burden), I will select one person. Rather than committing to do such for the rest of my life (let's not get carried away here), I will make the commitment until this coming Sunday morning at 9:30, at which time my official commitment will cease, if I so choose. By way of accountability, I will report and have my "one person" report to the group whether or not I was successful in keeping my commitment.
Therefore, my "one person" I have chosen to encourage and speak positively to is my wife, Carri. I kind of cheated on choosing my "one person" because she is always so nice and pleasant. I also kind of cheated on choosing the time frame because Valentine's is coming up, so you sort of have to be nice during this time anyway, don't you?
Well, here we go! It's Wednesday afternoon at 5:00 pm, so I will amble up to the church and see what happens. Since I have not let her in on this yet, let's see how long it takes her to wonder if something is wrong with me.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Chapter Two -- Comments & Commentary -- Knowledge of the Holy --Tozer
God Incomprehensible
Tozer poses the question in Chapter Two: What is God like?
He asserts that this book is an attempt to answer that question. However, he acknowledges that it cannot be fully answered in our human inadequacies, except to say: God is not like anything or anybody, not exactly.
Our minds are not capable of leaping directly to contemplation of the unfamiliar or unknown. We access unfamiliar territory by bridging over and extending from what we already know. Complete knowledge or understanding of “what God is like” is unfamiliar territory that cannot be directly accessed in our minds.
Tozer illustrates this limitation of our minds by suggesting that even those with the most nimble minds, at their most imaginative, are unable to conjure up something spontaneous out of nothing. It always begins with something you already know. For example, try to imagine a new kind of creature or being that does not incorporate something from what is familiar to you. The human mind does not directly access the unfamiliar; it extends to the unfamiliar over the bride of the familiar.
Tozer also cites the example of the strain of the assignment of being inspired by God (as the writers of Scripture) to express infinite thoughts and concepts of the supernatural with finite words and language of the natural. That is, the difficulty of having to express the unfamiliar, using the tools of the familiar. “It’s like, you know, just like, man, sort of like, wow, like….”
Tozer argues that when the Scriptures state that “man was made in the image of God”, it does not say or mean the “exact” image of God. For this to be so would necessarily break down the barrier of the high wall that exists to separate “that-which-is-God” from “that-which-is-not-God”.(i.e.,Creator from created).
Tozer asserts that in trying to imagine God, we run the risk of creating an “idol of the mind” made with “thoughts”, which would be just as offensive to God as an idol made with “hands”. Ultimately, “Idolatry” is our attempt to shape God, either physically or mentally, to suit our desires.
Tozar quotes Nicholas of Cusa (a 15th century theological philosopher/thinker), for the proposition that the intellect knows that man is ignorant of God, because God cannot be fully known, unless the “unknowable could be known”, and the “invisible beheld”, and the “inaccessible attained.”
Tozar further quotes Nicholas to support the concept that God cannot really be ultimately conceived or totally understood, because God is absolute above any concepts of Him that man could conjure up.
In effect, man in his inadequacies, wants to craft God in his own image, which necessarily reduces God to less than He ultimately is, in order to manage or control Him.
I believe that Tozar is emphasizing this concept (to the point of potentially belaboring it) for the purpose of combating the two extreme directions that men tend to go that creates the “loss” which Tozar identified in the Preface of this book. That is, the loss of the sense of majesty of God or a low view of God. On the one hand, man, in his pride, deceives himself into thinking that he truly and clearly can understand and comprehend what God is like; or on the other hand, he is all too willing to give up and not engage in the spiritual disciplines necessary to systematically study and learn more and more about what God is like. Either extreme necessarily will give man a low view of God, and a false understanding of what God is really like.
Tozar contends that in the 20th century, God has been taken for granted and has not been properly conceived of by men. As a consequence thereof, Man's perception of the glory of God has necessarily suffered and been insufficient in this generation.
Tozar asks: If we do not conceive God properly, how then shall we think of Him? Is He incomprehensible?
Tozar provides the Biblical answer: We can know God only through Jesus Christ our Lord. In Christ and by Christ, God makes self-disclosure of Himself in response to man’s faith and love (as opposed to man’s reason and intellect). We process God in Jesus Christ, by faith and through love. By Faith, we gain knowledge of God, and by Love, we experience God.
Tozer returns to the original question: “What is God like?” If by the question we mean what is He like in Himself in His ultimate and essential nature?, there is no answer for us. It is known only to God. However, if we mean, “What has God disclosed about Himself that believers can comprehend?”, then the answer is that He has, in love, condescended to reveal things about Himself to us to be true as to his nature and character. These things are called His attributes. By identifying them and studying them and mediating on them, we can answer in part, what God is like.
In summary, Tozer entitled the chapter well: God is incomprehensible, except to the extent that He chooses to reveal Himself to us; so…what do His attributes reveal about Him?
The rest of the book will expound on the ATTRIBUTES OF GOD which have been revealed to us by Him through Holy Scripture and Jesus Christ.
Post your comments please by clicking on "comments" below.
Start reading Chapter Three. "The Divine Attribute (Defined): Something True About God"
Tozer poses the question in Chapter Two: What is God like?
He asserts that this book is an attempt to answer that question. However, he acknowledges that it cannot be fully answered in our human inadequacies, except to say: God is not like anything or anybody, not exactly.
Our minds are not capable of leaping directly to contemplation of the unfamiliar or unknown. We access unfamiliar territory by bridging over and extending from what we already know. Complete knowledge or understanding of “what God is like” is unfamiliar territory that cannot be directly accessed in our minds.
Tozer illustrates this limitation of our minds by suggesting that even those with the most nimble minds, at their most imaginative, are unable to conjure up something spontaneous out of nothing. It always begins with something you already know. For example, try to imagine a new kind of creature or being that does not incorporate something from what is familiar to you. The human mind does not directly access the unfamiliar; it extends to the unfamiliar over the bride of the familiar.
Tozer also cites the example of the strain of the assignment of being inspired by God (as the writers of Scripture) to express infinite thoughts and concepts of the supernatural with finite words and language of the natural. That is, the difficulty of having to express the unfamiliar, using the tools of the familiar. “It’s like, you know, just like, man, sort of like, wow, like….”
Tozer argues that when the Scriptures state that “man was made in the image of God”, it does not say or mean the “exact” image of God. For this to be so would necessarily break down the barrier of the high wall that exists to separate “that-which-is-God” from “that-which-is-not-God”.(i.e.,Creator from created).
Tozer asserts that in trying to imagine God, we run the risk of creating an “idol of the mind” made with “thoughts”, which would be just as offensive to God as an idol made with “hands”. Ultimately, “Idolatry” is our attempt to shape God, either physically or mentally, to suit our desires.
Tozar quotes Nicholas of Cusa (a 15th century theological philosopher/thinker), for the proposition that the intellect knows that man is ignorant of God, because God cannot be fully known, unless the “unknowable could be known”, and the “invisible beheld”, and the “inaccessible attained.”
Tozar further quotes Nicholas to support the concept that God cannot really be ultimately conceived or totally understood, because God is absolute above any concepts of Him that man could conjure up.
In effect, man in his inadequacies, wants to craft God in his own image, which necessarily reduces God to less than He ultimately is, in order to manage or control Him.
I believe that Tozar is emphasizing this concept (to the point of potentially belaboring it) for the purpose of combating the two extreme directions that men tend to go that creates the “loss” which Tozar identified in the Preface of this book. That is, the loss of the sense of majesty of God or a low view of God. On the one hand, man, in his pride, deceives himself into thinking that he truly and clearly can understand and comprehend what God is like; or on the other hand, he is all too willing to give up and not engage in the spiritual disciplines necessary to systematically study and learn more and more about what God is like. Either extreme necessarily will give man a low view of God, and a false understanding of what God is really like.
Tozar contends that in the 20th century, God has been taken for granted and has not been properly conceived of by men. As a consequence thereof, Man's perception of the glory of God has necessarily suffered and been insufficient in this generation.
Tozar asks: If we do not conceive God properly, how then shall we think of Him? Is He incomprehensible?
Tozar provides the Biblical answer: We can know God only through Jesus Christ our Lord. In Christ and by Christ, God makes self-disclosure of Himself in response to man’s faith and love (as opposed to man’s reason and intellect). We process God in Jesus Christ, by faith and through love. By Faith, we gain knowledge of God, and by Love, we experience God.
Tozer returns to the original question: “What is God like?” If by the question we mean what is He like in Himself in His ultimate and essential nature?, there is no answer for us. It is known only to God. However, if we mean, “What has God disclosed about Himself that believers can comprehend?”, then the answer is that He has, in love, condescended to reveal things about Himself to us to be true as to his nature and character. These things are called His attributes. By identifying them and studying them and mediating on them, we can answer in part, what God is like.
In summary, Tozer entitled the chapter well: God is incomprehensible, except to the extent that He chooses to reveal Himself to us; so…what do His attributes reveal about Him?
The rest of the book will expound on the ATTRIBUTES OF GOD which have been revealed to us by Him through Holy Scripture and Jesus Christ.
Post your comments please by clicking on "comments" below.
Start reading Chapter Three. "The Divine Attribute (Defined): Something True About God"
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The Heavens Declare the Glory (and Majesty) of God -- Psalms 19:1
Want a "High View" of God? Contemplate his creations in the "heavens"
CLICK on the Image to make it larger and easier to view
CLICK on the Image to make it larger and easier to view
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Knowledge of the Holy --Ch. 2-- God is Incomprehensible
so-called "eye of God" -- Helix NebulaHave you been "thinking" about "right thinking" about God after having read Chapter One of our book?
Please read Chapter Two: God is incomprehensible and unknowable...?
I will post comments and commentary on Chapter Two at the end of the week.
Is anyone out there doing this with me?
Monday, February 2, 2009
Chapter One: Comments & Commentary --Knowledge of the Holy --Tozer
Tozer entitles Chapter One: “Why we Must Think Rightly about God”.
Tozer begins the chapter with a prayer asking
God to “…enlighten our minds that we may know Thee as Thou art…” so that we may perfectly love Him and worthily praise Him. Tozer ends his prayer “…that we may know and call upon God as He is.”
We cannot know and call upon God as He is if we do not think “rightly” about Him.
Our ideas of God (who we think He is) must relate to the reality of God (who He really is).
What we think about God becomes what we believe about God. Right thinking about God is foundational to right belief in God.
Right thinking is necessary to properly love God, completely obey Him, and acceptably worship Him.
Without right thinking about God, we are prone to “idolatry”: that is, assuming that God is other than He is; substituting the true God for one made after our own likeness or conformed to our own image; the product of our wrong thinking. The essence of idolatry is entertaining thoughts about God that are unworthy of Him and that exchange a lofty view of God as creator for a debased or perverted view of Him in the likeness or image of the created.
Why must we "think rightly"?
Necessary for right belief, right relationship, right response, right worship.
Here are some questions to begin asking yourself during this study:
Q: How do you think about God?
Q: What comes into your mind when you think about God?
Q: Are you thinking right thoughts or wrong thoughts?
Q: How do we think “rightly” about God? What are "right" thoughts?
Q: How do we think “wrongly” about God? What are "wrong" thoughts?
Q: What is your idea of God?
Q: What do you conceive God to be like?
Please comment on chapter one by clicking on "comments" below.
Start reading chapter two this week.
Tozer begins the chapter with a prayer asking
God to “…enlighten our minds that we may know Thee as Thou art…” so that we may perfectly love Him and worthily praise Him. Tozer ends his prayer “…that we may know and call upon God as He is.”
We cannot know and call upon God as He is if we do not think “rightly” about Him.
Our ideas of God (who we think He is) must relate to the reality of God (who He really is).
What we think about God becomes what we believe about God. Right thinking about God is foundational to right belief in God.
Right thinking is necessary to properly love God, completely obey Him, and acceptably worship Him.
Without right thinking about God, we are prone to “idolatry”: that is, assuming that God is other than He is; substituting the true God for one made after our own likeness or conformed to our own image; the product of our wrong thinking. The essence of idolatry is entertaining thoughts about God that are unworthy of Him and that exchange a lofty view of God as creator for a debased or perverted view of Him in the likeness or image of the created.
Why must we "think rightly"?
Necessary for right belief, right relationship, right response, right worship.
Here are some questions to begin asking yourself during this study:
Q: How do you think about God?
Q: What comes into your mind when you think about God?
Q: Are you thinking right thoughts or wrong thoughts?
Q: How do we think “rightly” about God? What are "right" thoughts?
Q: How do we think “wrongly” about God? What are "wrong" thoughts?
Q: What is your idea of God?
Q: What do you conceive God to be like?
Please comment on chapter one by clicking on "comments" below.
Start reading chapter two this week.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Knowledge Of The Holy -- A. W.Tozer - Preface
In reading the Preface of "Knowledge of the Holy", I found 11 expressions of the loss the church has incurred. All of the references deal with the church's integration with modern society. Mankind finds it necessary to gradually integrate man's ideas and expectations onto God's character.
The losses of the church include:
-a loss of the concept and sense of the majesty of God (listed 3 times),
-the surrendering of a lofty concept of God,
-having a low view of God,
-a loss of religious awe and consciousness of the divine presence.
-a loss of a spirit of worship,
-a loss of ability to draw inwardly to meet God in adoring silence,
-a lack of appreciation or experiencing the life in the Spirit,
-a decline of a knowledge of holy,
-having an idea of God that is erroneous or inadequate.
Yes, I do believe that this problem is continuing in the 21st Century in a dramatic way. People today often go to church out of habit, obligation, and/or to socialize. They often do not truly go because they have a deep desire to worship God.
What are your thoughts as you are getting ready to go to church or worship God in any other way? Are your actions performed without thinking and/or out of habit? Do you think, "Oh, I need to go to church because the kids need to go"? Are you wanting to go to see your friends and find out the latest news?
Or do you get up every morning like it were a new day, marveling in God's majesty? Do you continually praise Him throughout the day? Are you eagerly wanting to go to whole-heartedly worship God? Every Christian truly should yearned to worship God the way intended by God.
The losses of the church include:
-a loss of the concept and sense of the majesty of God (listed 3 times),
-the surrendering of a lofty concept of God,
-having a low view of God,
-a loss of religious awe and consciousness of the divine presence.
-a loss of a spirit of worship,
-a loss of ability to draw inwardly to meet God in adoring silence,
-a lack of appreciation or experiencing the life in the Spirit,
-a decline of a knowledge of holy,
-having an idea of God that is erroneous or inadequate.
Yes, I do believe that this problem is continuing in the 21st Century in a dramatic way. People today often go to church out of habit, obligation, and/or to socialize. They often do not truly go because they have a deep desire to worship God.
What are your thoughts as you are getting ready to go to church or worship God in any other way? Are your actions performed without thinking and/or out of habit? Do you think, "Oh, I need to go to church because the kids need to go"? Are you wanting to go to see your friends and find out the latest news?
Or do you get up every morning like it were a new day, marveling in God's majesty? Do you continually praise Him throughout the day? Are you eagerly wanting to go to whole-heartedly worship God? Every Christian truly should yearned to worship God the way intended by God.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Reading Tozer -- Ch. One
OK gang. Let's get going. Read Chapter One. We'll give it some time for others to get involved but feel free to post your comments when you have read and reflected on Chapter One.
Having read the Preface, what were the different expressions used by Tozer to describe "the loss" that the Church has incurred? Do you believe that what Tozer deemed a "loss" to the Church in the mid 20th century continues into the 21st century? To what extent and in what ways?
POST A COMMENT by clicking on "comments" below.
I have found 12 differently worded expressions of this "loss" in the Preface. How many have you found?
A flavor of the theme or concept of the book is expressed by the words on the back cover of the printed book. CLICK on image to enlarge and read.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Knowledge Of The Holy -- A. W.Tozer
Knowledge Of The Holy CLICK HERE
Here is our first Christian classic writing. read the preface.
Biography
Aiden Wilson Tozer was born 1897, died 1963. He was an American pastor, preacher, author, and speaker.
Born in western Pennsylvania, he was converted as a teenager in Akron, Ohio, after hearing a street preacher while on his way home from work at a tire company. In 1919, just five years after his conversion, and without formal theological training, he accepted his first pastorate in West Virginia, and commenced a forty-four year ministry.
associated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) Protestant evangelical denomination.
During the course of ministry, as he observed contemporary Christian living, he regularly expressed that the church was on a dangerous course towards compromising with “worldly” concerns,
In 1950, Tozer was elected editor of the Alliance Weekly magazine, now called, Alliance Life, the official publication of the C&MA.
Tozer authored more than forty books, and at least two of them are regarded as Christian classics: The Pursuit of God and The Knowledge of the Holy. His writings challenge the reader to the possibility and necessity for a deeper relationship with God. He lived a “simple” non-materialistic life with his wife and seven children, as he never owned a car but travelled by bus and train. Even after becoming a well-known Christian author, he signed away much of his royalties to those in need. It was said by his biographer that he had the ability to make his hearers face themselves in the light of what God was saying to them.
Reading Classic Christian Writings Together
One of the activities that I wanted to do with this blog is read, study, and comment on Christian classic writings together online on the blog. Therefore, I am going to select a classic and post it on the blog. From there, each week we will read a chapter or selected portion of the book depending on its format. I will post my review or thoughts on the blog concerning the reading for the week and then all of you who are participating can post comments as to what the author had to say, what I had to say, and/or what you have to say. Then follow-up comments can be made, resulting in an online discussion, hopefully whereby we will all be edified by our cumulative endeavor. Watch for the posting of the book we will be reading and the first week’s reading assignment. Sign in on this post with a comment to show me and others that we are going to have some participants.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
New Year's Greetings!
I have just completed theraputic treatments battling "Blogger's Block".
Therefore, if it works, new and regular blog posts will be forthcoming shortly.
Therefore, if it works, new and regular blog posts will be forthcoming shortly.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
driving around town....
since my H-E-B "happy holidays" post, i have become obsessed! first observation is that many merchants and businesses avoid the issue by not displaying anything. there seem to be less "greetings" this year.
let's hear it for MEMORIAL SELF STORAGE, 1890 s. walnut, a double-sided "Jesus" and "Christmas" greeting. yeah! call the folks there (the number is on the sign)and express your gratitude for their boldness in greeting us appropriately this Christmas. by the way, how many "Jesus is the reason for the season" greetings have you seen this year?
Unfortunately, can't say much for the NB Chamber of Commerce. All they could muster was a lukewarm "Seasons' Greetings". Can't offend their members, i suppose.
give them a call and ask them what happened to "Christmas" and "Jesus" this year?
Monday, December 15, 2008
just wondering...
why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?
If nothing ever sticks to TEFLON, how do they make TEFLON stick to the pan?
When they ship styrofoam, what do they pack it in?
Why is it that when you're driving and looking for an address, you turn down the volume on the radio?
Is it OK to use the AM radio after noon?
Why is the third hand on the watch called a second hand?
Why do people who know the least know it the loudest?
When cheese gets its picture taken, what does it say?
Why is "abbreviated" such a long word?
If nothing ever sticks to TEFLON, how do they make TEFLON stick to the pan?
When they ship styrofoam, what do they pack it in?
Why is it that when you're driving and looking for an address, you turn down the volume on the radio?
Is it OK to use the AM radio after noon?
Why is the third hand on the watch called a second hand?
Why do people who know the least know it the loudest?
When cheese gets its picture taken, what does it say?
Why is "abbreviated" such a long word?
Sunday, December 14, 2008
The Twelve Days of Christmas
"The Twelve Days of Christmas" seems like a whimsical song of rhyming nonsense. However, it was written for a very serious meaning. Catholics in England during the period of 1558 to 1829 were prohibited from ANY practice of the faith by law. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written to help them learn about their faith. In short, it was a coded-message, a memory aid.
The "true love" refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ.
The other symbols mean the following:
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity
4 Calling Birds = the four Gospels
5 Golden Rings = The first five books of the Old Testament (Pentateuch)
6 Geese a-laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans a-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
8 Maids a-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords a leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
The "true love" refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ.
The other symbols mean the following:
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity
4 Calling Birds = the four Gospels
5 Golden Rings = The first five books of the Old Testament (Pentateuch)
6 Geese a-laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans a-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
8 Maids a-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords a leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Happy Holidays?
what does "H.E.B." stand for? "hope everyone buys" so don't offend anyone?
i don't know why this sign bothers me so much each day that i pass it as i am taking children to middle school. maybe it's because of what HEB (or at least the Butt family) once contended that they "stood for", but no more: now it's liquor, lottery, and liberalism.
bah humbug!
am i out of line?
Ministry Opportunity -- Juguetes para Ninos de Mexico
did you see Karen Silos' email? did you hear the announcement in sunday morning Bible study? Joel is headed to Mexico soon and would like to take a load of new or gently used TOYS to distribute while there. this is a great opportunity to put smiles on the faces of mijos y mijas with very little effort. Giving: now there's a unique concept at Christmas time. Contact Karen: her information is in her email or we can take the toys by the church office but make contact. Thanks.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Cell phone vs. Bible
Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?
What if we:
-carried it around in our purses or pockets?
-flipped through it several times a day?
-turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
-used it to receive messages from the text?
-treated it like we couldn't live without it?
Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.
What if we:
-carried it around in our purses or pockets?
-flipped through it several times a day?
-turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
-used it to receive messages from the text?
-treated it like we couldn't live without it?
Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
three questions -- cats
just finished feeding my cats and as i observed and pondered their behavior, three questions come to mind:
1) why don't they make a mouse-flavored cat food?
2) if you throw your cat out of the car window while driving, does he become "kitty litter"?
3) since dropped toast always lands on the floor buttered side down, and since dropped cats always land on their feet, what would happen if you strapped a slice of buttered toast on a cat's back, and threw the cat off the roof: which way would he land?
just wondering...
1) why don't they make a mouse-flavored cat food?
2) if you throw your cat out of the car window while driving, does he become "kitty litter"?
3) since dropped toast always lands on the floor buttered side down, and since dropped cats always land on their feet, what would happen if you strapped a slice of buttered toast on a cat's back, and threw the cat off the roof: which way would he land?
just wondering...
I was just wondering why....
i was just wondering why material sent by railroad car is called a "shipment". and material sent by ship is called "cargo"?
no good deed...
well, i was at the post office the other day, and you know how crazy that is getting this time of year. i was standing in line when an elderly gentleman came up to me with a Christmas card in his hand along with a pen and a stamp. he asked me if i could address the card for him as his arthritis was acting up. i really didn't want to or have time but i said sure; after all it is the time of year to be nice to each other. so i started addressing the card as he dictated the address. then as i was finishing the address, he asked me if i would mind writing the message on the card as well. i thought to myself: might as well, i now have lost my place in line. so i laboriously wrote the message as he kept changing it while i was trying to write it but we finally got it done. then he asked if i would might putting the stamp on the envelope, which i did. at this point, my patience, which is not the best in the best of circumstances, was wearing thin. so i kind of scarcastically asked if there was anything else i could do for him. he replied: "would you mine adding a p.s. at the end of the message, to 'please excuse the messy handwriting'".
Monday, December 8, 2008
Ministry Opportunity -- Want to Go in Spirit and Support on a Mission Trip to Africa?
Gayla Baxter announced in sunday bible study that she is being led to go to Senegal, Africa, January 6-20, 2009, on a mission trip, with Akiko Martin and others (where Akiko's daughter, Michelle, is serving as a missionary).
Gayla asked for our prayers before and during her trip for details to go smoothly and safe passage and prepared hearts of the people there and the people going.
Gayla also asked us to pray about becoming a financial partner in this mission. Contact Gayla if the Lord leads you to be more than a prayer partner concerning this venture. matter of fact, either way, contact Gayla and encourage and exort her in this endeavor and let her know that you are praying daily for her efforts. opportunity to touch lives where we may never get to go personally. opportunity to store up treasure in heaven for eternity. opportunity to be obedient to Jesus' last recorded words on earth before his ascension into heaven. Acts 1:8 (keynote verse in our acts study):
"you shall be WITNESSES of me....to all parts of the world". opportunity to be a part of the "all parts"...
Contact Info
Gayla Baxter
660-0143
511 Spring Hollow
New Braunfels, Tx 78132
Heb12_2@hotmail.com
Gayla asked for our prayers before and during her trip for details to go smoothly and safe passage and prepared hearts of the people there and the people going.
Gayla also asked us to pray about becoming a financial partner in this mission. Contact Gayla if the Lord leads you to be more than a prayer partner concerning this venture. matter of fact, either way, contact Gayla and encourage and exort her in this endeavor and let her know that you are praying daily for her efforts. opportunity to touch lives where we may never get to go personally. opportunity to store up treasure in heaven for eternity. opportunity to be obedient to Jesus' last recorded words on earth before his ascension into heaven. Acts 1:8 (keynote verse in our acts study):
"you shall be WITNESSES of me....to all parts of the world". opportunity to be a part of the "all parts"...
Contact Info
Gayla Baxter
660-0143
511 Spring Hollow
New Braunfels, Tx 78132
Heb12_2@hotmail.com
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Pearl Harbor Anniversary -- 67 years ago today
i forgot to mention this in class today. On December 7 , 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor Oahu Hawaii causing the United States to declare war on Japan during World War II. There are still people alive on the planet who were there that day. here is the partial text of the speech the following day from President Roosevelt to Congress. I believe the use of the word "infamy" in the speech is the only place i have seen this word used during my life. you can listen to the speech on youtube.
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT'S PEARL HARBOR SPEECH (partial)
(December 8, 1941)
To the Congress of the United States:
Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.....
With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Highlights of Acts Chs 1-5 -- Review
let's take a look at the highlights of the first five chapters of our acts bible study:
Chapter One:
vv 4-5 -- Promise of the Coming of the Holy Spirit;
v 8 -- keynote verse for book of acts: "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me, in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
note the progression from near to far; we have a personal responsibility to be involved in some manner in both the near and the far and in between (witnessing in words and deeds, in our attitudes and our actions, in support, financially and through encouragement of others, and in prayer. also note that this is the historical progression in acts as well as to how the gospel spread: from near to far. draw a little "key" next to this verse in your bible;
vv 9-11 -- Ascension of Jesus to Heaven -- witnessed so they could witness;
vv 21-26 -- Appointment of replacement twelfth apostle, Matthias;
Chapter Two:
vv 1-13 -- the Coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost;
vv 14-41 -- Peter's Pentecostal Preaching;
vv 42-47 -- Description of Early Church Characteristics;
Chapter Three:
vv 1-10 -- healing of the lame man by Peter;
vv 11-26 -- Peter's Porch Preaching;
Chapter Four:
vv 1-7 -- Persecution;
vv 8-12 -- Peter's Persecution Preaching;
note v12: "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given amoung men by which we must be saved." (ties in with John 14:6);
vv 13-21 -- Perplexed Persecutors;
vv 23-31 -- Prayer Meeting: for Boldness in speaking the word -- filled with the Holy Spirit;
vv 32-37 -- Church Characteristics;
Chapter Five:
vv 1-11 -- Ananias & Sapphira -- Lying to Holy Spirit -- Testing, Trying Holy Spirit;
vv 12-16 -- Healing Signs and Wonders'
vv 17-28 -- Persecution Persists;
vv 29-32 -- Peter's Persistent Preaching;
vv 33-40 -- Wise Counsel to the Council -- Gamaliel
vv 41-42 -- Response to Persecution -- REJOICING and daily PREACHING & TEACHING;
Chapter One:
vv 4-5 -- Promise of the Coming of the Holy Spirit;
v 8 -- keynote verse for book of acts: "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me, in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
note the progression from near to far; we have a personal responsibility to be involved in some manner in both the near and the far and in between (witnessing in words and deeds, in our attitudes and our actions, in support, financially and through encouragement of others, and in prayer. also note that this is the historical progression in acts as well as to how the gospel spread: from near to far. draw a little "key" next to this verse in your bible;
vv 9-11 -- Ascension of Jesus to Heaven -- witnessed so they could witness;
vv 21-26 -- Appointment of replacement twelfth apostle, Matthias;
Chapter Two:
vv 1-13 -- the Coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost;
vv 14-41 -- Peter's Pentecostal Preaching;
vv 42-47 -- Description of Early Church Characteristics;
Chapter Three:
vv 1-10 -- healing of the lame man by Peter;
vv 11-26 -- Peter's Porch Preaching;
Chapter Four:
vv 1-7 -- Persecution;
vv 8-12 -- Peter's Persecution Preaching;
note v12: "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given amoung men by which we must be saved." (ties in with John 14:6);
vv 13-21 -- Perplexed Persecutors;
vv 23-31 -- Prayer Meeting: for Boldness in speaking the word -- filled with the Holy Spirit;
vv 32-37 -- Church Characteristics;
Chapter Five:
vv 1-11 -- Ananias & Sapphira -- Lying to Holy Spirit -- Testing, Trying Holy Spirit;
vv 12-16 -- Healing Signs and Wonders'
vv 17-28 -- Persecution Persists;
vv 29-32 -- Peter's Persistent Preaching;
vv 33-40 -- Wise Counsel to the Council -- Gamaliel
vv 41-42 -- Response to Persecution -- REJOICING and daily PREACHING & TEACHING;
last will and testament -- walmart
had an elderly lady come to my office about doing her will. she had two requests. she wanted to be cremated and she wanted her ashes spread at the wal-mart store. when i asked her why at wal-mart, she replied: "then i will be sure that my daughters will visit me at least twice a week".
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Looking Back -- Acts Chs 1-5 -- What have we learned?
sunday bible class:
we have now completed five chapters in our study of the book of acts. what have we learned? what have you learned? SHARE YOUR COMMENTS PLEASE, WITH OTHERS. CLICK ON "COMMENTS" BELOW.
we have now completed five chapters in our study of the book of acts. what have we learned? what have you learned? SHARE YOUR COMMENTS PLEASE, WITH OTHERS. CLICK ON "COMMENTS" BELOW.
New Diet didn't work out
carri thought i may have been gaining a few pounds lately, so she suggested that i try a new diet that she had come across. i told her i would be responsible for getting the ingredients for the recipes if she would prepare the meals. so i made note of everything we needed as the diet plan had very specific recipes for each meal of the day. i started on the plan, and followed the recipes. i thought that the diet was really going great because i never even felt hungry. but when i weighed in after a few weeks, it turns out that i had gained even more weight. so carri checked the recipe instructions again, and there at the bottom of the page, in fine print, was the following statement: "serves 6"
application: it pays to pay attention to the details and don't forget your reading glasses.
application: it pays to pay attention to the details and don't forget your reading glasses.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
101 Things Husbands do to Annoy their Wives
hey guys: i'm alerting you to a book by ray comfort that sells us out. ray catalogues all those stereotypes that may be true for some husbands in isolated cases but certainly not any of us. just thought you should get a "heads up" in the event this piece of propaganda shows up in your home. i am providing some representative samples from the table of contents so that you can see what we are up against: "doesn't listen" - "says 'yes dear'" - won't ask for directions" - "leaves off bread ties" - "says 'get to the point'" - "leaves toilet seat up" - "takes 'short cuts'" - "dominates tv remote" - "channel surfs" - "drives too fast" - "drives too close" - "can't find things" - "falls asleep watching tv" - "open-mouth snoring"
Sunday Morning Bible Study -- for Dec 7th
didn't tom taylor do a wonderful job leading the lesson the past two sundays? tom is now an expert on Acts Ch 5. how many chapters does that leave? oh well, it's a start. seriously, i appreciate his diligent study of the word and willingness to lead us in our study.
this coming sunday, read Acts Ch 6, focusing on vv 1-8. we are beginning a two chapter study (chs 6-7) that introduces stephen.
outline of stephen: from "waiting tables" to a "witnessing testimony"
the man
the ministry
the message
the martyr
in the focal verses for this sunday (acts 6:1-8), look for the following:
Q what was the conflict that arose in the church?
Q who did the conflict involve?
Q how did the apostles demonstrate leadership concerning this conflict?
Q what solution did the apostles propose to the congregation?
Q what was the congregation's response to the apostles' proposed solution?
Q how was the conflict resolved? what was the result?
Q what four things was stephen "full of"? (vv 3, 8)
Q what principles can we identify and what applications can we make from the manner in which the apostles handled this issue?
see you sunday.
zenas
ps we still need a nickname for waymer. carri's submission of "J-Way" seems to have the inside track at this time based on informal polls. log onto the "comments" section of the waymer post and enter your submission, if you dare. there will be a vote once we can find enough people that care to make a quorum.
this coming sunday, read Acts Ch 6, focusing on vv 1-8. we are beginning a two chapter study (chs 6-7) that introduces stephen.
outline of stephen: from "waiting tables" to a "witnessing testimony"
the man
the ministry
the message
the martyr
in the focal verses for this sunday (acts 6:1-8), look for the following:
Q what was the conflict that arose in the church?
Q who did the conflict involve?
Q how did the apostles demonstrate leadership concerning this conflict?
Q what solution did the apostles propose to the congregation?
Q what was the congregation's response to the apostles' proposed solution?
Q how was the conflict resolved? what was the result?
Q what four things was stephen "full of"? (vv 3, 8)
Q what principles can we identify and what applications can we make from the manner in which the apostles handled this issue?
see you sunday.
zenas
ps we still need a nickname for waymer. carri's submission of "J-Way" seems to have the inside track at this time based on informal polls. log onto the "comments" section of the waymer post and enter your submission, if you dare. there will be a vote once we can find enough people that care to make a quorum.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Check out our Blog Library
take the time to browse our blog library which you can reach by going to the "links" section of our blog, and clicking on "zenas the lawyer library" or by going to your search engine and typing in the following url address: http://zenaslawyerlibrary.blogspot.com. there you can access links for sermon sites, bible studies, articles, bible study sources and resources, research tools, interesting blogs, online books.
check it out.
check it out.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Sunday Morning Bible Study -- Nov 30 -- Acts 5:34-42
Members of Adult Bible Study Class -- First Baptist Church:
this sunday morning we will be finishing chapter 5 of book of acts.
"wise counsel to the council" concerning what to do about these followers of Jesus.
hope each of you had a grateful Thanksgiving. see you sunday. zenas
this sunday morning we will be finishing chapter 5 of book of acts.
"wise counsel to the council" concerning what to do about these followers of Jesus.
hope each of you had a grateful Thanksgiving. see you sunday. zenas
Friday, November 28, 2008
Acts Bible Study Revisited & Amplified--Ch 5:12-16--Supernatural Signs, Wonders, Miracles
The Acts Example « Jeffshort’s Weblog CLICK on "The Acts Example" to read post
Early Church teach Communism?--Part 3--Acts Bible Study Revisited &Amplified--Ch 2
Does the Example of the Early Church teach Communism? « Jeffshort’s Weblog CLICK ON "DOES THE EXAMPLE..." IN THIS TITLE TO READ POST
Early Church--Part 2--Acts Bible Study Revisited & Amplified--Ch 2:42-47; 4:32-37
More Characteristics of the Early Church, Part 2 « Jeffshort’s Weblog CLICK ON "MORE CHARACTERISTICS..." IN THIS TITLE TO READ POST
Early Church--Part 1--Acts Bible Study Revisited & Amplified--Ch 2:42-47; 4:32-37
More Characteristics of the Early Church, Part 1 « Jeffshort’s Weblog CLICK ON "MORE CHARACTERISTICS..." IN THIS TITLE TO READ POST
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving Expression for You
CrossCards.com- Free Christian E-Cards for Every Occasion and for EveryoneCLICK "CROSSCARDS" TO VIEW CARD
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thought for the Day
years from now, what will you wish that you had done that you did not do?
DO IT NOW!
in eternity, what will you wish that you had done on earth to further the kingdom of God?
DO IT NOW!
DO IT NOW!
in eternity, what will you wish that you had done on earth to further the kingdom of God?
DO IT NOW!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Overheard at Lunch Today
today i overheard the following conversaton from an adjacent table at a local restaurant during lunch: "so what's the deal about 'jesus'? he resurrected himself or whatever and then later did he die again or what happened to him"?
Q: how would you respond?
Please click "comments" below and post your comment or response
Q: how would you respond?
Please click "comments" below and post your comment or response
Sunday, November 23, 2008
christian fiction author recommendation
do you like to read Christian fiction? i historically have resisted doing so. however, i have come across an interesting author, James Scott Bell , who does a good job of blending legal suspense thriller themes (he's an ex-trial lawyer) with a Christian or Biblical perspective (he's a Christian). he is recognized for character development and snappy dialogue in his writings. you can check out his website which is under "links" on this blog. you also can communicate with me or Carri for more discussion about what we have read so far. it is somewhat difficult to find many titles of his work on bookstore shelves but i have found some. he has recently sent out an email offering to direct ship from his personal stock of titles for $7.00 per title which includes shipping. if you want me to forward that email to you, let me know.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Thankful for what?...everything!
Thanksgiving holiday is just around the corner:
so who are we to be thankful to?
what are we to be thankful for?
when are we to be thankful?
the admonition of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 is somewhat troubling: "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
likewise Ephesians 5:20:
"giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,"
Q: is that really possible?
Some might say: "Lord, surely i'm not required to be thankful for all the serious stuff that's happened to me this year. "
Others might plead: "God, i've been through some really trying times, tests, trials, and tribulations."
Still others might assert: "Father, i just don't understand how i am supposed to be thankful considering the catastrophic condition of my circumstances."
The Lord might reply: "exactly just what is it that you do you not understand or comprehend in my word regarding the words "everything", "always" and "all things"?"
in Philipians 4:6, we find: "Be anxious for nothing, in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;"
clear expression that our gratitude to God "in everything" should accompany our prayers and also our praise and worship as reflected in Hebrews 13:15: "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."
2 Corinthians 4:15 provides: "your thanksgiving should abound to the glory of God"
Q: Who are we to be thankful to? A: God (
Psalm 50:14): "Offer to God thanksgiving..."
Q: What are we to be thankful for? A: Eveything, All Things:
good things and bad things, incidental things and important things, simple things and complex things, positive things and negative things, spiritual things and secular things, blessed things and cursed things, happy things and sad things, better things and worse things, laughing things, and crying things, silly things and serious things, formal things and informal things, uplifting things and degrading things, mountain top things and valley things, high things and low things, health things and sickness things, life things and death things, abundant things and impoverished things, richer things and poorer things, friendship things and enemy things, marriage things and divorce things, thing one and thing two, etc., etc., etc....ALL THINGS! EVERYTHING!
Q: When are we to be thankful? A: Always
Something to think about this coming week and each and every day thereafter , till Jesus returns or we go to Him.
"IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS..."
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
so who are we to be thankful to?
what are we to be thankful for?
when are we to be thankful?
the admonition of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 is somewhat troubling: "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
likewise Ephesians 5:20:
"giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,"
Q: is that really possible?
Some might say: "Lord, surely i'm not required to be thankful for all the serious stuff that's happened to me this year. "
Others might plead: "God, i've been through some really trying times, tests, trials, and tribulations."
Still others might assert: "Father, i just don't understand how i am supposed to be thankful considering the catastrophic condition of my circumstances."
The Lord might reply: "exactly just what is it that you do you not understand or comprehend in my word regarding the words "everything", "always" and "all things"?"
in Philipians 4:6, we find: "Be anxious for nothing, in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;"
clear expression that our gratitude to God "in everything" should accompany our prayers and also our praise and worship as reflected in Hebrews 13:15: "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."
2 Corinthians 4:15 provides: "your thanksgiving should abound to the glory of God"
Q: Who are we to be thankful to? A: God (
Psalm 50:14): "Offer to God thanksgiving..."
Q: What are we to be thankful for? A: Eveything, All Things:
good things and bad things, incidental things and important things, simple things and complex things, positive things and negative things, spiritual things and secular things, blessed things and cursed things, happy things and sad things, better things and worse things, laughing things, and crying things, silly things and serious things, formal things and informal things, uplifting things and degrading things, mountain top things and valley things, high things and low things, health things and sickness things, life things and death things, abundant things and impoverished things, richer things and poorer things, friendship things and enemy things, marriage things and divorce things, thing one and thing two, etc., etc., etc....ALL THINGS! EVERYTHING!
Q: When are we to be thankful? A: Always
Something to think about this coming week and each and every day thereafter , till Jesus returns or we go to Him.
"IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS..."
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Giving Thanks!
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
I Thess. 5:18
This is a difficult command to live out every day. In a recent time where I had been complaining instead of being thankful for what I have been given, I wrote down what I’m thankful for. After I finished a long list, I realized my past complaints were insignificant. All that I have in this world was given to me by God. James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…” So how can I not thank God for anything that I am given.
What should I be thankful for? Well, first, God gives me his love and by grace he has saved me from eternal death. He has given me a husband who admires me, respects my thoughts, appreciates me for who I am and gives me Godly advice. It was my husband who shared a verse with me when I was complaining about helping a neighbor Colossians 3:23 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” This helped me to see that I am to do things unto God and be thankful that I can serve others for Him. He has also given me children and parents who love me. God has provided all the material needs that are necessary (notice I said “needs”, not money, riches, etc.). In addition, he has given me an understanding that He is in control and will work everything out according to His plan.
When should I be thankful? I wish that in all times I was thankful like Joseph after he had been thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, thrown in jail. When Joseph saw his brothers again and his brothers asked for forgiveness, he wept and told them that “what they meant for evil, God meant for good.” (Gen. 50:20). He comforted them and spoke kindly to them. He realized that in the big picture of things, God worked out everything according to His purpose. So when we are in troubling times that seem impossible, we need to remember that only God knows the Whole Picture. He will work things out according to HIS plan.
When I am feeling like the circumstances of this life are getting me down, I thank God that He is there to be my Savior, Sustainer, Provider, Protector, Comforter, etc. God is refining me to become the person He wants me to be, not the person I want to be. Romans 5:3-5 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Refinement is painful, but in the end, something beautiful will be seen. My eyes need to be set on what is above, not what is here on earth. I need to try to not get downtrodden by the circumstances but to live for God and He will take care of the rest.
So at this time of giving thanks, I look around and see God’s wonderful creation. I can see him working in even the little things around me. And I have the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. Thanks be to God!!
I Thess. 5:18
This is a difficult command to live out every day. In a recent time where I had been complaining instead of being thankful for what I have been given, I wrote down what I’m thankful for. After I finished a long list, I realized my past complaints were insignificant. All that I have in this world was given to me by God. James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…” So how can I not thank God for anything that I am given.
What should I be thankful for? Well, first, God gives me his love and by grace he has saved me from eternal death. He has given me a husband who admires me, respects my thoughts, appreciates me for who I am and gives me Godly advice. It was my husband who shared a verse with me when I was complaining about helping a neighbor Colossians 3:23 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” This helped me to see that I am to do things unto God and be thankful that I can serve others for Him. He has also given me children and parents who love me. God has provided all the material needs that are necessary (notice I said “needs”, not money, riches, etc.). In addition, he has given me an understanding that He is in control and will work everything out according to His plan.
When should I be thankful? I wish that in all times I was thankful like Joseph after he had been thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, thrown in jail. When Joseph saw his brothers again and his brothers asked for forgiveness, he wept and told them that “what they meant for evil, God meant for good.” (Gen. 50:20). He comforted them and spoke kindly to them. He realized that in the big picture of things, God worked out everything according to His purpose. So when we are in troubling times that seem impossible, we need to remember that only God knows the Whole Picture. He will work things out according to HIS plan.
When I am feeling like the circumstances of this life are getting me down, I thank God that He is there to be my Savior, Sustainer, Provider, Protector, Comforter, etc. God is refining me to become the person He wants me to be, not the person I want to be. Romans 5:3-5 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Refinement is painful, but in the end, something beautiful will be seen. My eyes need to be set on what is above, not what is here on earth. I need to try to not get downtrodden by the circumstances but to live for God and He will take care of the rest.
So at this time of giving thanks, I look around and see God’s wonderful creation. I can see him working in even the little things around me. And I have the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. Thanks be to God!!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thought for the Day
God can turn your "test" into a "testimony"
God can turn your "mess" into a "message"
God can turn your "mess" into a "message"
Waymer needs a NickName
it has been reported from a reliable source that Waymer is envious/jealous that i now have a nickname. he should know that the only good nickname is one that someone else gives you; not one that you give yourself (as in my case). therefore, in order to resolve this dilemma and restore the bonds of fellowship, i have taken it upon myself to institute our first committee (since we are southern baptists?) to which you all have been nominated and appointed as members thereof, if you are a member in good standing of our Bible study class (i.e., you show up at least for Easter and Christmas each year). the working name of the committee is "Waymer needs a nickname". I want each of you to seek guidance to come up with a suggestion for a suitable nickname. please submit your suggested nickname to the "comments" to this post; and assuming we get any entries, we will vote on them in some manner in the near future.
welcome!
well, here we go. this blog has been primarily created to allow and facilitate communication and expression of ideas, knowledge, opinions, observations, feelings, and convictions between the members of our Adult Bible Study Class at First Baptist Church, New Braunfels, Texas. we hold a Christian or Biblical worldview and attempt to implement it in our daily life. in addition to our class members, we also solicit imput from others who are saved, seekers, and/or skeptics. we do not oppose debate, dispute or disagreement, but we ask that all comments be appropriate and respectful and without the use of profanity or obscenity. watch for the next post. class members: let me know by blog email if you want to be registered as an "author" to this blog so you can post items or writings. you do not have to be an "author" to make "comments" to posts on the blog.
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