Last time I was in DC I picked up the newest copy of Relevant Magazine, http://www.relevantmagazine.com/. The article which really stuck out to me was the "7 Burning Issues." Which spoke about how the church should respond to such issues as war, social issues, politics, homosexuality etc.... The last one, homosexuality really stood out to me.
For a long time this issue in and of itself has been on my heart and how the church (typically) approaches it.
So, please, indulge me for a moment.
I used to have a quite negative and biased look on the homosexual community/lifestyle. Thinking that in no way shape or form they could be Christian or have any idea as to who God is, I now feel that I was very wrong. I know believe that a man or woman who is tempted in this can be a Christian. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 lays it out clearly. The trick is to not indulge (Romans 13:14) in these things that we struggle with or that we are tempted by. Temptation is not sin, its when we entertain these temptations with our thoughts or actions. Now I want to make it very clear that I don't condone homosexuality. I believe that it is wrong and not natural. Just like I believe that getting drunk, looking at pornography and having sex before marriage is wrong and not natural. It's all sin, simple as that. So for the duration of this we will call "homosexuality" what it really is, sin.
I firmly believe that people who are sinners should be able to freely enter into a church. My Bible tells me that Christ died for ALL sinners to be saved. We read all throughout the book of Romans where the Apostle Paul tells us that the grace of God is in no way a license to sin. (Ref. Romans chapters 6, 7, 8) Once someone steps into a relationship with God they ought to abstain from a sinful lifestyle. I believe that we have to approach all sinners with love and with the knowledge that all have sinned (Romans 3:9-20) and fallen very short of the Glory of God.
There is no "sin scale" in Heaven that God is using to compare our sins amongst each other. Sin is sin. We are born into this. Just as God is love we are sin. So its when we grasp this concept that we can look at anyone, regardless of the severity of there sin, and realize that we are all in the same boat.
12.23.2008
12.21.2008
prior...
...to the sin coming into man did man have a consciousness? was it needed if sin did not exist?
12.13.2008
i don't have enough faith to be an atheist
thats it! i simply don't have the faith to believe in nothing (how can you believe in nothing? the word belief denotes the fact that there must be ''something'' to believe in). to believe that all of this (universe, earth that we live on, the family i have, the home i am living in, etc....) is just random selection! what sense, if any, does all of this make? take apart a wind up clock, place the contents in a bag, now shake. do not stop shaking until the clock comes back together in a full working manner. what are the odds of that happening? thats how insane all of this evolution jargen is to me.
no staring into the endless void, not for this guy. i will keep praising my God and living this life as i was created to live it. i will never stop seeking the God of all creation, the Star Breather, the galaxy maker. He who holds the universe in His hand. for He is my source of life.
amen and good night.
no staring into the endless void, not for this guy. i will keep praising my God and living this life as i was created to live it. i will never stop seeking the God of all creation, the Star Breather, the galaxy maker. He who holds the universe in His hand. for He is my source of life.
amen and good night.
California......
...how i miss thee. its hard to put my finger on it, is it California that i miss or is it "California as i remember it" that i miss? don't get me wrong, i love Richmond but it does pale in comparison to the western cities, LA, San Diego, Seattle or Portland.
the last time that i went back to California it was nice but it left a bitter sweet taste in my mouth.
i believe that i miss it as i recollect it. 6 years have passed since i lived there and a lot has changed with the state as well as with me. i have grown away from it. (GAST! listen to me, you would think we (myself and cali?) were separated at birth).
and the weather, oh how i miss the weather! ALWAYS nice! the surf, the culture, the everything, its great. still there is something off about it for me. i know that Richmond, Virginia is where i belong. there is no doubt of this in my mind and i am at peace about it. but still my heart breaks for California. so, i am resolved to pray. to pray for my fellow laborers in the church and keep them held up in my thoughts. and i am resolved to stay right where God has me.
12.11.2008
us and......soda???
step 1. take a bottle of soda, now shake hard.
step 2. let said bottle of soda sit on the counter.
step 3. either A, take the lid off and let it explode or B. let it sit and go flat.
exercise complete.
so often this is how we are in life, we either explode or go flat.
if we bottle up and repress our emotions we tend to explode. the ironic thing is that the issue we are loosing our self over started out as a small thing. or, after bottling up the issue at hand, we ignore and tell ourselves, "its not a big deal, i can handle it." we then proceed to ignore it and we become flat or empathetic.
both scenarios are dangerous and i believe that we get this way because we have no stability in life. we see all of the things that we have placed our trust in and they're failing all around us. be it the economy, marriage, family and friends, or yourself. all of these things are temporary, they are going to go away. (now understand this, i am not in any way down playing the importance and significance of the things. they are all beautiful attributes to life.) someday they do come to a close. sweet! now that i have painted a dismal forecast, now what? have you thought of God. the same God that has created all that we see knows us and loves us dearly and has a plan for our lives that prevents us from loosing it or getting empathetic.
step into the peace and love of God. step into that life which YOU were created to live.
step 2. let said bottle of soda sit on the counter.
step 3. either A, take the lid off and let it explode or B. let it sit and go flat.
exercise complete.
so often this is how we are in life, we either explode or go flat.
if we bottle up and repress our emotions we tend to explode. the ironic thing is that the issue we are loosing our self over started out as a small thing. or, after bottling up the issue at hand, we ignore and tell ourselves, "its not a big deal, i can handle it." we then proceed to ignore it and we become flat or empathetic.
both scenarios are dangerous and i believe that we get this way because we have no stability in life. we see all of the things that we have placed our trust in and they're failing all around us. be it the economy, marriage, family and friends, or yourself. all of these things are temporary, they are going to go away. (now understand this, i am not in any way down playing the importance and significance of the things. they are all beautiful attributes to life.) someday they do come to a close. sweet! now that i have painted a dismal forecast, now what? have you thought of God. the same God that has created all that we see knows us and loves us dearly and has a plan for our lives that prevents us from loosing it or getting empathetic.
step into the peace and love of God. step into that life which YOU were created to live.
12.10.2008
4 Anchors that Hold
Acts 27:23-29
23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, 24 and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ 25 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. 26 But we will be shipwrecked on an island.”27 About midnight on the fourteenth night of the storm, as we were being driven across the Sea of Adria,[a] the sailors sensed land was near. 28 They dropped a weighted line and found that the water was 120 feet deep. But a little later they measured again and found it was only 90 feet deep.[b] 29 At this rate they were afraid we would soon be driven against the rocks along the shore, so they threw out four anchors from the back of the ship and prayed for daylight. 30 Then the sailors tried to abandon the ship; they lowered the lifeboat as though they were going to put out anchors from the front of the ship. 31 But Paul said to the commanding officer and the soldiers, “You will all die unless the sailors stay aboard.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away.
33 Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. “You have been so worried that you haven’t touched food for two weeks,” he said. 34 “Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.”
Four Anchors that Hold
1. God - Vs. 23 "I am God's" In this passage Paul knows that he is God's. There is such peace and overwhelming comfort that comes with this. And its not JUST that you are God's but that you are in His will for your life. We live best when we acknowledge and live for that which created us. Also reference Psalm 139.
2. Faith - Vs. 25 Paul states, "....I believe God." Without faith we have nothing. Hebrews 11:1 - 1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
3. The Ship - Vs. 31 "Stay on board." So often we get upset, frustrated or "derailed" in our lives because we feel that God is not around. When, in all reality, God is always there but we must stay with Him and continue on the course set out for us. Another translation says, "Abide in the ship." Stay in God, Abide in God.
4. Meat - Vs. 34 "Eat something." A word, or a scripture sometimes will stay on my palate for the longest of time. These are the things that must be taken with us to encourage and push us on through life.
23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, 24 and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ 25 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. 26 But we will be shipwrecked on an island.”27 About midnight on the fourteenth night of the storm, as we were being driven across the Sea of Adria,[a] the sailors sensed land was near. 28 They dropped a weighted line and found that the water was 120 feet deep. But a little later they measured again and found it was only 90 feet deep.[b] 29 At this rate they were afraid we would soon be driven against the rocks along the shore, so they threw out four anchors from the back of the ship and prayed for daylight. 30 Then the sailors tried to abandon the ship; they lowered the lifeboat as though they were going to put out anchors from the front of the ship. 31 But Paul said to the commanding officer and the soldiers, “You will all die unless the sailors stay aboard.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away.
33 Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. “You have been so worried that you haven’t touched food for two weeks,” he said. 34 “Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.”
Four Anchors that Hold
1. God - Vs. 23 "I am God's" In this passage Paul knows that he is God's. There is such peace and overwhelming comfort that comes with this. And its not JUST that you are God's but that you are in His will for your life. We live best when we acknowledge and live for that which created us. Also reference Psalm 139.
2. Faith - Vs. 25 Paul states, "....I believe God." Without faith we have nothing. Hebrews 11:1 - 1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
3. The Ship - Vs. 31 "Stay on board." So often we get upset, frustrated or "derailed" in our lives because we feel that God is not around. When, in all reality, God is always there but we must stay with Him and continue on the course set out for us. Another translation says, "Abide in the ship." Stay in God, Abide in God.
4. Meat - Vs. 34 "Eat something." A word, or a scripture sometimes will stay on my palate for the longest of time. These are the things that must be taken with us to encourage and push us on through life.
12.08.2008
boundries
i find it interesting that we desire so badly to be free from boundaries in our lives yet we cannot even park our cars without some inanimate line on the road telling us where to park it. but we have to be free from rules! from authority and government! (read Romans 13) "you can't/won't hold me back!" we shout as we drive down the road being guided by lines, that keep you held into a certain area....that keeps you from harming yourself or others. interesting.
boundaries are in place for our protection. to the ones how have the hope of things yet to come (ref. Hebrews 11:1, http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews+11:1) we see these boundaries in our lives as being the Hand of God, lovingly directing and guiding us. to the ones that have YET to obtain their hope they sum these things up to random selection, evolution, and "oops it just happened that way!"
its nice to know that God has me and that the Creator of all has a vested interest in my life and every life (ref. Psalm 139, http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%20139;&version=31) and cares about my future.
boundaries are in place for our protection. to the ones how have the hope of things yet to come (ref. Hebrews 11:1, http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews+11:1) we see these boundaries in our lives as being the Hand of God, lovingly directing and guiding us. to the ones that have YET to obtain their hope they sum these things up to random selection, evolution, and "oops it just happened that way!"
its nice to know that God has me and that the Creator of all has a vested interest in my life and every life (ref. Psalm 139, http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%20139;&version=31) and cares about my future.
so is it....
....that we have the free will to choose God or is it that we are pre-destined to choose God?
12.02.2008
it is not often....
.....that i cannot muster the courage to talk to someone face to face, this is that rare occasion. so, i have retreated and am hiding behind the safety of my keyboard.
about 2 years ago now i became highly active with Generation Now http://www.gen-now.org/ and in doing that i came under the authority, instruction and teaching of Pastor Craig Dyson. he has become a great mentor in my life as well as a trusted friend and dare i say a brother. these are words that i never toss around lightly, friend, mentor, brother and the like. rather these are words that i hold in high esteem. i liken him to a brother because that is what he has become. God has used this man in my life to encourage me, stretch, dash my lofty thoughts of self proclamation and at the same time i have stood on his back so i could see what he was trying to show me all along. i have learned sacrifice, discipline and how to love others in a deeper way. Craig, i truly don't have all the words to tell you what your friendship has meant to me.
Cara, i think that we were separated at birth. i mean think about; were both from the NW......well that's really all i have to support my argument. really what i'm trying to say is that you have become a sister to me. i thank you for your prayers and your friendship. you are a great woman of God and i'll never forget what you have taught and very often you have taught me without words. thank you for your dedication to myself and Christa, it will never be forgotten.
you guys are leaving for Montana on Saturday (in case you forgot!). if i had my way i would stop you.....wait, no i wouldn't. here is why, because this is what God has for your lives and if you were to stay and strive you would be miserable. the one thing that i have been told by you guys is to walk out what God has for my life.
i (we) expect to hear mighty things coming out of Montana and i (we) expect it soon!
i'm out of words, so i'll use Craig's instead.
"Don't despise the journey."
about 2 years ago now i became highly active with Generation Now http://www.gen-now.org/ and in doing that i came under the authority, instruction and teaching of Pastor Craig Dyson. he has become a great mentor in my life as well as a trusted friend and dare i say a brother. these are words that i never toss around lightly, friend, mentor, brother and the like. rather these are words that i hold in high esteem. i liken him to a brother because that is what he has become. God has used this man in my life to encourage me, stretch, dash my lofty thoughts of self proclamation and at the same time i have stood on his back so i could see what he was trying to show me all along. i have learned sacrifice, discipline and how to love others in a deeper way. Craig, i truly don't have all the words to tell you what your friendship has meant to me.
Cara, i think that we were separated at birth. i mean think about; were both from the NW......well that's really all i have to support my argument. really what i'm trying to say is that you have become a sister to me. i thank you for your prayers and your friendship. you are a great woman of God and i'll never forget what you have taught and very often you have taught me without words. thank you for your dedication to myself and Christa, it will never be forgotten.
you guys are leaving for Montana on Saturday (in case you forgot!). if i had my way i would stop you.....wait, no i wouldn't. here is why, because this is what God has for your lives and if you were to stay and strive you would be miserable. the one thing that i have been told by you guys is to walk out what God has for my life.
i (we) expect to hear mighty things coming out of Montana and i (we) expect it soon!
i'm out of words, so i'll use Craig's instead.
"Don't despise the journey."
11.30.2008
living...
...the way i was built to live.
this last week i have had 3 people tell me that "i do so much" with people and the church. my response is the same one that it has always been, "no i don't." and then the person scoffs and makes some remark to shoot me down, not in a bad way.
here is the analogy i use to explain this.
if you were to walk up to a car and (lets pretend this car could talk and have thought) pat it on the hood and thank it for doing a good job being a sports car it would laugh. why would it laugh? because the sports car would wonder why you are stroking its ego for doing what it was created to do. just the same with the mini-van, the truck, the family car, etc...... these vehicles are carrying out the purpose for which they were built.
this is how i see my life. i'm living every step of it, every breath, every heart beat, and every word for my God and not for myself. we live to serve others with our lives. this is the example that was set for us with Christ and this is the life that Christians must live.
this concept of service is something the world (non-Christians) cannot understand. how can you love selflessly if you haven't experienced selfless love? i can already see the debates that i have sparked, we'll see what happens.
live the life that God has given you for God and only God. think of this, last thought i promise. if a sports car tried to be a truck, or visa versa, this would not work. the same applies when we try and live our lives away from God, or away from our creator.
i part with that, God Bless and good night.
this last week i have had 3 people tell me that "i do so much" with people and the church. my response is the same one that it has always been, "no i don't." and then the person scoffs and makes some remark to shoot me down, not in a bad way.
here is the analogy i use to explain this.
if you were to walk up to a car and (lets pretend this car could talk and have thought) pat it on the hood and thank it for doing a good job being a sports car it would laugh. why would it laugh? because the sports car would wonder why you are stroking its ego for doing what it was created to do. just the same with the mini-van, the truck, the family car, etc...... these vehicles are carrying out the purpose for which they were built.
this is how i see my life. i'm living every step of it, every breath, every heart beat, and every word for my God and not for myself. we live to serve others with our lives. this is the example that was set for us with Christ and this is the life that Christians must live.
this concept of service is something the world (non-Christians) cannot understand. how can you love selflessly if you haven't experienced selfless love? i can already see the debates that i have sparked, we'll see what happens.
live the life that God has given you for God and only God. think of this, last thought i promise. if a sports car tried to be a truck, or visa versa, this would not work. the same applies when we try and live our lives away from God, or away from our creator.
i part with that, God Bless and good night.
great blogs
there is a list on the side of my page listing some great blogs but i want to take a moment to highlight some that i love and frequent often. http://underwearandwisdom.blogspot.com/ this one belongs to David Stells. He is a great brother in the Faith and a fellow laborer, the kids got mad skills......check it out. http://sewtrashy.com/ this is Whitney Beasley's page. do yourself the favor and drop in, your cheating yourself if you don't!
http://www.suburbandissident.blogspot.com/ this man is nasty awesome. Yale grad and now a missionary in a "Red" country. he is a man that I look up to and respect. God Bless you Cole, Your in my prayers bro. http://unveiledlives.blogspot.com/ John Cain. a man of many thoughts and a great thinker. http://www.craigdyson.com/ Craig Dyson. he has been and will always be a great influence in my life. he has poured into my life and been a better then friend then i can express. God has recently called him and his wife Cara http://8406shepherdswatchdr.blogspot.com/ to Montana. we look forward with great anticipation to hear of what God is doing out there.
So these are a few people in my life that have had and continue to have a great impact on my life. I only hope that I have some positive affect on them. God Bless.
http://www.suburbandissident.blogspot.com/ this man is nasty awesome. Yale grad and now a missionary in a "Red" country. he is a man that I look up to and respect. God Bless you Cole, Your in my prayers bro. http://unveiledlives.blogspot.com/ John Cain. a man of many thoughts and a great thinker. http://www.craigdyson.com/ Craig Dyson. he has been and will always be a great influence in my life. he has poured into my life and been a better then friend then i can express. God has recently called him and his wife Cara http://8406shepherdswatchdr.blogspot.com/ to Montana. we look forward with great anticipation to hear of what God is doing out there.
So these are a few people in my life that have had and continue to have a great impact on my life. I only hope that I have some positive affect on them. God Bless.
11.04.2008
Amazing.
My God made this.....
I have always been the first to admit that I know very little about (and forgive me if this is poor dialect) outer space, but I do know when something is beautiful. And I am in pure amazement at the works of my God. The same God who created this made me and its forever amazing to me that this God who made all of this knows me greatly and eternally.
11.02.2008
Proverbs 1
The Beginning of Knowledge
Proverbs 1:1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; 4 To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion -- 5 A wise [man] will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, 6 To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles. 7 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge, [But] fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; 9 For they [will be] a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck. 10 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. 11 If they say, "Come with us, Let us lie in wait to [shed] blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; 12 Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down to the Pit; 13 We shall find all [kinds] of precious possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil; 14 Cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse" -- 15 My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path; 16 For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood. 17 Surely, in vain the net is spread In the sight of any bird; 18 But they lie in wait for their [own] blood, They lurk secretly for their [own] lives. 19 So [are] the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners. 20 Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. 21 She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words: 22 "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge. 23 Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. 24 Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, 25 Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, 27 When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. 28 "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD, 30 They would have none of my counsel [And] despised my every rebuke. 31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies. 32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them; 33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil."
10.29.2008
have we forgotten...?
Barack Hussein Obama is nearing the presidency and society has seemed to turn a blind eye to the controversy that follows this man. Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Tony Rezko, Louis Farrakhan etc..... Are we so blinded by the media that we cannot see this man for what he truly is? What about ACORN? What about Jeremiah Wright? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M-kD0QdRJk click on this link and see for yourself the hate that this man spread for years. Then he goes onto the View and denounces his pastor of 20 years, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPTl4s_xIDY&feature=related, what?!? My wife has been in our church now for 26 years, all her life. If she came to me tomorrow and said that he (our Pastor) was "more of a crazy uncle" and that the things he has said to her, for 26 years, didn't really have that great of an impact on her life I would have her committed, that's crazy!
This truly blows me away on one hand that this man might be president, but at the same time it doesn't. I guess we'll find out in 6 days......
This truly blows me away on one hand that this man might be president, but at the same time it doesn't. I guess we'll find out in 6 days......
10.16.2008
let us fight
2 Corinthians 10:4-6
4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
In any fight there must be a delineation of the opposing forces and what they stand for. When a man or woman is truly living out their faith and walking the witness of Jesus Christ the enemy in the fight is satan. The way satan attacks is through sin and temptation, which leads to sin.
The world (meaning society, satan and anything opposing to God) tells us to be inward focused and seek after that which satiates one's self. Christianity says to serve and love others, to place others before yourself. The word of God (Bible) says to remain pure sexually and to protect that purity (1 Corinthians 6:18-20) and to honor God with our bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12). Society says its just sex and to stop being so "up tight" about it. When this is said I realize that it is said out of a complete ignorance and misappropriation of one's focus.
So as Christians we must always be ready to fight. We must arm ourselves with love, authority of God's word and truth. We must never forget that this message that we live is ridiculous to those who don't know God.
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
So let us not be surprised and taken off the foundation that God has set us on when the world mocks the gospel, it's to be expected. Always love with a reckless abandonment and do not hold back. Let the light of God shine in your life (Matthew 5:14-16).
4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
In any fight there must be a delineation of the opposing forces and what they stand for. When a man or woman is truly living out their faith and walking the witness of Jesus Christ the enemy in the fight is satan. The way satan attacks is through sin and temptation, which leads to sin.
The world (meaning society, satan and anything opposing to God) tells us to be inward focused and seek after that which satiates one's self. Christianity says to serve and love others, to place others before yourself. The word of God (Bible) says to remain pure sexually and to protect that purity (1 Corinthians 6:18-20) and to honor God with our bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12). Society says its just sex and to stop being so "up tight" about it. When this is said I realize that it is said out of a complete ignorance and misappropriation of one's focus.
So as Christians we must always be ready to fight. We must arm ourselves with love, authority of God's word and truth. We must never forget that this message that we live is ridiculous to those who don't know God.
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
So let us not be surprised and taken off the foundation that God has set us on when the world mocks the gospel, it's to be expected. Always love with a reckless abandonment and do not hold back. Let the light of God shine in your life (Matthew 5:14-16).
10.14.2008
Truth
This word, or concept, has seemed to have fallen to the side of the road as of late. What does it mean? Is it a relative term to the individual or is it a constant? Should it be a constant?
Truth:
1 archaic : fidelity , constancy b: sincerity in action, character, and utterance
Truth should be a constant. When I married my wife I committed myself to her in every way. To love her, stand by her in sickness and health, etc.... the truth of the matter is that I have bonded myself with her for the rest of our lives. This is a truth. This is a constant. In today's society marriage is becoming more of a whimsical thought. There seems to be less and less weight carried in one's spoken word of commitment.
Truth cannot be relative. Two plus two will always be two. And for those of us who know now and for those who will learn, God will always be God.
Truth:
1 archaic : fidelity , constancy b: sincerity in action, character, and utterance
Truth should be a constant. When I married my wife I committed myself to her in every way. To love her, stand by her in sickness and health, etc.... the truth of the matter is that I have bonded myself with her for the rest of our lives. This is a truth. This is a constant. In today's society marriage is becoming more of a whimsical thought. There seems to be less and less weight carried in one's spoken word of commitment.
Truth cannot be relative. Two plus two will always be two. And for those of us who know now and for those who will learn, God will always be God.
10.13.2008
He must increase but I must decrease
Denying one's own self for the gain of Jesus Christ is an awesome thing. When someone truly realizes that they must decrease their lives (self interest, personal gain, work, family, friends, etc...) so that God can increase its a very freeing realisation.
In John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease."
It's only when this is done and we deny ourselves that we can truly love all people out of a Christ like nature. This love is a love that is not self seeking in any way, that is not self gratifying or boastful to any measure. If love is not out of a complete attitude of service to the recipient then it could be argued that it's not truly love.
The writer of Philippans had an extraordinary understanding of this and counted all things as loss to the glory of Christ.
1Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
2Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. 3For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Truly this is how I desire to live out this life.
God help me.
In John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease."
It's only when this is done and we deny ourselves that we can truly love all people out of a Christ like nature. This love is a love that is not self seeking in any way, that is not self gratifying or boastful to any measure. If love is not out of a complete attitude of service to the recipient then it could be argued that it's not truly love.
The writer of Philippans had an extraordinary understanding of this and counted all things as loss to the glory of Christ.
1Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
2Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. 3For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Truly this is how I desire to live out this life.
God help me.
9.27.2008
question.....
this is to the atheist but open to anyone.
if there is no heaven and there is no hell, what happens to your soul when you die?
better yet. if the belief is there is no "after-life" then do we even have souls? if there is nowhere for them to go then why have them?
if there is no heaven and there is no hell, what happens to your soul when you die?
better yet. if the belief is there is no "after-life" then do we even have souls? if there is nowhere for them to go then why have them?
9.26.2008
art
i have made a new blog dedicated to my art work. i don't consider myself anything special but i do like to show it, so check it out. http://rvaart.blogspot.com/ and, please, feel free to drop a little criticism if you like. take it easy.
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