I heard said recently that Muslim terrorists perceive tolerance as a sign of weakness. That is, as Islam makes its assaults on things like the World Trade Center, the Spanish train, the London buses, and so many other examples (those were just quickly off the top of my head), when the Nations that are victims of those attacks respond with tolerance and give in to the demands of the terrorists, those terrorists perceive that as fear, as being gutless, no courage! When victims give in to the attackers demands, it just emboldens the attackers to do more.
I realized something: the terrorists are right. Tolerance is a sign of fear. When Christians allow sin to go on and to be accepted, and don't stand up, but rather just tolerate it, it is probably just a sign that we are gutless and afraid...
Anyway, it's just a thought. If you disagree, that's ok. I'll tolerate your opinion. I'm sorry to offend you. Please don't hurt me!!!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Inconsistency
What do you do when come across a verse that doesn't fit your doctrine or theology? The options I can think of are:
Am I willing to do that, to look inconsistent with myself? Would I be willing to allow someone to think that I don't have an answer for a verse, or must I do one of those things listed above in order to give an answer? Only time and observation will tell me what the answers are to those questions! Would you all watch for me and let me know?
- Look in another translation - or in the original languages
- Consider it an error in the Bible and go fishing (only logical conclusion)
- Give one or some of the words a definition that they would not normally have
- Completely disregard the verse and move on
- Make the assumption that it applies to somebody else and then build a case that ends up disregarding the rest of the passage, chapter or even the whole book
- Change your theology to fit the verse
- Recognize the supposed 'contradiction,' pray and study for God to give you the resolution
- Realize that man cannot fully grasp the wisdom of God (though what could be discussed: can man, with the Spirit's teaching, grasp all the wisdom that God has given in His word?)
- Allegorize or Spiritualize the verse to make it mean something other than the literal meaning
- Any more?
Now, don't get me wrong, you need to approach the verse with the right hermeneutics - interpration methods. For example, not all of the Bible is written to the Church (it is all written for the Church). When it is clearly referring to allegories it needs to be understood that way. But what about the rest of the time?
I read a quote by Spurgeon last night. I have found myself so incredibly guilty of violating his point here:"I would sooner a hundred times over appear to be inconsistent with myself than
be inconsistent with the word of God"
Am I willing to do that, to look inconsistent with myself? Would I be willing to allow someone to think that I don't have an answer for a verse, or must I do one of those things listed above in order to give an answer? Only time and observation will tell me what the answers are to those questions! Would you all watch for me and let me know?
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Humble Themselves
...So, yesterday we were reminded that it is GOD's people that need to change in order to heal this land. How do we have to change?
What a foreign concept to American Christians. If there's a problem we're supposed to... Pray? Why would we do that? I thought if there was a problem we should put it down on paper, then we should figure out a possible solution, we compare it to other solutions, and then we plan the best way to accomplish the best solution... until the problem is fixed. That's what I would do. [For you Greek students, the highlighted pronouns there are all First Person - basically saying, "I will..." (See Isaiah 14)]
What God is saying is that there are problems too big for ME to handle. I really cannot do anything to save this country. I don't have enough power to do it. When Christianity comes to that conclusion, and we fall on our faces before God and truly humble ourselves (Think along the lines of Sackcloth and Ashes here), then God says we've accomplished the first step towards His healing of the land.
Don't get me wrong. New Yorkers (NYCF) ought to keep doing what they're doing, and they ought to keep doing it well. Just as missionaries are the method that God uses to bring salvation to an unreached, foreign field, He also may be planning on using New Yorkers to accomplish His purposes once HIS PEOPLE will humble themselves and pray. And I'm sure their time spent trying to legislate morally does more for this country for God's sake, than my maintaining computers and networks does!
So, the question for the day: When was the last time you got your sackcloth out?
2 Chronicles 7:14 - If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray...
What a foreign concept to American Christians. If there's a problem we're supposed to... Pray? Why would we do that? I thought if there was a problem we should put it down on paper, then we should figure out a possible solution, we compare it to other solutions, and then we plan the best way to accomplish the best solution... until the problem is fixed. That's what I would do. [For you Greek students, the highlighted pronouns there are all First Person - basically saying, "I will..." (See Isaiah 14)]
What God is saying is that there are problems too big for ME to handle. I really cannot do anything to save this country. I don't have enough power to do it. When Christianity comes to that conclusion, and we fall on our faces before God and truly humble ourselves (Think along the lines of Sackcloth and Ashes here), then God says we've accomplished the first step towards His healing of the land.
Don't get me wrong. New Yorkers (NYCF) ought to keep doing what they're doing, and they ought to keep doing it well. Just as missionaries are the method that God uses to bring salvation to an unreached, foreign field, He also may be planning on using New Yorkers to accomplish His purposes once HIS PEOPLE will humble themselves and pray. And I'm sure their time spent trying to legislate morally does more for this country for God's sake, than my maintaining computers and networks does!
So, the question for the day: When was the last time you got your sackcloth out?
Shannon's "My King"
http://www.hindsfamily.com/andy/new.asp
This is what Shannon was referring to in his last comment... make sure your speakers are on.
This is what Shannon was referring to in his last comment... make sure your speakers are on.
Monday, June 4, 2007
The King James Bible is Perfect
The title says it all. Might not know my multiplications by 7 as well as others but I am glad that I can read my Bible and know that its correct and true, trustworthy and eternal, inEnglish!
1Co 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
1Co 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
1Co 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
I want you all to know that I love Jesus - but talk is cheap, may you see it from me as much as you hear it from me!The B-i-b-l-e, yes thats the book for me. I stand alone on the word of God, the 1611KJV - BIBLE!!!!!!!
- used without permission from Aaron Putney - http://putneys4christ.blogspot.com
1Co 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
1Co 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
1Co 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
I want you all to know that I love Jesus - but talk is cheap, may you see it from me as much as you hear it from me!The B-i-b-l-e, yes thats the book for me. I stand alone on the word of God, the 1611KJV - BIBLE!!!!!!!
- used without permission from Aaron Putney - http://putneys4christ.blogspot.com
Whose People?
Please, don't read just the first paragraph and then stop reading this post...
The most dangerous place in America is in the mother's womb - 1 out of every 4 babies in America are murdered even before birth. The US Supreme Court allowed this murder to be legal and denied human rights to these babies back in 1973... The God-ordained institution of marriage is being eroded in this country due to loose fornication, homosexual 'marriages,' restrictions placed on parenting in the name of child abuse and divorces occuring regularly... Prisoners are being housed in comfortable enough rooms with cable TV, workout room, three hot meals a day and more luxuries - costing the taxpayer millions and millions of dollars... The federal government debt to foreign countries is growing at such a level that if those countries were to cease loaning us money, the US's economical situation would be disastrous, as America buys more than it sells and makes up the difference with debt... The media in this country is allowed to air, promote and glorify all of the sins that God has so particularly warned us about in His word... Sexual sin has been revealed in just about every level of government in this country up to the highest office in the land, along with deceit, unfaithfulness and even murders - often without consequences...
I went to the Chuck Missler conference this weekend, and his last session on Saturday was "The Challenge to America." He made the point that America is walking on a slippery slope. He had me convinced. You would think the response is that we should rise up in arms! or at least with phone calls, emails and letters demanding that our representatives and elected officials would get things right to prevent this downward spiral that America is on. But that's not what Missler gave us. Instead he just reiterated what God gave us.
2 Chronicles 7:14: "If MY people, which are called by MY name..." I've heard that verse quite a bit over the years, in preaching on how to get this country right. But for some reason, it really got me when hearing it this weekend (maybe because of the well-defined picture that was painted). Missler talked about how he suspects there is a force behind even the White House that really ends up making the decisions in this country. Such that, regardless of who, or which party, is in office, there is an agenda that they are working out that always get put through. - you know, the stuff movies are made of. It makes you think that the situation would be hopeless. But Missler said the phrase something along the lines of, "The fate of America is not determined by Congress or the President - our God is more powerful than they are!" What a relief! What a peace!
God says, if HIS people will change - He will heal the land. We want the president, or the Supreme Court Justices, or the Senate or Representatives, or our governor to change their ways. We want them to make the right decisions and then this country will get back on the right track. If only they would listen to logic to see how all of those things are bad, even from a totally secular perspective - then things would be better!
The fact of the matter is that God's people, those that are called by His name - that is, by the name of Jesus Christ (ie. Christian) - they are the ones that have to change so that God would heal our land!
The most dangerous place in America is in the mother's womb - 1 out of every 4 babies in America are murdered even before birth. The US Supreme Court allowed this murder to be legal and denied human rights to these babies back in 1973... The God-ordained institution of marriage is being eroded in this country due to loose fornication, homosexual 'marriages,' restrictions placed on parenting in the name of child abuse and divorces occuring regularly... Prisoners are being housed in comfortable enough rooms with cable TV, workout room, three hot meals a day and more luxuries - costing the taxpayer millions and millions of dollars... The federal government debt to foreign countries is growing at such a level that if those countries were to cease loaning us money, the US's economical situation would be disastrous, as America buys more than it sells and makes up the difference with debt... The media in this country is allowed to air, promote and glorify all of the sins that God has so particularly warned us about in His word... Sexual sin has been revealed in just about every level of government in this country up to the highest office in the land, along with deceit, unfaithfulness and even murders - often without consequences...I went to the Chuck Missler conference this weekend, and his last session on Saturday was "The Challenge to America." He made the point that America is walking on a slippery slope. He had me convinced. You would think the response is that we should rise up in arms! or at least with phone calls, emails and letters demanding that our representatives and elected officials would get things right to prevent this downward spiral that America is on. But that's not what Missler gave us. Instead he just reiterated what God gave us.
2 Chronicles 7:14: "If MY people, which are called by MY name..." I've heard that verse quite a bit over the years, in preaching on how to get this country right. But for some reason, it really got me when hearing it this weekend (maybe because of the well-defined picture that was painted). Missler talked about how he suspects there is a force behind even the White House that really ends up making the decisions in this country. Such that, regardless of who, or which party, is in office, there is an agenda that they are working out that always get put through. - you know, the stuff movies are made of. It makes you think that the situation would be hopeless. But Missler said the phrase something along the lines of, "The fate of America is not determined by Congress or the President - our God is more powerful than they are!" What a relief! What a peace!
God says, if HIS people will change - He will heal the land. We want the president, or the Supreme Court Justices, or the Senate or Representatives, or our governor to change their ways. We want them to make the right decisions and then this country will get back on the right track. If only they would listen to logic to see how all of those things are bad, even from a totally secular perspective - then things would be better!
The fact of the matter is that God's people, those that are called by His name - that is, by the name of Jesus Christ (ie. Christian) - they are the ones that have to change so that God would heal our land!
Free Audiobook
A website that sells audio books is offering one free audio book each month. This month is:
The Best of Jonathan Edwards Sermons (Unabridge)
the site is: http://christianaudio.com/free_download.php
The Best of Jonathan Edwards Sermons (Unabridge)
the site is: http://christianaudio.com/free_download.php
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