The reality of prayer for the believer and its long term effects is what many never consider. They would prefer the short term thrill, and miss the eternal rewards. What a travesty of Christian discipleship and practice!!!!
In Scripture prayer is totally a lifestyle (Philippians 4:6; Ephesians 6:18) and a grace (Psalm 145:18; Hebrews 4:16) given us by God to keep us ever before Him (I Kings 8:28-30).
May that grace dominate our lives. To be ever before Him!!!
May that lifestyle be the practice of our lives. To be ever before Him!!!
These two have a long term and eternal affect!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Living Life for the Expression of God’s Glory: Lessons from the Icon and Idol of Michael Jackson
It is so much too the liking of where we stand to where we aught to be standing, that shines in the face of life lived and ended.
Death for all is not as realistic as when it occurs. It is all too often that life is lived by so many except for the expressed recognition of God's glory. I pray that many who have opportunity would do so in taking and making the most of it to express it to the glory of God.
The iconic reality of Michael Jackson is and was. The idolatry of the nation and world with relation to Michael Jackson was and is. The lessons learned are still for many obvious but not so attentive.
Living a life to the glory of God is still without vain (Ecclesiastes 3:14-15; 5:7). But as Solomon teaches us living a life without God is and always will be with vanity, and vanity of vanities (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11; 5:7; 6:1-12). Thank God for a life lived!
To God be the Glory for lives lived for the expression of His Glory!
Death for all is not as realistic as when it occurs. It is all too often that life is lived by so many except for the expressed recognition of God's glory. I pray that many who have opportunity would do so in taking and making the most of it to express it to the glory of God.
The iconic reality of Michael Jackson is and was. The idolatry of the nation and world with relation to Michael Jackson was and is. The lessons learned are still for many obvious but not so attentive.
Living a life to the glory of God is still without vain (Ecclesiastes 3:14-15; 5:7). But as Solomon teaches us living a life without God is and always will be with vanity, and vanity of vanities (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11; 5:7; 6:1-12). Thank God for a life lived!
To God be the Glory for lives lived for the expression of His Glory!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Turnabout isn't always fair play: Responding to Warren's sudden change on the issue of "same sex" marriage
Some things are just too obvious to deny!
In a recent April 9, 2009 OneNewsNow.com article by Jim Brown, entitled, “Warren’s ‘backsliding’ on marriage damages the church” Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr. of Washington, D. C.’s High Impact Leadership Coalition was outraged that Rick Warren of Saddleback Church of Lake Forest, California would offer his apology Monday, April 6, 2009 on CNN’s Larry King Live(1) concerning his support during the fall of 2008 of California’s marriage proposition 8 amendment.(2) Jackson said, Warren has done “tremendous damage” by his apology. Warren stated that he “has never been and never will be an anti-gay marriage activist.”(3)
It's apparent to me that the Bible, which many like Warren purports to believe in, truly disagrees with them. So it is obvious to me that they just don't believe or agree with the Bible or what it says. But the desire is to fit into both camps to gain from each what is most influential rather than to "from the start", just please God or what God has said in the Bible regarding this and other matters, that He regards as sin and unrighteousness, as well as those that are holy and righteousness.
Also, I don’t want to be judgmental in the since of knowing for certain; but I seem to want to think and sense that men like Warren, Osteen, Ted Haggard and the like are hiding indiscretions. Maybe even the likelihood of just such sins in their own lives. After all, if you notice in Paul's statement to the Romans in chapter one verse 32 he states, "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."
I believe these two phrases show the two reasons for the sudden turn-about by many in agreement to support homosexuality and other sexual perversions.
Notice the phrases "not only do the same" and "but have pleasure in them that do them".
First, the phrase "not only do the same" is quite suggestive from Paul that these, to whom it is apparent, knowing of God's judgment of death to all who practice these lifestyles of sin, also themselves "do the same". This is why I stated that there seems to be a 'hiding of indiscretions'. Why else would anyone knowing the judgment of God against this, not condemn these lifestyles?
Finally, the phrase "but have pleasure in them that do them". This is also obvious that Paul is showing that there is the carrying out of these sins in the lives of these persons (who know the death judgment of God against these sins and upon those who practice it), but also, the pleasure they have with the persons who practice these sins. There is also a since of pleasure with these persons if you think about it in our day, in which they (homosexuals and the like) are large supporters to "ministries" that support their causes rather than condemn those causes. So in that since, there is a pleasure by many who "have pleasure in them that do them". That is why I said at the start that the desire by men such as these is to fit into both camps to gain from each what is most influential rather than please God. God will take care of any ministry and minister He has called if they would just do the work of ministry to which He has called them.
This is why I believe there is this sudden turnabout by Warren and others to support these lifestyles and the persons who practice them.
___________________________________________________________
1. http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=481280
2. http://www.onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.aspx?id=483576
3. Ibid., http://www.onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.aspx?id=483516
In a recent April 9, 2009 OneNewsNow.com article by Jim Brown, entitled, “Warren’s ‘backsliding’ on marriage damages the church” Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr. of Washington, D. C.’s High Impact Leadership Coalition was outraged that Rick Warren of Saddleback Church of Lake Forest, California would offer his apology Monday, April 6, 2009 on CNN’s Larry King Live(1) concerning his support during the fall of 2008 of California’s marriage proposition 8 amendment.(2) Jackson said, Warren has done “tremendous damage” by his apology. Warren stated that he “has never been and never will be an anti-gay marriage activist.”(3)
It's apparent to me that the Bible, which many like Warren purports to believe in, truly disagrees with them. So it is obvious to me that they just don't believe or agree with the Bible or what it says. But the desire is to fit into both camps to gain from each what is most influential rather than to "from the start", just please God or what God has said in the Bible regarding this and other matters, that He regards as sin and unrighteousness, as well as those that are holy and righteousness.
Also, I don’t want to be judgmental in the since of knowing for certain; but I seem to want to think and sense that men like Warren, Osteen, Ted Haggard and the like are hiding indiscretions. Maybe even the likelihood of just such sins in their own lives. After all, if you notice in Paul's statement to the Romans in chapter one verse 32 he states, "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."
I believe these two phrases show the two reasons for the sudden turn-about by many in agreement to support homosexuality and other sexual perversions.
Notice the phrases "not only do the same" and "but have pleasure in them that do them".
First, the phrase "not only do the same" is quite suggestive from Paul that these, to whom it is apparent, knowing of God's judgment of death to all who practice these lifestyles of sin, also themselves "do the same". This is why I stated that there seems to be a 'hiding of indiscretions'. Why else would anyone knowing the judgment of God against this, not condemn these lifestyles?
Finally, the phrase "but have pleasure in them that do them". This is also obvious that Paul is showing that there is the carrying out of these sins in the lives of these persons (who know the death judgment of God against these sins and upon those who practice it), but also, the pleasure they have with the persons who practice these sins. There is also a since of pleasure with these persons if you think about it in our day, in which they (homosexuals and the like) are large supporters to "ministries" that support their causes rather than condemn those causes. So in that since, there is a pleasure by many who "have pleasure in them that do them". That is why I said at the start that the desire by men such as these is to fit into both camps to gain from each what is most influential rather than please God. God will take care of any ministry and minister He has called if they would just do the work of ministry to which He has called them.
This is why I believe there is this sudden turnabout by Warren and others to support these lifestyles and the persons who practice them.
___________________________________________________________
1. http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=481280
2. http://www.onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.aspx?id=483576
3. Ibid., http://www.onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.aspx?id=483516
Monday, March 9, 2009
Our Prayers for God's Glory and Grace in the Winter's and First Baptist Church of Marryville, IL Families
Dr. Fred Winters of First Baptist Church of Marryville, Illinois was killed on yesterday while preaching during moring church services. A 27 year old gunman opened fired on him while he was preaching from the pulpit. He attempted to shield himself with his Bible as the gunman opened fire. He recieved gunshot wounds to his chest. The pistol then jammed. He then pull a knife out and lashed out at church members, who tried to subdue him. Some were injured in the attempt. The gunman then, stabbed himself. Dr. Winters however, is the only reported death at this time.
May the Lord keep, strengthen, and comfort the Winter's family and the First Baptist Church of Maryville, Illinois' church family. Our prayers go out to them in the tragic loss of their husband, father, and pastor on yesterday. May He display His glory in the midst of this moment of tragedy!
May he use this time to alert all of us to the reality of the uncertainty of the next moment. But the glorious certainty of a definite destiny with Him to those who know Him, and a tragic damnation of a definite destiny without Him, to those who know Him not. This is without doubt, a time for these and others, when they are in need, of our showing forth godly love and support.
Always remember, "Except for the grace of God, there we would be!"
God knows how do display His glory and grace even in the midst of this tragic situation. His grace is upon all who believe even in death. The Apostle Paul said to the Corinthian Christians, "....absent from the body, and present with the Lord" (II Corinthians 5:8b-c --KJV).
That same grace is available even to those who remain, "For we walk by faith, not by sight:)" (II Corinthians 5:7). Remember David says, "(15) The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry; (17) The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. (18) The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (19) A righteous man may have troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;" (Psalm 34:15, 17-19 --NIV).
We pray for God's justice to be done in this murder of this pastor. As David says in Psalm 34:16, "the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth." But we are tempered with an attitude of prayer for the salvation of the soul of those to whom justice will be, and should be done upon (Genesis 5:5-6). For God would rather see the wicked turn from the sin and error of their ways, and turn to Him rather than die in their sin (Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 33:11).
Let us not forget that the young man that commited this act has family who are also affected by the tragic repercussions of the actions he carried out.
Monday, February 23, 2009
The Training in the "Bent" of a Child: An exegesis of Proverbs 22:6
We are inundated with people who either realistically have never had children, don't plan on having any, or will never handle children of any sort; who are affecting the decision-making processes of parents who deal with children everyday. The sad thing is; I have always known that to be an expert in an area, you definitely must have experience in that area as far a practice is concerned.
There are tons of people in our society that are academicians and theoriticians and not practitioners. Especially, when it comes to the subject of rearing children. I find it most beneficial that doctors in any science who practice are on the real cutting edge of breakthroughs, as far as diagnosis and treatment is concerned, and that doctors in any science who are academicians and have never practiced are just theoretic in most cases with regard to diagnosis and treatment.
Well, the line in the rearing of children is not a one, two, or three step as some of these people assume. The mental framework of children are based on a "bent" or as the Scripture states in Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way that he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." The phrase "in the way that he should go" is literally rendered in the Hebrew, " `al- piy darkow" {`al- (in); piy (he should go); darkow (the way)} or in English "according to his way".
The phrase, "the way" in English is translated from the Hebrew "darkow" in the Septuagint (LXX --Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures) and Masoretic Text. Both however, use the noun "derek" (deh-rek) which means literally "a road (as trodden)". Figuratively it means "a course of life or mode of action". The real catch is that this word or noun "derek" is derived from the root word or verb "darak" (daw-rak) which means "to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)". Hence the key idea is that a child's training or "chanak" (to initiate, to teach, to dedicate, to consecrate, to inaugurate), should be according to his "bent" or "bending". This simply indicates that if a child's bent or bend is a certain way then that is how he should be consecrated, dedicated, initiated, inaugurated, or taught.
Let's face it some children are harder to bend than others. Better yet, it is hard to teach\train children who are bent in a certain direction. The whole idea of bending and training them is just so that they do as a bow does for an arrow, "shoot straight".
On many occasions I have had parents say that their son or daughter did change some things for the better, after being embarrased on a particular occasion. Then the son or daughter did say that he or she was embarrassed, and that the embarrassment did get the point across to them. So their emotional and psychological makeup was not hindered, it was bent right and now they are shooting arrows properly.
On other occasions with children an embrace was more responsive than an embarrassment, which caused the same result; a child "shooting strait".
I must say the Scriptures always work out for the sake of those who properly apply understanding to the truths they (Scriptures) tend to teach.
There are tons of people in our society that are academicians and theoriticians and not practitioners. Especially, when it comes to the subject of rearing children. I find it most beneficial that doctors in any science who practice are on the real cutting edge of breakthroughs, as far as diagnosis and treatment is concerned, and that doctors in any science who are academicians and have never practiced are just theoretic in most cases with regard to diagnosis and treatment.
Well, the line in the rearing of children is not a one, two, or three step as some of these people assume. The mental framework of children are based on a "bent" or as the Scripture states in Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way that he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." The phrase "in the way that he should go" is literally rendered in the Hebrew, " `al- piy darkow" {`al- (in); piy (he should go); darkow (the way)} or in English "according to his way".
The phrase, "the way" in English is translated from the Hebrew "darkow" in the Septuagint (LXX --Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures) and Masoretic Text. Both however, use the noun "derek" (deh-rek) which means literally "a road (as trodden)". Figuratively it means "a course of life or mode of action". The real catch is that this word or noun "derek" is derived from the root word or verb "darak" (daw-rak) which means "to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)". Hence the key idea is that a child's training or "chanak" (to initiate, to teach, to dedicate, to consecrate, to inaugurate), should be according to his "bent" or "bending". This simply indicates that if a child's bent or bend is a certain way then that is how he should be consecrated, dedicated, initiated, inaugurated, or taught.
Let's face it some children are harder to bend than others. Better yet, it is hard to teach\train children who are bent in a certain direction. The whole idea of bending and training them is just so that they do as a bow does for an arrow, "shoot straight".
On many occasions I have had parents say that their son or daughter did change some things for the better, after being embarrased on a particular occasion. Then the son or daughter did say that he or she was embarrassed, and that the embarrassment did get the point across to them. So their emotional and psychological makeup was not hindered, it was bent right and now they are shooting arrows properly.
On other occasions with children an embrace was more responsive than an embarrassment, which caused the same result; a child "shooting strait".
I must say the Scriptures always work out for the sake of those who properly apply understanding to the truths they (Scriptures) tend to teach.
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