tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195614642014-01-07T01:43:39.176-08:00I'll think of something witty eventuallyDavid D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-20087881096563238232013-05-23T14:30:00.002-07:002013-05-23T14:30:34.893-07:00C'est la vie but I love the vieI'd like to take the time to add to my many posts of thinking about blogging again. The problem is that it is way too easy to get caught up in the flow of life and neglect taking some time to stop and think about life and what is going on around you.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />Since my last post on this blog I have gotten engaged, married and pregnant! That was all in the span of a few months too! Just kidding.... But in all seriousness all that has happened since 2011 and more! In addition to those things I have been privileged enough to graduate, find a great job and marry the love of my life. We even got hooked up and honeymooned in Austria! That trip was worth at least 3 blog posts alone, we had a good time.<br /><br />There is a baby on the way and the thought of being a father is mind blowing to me. There are many times where I feel like I am just barely growing up myself and having that responsibility is kind of overwhelming to think of at times. But I welcome the challenges and the joys that will come with raising a kiddo of my own.David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-64823201098563134292011-05-20T15:06:00.000-07:002013-05-23T12:28:46.140-07:00Star Tours - The Adventure Continues!Star Tours has been under renovation for months and months now! It is slated for a June 3rd opening. <br /><br />However, Disney recently did a <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/news/ride-299431-disneyland-fans.html">contest</a> on their blog and twitter which allowed guests to enter for a chance to view Star Tours early. Well, I wouldn't be writing this if I lost! I entered the contest with little hopes of winning, days letter I received an email that said to report to the Disneyland Resort between 4am and 7:30am. The ride was to start letting people in at 9am.<br /><br />We parked in the Toy Story parking area and were shuttled over to see this huge line.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/AhFkE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://i.imgur.com/AhFkE.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check-In for the Early Preview of Star Tours.</td></tr></tbody></table>Here we had to turn in signed releases that allowed Disney and/or the news to take pictures of us and use them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/FPOy0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i.imgur.com/FPOy0.jpg" width="360" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/MUETW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i.imgur.com/MUETW.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Girlfriend and I. :)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> They had this small photo-op booth set up for people to take pics.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/VBHjY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://i.imgur.com/VBHjY.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />There were several news agencies there. KCAL 9, NBC, ABC, etc.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/lADYh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i.imgur.com/lADYh.jpg" width="360" /> </a> </div><br />The park was closed except for those of us that were going to see Star Tours early. I estimate we were near the middle of the line. You can't see the beginning of the line, there were so many people there.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/9m2G6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://i.imgur.com/9m2G6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The line wrapped up towards the beginning of the ride and back down towards the amazing corn dog stand and back up the side of Star Tours towards Space Mountain and back into Star Tours. It was a long wait.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/gpTYQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i.imgur.com/gpTYQ.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/NPpBO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://i.imgur.com/NPpBO.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><br />Scattered around the outskirts of the line of people there were several corporate-looking Disney employees, photographers and videographers.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/zSqAS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i.imgur.com/zSqAS.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Gregory of ABC7</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/csohi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://i.imgur.com/csohi.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/yKL1Y.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i.imgur.com/yKL1Y.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the first in the galaxy. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/VgK3Y.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://i.imgur.com/VgK3Y.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The line wrapped around in front of the gift store exit and I happened to catch the first people exiting the ride. They were greeted by lots of cameras.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/BHETJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://i.imgur.com/BHETJ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This guy was on <a href="http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/entertainment&id=8142117">ABC7's story</a> they did on this Disney Event. I was right there! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now for the part you've been waiting for... almost.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/UwX0w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://i.imgur.com/UwX0w.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view when you first walk in to the inside of Star Tours</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the top of the window you can see 2 Mon Calamari that are overseeing the area. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/qN9d2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://i.imgur.com/qN9d2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And to the right is C-3P0 and R2-D2.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/sQ9rp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://i.imgur.com/sQ9rp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is a large screen to the right of R2 as the line wraps down and around near him. The screen displays Arrivals, Departures and the Forecast on different systems. (Mustafar's forecast is Ash Clouds, for example, lol). My girlfriend took video of the screens, I will upload them to YouTube when I can.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/ISEP0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://i.imgur.com/ISEP0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The large screen also previews some of the destinations that you can visit. Pictured is Tatooine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/vaXYQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://i.imgur.com/vaXYQ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Large Star Tours Logo on the large screen.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/lSFdp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i.imgur.com/lSFdp.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This little guy was scanning baggage. When I was there a Storm Trooper helmet appeared in the scanner and he said, "You know what this means... Someone's going to be a Storm Trooper for Halloween!" and let it pass through security. He seemed to be pretty funny but the line started to move while we got here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/lSRvJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://i.imgur.com/lSRvJ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That person in the thermal image on the LCD screen taking the picture is ME! This is one of the coolest parts of the line. There is a camera pointing at the line that is "scanning" people. The droid in the picture also says lots of funny things. We recorded a video of this too and will upload it to YouTube when I can.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/vorlN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://i.imgur.com/vorlN.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sorry for the blurriness of this picture, I was really excited. After you grab your 3D glasses you are seconds away from being assigned to a shuttle. My girlfriend and I were placed here last minute. FYI if you get Row 5 you are in the very front of the shuttle, that is where we ended up sitting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I didn't take any videos of the ride itself because I wanted to enjoy it, sorry. But its not like you could have enjoyed it anyways since the ride is in 3D, it would have looked weird. If you don't want to know about the details of the ride itself and any possible spoilers DO NOT CONTINUE.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">WARNING POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The plot basically is on the ship that is departing someone is a hidden rebel spy. (A person is <b>actually</b> chosen from the group and their picture is flashed on the screen for everyone to see). When Star Tours departs from the hanger Darth Vader leads a charge against your shuttle along with a cadre of Storm Troopers and TIE fighters. This part was very epic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When you ride the ride you visit 2 different destinations. We visited Hoth and flew around in the Battle of Hoth. Then we escaped to the asteroid belt of Geonosis and dueled out with what I thought was Boba Fett in Slave 1 but it could have been Jango. Now according to an employee I talked with later in the day, there are 54 different combinations of systems that you can visit on your tour. The person I talked with said they experienced Hoth and Kashyyk (Chewbacca's homeworld). Another person we talked to said the experienced Naboo and Kashyyk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let me just say, as a Star Wars fan, I was impressed and excited. The most exciting part was finding out which planet you initially land on. The graphics are smooth and the 3D looks crisp. Disney did a really good job revamping this ride.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you are a Star Wars fan I can say that you likely won't be disappointed and as soon as you exit the ride you will get right back in it.</div>David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-16835816693998982452011-05-04T07:00:00.000-07:002011-05-04T07:00:01.002-07:00FAQ: What about the differences in the Gospels?Let me try to keep the answer to this question to a minimum. Firstly, 3 of the 4 Gospels bear incredible similarity to one another, this has earned them the nicknames of the Synoptic Gospels. The Synoptic Gospels are Matthew, Mark and Luke. Obviously while they are similar there are differences, otherwise they'd just be copies of one another. Certain passages are in all 3 Synoptic Gospels and very few are in all 4. <br /><br />Take the transfiguration for example: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2017:1-8;%20Mark%209:2-8%20;Luke%209:28-36&version=ESV">Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8 and Luke 9:28-36</a> all record the same event and highlight different parts of it. Luke points out in verse 9:28 that they went to the mountain to pray. Matthew and Mark both omit this fact. After Jesus becomes transfigured Mark notes in 9:2 that Jesus' clothes become dazzling white as no one on earth could bleach them. Matthew and Luke do not mention that detail. And only Matthew notes that in 17:6-7 that when they heard the voice from Heaven that the disciples fell to the ground and were overcome with fear. <br /><br />So how do we deal with details in the narratives of the gospels that differ? <br /><br />Neither Mark or Luke record the disciples reaction to hearing the voice. Does that mean its a fabrication? Not necessarily.<br /><br />Imagine you were standing on the corner of an intersection with some friends. You and your friends all witness a car speed through a red light and t-bone another car crossing on a green light. The police and ambulances arrive and ask you and your friends for details on the incident. One friend mentions that the person who ran the red light was an older woman who was distracted by texting on her phone. Another friend of yours reports that a lady was driving a blue ford mustang and wasn't paying attention. You notice that a mother stopped her child from crossing the crosswalk where the 45 year old woman would have ran them over. Which story is the correct one? Clearly, that is the wrong question to ask. Each person provides a different perspective on the same event, with certain details highlighted greater than others.<br /><br />The same thing is true of the Gospels. In (almost?) all of the cases of differing details in the Gospels can be attributed to the fact that there was more than one witness. And just because there are differences does not mean there are contradictions. The same is the case with the Angels at the tomb. One gospel highlights that there was one, another that there is more than one. It is true that there is one but it is also true that there is more than one.David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-84591313317741039312011-04-20T07:00:00.000-07:002011-04-20T07:00:11.435-07:00FAQ: HomosexualityHomosexuality is referred to many times in the Bible, some of which you may be aware. In the Old Testament, Leviticus 18:22 it says, “You must not have sexual intercourse with a male as one has sexual intercourse with a woman; it is a detestable act.” (New English Translation). (The reason the Old Testament is cited in this manner is because this is a moral aspect of the old law. The moral aspects are based upon God who does not change. What God “detested” in the OT he detests in the New Testament.) Likewise, in Romans 1:26-27 Paul notes that homosexuals have abandoned their natural sexual relationship for an unnatural one. (Side note: Darwinistic Evolution struggles with a reasonable explanation as to why homosexuality occurs in nature; as it is counter-productive to natural selection.) Then also in 1 Corinthians Paul makes a point about homosexuality that isn’t quite understood by seculars in the Christian/Homosexual dialog.<br /><br />1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NET) says, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, passive homosexual partners, practicing homosexuals, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, the verbally abusive, and swindlers will not inherit the kingdom of God. Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”<br /><br />The point is that Paul makes is Christians don’t view homosexuality as different as any other sin. They are all morally reprehensible in God’s eyes, and for the Christian that means conforming their lives to what God asks of us (not unreasonable). It’s not like homosexuality is a special sin to Christians, we are just as against pride, sex outside of marriage, greed, hatred and jealousy (for example) as we of homosexuality. It’s all sin! God has nothing to do with sin; sin disqualifies you from Heaven and fellowship with God. James wrote in James 2:10, “For the one who obeys the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” James is saying by committing that one sin makes you just as guilty as someone who has committed thousands of sin. You are both equally in need of forgiveness from your sin. That forgiveness can only come from turning from that sin (whatever it is) towards Christ.<br /><br />Homosexuality is difficult to handle today not because the truth is difficult to understand but because of how Christians have historically handled the issue. Over the past decades Christians have, in my opinion, misbehaved in their approach towards Homosexuals. Instead of trying to win them over to Christ with love many engaged in persecution and shunning of homosexuals. That, in turn, was counter-productive and has spawned a lot of hate from the homosexual community towards the Christian community. Even some Christians still don’t understand that it’s not about winning the argument; it’s about winning the soul.David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-51940242700362990252011-04-13T07:00:00.000-07:002011-04-13T07:00:05.037-07:00FAQ: What is the Prosperity Gospel? Is it biblical?I’m not a big fan of the prosperity gospel. Personally, I have not been influenced greatly either way with the prosperity gospel but there are several considerations we should notice and reflect on. So, I’m going to try not to be harsh, but observant and faithful to the message of the Bible.<br /><br />The first consideration we should take is, “What is hiding in plain sight?” Think about it for a moment: What is hiding in plain sight about the prosperity gospel? If the prosperity gospel was the Gospel itself, we wouldn’t have to call it the prosperity gospel; we would know we are all talking about the prosperity gospel when we say the word Gospel. But we don’t. We have to indicate that we are talking about a different kind of gospel. A different kind of news. This distinction already sets the tone for the wary Christian. “What’s different about this gospel than the regular Gospel?”<br /><br />The second consideration follows from the first, “What is the prosperity gospel?” Fortunately, this is not difficult to unpack. The context that this word normally is associated with is drawn from other synonyms that clarify the meaning. You’ve heard of the, “Health, wealth and prosperity gospel.” That is what the prosperity gospel is defined by: receiving health, wealth and prosperity. The idea is that God provides material prosperity for those he favors. Also, according to Wikipedia’s entry on “prosperity theology,” it centers around the idea that "believers have a right to the blessings of health and wealth and that they can obtain these blessings through positive confessions of faith and the 'sowing of seeds' through the faithful payments of tithes and offerings.”<br /><br />The third consideration we should take as Christians is, “Is this taught in the Bible?” Notice the consideration is NOT, “Are there bible verses that teach this?” or “What verses can I find that will back up my position?” The reason we believe what we believe in the Bible is because of the intention of the author(s) who wrote it. Some verses that the prosperity gospel proponents advocate in support of their view are Malachi 3:10; Deuteronomy 8:18; John 10:10 and 3 John 1:4. Do these verses teach that the believer in Christ is entitled to health, wealth and prosperity? Not as the leaders of the prosperity movement would have you believe. In each of these verse’s respective contexts there are unique situations that are driving the writer to say what he says. (Side note: The Bible also does not teach that God absolutely does NOT provide a degree of “health,” “wealth” or “prosperity.” So, please don’t misunderstand me.) In these contexts God is either providing a certain way for a certain reason or is promising spiritual “prosperity” that is found in Christ.<br /><br />While it may seem that I am going easy on the prosperity gospel, you need to know that it is absolutely not taught throughout the Bible. As a general rule doctrines or teachings of the Bible should be established by their continued teaching and affirmations or examples found throughout the Bible. We should not create an idea and then feed it using whatever Bible verses we can find. Remember: the contexts determine the meaning of the verses and the verses that are used to support the prosperity gospel are not aligned with their proper contexts. That is why they are able to say what they can say: they have changed what the Bible verses actually meant by the original authors.<br /><br />Promising health, wealth and/or prosperity to a believer when the Bible does not promise such things is dangerously misleading to the “un-Bibled Christian.” The promises from alleged health, wealth and prosperity verses are GREATLY outweighed by the verses that promise troubles, trials and suffering!<br /><br />Consider promises such as “in this world you will have trouble (John 16:33); “consider it pure joy … whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2); “do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering” (1 Pet 4:12). The Bible never denotes money or celebrity status as a sign of God’s blessing (2 Cor. 6:3–10). Trouble or struggle in our lives does not evidence the lack of God’s blessing upon us or our families.<br /><br />In 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 Paul writes, “We do not give anyone an occasion for taking an offense in anything, so that no fault may be found with our ministry. But as God’s servants, we have commended ourselves in every way, with great endurance, in persecutions, in difficulties, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in troubles, in sleepless nights, in hunger, by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by benevolence, by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love, by truthful teaching, by the power of God, with weapons of righteousness both for the right hand and for the left, through glory and dishonor, through slander and praise; regarded as impostors, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well-known; as dying and yet – see! – we continue to live; as those who are scourged and yet not executed; as sorrowful, but always rejoicing, as poor, but making many rich, as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”<br /><br />Paul understood that the true Gospel is not the possession of wealth, material or prosperity; whatever that means. But the true Gospel is the possession of Christ and repentance within the believer! The prosperity gospel takes the focus away from Christ, away from the Cross and puts it on possessions and our status within our lives: the very thing Paul warned the Corinthian church to stay away from. Read Paul’s letters to Corinth and you’ll see evidenced that Paul is fighting a lot of what the prosperity gospel people are promoting. <br /><br />In short, the prosperity gospel is bankrupt of truth and power. The prosperity gospel short changes the believer into thinking that he/she should be in possession of prosperity when rightfully they will be in possession of persecution because they have purposed to please Christ in all aspects of their lives regardless of possessions or position or power.David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-80501743964989737322011-04-06T07:00:00.000-07:002011-04-06T07:00:11.222-07:00FAQ: Epicurus<blockquote><br /><h2 rel="question">"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Then why call him God?" -Epicurus </h2></blockquote><br /><br />My opinion is that Epicurus' quote has a couple of logical fallacies hidden within it. Not only that but he doesn't seem to understand who God is.<br /><br />"Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent." This is a Non-Sequitur. You might be familiar with the funny comic strip but a Non-Sequitur is Latin for "it does not follow." <br /><br />Here are a few examples of a Non-Sequitur: "If you buy this car, your family will be safer." or "If I buy this cell phone, all people will love me." How about, "All men are mortal, and Socrates is a man, therefore Socrates likes girls."<br /><br />Basically, the two points that Epicurus made aren't connected. God's willingness to prevent evil does not necessitate that He is malevolent (evil). As expressed in the Bible (Isaiah 55:8-9) that God's ways are above our ways.<br /><br />There is evil in the world today, sure but that evil is a result of sin or even sin itself. Sin is disobedience to God. God allows that disobedience within a person's life so that they would have a chance to repent instead of being instantly judged for sinning. (Infinitely preferable).<br /><br />Sin is rebellion against God and although it is being tolerated a day will come where it is not. Jesus will return and judge and destroy all sin. <br /><br />This is the promise for the believer: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away," - Revelation 21:4<br /><br />The unrepentant nonbeliever does not have this hope.David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-36641786954305701192011-04-03T12:06:00.000-07:002011-04-03T12:06:23.389-07:00FAQ: I frequently fail from time to time from impure thoughts. Help!Paul understood the inner struggle that you are battling with. He wrote in Romans 7:18-20, “For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I want to do the good, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the very evil I do not want! Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer me doing it but sin that lives in me.” You are experiencing the inner struggle that we all face as Christians. Your flesh is at war against the Spirit and it is a difficult battle no matter what you are at war over. For you this is manifesting itself in at least this particular area of your life. Certain Christians will struggle with certain issues throughout their Christian lives (like gambling, extramarital flirting, over indulgence of alcohol, homosexual urges, etc) and this may be that particular issue for you.<br /><br />If you sense that this is a key area of struggle in your life then you should keep in mind what Paul exhorted Timothy to keep in mind. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:1-4, “So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well. Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him.” You have been enlisted into the army of the Lord. Do your best to be found faithful and completing your duty. Don’t fraternize with the enemy (your flesh in this case) and don’t be found loitering around in the enemy camp. But instead kill the enemy. <br /><br />Paul explained the battle against the flesh in this manner to the church in Rome. Romans 8:10-17, “But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is your life because of righteousness. Moreover if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit who lives in you. So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh (for if you live according to the flesh, you will die), but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children. And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ) – if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him.”<br /><br />I would also add that you should heed what Paul wrote in Romans 13:14 – “Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to arouse its desires.” One way you can kill the flesh is to starve it. When you eat food your are providing nourishment to your body to grow stronger and mature. Likewise, if you feed your flesh with sensual lust and physical stimuli your flesh will overtake the Spirit and the war will be in favor of the flesh. On the other hand, if you feed the Spirit with righteousness, holiness and Jesus the balance of war will be in favor of the Spirit. The question now becomes, who do you want to win this war? Do you want the Flesh to overtake the Spirit or do you want the Spirit to overtake the Flesh?David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-36435497196551238322011-03-31T20:56:00.000-07:002011-03-31T20:56:06.730-07:00FAQ: How could a loving and all powerful God send unbelievers to hell?This question was posed on Reddit under the Christianity subreddit. (Reddit is a site that allows for discussion of these issues and more). The title of this post was <i>"The question that made me fall away from Christianity. Can you help me with it?" </i><br /><br />So:<i> </i>How could a loving and all powerful God send unbelievers to hell?<i><br /></i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="usertext-body"><div class="md">Question for you: How can you know the character of God other than what He has revealed to you?<br /><br />I don't want to make little of this question, this is a very difficult question for Christians of all perspectives to make sense of but an important consideration to make is that what God says is true is true. And he tells us in his scripture.<br /><br />For example, by studying what scripture says exegetically we can come to the conclusion that both the OT and NT preach about an afterlife specific to those who are wicked and those who are righteous.<br />It is often said that the Old Testament isn't as specific regarding Hell, in fact it may be completely absent from its vernacular. However, that is only true when you hold the Hebrew language to the standard of the koine Greek.<br /><br />The Old Testament uses Hebrew/English words and phrases such as the grave (Gen 23:4; Judg 2:10;2 King 23:6), the pit (Psalm 30:3;Prov 1:12; Isa 14:15), the trap (Ezek 19:4,8;Job 33:22;Psa 16:10), the earth/netherworld (Gen 1:1;Ezek 8:3; Ezek 32:18; Deut 32:33), sheol (Isa 38:10; Job 38:17), death/place of death or abaddon (Job 26:6; Psa 88:12; Prov 15:11; Prov 27:20) to refer to the place which the deceased go where they die. Often this language is depicted in phenomenological language derived from ancient burial practices. Ask me for citations if you like. One thing the language of the Old Testament is clear of is that death is a conscious thing in the Old Testament.<br /><br />Moving on into the New Testament Jesus speaks of Hell often (Matt 5:22; 5:29-30; 18:9; 18:8; 10:24-25; 23:13; 23:15; Luke 12:5; Mark 9:45; Mark 9:47-48; cf. Isa 66:24; John 3:36)<br />Furthermore, Paul speaks of Hell by alluding to the fate of the wicked (Rom 1:32; 1 Cor 15:21; Eph 2:1; Rom 2:12; 1 Thess 5:3; Gal 6:8; Rom 2:5; Col 3:6; Rom 2:1-3, 5, 12; 1 Tim 5:24; 1 Thess 4:6; Rom 2:9). It's also in the Book of Revelation quite a bit too.<br /><br />In any event, many prophets of the OT believed in conscious punishment after death, Jesus did, Paul did, the writer of Revelation did and I do. Hopefully you will believe that there is a Hell there as well.<br /><br /><strong>Why?</strong><br /><br />God punishes wickedness and rebellion. Throughout the OT and the NT the wicked are punished for eternity separated from God and the righteous are with God experiencing all of those benefits. Saying God is or isn't all loving because of x y or z is at best inconclusive because we are not privy to all the information there is to know. It pretty much comes down to do you trust God's word?<br /><br />I wish everyone went to Heaven, but that's not how it works. We have been commissioned to take the Gospel to the whole world, every nation, tribe and tongue (Matthew 28).<br /><br /></div></div>David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-14746444535412011492011-02-28T20:21:00.000-08:002011-02-28T20:23:44.477-08:00Do you know God's Will?Maybe you've heard some of these teachings in your local church or from a friend lately. Do you know what God's Will is? <br /><br />Take this <b>TRUE</b> or <b>FALSE</b> test to find out:<br /><br /><b>1</b>. God has a specific plan for your life which you are to discover and follow.<br /><b>2</b>. God's will can be divided into two categories: God's perfect will and God's permissive will.<br /><b>3</b>. Little hunches or prompting that I feel are God's way of guiding me into His will.<br /><b>4</b>. A key factor in making godly decisions that honor the Lord is, "Do I have peace about it?"<br /><b>5</b>. It is wrong to use a fleece (little test) in determining God's will.<br /><b>6</b>. When faced with two good alternatives, I must be careful not to make the wrong decision.<br /><b>7</b>. Some people are called to full time ministry, others are not. Some people are called to vocational ministry, others are not.<br /><br />Don't peek at the answers until you are done!<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />Answer Key:<br /><b>1</b>. False<br /><b>2</b>. False<br /><b>3</b>. False<br /><b>4</b>. False<br /><b>5</b>. False<br /><b>6</b>. False<br /><b>7</b>. False<br /><br />If you answered true to any of these questions like I did the first time I took the "quiz," I want to recommend that you listen to <a href="http://www.walkintheword.com/">James MacDonald</a>'s series from Walk in the Word called, "The Way of Wisdom."<br /><br />It's a 4-part series of messages that has clarified what the Bible means when it talks about God's will. I'd like to type it all out for you but it would probably be better if you heard them for yourselves.<br /><br /><a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3891748/Gods%20Will/Does%20God%20Have%20a%20Will%20for%20Me.mp3">Part 1 - Does God Have a Will for Me?</a><br /><a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3891748/Gods%20Will/Gods%20Will%20For%20Me.mp3">Part 2 - God's Will For Me</a><br /><a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3891748/Gods%20Will/The%20Way%20of%20Wisdom.mp3">Part 3 - The Way of Wisdom</a><br /><a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3891748/Gods%20Will/Decision%20Time.mp3">Part 4 - Decision Time</a><br /><br />I hope this blesses you!David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-753748864641224932011-02-28T16:58:00.000-08:002011-02-28T16:58:30.786-08:00I have a few followers!I think the last time I checked my followers on my blog I had about 8 people following me. Now there are <b>67</b> of you!! Wow! I don't know where you all herald from or why you'd choose my blog out of the thousands (not like you can't view others' as well :P) but I'm glad to have you!<br /><br />This certainly will be more motivation to publish better blogs that will keep your subscriptions worth it! I do hope to publish a blog this week so stay tuned!David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-79945573283644517552011-02-07T18:44:00.000-08:002011-02-07T18:44:34.743-08:00Future ProspectsI'm weird. I spend a lot of my free time talking and debating with other people about issues regarding philosophy and Christianity. It's different than witnessing to someone on the street; some of these people ask really hard questions. Then again, some people ask really stupid questions. Then again, some people ask really hard questions.<br /><br />Here are some examples of questions that people are asking:<br /><ul><li> Why does God require people to have faith in his existence?</li><li>Why is it that Christians can willfully ignore Christ's commandment concerning adultery?</li><li> Do you believe the story of Noah to be literal? Why?</li><li> Why did you choose Christianity? Did you consider Judaism, Islam, Hindu, Shinto, any others, or none?</li><li>How is it decided which rules in the Bible can be broken without it being a sin [like homosexuality], and which rules must be followed in order to get into Heaven? </li><li>If the Bible is the word of God and the Bible tells women they need to be quiet in church, what justification is there for women like Joyce Meyer to not only speak in church, but to teach with authority?</li><li>Plus various questions about fee will, salvation, existence of heaven/hell and other questions.</li></ul><br />Theres a lot of them and they ask the same hard questions over and over, <i>in detail</i>. So while I like answering people's objections to Christianity, I don't like repeating myself over and over and over and over and over. Maybe I'm just too lazy. In any event, I want to have a place where I can answer some of these hard questions and be able to copy/paste my answers.<br /><br />Instead of hiding these questions/answers I figured it would be beneifical if I posted them in a public place. Hence this post. I think I am going to devote some of this spare time to building my own FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions so I can write responses, revise responses and build better arguments.<br /><br />Stay tuned! I hope to develop it here on this blog.David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-48450766116028397522011-02-03T20:32:00.001-08:002011-02-03T20:32:48.060-08:00Mobile Blogger<div><p>Dag yo! Maybe I'll get some blogs out with this blogger app for Android! ...maybe. </p></div>David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com1California Baptist University, 8432 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA, United States33.927936 -117.424803tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-12840438352039319512010-07-06T18:59:00.000-07:002010-07-06T18:59:01.912-07:00I thought I was going to be single forever!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/cyborgcommando0/Becka/0796d627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/cyborgcommando0/Becka/0796d627.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span id="goog_1150345166"></span><span id="goog_1150345167"></span> So I was becoming under the impression (maybe like you were) that I'd be single forever and ever and ever. Luckily, that is not looking like the case. Some of you are probably wondering where on earth she came from and wanting to know more about her and us, so I figured I'd elaborate a little bit more in these areas.<br /><br /><br /> <br />This may or may not surprise you but I've known Becka for a couple of years. I met her back at a home bible study that I visited frequently (and eventually taught at a few times). I remember when she walked in the door and I remember a lot about that first night. We hit it off and we hung out together that night (as a group) and talked about Star Wars among other things. A few weeks went by and we started hanging out with each other in groups and talking/texting with each other. We went on a few group dates with friends and we had a blast. I really enjoyed being with her and she really enjoyed being with me. Unfortunately, some random things happened between us like me being dumb about certain things and her feeling she was too spiritually immature at the time for a relationship so we decided to be friends and actually be friends (instead of that awkward pink elephant in the room to each other).<br /><br />So for the majority of the past two years (this is my side of the story, ask Becka for hers lol). We have just been friends from a distance and have not had a ton of interaction together except in passing. I wasn't sure but about a year after us not dating I started picking up random signals that she might still like me. She always seemed to give me extra attention when I was around, like on Halloween 2009. On News Years Eve 2009/2010 Becka basically asked me out (to go to a party) but I decided to go to Allison's and hang out there with all my friends from Activate. I stood her up. I felt bad about it back then but I feel really bad about it now, lol. I'm not entirely sure why I was avoiding her, maybe I was too scared to enter into a relationship. (I don't like to enter relationships frequently or frivolously; she has been the <b>only</b> person I've dated ever since I broke up with Anastassia (my last girlfriend) since early 2007.) <br /><br />So this sneaking suspicion that Becka liked me continued on throughout 2010. Becka had been going out witnessing with the Well group until they disintegrated and were no more. Then Becka started coming on Saturday nights, the nights that I am in charge of. Needless to say, I was suuuuper suspicious of her and her motives. I critiqued her every move and every word to try and discern why she was coming out witnessing with us now. As time went on it became more and more clear that she was coming out for the right reasons and not because of me. She would never give me special attention, she never asked or hinted to be put in my group (I never have), she never arrived early to hang out with me, she always left really soon after the night was over, she never even really talked to me unless I talked to her. <br /><br />I never really stopped liking her. But the distance we created from 2 years ago made me forget about her and "us." So with her being involved with Saturdays and seeing her sometimes at Day7 made me rethink and start to remember those things again. One Friday after SWAT: Develop went out to LA to invite people to Pastor's Steve's new church I came back to my house where a surprise party was going on for Corey Todd. Becka was there, in fact she was the first person I saw when I came into my house. Should I go to bed since I am tired or should I go back out and socialize with people?<br /><br />I decided to go back out and I hung out with some of the people at the party. I kind of gravitated towards Becka and a bunch of us were talking about lots of different things. I was enjoying the conversation we all were having, but I was thoroughly enjoying the time I got to spend with Becka. We all talked about all sorts of things and we laughed and had a great time. I went to go show her a video of something we were talking about on my phone and as we all leaned in (I was next to Becka of course) I stopped watching the video and started thinking. I was having an inner monologue moment and I realized that Becka had many of the qualities I was looking for in a future Wife/Mother/Helper. It was like a revelation and my eyes were opened. It was definitely strange. <br /><br /><br />Since then we have spent a lot of time together catching up on things. It feels like we've just picked up right where we left off. I'm really excited to see how the Lord will use the both of us together and our differing gifts to complement each other and fulfill our ministry.David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-6173829851708295472010-06-17T13:40:00.000-07:002010-06-17T13:40:42.323-07:00Last Day of Biblical Preaching ClassSo today is the last day of my Biblical Preaching class. It's been fun and I've learned a lot. I'm a little nervous right now, but I know I don't really have a reason to be. Well, except for the fact that I'll be preaching in front of the class for 10 minutes.<br /><br />It's not that I'm nervous about doing it, its more that I'm anxious and I just want to get it over with. I'm don't like waiting around all day for these sort of things. I'm still not completely done with my sermon either, however I'm done with the 10 minutes that I'll be speaking about during the class. The clock slowly ticks away until 6pm.<br /><br />Oh and it will be recorded. So that will be fun to compare myself now to the future. Hopefully I don't bomb it today!David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-58030603311643326152010-06-16T11:49:00.000-07:002010-06-16T11:49:33.738-07:00Potential Blog RevampSo perhaps its just the mood that I'm in, but I am really feeling that I want to revamp my blog and change the style and get a picture at the top of my blog. Actually, I just want my blog to be cool like <a href="http://eliiizabeth.blogspot.com/">Liz's Blog</a> is! <br /><br />I like what she's done with her blog and I actually feel like writing stuff. Maybe since things are actually happening in my life or maybe I'm not as boring as I used to be. <br /><br />I'll sum up some of the things that have been happening to me lately (or are still happening) that have been floating around my mind:<br /><ul><li>Madness of homework at CBU. I have to prepare a sermon to preach in class tomorrow night.<br /><li>Wondering what is the fate of the High School ministry in light of Steve leaving<br /><li>Who am I going to marry?? (lol)<br /><li>Should I look for a new job or wait until after school?<br /><li>Spending almost 2 entire days trying to fix my laptop, reinstalling Windows 7 and reinstalling all the little things that made my laptop unique.<br /><li>Curious who this mysterious formspring girl is? Is it even a girl?<br /><li>How can I continue to grow in my Walk with the Lord?<br /><li>How can I make my blog as cool as Liz's??<br /></ul><br />So... those are a few things on my mind.David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-32544391821130532202010-04-12T12:22:00.000-07:002010-04-12T12:24:03.318-07:00Scoring Points for the AfterlifeThis is something that I have been thinking about for a long time. It is something that I frequently encounter on the streets by Christians and non-Christians alike. Personally, I find it frightening that non-Christians think this way and even more frightened that Christians think this way too. What I am talking about is the idea that somehow we can work our way to Heaven. The thought that if we can do enough good things, they will somehow outweigh or cancel out the bad, horrible things that we have done here in our time on Earth.<br /><br />I generally find that strong, mature Christians do not buy into this <i>as much</i>. However, it needs to be pointed out that this belief is completely <b>false.</b> It does not matter how many good things you do, you are still guilty. I think that part of the reason this is the case is because our culture in inundated with this thinking.<br /><br />Take a portion from Weird Al's parody "Amish Paradise" for example. Read the lyrics below and you'll see what I mean.<br /><blockquote>Hitchin' up the buggy, churnin' lots of butter<br />Raised the barn on Monday, soon I'll raise another<br /><b>Think you're really righteous? Think you're pure in heart?<br />Well, I know I'm a million times as humble as thou art<br />I'm the pious guy the little Amlettes wanna be like<br /><u>On my knees day and night scorin' points for the afterlife</u></b><br />So don't be vain and don't be whiny<br />Or else, my brother, I might have to get medieval on your hiney</blockquote>This song (although a parody) is a secular take at Christian life (albeit Amish) and this portion of quoted lyric is an example of how secular non-Christian people view salvation in Christ.<br /><br />Paul addresses this clearly for us in Ephesians 2:8-9 where he writes, "<i>For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.</i>"<br /><br />When Paul is speaking of works in verse 9 he is specifically talking about the Jewish customs that one performed in service to God. Paul is writing the church at Ephesus so they know that they haven't been enabled to go to Heaven because they have completed certain religious achievements but because Christ's substitutionary death on the cross atoned for their sins. Just like Christ's death atoned for the sins of the Ephesians, it atones for our sins as well, today. <br /><br />Christ will judge both the living and the dead (1 Peter 4:5) and the judgment is based on your standing with Him. Are you reconciled to Him or not? Are you forgiven of your sin or not? Are you adopted by the Father or not? Has your sin been removed from your account or not? Is your rap sheet clean or not?<br /><br />To continue the thought of being judged consider this: You are standing before Christ, the judge, in His court of law. He has all the evidence you could ever want: eyewitness testimony, pictures, video, audio, he knows your thoughts and your heart while you did everything sinful. There is no question, you are guilty of the sin you have committed. You are about to be sentenced, the gavel is about to be slammed down but you object. You say, "Well, what if I can do more good things that will outweigh all of the crimes that I have been charged with?" Do you realize what you are doing? You are <b>bribing the judge with your "good works."</b><br /><br />You cannot bribe the judge (especially a judge who is completely good, righteous, just and will not compromise his ways)! If you bribe the judge it usually means you get thrown into prison quicker! This is all assuming that you <i>could</i> somehow outweigh the bad with good deeds.<br /><br />This is why non-believers are hopelessly lost. If you are reading this and you aren't a Christian and you have thought this way, you need to realize your error. Your crimes aren't going to be erased because you set out to do "good things," not here on Earth and not later when you will be judged for those things. <br /><br />So how can you stand before a Holy God and have any hope to enter into Heaven? You have to have your rap sheet wiped clean. You need to have your sins pardoned. You need to take your case to the cross.<br /><br />God says that he "<i>is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.</i>" (2 Peter 3:9) God doesn't want his favorite creation to suffer an eternal death in Hell, separated from Him. He instead wants us to turn away from our sin and turn towards Him. God wants us to stop loving our sin, and start loving Himself. That is what repentance is. <br /><br />Turn away from what is hindering you from following and loving God supremely and "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)<br /><br />The afterlife isn't based on "points" or a "grade." It is pass or fail.David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-36778972907123998362010-03-03T11:48:00.000-08:002010-03-03T11:52:19.051-08:00Book Dilemma<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/cyborgcommando0/TueFeb16235736AmericaLos_Angeles201.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/cyborgcommando0/TueFeb16235736AmericaLos_Angeles201.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><blockquote><br />Which book do I read first? <br /><br />Orthodoxy (Right-Thinking) or How to Read.. (Right-Reading)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">PARADOX!!!!</span></blockquote>David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-69217785091999874252010-02-19T09:34:00.000-08:002010-02-19T09:38:11.881-08:00Ultimate NERF Rescue Mission!A couple of us put this short movie together to get kids excited to bring their NERF guns to camp! I'm excited for camp and I'm excited for part II of this movie! Enjoy!<br /><br /><object width="380" height="195"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wvZQKLiHUxo&hl=en_US&fs=1&hd=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wvZQKLiHUxo&hl=en_US&fs=1&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="380" height="195"></embed></object><br /><br />Watch it Full Screen! :)David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-78608826270809811672010-02-09T17:00:00.000-08:002010-02-09T17:20:00.558-08:003 Types of Apologetics<b>Classical Apologetics</b><br /><u>General Characteristics:</u><br />- Stresses rational (logical) argumentation for the existence of God. <br />- It is necessary to demonstrate the existence of God first in order to argue for the resurrection of Jesus (God must exist for miracles to occur).<br /><u>Adherents:</u> Norman Geisler, William Lane Craig, R.C. Sproul, etc. <br /><u>Scriptural Support:</u> Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”<br /><br /><b>Evidential Apologetics</b><br /><u>General Characteristics:</u><br />- They emphasize giving evidence for the Christian faith whether historical, logical, etc. <br />- They think miracles do not presuppose God’s existence, but can serve as evidence for His existence. <br />- Resurrection for example<br /><u>Adherents:</u> B.B. Warfield, John Warwick Montgomery, Gary Habermas, etc. <br /><u>Scriptural Support:</u> 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 “For I delivered to you 1as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;”<br /><br /><b>Presuppositional Apologetics</b><br /><u>General Characteristics:</u><br />- Emphasizes the importance of presuppositions (things you presuppose to be true) and/or the foundations of one’s thinking.<br />- Assumes the existence of God and the truth of the Bible. <br />- They would ask an Atheist for example: “How does your worldview account for logic? How can you make sense out of ethics, the dignity of man?” The Presuppositional approach seeks to uncover one’s presuppositions. <br /><u>Adherents:</u> John Frame, Greg Bahnsen, Cornelius Van Till, etc. <br /><u>Scriptural Support:</u> 2 Peter 3:5 “For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water,”David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-16016407713045303342010-01-23T07:33:00.000-08:002010-01-23T07:44:30.119-08:00Pro Bull Riding<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/2009/writers/se_cupp/01/26/bull-riding/bull-riding2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 191px;" src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/2009/writers/se_cupp/01/26/bull-riding/bull-riding2.jpg" border="0" alt="PBR" /></a><br />Yesterday was my first time at a Professional Bull Riding event. I have to say from what I saw, I liked it and I'd like to go back another time. I wasn't sure what I was going to see, but the Honda Center was packed out with people and bulls! <br /><br />SWAT got their own section in the nosebleeds. Soon after the PBR name got lit on the ground (which was awesome) Brad and I went outside to help out with tickets and getting people with vouchers separated from regular ticket holders, it was a mess! After that we headed back up and my buddy Josh was there looking discontent. He had some issues with the small seating and the usher people kept moving him around much to his dislike.<br /><br />Josh ended up going outside to cool down and one of the usher people was nice enough to find an open area for us to sit in another section downstairs. Josh comes inside and we grab some food and go sit in the section assigned to us. To my shagrin we end up in a section right by one of my friends! So we ended up talking for a while and I met their cousin who goes to CBU and is on the wrestling team. Hopefully I'll get to see that guy more.<br /><br />Afterwords the follow-up was discombobulated. Maybe that was because the headset that I had on never actually worked. The entire night. At least I looked semi important, (just kidding). But the Gospel went out and people responded so our investment into this event was not useless. I'm glad about that.<br /><br />I wasDavid D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-69573985467877717142010-01-20T10:15:00.001-08:002010-01-20T10:20:11.982-08:00Project: QuotationsAs I haven't had a real blog in a long time, I figures this would be a good way to accomplish this and celebrate the new year! Yay! Anyways, late 2009 myself and some fellow Bloggers got together and created an entirely new blog.<br /><br />This new blog is entirely dedicated to providing quotes on a weekly basis that will meet the Christian where they are at or challenge them in their walk. We have all sorts of topics from apologetical, theological and even practical quotes that can help the Christian in their walk. Additionally, we cite all of our sources so if there is a quote or author that you particularly like you can find enough information about the book to acquire it yourself.<br /><br />You can find that blog over at <a href="http://projectquotations.blogspot.com/">projectquotations.blogspot.com</a>. We are all thoroughly excited about this project as we use this to equip the body and grow in each of our walks in the Lord.David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-63941407906004156332009-12-07T14:19:00.000-08:002009-12-07T14:20:27.218-08:00Differences Between New World Slavery and Greco-Roman SlaveryI'm not talking about the New World Translation, but the slavery that existed when America (<i>the New World</i>) was first founded.<br /><br />There are many errors in interpretation that happens when we read of slavery in Paul's letters and attribute the slavery of a few hundred years ago. Slavery was tremendously different from these two different periods of history. When you get asked why Paul speaks of slaves obeying their masters instead of fleeing their cruelty you will be able to explain the differences between these different eras of slavery:<br /><br /><i>New World Slavery</i> vs. <b>Greco-Roman Slavery</b><br /><br /><i>1a</i>. Slavery was a permanent condition, a "life sentence" with no hope of freedom.<br /><b>1b</b>. Unless a criminal, a slave had every hope of emancipation - usually after a 10 to 20 year condition after reaching adulthood.<br /><br /><i>2a</i>. Slavery was racially delineated: Negro slaves, white masters.<br /><b>2b</b>. Impossible to distinguish a slave on the basis of color, clothing or race.<br /><br /><i>3a</i>. Slaves were segregated socially.<br /><b>3b</b>. Usually unable to distinguish a slave from others by friends, occupation or worship patterns. As a tentmaker Paul probably worked alongside slaves, who could join the same clubs as freed people and free people.<br /><br /><i>4a</i>. Slaves had no legal rights.<br /><b>4b</b>. Slaves had many legal rights, including the right of appeal to a higher authority in the case of unfair treatment.<br /><br /><i>5a</i>. Slavery was the lowest rung of society.<br /><b>5b</b>. Slaves were often of higher status than the free, depending on who their masters were. A slave of Caesar, the largest slave owner by far, could command significant power and prestige. From this high status, there was a continuum down to the very lowest rung of society.<br /><br /><i>6a</i>. Slavery was degrading and dehumanizing.<br /><b>6b</b>. Slavery was viewed as an opportunity. Large numbers of persons sold themselves into slavery to find a better life than they had as free people and to secure special jobs and to climb socially.<br /><br /><i>7a</i>. Slaves were confined to menial work.<br /><b>7b</b>. Slaves held high positions in civil service and in the business world. Attended their owners as doctors and nurses, taught and advised their young owners and acted as companions and protectors to elderly owners. were writers, accountants, bailiffs, overseers, secretaries and sea captains. For example, Marcus Antonius Felix, the Judean procurator who judged Paul (Acts 23:23 - 24:27). was a freed person of Claudius's mother, Antonia.<br /><br /><i>8a</i>.Illegal to educate slaves.<br /><b>8b</b>. Slaves often highly educated, acting as tutors and advisers for their owners.<br /><br /><i>9a</i>. Slaves not able to own property.<br /><b>9b</b>. Slaves could own property, could maintain savings for the day of their manumission (emancipation/freedom) and even owned their own slaves.<br /><br /><i>10a</i>. The slaves had no hope of normal family life.<br /><b>10b</b>. Slaves often maintained a separate existence from their masters, even holding down outside work to increase their savings.<br /><br /><i>11a</i>. Slavery was wholly detestable, as a result of kidnapping.<br /><b>11b</b>. Slavery was often preferred and chosen. Manumission was frequently a disadvantage for the slave and financially advantageous for the master.<br /><br />Unlike the <i>New World</i> slaves, the <b>Greco-Roman</b> slaves could realistically expect faithful service to be rewarded with freedom and concomitant Roman citizenship, usually within 10 to 20 years after achieving adulthood.<br /><br />Now you can know what Paul meant when he wrote about slavery like in passages like 1 Corinthians 7:22 - "For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave."<br /><br /><br />\\ Ephesians 4:11-12 \\ For The Equipping of the Saints.<br /><br />------------------<br />Source: <u>The Problem with Paul</u>. Author: Brian J. DoddDavid D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-10648597443478962562009-12-07T14:15:00.000-08:002009-12-07T14:18:06.078-08:005 Things that Can't Be Proven By Science, but are still Rational to acceptTo watch the video of this, Click on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=185215770959&h=3d06a971167dcb268abd1ff0c32f5941&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fv%2FgkBD20edOco%26amp%3Bhl%3Den%26amp%3Bfs%3D1%26amp%3Brel%3D0%3B%26%23038%3Bstart%3D74%3B%26%23038%3Bautoplay%3D0">this</a> and watch William Lane Craig own this guy in a 1998 debate. Skip to 1:10. This is what he said:<br /><br /><br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;">1. Logic and Mathematics</span><br /><br />Science presupposes Math and Science, Science cannot prove these things, but everyone accepts them as truth.<br /><br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;">2. Metaphysical truths</span><br /><br />The concept there are other minds other than your own, or that the past was not created 5 minutes ago with an appearance of age cannot be proven/disproven by science.<br /><br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;">3. Ethical beliefs<br /></span><br />You cant show by science whether the Nazi scientists did anything worse than the American scientists in WWII or otherwise.<br /><br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;">4. Aesthetic judgments<br /></span><br />The beautiful, like the good cannot be scientifically tested.<br /><br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;">5. Science itself<br /></span><br />Science itself cannot be justified by the scientific method that would be circular reasoning.<br /><br /><br /><br />-William Lane Craig<br /><br />Science isn't the end all be all. Don't fear Science, Fear God.<br /><br /><b>Psalm 27:4</b><br />One thing I have desired of the LORD,<br />That will I seek:<br />That I may dwell in the house of the LORD<br />All the days of my life,<br />To behold the beauty of the LORD,<br />And to inquire in His temple.David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-5852564831292294982009-11-23T19:38:00.001-08:002009-11-23T19:43:34.217-08:00I hate writing blogs about being busyAnd here I am again! I thought there was more to me than doing other things. But I do have some time to kill since there is no class tonight. I am doing rather well in my reading this semester.<br /><br />I have read half of the book of Acts, all of Philippians, Galatians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, half of my Paul & His Letters book and am well into all of my other books. I'm very happy with all of the work that I have had to do but am more happy with the knowledge that is coming from this. I don't want all this knowledge to puff me up, but I want to simply be used as one of God's tools from his work belt.<br /><br />Tomorrow I'm going with KC to scope out the Talbot School of Theology for a potential place for me to continue my education. We'll see how it works out, I'm pretty excited!David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19561464.post-87838762983240341982009-09-29T09:02:00.000-07:002009-09-29T09:03:44.275-07:00Reading ListWHY is my blog reading list empty?? I am not following any of the blogs I was following before! My world is over!! NOOOOO!!!David D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14527569130180832805noreply@blogger.com2