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?
Take this TRUE or FALSE test to find out:
1. God has a specific plan for your life which you are to discover and follow.
2. God's will can be divided into two categories: God's perfect will and God's permissive will.
3. Little hunches or prompting that I feel are God's way of guiding me into His will.
4. A key factor in making godly decisions that honor the Lord is, "Do I have peace about it?"
5. It is wrong to use a fleece (little test) in determining God's will.
6. When faced with two good alternatives, I must be careful not to make the wrong decision.
7. Some people are called to full time ministry, others are not. Some people are called to vocational ministry, others are not.
Don't peek at the answers until you are done!
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, April 12, 2010
Scoring Points for the Afterlife
This 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.
I generally find that strong, mature Christians do not buy into this as much. However, it needs to be pointed out that this belief is completely false. 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.
Take a portion from Weird Al's parody "Amish Paradise" for example. Read the lyrics below and you'll see what I mean.
Paul addresses this clearly for us in Ephesians 2:8-9 where he writes, "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."
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.
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?
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 bribing the judge with your "good works."
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 could somehow outweigh the bad with good deeds.
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.
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.
God says that he "is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." (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.
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)
The afterlife isn't based on "points" or a "grade." It is pass or fail.
I generally find that strong, mature Christians do not buy into this as much. However, it needs to be pointed out that this belief is completely false. 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.
Take a portion from Weird Al's parody "Amish Paradise" for example. Read the lyrics below and you'll see what I mean.
Hitchin' up the buggy, churnin' lots of butterThis 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.
Raised the barn on Monday, soon I'll raise another
Think you're really righteous? Think you're pure in heart?
Well, I know I'm a million times as humble as thou art
I'm the pious guy the little Amlettes wanna be like
On my knees day and night scorin' points for the afterlife
So don't be vain and don't be whiny
Or else, my brother, I might have to get medieval on your hiney
Paul addresses this clearly for us in Ephesians 2:8-9 where he writes, "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."
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.
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?
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 bribing the judge with your "good works."
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 could somehow outweigh the bad with good deeds.
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.
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.
God says that he "is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." (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.
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)
The afterlife isn't based on "points" or a "grade." It is pass or fail.
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
3 Types of Apologetics
Classical Apologetics
General Characteristics:
- Stresses rational (logical) argumentation for the existence of God.
- 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).
Adherents: Norman Geisler, William Lane Craig, R.C. Sproul, etc.
Scriptural Support: 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.”
Evidential Apologetics
General Characteristics:
- They emphasize giving evidence for the Christian faith whether historical, logical, etc.
- They think miracles do not presuppose God’s existence, but can serve as evidence for His existence.
- Resurrection for example
Adherents: B.B. Warfield, John Warwick Montgomery, Gary Habermas, etc.
Scriptural Support: 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;”
Presuppositional Apologetics
General Characteristics:
- Emphasizes the importance of presuppositions (things you presuppose to be true) and/or the foundations of one’s thinking.
- Assumes the existence of God and the truth of the Bible.
- 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.
Adherents: John Frame, Greg Bahnsen, Cornelius Van Till, etc.
Scriptural Support: 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,”
General Characteristics:
- Stresses rational (logical) argumentation for the existence of God.
- 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).
Adherents: Norman Geisler, William Lane Craig, R.C. Sproul, etc.
Scriptural Support: 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.”
Evidential Apologetics
General Characteristics:
- They emphasize giving evidence for the Christian faith whether historical, logical, etc.
- They think miracles do not presuppose God’s existence, but can serve as evidence for His existence.
- Resurrection for example
Adherents: B.B. Warfield, John Warwick Montgomery, Gary Habermas, etc.
Scriptural Support: 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;”
Presuppositional Apologetics
General Characteristics:
- Emphasizes the importance of presuppositions (things you presuppose to be true) and/or the foundations of one’s thinking.
- Assumes the existence of God and the truth of the Bible.
- 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.
Adherents: John Frame, Greg Bahnsen, Cornelius Van Till, etc.
Scriptural Support: 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,”
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Project: Quotations
As 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.
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.
You can find that blog over at projectquotations.blogspot.com. 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.
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.
You can find that blog over at projectquotations.blogspot.com. 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.
Monday, December 07, 2009
Differences Between New World Slavery and Greco-Roman Slavery
I'm not talking about the New World Translation, but the slavery that existed when America (the New World) was first founded.
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:
New World Slavery vs. Greco-Roman Slavery
1a. Slavery was a permanent condition, a "life sentence" with no hope of freedom.
1b. Unless a criminal, a slave had every hope of emancipation - usually after a 10 to 20 year condition after reaching adulthood.
2a. Slavery was racially delineated: Negro slaves, white masters.
2b. Impossible to distinguish a slave on the basis of color, clothing or race.
3a. Slaves were segregated socially.
3b. 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.
4a. Slaves had no legal rights.
4b. Slaves had many legal rights, including the right of appeal to a higher authority in the case of unfair treatment.
5a. Slavery was the lowest rung of society.
5b. 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.
6a. Slavery was degrading and dehumanizing.
6b. 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.
7a. Slaves were confined to menial work.
7b. 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.
8a.Illegal to educate slaves.
8b. Slaves often highly educated, acting as tutors and advisers for their owners.
9a. Slaves not able to own property.
9b. Slaves could own property, could maintain savings for the day of their manumission (emancipation/freedom) and even owned their own slaves.
10a. The slaves had no hope of normal family life.
10b. Slaves often maintained a separate existence from their masters, even holding down outside work to increase their savings.
11a. Slavery was wholly detestable, as a result of kidnapping.
11b. Slavery was often preferred and chosen. Manumission was frequently a disadvantage for the slave and financially advantageous for the master.
Unlike the New World slaves, the Greco-Roman slaves could realistically expect faithful service to be rewarded with freedom and concomitant Roman citizenship, usually within 10 to 20 years after achieving adulthood.
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."
\\ Ephesians 4:11-12 \\ For The Equipping of the Saints.
------------------
Source: The Problem with Paul. Author: Brian J. Dodd
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:
New World Slavery vs. Greco-Roman Slavery
1a. Slavery was a permanent condition, a "life sentence" with no hope of freedom.
1b. Unless a criminal, a slave had every hope of emancipation - usually after a 10 to 20 year condition after reaching adulthood.
2a. Slavery was racially delineated: Negro slaves, white masters.
2b. Impossible to distinguish a slave on the basis of color, clothing or race.
3a. Slaves were segregated socially.
3b. 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.
4a. Slaves had no legal rights.
4b. Slaves had many legal rights, including the right of appeal to a higher authority in the case of unfair treatment.
5a. Slavery was the lowest rung of society.
5b. 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.
6a. Slavery was degrading and dehumanizing.
6b. 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.
7a. Slaves were confined to menial work.
7b. 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.
8a.Illegal to educate slaves.
8b. Slaves often highly educated, acting as tutors and advisers for their owners.
9a. Slaves not able to own property.
9b. Slaves could own property, could maintain savings for the day of their manumission (emancipation/freedom) and even owned their own slaves.
10a. The slaves had no hope of normal family life.
10b. Slaves often maintained a separate existence from their masters, even holding down outside work to increase their savings.
11a. Slavery was wholly detestable, as a result of kidnapping.
11b. Slavery was often preferred and chosen. Manumission was frequently a disadvantage for the slave and financially advantageous for the master.
Unlike the New World slaves, the Greco-Roman slaves could realistically expect faithful service to be rewarded with freedom and concomitant Roman citizenship, usually within 10 to 20 years after achieving adulthood.
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."
\\ Ephesians 4:11-12 \\ For The Equipping of the Saints.
------------------
Source: The Problem with Paul. Author: Brian J. Dodd
5 Things that Can't Be Proven By Science, but are still Rational to accept
To watch the video of this, Click on this and watch William Lane Craig own this guy in a 1998 debate. Skip to 1:10. This is what he said:
1. Logic and Mathematics
Science presupposes Math and Science, Science cannot prove these things, but everyone accepts them as truth.
2. Metaphysical truths
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.
3. Ethical beliefs
You cant show by science whether the Nazi scientists did anything worse than the American scientists in WWII or otherwise.
4. Aesthetic judgments
The beautiful, like the good cannot be scientifically tested.
5. Science itself
Science itself cannot be justified by the scientific method that would be circular reasoning.
-William Lane Craig
Science isn't the end all be all. Don't fear Science, Fear God.
Psalm 27:4
One thing I have desired of the LORD,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple.
1. Logic and Mathematics
Science presupposes Math and Science, Science cannot prove these things, but everyone accepts them as truth.
2. Metaphysical truths
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.
3. Ethical beliefs
You cant show by science whether the Nazi scientists did anything worse than the American scientists in WWII or otherwise.
4. Aesthetic judgments
The beautiful, like the good cannot be scientifically tested.
5. Science itself
Science itself cannot be justified by the scientific method that would be circular reasoning.
-William Lane Craig
Science isn't the end all be all. Don't fear Science, Fear God.
Psalm 27:4
One thing I have desired of the LORD,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple.
Monday, November 23, 2009
I hate writing blogs about being busy
And 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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Ventures and Adventures
This past month has been crazy, crazy. So many things have happened to me this month. Honestly, I don't think I have been as busy as I am now at any point in my entire life. But I like what I'm busy with (for the most part) so I don't have much to complain about.
Since my last competent blog post I am:
1. Going to California Baptist University now
This was a huge undertaking for me. For a long time I had been praying and seeking where the Lord would have me to go. I wasn't sure if I should go to APU, Biola or CBU and finally the Lord opened the door, pressed the issue on my heart and there you go! I am majoring in Christian Studies and am currently doing the night program.
2. Still Working with my Dad
Not much to say here, except business as usual. I am blessed to only have to work 3 days a week, but I still am having difficulty finding free time (like now) to do things.
3. Still Serving in Activate (High School Ministry)
I am still serving in the High School ministry at Harvest, not a whole lot has changed except we did have an awesome camp earlier this month. That was a blessing, getting to know more kids, have fun with them and show them God's word. Always a blessing.
4.Stepped Down from the James 1:27 ministry
I was involved with this ministry for about 6 months and it was a good opportunity to develop/flex my teaching gifts. Once a month (sometimes twice) I would get to teach at a convalescent home to about 15-30 old people on Sundays. It was a blessing in many ways, an eye opener in others. But ultimately, I had to step down because of new opportunities the Lord put on my plate.
5. I am now leading Saturday night witnessing
I am very excited to see how the Lord can use me in this ministry. It has been a real need that our ministry has been lacking for over 5 months since we have transitioned into our new buildings. I'm glad the Lord has put it on my heart, even though at times I feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of teaching these kids I am confident that where the Lord guides, He provides.
Yay!
Since my last competent blog post I am:
1. Going to California Baptist University now
This was a huge undertaking for me. For a long time I had been praying and seeking where the Lord would have me to go. I wasn't sure if I should go to APU, Biola or CBU and finally the Lord opened the door, pressed the issue on my heart and there you go! I am majoring in Christian Studies and am currently doing the night program.
2. Still Working with my Dad
Not much to say here, except business as usual. I am blessed to only have to work 3 days a week, but I still am having difficulty finding free time (like now) to do things.
3. Still Serving in Activate (High School Ministry)
I am still serving in the High School ministry at Harvest, not a whole lot has changed except we did have an awesome camp earlier this month. That was a blessing, getting to know more kids, have fun with them and show them God's word. Always a blessing.
4.Stepped Down from the James 1:27 ministry
I was involved with this ministry for about 6 months and it was a good opportunity to develop/flex my teaching gifts. Once a month (sometimes twice) I would get to teach at a convalescent home to about 15-30 old people on Sundays. It was a blessing in many ways, an eye opener in others. But ultimately, I had to step down because of new opportunities the Lord put on my plate.
5. I am now leading Saturday night witnessing
I am very excited to see how the Lord can use me in this ministry. It has been a real need that our ministry has been lacking for over 5 months since we have transitioned into our new buildings. I'm glad the Lord has put it on my heart, even though at times I feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of teaching these kids I am confident that where the Lord guides, He provides.
Yay!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Celebrate!
Is this real
I hope it's not fake
Just a dream, don't let me wake
Hands down
Hands down
You're the best I've ever found
And I celebrate the day
That I met you, That I met you
You and me, can change the world
Move a mountain, the impossible
Is unbound, hands down
You're the best I've ever found
and I celebrate the day
That I met you, that I met you
The impossible is possible
The unthinkable is coming true
And I celebrate the day
that I met you, that I met you.
-Bleach
I hope it's not fake
Just a dream, don't let me wake
Hands down
Hands down
You're the best I've ever found
And I celebrate the day
That I met you, That I met you
You and me, can change the world
Move a mountain, the impossible
Is unbound, hands down
You're the best I've ever found
and I celebrate the day
That I met you, that I met you
The impossible is possible
The unthinkable is coming true
And I celebrate the day
that I met you, that I met you.
-Bleach
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
The One Blog Post of June
After meeting with my staff, we have decided that it is best to only have one blog post for the entire month of June. Research has shown the average mouse clicks double in June, so we here at "I'll think of something witty eventually" are going Green and helping cut down on unnecessary mouse clicks by posting everything that is of importance in this one blog post. Check back for updates later!
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6/1/2009
---------------
The most significant event of this month would be the one that kicked every other event off. My birth! This month I turned a whopping 23 years old and have pre-ordered my walking cane just as a precaution. I had a small 'surprise' party that weekend where a bunch of my good friends came over to celebrate by having fun, eating cupcakes and trying to decide what movie we should watch. But all in all, it was a blast and I'm everyone that made it out came.
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6/9/2009
---------------
As I looked at the date today I was almost certain we were half-way through the month. I'm very surprised to find out today is only the 9th. In any event, I am really really excited for some of the thing the Lord is putting on my plate. I am feeling very stretched in my walk with the Lord and it feels very good (even though it hurts sometimes). I really, really want to just blurt out what I'm excited about but I need to keep it under wraps. However, I will say that it is something that we have needed to do for the last 4 months or so at Activate.
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6/11/2009
---------------
So this is probably worth blogging about. I turned in my two weeks at work. Pretty random, huh?
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6/15/2009
---------------
So its pretty dumb I decided to do this when I actually have some pretty cool things to blog about. But anyways... yesterday was my mom's birthday. Our family surprised her by taking her all the way out to Knott's Berry Farm! It was fun because we haven't hung out as a family for a looooong time, not even for dinner. So that was a good time, plus we haven't been to Knott's since I was a teenager.
---------------
6/1/2009
---------------
The most significant event of this month would be the one that kicked every other event off. My birth! This month I turned a whopping 23 years old and have pre-ordered my walking cane just as a precaution. I had a small 'surprise' party that weekend where a bunch of my good friends came over to celebrate by having fun, eating cupcakes and trying to decide what movie we should watch. But all in all, it was a blast and I'm everyone that made it out came.
---------------
6/9/2009
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As I looked at the date today I was almost certain we were half-way through the month. I'm very surprised to find out today is only the 9th. In any event, I am really really excited for some of the thing the Lord is putting on my plate. I am feeling very stretched in my walk with the Lord and it feels very good (even though it hurts sometimes). I really, really want to just blurt out what I'm excited about but I need to keep it under wraps. However, I will say that it is something that we have needed to do for the last 4 months or so at Activate.
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6/11/2009
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So this is probably worth blogging about. I turned in my two weeks at work. Pretty random, huh?
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6/15/2009
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So its pretty dumb I decided to do this when I actually have some pretty cool things to blog about. But anyways... yesterday was my mom's birthday. Our family surprised her by taking her all the way out to Knott's Berry Farm! It was fun because we haven't hung out as a family for a looooong time, not even for dinner. So that was a good time, plus we haven't been to Knott's since I was a teenager.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Zealous for their King!
This morning was an early, early morning. I'm quite excited that I have something to write about. My weeks and months have tended to be more on the boring, unordinary side lately. Today was different, however and I was blessed by it.
Two of my discipleship boys, Dalton and Josh go to Martin Luther King High School in Woodcrest. Through some turn of events they eventually started their own bible study in the morning before school started. I know, crazy huh? Even better, the Lord has blessed it and there are about 10-15 faithful attendees and Josh/Dalton trade off leading the study.
Well, being their discipleship leader I took it upon myself to invite myself to their study as a guest speaker the night before. Thats what happened this morning. Early this morning. Like wake up at 6 am early.
Anyways, I journeyed all the way out to Woodcrest in Riverside from Fontana. I met my boys in the parking lot and we jumped in a class room which was full of about 12 kids and I exhorted them on Jesus' sermon on the mount in Matthew 5:13-16. Somehow, again, the Lord used me and the kids were blessed and encouraged. Josh texted me and informed me that the kids were indeed blessed and they wanted me to come out again soon. So, Lord willing, I will!
Then I went to Del Taco and had a bomb breakfast with strawberry lemonade with real strawberries!
But I'm excited to come back and encourage these kids again. I'm so stoked on what's going on over there already! Yes Lord, YES!!
Two of my discipleship boys, Dalton and Josh go to Martin Luther King High School in Woodcrest. Through some turn of events they eventually started their own bible study in the morning before school started. I know, crazy huh? Even better, the Lord has blessed it and there are about 10-15 faithful attendees and Josh/Dalton trade off leading the study.
Well, being their discipleship leader I took it upon myself to invite myself to their study as a guest speaker the night before. Thats what happened this morning. Early this morning. Like wake up at 6 am early.
Anyways, I journeyed all the way out to Woodcrest in Riverside from Fontana. I met my boys in the parking lot and we jumped in a class room which was full of about 12 kids and I exhorted them on Jesus' sermon on the mount in Matthew 5:13-16. Somehow, again, the Lord used me and the kids were blessed and encouraged. Josh texted me and informed me that the kids were indeed blessed and they wanted me to come out again soon. So, Lord willing, I will!
Then I went to Del Taco and had a bomb breakfast with strawberry lemonade with real strawberries!
But I'm excited to come back and encourage these kids again. I'm so stoked on what's going on over there already! Yes Lord, YES!!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
You are not forgotten, You are forgiven!
Isaiah 44:21-23
"Remember these, O Jacob,
And Israel, for you are My servant;
I have formed you, you are My servant;
O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me!
I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions,
And like a cloud, your sins.
Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”
Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done it!
Shout, you lower parts of the earth;
Break forth into singing, you mountains,
O forest, and every tree in it!
For the LORD has redeemed Jacob,
And glorified Himself in Israel."
God said he would not forget Israel, which he has set apart from every other nation on Earth. During this period in Israel's existence, they were rebellious to their creator.
The Lord did not say, 'return unto me and I will forgive you,' to Israel. He said, 'I have forgiven you, so rejoice and return to me!' Wouldn't you expect the Lord to say, 'return to me, and I'll forgive you?' Nuh-uh! He says 'I have blotted your sins out, so return to me!'
Christian, wherever your spiritual thermometer is at this very moment: return to Jesus! Why? Because you have been forgiven, you have been redeemed by Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
Renew yourself (Romans 12:2) and your relationship with Jesus and come back to Him because He has already forgiven you and is waiting for you with open arms! Believe it and receive it!
“This is preposterously good news!” - Jon Courson
"Remember these, O Jacob,
And Israel, for you are My servant;
I have formed you, you are My servant;
O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me!
I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions,
And like a cloud, your sins.
Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”
Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done it!
Shout, you lower parts of the earth;
Break forth into singing, you mountains,
O forest, and every tree in it!
For the LORD has redeemed Jacob,
And glorified Himself in Israel."
God said he would not forget Israel, which he has set apart from every other nation on Earth. During this period in Israel's existence, they were rebellious to their creator.
The Lord did not say, 'return unto me and I will forgive you,' to Israel. He said, 'I have forgiven you, so rejoice and return to me!' Wouldn't you expect the Lord to say, 'return to me, and I'll forgive you?' Nuh-uh! He says 'I have blotted your sins out, so return to me!'
Christian, wherever your spiritual thermometer is at this very moment: return to Jesus! Why? Because you have been forgiven, you have been redeemed by Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
Renew yourself (Romans 12:2) and your relationship with Jesus and come back to Him because He has already forgiven you and is waiting for you with open arms! Believe it and receive it!
“This is preposterously good news!” - Jon Courson
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 34:1 - "I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth."
I love this song!!
Praise:
by the Newsboys
Tears have fallen water beads
Wipe the floor with my regrets
In the crevice tiny seeds
Spring to life from pardoned debts
And all I have, all I have is
Praises on my tongue
From my heart
For our God who became flesh
For us all
Unto you
I will sing my praises
Sing forever
In the quiet I lament
Every nail, my sin did buy
And I wonder why you spent
Lavish blood on such as I
When all I have, all I have is
Praises on my tongue
From my heart
For our God who became flesh
For us all
Unto you
I will sing my praises
sing forever
Oh, for a thousand
Tongues to sing
To sing aloud
Sing aloud
Oh, to the Glory
Of my God and King
To sing aloud
Sing aloud
I love this song!!
Praise:
by the Newsboys
Tears have fallen water beads
Wipe the floor with my regrets
In the crevice tiny seeds
Spring to life from pardoned debts
And all I have, all I have is
Praises on my tongue
From my heart
For our God who became flesh
For us all
Unto you
I will sing my praises
Sing forever
In the quiet I lament
Every nail, my sin did buy
And I wonder why you spent
Lavish blood on such as I
When all I have, all I have is
Praises on my tongue
From my heart
For our God who became flesh
For us all
Unto you
I will sing my praises
sing forever
Oh, for a thousand
Tongues to sing
To sing aloud
Sing aloud
Oh, to the Glory
Of my God and King
To sing aloud
Sing aloud
Monday, April 27, 2009
Today Hooray!
So although technically I'm writing this on Monday morning, I haven't gone to sleep yet so its still Sunday night in my mind.
Saturday evening, I knew Sunday was going to be awesome in all respects. Maybe its because I was excited about going to church or maybe because it was some Jesus stuff happenin'. I did have a slight indication.
So it probably started last Monday when I caught up with 97% of my prayer and share homework. (Am I supposed to do that Becoming a Godly wife homework???) So I wasn't convicted about going to or missing the class without homework done. I purposed in my heart to go to sleep early so I would be well rested and get on church on time. (That's the magic formula folks, more sleep = early rising peep).
So on Sunday prayer & share was awesome. Fast forward. 2nd Service was awesome, I really enjoyed the message. Fast forward. We had a leadership meeting for the high school ministry that went really well, we seemed to make a lot of progress and are bringing discipleship back officially. (YESS!!!!!) And then...
Wait. I forgot something; rewind. Before our meeting during third service I talked to Jason briefly about something that was on my heart. A few days earlier one of my discipleship boys called me up and we talked. Turns out he is leaving for a trade school up north somewhere. When we were talking he said he wanted to be baptized. And I was like, "Tight!" And then he said I want you to baptize me. And I was like, *Jaw Drop*
So I was telling this to Jason and he confirmed what I was going to do. He said, "Baptize him." My heart was very glad at that moment, although still fairly anxious of the unknown. I expressed to Jason that normally I would submit to the church and have him be baptized by a Pastor. But he is leaving very quickly (the next few days) and our baptismal is still under construction.
So after our meeting I went down to meet my discipleship brotha and talk with him before we left for Peter's apartments pool place. To my surprise, what I thought was going to be an event populated by him, me and Peter was actually populated by his parents and like 6 or 7 of his close friends. That made me extra nervous, lol.
So, fast forward a bit. We go to the pool, I give a quick exhortation on the meaning of baptism and why my discipleship boy was doing this. Took him to the water and dunked him in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Crazy!!!!!!!
It felt strange doing it, I kinda felt like it was cheesy. It probably was cheesy but I also recognize that the Lord definitely used it in his life to accomplish Jesus' commandment and start a work in his heart. I was blessed by that.
Then later at Day7 I was privileged to sit on stage and watch the body of Christ worship Jesus and go the throne in adoration. I love watching people worship. I'm not a creep. I'm not. Fast forward. Then the altar call took place. There was a guy that was in front of me and we made eye contact. It was kind of weird because I wasn't sure I was supposed to or not, so I looked away.
After service, James Persinger pleads with me that the back room is lack on counselors. So for the first time in ever, I go back and counsel after Day7. They allowed us to choose who we would counsel. I chose that guy I made eye contact briefly. It was soooooooo tight encouraging them. The guy was a recovering heroin addict, the other was recovering from some stuff too. But it was so cool how the Lord used that second or two earlier in my life to direct me to minister fully to the same person only minutes later.
So that was the icing on the cake of a super cool day. Hooray!
Saturday evening, I knew Sunday was going to be awesome in all respects. Maybe its because I was excited about going to church or maybe because it was some Jesus stuff happenin'. I did have a slight indication.
So it probably started last Monday when I caught up with 97% of my prayer and share homework. (Am I supposed to do that Becoming a Godly wife homework???) So I wasn't convicted about going to or missing the class without homework done. I purposed in my heart to go to sleep early so I would be well rested and get on church on time. (That's the magic formula folks, more sleep = early rising peep).
So on Sunday prayer & share was awesome. Fast forward. 2nd Service was awesome, I really enjoyed the message. Fast forward. We had a leadership meeting for the high school ministry that went really well, we seemed to make a lot of progress and are bringing discipleship back officially. (YESS!!!!!) And then...
Wait. I forgot something; rewind. Before our meeting during third service I talked to Jason briefly about something that was on my heart. A few days earlier one of my discipleship boys called me up and we talked. Turns out he is leaving for a trade school up north somewhere. When we were talking he said he wanted to be baptized. And I was like, "Tight!" And then he said I want you to baptize me. And I was like, *Jaw Drop*
So I was telling this to Jason and he confirmed what I was going to do. He said, "Baptize him." My heart was very glad at that moment, although still fairly anxious of the unknown. I expressed to Jason that normally I would submit to the church and have him be baptized by a Pastor. But he is leaving very quickly (the next few days) and our baptismal is still under construction.
So after our meeting I went down to meet my discipleship brotha and talk with him before we left for Peter's apartments pool place. To my surprise, what I thought was going to be an event populated by him, me and Peter was actually populated by his parents and like 6 or 7 of his close friends. That made me extra nervous, lol.
So, fast forward a bit. We go to the pool, I give a quick exhortation on the meaning of baptism and why my discipleship boy was doing this. Took him to the water and dunked him in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Crazy!!!!!!!
It felt strange doing it, I kinda felt like it was cheesy. It probably was cheesy but I also recognize that the Lord definitely used it in his life to accomplish Jesus' commandment and start a work in his heart. I was blessed by that.
Then later at Day7 I was privileged to sit on stage and watch the body of Christ worship Jesus and go the throne in adoration. I love watching people worship. I'm not a creep. I'm not. Fast forward. Then the altar call took place. There was a guy that was in front of me and we made eye contact. It was kind of weird because I wasn't sure I was supposed to or not, so I looked away.
After service, James Persinger pleads with me that the back room is lack on counselors. So for the first time in ever, I go back and counsel after Day7. They allowed us to choose who we would counsel. I chose that guy I made eye contact briefly. It was soooooooo tight encouraging them. The guy was a recovering heroin addict, the other was recovering from some stuff too. But it was so cool how the Lord used that second or two earlier in my life to direct me to minister fully to the same person only minutes later.
So that was the icing on the cake of a super cool day. Hooray!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Pastor Ralph Loved a Lot
News is circulating now and people are just finding out what God already knew, that Pastor Ralph Arthur passed away this morning.I've always viewed Pastor Ralph as the 'Church doctor.' He would always minister to us, the body, using scripture and love. Joy always emanated from within him and he never kept that joy to himself, he always gave selflessly.
Less than a year ago a tragedy struck our family. A close family friend had been admitted to the hospital suddenly; she was my mom's friend, my friend's mom (mine too) and my sister's friend's mom. She was a 2nd mom to me and the family requested that I try to get a Pastor from Harvest to come out immediately since she was in urgent care. At Day7 I tried to ask Pastor Steve if he could come, but he had a line a mile long. So I went to find another Pastor who could find someone who was available to visit the troubled family. Then I ran into Pastor Ralph coming up from the stage.
I asked him if he could have someone on staff come out the next day and meet with the family and minister to us. Pastor Ralph mentioned that he would try to get someone to come and mentioned he wouldn't be able to come because he had plans and was very busy that day. He asked me to email him the hospital/family info and I thanked him. He prayed for me and I left.
The next day at the hospital, the Pastor arrived. That Pastor was Ralph. He came anyways! I'm not sure what he did, but he came all the way to Upland to minister to the family and to me. It was such a blessing. I always thanked him and the Lord for coming to our aid when we needed it, at his own expense.
I know that many of you have stories of how Pastor Ralph was a blessing to you. I'd personally like to hear them, whether its a comment in this blog, your own blog or in person. Pastor Ralph lived so self-lessly and I can only Praise and Thank the Lord for his life and legacy.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Prayer & Share
The Leaders of the High School Ministry (and the Well) have been blessed with the opportunity to participate in the Prayer & Share program that equips Christian leaders with the ability to effectively counsel biblical principles into others' lives. Well at least I know for sure I have been blessed so far, just by being included.
Earlier today we had our first meeting in the new chapter 2 children's ministry building. I was pretty surprised they were equipping us with a binder and two sweet books by Jay E. Adams for free! It was equally "sweet" that Pastor John Collins, John Douthitt and even James MacDonald from Chicago addressed us this morning.
I'm excited about our first homework, reading an entire book! Snap! I thought it was going to be hard but I'm on chapter 5 as we speak. :)
I can't wait to see how the Lord will grow me through this course.
Earlier today we had our first meeting in the new chapter 2 children's ministry building. I was pretty surprised they were equipping us with a binder and two sweet books by Jay E. Adams for free! It was equally "sweet" that Pastor John Collins, John Douthitt and even James MacDonald from Chicago addressed us this morning.
I'm excited about our first homework, reading an entire book! Snap! I thought it was going to be hard but I'm on chapter 5 as we speak. :)
I can't wait to see how the Lord will grow me through this course.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
What is Love?
I really, really like the Christian Club we have on campus @ Chaffey. I've written about it in the past semester when I was more active (and able to attend meetings) and how the aim of the club was to increase our knowledge in the Lord and also Evangelize the campus.
During Halloween the club came together and built a giant coffin, filled it with worms and wrote on it "What happens when you die?" and plopped it in the middle of the Quad. There were large blank areas on the coffin where you could write what you believe; Reincarnation, Nothing, Heaven/Hell, etc.
This holiday we are asking the question, "What is Love?" The club created a giant white display with a heart behind it asking the above question. As you can see in the first picture students get to write what they think love is. Throughout the day Christians are posted up there in the Quad with the setup and use the giant prop as a tool to evangelize to various students that come and write their opinions about.
I had classes during the busiest part of the event, but I did get to spend some downtime in the Quad writing my own response (below, which oddly noone wrote) and dialoging with some other students about love and Christianity. It was a blessing today, and I'm looking forward to more opportunities throughout the week.
Love Never Fails. :)
Friday, January 30, 2009
My Finger is on the Button
I am ready to activate this weekend at Winter Camp!! It should be a blessing to retreat from the world and then go straight back to work. :( lol
I'll see you in the mountains!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Importance of Faith
"For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith."
-Mark 11:23
Did Jesus tell us to pray that the problem, obstacle, or mountain which looms menacingly before us might be removed? No. Did He tell us to study the Word that it might be removed? No. He said, ‘Say to the mountain Be thou removed, and it will be cast into the sea.’
We often hear that prayer changes things. But that’s not entirely true. Faith changes things. Prayer changes us. Jesus didn’t say, ’If you encounter a mountain, pray that it might be gone.’ No, He said, ‘Have faith in God and then verbally, audibly tell the mountain to be removed. Speak faith.’
Why is verbalization so important? Why did Jesus tell us to speak aloud to the mountain? Why does Paul tell us to confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9-10)? Why does the writer of Hebrews tell us that when a promise is given to us we are to boldly speak it out (Hebrews 13:5)?
Because that’s when faith kicks in. It’s easy for me to think quietly or pray inwardly for the mountain to be moved because then if it doesn’t move, no one will know I prayed otherwise. There’s no step of faith, no risk involved if I don’t speak.
What mountain is it which intimidates you? Fear concerning an unsaved child? Depression over a business about to go under? Worry about a diseased body or a broken heart?
Jesus tells you and me to go on record in the ears of our kids, our parents, our peers, our co-workers and to say, ‘Be gone.’ After all, it was as Jesus did so Himself in the ears of His disciples that the stage was set for them to believe (Mark 11:14).
Maybe you’re praying intensely and hoping passionately that a certain problem or a certain situation will somehow be solved. But the fact is, Jesus said it’s not enough to simply hope or even to pray. Rather, to whatever mountain intimidates or discourages you, you must say in faith verbally, ‘Be gone. Be removed. Be cast into the sea.’ And then watch what happens.
This Daily Devotional is an excerpt from the book "A Days Journey" by Pastor Jon. "A Days Journey" is a collection of 365 short devotions from the New Testatment.
Amen!
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