Saturday, December 25, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Faith like a Rubik's cube
There aren't a lot of people who can do a Rubik cube. So when most people attempt to solve one it doesn't turn out too well.... Sometimes thats the same problem that we have. We try to solve the world's problem (or maybe just our own) all by ourselves instead of taking them to Jesus.
So.... I am one of those people who can actually solve a Rubik cube. =D
But I didn't figure it out on my own. Nor was I just born with the ability to do it. I learned how to do it from a friend.
How many time do we just "Do it on our own"? Maybe we try to take shortcuts by peeling the stickers off and moving them around. And what does that produce? A Rubik cube with stickers falling off =D. Or maybe if you are really good you know how to actually take a Rubik cube apart and move the actual pieces around. But see if you try that your cube will never quite be the same. It will always be a little stiff and not as easy to work with.
So instead of hitting out problem (Rubik cube) with a hammer trying to get it to be "solved," maybe we should go to the expert and just lay it all before Him and let HIM do the work. He delights in this. When we say that we are not able to do it ourselves and that we need His help.
So lay your problems before the Lord. Let HIM solve all your Rubik cubes... uh problems! :)
So.... I am one of those people who can actually solve a Rubik cube. =D
But I didn't figure it out on my own. Nor was I just born with the ability to do it. I learned how to do it from a friend.
How many time do we just "Do it on our own"? Maybe we try to take shortcuts by peeling the stickers off and moving them around. And what does that produce? A Rubik cube with stickers falling off =D. Or maybe if you are really good you know how to actually take a Rubik cube apart and move the actual pieces around. But see if you try that your cube will never quite be the same. It will always be a little stiff and not as easy to work with.
So instead of hitting out problem (Rubik cube) with a hammer trying to get it to be "solved," maybe we should go to the expert and just lay it all before Him and let HIM do the work. He delights in this. When we say that we are not able to do it ourselves and that we need His help.
So lay your problems before the Lord. Let HIM solve all your Rubik cubes... uh problems! :)
How are you doing?
How many times have we uttered that phrase today? What about this week? How bout this month? You prob have no idea because we say it so much. In fact for some people that has replaced the tradition greeting "Hello" (or at the very least it's a close 2, usually uttered in the same breath.) Maybe you said it to the checkout clerk. Maybe you hollered it to your neighbor as you got into your car. Maybe it has been asked of you! and what is the typical answer?
Well I have categorized them as follows:
1. Pretty Good. (This usually means everything is status quo)
2. Not to bad. (Pretty self-explanatory. Also is often followed up with: "You??")
3. Fine (I don't even want to try to explain that.....)
So if you received one of those answers to your question of "How are you doing?" in the past week please raise your hand. (Stage note: Everyone raise hand)
Ah I see thats just about everyone! What did that tell you about that person? Did you actually learn anything about them? Did you really WANT to know how they were ACTUALLY doing?
My guess is that the answer is no.
Why is that? Especially when we are interacting with other believers? Why is our default response to that question, one of the above options?
I know I'm horribly guilty of this. I may be having the worst day of my life and How am I doing? "Oh pretty good. Hey did you see that football game......"
Though I will say that I have been trying hard to actually try and look through the "pretty good" response and see whats really on the other end of that question. And that can be really hard. But I will say that some of my best relationships have been formed by just me caring about them. Thats it. Sometimes its just that easy.
Well I have categorized them as follows:
1. Pretty Good. (This usually means everything is status quo)
2. Not to bad. (Pretty self-explanatory. Also is often followed up with: "You??")
3. Fine (I don't even want to try to explain that.....)
So if you received one of those answers to your question of "How are you doing?" in the past week please raise your hand. (Stage note: Everyone raise hand)
Ah I see thats just about everyone! What did that tell you about that person? Did you actually learn anything about them? Did you really WANT to know how they were ACTUALLY doing?
My guess is that the answer is no.
Why is that? Especially when we are interacting with other believers? Why is our default response to that question, one of the above options?
I know I'm horribly guilty of this. I may be having the worst day of my life and How am I doing? "Oh pretty good. Hey did you see that football game......"
Though I will say that I have been trying hard to actually try and look through the "pretty good" response and see whats really on the other end of that question. And that can be really hard. But I will say that some of my best relationships have been formed by just me caring about them. Thats it. Sometimes its just that easy.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
I offer my life
This is one of those songs I haven't sung in FOREVER but I was just sitting here and started singing it. And decided it was a really good song. And that it got to be my next blog post :D So ya...
All that I am, all that I have
I lay them down before you, oh Lord
All my regrets, all my acclaims
The joy and the pain, I'm making them yours
Lord, I offer my life to you
Everything I've been through
Use it for your glory
Lord I offer my days to you
Lifting my praise to you
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer you my life
Things in the past, things yet unseen
Wishes and dreams that are yet to come true
All of my heart, alll of my praise
My heart and my hands are lifted to you
Lord, I offer my life to you
Everything I've been through
Use it for your glory
Lord I offer my days to you
Lifting my praise to you
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer you my life
What can we give
That you have not given?
And what do we have
That is not already yours?
All we possess
Are these lives we're living
That's what we give to you, Lord
Lord, I offer my life to you
Everything I've been through
Use it for your glory
Lord I offer my days to you
Lifting my praise to you
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer you my life
All that I am, all that I have
I lay them down before you, oh Lord
All my regrets, all my acclaims
The joy and the pain, I'm making them yours
Lord, I offer my life to you
Everything I've been through
Use it for your glory
Lord I offer my days to you
Lifting my praise to you
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer you my life
Things in the past, things yet unseen
Wishes and dreams that are yet to come true
All of my heart, alll of my praise
My heart and my hands are lifted to you
Lord, I offer my life to you
Everything I've been through
Use it for your glory
Lord I offer my days to you
Lifting my praise to you
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer you my life
What can we give
That you have not given?
And what do we have
That is not already yours?
All we possess
Are these lives we're living
That's what we give to you, Lord
Lord, I offer my life to you
Everything I've been through
Use it for your glory
Lord I offer my days to you
Lifting my praise to you
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer you my life
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
December 1st
Its the start of December. The month with probably the biggest holiday on the calendar. People have been planning for this since last year. Presents have been bought. Parties have been planned. Preachers will deviate this entire month from their regular sermon series. (How that for beginning of sentence Alliteration???? =D ok sorry back to it.)
But so many people, even Christians, spend SO much time doing everything else, they miss the "Reason for the Season" (I know I just used an overused cliche but get over it people)
Now of course I realize that everyone (of course im using that term loosely) knows the story of Mary and Joesph going to Bethlehem and Jesus being born. And then shepherd's and Magi come to see him and angels singing him lullabies (Ok so the last one was just a theory...) There will be lots of "Keep the Christ in Christmas" sticker around. Christmas carols telling of the birth of Jesus will be sung. People who never go to church will go on Christmas Eve. Needless to say the amount of "Religious" activity going around will be substantial.
But... (you saw that coming didn't you? What can you say I'm predictable...)
But is that what we're going for? A lot of "Religious" activity? I don't think so. While all that stuff is nice lets look at what Christmas REALLY means.
Jesus. Emmanuel. He came to live with us. But he didn't just show up as a man. No. He took the form of a baby, was born in less than ideal conditions, and there was no important people waiting to congratulate the new parents. Just shepherds, the lowest of low in that time. They were sent by the best Choir this side of heaven (Wait it's prob the best on both sides wouldn't you think?? hmmm)
Jesus' 1st bed? A feed trough (Which by the way prob wasn't nice and cuddly, all clean and like you see in books. Real feed troughs aren't very nice. Trust me)
If any of us were Jesus, I doubt we would choose this way to enter the world. (of course if any of us were Jesus... ah nevermind)
SO where were we? Oh ya. Jesus. =D So just think. Jesus gave up his throne, reigning over heaven and earth to come to this earth as a baby. To grow up into a man. And then to die for us. Take our penalty for OUR sins upon himself so that he could have a relationship with US.
Just think about that. The creator of the universe wanted to you to be with him forever. You. Me.
What did we do to deserve this? Nothing (nothing. no. nein. niche. niete. all that. nuthin)
So before you go to that Christmas party (Ooo maybe they'll have little smokies!! =D) take some time to think about this and to give thanks to Him.
But so many people, even Christians, spend SO much time doing everything else, they miss the "Reason for the Season" (I know I just used an overused cliche but get over it people)
Now of course I realize that everyone (of course im using that term loosely) knows the story of Mary and Joesph going to Bethlehem and Jesus being born. And then shepherd's and Magi come to see him and angels singing him lullabies (Ok so the last one was just a theory...) There will be lots of "Keep the Christ in Christmas" sticker around. Christmas carols telling of the birth of Jesus will be sung. People who never go to church will go on Christmas Eve. Needless to say the amount of "Religious" activity going around will be substantial.
But... (you saw that coming didn't you? What can you say I'm predictable...)
But is that what we're going for? A lot of "Religious" activity? I don't think so. While all that stuff is nice lets look at what Christmas REALLY means.
Jesus. Emmanuel. He came to live with us. But he didn't just show up as a man. No. He took the form of a baby, was born in less than ideal conditions, and there was no important people waiting to congratulate the new parents. Just shepherds, the lowest of low in that time. They were sent by the best Choir this side of heaven (Wait it's prob the best on both sides wouldn't you think?? hmmm)
Jesus' 1st bed? A feed trough (Which by the way prob wasn't nice and cuddly, all clean and like you see in books. Real feed troughs aren't very nice. Trust me)
If any of us were Jesus, I doubt we would choose this way to enter the world. (of course if any of us were Jesus... ah nevermind)
SO where were we? Oh ya. Jesus. =D So just think. Jesus gave up his throne, reigning over heaven and earth to come to this earth as a baby. To grow up into a man. And then to die for us. Take our penalty for OUR sins upon himself so that he could have a relationship with US.
Just think about that. The creator of the universe wanted to you to be with him forever. You. Me.
What did we do to deserve this? Nothing (nothing. no. nein. niche. niete. all that. nuthin)
So before you go to that Christmas party (Ooo maybe they'll have little smokies!! =D) take some time to think about this and to give thanks to Him.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Trials
Steve Johnson blames God for his overtime drop:
This headline was in referance to a dropped pass last sunday (for full story: Yahoo sports)
Lets dissect this story. Overtime game. The Buffalo Bills, one of the worst teams in the league this year, are playing the Pittsburgh Steelers. This isn't the Superbowl, not even a playoff game. Though the Steelers were favored in this game the Bills have kept it close and sent it to overtime. With 10 min left to play in the OT half, the Bills have the ball at the Steelers 40 yard line. The WR Steve Johnson beats the coverage and is wide open, it's a beautiful throw right into his hands as he reaches the endzone....... then he drops the ball. The Steeler go on to win the game with a FG a few min later.
There isn't anything much worse for a WR in the NFL then to drop a ball thrown right at you when your wide open. Even worse is if you're wide open for a TD. And if that TD would win you the game.
What happens when we don't get what we want? Or something we pray for doesn't happen the way we expect it to happen? Do we sometime react like Steve Johnson?
I think it's interesting the 1st thing he writes in his tweet: "I praise you 24/7! And this is how you do me?" hmm thats interesting.
2 Timothy 1:8
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,
Here Paul isn't talking about the embarrassment of dropping a football pass. He's talking about being in jail. Being whipped, beaten, stoned, ect, ect, ect. Here is a fellow who could write the book on suffering. And what does he say?
Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Suffering was a way of life for Paul. Did he "like" it? Probably not, it was probably extremely painful at times. But Paul was able to look past that to the prize awaiting us when we have finished the race.
I think I often get caught up in the here and now. What will make me happy and what will satisfy ME, NOW! And if that's not happening then God must not be doing his job.
But we have it ALL wrong. It's during those times that we are supposed to run to God even more and embrace what he wants us to learn from that trial. I want to close with one of my favorite stories:
One Night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonged to him and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you you'd walk with me all the way, but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me." The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
Remember, Jesus IS with you
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The Hard life
Today I'm going to try to talk you out of following Jesus.
Reasons for not following Jesus:
1. There is no guarantee of shelter or the basic necessities of life. This means that you might be stuck living under the bridge eating dry bread crust for the rest of your life.
2. Jesus said "let the dead bury their own dead" So family ties... Not important enough to go to the funeral. oh well
3. No goodbyes to your family. "Any man who has put his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for service in the kingdom of heaven." This following of Jesus requires total, superior and complete devotion
So bottom line: Be homeless, No funerals for family, and no saying goodbye to mom. Plus Jesus also says,
"If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple."
Whew. That's rough
How often in today's American culture is this fact missed? How often is "being a Christian" just a label? The other day i saw a quote "Blonde: It's not just a hair color; it a lifestyle!"
What if we live like "Christian: Its not just a bible, church on Sunday and a fish sticker on my car; it a lifestyle!
Would that change the way you live your life? The way you interact with people? The way you see other people?
So I'm reading this book called Radical by David Platt (This is where the motivation for the post came from) and I would highly recommend it for any and all.
Reasons for not following Jesus:
1. There is no guarantee of shelter or the basic necessities of life. This means that you might be stuck living under the bridge eating dry bread crust for the rest of your life.
2. Jesus said "let the dead bury their own dead" So family ties... Not important enough to go to the funeral. oh well
3. No goodbyes to your family. "Any man who has put his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for service in the kingdom of heaven." This following of Jesus requires total, superior and complete devotion
So bottom line: Be homeless, No funerals for family, and no saying goodbye to mom. Plus Jesus also says,
"If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple."
Whew. That's rough
Radical Abandonment.
How often in today's American culture is this fact missed? How often is "being a Christian" just a label? The other day i saw a quote "Blonde: It's not just a hair color; it a lifestyle!"
What if we live like "Christian: Its not just a bible, church on Sunday and a fish sticker on my car; it a lifestyle!
Would that change the way you live your life? The way you interact with people? The way you see other people?
So I'm reading this book called Radical by David Platt (This is where the motivation for the post came from) and I would highly recommend it for any and all.
Monday, November 8, 2010
A Man's Man
What is the 1st thing you think of when you see "A Man's Man"? Maybe you think of Mr. Universe with his steroid induced biceps (ok im jealous...) Or maybe you think of a Knight from the middle ages in full armor battling evil throughout his dominion. Or maybe you think of a big brawny construction worker who can carry sheets of drywall like paper. The phrase "A Man's Man" will usually conjure up images of a tough fellow who doesn't take anything from anyone, has a shotgun in his truck and drinks his coffee black.
It's true. All of these would be considered Manly in today's culture. But I don't think that it quite right.
Maybe instead of trying to be a Man's Man, we should be a God's Man.
Here are some ideas:
1. Take Responsibly. (Boys make excuses, Men take responsibly)
2. Be a leader
3. Be an example of God at all times: "Rom 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."
4. Honor Women- This means ALL women. Doesn't matter age, looks, whatever. Honor them. Period.
These are just a few idea that I have mulled over the past few day. I would love to hear other thoughts, opinions, and ideas so please comment!
It's true. All of these would be considered Manly in today's culture. But I don't think that it quite right.
Maybe instead of trying to be a Man's Man, we should be a God's Man.
Here are some ideas:
1. Take Responsibly. (Boys make excuses, Men take responsibly)
2. Be a leader
3. Be an example of God at all times: "Rom 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."
4. Honor Women- This means ALL women. Doesn't matter age, looks, whatever. Honor them. Period.
These are just a few idea that I have mulled over the past few day. I would love to hear other thoughts, opinions, and ideas so please comment!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Could Jesus have sinned
Ok so we obviously know that Jesus didn't sin. Just wanted to clear that up :) But could He have sinned?? Did Jesus have the ability to sin?
Well we know that Jesus was fully man. Men have the ability to sin
We also know that Jesus was fully God. God does NOT have the ability to sin due to the fact that he is... God :)
So we have a dilemma here (no DUH) While I'm not brilliant enough to tell you how Jesus can be both full man and fully God here is how I look at the question of whether Jesus could sin.
If we look at Matt 4 we see Jesus in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. So to be tempted you have to have the ability to succumb to that temptation otherwise it wouldn't be a temptation. (Think about it)
Also in Is 50:5 (This is Jesus prophesying about himself) "The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious"
So we know that He had the opportunity to rebel (disobey) the Father. But didn't
So I think that while Jesus had the ability to sin, but Chose not to. This is something that should be a great comfort to us. We have to remember that:
Well we know that Jesus was fully man. Men have the ability to sin
We also know that Jesus was fully God. God does NOT have the ability to sin due to the fact that he is... God :)
So we have a dilemma here (no DUH) While I'm not brilliant enough to tell you how Jesus can be both full man and fully God here is how I look at the question of whether Jesus could sin.
If we look at Matt 4 we see Jesus in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. So to be tempted you have to have the ability to succumb to that temptation otherwise it wouldn't be a temptation. (Think about it)
Also in Is 50:5 (This is Jesus prophesying about himself) "The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious"
So we know that He had the opportunity to rebel (disobey) the Father. But didn't
So I think that while Jesus had the ability to sin, but Chose not to. This is something that should be a great comfort to us. We have to remember that:
"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." 1Cor 10:13
Thursday, August 19, 2010
And we're back! Limited atonement
So I have finally gotten back to my series comparing Calvinism and Arminianism. I'm going to look at limited atonement. Limited atonement basically says that Jesus only atoned for the sins of the elect. While Arminianism believe that Jesus atoned for all the sins of the world but it is only attributed to you when you accept the free gift of salvation.
Eph 1:3-12
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love
5He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
6to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
8which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight
9He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him
10with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him
11also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,
12to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.
This passage of scripture raises a lot of questions on both sides. Suffice it to say, I have heard both sides argues from this same passage of scripture. So I'm going to let YOU decide which side you come down on.
(I side with the Arminian side btw)
Eph 1:3-12
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love
5He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
6to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
8which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight
9He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him
10with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him
11also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,
12to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.
This passage of scripture raises a lot of questions on both sides. Suffice it to say, I have heard both sides argues from this same passage of scripture. So I'm going to let YOU decide which side you come down on.
(I side with the Arminian side btw)
Monday, August 16, 2010
Love
For God so LOVED the world that he gave his only son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life
This passage of scripture is so well know that everyone who prob reads this know where it comes from. But I think that its so familiar that sometime we gloss over what that verse says. This verse says that God LOVES the world. That means you. God, the creator of the universe LOVES you. God Loves You. If you think about that for a while it can really blow your mind. And this love comes about not with anything that you do. Actually if you were hoping to get this love by YOUR "good" deeds....... you would fail miserably. \
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God Eph 2:8
Gift: Property, money or asset that one person transfers to another while receiving nothing in return.
This is what God offers to us. A free gift of salvation. Sometimes we take salvation for granted, but God was under no obligation to to do anything for mankind. He could have just started over. But he sent his Son to die on our behalf so that we can spend eternity with him
And I'm so glad he did
This passage of scripture is so well know that everyone who prob reads this know where it comes from. But I think that its so familiar that sometime we gloss over what that verse says. This verse says that God LOVES the world. That means you. God, the creator of the universe LOVES you. God Loves You. If you think about that for a while it can really blow your mind. And this love comes about not with anything that you do. Actually if you were hoping to get this love by YOUR "good" deeds....... you would fail miserably. \
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God Eph 2:8
Gift: Property, money or asset that one person transfers to another while receiving nothing in return.
This is what God offers to us. A free gift of salvation. Sometimes we take salvation for granted, but God was under no obligation to to do anything for mankind. He could have just started over. But he sent his Son to die on our behalf so that we can spend eternity with him
And I'm so glad he did
Monday, July 5, 2010
Brokenness
Nobody likes being broken. Some Christians think that when you accept Jesus that all the bad stuff will just go away. Oh if only that was true….
Brokenness is God’s way of refining us. In 1 Peter 1:7 it says “ So that the proof of your faith, being more precious then gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in the praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
There is a new country song by the name “This ain’t nothing.” One verse it describes a guy who has lost everything in a tornado, and his response is, “This ain’t nothing.” So while he didn’t mean that his life had been turned upside down (No pun intended) he and his family were still alive. Sometimes as Christians we forget that our life on this earth is temporary. This is not our home. Our purpose isn’t to have as much fun as we can before we die. Our purpose is to be more and more like Christ, to store up treasure in heaven and to bring others to Jesus Christ. And for God to accomplish everything that he want too in us, He must do a work in us. Consequently the work that is done, often is painful or uncomfortable.
Sometimes in life we feel like God doesn’t care about our problems, or maybe he’s just not doing anything about to help us. But sometimes God is using those times to break us so he can actually work on us without all the walls we put up in the way.
Now when God is breaking us it is easy to be bitter and to have a “Why is God doing this to me” attitude. But all that’s going to do is the opposite of what God wants for you. Being bitter is easy being broken can be really hard.
So for the next 2 months I’ll be working a Christian farm up in Ft. Collins. Now while this is a job I will only have it for a short while, and I wont be able to save any money cause pretty much will all go to insurance, cell phone, gas (driving there and back every week) plus finishing paying my parents off for my last car repair. Now when my dad told me about this job I was like, no thanks. But since it was all I had. I took it. Now I could let this time go to waste not wanting to really be there and gain nothing out of this experience. Or I could use this as a time make new relationships and strengthen my relationship with Jesus.
Brokenness or Bitterness?
WWJD?
Monday, May 17, 2010
Sorry
So with Finals last week as well as an unexpected trip to Boston (!) the blog was put on hold. Stay tuned for a post this week....
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Election vs. Free Will
"Calvinism includes the belief that election is unconditional, while Arminianism believes in conditional election. Unconditional election is the view that God elects individuals to salvation based entirely on His will alone, not on anything inherently worthy in the individual. Conditional election states that God elects individuals to salvation based on His foreknowledge of who will believe in Christ unto salvation, thereby on the condition that the individual chooses God."
So this point of my be the most debated point between to 2 positions. Predestination. It's a topic that is rarely brought up without a discussion. :)
I am defiantly on the Armenian side of this point. Through my study of this subject here is what I believe to be true according to the Bible.
When the word predestined is used it is not used in the context of Unconditional Election
Rom 8:29-30
29For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
30and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
Here it is used that He is predestining us to conformed to the image of his son.
Eph 1:4-12
4just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love
5He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
6to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
8which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight
9He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him
10with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him
11also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,
12to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.
Here in this context of verse 5 we see the word being used in God's ultimate plan to redeem mankind. Now you have to understand that I interpret this verse differently due to the fact that my study of the Word has lead me to believe that God will allow individuals to choose whether or not they wish receive Him.
Now on the other side of the issue:
Acts 2:38
Peter said to them, " Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Mark 16:16
" He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
Acts 2:21
'AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED
Acts 16:31
They said, " Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."
What do all these verses have in common? They all have to do with how the only requirement for salvation is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Which of course is the most important point no matter what you believe.
So this point of my be the most debated point between to 2 positions. Predestination. It's a topic that is rarely brought up without a discussion. :)
I am defiantly on the Armenian side of this point. Through my study of this subject here is what I believe to be true according to the Bible.
When the word predestined is used it is not used in the context of Unconditional Election
Rom 8:29-30
29For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
30and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
Here it is used that He is predestining us to conformed to the image of his son.
Eph 1:4-12
4just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love
5He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
6to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
8which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight
9He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him
10with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him
11also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,
12to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.
Here in this context of verse 5 we see the word being used in God's ultimate plan to redeem mankind. Now you have to understand that I interpret this verse differently due to the fact that my study of the Word has lead me to believe that God will allow individuals to choose whether or not they wish receive Him.
Now on the other side of the issue:
Acts 2:38
Peter said to them, " Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Mark 16:16
" He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
Acts 2:21
'AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED
Acts 16:31
They said, " Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."
What do all these verses have in common? They all have to do with how the only requirement for salvation is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Which of course is the most important point no matter what you believe.
Total Depravity vs. Partial Depravity
"Calvinism holds to the total depravity of man while Arminianism holds to partial depravity. Total depravity states that every aspect of humanity is tainted by sin; therefore, human beings are unable to come to God on their own accord. Partial depravity states that every aspect of humanity is tainted by sin, but not to the extent that they are unable to place faith in God of their own accord."
So on this aspect I would take the Armenian point of view. Basically where you stand on this point usually hinges on where you stand on a few other points later on. Though I do have a few opinions on the subject based on scripture. :)
Romans 3:23-24 reads- "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus"
So how are we justified? By a GIFT of His grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus.
According to Dictionary.com a gift is: Something bestowed or acquired without any particular effort by the recipient or without its being earned.
But there is something interesting about a gift. I can't give something to you unless you RECEIVE it.
Romans 5:17
For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
So for us to be able to "get" the gift of eternal life, we must be willing to RECEIVE it.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Calvinism vs. Arminianism: Overview of both
This begins a series on a very contraversal subject. The next 5 posts will deal with each point individually and MY views on each point.
Both systems can be summarized with five points. Calvinism holds to the total depravity of man while Arminianism holds to partial depravity. Total depravity states that every aspect of humanity is tainted by sin; therefore, human beings are unable to come to God on their own accord. Partial depravity states that every aspect of humanity is tainted by sin, but not to the extent that they are unable to place faith in God of their own accord.
Calvinism includes the belief that election is unconditional, while Arminianism believes in conditional election. Unconditional election is the view that God elects individuals to salvation based entirely on His will alone, not on anything inherently worthy in the individual. Conditional election states that God elects individuals to salvation based on His foreknowledge of who will believe in Christ unto salvation, thereby on the condition that the individual chooses God.
Calvinism sees the atonement as limited, while Arminianism sees it as unlimited. This is the most controversial of the five points. Limited atonement is the belief that Jesus only died for the elect. Unlimited atonement is the belief that Jesus died for all, but that His death is not effectual until a person receives Him by faith.
Calvinism includes the belief that God’s grace is irresistible, while Arminianism says that an individual can resist the grace of God. Irresistible grace argues that when God calls a person to salvation, that person will inevitably come to salvation. Resistible grace states that God calls all to salvation, but that many people resist and reject this call.
Calvinism holds to perseverance of the saints while Arminianism holds to conditional salvation. Perseverance of the saints refers to the concept that a person who is elected by God will persevere in faith and will not permanently deny Christ or turn away from Him. Conditional salvation is the view that a believer in Christ can, of his/her own free will, turn away from Christ and thereby lose salvation.
Both systems can be summarized with five points. Calvinism holds to the total depravity of man while Arminianism holds to partial depravity. Total depravity states that every aspect of humanity is tainted by sin; therefore, human beings are unable to come to God on their own accord. Partial depravity states that every aspect of humanity is tainted by sin, but not to the extent that they are unable to place faith in God of their own accord.
Calvinism includes the belief that election is unconditional, while Arminianism believes in conditional election. Unconditional election is the view that God elects individuals to salvation based entirely on His will alone, not on anything inherently worthy in the individual. Conditional election states that God elects individuals to salvation based on His foreknowledge of who will believe in Christ unto salvation, thereby on the condition that the individual chooses God.
Calvinism sees the atonement as limited, while Arminianism sees it as unlimited. This is the most controversial of the five points. Limited atonement is the belief that Jesus only died for the elect. Unlimited atonement is the belief that Jesus died for all, but that His death is not effectual until a person receives Him by faith.
Calvinism includes the belief that God’s grace is irresistible, while Arminianism says that an individual can resist the grace of God. Irresistible grace argues that when God calls a person to salvation, that person will inevitably come to salvation. Resistible grace states that God calls all to salvation, but that many people resist and reject this call.
Calvinism holds to perseverance of the saints while Arminianism holds to conditional salvation. Perseverance of the saints refers to the concept that a person who is elected by God will persevere in faith and will not permanently deny Christ or turn away from Him. Conditional salvation is the view that a believer in Christ can, of his/her own free will, turn away from Christ and thereby lose salvation.
Monday, May 3, 2010
If you want me to ~ Ginny Owens
The pathway is broken
And the signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to
Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
So if all of these trials bring me closer to You
Then I will go through the fire
If You want me to
It may not be the way I would have chosen
When You lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'll never go alone
So when the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the sufferin' Your love put You through
And I will go through the valley
If You want me to
And the signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to
Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
So if all of these trials bring me closer to You
Then I will go through the fire
If You want me to
It may not be the way I would have chosen
When You lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'll never go alone
So when the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the sufferin' Your love put You through
And I will go through the valley
If You want me to
Friday, April 23, 2010
Tim Tebow
I first really noticed Tebow a little over 2 and a half year ago. It was after the Florida won a National Championship in 2008. I 1st saw him in a new article on Yahoo. The story was about his eye paint and John 3:16 was written on there. Now according to the story (which though I just spent about 45 min to find, escapes me) he usually had Phil 4:13 on his eye paint. Now this really intrigued me. I was like "This is really cool!! A christian who is a good and popular football player!" After that I began to follow him a lot closer. I found out he not only a good football but a GREAT football player! So last year he announced he would not enter the NFL draft as a Junior but play his Senior season at Florida. Very soon after that the new coach for the Denver Broncos, Josh McDaniels, traded away Jay Cutler to the Bears. I then told a friend of mine, "The Broncos should just play this season with the Quaterbacks they have and next year draft Tim Tebow!"
Yesterday April 22, 2010 with the 25th pick in the 2010 NFL draft the Denver Broncos draft QB Tim Tebow!!!
He is a awesome QB, a great Christian.
oh and if you want to buy me a jersey here is the link: http://www.nflshop.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4053525 :)
And if you missed the Super Bowl Commercial that Tebow did here that is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqReTDJSdhE&feature=player_embedded
Yesterday April 22, 2010 with the 25th pick in the 2010 NFL draft the Denver Broncos draft QB Tim Tebow!!!
He is a awesome QB, a great Christian.
oh and if you want to buy me a jersey here is the link: http://www.nflshop.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4053525 :)
And if you missed the Super Bowl Commercial that Tebow did here that is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqReTDJSdhE&feature=player_embedded
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Selfish little me
Oh don't worry, you are too. But that's the point. Everyone is selfish, and if you look at sin, 99.99% of the time it is caused by selfishness.
So I have to solution for not sinning anymore: Don't be selfish. See it's just that easy.
So just always put others desires before your own.
Yeah, that's so easy (Insert massive amount of sarcasm)Most of us would rather be put on the rack before giving up our own desires. (Wait didn't some of us voluntarily do that on Sat morning?) All we want when we get home from work or school is to sit on the couch and watch TV or just chill on the computer. We don't want anyone or anything to take away from OUR time. I am like the King of this, the whole "Well I just had a really hard test so I think you should clean the whole house and make dinner for me" attitude. The "I deserve my selfish time"
I'm so glad Jesus wasn't selfish
So I have to solution for not sinning anymore: Don't be selfish. See it's just that easy.
So just always put others desires before your own.
Yeah, that's so easy (Insert massive amount of sarcasm)Most of us would rather be put on the rack before giving up our own desires. (Wait didn't some of us voluntarily do that on Sat morning?) All we want when we get home from work or school is to sit on the couch and watch TV or just chill on the computer. We don't want anyone or anything to take away from OUR time. I am like the King of this, the whole "Well I just had a really hard test so I think you should clean the whole house and make dinner for me" attitude. The "I deserve my selfish time"
I'm so glad Jesus wasn't selfish
Thoughts...
So this last weekend I was at a retreat with my college group. God showed me and worked in me in so many ways this weekend. So the next couple of posts will be things that God has and still is teaching me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)