Monday, August 6, 2012
I'm Back...i hope
After stumbling upon a blog and clicking the "B" icon on the top of it, I thought I would give my old blog a look. It turns out I've neglected it (fortunately for any of my readers) for nearly 4 years! I keep telling myself that I want to get back to writing, whether it be in the form of a book or blogging. Hopefully, this is the reboot of that interest, and hopefully there are some people out there who will be interested in my ramblings on faith, food, movies, video games, fishing, family, or whatever. See you soon!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Investigating the Holy Spirit
My dad gave me a book by Charles Stanley called "The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life". The book details Stanley's investigation of the Holy Spirit and how He guides our lives- but it isn't as easy as it might sound. Very good read so far, and I'll report more on it later.
The concept of the Holy Spirit has always been vague to me at best. Raised in the Catholic Church all I ever knew was that it was part of the Trinity and the "Lord, the giver of life". But it ended there. Most churches don't teach on the Holy Spirit. Most salvation focused mega churches end at being saved, or limit their teachings to Jesus Christ alone.
If I still have any readers after my 4-month hiatus- Who is the Holy Spirit?
The concept of the Holy Spirit has always been vague to me at best. Raised in the Catholic Church all I ever knew was that it was part of the Trinity and the "Lord, the giver of life". But it ended there. Most churches don't teach on the Holy Spirit. Most salvation focused mega churches end at being saved, or limit their teachings to Jesus Christ alone.
If I still have any readers after my 4-month hiatus- Who is the Holy Spirit?
Monday, July 28, 2008
Godlessness in the Last Days
2 Timothy 3 gives us an outlook of what it will look like in the last days. Basically, the masses will have turned away from God, and it is visible in their actions.
For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.
Let's go over these in more detail.
The funny thing is that people don't think these things are wrong in today's society. Most people would read the passage and say, "uh, so what?"
People will love themselves and money. Loving money should be thought highly of. Financial success should be everybody's #1 goal.
Boastful and proud? Why should I not be? I'm the one responsible for my success, and people should know about it, right?
Disobedient to their parents. Our parents don't know what's best for us most of the time. They're closed-minded and intolerant. We all know better, anyway.
Ungrateful: Well, when you're the one responsible for your own successes, who is there to thank? I'm a self-made man. We're in control of our own destinies. Really? Let me see you stop your own death when you get hit by a bus you didn't see coming.
They will consider nothing sacred. What does sacred mean?
Unloving and unforgiving: People claim they love everybody. But watch what happens when somebody is rubbed the wrong way. We'll hold a grudge to our grave.
Slander others: This one's easy. Look at any political campaign. Hang out around the water-cooler at work.
No self-control: School shootings, drug addiction, compulsive gamblers (dot dot dot)
Cruel and hate what is good: We need to take down the 10 commandments from public places, especially government buildings. Not only is it separation of church and state, they're intolerant. We villainize our police and elevate our criminals. At the same time let's say that we're tolerant, but demean anybody who doesn't see the world the way we do.
They will betray their friends: Well, it's their own fault, they should have been smart enough to know better. Trust no one!
Reckless: Anything for an adrenaline rush! I'm invincible!
Puffed up with pride: Should I not be? I'm smarter than 90% of people I know. I make a good living. If God didn't want me to be smarter than him, he wouldn't have given me the ability to reason. He gave us our brains for a reason.
Love pleasure rather than God: Hey, don't judge me. I was made this way. If God didn't want me to do it, he wouldn't make is so fun, right? And why would I love a god that is so cruel? I don't want a god that would send somebody to hell. You want me to enjoy this, and then punish me for it?
Act religious, but reject the power that would make them holy: It's easy to say I'm a Christian. I read the bible every day. I go to church, ask anybody there, they see me every Sunday. I can quote scripture. I always donate to the collection plate, or my favorite charity. Guess what? It's all empty if you're doing it without the Spirit. If we're doing it and it's not to glorify God, then we're doing it for ourselves. Does that make you holy? No. It gives you more ammunition for your ego. Thanks again, pride!
It always comes back to pride. We think we know better than God. We define Him. He doesn't define us. He gives us the shell, and it's up to us to fill it up on earth. This is the way most of us think and feel. In society-even in Churches, we're rejecting God more and more every day. The focus is on the self. Doing anything we can to feel good about ourselves, even when we know what we are doing is wrong. Yet, we sure are quick to blame God when something goes wrong. Something goes right? Man, I did a great job!
How often do you find yourself asking, "How much longer can He possibly wait?"
For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.
Let's go over these in more detail.
The funny thing is that people don't think these things are wrong in today's society. Most people would read the passage and say, "uh, so what?"
People will love themselves and money. Loving money should be thought highly of. Financial success should be everybody's #1 goal.
Boastful and proud? Why should I not be? I'm the one responsible for my success, and people should know about it, right?
Disobedient to their parents. Our parents don't know what's best for us most of the time. They're closed-minded and intolerant. We all know better, anyway.
Ungrateful: Well, when you're the one responsible for your own successes, who is there to thank? I'm a self-made man. We're in control of our own destinies. Really? Let me see you stop your own death when you get hit by a bus you didn't see coming.
They will consider nothing sacred. What does sacred mean?
Unloving and unforgiving: People claim they love everybody. But watch what happens when somebody is rubbed the wrong way. We'll hold a grudge to our grave.
Slander others: This one's easy. Look at any political campaign. Hang out around the water-cooler at work.
No self-control: School shootings, drug addiction, compulsive gamblers (dot dot dot)
Cruel and hate what is good: We need to take down the 10 commandments from public places, especially government buildings. Not only is it separation of church and state, they're intolerant. We villainize our police and elevate our criminals. At the same time let's say that we're tolerant, but demean anybody who doesn't see the world the way we do.
They will betray their friends: Well, it's their own fault, they should have been smart enough to know better. Trust no one!
Reckless: Anything for an adrenaline rush! I'm invincible!
Puffed up with pride: Should I not be? I'm smarter than 90% of people I know. I make a good living. If God didn't want me to be smarter than him, he wouldn't have given me the ability to reason. He gave us our brains for a reason.
Love pleasure rather than God: Hey, don't judge me. I was made this way. If God didn't want me to do it, he wouldn't make is so fun, right? And why would I love a god that is so cruel? I don't want a god that would send somebody to hell. You want me to enjoy this, and then punish me for it?
Act religious, but reject the power that would make them holy: It's easy to say I'm a Christian. I read the bible every day. I go to church, ask anybody there, they see me every Sunday. I can quote scripture. I always donate to the collection plate, or my favorite charity. Guess what? It's all empty if you're doing it without the Spirit. If we're doing it and it's not to glorify God, then we're doing it for ourselves. Does that make you holy? No. It gives you more ammunition for your ego. Thanks again, pride!
It always comes back to pride. We think we know better than God. We define Him. He doesn't define us. He gives us the shell, and it's up to us to fill it up on earth. This is the way most of us think and feel. In society-even in Churches, we're rejecting God more and more every day. The focus is on the self. Doing anything we can to feel good about ourselves, even when we know what we are doing is wrong. Yet, we sure are quick to blame God when something goes wrong. Something goes right? Man, I did a great job!
How often do you find yourself asking, "How much longer can He possibly wait?"
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Matthew 25
At last, an update for my three readers. Sorry for the delay.
I was listening to a sermon on the radio today about the Parable of the Talents. It caused me to reflect on the relationship between our salvation and our judgment.
Though we may be saved, we are still going to be judged before Christ in the end. We may have heaven secured, but the rewards can be much greater. We still have the chance of feeling like we will "suffer great loss" when entering the Kingdom, judged by what we've done with what God has given each of us.
In the Parable of the Talents, the master gives each servant talents (amounts of money) to take care of while he is away. The first servants go out with the talents they are given, and multiply them, while the third servant buries his. When the master returns, he is pleased with the first two servants and promises them rewards and sharing in his happiness. However, when it comes to the third servant who did nothing with his talents, but instead hid them out of fear, the master becomes very upset, and tells him to leave his sight.
The explanation of the parable is clear. When we became Christians, we were given the gift of salvation, but also of knowledge. We all know the Gospel and the power of its saving message. But what are we doing with it? Are we leading others to Jesus? Would a bystander be able to identify us as Christians by observing our behaviors and our words? While we may be saved by grace, we will still be judged by our works. When we stand in front of Jesus and have to give an account of our lives, which servant will you best identify with?
At this point in my life, I think I'd be closest to the third servant. I don't know if I've led anybody to Christ. He's clearly instructed us to, it's an obligation of ours. But sometimes I can't help but feel like the firefighter watching a building burn down without trying to stop it. I have the tools and knowledge to save the building, but I'm scared of the flames.
I was listening to a sermon on the radio today about the Parable of the Talents. It caused me to reflect on the relationship between our salvation and our judgment.
Though we may be saved, we are still going to be judged before Christ in the end. We may have heaven secured, but the rewards can be much greater. We still have the chance of feeling like we will "suffer great loss" when entering the Kingdom, judged by what we've done with what God has given each of us.
In the Parable of the Talents, the master gives each servant talents (amounts of money) to take care of while he is away. The first servants go out with the talents they are given, and multiply them, while the third servant buries his. When the master returns, he is pleased with the first two servants and promises them rewards and sharing in his happiness. However, when it comes to the third servant who did nothing with his talents, but instead hid them out of fear, the master becomes very upset, and tells him to leave his sight.
The explanation of the parable is clear. When we became Christians, we were given the gift of salvation, but also of knowledge. We all know the Gospel and the power of its saving message. But what are we doing with it? Are we leading others to Jesus? Would a bystander be able to identify us as Christians by observing our behaviors and our words? While we may be saved by grace, we will still be judged by our works. When we stand in front of Jesus and have to give an account of our lives, which servant will you best identify with?
At this point in my life, I think I'd be closest to the third servant. I don't know if I've led anybody to Christ. He's clearly instructed us to, it's an obligation of ours. But sometimes I can't help but feel like the firefighter watching a building burn down without trying to stop it. I have the tools and knowledge to save the building, but I'm scared of the flames.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Earning Salvation
A conversation came up recently as to whether or not somebody can earn their way into heaven with good deeds. The specific example given was Gandhi. This post is not to decide where Gandhi is right now. Only God knows and decides. But we can use scripture to help us understand what determines where God sends us when we die. So the main question is this: Does God turn good people away from heaven for rejecting His gift to us?
One thing we know as a fact is that every man is a sinner. It doesn't take much. If we steal one thing in our life, that makes us a thief. If we so much as lust after another person, we're an adulterer. We're born into a fallen world, and eventually break our relationship with God by sinning. The bible teaches us that the only thing that saves us from our sins is our faith, not our works. Ephesians 2:8-9
"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."
Remember the thief who died on the cross next to Jesus. The thief didn't get a chance to redeem his sinful life with good deeds. Instead, he put his faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus's response was, "today you will be with me in paradise".
What does God use to measure our good deeds? What do our works look like to Him? God is perfect. That can be the only comparison. How good of a deed can we do on Earth to achieve God's perfect standard? We measure our works according to what we know in our feeble human minds. One man's good deeds may seem perfect to another, because we are limited in our knowledge of goodness and perfection. To God, "all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). While we think we are doing good on earth by our human standards, they are unrighteous in the face of God.
If we can earn our way into heaven through good works, how many good works does it take to redeem ourselves? (thanks PA). If you sin 10 times, does it take 10 good works? Or does it have to be of a certain magnitude? Say, bringing Independence to several countries?
Sometimes it can be difficult to think that a good person could be sent to Hell. We know that God is loving, and some might say that a loving God wouldn't turn away a good person, regardless of their beliefs. But when we say that we're creating our own God. It's much easier to create a God of convenience, the perfect God that we would like to believe in. A God that doesn't judge us, and only sends the most evil people to Hell. The serial killers, rapists, and child molesters. But if we believe in the God of the Bible, this is not the case. God is loving, but he is also jealous. He is vengeful. He does hate. He hates pride and arrogance. He hates evil-doers. If this is not the God you know, ask yourself a question. How are you creating your image of God? If not the bible, then from where?
“And after all this, if you do not obey Me, but walk contrary to Me, then I also will walk contrary to you in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. You shall eat the flesh of your sons, and you shall eat the flesh of your daughters. I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and cast your carcasses on the lifeless forms of your idols; and My soul shall abhor you.” (Leviticus 26:27-30)
If we believe that Jesus is God, we must obey Him. What did Jesus tell us?
"When the Holy Spirit comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment; in regard to sin, because men do not believe in Me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see Me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned." (John 16:8-11)
Put yourself in the position of a parent. You gave your child life, clothing, a home, and unending love. But your child turns their back on you, simply because they are too proud to be dependant on somebody other than him or herself. Maybe they grew to hate you because you gave them rules and they rebelled. Your child never thanked you, but instead went out to make their own life, and never spoke to you again. You tried to call them, to write, but they ignored you. Eventually, they go out to become the greatest charity worker of all time. They've dedicated their whole life to helping others. One day they become homeless, and nobody will take them in. Then they show up at your home. They tell you, "I've come to live with you. I know I hurt you, and rejected you. But look at how much I've helped everybody. I've made so many people's lives better. You're obligated to take me in now, I've earned it". What would a just response be? "I raised you with loving kindness to adulthood. You turned your back on me. I tried to reach you but you didn't respond. You chose your path and you excluded me from it. Yet you did favors for other people. And because of this you tell me I owe you my home."
Does the child deserve a place in their father's home now?
One thing we know as a fact is that every man is a sinner. It doesn't take much. If we steal one thing in our life, that makes us a thief. If we so much as lust after another person, we're an adulterer. We're born into a fallen world, and eventually break our relationship with God by sinning. The bible teaches us that the only thing that saves us from our sins is our faith, not our works. Ephesians 2:8-9
"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."
Remember the thief who died on the cross next to Jesus. The thief didn't get a chance to redeem his sinful life with good deeds. Instead, he put his faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus's response was, "today you will be with me in paradise".
What does God use to measure our good deeds? What do our works look like to Him? God is perfect. That can be the only comparison. How good of a deed can we do on Earth to achieve God's perfect standard? We measure our works according to what we know in our feeble human minds. One man's good deeds may seem perfect to another, because we are limited in our knowledge of goodness and perfection. To God, "all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). While we think we are doing good on earth by our human standards, they are unrighteous in the face of God.
If we can earn our way into heaven through good works, how many good works does it take to redeem ourselves? (thanks PA). If you sin 10 times, does it take 10 good works? Or does it have to be of a certain magnitude? Say, bringing Independence to several countries?
Sometimes it can be difficult to think that a good person could be sent to Hell. We know that God is loving, and some might say that a loving God wouldn't turn away a good person, regardless of their beliefs. But when we say that we're creating our own God. It's much easier to create a God of convenience, the perfect God that we would like to believe in. A God that doesn't judge us, and only sends the most evil people to Hell. The serial killers, rapists, and child molesters. But if we believe in the God of the Bible, this is not the case. God is loving, but he is also jealous. He is vengeful. He does hate. He hates pride and arrogance. He hates evil-doers. If this is not the God you know, ask yourself a question. How are you creating your image of God? If not the bible, then from where?
“And after all this, if you do not obey Me, but walk contrary to Me, then I also will walk contrary to you in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. You shall eat the flesh of your sons, and you shall eat the flesh of your daughters. I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and cast your carcasses on the lifeless forms of your idols; and My soul shall abhor you.” (Leviticus 26:27-30)
If we believe that Jesus is God, we must obey Him. What did Jesus tell us?
"When the Holy Spirit comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment; in regard to sin, because men do not believe in Me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see Me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned." (John 16:8-11)
Put yourself in the position of a parent. You gave your child life, clothing, a home, and unending love. But your child turns their back on you, simply because they are too proud to be dependant on somebody other than him or herself. Maybe they grew to hate you because you gave them rules and they rebelled. Your child never thanked you, but instead went out to make their own life, and never spoke to you again. You tried to call them, to write, but they ignored you. Eventually, they go out to become the greatest charity worker of all time. They've dedicated their whole life to helping others. One day they become homeless, and nobody will take them in. Then they show up at your home. They tell you, "I've come to live with you. I know I hurt you, and rejected you. But look at how much I've helped everybody. I've made so many people's lives better. You're obligated to take me in now, I've earned it". What would a just response be? "I raised you with loving kindness to adulthood. You turned your back on me. I tried to reach you but you didn't respond. You chose your path and you excluded me from it. Yet you did favors for other people. And because of this you tell me I owe you my home."
Does the child deserve a place in their father's home now?
Friday, April 4, 2008
Focusing on the Good
Since Roland requested a new post. . .
Do you ever find it difficult to focus on and give thanks for all that is good around you?
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things
I confess that lately this has been my goal. But sometimes it can be more difficult than others.
Do you ever find it difficult to focus on and give thanks for all that is good around you?
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things
I confess that lately this has been my goal. But sometimes it can be more difficult than others.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
New Blog
Hello and welcome. For those of you who know me from over on DB and McQ, thanks for following me over. The reason I've created a seperate blog is so that I can have one outlet to focus solely on posts relating to faith, scripture, etc.; free from politics, movies, and so on. I'm still posting over at DB and McQ, but about the usual stuff. So, here goes.
I read this passage the other day from Romans 7: 15-24:
I read this passage the other day from Romans 7: 15-24:
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. . . . I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do -- this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. . . . When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death"
Do you ever feel like the part of you that feels tempted to sin is seperate from you? With ever part of you, you want to do the right thing, but you fall again. I guess it all goes back to "The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak". I mean, Paul wrote this passage. The apostle. Even after having Jesus here on Earth at his side, he was tempted by sin.
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