tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57632304609295186432024-03-13T06:47:44.697-06:00WarriorSoul MinistriesOUR MISSION:
To spread the gospel of Christ Yahshua and help people get delivered from the hands of the enemy and build a strong foundation upon God's word and through the fire of the Holy Spirit.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-65249041835929205922013-10-11T16:05:00.001-06:002013-10-11T16:05:49.540-06:00Quotes: God Shaking Our Foundations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Charles C. West once said <i>“We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking, only to learn that it is God who is shaking them.”</i> This is a quote that has had a profound effect on my life; both in its truth, and in its reality.<br />
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Very often in our lives, it seems like the world is falling down around our ears. Everywhere we look, things are being torn down; no matter where we are in life, it seems as though it is nothing more than complete upheaval. For those in positions of power and wealth, times like this can be extremely concerning; for those who have far less, it can be downright terrifying.<br />
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The thing to keep in mind is that God is always in control. It is hard to focus on this in moments like these, but it is in these moments when it is vital to turn to He who directs our steps and lights our paths.<br />
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Here in the United States, there is a partial government shutdown taking place. I'll not go into the politics of it at the moment, because those views are better left to my personal blog, for one; and for another, politics can be a grave distraction from the things of God for many. Suffice to say, our political leaders have dropped the ball once again, but in doing so, have granted us all a fantastic opportunity to seek God in our daily lives. We must seek Him not only for guidance and direction in our spiritual walk, but now we have a "real" reason to seek Him as our provider.<br />
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I use quotations because many of us know that He is <b>always</b> our provider. Many of us know Him to be the source of <b>all</b> we have. Yet in this current time, many more are having to face the reality that God is not just the Provider in hard times, but He is the Provider at <b style="font-style: italic;">all times.</b><br />
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Our foundations have been shaken, my friends; shaken by political upheaval; shaken by personal tragedy and hardship; and shaken by a sudden lack of those things which we consider to be vital and important in our lives- Indeed, things which we consider to be necessary. Some of us have lost our methods of transportation; some of us are facing uncertainty in the area of benefits; some are seeing the warning signs of layoffs; some seem to be trapped in locations far from home with no way of getting back; and still others have found a loss of will to continue on.<br />Yes, these are all times of hardship, and can indeed be times of chaos - <b>If</b> we allow them to be.<br />
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The answer to the hardships and trials we face is a mere prayer away; nay, even a simple whisper. Our loving Creator will provide all our needs, but there are times when we must ask. The days are coming, and coming soon, when we as followers of Christ must rely upon Him solely for the provision that we require, and now is as good a time as any previous to make that change.<br />
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Allow me to give an illustration from my own life- I was uprooted from my home state of New Hampshire and brought to New Mexico for no other reason, it seemed, than to languish. I had a job lined up out here, but when I arrived, I discovered that they had given it to someone else. I found myself staying with a friend, my benefactor to whom I will forever be grateful, and looking unsuccessfully for employment. No matter where I went; no matter how many applications I filled out; no matter how many resumes I dropped off, I could find no work anywhere.<br />That is when I realized that God had brought me here for the sole purpose of learning to rely upon Him, and at that point, I'd been attempting to make my own way- All the time, complaining to Him for not opening doors. I required a time of sincere repentance, and refocused my vision so that my eyes were upon Him day and night.<br />
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Shortly after these events, I found work with a gentleman from my former church in his auto detailing business. Yet again, I find myself forever grateful to him not only for the work, but for opening his home to me when my other living situation fell through. After about a year, he received one of the desires of his heart, and was accepted to study at Oxford.<br />
No matter what events transpired, however, so long as I kept my eyes upon Christ and relied upon God for the provision of all my needs, He saw to everything. Employment when needed, housing when required, and the provision of money, food and transportation at all times. Never have I gone without my needs since I returned control of my life to Him.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KuF8xQNz_wM/UGb1SEfnsRI/AAAAAAAABWs/5q-zCbPuLbg/s640/God+is+Enough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KuF8xQNz_wM/UGb1SEfnsRI/AAAAAAAABWs/5q-zCbPuLbg/s640/God+is+Enough.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>I share this story with you all, not to show how righteous or amazing I am <i>(because such a statement would be a far cry from the truth!),</i> but to encourage you, our readers, to look to God for all things. He will always provide- I have learned this truth in my own life, and will continue to learn this lesson in greater and bigger things. <br />My prayer for each of you is that God shows Himself to be as amazing, if not more so, in your lives as He has in mine. Indeed, I pray that each of you see greater blessings in your lives than I have seen, so that those around you may see and believe.<br />
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May God bless and keep you all in His mighty hand, safe from the intentions of the enemy, and provide all your needs- For though your foundations are shaking, it may very well be He who is reminding you that He must be first in all things in your lives.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-46890709971927407642013-08-20T15:31:00.000-06:002013-08-20T15:31:01.035-06:00A Rare Appeal<h1>
A Rare Appeal: The Background</h1>
As some of you are aware, the co-founders of this ministry, Brian and Dara Shook, are currently living in separate states. Brian has been caring for his aging father, but as the economy has gotten worse, he can no longer afford to join his wife. Caring for his father has been a full time job in itself, and because of this, he cannot get a job.<br />
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As a member of WarriorSoul Ministries, its principal writer, and a close friend of these two amazing people, I believe that it is possible to bring him home, and to do so with something everyone is fond of... T-shirts! The gist of it is this: You buy the shirt you like, and after overhead, the proceeds go to fund Brian's trip home. <b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Any Additional Funds Will Be Used Specifically For And By WarriorSoul Ministries!</span></b> There will be no individuals profiting from this fundraiser- We are <i>NOT</i> televangelists!!<br />
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The fundraiser itself will last from now until September 10, 2013.<br />
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<h2>
A Rare Appeal: The Selection</h2>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://teespring.com/warrior-soul1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="A Rare Appeal Standard Front" border="0" height="200" src="http://teespring.com/uploads/2013/08/19/16/96291/shirtFront.jpg?v=2013-08-20" title="A Rare Appeal Standard front" width="167" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://teespring.com/warrior-soul1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The front of the Standard</a></td></tr>
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Here is how this works <i>(price breakdown to follow shirt descriptions)</i>.<br />
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We have two styles of tees available. The first is what we're calling the <a href="http://www.teespring.com/warrior-soul1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"Standard" version</a>, which basically means that it's the least expensive of the two. It sports only lettering, with the words "Mine is a WarriorSoul" in gray and red on the front. On the back, in red, are the words "WarriorSoul Ministries." These are selling for $15, and we need to sell 50 of them at the very least... If we do not reach that number, none of the shirts will be shipped, and you will not be charged- But our fundraiser will have failed as well.<br />
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The second style is being referred to as the <a href="http://www.teespring.com/warrior-soul2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"Limited Edition."</a> It has the same wording on the front as the Standard, but features the WarriorSoul logo on the back. This shirt is selling for $25 and we need to sell at least 20 of them. Again, if we do not reach that number- No shirts, no charge and no Brian going home.<br />
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Both of these styles will be available in black, navy, forest green and ash gray beginning tomorrow. Currently, they are available only in black.<br />
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<h3>
A Rare Appeal: The Price Breakdown</h3>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://teespring.com/warrior-soul2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="A Rare Appeal LE front" border="0" height="200" src="http://teespring.com/uploads/2013/08/19/16/96275/shirtFront.jpg?v=2013-08-20" title="A Rare Appeal LE front" width="167" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://teespring.com/warrior-soul2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Front of the Ltd Edition</a></td></tr>
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Because we believe in honesty and full disclosure here at WarriorSoul <i>(and because I believe it will help you understand the need for the prices and set amounts),</i> I'd like to show you the price breakdown.<br />
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The <a href="http://teespring.com/warrior-soul1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Standard version</a> has an overhead cost of $11.35- That's for the screenprinting, labor and service. The remaining $3.65 is what will be coming to us to fund Brian's trip.<br />
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The <a href="http://teespring.com/warrior-soul2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Limited Edition</a> has an overhead cost of $21.75. Again, this is for the screenprinting, labor and service, but it is higher than the standard due to the graphic used on the back. Thus, the fundraiser will be receiving $3.25 for every LE sold.<br />
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<h3>
A Rare Appeal: The Minimum Sales Limit Explained</h3>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://teespring.com/warrior-soul1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="A Rare Appeal Standard back" border="0" height="200" src="http://teespring.com/uploads/2013/08/19/16/96291/shirtBack.jpg?v=2013-08-20" title="A Rare Appeal Standard back" width="167" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://teespring.com/warrior-soul1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Back of the Standard</a></td></tr>
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The reasons for the minimum amounts is very simple: The smaller the sales goal is, the greater the base price. This is due to a few things, but most notably the labor that goes into setting up the equipment which does the printing. When the batch is smaller, it requires more supervision and prevents leaving the batch to print while getting a new batch ready.<br />
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Let me offer you an example: To print a mere 10 of <a href="http://teespring.com/warrior-soul1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the Standard</a> shirts, the base cost would be $14.67. However, printing a total of 50 costs $11.35. If we were to raise our goal to 200, our base price would lower to a mere $8.55, but our relative chances of success decrease as well.<br />
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To expound on the example, let's use <a href="http://teespring.com/warrior-soul2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the LE</a>. Printing 20 of these shirts costs 21.75. Printing 10, however, spikes our base price to $30.75. In order to sell the LE at a comparable price to the Standard, we'd need to sell a minimum of 130, and the base cost would be $12.13. Once more, we see a lower price, but also a lower chance of making our goal.<br />
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These are the reasons we've set the limits where they are currently.<br />
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<h3>
A Rare Appeal: The Final Word</h3>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://teespring.com/warrior-soul2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="A Rare Appeal LE back" border="0" height="200" src="http://teespring.com/uploads/2013/08/19/16/96275/shirtBack.jpg?v=2013-08-20" title="A Rare Appeal LE back" width="167" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://teespring.com/warrior-soul2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">back of the Ltd Edition</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We've got readers and family from around the world, and I want to reassure everyone that we're able to get shirts to you no matter where you are- Using the company we're using, we can ship internationally, meaning out friends in Australia, Russia, the United Kingdom, China, Japan... Even Tanzania and Guatemala... Can help with this fundraiser and have something to show for it.<br />
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So aside from buying a <a href="http://teespring.com/warrior-soul1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">shirt</a>, or a few <a href="http://teespring.com/warrior-soul2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">shirts</a>, how can you help? Well, you can tweet the shirts themselves, or this blog entry, to make sure that everyone who follows you gets the chance to hear about it, and hopefully pass it on. You can share the shirts on Facebook and on Pinterest directly from the pages, or you can share the url from any form of social media. You can also share this blog entry as well. <br />
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Feel free to share about the fundraiser and its purpose outside of the internet as well! Word of mouth when speaking with your friends, coworkers, family and fellow church members can be just as vital and viral as what is shared online.<br />
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I'd like to thank you for your consideration and support of this effort, and I am confident that with all of you helping to support it and spread the word, it will be a monumental success. God bless each and every one of you!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-67744865058515153842013-08-05T13:21:00.000-06:002013-08-05T13:21:25.693-06:00God Unchanging - Grace and Mercy<a href="http://www.lifecoachingforchristianwomen.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/psalm-103-e1277123650894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://www.lifecoachingforchristianwomen.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/psalm-103-e1277123650894.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<blockquote>
<i><b> The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love ~Psalm 103:8</b></i></blockquote>
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We read that Moses had a similar revelation in Exodus 34:6, and we can see that David not only mirrors Moses' own words quite closely here, but he does so again in Psalm 86:15, 111:4 and 145:8. I tend to think of these passages often when I hear folks, Christian and non-Christian alike, compare the "Gods" of the Old and New Testament. God is not a man that He should lie, but neither does He suffer from a personality disorder!<br />
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This truth about God is not only spoken of here; later on, in the days of the prophets and harsh judgment, we read very similar sentiments. In fact, it is often missed that true love gives way and in fact enables the administration of just punishment- Even toward the object of affection. For example, look at Joel 2:13, Jonah 4:2, Nehemiah 9:17, Isaiah 55:7, and Jeremiah 32:18 to offer just a few. <br />
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A great Bible teacher and commentator once made the statement that there is a great deal to be found in some of the smallest and least suspected passages of the Bible. Indeed, he went on to say, much of what we meditate upon within Scripture can be found within some of the smallest portions- In this case, the phrase was: "Slow to anger." The quote regarding this section of the verse specifically says the following: "not speedily punishing sinners, but patiently waiting for their repentance."<br />
<a href="http://s2.hubimg.com/u/5557809_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://s2.hubimg.com/u/5557809_f260.jpg" width="151" /></a>Mercy pardons sin, grace bestows favor undeserved, and the Lord has each in abundance. In the word's of Charles Spurgeon, "All the world tastes of his sparing mercy, those who hear the gospel partake of his inviting mercy, the saints live by his saving mercy, are preserved by his upholding mercy, are cheered by his consoling mercy, and will enter heaven through his infinite and everlasting mercy. Let grace abounding be our hourly song in the house of our pilgrimage. Let those who feel that they live upon it glorify the plenteous fountain from which it so spontaneously flows."<br />
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There is a great disparity which exists, however, in the concept of biblical grace and mercy, and the twisted understanding of the same by much of humankind. God's justice <b>MUST</b> be met, so His mercy and grace will only carry each of us for so long in this life. Eventually, we come to the crossroads whereat we choose to abide in our sinful behavior and thus abandon our First Love, or to flee our sin and cling to He who gave Himself up for our redemption. Choose we the former, and we will see ourselves set aside for the day of judgment; but if we take hold of the latter, we will find ourselves sheltered beneath His wings in the worst of the storm (for we are bequeathed only so much as we are able to handle by the strength afforded us through the Holy Spirit).<br />
Contrast this understanding of God's divine grace and mercy, however, with that understanding by which the unsaved and unbelieving world carries out their debauchery. It is the mindset of those who have heard and reject that they are simply not ready, and they will turn to God when their need is greatest: Little do they understand that they are drowning and marked for death, so their need is indeed at its greatest. Likewise, those who have not yet heard continue to sin in blissful ignorance; their misdeeds counting against them, certainly, though the irony is that they survive by sole merit of the grace and mercy they know nothing about. <br />
Between the two, however, the first group's crimes are greatest; the latter abuses the grace and mercy of God through ignorance, but the former willfully, gleefully and without remorse abuses that gift which they know of, yet which they refuse in a misguided attempt to make the "good times" last as long as possible.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mediawebapps.com/upload/quotes-1102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.mediawebapps.com/upload/quotes-1102.jpg" width="183" /></a>Note now the only difference which can be drawn between God's actions within the Old Testament and His actions and responses of our time: It was His own slow response to sin; His own patience and longsuffering; that prevented judgment against the peoples of the world from falling more often than it did during the Old Testament period. It is the blood of Christ which now dissuades the diverse and varied punishments of our just and holy God from falling more often now; yet by His own work, God holds His wrath for the day of judgment more completely now, as it is the blood of His only Son which cries out <i>(in stark contrast to the blood of Abel)</i> for continued patience, longsuffering, grace and mercy.<br />
Ephesians 1:7-8 tells us this much- That if not for the shed blood of the Lamb, we would not have the grace we now know; nor would we have the sort of forgiveness we now understand; nor would we live beneath the covering of mercy we so often take for granted. By direct and absolute intervention, God Himself provided a means by which all of humanity could survive and live eternal- Yet such an offer is not an automatic thing, though it is, according to the Word of God, retroactive <i>(that is, our sins are removed from us through the acceptance of the Sacrifice).</i><br />
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How dare we so cheapen the wondrous workings of a graceful and merciful God by saying that we are encumbered by having to do such great work as to merely accept His gift?! Far too many have had this attitude in regards to the great and glorious work of our Lord, and far too few ministers illustrate the full passion of our Redeemer so as to set these minds aright. <br />
Therefore, let us carefully bear in constant and perpetual remembrance Paul's statements from Romans 5:20-21-<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."</i></blockquote>
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<a href="http://weknowmemes.com/generator/uploads/generated/g1375729765563956418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://weknowmemes.com/generator/uploads/generated/g1375729765563956418.jpg" width="320" /></a>Some have used this verse to accentuate their claim against God; saying that only a cold and cruel psycho would introduce a law with the specific intent of causing sin, an offense for which this "psycho" imposes death. However, it ought to be pointed out that this is a horrible interpretation and/or translation. Look at this passage again, this time in contemporary English-<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"The Law came, so that the full power of sin could be seen. Yet where sin was powerful, God's kindness was even more powerful. Sin ruled by means of death. But God's kindness now rules, and God has accepted us because of Jesus Christ our Lord. This means that we will have eternal life."</i></blockquote>
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The law, then, was introduced in God's grace and mercy; not to cause sin to increase- Sin is sin; it is anything which goes against the nature of God- Instead, the law was introduced for the express purpose of exposing the seriousness and extent of sin to humanity. It was introduced to show the need for reliance upon the Lord, not because of what He did, but because of human kind's own weakness. It is through this understanding of the unchanging nature of our God that we are able to sing with the psalmist, "the Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love."Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-78746568707867732612013-07-24T15:33:00.000-06:002013-07-24T15:33:55.093-06:00Escape or Endure?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/p480x480/553811_361343927299495_983674409_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/p480x480/553811_361343927299495_983674409_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rarely has so true a Scripture been depicted so falsely</td></tr>
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<h1>
<span style="font-size: large;"><h1>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></h1>
The question before every human being on the face of the planet, to which God has already given answer, is this: Escape or Endure?</span></h1>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>No trial has overtaken you that is not distinctively human; and God is faithful; he will not let you be tested beyond what you can bear, but with the trial will also provide the way through, so that you will be able to endure it. </i>~1 Corinthians 10:13</span></blockquote>
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This is from the Mounce Reverse-Interlinear New Testament. I love the way it phrases this, because this is one situation where many English translations fail miserably. Let me give you an example or two of this:<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.</span></i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> ~NKJV</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The only temptation that has come to you is that which everyone has. But you can trust God, who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand it.</span></i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> ~NCV</span></blockquote>
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The original text actually says that God will provide <i><b>"ekbasis,"</b></i> or a route out. This Greek word is a combination of <i><b>"ek"</b></i> or <i><b>"ex"</b></i> meaning <i>"point of origin; where action begins"</i> and <i><b>"basis"</b></i> meaning <i>"to walk; foot pace."</i> Literally, it is stating that God will provide a route through the hardship. Not an escape, as if God was going to snap His fingers and remove you from the situation you're dealing with; rather, an escape route- A path to follow by which to exit hardship.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Readers confuse themselves on whether to escape or endure</span></h2>
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The second point of issue with English translations, to a minor degree, and much more with the very <b>READERS</b> themselves, is the less than regular emphasis on the latter portion of this Scripture. Everyone loves the idea that God doesn't give us more than we can handle; still more people are very happy with the fact that God will just speak and <b>*boom* </b>- Our trials are over. The problem is that one section at the end which reads <u>"so that you will be able to endure it."</u><br />
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Oops. If that remains there, then the verse as a whole <b>can't</b> mean that God's going to magically remove us from our individual struggles. So as a result, very few actually pay attention to that section... And as a result of that, we have some translations pandering to the itching ears. For instance:<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There hath none other temptation taken you, but such as followeth the nature of man. God is faithful, which shall not suffer you to be tempted above your strength: but shall in the midst of the temptation make a way to escape out.</span></i> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~2004 edition of the William Tyndale New Testament</span></blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.</span></i> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~Contemporary English Version</span></blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We’re all tempted to do so, but God is more than willing to help us follow God’s advice.</span></i> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~Better Life Bible</span></blockquote>
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A lot of you have heard me rail against the BLB, saying it should not even be considered a Bible, and this last quote is offered as further evidence of this. However, even <b>it</b> is closer in truth at the last than the previous two. You see, God is willing to <u>help us follow</u> His law (not advice) and His ways. He is rarely willing to remove us from those situations wherein we are required to choose whether to follow Him or succumb to the world.<br />
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This is why the Mounce is so excellent in this regard- Not only did it handle the issue of the way through the temptation correctly, but it also makes certain to emphasize the fact that the answer to the escape or endure question is the endurance of the trial. Ironically, for all the hard words and accusations that our modern translations get, one of the most maligned got it dead on accurate.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>There isn’t any temptation that you have experienced which is unusual for humans. God, who faithfully keeps his promises, will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist. But when you are tempted, he will also give you the ability to endure the temptation as your way of escape.</i> ~God's Word Version</span></blockquote>
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Final thoughts on whether to escape or endure</h3>
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Oftentimes, we as humans are so caught up in our daily lives that we read our Bibles when we should be <br />
soaking in them. We simply give our Scripture of the day a quick read, and do not take the time necessary to pray and meditate on what it means. If we took the time necessary, it would be obvious to most what this Scripture is saying right from the start.<br />
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In closing, let me reiterate this simply:<br />
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<b>God tests us. He will not allow us to be so assaulted that we cannot stand our ground. In every test, no matter how hard it gets, we can rest assured that He's already prepared our exit, and the path to get there. He will rarely pluck us out of the hard times; but He <i>will</i> strengthen and encourage us so that we are able stand firm as long as we trust in Him- And <u>THAT</u> is our way out... Endurance.</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grace and peace be with you as you <b><u>endure!</u></b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-37476899527935694832013-05-24T10:56:00.000-06:002013-05-24T11:09:29.977-06:00The Age of Ichabod<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qngfAIHFYt4/UOZMAS9ArhI/AAAAAAAABnU/GN0okuv_5MA/s1600/2013-01-03_202346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qngfAIHFYt4/UOZMAS9ArhI/AAAAAAAABnU/GN0okuv_5MA/s200/2013-01-03_202346.jpg" width="125" /></a><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Once again, we have a great piece from our guest author, Nathan H. </span></b><br />
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This piece may not be for everybody. That’s fine. I’m throwing it out there like a fish lure. Let them bite who will.</div>
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If I had to describe the general attitude among Christians with a single word, I would probably use “frustrated.” Many Christians have unmet expectations that wriggle like a pebble in their shoe, whether they’re minor letdowns or devastating disappointments. Behind every soapbox and impassioned sermon lies a gnawing ache that something is wrong.</div>
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I begin this piece by saying that something is wrong, and it’s happened before. Let’s call it the Age of Ichabod. There’s an over-arching story in the Bible as told in the narrative of Samuel in which the birth of a boy named Ichabod marks a horrid dry spell in Israel’s history. This story lays out a particular principle that needs to be remembered and applied today.</div>
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In 1 Samuel 4, we see a transition of sorts. Previously in the book, we are told of the phenomenal events surrounding the birth and childhood of Samuel; he was called by God at an early age to replace the corrupt and inept house of Eli as the spiritual leadership of Israel. By the fourth chapter, the Israelites were again at war with their old-time rivals, the Philistines, and they were losing.</div>
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“Why did God let us lose?” they ask one another. Rather than dwell on this question and possibly admit their need for repentance, they instead decide to force God’s hand by sending the Ark of the Covenant before them into battle. The Ark was where God’s presence was manifest on earth, so surely they could manipulate God into doing what they wanted—what they <em>needed</em>.</div>
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The national indifference toward God was a result of the leadership. We are told in 1 Samuel that the high priest, Eli, had two sons who were beyond wicked, yet he did not discipline them or even remove them from service in the tabernacle. It is no wonder that the troops had minimal regard for God when His own high priest displayed so little.</div>
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Not only did Israel lose the next battle, but they lost the Ark to their enemy, and suffered almost ten times the number of casualties—including Eli’s evil sons. When a survivor ran back to Shiloh, the city where the Tabernacle was permanently set up in the Promised Land, his tale was so shocking that Eli fell off his high chair and broke his neck. What’s more is that his son’s pregnant wife went into distressed labor at these turn of events, and died giving birth to a son. The midwife, astonished that Eli, his sons, and the mother were dead, and that the Ark was in the possession of the enemy, called the boy Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!”</div>
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The Age of Ichabod had begun.</div>
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The name comes from the Hebrew *qabod, meaning “glory.” Hebrew glory was not just the idea of greatness and grandeur, but something more inspiring, like radiance and splendor. It was with this meaning in mind that Paul said a woman’s hair is her “crowning glory.” Israel lost her glory; she had just been scalped. It’s a shame that the grandson of Eli had to bear the name which commemorated the new era.</div>
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The absence of the Ark was more than just cosmetic, however. The Ark was the centerpiece to Tabernacle ministry. Sacrifices of praise could be made without it, as well as some ceremonial rituals as administered by the Levites and priests, but the sin offering on the Day of Atonement required the Ark. Without it, Levitical observances would be little more than show, as the soul of the rituals and ceremonies would be absent. It’s essentially for this reason that modern Jews do not maintain the need for sacrifices today—how could they without the Ark?</div>
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Samuel finds himself thrust into the forefront of national turmoil. Even though the Ark was returned to Israel within seven months, it wound up in the custody of a steward rather than in the Tabernacle. Samuel was raised in the instruction of Eli and made sacrifices, so it seems that he continued with the priestly observances without the luster of the Tabernacle proper.</div>
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Even though the conduit of God’s manifest presence was returned to Israel, the glory had not!</div>
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Samuel compelled the Israelites to dispose of their idols and return to faithful devotion to the LORD God. He established an itinerate circuit, so as to minister to the entire nation, rather than sitting on his haunches at home all year long, expecting the people to come to him. Although the glory was missing, there was peace.</div>
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As Samuel grew old and gray, however, the people began to desire a human king. Samuel rebuffed this at first, but God told him to relent. “They have not rejected you as judge, Samuel, but they have rejected Me as King. Give them a king.”</div>
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What the people got was Saul. He was a head taller than any man in the land, and he looked good in a parade. When the Philistines made war against Israel yet again, the people were happy to follow Saul into battle.</div>
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Saul became arrogant, though. God had made him king, and it went to his head. Samuel’s ways were out-moded. Things were much better Saul’s way, Saul thought. He was eventually tormented by demons, and was arguably driven to madness.</div>
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Along comes David.</div>
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When the picture-perfect king couldn’t slay a Philistine giant, a shepherd boy chosen by God does what the king’s army couldn’t—trust in God.</div>
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Despite Saul’s position, he had no authority. He sacrificed it when he went his own way. David, though a runt, won the day because he stood on his faith in God.</div>
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For a time, David and Saul were copacetic. Saul recognized David’s potential, and even though the nation’s admiration sparked jealousy, Saul took a liking to David…except for the times when he tried to have David killed.</div>
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In the end, Saul was destroyed by his own pride. Pinned down in a rocky battlefield, he fell on his sword rather than admit defeat in a battle he thought to win in his own strength.</div>
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When David finally became king, his reign was so diametrically opposed to that of Saul’s that you could barely give them the same title. Saul was just like the other kings, which is what the people wanted. David was a man after God’s own heart, and despite his faults and failures, he put God first in everything he did. Israel flourished as a result.</div>
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Yet the glory had not returned.</div>
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In 2 Samuel 6, some twenty years after its capture and nonchalant return to Israel, David had the Ark of the Covenant returned to the Tabernacle, which was erected in the newly conquered capitol, Jerusalem.</div>
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David wore nothing but an ephod while dancing for joy in the streets. He wasn’t dancing because the priests were singing his favorite song. His dance wasn’t a display of worship to intimidate all of the shy people.</div>
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David danced because the manifest presence of God returned to the heart of Tabernacle ceremony. The soul of the nation was back. There was actually a point now to going through the rigorous motions of Levitical ceremony.</div>
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How does any of that relate to today?</div>
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We have four components in this narrative.</div>
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1) House of Eli</div>
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2) House of Samuel</div>
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3) House of Saul</div>
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4) House of David</div>
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Let’s say the House of Eli is the old generation. Compromise had set in during Eli’s ministry. He valued getting along more than righteousness. As long as everybody was with the Program, then why rock the boat by upholding justice (and not letting his sons sleep with women waiting in line at the Tabernacle)?</div>
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In order to function better, concessions have been made with the world. A truce has been struck with the kingdom of darkness—it is given its space over there, the church is given her space over here, and everybody goes on in a tenuous balance.</div>
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God does not jive with this. He ends Eli’s ministry, eliminates his successors, and removes the Glory.</div>
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Samuel is raised up. He is trained in the same ministry as Eli, but he has integrity. In fact, he is never recorded as having done anything wrong, or to have displeased the LORD—“The LORD was with him, and did not let his words fall to the ground.”</div>
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Yet the glory did not return through Samuel.</div>
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Let’s say the House of Samuel is the response to the old generation; a ‘tweener generation, for lack of a better term. This response does everything asked of the LORD, yet there is no glory. This is perhaps the bulk of the frustration seen within the church; sincere and devout believers who cannot understand why the situation, whichever situation, remains so. Why isn’t there change? Why isn’t progress made?</div>
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It was not the fault of Samuel; it was the people. They want Saul.</div>
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Let the House of Saul be the response to Samuel. Ineffectual ministry must be discarded and something new brought forward, right? Let’s try what everyone else is doing. Seems to work for them, right? What begins with genuine ministry is twisted by hubris into something that’s counterproductive, and possibly hostile to the goals of God.</div>
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The House of David is the answer to Saul and Samuel. Samuel passes the torch to David, but instead of following the traditional way, David does something new. He fights. Rather than trying to persuade a corrupt institution to do something contrary to its nature (sincerely repent and humbly submit), David takes the torch and performs that institution’s mission himself. He doesn’t need the people’s permission, for they at times love and hate him, and while he took refuge and support from the priests as they made available to him, David’s hope was in God, whether as a shepherd, a general, a rebel commander, or a king.</div>
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David made war against Israel’s enemies even while called an enemy of Israel. When he was edged outside the confines of Israel’s establishment, he simply continued to do what he was called to do, and his calling made room for him. By doing what the king was supposed to do, he was made king.</div>
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In our time, we’ve witnessed the death throes of Eli, and we’re experiencing the conflict between Samuel (the alienated, frustrated remnant) and Saul (the delusional prima donnas). The only difference is that Samuel is reluctant to anoint David at this time.</div>
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For the Age of Ichabod to end, David must come. Rather than purifying the old Eli ministry, Samuel must overcome his fear of Saul (or seeing another Saul rise up in his place) in order to launch David forward.</div>
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This applies directly to us, here and now.</div>
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In order to attain the peace and prosperity that many envision in the future Solomon generation, we must face the battle as David. We must embrace rejection and revulsion, not resent it like Samuel; we must stand boldly in the face of opposition like David, not cower behind ulterior motives like Samuel; we must honor God in all we do, and not follow our own wisdom and passions like Saul. We must whole-heartedly follow God because we love him, as David did, not play-act devotion because that’s what’s expected of us like Saul did.</div>
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The contrasts can go on, but the message is clear: Samuel did fine during the Age of Ichabod in his obedience, but the nation did not. We need to stop trying to resurrect Eli. Ichabod will endure, unless we risk the wrath of Saul and the world itself to become David.</div>
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Ichabod was so named because the Ark left the Tabernacle. There can be no glory where there is no presence. Seek the presence of God as if He’s a real person, utilize His wisdom and words instead of your own, stand where others flee, and trust in Him whether you’re personally confident, terrified, or despondent. In this, we defy the Ichabod state, the lack of glory, by reaching out of this world and into the next.</div>
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In this Age of Ichabod, I want to be a David. I want to bring finality to the war of attrition against the church and to see the glory return to the House of God. I want to leap for joy because God’s manifest presence has returned to the heart of His people, because then I would know that the frustration of all the Samuels and the distractions and self-destructions of the Sauls will be at an end, and the way will be clear for the Solomon generation (Solomon, whose name means Peace) built upon the splendor and radiance of God’s returned glory.</div>
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Who's with me?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-22323484462430027412013-03-01T04:47:00.000-07:002013-03-01T04:47:40.601-07:00The Strategy of the Gospel<h4>
<i>The Strategy of the Gospel</i> was originally a blog comment. However, as I thought about it, I realized that it ought to be shared on a broader forum. We can all use encouragement from time to time; this is yours today...</h4>
<h2>
The Strategy of the Gospel</h2>
<br />
<br />
There is a “theology” that the Bible is mostly allegorical. Bill O’Reilly was the most recent in current events to allude to that when he was interviewing Roma Downey and her husband about the Bible miniseries. I remember you saying, however, that you take the whole Bible as truth. As that is so, let me offer a little bit more advice, partially from personal experience, partially from the Word of God.<br />
<br />
I was on FB at one point. I did some investigation into Zuck’s political pandering, donations, and the biased slant the advertisements for candidates had taken. For instance, Obama’s campaign ads showed up when one was viewing any page having to do with hope, change, and even our Savior. This might not seem like a big deal, since people who pull advertisements have a say in preferred placement.<br />
However, the ads for McCain showed up when one was viewing FB pages that supported Westboro Baptist, satanic groups, etc. These are obviously not preferred spots for a political candidate, yet there is where they were seeing their ads.<br />
<br />
As a result of me publishing my findings, both on my blog and on FB, I was banned from it, without warning.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Strategy of the Gospel: Not Our Own Works</h3>
<br />
What the Lord showed me is that while we are meant to uphold the truth, we are also to bring it in love, as He showed you. Yet He also brought my attention to Matthew 10:16, which reads:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”</i></blockquote>
<br />
See, I thought He was done at that point, but He wasn’t. He knows exactly who He has placed us among, and He specifically commanded us to be wily, crafty and intelligent. (Note that I use these words in the sense of strategy, not deception!) Why would He send us out among wolves, and why tell us to be strategic? The answer is partly in the wording He chose, and and partially in His following explanation.<br />
<br />
The word “wise” being used there is phronimos (φρόνιμος), and means sagacious or discreet. There were two other words He could have used: Sophos, which is general wisdom, or sunetos, which denotes problem solving. However, He chose to use phronimos, which combines sunetos with phren, which suggests a covering, or discreet nature.<br />
<br />
Then, in verses 17 and 18, Christ says this (and I’m using the Phillips because of the way it reads):<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>“But be on your guard against men. For they will take you to the court and flog you in their synagogues. You will be brought into the presence of governors and kings because of me – to give your witness to them and to the heathen.”</i></blockquote>
<br />
He told us why we were to be discreet; why were are to be strategic in bearing our message: Because we are to be on guard against men; not comfortable with them, but at the same time, not trying to stir them to anger, either, no matter how they may treat us.<br />
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<h4>
Strategy of the Gospel: Not Our Own Voice</h4>
<br />
Note the reason all of this is taking place, was the next thing He taught me: It is by <b>MY</b> will, not your own pride or blunder, that will bring you before governors and kings. It is <b>NOT</b> because your words stirred them to anger; or because your words were so powerful, undeniable and moving; but because of <b>MY</b> will <i>ALONE</i>.<br />
<br />
Then came the next two verses, 19 and 20 (same source for the same reason):<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>“But when they do arrest you, never worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be told at the time what you are to say. For it will not be really you who are speaking but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”</i></blockquote>
<br />
Even in this moment, when all seems lost and it looks as though you have reason to be indignant, He said, you are not to lose your temper. Remain calm, be still, and you will know that I am God.<br />
<br />
So, we are to be discreet, and when the time comes for us to be uncovered and exposed before the rulers of this age, whether it be the President or FB, it will be His doing, not ours. We will know this because we have adhered to His word; we’ve delivered truth in love, and carried it with wisdom and strategy.<br />
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Hope that was of some encouragement to you.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-72826567033690579492013-01-04T07:30:00.000-07:002013-01-04T07:30:01.965-07:00Five-Fold Calibration<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back after what seems to be the usual holiday-ish sabbatical, we'll be running a few guest written articles while getting some of the other material prepared.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qngfAIHFYt4/UOZMAS9ArhI/AAAAAAAABnU/GN0okuv_5MA/s1600/2013-01-03_202346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qngfAIHFYt4/UOZMAS9ArhI/AAAAAAAABnU/GN0okuv_5MA/s320/2013-01-03_202346.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week, our guest author is <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/116546820474089418328" target="_blank">Nathan</a>. Most recently a youth pastor, Nathan is being positioned more and more for ministry to and within the Body of Christ in a much greater capacity. His personal stylings, however, seem to shatter a great deal of preconceived notions regarding what a minister of the Gospel should be: We see the list within the Pauline letters, but mankind has added such a great deal to the concept of "minister," that the two are barely recognizable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ironically, it was this disproportionate emphasis on one form or another of "use" within the Church that led to this first article, and it is so very much on point, I feel it would be nearly criminal <b>not </b>to feature it here on WarriorSoul.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without further ado... <b><i>Five-Fold Calibration.</i></b></span><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">+=+=+=+=+=</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">+=+=+=+=</span></i></b><br />
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There's a passage of the Bible that many scholars have debated about for awhile now. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;<br />for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:<br />till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:<br />that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;<br />but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ;<br />from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.</i> <i><b>~Ephesians 4:11-16 (ASV)</b></i></blockquote>
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Paul is the king of run-on sentences, so we'll just leave it there.<br />
<br />
There's a moderate debate as to whether or not this passage applies today, and I feel obliged to speak to that before continuing.<br />
Starting from the last verse, we can note a few things:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>the Body makes increase by its inner workings of love;</li>
<li>the inner workings of love within the body are in due measure of each part;</li>
<li>the Body is framed and knit together, every part, in Christ.</li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
In other words, the Body of Christ can only be the Body of Christ if it's doing Christ's work as Christ prescribes at Christ's direction. I cannot rightly call someone else's body my own body if it's not attached to me and follows its own commands, or the commands of someone else.<br />
<br />
In the next-to-last verse, we read that the Body speaks the truth in love in order to mature in Christ. Maturation means growth, not decline; increase, not decrease.<br />
<br />
By now we've back-tracked to verse 14. The Body is expected to become an adult in terms of purpose and wisdom, and not confused as a child or adolescent. There ought to be clarity and depth in the Body's ministry, not shallow ambiguity.<br />
<br />
Verse 13 outlines the requirements for reaching adulthood:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>unity of faith <i>(we all share the same belief)</i>;</li>
<li>complete knowledge of the Son of God <i>(Jesus is more than a name)</i>;</li>
<li>fully measured up to the full stature of Christ <i>(we do everything Jesus did)</i>.</li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
In spite of many victories, achievements, and lives given to devotion and service, even after 2,000 years, I don't think anybody can say that the Body of Christ at large has attained unity of faith, complete knowledge of Jesus, and the full measure of Christ's stature on earth. We're just not there yet.<br />
<br />
Where does that leave us? Verse 12 outlines the sorts of things the Body can do to exercise itself:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>perfecting the saints;</li>
<li>ministry;</li>
<li>building up the Body.</li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
Sounds a little redundant, but we're about to go into overtime after 2,000 years and we still haven't gotten it right, so maybe we need to look at how the Bible says it's supposed to be done. That takes us straight to verse 11.<br />
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Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors, teachers. For what purpose? Let's retrace our steps:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.embassyofgodglobal.com/uploads/9/2/9/8/9298437/4453788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://www.embassyofgodglobal.com/uploads/9/2/9/8/9298437/4453788.jpg" width="200" /></a>Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers were given in order to:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Perfect the saints;</li>
<li>Minister to the world;</li>
<li>Build up the Body;</li>
<li>Attain unity of faith;</li>
<li>Attain complete knowledge of Jesus;</li>
<li>Attain the full measure of the stature of Jesus.</li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
When we see spiritual offices at work to accomplish those things, it is then that we see the Body increase its inner workings of love, a balance where every member does their part, and Christ is actually followed rather than mentioned.<br />
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The question is not whether apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers ought to still exist, but rather what they ought to look like and whether or not the Body is in a place to utilize all five.<br />
<br />
Before we can really get into what a fully utilized five-fold ministry looks like, we'll have to look into church structure.<br />
<br />
Ecclesiology is the study of church structure, from the Greek ekklesia for "church." The ecclesiology of Christianity has undergone a number of transitions over the centuries.<br />
When the Roman Empire decided to reverse its policy of persecution toward Christians by virtue of the maxim "if you can't beat'em, join'em," there was a priesthood erected to service the imperial religion across the known world. Up to this point, there was not any position of 'priest' within Christian ecclesiology. Before the fourth century, church structure followed the advice given by Paul to his protoge, Timothy. Since the fourth century, every major ecclesial tradition has been in response to the Roman Catholic tradition.<br />
In the New Testament books 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus, known collectively as the Pastoral Epistles, Paul identifies several key positions in church structure, but not once does he refer to either apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, or teachers. Not once, save to refer to himself as an apostle, but more on that later.<br />
<br />
Paul referred to, at most, only three positions of church structure:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>the daikonos;</li>
<li>the episkopos;</li>
<li>the presbyteros.</li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
The deacon, the overseer/bishop, the elder.<br />
<br />
A "daikonos," or deacon, is literally a servant, and the position was instituted by the apostles in the book of Acts.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.<br />And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables.<br />Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.<br />But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word.<br />And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch;<br />whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them.<br />And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.<br />And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people.</i> <i><b>~Acts 6:1-8 (ASV)</b></i></blockquote>
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/Peter_Paul_Rubens_-_The_Martyrdom_of_St_Stephen_-_WGA20224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/Peter_Paul_Rubens_-_The_Martyrdom_of_St_Stephen_-_WGA20224.jpg" width="209" /></a><br />
Deacons were needed in the first church in Jerusalem because the apostles were so busy with charitable administration that they were not able to spread the Good News very effectively. Incidentally, is this not the state in which many American churches find themselves, where the Church Game has taken over and replaced the Gospel of the Kingdom? The solution was to select seven men of faith and character to administer charity to the Body so that the apostles could commit themselves to prayer and preaching.<br />
In other words, deacons were tasked with the nitty-gritty stuff.<br />
What is often not emphasized is that Stephen, a "mere deacon," was noted for being full of grace and power, and was known for working great wonders and signs among the people--not small wonders, but great ones.<br />
<br />
Although Paul advised elders to be in charge of teaching <i>(in fact, being apt to teach was one of his requirements for eldership)</i>, ministry was not restricted to them. Deacons were clearly used by God in ways other than the mundane tasks of their church positions.<br />
<br />
This means that there is an assumed distinction between somebody's spiritual calling and their church position. In other words, just because somebody has the title of "pastor" does not mean they are actually gifted or called as a pastor. "Pastor" is simply the nominal title used for a bishop/overseer/head elder in modern American Protestant traditions. Whether one says bishop, pastor, reverend, or father, the distinction is one of church structure--a physical position--rather than an office or gift--a spiritual position. The confusion between a "physical pastor" who leads an American 501(c)3 not-for-profit church organization and an actual pastor gifted with the office of spiritually mentoring believers has lead to obscurity in spiritual offices and an imbalance in how they're perceived and even administered.<br />
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Common results are some rather distressfull circumstances for Christian leaders who attempt to fit an ecclesiological mold that was not fashioned with them in mind. Here is an agreeable example: a believer who feels called to the ministry is pigeon-holed into the role of a pastor when they are spiritually gifted as an evangelist; somebody who is moved to spread the Good News is forcibly leashed to a pulpit when he is called to the frontier, whether in domestic society or abroad. This creates disparity in his ministry and in his discipleship, as he is not able to relate effective experience to others when the time comes for him to pass the torch.<br />
A more controversial example is someone who is called as a prophet or apostle, but they are part of a church tradition which does not recognize either of those gifts and ministries as valid, and therefore he commits himself to a life of pastorship in order to serve God and the church. This means that someone who is called by God to the unique position of prophecy is instead prompted to mentor young believers in spiritual living--something within his ability but not necessarily within his range of gifts. Many 'pastors' grow frustrated and burn out because they've danced to the beat of the wrong drum.<br />
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Don't get me wrong--every believer has the ability to evangelize, mentor, and hear from God. It might be buried, but it's there as part of their spiritual birthright. What I am saying is that when the ability is supernaturally enhanced, it's advanced to the level of 'gifting.'<br />
I am exercising my ability to evangelize when I give my testimony, but when the word of that testimony is enhanced by the witness of the Holy Spirit, it becomes recognized as a gift. Somebody whose life revolves around a particularly strong gifting would be a strong candidate for an office, which is to say that a prophet would be correctly defined by somebody whose ability to hear from God is supernaturally enhanced to the degree that it shapes their life differently from another believer who has a heart for the lost.<br />
That is the difference between someone who is called by God to be a pastor and someone who chooses to be a pastor because the other options are limited by ecclesiological tradition.<br />
<br />
So, not only is there a division between church positions, such as bishops/elders <i>(remember, the title of "pastor" falls into this category)</i> and deacons, and spiritual offices, such as apostles, pastors, and teachers, but there are degrees of spiritual gifts that separate a disciple with spiritual gifts from an office of ministry.<br />
<br />
Church positions and spiritual offices are on different spectrums. This means that somebody can be a pastor without having a church position of 'pastor,' while someone with the title of 'pastor' isn't necessarily called as one.<br />
<br />
This is demonstrated by Paul introducing himself by a spiritual office and not a physical position--an apostle has a spiritual realm of authority, whereas an elder/overseer/bishop has a specific physical authority. Paul had authority in churches that he founded, but whenever he attempted to minister in Jerusalem, he was stymied--he was veering away from his realm of spiritual authority by meddling in a physical region outside of his spiritual calling to Gentiles.<br />
<br />
Furthermore, the concept of a laity <i>(church members who just sit there)</i> is useful only for head-counters and cattle-herders. When Paul refers to a 'congregation,' there is absolutely nothing to suggest that he is not assuming that the local body is not comprised of full-fledged and fully devoted disciples. That is to say, regardless of one's position in a church body, a believer ought to be pursuing their personal calling in Christ and living out their spiritual destiny. Remember, Stephen was chosen as a deacon because of the grace and power on his life; grace and power did not come as a result of his position.<br />
If one's spiritual destiny is not being revealed, developed, or in any way activated, then there is an imbalance that can only be corrected by a five-fold calibration.<br />
<br />
This means that regardless of how a church is structured in terms of leadership <i>(deacon boards, elder boards, leadership committees, etc., etc.)</i>, the actual spiritual growth of the Body depends on the balance of the five-fold ministry. A church which over-emphasizes evangelism to the detriment of discipleship is going to marginalize the potential pastors in their midst; a church which over-emphasizes teaching to the detriment of prophetic living is going to alienate potential prophets <i>(and possibly lose them to Occult influences)</i>.<br />
Calibrating the five-fold within a church body is the first step toward spiritual health; otherwise, a church will face a spiritual disability in one way or another.<br />
<br />
If this concept is rediscovered among the American Church, then there will be a spiritual revolution among the Body from top to bottom and from the inside out. While it's an unfortunate development that American church leaders are universally referred to as 'pastors' rather than emphasizing their place in the Body, the time is coming when titles, ranks, and positions will become meaningless as the entire church structure is shaken. Many people will be alarmed, as people tend to be whenever the status quo is shattered. The building might come down, but it will be time for the Body to rise.<br />
The time is coming when 'church as usual' will change. If the believer understands that spiritual offices supercede church positions, then there will be nothing to fear: just as there is still a congregation even if there is not a building, there are still apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers whether or not there are elders and deacons in position to administrate their communities and gatherings.<br />
Since there will always be the five-fold ministry until we reach the full stature of Christ, then that means no amount of neglect or denial will make it truly disappear. This means that even if those called to a prophetic life get sucked away into the Occult, or one called to evangelism insteads gets taken in the ambition of Corporate America, these gifts and offices still exist. It depends upon the church to identify and mentor those whom God has called and raised up.<br />
<br />
Some are apostolic. Some are prophetic. Some are evangelistic. Some are mentoring. Some are instructive. To deny any of these in the Church is to deny one's own senses. The Kingdom will advance regardless of the Church's five-fold balance or lack thereof. What the difference will be is whether or not the Body limps along in neglect or wholesale denials of its members, or run with perseverance the race that is set before Her.<br />
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<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.<br />Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.<br />Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." <b>~Ephesians 4:11-16 NLT</b></i></blockquote>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-86879033681849313102012-08-30T09:30:00.000-06:002013-01-03T20:45:19.705-07:00The 23rd Psalm: Restoration and Salvation<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HDf7CErxd2c/UDlWAfK6PHI/AAAAAAAABYo/tlw6b7jYQxc/s1600/Psalm23.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HDf7CErxd2c/UDlWAfK6PHI/AAAAAAAABYo/tlw6b7jYQxc/s200/Psalm23.png" width="200" /></a></div>
In verse one of Psalms 23, we saw that David had made an astonishing statement: The Creator of all, YHVH, not only provided for him personally; but acting as a Shepherd, did so on an intimate level. In verse two, he made another massive statement by detailing the level of care the Shepherd went to on his behalf. Now, we are moving on to verse three, and yet another revelation. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%2023:3&version=KJV" target="_blank">(KVJ here)</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
he restores my inner person. He guides me in right paths for the sake of his own name. (CJB)</blockquote>
<br />
The KJV says <i>"he restoreth my soul."</i> Most Onlyists point to translations such as this as evidence of foul play in the translation department. However, David knew full well exactly what the soul was: The inner person. Some people refer to the soul as the "inner man." More properly, the soul is comprised of three main areas. These are the mind, the will and the emotions. It is this same understanding of "soul" that is also referred to as "the heart" in verses such as Matthew 12:34, when Christ stated that from <i>"the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks."</i><br />
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So what is David actually saying here? He is stating that YHVH brings his entire soul, his inner person, back into proper alignment with His word and will. Adonai refreshes his mind, and refocuses him on the things of righteousness. The Lord adjusts his will, bringing him back into line with His own. Finally, YHVH takes his emotions and brings calm to them. This is the refreshment of the soul.<br />
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Another thing David states is that he is led along the right paths. What's the difference between the right and wrong paths? In shepherding, if one were to lead the sheep down a path of brambles, thorns, and so forth, not only does one risk losing precious wool by having to cut out the offending brambles, but one also risks the sheeps discomfort as well. If the path is rocky and loose, one risks also their less than certain footing in such conditions.<br />
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Let's move on.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
He will turn back my soul: he will guide me into the tracks of justice for sake of his name. (JULIA)</blockquote>
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Once again, Mrs. Smith uses the future tense, showing the care of the Lord pressing forward beyond just the present. The phrasing here is also interesting, as "turning back" refers to returning to a point prior to diversion from an appointed path. This is the same thing that "refreshing" or "restoring" does for David, as it returns him to where he needs to be. <i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(It should be noted that the original Hebrew does not actually have tense, so any argument over tense sensitive translation is without merit.)</span></b></i><br />
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Some may wish to call into question the translation of justice in this verse. The original Hebrew, however, is able to go either way. In this case, the Julia version brings about another interesting aspect of this verse. While most translations prefer the term "righteousness," (meaning a state of right living and purity of heart), justice refers to another aspect, one far more familiar to the shepherd: The seeking of an offending lamb.<br />
A lamb which spurns the rest of the flock and heads off on its own is often in for a very rude wake-up call. Alone and on its own, it soon winds up in danger of all different variaties, from brambles and thorns to ledges, rivers and predators. The shepherd keeps count of his sheep, and when one goes missing, leaves the flock in the care of the under shepherds in a safe a protected place, and goes in search of the lost.<br />
This is comparable to the tale of the Good Shepherd told us by Yeshua. However, simply finding that lost lamb is not the end of the ordeal, for the lamb must learn not to wander again. <br />
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<a href="http://94.100.123.76/1491850001-1491900000/1491860101-1491860200/1491860180_5_0ceB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://94.100.123.76/1491850001-1491900000/1491860101-1491860200/1491860180_5_0ceB.jpeg" width="200" /></a>In David's time, this was accomplished most often by breaking one of the lamb's legs. In this modern era of SPCA and PETA, such an action seems cruel- However, it would be far more cruel to allow the lamb to run off again. Each time, the odds of finding the lamb alive dwindle; the more the lamb runs off, the more headstrong it becomes and the further it wanders. With each extra length of wandering, the dangers to its life increase. Breaking its leg is not solely for punishment, but to draw it closer to the shepherd.<br />
Once the leg is broken, the shepherd carries the lamb everywhere. He tends to the leg and makes certain it heals properly. He feeds the lamb from his own hands, since the lamb cannot stand to graze. He snuggles the lamb when it sleeps, so that it maintains the sense of physical contact it needs. He speaks to it and sings to it, so that it grows used to his voice. When all is said and done, and the lamb can once more walk on its own, it will never again run off, so dependant has it grown on the shepherd. It will graze with the flock, of course, and sleep with them; but when moving from field to field, that lamb will be at his side always.<br />
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<b>Justice does not simply mean punishment for a wrong deed; it requires corrective action so the deed is not repeated, or it is not justice.</b> Thus, the use of justice here shows us a great deal about our common Shepherd.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. (NLT)</blockquote>
Note the first part of the NLT's translation. This is yet another aspect of the restoration of the soul. Of course physical nourishment renews physical strength, but the provision of this has already been addressed. Now, David references the renewing of his inner strength.<br />
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On long walks from one distant field to another, the flock of sheep can grow weary; one might even use the word dejected. Sheep do not like to move for extended periods of time. They are meanderers, happy and content to drift slowly with one another across a field. Long marches, however, can slowly cause them to be depressed, in a manner of speaking.<br />
For this reason, when on long walks, the shepherd will talk and sing to his flock. The speaking and singing lifts the spirits of the flock, and keeps them strengthened. David is telling us here that not only does Adonai strengthen him physically by providing sustanence, but that He strengthens him spiritually through encouragement- The same way David himself encouraged his own flock. David was not a shepherd aspiring to be a musician, carrying around a harp to play in his downtime. He had the harp to provide music to his flock, and in the process, worship YHVH.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him--not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake. (AMP)</blockquote>
The Amplified sums it all up very well.<br />
Adonai refreshes and restores David's strength and his soul- Indeed, He safeguards David's life as a whole. Adonai leads him, and us, in the paths of righteousness- Right standing and uprightness, of which justice is a part. However, in all of these verses, we've seen the same basic phrase ending this verse:<i> "To bring honor/glory (for the sake of) His name."</i> Why?<br />
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I said in the last section that it has been a long held belief of mine that David had a revelation of the redemptive work of Christ long before it happened. I believe firmly that David knew of this gift of salvation; knew of the Gospel; long before it was actually presented. This section here gives further evidence of that.<br />
The most major of God's gifts to us, which we cannot hope to earn or be worthy of, is salvation. This is not to say that we are trash- YHVH finds us valuable enough to have died for us! Nevertheless, we cannot attain salvation through any other means aside from Yeshua and an appeal to His sacrifice. That is what the Amplified is saying here: We cannot earn this right standing, but He gives it to us anyhow- For His name's sake. For the honor and glory to His name.<br />
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<b>I used to read this and wonder why I could not be prideful, but God seemed to demand people brown-nose Him.</b> I wasn't being heretical; I was honestly inquisitive. That question has remained with me for some time, even since finding the answer, because I believe that there are other people out there who wonder the same thing. Here's the answer:<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you were a doctor who had come up with a cure for cancer, but the general attitude of the world was set against you, how would you get the word out?</span> The solution is simple, yet most businesses will report to you that <u><b>word of mouth</b></u> accounts for the majority of their clientele.<br />
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Likewise, YHVH is able to remove the most insideous and lethal disease of them all, one which modern science has not yet been able to even track- But the general attitude of the world is dead set against Him. So rather than advertise, <i>(a neon sign, no more war, showing up and punching the atheist, take your pick)</i>, He chooses word of mouth.<br />
We are given salvation and redemption, restoration and refreshment, not because we have earned it or deserved it but because we will then tell everyone about how good the Shepherd is. We praise and extoll and lift up His name above all other names; and as a result, more come to Him for the operation they need and the gift they truly desire, and the cycle begins again.<br />
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Next time, we'll look at verse four, and the immortal "yea, though I walk" portion. Until then, may YHVH continue to strengthen, restore and refresh you as you spread the word of His goodness, mercy and the gift that He offers to all.<br />
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God bless!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-28228945877715325872012-08-28T09:30:00.000-06:002012-08-28T09:30:00.389-06:00The 23rd Psalm: Rest and Provision<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last time, we looked as Psalms 23:1 and saw how this verse by itself was an earth shattering statement. From the name God is given in this verse, <i>(Adonai)</i>, to the statement that David wanted for nothing because of the Lord's provision, the verse is full of meaning that many far too often miss. The simple assertion that YHVH is a Shepherd, an ever present guide, protector and provider, challenges the thought that God is unapproachable.<br />
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Now we will examine verse two. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%2023:2&version=KJV" target="_blank">(KJV)</a><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
He has me lie down in grassy pastures, he leads me by quiet water (CJB)</blockquote>
Remember that at the time he was writing this, David was a shepherd. He knew the importance of two things above all when it came to sheep: Pasture and water. <br />
Grassy pastures are more than food for sheep; they are the places for repose and relaxation. Sheep at peace are happy sheep, and happy sheep are healthy. Moreover, the word picture of grassy pastures, or green pastures as it says in the KJV, speaks to the abundance of provision.<br />
However, the softness and greenness of the grass was not all there was to settling the flock down to graze and relax. If there was no water nearby, the flock would grow thirsty after a short time of grazing in the sun and be too weak to then move onward to drink. If the water was too loud, it would spook the flock and there would be a risk of injury and/or loss of life as chaos ensued.<br />
Thus, when David says that Adonai leads him by quiet waters, and makes him lie down in grassy pastures, he is making another major statement. He is saying that not only does God lead him, but knows him so intimately that He knows where he'll be best kept. Moreover, Adonai cares for him so deeply that He finds him a place where there is not only soft, green and abundant grass, but still water to soothe and water him.<br />
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Let's move on to another translation for another look at this verse.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. (AMP)</blockquote>
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Not only does God care for and provide for David, He provides only the best. He doesn't just provide food for David's nourishment, but the very best; exactly what David needs to live a full and complete life. God doesn't just care enough to give him food and water, but is intimately concerned with his rest as well. <br />
Sheep cannot sleep next to water that makes noise. Gentle babbling is one thing; gurgling, dropping and rushing water, however, keeps them awake, paranoid and frantic. Sheep only spend an average of 3.5 hours sleeping every day, so it is vital that they have the very best conditions for sleep possible. Because their hearing is one of their sharpest senses, loud water's constantly alternating patterns confuse them, adding to their unease and preventing sleep.<br />
That said, one cannot have sheep rest beside stagnant water, either. Not only does this invite sickness in the flock if they were to drink it, but it brings yet another problem only a shepherd would know of: It offends the nose of the sheep. Sheep have great sight, but poor depth perception, meaning they depend upon their hearing and their sense of smell to warn them of danger. When a sheep's hearing or olfactory system is overwhelmed, it places undue stress upon them because they can no longer hear or smell clearly.<br />
What this means, then, is that David is seen to with the utmost care and attention to detail.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. (NLT)</blockquote>
The NLT's reading is important for an almost imperceptable reason: "He<i> lets</i> me rest." The KJV and other translations can often be misunderstood to mean that God forces David to rest. While it is sometimes the case in our own lives, and undoubtedly in David's as well, that God will introduce circumstances that cause us to rest, God does not force us to do anything. <br />
This translation introduces a vital understanding to the attentive reader: Adonai, like any good shepherd, allows His sheep to rest. While there are times when He will cause them to rest for their own sakes, and likewise keep them awake for the same reasons, He allows them to rest on their own schedule when in a place of safety.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
He will cause me to lie down in pastures of tender grass: he will lead me to the water of rest (JULIA)</blockquote>
Mrs. Smith's translation is unique for several reasons, least of all that hers was an already accepted version among many churches in the late 1800's. Additionally, she was a Greek and Hebrew scholar well regarded in her time. In her own words she wrote out her translation <i>"...endeavoring to put the same English word for the same Hebrew or Greek word, everywhere, while King James's translators have wholly differed from this rule..."</i> Thus, we have this beautiful passage reflected slightly differently, thereby giving us yet another glimpse of the Shepherd.<br />
While other versions use past tense or present tense on this verse, Julia used future tense. This is consistant with our God and the relationship we all have with Him. Prior to coming to Him, we do not necessarily experience plenty, nor do we experience rest or peace. Upon returning to Him, however, we are- And it continues on throughout our future with Him.<br />
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As we conclude this section, allow me to point to the fact that Yeshua called Himself the Good Shepherd. In Psalm 22, we see Ha'Meshiach on the cross meeting the demands of YHVH's law. Here, we see Him providing for the daily needs of His flock- The Church. It has long been my firm belief that David had a revelation of the redemption and salvation that was to be offered to all peoples over two thousand years later. His intimate references to YHVH and their relationship evidences this.<br />
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There is one final note which should be made on this passage in regards to shepherding: Sheep ill at ease cannot nurse their young. Thus, not only is God concerned with the current generation of His flock by leading them to quiet water and the best pastures, but also the needs of the next generation. By providing the best for the adults, the young also recieve the very best care.<br />
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Next, we will look at verse three. I look forward to that time, but until then, I pray that you will find the rest and provision that Yeshua has for you. God bless.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-28239198381891043482012-08-26T08:30:00.000-06:002012-08-26T08:30:00.371-06:00The 23rd Psalm: Adonai Our Shepherd<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I stated in the introduction to this study, Psalms 23 is a psalm not for the dead, but for those of us that still live. Death itself is never actually mentioned in this Psalm, and the word is used only once. Yet, for whatever reason, we equate death, dying and funerals with this beautiful illustration of God's provision and guidance throughout our lives.<br />
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Without any further ado, let us begin with the first verse. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%2023:1&version=KJV" target="_blank">(KJV here)</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A psalm of David: ADONAI is my shepherd; I lack nothing. (CJB)</blockquote>
I love this version for the simple fact that they used in text the Jewish manner of vocal reading. The original text uses YHVH, (what we usually write as YHWH), but the Jews do not pronounce YHVH aloud; instead, they vocalize Adonai, or in some cases, Adon.<br />
Adon, singular, means "Lord," whereas Adonai, plural, literally means "Lords." When used with singular modifiers, it is meant to accent the preeminence of God. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Names_of_G-d/Adonai/adonai.html" target="_blank">(1)</a></span> Thus, in this case, David is writing that the all powerful, ever present God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is his Shepherd. <br />
This is an astounding claim to this day, because even then as today, many believe God to be an impersonal and distant deity. David is saying that this is not the case at all; in fact, just as the shepherd is with his flock at all times, so too is God with him at all times. Far from being distant and aloof, Adonai is personally concerned with the wellbeing of every one of His sheep.<br />
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Let's look at how the Amplified words verse one:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. (AMP)</blockquote>
The Amplified here takes the very job of the shepherd and inserts it in brackets to further amplify what the Lord is doing for David- And indeed, all of us. He feeds us; He guides us; and He shields and defends us. Again, this does not line up with the concept of God being distant, impersonal and unapproachable. To the contrary, this says exactly the opposite.<br />
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Let's move on to the second half of verse one. The New Living translation reads:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. (NLT)</blockquote>
The New Jerusalem Bible phrases this last section as "I lack nothing." The Message says "I don't need a thing." The Easy-To-Read Version states "I will always have everything I need." The God's Word Version announces "I am never in need." Brenton's English Septuigent terms it "I shall want nothing." Finally, the Apostolic Bible Polyglot trumpets "not one thing lacks for me."<br />
Regardless which version you prefer, the meaning is clear- God's provision for His own is complete.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>A quick aside to those who turn up their noses at these other versions and the way they word the verse: The original Hebrew reads closer to some of these than it does the King James. The word here is châsêr, pronounced khaw-sare', and literally means "lack." "Want" and its synonyms are implied, but are not the literal translation for this Hebrew word. What's more, the Bishops Bible of 1568, (which is one of those listed as source material for the creation of the King James), reads <i>"therefore I can lacke nothyng."</i> (sic)</b></span></div>
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In conclusion for this section, I want to quote Dr. J. Vernon McGee, who said of this verse:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"The emphasis is upon the fact that there is nothing between the man's soul and God. ...notice that David does not say, I have not wanted, but 'I shall not want.' ...[this] looks into the future and gives assurance to the child of God. The security of the believer rests upon the Shepherd."</i></blockquote>
The Creator of heaven and earth is not afar off; He stands with us, providing for us completely and totally. No other shepherd could do the job which Adonai does for us. Only YHVH is capable of such absolute provision.<br />
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This, the twenty-third Psalm, opens with an absolute assertion: That the all powerful and omnipresent God that created all we see and do not see takes a close and personal interest in us, our lives and the quality of the same.<br />
Next time, we examine verse two. Until then, may Adonai continue to be <b>YOUR</b> Shepherd!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-7010474692958987262012-08-24T09:30:00.000-06:002012-08-28T17:56:38.646-06:00The 23rd Psalm: A Psalm For The Living<br />
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How many funerals have we been to where they read Psalm 23 with all the joy of a caught fish? Ever notice it's the favorite scripture for movie funerals? It also seems to have made its way into "condolence" greeting cards; stories of losing loved ones; songs about the deaths of others- Even rap songs have been crafted around it as being the Psalm of choice for those within the violence of the street.<br />
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Why all the focus on death for this Psalm- Has anyone ever actually <u>read</u> it?!<br />
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I'm sure the majority of us have either read or heard Psalms 23 from the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%2023&version=KJV" target="_blank">King James</a>, but here's a different look at it from the Complete Jewish Bible:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A psalm of David: ADONAI is my shepherd; I lack nothing.<br />
He has me lie down in grassy pastures, he leads me by quiet water, he restores my inner person. He guides me in right paths for the sake of his own name.<br />
Even if I pass through death-dark ravines, I will fear no disaster; for you are with me; your rod and staff reassure me.<br />
You prepare a table for me, even as my enemies watch; you anoint my head with oil from an overflowing cup.<br />
Goodness and grace will pursue me every day of my life; and I will live in the house of ADONAI for years and years to come.</blockquote>
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I bring this up because I believe the time has come for Christians to have a fundamental shift of mindset when it comes to certain Scripture. We do not serve Kali, Mara, Mors, Thanatos, Micthantecuhtli, or Ereshkigal. YHWH is life, not death. Yeshua took death upon Himself, not because He needed to prove anything about His power over death, but to remove any claim death had to those of us who choose to return to our origin- To Him.<br />
With this in mind, I want to examine this misconceived Psalm of David and show just why this is not a Funeral Psalm, but a Life Psalm.<br />
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For this study, we will be using the Complete Jewish Bible, the Amplified Bible, the New Living Translation, the Julia E Smith Translation, and I will link to the KJV for those who desire it. I will also reference other versions when their wording can be used for clarity and emphasis, but these others will not be directly quoted from. <br />
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Get ready, my friends. This will be an eye-opening event.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>NOTE: Second installment is finished and POSTED- <a href="http://warrior-soul-ministries.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-23rd-psalm-adonai-our-shepherd.html" target="_blank">Click here.</a> Third installment is finished and POSTED- <a href="http://warrior-soul-ministries.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-23rd-psalm-rest-and-provision.html" target="_blank">Click here.</a> Fourth installment is finished and scheduled to post August 30.</i></b></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-2078538972502141412012-08-20T09:00:00.000-06:002012-08-20T09:00:00.311-06:00Denominations: Not Divisions, But Organs In The Body Of Christ<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Recently, I received a private email from someone in Greece who stated that they were concerned that we here at WarriorSoul are espousing a rather dim view of Christianity and the denominations within it. This person's concern was that we seem to stand against various denominational churches within Christianity. In other words, we seemed to this individual to be setting ourselves against the Body of Christ.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This, however, is not the case. Speaking with the other founders of this ministry, and praying about the concern as well, we have decided to reprint the following article. We here at WarriorSoul Ministries do not have a problem with denominations in general; as with most things of this nature, problems stem from certain people within the denominations. </span></i><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KNW5E_u0jMU/UDG4dY91ImI/AAAAAAAABXk/jfLhbiaiCcQ/s1600/denominations-610x3201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KNW5E_u0jMU/UDG4dY91ImI/AAAAAAAABXk/jfLhbiaiCcQ/s320/denominations-610x3201.jpg" width="320" /></a><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">For instance, we have no problem with the doctrines of the Southern Baptist denomination, because their statement of faith remains the same as our own- They believe in One God who exists in Trinity as the Father, The Son and the Holy Ghost. They believe Christ was born of a virgin as prophesied, died once, rose and ascended to the sky. They believe He will return again. Are there doctrinal differences? Yes, of course there are; these are not enough for us to disavow the denomination.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The problem lies with the people within each and every denomination. Any time someone states that the only true Word of God is the King James Version and that all other versions are from the devil; any time someone states that the Pastor's word is above question; any time someone states that women <b>MUST</b> wear this and not this, or that men <b>MUST</b> have hair of this length and not this- These are human issues, man-made laws that are not God's own, and these are what we take issue with.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Without further ado, here is the entry on denominations with the Body of Christ. <b>~Andrew, on behalf of WSM</b></span></i><br />
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God is far too complex for us to be able to comprehend a full revelation of who He is. Thus, he has allowed different aspects of Him to be seen by different people. Also, as humans, we are so varied that what helps me get into the throne room of God may not work for the person next to me.<br />
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I may enjoy lifting my hands and shouting praises to the rafters, whereas they may be much more focused on God if they are holding a hymnal and singing in a reverent tone. The other gentleman next to me might be the sort of willing vessel to jump and whirl when the Spirit comes upon him, while the woman next to him, because of her past, would not feel safe in anything but a carefully ordered service.<br />
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Thus, we have denominations, which are really only single words or phrases that sum up that church's approach to worship, Bible study, and prayer. Some of these are spawned due to rebellion, but some are very much acting upon a true revelation of God.<br />
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Very often, even those that originally began in rebellion have been blessed once that sin has been confessed.... Martin Luther rebelled against the "church" of his time because of a revelation of God and the meaning of His word.<br />
Was the rebellion necessary? Only he and God know for certain, but the fact remains that it is because of him that many of us now know how to truly read and understand the Word of God.<br />
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As people come to know Christ, depending upon their prior lifestyle, God moves them into flocks that will minister best to their individual needs.<br />
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Someone who was an atheist for example, may not be able to get into the "Holy Spirit thing" right away, and thus God places him in a body that focuses more on the Word.<br />
As he grows spiritually and develops, perhaps God will lead him into a new body, an new denomination even. Then again, perhaps not. His calling may keep him in that place, meant to instruct those who follow after him.<br />
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Or perhaps a former witch comes to knowledge of the Lord because of the Spirit she can feel around the Witness. She would, perhaps, be led to a Spirit manifesting church... One in which the Spirit that drew her can continue to love on her.<br />
As she matures, perhaps she'll be led to another church or denomination, one that focuses more on the Word and it's study. Perhaps not. It may be her calling to become so filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, that she can simply enter a room and clear it, thus being able to witness to those in it unimpeded.<br />
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Either way, simply because someone hops, runs, walks, crawls or shuffles down the Straight and Narrow, the major thing that matters is that they are moving forward along it. If they are not moving, or not moving forward at all, then yes, there is a problem there.<br />
If they have stalled, then there's a chance God is doing some major repair work. If they are falling, get out of the way, and take as many true believers with you as possible.<br />
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Some may feel that last part was too heavy handed, but let me be clear. When a church body is pronounced dead and lifeless by God Himself, it is time to leave. Period. Anyone staying will indeed be brought down with the ship- they either are too blinded, or they've got something to lose.<br />
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I've found this test to be true- The Word says to test the spirit with Spirit. Thus, ask the Lord to reveal if this particular church body is within His will. Because when it comes down to it, it's really not the entire denomination that's wacky, it's the individual bodies.<br />
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This was all brought about by a verse in the Bible, actually, in Acts...<br />
I believe it was Gamaleil who stated that if this thing is not of the Lord, it will fail, but if it IS of the Lord, then we are powerless to stop it.<br />
And there have been denominations who have fizzled into nothingness. And there are churches that have done the same.<br />
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So after reading that, I got this vision of the human body, and how all the organs are supplied blood, and they all work together. If one organ stops allowing the blood to leave it, it ceases to function correctly, causing the Body to weaken. This also will eventually cause the blood to stop flowing to it, which will cause a hemorrhage if left untreated.<br />
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So too the Body of Christ has many different parts that do many different things, but we all operate within the Body of Christ, and thus, MUST work together.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Originally appearing on <a href="http://renegades-rants.blogspot.com/2007/12/denominations-not-divisions-but-organs.html" target="_blank">Renegade's Rants</a>, December 13, 2007</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-84153137782936673382012-08-13T09:00:00.000-06:002012-08-13T09:00:09.092-06:00Jihad Within<br />
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<b>I find</b> that one can read to the heart's content on subjects such as investigation, politics, law, medicine, and so on, but it is never anywhere near as fulfilling as speaking with an experienced person within that particular field. Likewise, one can read all there is to know about Mormonism, Witchcraft, Atheism and Islam- But it does not beat the understanding one can develop after speaking about it with someone who actually practices. It is, of course, vital to remain distanced to some degree, as well as to be well versed in one's own faith and prayed up; but if one is led to do so, a conversation on other beliefs with one who holds those beliefs is invaluable.<br />
For instance: I have regular discussions with an older gent whom I'll call Ali. This man is an Imam that lives here in the States in virtual exile. Our discussions range from the day-to-day conversation of two friends, <i>("We can't get this rain to go away!" "Send it our way, all we've had is sun!")</i>, to more focused political or theological discussion. Some of our most interesting conversations have been about the finer points of Islamic theology, and perhaps most interestingly, the subject of Jihad.<br />
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<b>In the event</b> that some of our readers do not know much about Islam, allow me to backtrack and state that there are several pillars of the faith, and by pillars I am also referencing their "articles of faith." There is the <i>Shahada</i>, or proclamation of faith- "There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger." There are the prayers, for which every true Muslim must kneel on their prayer mats facing Mecca, repeating them a prescribed number of times. There is the <i>Hajj</i>, which is a journey to Mecca that must be taken at least once in the life of a true believer. There is the observance of holy days, such as Ramadan, during which a devotee may eat nothing during the daylight hours. Finally, there is the Jihad. <i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(<b>NOTE: </b>I've only touched on some of the pillars of Islam; depending upon the sect, there can be many more.)</span></i><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tpo7BfKpLT4/SQKDIk3ClYI/AAAAAAAAADc/NmXDrD-9Wmg/S240/jihad_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tpo7BfKpLT4/SQKDIk3ClYI/AAAAAAAAADc/NmXDrD-9Wmg/S240/jihad_1.jpg" width="176" /></a><b>Jihad</b>, according to Ali, can take three distinct meanings. The first and most widely publicized is the holy war against Infidels- Anyone who is not a follower of their prophet. <i>(Some Muslim scholars now say that this form of jihad can take on the form of either words or weapons.)</i> The second, and less well known, is a holy cleansing war, in which those Muslims who are not unwaveringly devout are slain. <i>(Many Muslim scholars deny this, yet the teaching is found within the highest religious teachings reserved for prospective Imams.)</i> Third and lastly, the least reported is that of the internal jihad; the war all devout Muslims must wage against the sinfulness within. Ali is now a political refugee for suggesting that this last type of jihad is all that is truly left to the Muslim.<br />
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<b>While discussing this point</b>, Ali said something that was very interesting in the "double take at the train wreck" kind of way. He said:<br />
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><i>"This is not so different from Christianity, you know."</i></blockquote>
The religious side of me immediately started shouting "Oh, he did NOT just say that!" The analytical side of me was attempting to calmly say "Now wait- Let's hear him out." In the chaos, my mouth got confused, and working completely independent of my brain, pulled off my best Porky Pig impression ever:<br />
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><i>"Uh, b-dee, b-dee, b-dee, uh, uh... How so?"</i></blockquote>
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<b>He began</b> to quote verses from the New Testament rapid fire, like some sort of spiritual AK. "Take up your cross and follow Me"; "if any man wishes to be My disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me"; "we are dead to sin and alive in Christ"; "for this reason, I crucify my flesh," and so on. When all was said and done, I was left with two thoughts above all else.<br />
<b>The first thing</b> that hit me was that this man knew the Bible better than I did, and that brought some major conviction. There are people in other parts of the world that memorize every scripture from cover to cover so that it can then be passed on to the next eager believer. I've got four or five Bibles within reach at any given time, and I can barely quote five or six verses with their references.<br />
<b>The second thing</b> was that Ali; Islamic Imam, trained and brought up in the Qur'an and the complete Hadith collection at Mecca itself; was absolutely right. How I'd missed it before, I do not know, but there it is. Jihad means "holy war," and we do fight against our flesh daily. The difference is that we as Christians rely upon the strength of the Holy Spirit to be successful; Muslims must attempt this in their own human strength. No wonder so many prefer to focus upon the jihad against infidels- Dying in holy battle absolves all of their sins, as opposed to having to fight their own sin nature.<br />
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<b>So</b>, dear reader, there is a major open door for ministry to the Muslim world- The simularity between Islamic and Christian jihad against the human sin nature, and the differences therein. Until that opportunity arises, though, let us continue our daily jihad against our own flesh.<br />
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<b>God truly is great!</b><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-37717826159701381482012-08-10T09:00:00.000-06:002012-08-10T09:00:07.161-06:00Model Family, Model Bride<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(<b>Author's Note:</b> This is the devotional I brought forward at this month's men's breakfast. Though it is written specifically towards men, I believe that women will find it of interest as well. God bless you all!)</i></span><br />
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<i>Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying], many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all. <b>~Proverbs 31:28-29 (AMP)</b></i></blockquote>
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Most people know this as the "Virtuous Woman" passage. It also offers instruction to husbands, children and encouragement to the Bride of Christ. We'll look at this here today.<br />
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Note first that the children bless her. We all have mothers, and if they still live, we need to bless them; whether we feel they deserve it or not. "Her children rise up" - They take an active role in doing this. They do not just sit on the sidelines and ask for blessings to fall upon her; rather, they speak those blessings forth into existence.<br />
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Now, look at what her husband says to her. He is expressing his satisfaction in her; his joy with her; and his fidelity to her. How many times have we heard the women in our lives speak about feeling as though they don't measure up to other women? The virtuous husband builds his wife up by assuring her that the only reason she does not is because she stands head and shoulders above them all. He is telling her that his eyes see only her, and she is a precious treasure.<br />
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<b>Ecclesiastes 9:9</b> -<i> </i><br />
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<i>"Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has given you under the sun. The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil." </i><i><b>(NLT)</b></i> </blockquote>
This passage tells husbands to live in joy with his wife all of his days. This passage gives us an example of this in action. <b>Song of Solomon 8:7</b> -<br />
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<i>"Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man would offer all the goods of his house for love, he would be utterly scorned and despised." <b>(AMP)</b></i> </blockquote>
Read that carefully, for it tells us that nothing in this world can buy the love a husband and wife share- It should be treasured, not despised or taken for granted.<br />
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These two verses in Proverbs also speak to the joy of the family as a whole. When we are operating in full alignment with the Word of God, there is joy and assurance within the family that no one can take away. Indeed, we see this in <b>Micah 4:4</b> -<br />
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<i>"Instead, each person will sit under his vine and fig tree, with no one to upset him, for the mouth of Adonai-Tzva’ot has spoken." <b>(CJB)</b></i></blockquote>
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This passage also gives encouragement to the Church, for as Matthew Henry said, "God by His grace has formed from sinful men a church of true believers, to possess all the excellence here described" in Proverbs 31:10-31. Verses 28 and 29, then, show us a picture of what we are to strive for in our daily walk. A makes the point that we ought to live in such a way that we are held by those who know us best in high esteem; that those who see us at our lowest and our worst can nonetheless speak only blessings upon us, so well we serve the example of Christ.<br />
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Moreover, when we as Christians are living in the will of God; surrendered to His Word and doing nothing except by His strength; we serve as an example for the next generation. They look back on us, as we look back on others, and bless us, as we bless those before us for their excellent example, instruction and encouragement.<br />
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Finally, Christ, our Bridegroom, praises us in the same manner when we live according to His Word. He encourages us and builds us up- Reminding us of our future joy, and telling us not to compare ourselves with others. His love is for us, and we surpass all others in His eyes.<br />
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So, in conclusion my friends- Be men of God. Let us bless our mothers; build up our wives; provide the right example for the next generation; and be the Church that Yehshua earnestly awaits to rapture and bring away to Himself. In His grace and mercy, we do not have to be perfect; in His strength, though, we can do all things.<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-56238159947955471872012-08-08T18:03:00.000-06:002012-08-08T18:03:53.454-06:00The Things of the Unseen<br />
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As Christians, we are told over and over that we are to be aware of the very real nature of the spirit realm. I use the term generally in order to reference all things that are hidden to the eyes of man, but which are nevertheless very real. Angels, demons, and all other created creatures which are not seen with the natural eye are still as real as you and I, and should thus be granted the same amount of respect as that which is given the things of this physical realm... At the very least.<br />
Ironically, the majority of the secular world also believes, to some degree, in the existence of the supernatural. The most popular thriller and horror movies incorporate aspects of the unexplained, and shows such as Ghost Whisperer, Medium, and Ghost Hunters enjoy large followings even now. I say this is ironic because, as one Christian rap artist observed:<br />
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<i>"They scoof at the Bible and the things that it tells- They'll believe in stars and astrology but not in Heaven or Hell?!"</i></blockquote>
What is, perhaps, most ironic is that within the Christian community there remains a strong disavowal pf anything supernatural that isn't easily relegated to one side or the other. Concepts such as ghosts, invisible creatures, or crying/bleeding statues are looked upon as imagination, or most popularly, things straight from the devil. With the way mainstream Christianity reacts to these paranormal activities, it's no wonder we are portrayed as crackpots and worse in modern entertainment. <i>(The Waterboy's mother comes readily to mind with her oft repeated phrase "it's the <b>DEVIL!</b>")</i><br />
So, what I'd like to do today is an exercise in broadening the mind. We'll examine several kinds of phenomena, and look to the Bible for commentary.<br />
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Let's start with crying or bleeding statues. This is very often associated with Catholicism, and usually involves a statue of the virgin Mary or some other saint bleeding or crying. Most often, healings or some other sort of miracle occurs from physical contact with the liquid, and this is usually followed by a surge in faith. It is important to note also that the majority of these events take place in areas where signs and wonders move people more than words.<br />
Now, when addressing this topic, I am often referred to the writings of Jack Chick, whose take on this sort of happening is always that it is of demonic origin. Friends, whatever you do, don't base your theology on ChickTraks. He firmly believes the Catholic church to be Satanic, and rejects the fact that Protestantism sprang from Catholicism; instead, he espouses the exact opposite which is completely contrary to historical fact. Anyone that rejects truth and substitutes their own should, at the very least, be viewed critically.<br />
This to the side, the Bible is full of accounts regarding inanimate objects being used to give signs and wonders to those people who placed less stock in mere words. The stone giving water twice; the burning bush that wasn't consumed; the idol of Dagon falling before the Ark of the Covenant; these are just a few examples of such cases. Even Christ warned that the rocks would cry out praise if the people did not. A crying statue in comparison? Why not!<br />
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Ever heard people talk of seeing dragons, or any other sort of creature that no one else has seen? How often they are ridiculed! These are creations that are mythical or invisible; things no human eye can see and no one has ever recorded scientifically- Of course jeering and derision is the default response to such claims!<br />
<a href="http://www.dinofish.com/cimages/Indoc2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.dinofish.com/cimages/Indoc2.JPG" width="200" /></a>Yet in Ezekiel, the prophet writes about creatures that are otherwise invisible. In Revelation, John observes a pestalence- a kind of locust/scorpion hybrid that no human has ever seen. Pterodactyls are supposedly extinct, yet sightings are reported every year around the world. Moreover, anyone who claimed to have seen a Coelacanth was thought crazy... Until, that is, a fisherman ended up with one in his net.<br />
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Ghosts are a favorite for church disparagement. Every ghostly encounter is immediately and gleefully condemned as demonic activity. I will agree that the majority of these are, in fact, the work of familiar spirits... But not all. The Bible itself offers proof that the spirits of humans can, on occasion, appear to the living. Look at Samuel's ghost appearing to Saul- Had that been a familiar, the witch's reaction would not have been nearly so violent, considering she would have dealt with familiars on such a regular basis it would have been a ho-hum matter of course.<br />
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In its zeal to paint the devil for what he is, the Church misses hundreds of opportunities to introduce the supernatural of God to unbelievers, and that is a tremendous disservice to both parties. So, the next time you hear of some supernatural occurance, dear reader, do as the Bible instructs: Test the spirit of the account with the Holy Spirit.<br />
Then, seize the opportunity to open that person up to the supernatural God of Creation, for Whom nothing is impossible.<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-84146474731256784832012-08-03T07:30:00.000-06:002012-08-03T07:30:03.058-06:00Waffles, Bacon and a Side of Prayer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am a breakfast kind of guy. I love breakfast food, and at any given time of day I'm as likely to be eating oatmeal, pancakes or cold cereal as I am a "normal" lunch or dinner. Don't get me wrong, though- I'll plow through steak, pork chops, or a good bowl of pasta in a heartbeat! I just like breakfasts because of the great memories that come with them.<br />
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On Saturday mornings, Mom and Dad would work together to make breakfast for us kids. Sometimes, it was a simple pot of oatmeal. Other times, it was pancakes or french toast with bacon and eggs. No matter what it was, one thing remained the same on a regular basis: We'd eat breakfast as a family. It was the best day of the week, and the best time of day, as the morning sun shone brightly and we gathered around the table together with a promise filled day ahead of us.<br />
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As life dragged on, the family breakfasts grew more and more infrequent, until it was nearly a miracle to get us together at the table for <i>any</i> meal. Communication began to crumble, and the family followed closely behind. Without the support of one another, we began to make bad choices all around: I fell headlong into a pornographic addiction; my sisters began dating and befriending people of dubious influence; and my parents' marriage dissolved into resentment, hurt feelings and heartache.<br />
Soon, the only communication we had took the form of either written notes or face to face arguments. There was a day, shortly before my parents separated, that my Dad called the house and I didn't recognize his voice. That moment sticks with me because, all fault to the side, no child should ever forget the voice of a parent who took an active part in their lives. In fact, the memory haunts me to this day- In that until recently, I never knew what had gone wrong. My family had survived car accidents, a catastrophic fire <a href="http://officehelp4hire.com/blog/2011/03/my-own-personal-nightmare-at-327-elm-street/" target="_blank"><i>(read more here)</i></a>, economic hardship and several church splits... So what went wrong?<br />
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Over a Men's Breakfast of Belgian waffles, sausage, hashbrowns, eggs, and a side of bacon, I mulled over this question once again. As I stared idly at the smaller plate of bacon, my pastor began talking about prayer and the importance of it. I had learned a while before that prayer was a means of communion with God. Then, suddenly, everything seemed to fall into place.<br />
<br />
You see, I've never ordered a plate of bacon and a side of waffles. Waffles are a main course; bacon is a side. (Though it is an excellent garnish for salads!) Sometimes, though, we order a side of prayer, instead of making it our main course. When we do this, our communication with God begins to falter, and soon our relationship with Him begins to suffer.<br />
Likewise, it was the communication between my family that was the lifeblood of our relationship. When that began to fail, the family began to suffer. It was no one person's fault, though we all had a hand in its demise. When we stopped communicating, the family began to fall apart.<br />
<br />
When we do not communicate with God, our lives suffer for it. So remember- When it comes to prayer, order it as the main course... And get the waffles on the side.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-10767763726674600142012-07-31T08:00:00.000-06:002012-08-04T20:50:15.021-06:00Quotes: Jefferson<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Building a wall of separation beween Church and State." ~ Thomas Jefferson</i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1e/Thomas_Jefferson_by_Rembrandt_Peale,_1800.jpg/220px-Thomas_Jefferson_by_Rembrandt_Peale,_1800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1e/Thomas_Jefferson_by_Rembrandt_Peale,_1800.jpg/220px-Thomas_Jefferson_by_Rembrandt_Peale,_1800.jpg" width="167" /></a></div>
<b>If there is a more well known</b>, more misunderstood, more misquoted, and more hotly disputed quote from our founding fathers, I have not been made aware of its existence. Since the early nineteen hundreds, the phrasing of this solitary statement has been taken into account for nearly every religious freedom case presented to the Supreme Court. I marvel, personally, at how quickly everything else he wrote in that letter has been forgotten- Indeed, even the proper phrasing has been replaced with the oft quoted <i>"separation of church and state."</i><br />
<b>You may be asking</b> yourselves why I would bring a quote with such unique political meaning to the pages of a ministry blog. Perhaps you found yourself repeating the same quote I opened with, or some variation of it. Maybe you would prefer that the increasingly sickening world of politics be left out of Christian ministry completely. Know that I sympathize with these and similar sentiments, but alas- There is a season for all things.<br />
<b>We here at WarriorSoul</b> believe firmly in the Christian's duty to arm oneself with the weapons of spiritual warfare, and to equip the full armor of God. As you may recall, we have been encouraged to take up the sword of truth, but ironically, truth is the belt of the armor of God- It is what holds on the rest of the armor. In the Bible, we are told that knowing the truth sets us free. Hard truth is truth nonetheless, and we must be prepared to know it no matter where it comes from.<br />
Having laid this foundation, it is time to reveal the truth of religious freedom in the United States, from the standpoint of Thomas Jefferson.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>In October of 1801</b>, the Danbury Baptist Association wrote a letter to President Jefferson congratulating him on his first year in office. In the letter, they also outline a growing concern of theirs- A concern mirrored in our modern society, though not as eloquently. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(The hysteria over the Chick-Fil-A veep's comments are just a small example.)</i></span> They wrote:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"...That religion is at all times and places a matter between God and individuals, that no man ought to suffer in name, person, or effects on account of his religious opinions, [and] that the legitimate power of civil government extends no further than to punish the man that works ill of his neighbor. But sir, our Constitution of our government is not specific. ...Religion is considered as the first object of legislation, and therefore what religious privileges we enjoy (as a minor part of the state) we enjoy as favors granted, and not as inaliable rights. And these favors we receive at expense of such degrading acknowledgements, as are inconsistant with the rights of freemen. ...If those who seek after power and gain, under the pretense of government and religion, should reproach their fellow men ...as an enemy of religion, law, and good order ...he will not, dares not, assume the perrogative of Jehovah and make laws to govern the Kingdom of Christ."</i></blockquote>
<b>In other words</b>, the men and women of the Danbury Baptist Association were concerned that the government may look upon religion's free exercise as a favor granted by the ruling body, and in the excuse of it being for the good of both government and religion, create laws restricting the free practice of it. They were foreseeing the events of our modern age, where public prayer now requires a permit; where ministers cannot preach on the street without express permission; and where every day Christians many times cannot witness because it is "disruptive." Today, there are even calls to remove any sort of Christian belief from the governing body, meaning that Christians would no longer be allowed to serve in public office.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://greattextbookwar.wikispaces.com/file/view/danburys.jpg/115336837/danburys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://greattextbookwar.wikispaces.com/file/view/danburys.jpg/115336837/danburys.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The draft of Jefferson's letter<br />
to the DBA. Click for full size.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Friends</b>, Jefferson is quoted regularly now as having said that there is a separation of church and state, as if to affirm the encroachments upon religious freedom that are seen today. This is not so, and could not be further from the case. He writes back in January of 1802:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"...that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American People which declared that their legislature would 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between church and state. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties."</i></blockquote>
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<b>Jefferson</b> believed that religion and its free exercise was beyond the reach of the federal government, and from other letters we see that he believed any attempt to control that practice was akin to treason. For folks to use an erroneous quote in defense of the erosion of religious liberty; or to suggest men and women of faith cannot serve as public servants; these are an affront to everything Jefferson stood for. Where we read "respecting an establishment of religion," Jefferson clearly saw that no law could be formed with respect to religion, because religious practice was not beneath the rule of government. This is a far cry from today's twisted and perverted understanding, which would seek to destroy businesses, schools, churches and lives over speech covered by the First Amendment, but which is deemed "offensive" or "inconvenient" by the whiners and criers of society.<br />
<br />
<b>Now</b> you know the truth. <b><u>Defend it.</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b><br />
<i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">(Author's Note</u>: There is an excellent article written about the letter to the DBA that can be found <a href="http://swordattheready.wordpress.com/2007/11/14/jeffersons-wall-of-separation-is-not-what-the-secularists-say-it-is/" target="_blank">here</a>.)</span></i><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b><br />
<i><span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(<b>Note To The Reader:</b> Andrew is currently working on a project regarding the proper understanding of the religion clause of the First Amendment. Upon completion, it will be offered on Amazon for Kindle, and possibly also in hard copy form as well. We will keep you updated on the progress of this work. In the meantime, we hope you got something from this foretaste. God bless you all!)</span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-20570145238048806442012-07-29T13:27:00.000-06:002012-07-29T13:30:25.053-06:00Finding The Balance (or, Pick the Jesus in the Middle, Stupid)<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(<b>NOTE:</b> This entry originally appeared on <a href="http://renegades-rants.blogspot.com/2008/04/i-had-told-myself-that-my-next-post.html" target="_blank">Renegade's Rants, April 3, 2008</a>. It is being re-shared here because the message is more important than ever. It is our hope that you are able to take something away from this that edifies, encourages and strengthens your resolve to know Christ for yourself; intimately and thoroughly, allowing no one to bring things out of balance!)</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i><br />
<br />
...I'd like to spend some time sharing my thoughts which sprung to mind after reading the following comment from a dear, dear friend of mine. He stated:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>"I just don't like the intellectualism that so many live in that seems to crowd out the working of the Spirit... ...I think there's a better way then a Sunday morning sermon and not much else."</b></blockquote>
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Indeed, I too have seen this brain over God approach. Sadly, many who follow this way are being led astray. They study and study the Bible, but without the Spirit of God providing understanding, it becomes just another book, albeit a rather ornate, expensive one.<br />
<br />
My initial thought, then, is that we must rush to the Spirit. I'm sure this is where some folks now stand, honestly. If you were hurt in the church of the Dry Word, than you must immerse yourself in the Holy Spirit River.<br />
<br />
The issue with these approaches, however, is vast, it is large, and most importantly, it is exceedingly dangerous.<br />
<br />
You see, each of these approaches takes a bit from the Word of God, and runs the full field, not realizing that they are scoring for the rival team. Intellectual study has a very firm place in the church, or we would not be encouraged time and again to do so. The oft quoted verse is "study to show thyself approved."<br />
However, we are also told not to study too much, because, as it says in Proverbs, <i>"Too much study wearies the body."</i><br />
<br />
We are told several times to listen to the council and follow the instruction of the Holy Spirit. However, we are also cautioned against false prophets, and perhaps the most direct, brutal and shocking caution regarding taking things out of context is found in Galatians 1:6-9, which reads so strongly I simply MUST quote it directly:<br />
<br />
<b>Galatians 1:6-9</b> <b><i>(New King James Version)</i></b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.</i></blockquote>
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As you can clearly see, changing the Gospel to say what it does not say is to be taken very seriously. From the very beginning, the words of God were considered sacred. Nowhere is it better shown than when Israel put the pieces of the tablets into the Ark of the Covenant. It was then carried by priests, defended by the nation, and by God Himself. He takes His word seriously, as should we.<br />
<br />
What has this got to do with anything? Plenty.<br />
<br />
You see, when people go to the other end of the spectrum and believe that the Spirit is the be all end all, certain issues arise. For one thing, the Holy Spirit is not the extension of God which is to be worshiped. When the Bible speaks of the Spirit, it speaks of a Helper and a Guide. All praise given the Spirit of God is deflected to God the Father.<br />
The wonder working power which many are so earnest for is not meant for a special parlor trick or to tickle a fancy- It is meant for two things: Those who need it's touch, and drawing those folks to Christ, and through Him, to salvation. It is a physical manifestation of God's power.<br />
Craving this power, to the exclusion of God, is not only wrong in that we seek the gift and not the giver, but also in that it <b><i>GRIEVES</i></b> the Holy Spirit. More to the point, dear friends, it is dangerous.<br />
<br />
Take the example of Simon the Sorcerer. Here was a man who saw the wonders of the Spirit moving mightily through the followers of Christ. He saw it, saw what it did, and he wanted it. So, he went to Peter and said, "Give me also this power," and offered him money for it. He was refused, rebuked, and told that the reason the Spirit would not rest upon him was because of his heart condition.<br />
Many of those who go actively seeking the Power without thought to the Giver do not have the right heart condition. This is the reason that, when the Spirit ministers to those it came to minister to, its physical manifestations leave and go where it is needed, even when those who are seeking the power are still claiming it.<br />
<br />
<br />
The fact of the matter is that this life requires <b>BALANCE</b>.<br />
<br />
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Balance is not something that we as humans can do alone- We can balance a bike, we can balance to walk, we can balance our checkbooks... Most of the time. However, we cannot balance ourselves. As it states in the Word, <i>"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?"</i> (Jer. 17:9) This fact is echoed throughout the Bible, such as in Mark 7:20-23, <i>"...What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”</i><br />
<br />
However, YHWH is a God of order, of balance. It is through Him and His power that we are able to achieve balance. To seek one aspect of Him alone is to once again go out of balance, falling out of His will, out of His grace, and as such, out of His protection.<br />
<br />
Seeking the Spirit of God is a wonderful journey- But it is not one to be taken without the Word of God to guide you. Furthermore, the study of the Word in one's own private time is glorious- But only when the Spirit is with you.<br />
<br />
A gifted author by the name of Ted Dekker once stated in his book <i>THR3E</i> that there are three persons in each of us- The good, the Evil and the soul caught in the struggle.<br />
<br />
So it is with our search for God. We can seek His words, and die for lack of His Spirit. We can seek the Holy Spirit, and die for lack of guidance. Or, we can seek after and follow the example of Jesus the Christ, Jeshua, and achieve that balance which He embodied.<br />
<br />
Scripture and Spirit; Works and Faith; Law and Grace- It is all modeled for us in the life of Christ Jesus.<br />
<br />
I'd like to leave you with a quote from another good friend of mine, one who has walked some very dark paths in his life, and so is keenly aware of the Light:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>There are three Jesus' out there.</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>The first Jesus is the one people invoke when in a theological debate.</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>{the Word alone}</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>The second Jesus is the one people invoke when their car won't start.</i></b> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>{the Spirit alone}</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>The third Jesus is the one who calls us out of darkness.</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>{the balance}</b></div>
<br />
<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Which Jesus do you serve?</span></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-76673900441600683972012-07-28T02:33:00.000-06:002013-08-01T11:01:19.138-06:00The Palette of God<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(<b>Author's Note:</b> <i>After completing this entry, I ran across a site that argues for segregation as a moral must. I have linked to it here, and may very well craft a rebuttal some time in the future. In the meantime, consider this entry as an extremely generalized argument against such views.</i>)</span><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<a href="http://faithandheritage.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/interracial_hands-585x390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://faithandheritage.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/interracial_hands-585x390.jpg" width="200" /></a><b><u>Fair warning</u></b> to those who are racially challenged; to those who believe the KKK and other such organizations are correct; and those who view skin color differences <a href="http://faithandheritage.com/2011/05/the-moral-status-of-miscegenation/" target="_blank">as a clear sign that people should not mix interracially:</a> This entry <i><b>will</b></i> offend you. You have my word on that. <i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: xx-small;">(NOTE: All links open in a new window/tab)</span></i><br />
<br />
I'll mainly be focusing on white and black colors, but believe me when I say that this entry is geared towards all discriminatory thoughts towards all races and nationalities. I've addressed the equality of women in the Bible here on WarriorSoul, as well as the proper place of men and women in the home. Now, we will address race.<br />
<br />
<br />
One of the major reasons given over the centuries for differences in skin color, especially black, is that of the Biblical curse. Beginning with the early Catholic Church, the first instance provided was the so-called "Mark of Cain." For those who need a refresher, God placed a mark upon Cain after the murder of Abel to set him apart. The theory set forward in those early years of Church existence was that black skin was the "Mark of Cain," thus making all blacks descended from the first murderer.<br />
There are several things which cause this idea to fall apart, however, and from a strict Biblical standpoint, to boot. The first is that the mark was not actually to set Cain apart, in that he was not to intermingle- That would violate the first command given to humanity. If Cain was truly the first black man, and if interracial marriages were forbidden, then God would have forced Cain to violate the command to "be fruitful and multiply." Secondly, it states in the account that it was a mark, not a covering. Thus, a localized pigment change, such as a birthmark commonly called a "cask stain," would be far more likely than claiming he was completely black. Finally, the mark was not a curse, but God's physical sign upon Cain to symbolize to all people that he was under Divine protection- The mark was a blessing, not a curse.<br />
<br />
The second instance is that of Noah's curse upon Ham. This was a severe misreading of the text, but we will come to that momentarily. In case you can't remember what happened: The theory is based upon Noah's son Ham walking in on his father, who had passed out naked after drinking, and making sport of him. When Noah was informed of what happened, he cursed his son for his insensitivity and dishonor. Look at the curse, though; examine the wording in Genesis 9:25. Noah actually places the curse, not on Ham and thus all of <i>his</i> offspring, but <u>upon Ham's firstborn, Canaan</u>. Thus, the curse rested upon one son and his descendants- Not all of Ham's.
If dark skin were the result of some sort of curse that Noah pronounced, then wouldn't the people of Sheba and Dedan be under that curse? After all, they had dark skin! Yet Sheba and Dedan were the grandsons of Cush, not Canaan, and thus not under the curse. No, after careful study, skin color cannot be attributed to any curse. Instead, it is the result of prolonged exposure to a location specific environment and ecosystem, among other natural factors.<br />
<br />
<br />
If interracial marriage was a sin in God's sight, then it would have been punished accordingly. Yet Moses married Zipporah; daughter of Jethro, priest of Midian- And from the land of Moab. Study the genealogy, and one discovers that Zipporah was the black woman that Miriam and Aaron would later speak against. When they did, God Himself stood against them, shutting down their objections for good. <i>(Miriam was struck with leprosy.)</i> Yet for all of this, nothing ever happened to Moses on account of his marriage.<br />
Another example is that of Ruth, who was a Moabitess. Indeed, the book of Ruth uses this term to refer to her nearly as often as her own name! The book of Ruth also refers to her dark skin in the original texts, though this is glossed over in most modern translations, including the King James. This aside, she marries Boaz and they are blessed, not punished. <br />
As a brief third mention, Rahab was most likely dark skinned also, as well as being covered beneath the curse of Noah- Jericho was in Canaan, the land of the descendants of the cursed son of Ham.<br />
<br />
<br />
Now, there are three more points to make. The first is that Jesus wasn't white. Historical accounts of that time indicate the Jews were a great deal darker, resembling more the people of India rather than the Romans- Much less modern day Caucasians. Secondly, Christ's lineage comes through at least two black women, <i>(Rahab and Ruth)</i>, if not more. Thirdly, Christ will return to take and marry His bride- and His Bride is made up of all races, colors and creeds.<br />
<br />
<br />
With this said- If you still have a problem with interracial marriages, and other races in general, it's <b>YOUR</b> issue- <u>Not God's</u>. The people who call you racist and bigot- <u>They are right</u>. The proof you think you have <u>does not exist</u>. You are 100% wrong on this issue, and God <b>DOES NOT</b> stand with you on it.<br />
<br />
So... Maybe it's time for a change? The only alternative is to continue spitting in the face of God.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-79840715766103049542012-07-23T14:13:00.000-06:002012-07-23T14:17:48.096-06:00Quotes: Voltaire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Voltaire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Voltaire.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"A good book corrupts bad taste." ~Voltaire </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have personally been very surprised at how many people of formerly questionable character seem to turn around after an encounter with a really good book. Whether it be a classic, such as Mark Twain's <i>Tom Sawyer </i>or Jules Verne's <i>20,000 Leagues Under the Sea; </i>or more contemporary fare, such as Ted Dekker's <i>Blink</i>, Frank Peretti's <i>Prophet</i>, or Joel C Rosenberg's <i>The Twelfth Imam</i>, a good book works wonders in the reader.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Some books transport us to places of fantastic adventure. For instance, J.R.R. Tolkien's immortal <i>Lord of the Rings</i> trilogy. Some take us to the high seas, such as in <i>Treasure Island</i>; or pit our wits against nature itself, such as in <i>Robinson Crusoe</i>. Some are filled with very obvious moral lessons, such as John Bunyan's <i>Pilgrim's Progress</i>, while others trim theirs with magic, sword fights and fantasy, as seen in C.S. Lewis' <i>Chronicles of Narnia</i> series.<br />
<br />
What is amazing is that some books which garner controversy today would have been commonplace in years past; likewise, classics from yesteryear are met with heavy criticism today- Declared as being insensitive and intolerant unless heavy revision is made. Prime examples of this include the <i>Harry Potter</i> series- Which garnered a great deal of harsh words from many sources, not just Christians- As well as the <i>Series of Unfortunate Events</i> books; both of which would have been well received if written fifty or so years ago. Many of the classics which people today deem worthy of massive revision include <i>The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn</i> and <i>Uncle Tom's Cabin</i>.<br />
Conversely, certain things which are now well received would have, and did, cause controversy a mere thirty years back. The book <i>Lolita</i>, for instance, was roundly denounced in many circles when it was written- Even being banned in two countries the same year it was published! Yet today, somehow, it is finding its way into mainstream society's acquiescence. More recently, the book <i>Fifty Shades of Grey</i> was published to critical acclaim- But society in general would have rejected it for its subject matter thirty years ago.<br />
<br />
In light of his quote, I believe Voltaire would be suffering from massive heart palpitations, (and possibly stroke), were he alive today. Rather than good books corrupting bad taste, bad taste has corrupted good books. Perhaps it began with the sanitation of classics, as I've heard one professor suggest, but it has certainly culminated with a mass loss of good taste and decency.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The "Slippery Slope Argument," which some will no doubt accuse me of making here, is only a fallacy when one ignores the fact that history proves it to be accurate, albeit simplistic, in many cases. The decline and ultimate dissolution of of common society can routinely be traced to an at large societal decision of now questionable nature. While I cannot say for certain if that decision was the revision of classic literature, it is clear that the over-sensitivity of society to foolish things, while remaining apathetic to things which demanded their concern, began somewhere.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d76/wesdog86/Atheist-Humour-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d76/wesdog86/Atheist-Humour-14.jpg" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An example of the vehemence directed<br />
at the Bible</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The number one book on the revisionist's hit list; the greatest transgressor of offense and political incorrect subject matter; is the Bible. What is the reason? Slaves in the Bible were not solely of darker skin- They were of all different nationalities. The youth of married women, perhaps? This was a custom that held even one hundred years ago; however, with all fringe movements aside, the majority of modern Bible followers agree such a marriage to be damaging today. Perhaps it is the warfare, adultery and bloodthirsty actions of the kings within the pages of the Bible? How so, when one look at the reception that modern entertainment receives shows not a one victim of the same vehement vitriol as is directed at the Bible. Not a one is demanded to undergo revision for "insensitivity."</div>
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So, what could be the cause of the spite and anger revisionists direct at this single text? Why is the demand for revision not extended to books such as the <i>Qur'an, </i>or the <i>Mack Bolan</i> series? Why are shows such as <i>The Shield</i> not dealing with the same call? Why are movies such as <i>300</i>, <i>Pathfinder</i>, or <i>Sin City</i> met with demand for more, rather than a wall of silence? What about music by such bands as <i>Slipknot</i> or <i>Cannibal Corpse</i>? What makes the Bible such an offensive book?</div>
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The only conclusion I've been able to reach, my friends, is that which rests in a common nickname for the Bible itself: "The Good Book." It is the best sort of book, where every evil is punished; where every wicked deed is answered for; and wherein is found a solid, concrete code of moral conduct. The Bible is the ultimate enemy of a society consumed by bad taste, because it is the ultimate good book. Because it stands as the last unflinching standard of unwavering morality. Because it reminds all who read it that there is a final judgment; that they are responsible for the actions carried out in bad taste, or against anything else contained in that moral code.</div>
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Because, as Voltaire so accurately observed, "a good book corrupts bad taste."</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-4825486755818281292012-07-18T14:30:00.000-06:002012-07-28T02:52:37.027-06:00Things I've Learned From Blogging<br />
I've been blogging in one form or another since 2001- Perhaps earlier, now that I think about it. In the time I've spent doing this, I've discovered some interesting facts about myself, blogging in general, and life on the whole. Considering how long it's been since I last posted consistently, I thought it may be a good idea to write about the lessons I've learned.<br />
<br />
Some of these are very recent lessons, and others are not. I hope that you get a good laugh out of these, and possibly learn something as well.<br />
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<b>-Do Not Announce A Series Unless It Is Already Written.</b><br />
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I would like to say that I am always so passionate about what I'm writting that I do not need to write a great deal in advance, but frankly, that is simply not the case. I've started several series in my time blogging, and in most cases, I've fizzled out. Much like a fire log, I start out slow, burn brightly, and then for some inexplicable reason... I go out befire the fire actually starts. Anyone who has ever used generic fire logs knows exactly what I'm talking about!<br />
<i>SO-</i> This more recent lesson is quite simple: Write the series ahead of time, and then announce it.<br />
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<b>-Do Not Write An Opinion Piece Without Supporting Facts.</b><br />
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It is absolutely without question that if one has any sort of readership, opinions will be questioned. Unless one is an expert on a subject, one <i>MUST ALWAYS</i> have supporting facts at the ready. Cookie Monster may write a blog on cookies, and no one will question his expertise in the matter- But if he writes about garbage, you know Oscar will come along shortly to question him.<br />
<i>Object Lesson?</i> I'm not Cookie Monster, so I'd better have my facts straight. Even if there's a difference of opinion, the facts can concievably support mine.<br />
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<b>-Do Not Write An Opinion Piece Without All The Facts.</b><br />
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Never have I been so humiliated than when posting a retraction. Writing about a news article, current event or similar issue is fine, but make sure that all of the facts have been examined- Or at least all those which are available at the time. It is not always possible to get every detail, and in these cases, it is best to say something like "at this time," as opposed to "I was wrong on this."<br />
<i>Moral of the story?</i> Contrary to popular belief, words can hurt you, and most often, those words are in the form of retraction!<br />
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<b>-Write About What One Enjoys.</b><br />
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I have attempted to write on several sorts of subjects, and without fail, any piece I start that does not have my full interest falls to the wayside. This is often because I start thinking "I can do this," and wind up falling asleep- The subject was simply too boring to keep me focused.<br />
<i>So with that said...</i> Write about what interests you most, and success will most often be yours.<br />
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<b>-Make Use Of Search Words And Phrases.</b><br />
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I once wrote a blog about what happens when I deal with insomnia. In it, I detailed the trouble of getting my brain to quite firing on all cylinders; and how these times of sleeplessness often led to seemingly random thought patterns which wound up being rather profound. I titled the blog "<a href="http://renegades-rants.blogspot.com/2008/05/random-thought-generator.html" target="_blank">Random Thought Generator</a>." That one blog has more views alone than the majority of my other articles combined. Why? Because for some reason, when people are searching for "name generator," or something similar, my entry comes up.<br />
<i>Lesson:</i> Use search phrases- but use them wisely. Stringing them together can get you blacklisted faster than Lady Gaga's meat dress at a vegan convention.<br />
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<b>-Write About What You Believe.</b><br />
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I once knew a gentleman who used to state repeatedly that if something was worth believing, it was worth discussing. This is very true of blogging. The articles that are written for a blog are, in effect, your half of a conversation. Written properly, the article will garner attention and comments; written poorly, (say, written about something one does not believe in), will cause the entry to simply sit there, taking up space on the internet.<br />
<i>What to learn from this:</i> Belief changes everything. Write about what one believes, and watch it become pure gold. Write about what one does not believe, and watch it wax archaic faster than the term "world wide web." <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">(Which, ironically, is all that your piece will gather.)</span><br />
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<b>-Be Careful What And Who You Write About.</b><br />
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I once wrote a piece on the political leanings and donations of one Mark Z. while I was on Facebook. Within a month of that piece, my account was shut down. I probably spent far too much time on it anyway, so they actually did me a favor. With that said, however, it really made me realize just how far some folks will go to keep their activities secret and hidden. Needless to say, I've begun to pay as much attention to the individual's past practices when dealing with opposition as I do the story itself.<br />
<i>The lesson here is simple:</i> Write about a person no one knows, or write a favorable piece on a public figure, and no one will care. Write a story on what you witnessed the Mob doing last Friday, and be prepared for cement shoes.<br />
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I hope that you've enjoyed this little piece as much as I did in writing it. If you actually made it this far, even more kudos to you! <br />
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If you're still reading, allow me to make a suggestion: Go write a blog of your own. You never know just what may come out of you!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-89925388095246752652012-07-09T13:53:00.000-06:002012-07-09T13:53:04.645-06:00Fathers- Recognized Beyond Father's Day<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>“He didn't tell me how to
live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” </i><i>
<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I
can think of no better way to start an exposition such as this than by these
words spoken by Clarence Budington Kelland.
Though the human experience is one of differing relationships, running
the gambit from excellence to tragedy, there is one truth that shines forth
clearly: We all, every one of us, need a father. A father is not merely a name in the home,
regardless of how we’re brought up. A
father is the pattern by which we adjust our own lives, and it is to his
influence that we bend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When
I see this quote, I often think of my own father, who in spite of his downfalls
provided me with an excellent model to follow after. As with all children, I did not pay close enough
attention to all of those lessons. Some
of us must simply learn the hard way, and that’s that. Yet when I look back, I know that there are
many things about me that are completely thanks to his part in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My
father was a hard worker, and even when accusing me of being lax or lazy,
(which I was), nevertheless instilled in me the desire to always move forward
with my nose to the grindstone. I am not
work obsessed, but I do know the value of a hard day’s work- And that is thanks
to my Dad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My
father also taught me respect. Respect
for women, and respect for authority.
Respect also for those with less than I, and for those who are my peers. When speaking out of line with an elder, I
had only to catch his eye to remember my place.
When teasing my younger sisters, or one of the neighborhood kids, I’d
only need to think of him to bring it to an end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yes,
my father had his shortcomings- So do we all!
He overcame those, though, simply by living. Though he stumbled on the road of life from
time to time, he showed by example that a life well lived is not about how few
times one falls; rather, it is about how one chooses to carry on. Like my Dad, I too have stumbled along this
winding path; but I have learned well from him this lesson, and I refuse to be
defeated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This
quote also reminds me of the words of Jesus Christ. In John 8:28, He says that He did only as His
Father taught Him. Then, later on in
verse 38, He says that He was speaking only what He <i>saw</i> His Father do. Not a
single person on the planet can say that Christ was anything but good- Not when
speaking truthfully. Some may doubt His
existence, but they cannot deny the Gospels show Him to be, if nothing more, a
good man. Christ tells us that all which
He said and did came as a result of His Father.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The
beauty in this concept is awe inspiring.
Christ’s Father is also our own, for those who know Him. For those who do not, He waits as the father
of the prodigal son; ever watching from His hill, so that when we broken and
battered souls take that first step, He can run to us and bring us the rest of
the way. He forgives the past,
strengthens our present, and grants hope for the future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He
is the ultimate role model for fathers everywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There
are some of us today who have never known a true father. My father, for all of his examples, was also
absent a great deal. When he was not out
working, he was home working, and I look back on those times and wonder what
things would have been like otherwise.
Looking back, though, never does anything for us; not unless we wish
only to see how far we’ve come. Still,
many of us with less than ideal childhoods will gravitate, once or twice a
year, to the greeting cards section.
Why? Simply to read those lovely
words, wistfully, and to dream. Sometimes,
we dream of what might have been, but other times, we dream of what we hope
will be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Someone
once said, <i>“Dad, your guiding hand on my
shoulder will remain with me forever.”</i>
Some of us have never known that guiding hand. Others of us have known only a hand too
heavy, and too hard. While some wish for
the fond memory of such a tender feeling, others wish to escape the sense of
their father’s hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here
too, we find that God the Father is perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We are told in Matthew 11:28-30 <i>“Come to me, all of you who are weary and over-burdened, and I will give you rest! Put on my yoke and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”</i> His hand on our shoulder is never too heavy, and never too hard. It is never rough, but always gentle and kind. He is not the father some of us knew growing up- The one just waiting for us to make a mistake. Rather, He is the father who knows mistakes will happen, and waits instead for the opportunity to make things right. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The difference is slight, perhaps, but oh so vital!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Geoffrery
Hill summed up the trouble all fathers face quite succinctly. He said, <i>“Finally
coming to terms with Fathers Day. I blow as a Dad. I get it. No, I'm not an evil,
abusive Father, it's just that while all my intentions and thoughts have been
out of love for my kids, my actions and behaviour never measured up.”</i> Somewhere in the live of fathers was a father
who gave up; a father who became so profoundly frustrated with himself, he
simply stopped. Perhaps for some of us
it was even before we were born- Perhaps some of us had a father who never
was. Perhaps some of us knew a father
that we wished were not. Others may have
earnestly desired a father of some kind, while others prayed for a father of
any <i>other</i> kind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What
I’ve come to realize as I’ve grown older is that not every father is entirely
responsible for his weaknesses. Oh, they
are responsible for their own decisions, and no doubts about that! However, when a father makes a “bad call,” it
is rarely due to their being absolutely evil incarnate. Most times, it seems due to a flawed decision
structure. It is due to the fact, that
somewhere down the line, a father gave up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here
again is the beauty of God the Father, for He has stated <i>“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”</i> He is not the giving up kind. He is the type of father that will always be
a phone call away; always ready to lend a helping hand; always ready to
comfort; and always ready to forgive a hasty, angry word. He is the Father that never stops.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There
is something I find so comforting in this.
The fact that, though I fall a thousand times, He never quits picking me
up. Though I become angry, He never
takes offense. Though I ignore Him, He
never stops listening for me. He is the
ultimate Father, and the ultimate role model.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>“The heart of a father is
the masterpiece of nature.” </i> -- Abbé Prévost<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The
very center of every child’s universe truly is the father- While mothers
nurture, it is the fathers who provide the atmosphere; the sunlight, if you
will, for the young to grow strong. A
single word from a father can affect the child directly, whether spoken to
them, or to their mother. The power of a
father is tremendous and yet vital; for he who wields it, perhaps it is also a
bit terrifying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So,
with this in mind and in closing, let me address the fathers in this room- All
the fathers, those who are and those who will be. The Lord has given us a clear model for
fatherhood: firm discipline, amazing grace, abundant mercy, and never ending
love. This is the model every father
should strive for, and the model that I would hope every father seeks to
attain. It is a worthy goal, and one
that all should reach for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yet,
with all of this said, there is one thing I believe is greater than even this;
greater, only because it is absolutely imperative. Only because it is required, if one is to
ever achieve this goal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fathers,
if I may pass on a single word of advice to all of you; a single statement that
will make the difference between a failure and a father; it would be this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Never Give Up. </b>The
getting up is ultimately more important than the failing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This has been an excerpt from an excellent book that was recently published with much more on the importance of fathers. It is titled <i>Fatherly Reflections,</i> and I personally recommend it highly. Along with this very post, one will find many other anecdotes, poems, advice, and memories of other fathers. You can find it for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008CGWURK">Kindle</a> as well as in <a href="https://www.createspace.com/3911288">traditional format</a>. If you like what you see, consider getting a copy for yourself!</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-25534174437047702912012-06-11T15:17:00.001-06:002012-06-11T15:17:54.453-06:00Ray Vander Laan - The Very Words of God<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/T7noqtXPrXE?fs=1" width="459"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I am sharing this with you today simply because of the importance of the message. We here at WarriorSoul do not, as you know, believe in being "religious." We don't uphold the concept that appearance and speech is everything, while the private life is nothing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">However, it is massively important for all followers of Christ to know the Word of God. Because one day, the Bible will not be around. It will not be easy to get a hold of one to brush up on your knowledge. There will be no Bibles laying around and gathering dust. They will have been outlawed and burned, some of them with the people who owned them.<br />
I am not being dramatic- It has happened in the past; it is happening now in various places throughout the world; and the Bible tells us that there will come a day when it will happen on a global scale. Do not be one of those who does not have the Word written upon your heart. Read it. Study it. Learn it. Above all, <b>know</b> it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Because you may not get the chance to start if you wait too long.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This is Andrew, signing out for now.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-73166887070712965072012-05-06T16:12:00.000-06:002012-06-11T15:21:52.076-06:00Quotes: Thoughts That Inspire Thoughts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'll be going back and forth from this series to the other, namely "<i>Not In The Bible?</i>," for the sake of changing pace and to be sure I don't get burnt out. Any of you who have had to carry a ministry, business or activity on your shoulders for a time know that getting burnt out is easy to do if the proper precautions are not taken.<br />
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As a result, this series will be different quotes from varying sources which inspire thoughts from others. These quotes are about God; about Heaven; about life in general; and other topics as well. Each have inspired me to think long and sometimes hard about the way I view certain aspects of my life and my faith.<br />
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Very often, these quotes cause me to ask questions, and never let it be said that questions are a bad thing to have. Even questioning God is not a sin, contrary to what some may teach- Only questioning Him out of fear, doubt, unbelief or a prideful attitude is; even then, it is not the question that is sinful, but the attitude from which it springs.<br />
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So get ready, folks- This series will be a lot of fun!<br />
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<b>EDIT:</b> Apologies to everyone. Shortly after writing this, I injured my back to the degree that even sitting up in bed to work on the laptop was painful. As a result, I'm afraid I have lapsed once more in my duties to this blog. The good news, however, is that I have a new post ready to go, and it will be geared towards fathers, in relation to Father's Day.<br />
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I hope you will join me, and may God continue to bless you daily!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763230460929518643.post-26136217480286745022012-04-30T03:00:00.000-06:002012-04-30T03:00:09.915-06:00Not In The Bible? - New Covenant in Christ's Blood<br />
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The tradition of Communion among believers is something of
great importance to many. Whether simple
or elaborate, the Lord’s Supper is a time of introspection, prayer, and an
opportunity for one on one time with our Savior. </div>
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So what would happen, then, if the words of Christ in Luke
22:20 were never actually found in that chapter originally? The lack of Christ stating that His blood was
the New Covenant would place the whole of Christianity in question, as that New
Covenant <b>IS </b>the basis of Christianity. Yet, that is the accusation of some, and the
subject of today’s entry.</div>
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In case you need a refresher, the verses reads:<br />
<i>And in the same way after supper Jesus
took the cup and said, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new
covenant in my blood."</i></div>
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It should be noted that far too often, opponents of
Christianity tend to focus too highly on a single verse when attempting to
disprove a statement or belief. This is
one of those cases, because the accusation actually states that this verse is
at once something Christ never spoke; as well as saying that it isn’t found in <i>any</i> of the original texts.</div>
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This sort of myopic approach will often lead to frustration
on the part of the accuser, if they have any real sense of self-respect; or the
presentation of that which typifies so many enemies of God, willful
ignorance. As I will show you, this
particular accusation is nothing if not narrow-sighted. After seeing the aspects of this particular
accusation, it will be easy to see why some may simply show frustration, or
become angry, stubborn and behave like scolded children.</div>
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First, let us address the actual verse, focusing on Christ’s
quotation specifically. The charge
states that Christ never said that “this cup… poured out for you is the new
covenant in my blood.” Yet in Matthew,
we see Him stating “this is my blood of the new covenant which poured out for
many for the remission of sins.” In
Mark, He is quoted as saying “this is my blood of the new covenant, which is
shed for many.” </div>
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In John, though the last supper is not spoken of in terms of
what was actually done, instead focusing upon what Christ taught them at that
time; Christ still referenced the “new covenant” and His blood. Specifically, He stated that whoever ate of
His flesh and drank of His blood would have life. Most opponents of Christianity will not
understand this point, but the “new covenant” spoken of in Luke, Matthew and
Mark <b>is</b> new life in Christ. It is eternal life, free from the curse of
the law and sin, and available only through Him.</div>
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Thus, we have all four Gospels saying the same thing. Though the exact quote differs slightly in
three, and is missing from one, all four have Christ relating the same thing:
That His blood is the New Covenant, and that it will be shed for all.</div>
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Moreover, this statement about the New Covenant is also
echoed throughout the epistles. Romans
11:27, speaking of Christ, states “for this is My [Jesus] covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.” 1
Corinthians 11:25 quotes Christ directly, saying “This cup is the New Covenant
in My blood.” 2 Corinthians says that God “made us ministers of the New
Covenant.” Galatians 3:17 reads that God
confirmed the New Covenant in Christ. </div>
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Hebrews 7:22 says that “Jesus has become the surety of a
better covenant,” then in 8:13, quotes directly again Christ’s use of the
phrase “New Covenant.” Hebrews mentions
the New Covenant again in 9:15, 10:16, 12:24 and 13:20. Most notable to our discussion is 9:15, which
states “He [Jesus] is the Mediator of the New Covenant.”</div>
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Given all of these references to this same statement, it
certainly looks as though the first half of the accusation has been met, and
soundly defeated. Now let us move on to
the second half of that accusation, which states that the verse and quote
cannot be found in any of the original texts.</div>
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In the <b>Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus</b>, (c.450), Luke 22:19 through 23:25 is
missing or damaged. It is important to
understand that when I say “missing,” I mean that it is literally <i>missing</i>; in other words, there is a gap,
tear or section of parchment that is not there.
Because of this, this particular codex cannot be used to back up the
accusation’s claim.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The <b>Codex
Alexandrinus</b>, (c.400-440), includes the last half of Luke, yet 22:20 is not
part of the missing section of Luke.
Though damaged, it appears in this particular codex.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The <b>Codex
Vaticanus</b>, (c.325-350), includes this verse, and the quote. Moreover, it is hardly damaged and shows no
sign of addition or editing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As for the <b>Codex
Sinaiticus</b>, (c.330-360), Luke 22:20 is absolutely included. For anyone wishing proof, I offer the following:
A shot of the verse in question, on folio 244.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Papyrus Bodmer</b>,
(c.175-225), also includes Luke 22:20. This
is one of the earliest surviving texts, by the way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Aside from these
original texts, Justin Martyr and Barnabas also spoke of the New Covenant
received through the blood of Christ. Additionally, Iranaeus says this in his
Against Heresies, (c.180):<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>“…the cup likewise, which is part of that
creation to which we belong, He <b>[Jesus]</b> confessed to be His blood, and
taught the new oblation of the new covenant…”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Coming to the end of
this entry, it is clear now that the charge of Christ never uttering the
statement found in Luke 22:20 is not only false; it is blindly, perhaps
willfully, ignorant. Moreover, the
statement that said verse is not found within the original texts has also been
shown to be a statement of idiocy. Only
those with the absolute will to be obstinate will continue to cling to such an
accusation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Class dismissed. <o:p></o:p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008766442336226738noreply@blogger.com0