Man this year just flew by! So much has taken place in my life this year it's crazy. I never would have pictured myself where i am now at the beginning of this year. To sum it up:
2008 was great. (Yes, it does rhyme.)
Let's see where do i begin?
At the beginning of this year, i found myself working a miserable job as an irrigation installer, engaged to a beautiful girl and not exactly sure how i was going to provide enough for the both of us, let alone just her. I found myself taking a break from seminary in order to focus on job and getting married. I found myself at the end of short rope. One of my best friends, who i followed to that miserable job, had moved to Florida and became a youth pastor in Tallahassee. I found myself wondering what to do next.
On the most cold, miserable day of work a beacon of light erupted into my life. My friend from Florida called and asked if i was looking for a job. At first i thought he was pulling my chain, as he often does, but no, he was for reals. (As we say on the streets...)
At the church he was working at there was an open position at the church's TV station. I found myself intrigued. I then found myself going to a job interview, getting a new job, relocating myself to Tallahassee, adding stress to my engagement, leaving good friends behind, making new friends, renting my first apartment, and this was all before April.
On April 4th, i found myself in a wedding ceremony. Mine. I found myself no longer just Joshua Vasquez, but Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Vasquez. Two had become one.
With that, i found that my life was changing. She moved in, she decorated, i hung pictures, i hung curtains, i hung a lot of things i never would have if i was single.
I learned my new job. i found that video editing is a little trickier than it looks. i found that dumping programs to the air was also trickier than it looks. I found tricks of the trade.
I met a new youth group. I met new kids. I became a youth counselor to a new youth group.
I argued theology with a good friend to the point of frustration. I think we both secretly enjoyed it.
I read a book called, "The Way of the Master." I found evangelism is much more serious than "church growth."
I talked to atheists via Youtube videos. I began to blog. I still blog. I'm actually blogging right now.
I've grown in my walk with Christ. I've found that i hunger for his word. I have found myself becoming more conservative. I have found myself differing in opinion with a lot of people. I've found myself to be OK with that.
I've noticed that my view of Christianity is changing. I've also noticed its not the way my age group is changing or for the lack of better word, emerging.
I've discovered that Calvinism is not as wrong as i've been told. I've discovered that the Bible teaches a balance in salvation, which is often not presented today.
I learned that it's biblical to not like "the sinner's prayer."
My wife is awesome. I found out that i'm often not. I've learned that she loves me despite that.
I find myself at the end of a year. I'm looking to the next one.
I find myself wanting children and at the same time not wanting children
I find myself re-reading what i just wrote in shock. (Did i just say that out loud?)
I find myself racking my brain to try and remember anything else. Of course there's something else. There's always something else.
Oh yes. I had a major blowout with my parents. Surprise. (For the record, my wife said i was respectful.)
I think the biggest thing this year was that i am not who i was. And that's OK with me.
I've shared the gospel with close friends and haven't heard back from them. I found out that hurts.
I really don't know how to end this thing.
This next year, there are only a few thing i want:
1. To die to myself and follow Christ.
2. To die to myself and love my wife.
3. That's pretty much about it.
4. But an Xbox 360 would be cool. (you don't have to laugh, that one's for me.)
Monday, December 29, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
go towards the light...
1st John 1:5-10
5This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us
These five verses pack so much power and truth in them. I mean look at verse five. God is light. To emphasize that, John adds "and in him is no darkness at all." Think about it. God is light. Light is pure. Light illuminates. Light causes life. God is light. This verse sets up who God is and what follows explains where we stand.
In verse six, it says that if we claim to be in fellowship with Him, but yet continue to walk in darkness, we are liars and do not the truth. If we claim to be Christians, but yet continue to walk in our sins, we are liars. Now understand this: I am not saying Christians are perfect and don't sin. They sin, but if God (who is light) is in their life, then they repent and strive to to not sin in the sight of their Lord. Look at what Christ said in John 12:35-36,
35Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
He tells us to walk in the light, because if you walk in darkness, you don't know where you're going (surprise). Well, how do we walk in the light? It says in John 3:21,
21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Abide in truth and you'll abide in the light. In verse seven, it says that if we walk in the light, just as God is in the light, we will have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse us from all sin. Two things to point out here:
One is that it says as "God is in the light", once again setting up where God is. God is light. In Psalm 104:2 it says how "He covers himself in light as with a garment." God wears the light like a clothing. In the verse before it says, "you are clothed with honor and majesty."
Second thing is, it places those who walk in the light under the shed blood of Christ.
Hebrews 9:14
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
In order for there to be redemption, blood always has to be shed. We see it in Genesis 3:21, that God killed the first animal in order to cover Adam and Eve's nakedness. They had lost their righteousness and The Lord shed the blood of an innocent animal to cover their sin. The fig leaves of their self-righteousness could not cover them. I learned that fig leaves are soft like velvet and will shrink under the light of the sun to about a quarter the original size.
Ok, now think about that. God is light. Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves with fig leaves. When God found them, since He is light, what effect do you think it had on those fig leaves? Let's just say they probably weren't covering up much.
But we are so quick to do the same thing. We think good works and being a good person will cover our sins in the eyes of God, but we have no idea who he really is. God is light and in the light of his law, it shrinks the fig leaves of our self-righteousness and exposes our true hearts. Look back at verse eight:
8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
We can put up this front that we're not sinners, but who are we fooling?
1 John 2:4
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
We're not fooling anybody.
The last two verses just repeat the thoughts of the others. John repeatedly drives this home (almost like he is trying to make a point). "If we say we don't have sin, we decieve ourselves. If we say we don't have sin, we're liars. If we say we don't have sin, the truth is not in us."
I've been accussed of painting things black and white before, but i really think this passage can only be taken in that way. Either you abide in the light or the dark. Either you live in sin or you confess your sins and strive for righteousness. In verse nine, it says:
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
My friends, if you are walking in sin, confess them to the Lord and turn away from them. Serve Jesus as Lord and walk in the light of his prescence.
"He that has an ear, let him hear..."
5This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us
These five verses pack so much power and truth in them. I mean look at verse five. God is light. To emphasize that, John adds "and in him is no darkness at all." Think about it. God is light. Light is pure. Light illuminates. Light causes life. God is light. This verse sets up who God is and what follows explains where we stand.
In verse six, it says that if we claim to be in fellowship with Him, but yet continue to walk in darkness, we are liars and do not the truth. If we claim to be Christians, but yet continue to walk in our sins, we are liars. Now understand this: I am not saying Christians are perfect and don't sin. They sin, but if God (who is light) is in their life, then they repent and strive to to not sin in the sight of their Lord. Look at what Christ said in John 12:35-36,
35Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
He tells us to walk in the light, because if you walk in darkness, you don't know where you're going (surprise). Well, how do we walk in the light? It says in John 3:21,
21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Abide in truth and you'll abide in the light. In verse seven, it says that if we walk in the light, just as God is in the light, we will have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse us from all sin. Two things to point out here:
One is that it says as "God is in the light", once again setting up where God is. God is light. In Psalm 104:2 it says how "He covers himself in light as with a garment." God wears the light like a clothing. In the verse before it says, "you are clothed with honor and majesty."
Second thing is, it places those who walk in the light under the shed blood of Christ.
Hebrews 9:14
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
In order for there to be redemption, blood always has to be shed. We see it in Genesis 3:21, that God killed the first animal in order to cover Adam and Eve's nakedness. They had lost their righteousness and The Lord shed the blood of an innocent animal to cover their sin. The fig leaves of their self-righteousness could not cover them. I learned that fig leaves are soft like velvet and will shrink under the light of the sun to about a quarter the original size.
Ok, now think about that. God is light. Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves with fig leaves. When God found them, since He is light, what effect do you think it had on those fig leaves? Let's just say they probably weren't covering up much.
But we are so quick to do the same thing. We think good works and being a good person will cover our sins in the eyes of God, but we have no idea who he really is. God is light and in the light of his law, it shrinks the fig leaves of our self-righteousness and exposes our true hearts. Look back at verse eight:
8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
We can put up this front that we're not sinners, but who are we fooling?
1 John 2:4
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
We're not fooling anybody.
The last two verses just repeat the thoughts of the others. John repeatedly drives this home (almost like he is trying to make a point). "If we say we don't have sin, we decieve ourselves. If we say we don't have sin, we're liars. If we say we don't have sin, the truth is not in us."
I've been accussed of painting things black and white before, but i really think this passage can only be taken in that way. Either you abide in the light or the dark. Either you live in sin or you confess your sins and strive for righteousness. In verse nine, it says:
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
My friends, if you are walking in sin, confess them to the Lord and turn away from them. Serve Jesus as Lord and walk in the light of his prescence.
"He that has an ear, let him hear..."
Thursday, December 11, 2008
check this blog out!!!
Hey guys you should definitely check this blog out!
www.teampyro.blogspot.com
The past two days posts have just been amazing. Yesterday talked about how a lot of evangelical churches are beginning to redefine homosexuality and how to deal with it. It's not the average stuff you'd expect nowadays from a "christian" blog. This blog is really strong into doctrine and theology. These guys know there stuff.
Today's was on how Spurgeon prepared his sermons(say that three times fast!) and wow, did it put things into perspective for me! So, for reals, check them out!
josh
www.teampyro.blogspot.com
The past two days posts have just been amazing. Yesterday talked about how a lot of evangelical churches are beginning to redefine homosexuality and how to deal with it. It's not the average stuff you'd expect nowadays from a "christian" blog. This blog is really strong into doctrine and theology. These guys know there stuff.
Today's was on how Spurgeon prepared his sermons(say that three times fast!) and wow, did it put things into perspective for me! So, for reals, check them out!
josh
Monday, December 8, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Rescue is coming...
There’s a darkness in my skin
My cover’s wearing thin, I believe
I’d love to start again, go back to innocent
And never leave...
My cover’s wearing thin, I believe
I’d love to start again, go back to innocent
And never leave...
the what-if game...
I hate the "what-if" game. With a burning passion i hate it.
My wife loves the "what-if" game.
The "what-if" game is when you take one scenario and say, "What if this happened?" or "What if that happened?" My wife likes to do this to an extreme, such as, "What if...the car explodes and pieces fly all over the place and a little kid gets hurt?"
To which i reply, "What?"
Anyways, i don't doubt you know someone who plays this game, or even better, you yourself is a player of such game.
Because i love my wife, i have learned to tolerate this game, but there is one time i absolutely hate this game:
When it comes to theology.
You hear it a lot more these days. "What if Jesus said this?" Or "What if Jesus meant this?" Or "What if the Bible is really saying this?" Or my personal favorite, "What if that's not what the Bible says?"
It is so imperative that we read our bibles. Don't know what Jesus said or didn't say? Read your Bible. Not sure what exactly one passage means? Read the whole book. Not sure what the book is talking about? Read the whole Bible. Not sure what the whole Bible is saying? Check your christian pulse and see if you're really saved. Seriously.
God repeatedly says, "I AM THAT I AM, I AM the LORD I change not." He very clearly he never changes. In John 1:1 he very clearly states that He is His Word. So if the Bible is supposed to be "God's Word," why do we not read it and devour it?
There is no room for the "what-if" in theology.
Today we live in a post-modern world, where no one can no absolute truth. Well, while that's what the world tells us, I beg to differ. God gave us His Word, His promises and salvation. It's all there, just read it.
My wife loves the "what-if" game.
The "what-if" game is when you take one scenario and say, "What if this happened?" or "What if that happened?" My wife likes to do this to an extreme, such as, "What if...the car explodes and pieces fly all over the place and a little kid gets hurt?"
To which i reply, "What?"
Anyways, i don't doubt you know someone who plays this game, or even better, you yourself is a player of such game.
Because i love my wife, i have learned to tolerate this game, but there is one time i absolutely hate this game:
When it comes to theology.
You hear it a lot more these days. "What if Jesus said this?" Or "What if Jesus meant this?" Or "What if the Bible is really saying this?" Or my personal favorite, "What if that's not what the Bible says?"
It is so imperative that we read our bibles. Don't know what Jesus said or didn't say? Read your Bible. Not sure what exactly one passage means? Read the whole book. Not sure what the book is talking about? Read the whole Bible. Not sure what the whole Bible is saying? Check your christian pulse and see if you're really saved. Seriously.
God repeatedly says, "I AM THAT I AM, I AM the LORD I change not." He very clearly he never changes. In John 1:1 he very clearly states that He is His Word. So if the Bible is supposed to be "God's Word," why do we not read it and devour it?
There is no room for the "what-if" in theology.
Today we live in a post-modern world, where no one can no absolute truth. Well, while that's what the world tells us, I beg to differ. God gave us His Word, His promises and salvation. It's all there, just read it.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
The Bible
Written over 1600 years, over 60 generations, 40 plus authors, different walks of life, different occupations, different places, different times, different moods, written across 3 continents, in 3 different languages, writings on hundreds of controversial subjects
BUT,
absolute harmony from beginning to end.
The Bible is unique, there is no other book like it.
"Defend the Bible? I would as soon defend a lion!" Charles Spurgeon
BUT,
absolute harmony from beginning to end.
The Bible is unique, there is no other book like it.
"Defend the Bible? I would as soon defend a lion!" Charles Spurgeon
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Into the Kiln I go...
So, my last blog is coming true for me. God has broken me and placed me into the kiln. I'm not sure what he's making me into, but it brings me joy to know he's working on me.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Into the Kiln...
Jeremiah 18:1-6 (King James Version)
1The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
2Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
3Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
4And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
5Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
6O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
A lot of controversy has occurred with this past election. I'm not sure if you've noticed. Of course, you've noticed. Unless, perhaps you were under a very dark rock for the past uh... forever. Which i doubt, because rocks are heavy and if you were under one for forever, you would get hungry, which will cause you to get hungry and venture out into the world, therefore making it possible for you to hear something about the election or being introduced into the wonders of fast food.
At this point, you will most likely be thinking, "All right, Vasquez, what's your point?"
Well, I have two points depending where you stand (or sit) and i will now give them to you. I will abstain for using titles such as "liberal democrat" or "conservative republican" because like always, abstinence is the best policy.
Point 1: Due to Obama winning the election, the world is not coming to an end. (I know, call me crazy.)
Point 2: Due to Obama winning the election, the world is coming to an end. (Jk, thought i'd get some laughs with that one.)
Real Point 2: Due to Obama winning the election, things will change. (And change we want! or need. or whatever the slogan is nowadays.)
I recently read a mock letter from the Focus on the Family group titled "A letter from 2012 in Obama's America." (1) This letter portrayed a very dark and grim future, mostly due to Obama's extremely liberal record. A lot of people have said that this letter was just scare tactics and trying to win over people to McCain. That may be true, but it's message should be taken into consideration.
Now you might be thinking, "WHAT? Should i really consider what these legalistic, conservative, overbearing, hell-fire preaching loonies are saying?"
Yes, because like it or not, they've probably been reading the Bible longer than you've been alive (which for the record, starts at conception) and probably have a small idea about what they're talking about.
Go ahead and take a minute to let that sink in.
Good? Ok, let's move on.
Now the doomsday scenario may seem like it's blown out of proportion, but it could also not be. Since Christ left this world on the day of His Ascension, people have been saying He is coming back. The world will scoff at this and mock us for believing this. "It's been 2000 years and where is He?" They mock.
Understand the the Creator of all is not held accountable to time, something He created.
But the signs of the times are pushing us closer to the end, more than we think. The VERY night Obama was elected president, an Israeli city was hit by an air strike.(2) While everyone all over the world rejoiced over Obama being elected, Russia cursed America and said we had some answering to do.(3) According to Biblical prophecy, Russia will take a big role in ushering the end.
Obama has his work cut out for him.
And i say this sincerely, I hope he can handle it.
Like the scripture at the very beginning of this passage, we are about to be put into the Potter's kiln. God is about to do a work in America. I don't really know what way he is going to make us, but i am excited about it. These next four years could be bad or good, but we are not the ones in control. For conservative christians like myself, it could be really hard. But remember that in order for a vessel (or perhaps a "melting pot") to me remade, it has to be broken, melted down and reshaped. What God has done with Israel, He will do with us.
So here's my challenge for you:
No matter what these next four years bring us, do this:
Preach the Gospel. Bring the lost to Christ. Feed the poor and the hungry. Give shelter to those who need it. As the body of Christ, we all have different gifts. We don't all have to do everything ourselves, we can share our workload with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Live your life for your King. Collect crowns of glory so we can cast them at our Creator's feet.
To the church:
We don't have to change to be relevant, we just need to be real. Read God's Word and pray daily. It doesn't get much simpler than that. I promise you, do those things for a solid week and you will see change in your life.
Alright church, let's blow this popsicle stand.
Endnotes:
1. http://focusfamaction.edgeboss.net/download/focusfamaction/pdfs/10-22-08_2012letter.pdf (read it, it's good.)
2. http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/11/05/israel.palestinians.rocket/index.html
3. http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/11/05/russia.missiles/index.html#cnnSTCText
1The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
2Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
3Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
4And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
5Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
6O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
A lot of controversy has occurred with this past election. I'm not sure if you've noticed. Of course, you've noticed. Unless, perhaps you were under a very dark rock for the past uh... forever. Which i doubt, because rocks are heavy and if you were under one for forever, you would get hungry, which will cause you to get hungry and venture out into the world, therefore making it possible for you to hear something about the election or being introduced into the wonders of fast food.
At this point, you will most likely be thinking, "All right, Vasquez, what's your point?"
Well, I have two points depending where you stand (or sit) and i will now give them to you. I will abstain for using titles such as "liberal democrat" or "conservative republican" because like always, abstinence is the best policy.
Point 1: Due to Obama winning the election, the world is not coming to an end. (I know, call me crazy.)
Point 2: Due to Obama winning the election, the world is coming to an end. (Jk, thought i'd get some laughs with that one.)
Real Point 2: Due to Obama winning the election, things will change. (And change we want! or need. or whatever the slogan is nowadays.)
I recently read a mock letter from the Focus on the Family group titled "A letter from 2012 in Obama's America." (1) This letter portrayed a very dark and grim future, mostly due to Obama's extremely liberal record. A lot of people have said that this letter was just scare tactics and trying to win over people to McCain. That may be true, but it's message should be taken into consideration.
Now you might be thinking, "WHAT? Should i really consider what these legalistic, conservative, overbearing, hell-fire preaching loonies are saying?"
Yes, because like it or not, they've probably been reading the Bible longer than you've been alive (which for the record, starts at conception) and probably have a small idea about what they're talking about.
Go ahead and take a minute to let that sink in.
Good? Ok, let's move on.
Now the doomsday scenario may seem like it's blown out of proportion, but it could also not be. Since Christ left this world on the day of His Ascension, people have been saying He is coming back. The world will scoff at this and mock us for believing this. "It's been 2000 years and where is He?" They mock.
Understand the the Creator of all is not held accountable to time, something He created.
But the signs of the times are pushing us closer to the end, more than we think. The VERY night Obama was elected president, an Israeli city was hit by an air strike.(2) While everyone all over the world rejoiced over Obama being elected, Russia cursed America and said we had some answering to do.(3) According to Biblical prophecy, Russia will take a big role in ushering the end.
Obama has his work cut out for him.
And i say this sincerely, I hope he can handle it.
Like the scripture at the very beginning of this passage, we are about to be put into the Potter's kiln. God is about to do a work in America. I don't really know what way he is going to make us, but i am excited about it. These next four years could be bad or good, but we are not the ones in control. For conservative christians like myself, it could be really hard. But remember that in order for a vessel (or perhaps a "melting pot") to me remade, it has to be broken, melted down and reshaped. What God has done with Israel, He will do with us.
So here's my challenge for you:
No matter what these next four years bring us, do this:
Preach the Gospel. Bring the lost to Christ. Feed the poor and the hungry. Give shelter to those who need it. As the body of Christ, we all have different gifts. We don't all have to do everything ourselves, we can share our workload with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Live your life for your King. Collect crowns of glory so we can cast them at our Creator's feet.
To the church:
We don't have to change to be relevant, we just need to be real. Read God's Word and pray daily. It doesn't get much simpler than that. I promise you, do those things for a solid week and you will see change in your life.
Alright church, let's blow this popsicle stand.
Endnotes:
1. http://focusfamaction.edgeboss.net/download/focusfamaction/pdfs/10-22-08_2012letter.pdf (read it, it's good.)
2. http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/11/05/israel.palestinians.rocket/index.html
3. http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/11/05/russia.missiles/index.html#cnnSTCText
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Why vote for change, when you can vote for dollars!
I went to go early vote after church on Sunday.
I'm going to be flat out honest. I did not want to.
The politics of this election have driven me to a point of madness on which I can't describe without sounding "un-American".
I was bombarded by nothing but Obama supporters and signs. There was no trace of evidence that McCain was even running for president. Midway waiting in the ever growing line, FAMU's marching band and a full on parade of more Obama supporters came strolling up main street.
At least the band was good.
I am not crazy about either one of the candidates. My vote ended up being decided on who stood for certain issues i found critical to America's future. But i learned something for the whole ordeal.
In the very front of the parade, there was a banner which read, "Vote for your conscious".
At first, I thought it was hilarious that "conscience" was spelt wrong, but the more i thought about it, they were right. (Just not the spelling;)
We are born with the ability to tell right from wrong. In the Psalms it speaks of God writing his Law on our hearts. The Ten Commandments are really simple if you think about it. "Thou shalt not kill." Check. "Thous shalt not commit adultery." Check. But when Jesus come on the scene and says that The Father looks at the thought life and the heart, it becomes much more real to us. Hate is murder. Lust is adultery. The stakes become much higher and our conscience recognizes that.
"Vote for your Conscience."
As you look on to this year's election, use your conscience to weigh the issues. Is it right? Is it wrong? There are things that seem right to us, but it righteous in God's eyes?
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
Proverbs 14:12
I'm going to be flat out honest. I did not want to.
The politics of this election have driven me to a point of madness on which I can't describe without sounding "un-American".
I was bombarded by nothing but Obama supporters and signs. There was no trace of evidence that McCain was even running for president. Midway waiting in the ever growing line, FAMU's marching band and a full on parade of more Obama supporters came strolling up main street.
At least the band was good.
I am not crazy about either one of the candidates. My vote ended up being decided on who stood for certain issues i found critical to America's future. But i learned something for the whole ordeal.
In the very front of the parade, there was a banner which read, "Vote for your conscious".
At first, I thought it was hilarious that "conscience" was spelt wrong, but the more i thought about it, they were right. (Just not the spelling;)
We are born with the ability to tell right from wrong. In the Psalms it speaks of God writing his Law on our hearts. The Ten Commandments are really simple if you think about it. "Thou shalt not kill." Check. "Thous shalt not commit adultery." Check. But when Jesus come on the scene and says that The Father looks at the thought life and the heart, it becomes much more real to us. Hate is murder. Lust is adultery. The stakes become much higher and our conscience recognizes that.
"Vote for your Conscience."
As you look on to this year's election, use your conscience to weigh the issues. Is it right? Is it wrong? There are things that seem right to us, but it righteous in God's eyes?
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
Proverbs 14:12
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Ringing of Bell's...
So i received a phone call from my sister-in-law about a heated discussion in her class. It just so happened to be on Rob Bell. So tomorrow i get to go talk to her class about some of his teachings. If anybody reads these things and knows a good bit about Mr. Bell, could you please tell me what you know, cause i don't want to be informed about him. Thanks.
Monday, October 20, 2008
One of my favorite Jews...
The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'
In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing yet?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'
In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing yet?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein
Thursday, October 9, 2008
being open minded... pt.2
So after some comment's on my last blog, i figured i'd clear the air about a few things. I was mearly just bearing my soul a little bit and talking about something i'm passionate about. I take my faith very seriously and i don't mean to confuse or belittle. There were a few things that i noticed in my comments that did understand on why my blog was misunderstood.
I am not saying as christians we don't need to live a christian lifestyle, but rather it is not a "christian lifestyle" that makes us christian. Anyone could live a "christian lifestyle" and not be a christian. It's called a false convert. Many people think that you can skate by and just go to church, and do good things and act like a christian. This is not the case. Jesus clearly said, "You must be born again."
One thing i noticed is that i said, "Jesus didn't come to this earth to live, he came to die." I am not saying Jesus' life didn't mean anything, but was trying to stress the importance of His death. Yes, Jesus did not come only to die. He came to live a sinless life, holy and spotless before God. He came to die on the cross, in our place. And He came to defeat death with His glorious resurrection. It is so very important to preach His Life, Death and Resurrection. One cannot stand alone, neither can two hold each other up, but only when the three are combined do they accomplish what Christ set out to do.
God is not looking for us to pay him back? Well of course he's not looking for us to pay him back! We can't! He knows this. BUT... there is still a fine to be paid. Christ paid that fine. It is when we accept Christ and REPENT from our sins that our fine, which we can't pay ourselves, is paid in full.
Well, what about if the christian life weren't the best way to live, then why don't we go to heaven directly after we get saved? What does the christian life have anything to do with going to heaven? It doesn't. You go to heaven if you are a born again believer in Christ. You either live your life for him or you don't. But let me ask you this: If you don't live your life like a christian and you claim to be one, are you really a christian? When you truly become a christian, your life changes. If there is no change, i urge you to seek out if you're really a christian. We become new in Christ, not the same with a different label. We don't live our lives trying to prove to God that we're worthy of heaven, because we're not. It is only through the Blood of the Lamb that we can enter into his presence.
The beauty of christianity is that we can be both a slave and a freedman. Oh, isn't it wonderful to know that my chains have been broken from sin but yet now i am CHAINED to the one called Christ? The glory of it all. It is a little difficult to understand, but when it comes to full understanding, how beautiful it is. I am no longer a slave to sin, but to Christ? Praise the Father! Paul repeatedly spoke of being a bondservant or slave to Christ. But yet Paul often spoke of the great joy of being free in Christ. I will gladly live my life in service to my Lord.
Liberty and Freedom. Two things America has fought and died for. Millions upon millions have given their lives for these two ideals in America alone. It is no different with christianity. Blood had to be shed. It was Christ who layed down his life for our freedom and liberty. Romans 6:7-8 says, "For he that is dead is free from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we should also live with Him."
It is through His life, death and resurrection that we are free from sin. Now how do we embrace that? Paul continues in verse 15 by saying, "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid." Just because we are free from sin doesn't mean we can live any ole' way we want.
Which brings us back to lifestyle.
If you are truly saved and born again, your lifestyle will change. "that our old man is crucified with him.." It is in my opinion that being a christian isn't a lifestyle. BUT being a christian will change your lifestyle. You'll act different, you feel different, you'll speak differently. This is my blog and it's a window to a lost world. I'm going to yell that the house is burning down, not to condemn, but out of love. Some may say i'm ranting, but i'll do whatever it takes to get people out of the house. Even if that includes running in.
Jesus said, "I AM the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father , but by me."
The way of Jesus is the ONLY WAY to the Father. And if you know him, then you know the Father.
I am not saying as christians we don't need to live a christian lifestyle, but rather it is not a "christian lifestyle" that makes us christian. Anyone could live a "christian lifestyle" and not be a christian. It's called a false convert. Many people think that you can skate by and just go to church, and do good things and act like a christian. This is not the case. Jesus clearly said, "You must be born again."
One thing i noticed is that i said, "Jesus didn't come to this earth to live, he came to die." I am not saying Jesus' life didn't mean anything, but was trying to stress the importance of His death. Yes, Jesus did not come only to die. He came to live a sinless life, holy and spotless before God. He came to die on the cross, in our place. And He came to defeat death with His glorious resurrection. It is so very important to preach His Life, Death and Resurrection. One cannot stand alone, neither can two hold each other up, but only when the three are combined do they accomplish what Christ set out to do.
God is not looking for us to pay him back? Well of course he's not looking for us to pay him back! We can't! He knows this. BUT... there is still a fine to be paid. Christ paid that fine. It is when we accept Christ and REPENT from our sins that our fine, which we can't pay ourselves, is paid in full.
Well, what about if the christian life weren't the best way to live, then why don't we go to heaven directly after we get saved? What does the christian life have anything to do with going to heaven? It doesn't. You go to heaven if you are a born again believer in Christ. You either live your life for him or you don't. But let me ask you this: If you don't live your life like a christian and you claim to be one, are you really a christian? When you truly become a christian, your life changes. If there is no change, i urge you to seek out if you're really a christian. We become new in Christ, not the same with a different label. We don't live our lives trying to prove to God that we're worthy of heaven, because we're not. It is only through the Blood of the Lamb that we can enter into his presence.
The beauty of christianity is that we can be both a slave and a freedman. Oh, isn't it wonderful to know that my chains have been broken from sin but yet now i am CHAINED to the one called Christ? The glory of it all. It is a little difficult to understand, but when it comes to full understanding, how beautiful it is. I am no longer a slave to sin, but to Christ? Praise the Father! Paul repeatedly spoke of being a bondservant or slave to Christ. But yet Paul often spoke of the great joy of being free in Christ. I will gladly live my life in service to my Lord.
Liberty and Freedom. Two things America has fought and died for. Millions upon millions have given their lives for these two ideals in America alone. It is no different with christianity. Blood had to be shed. It was Christ who layed down his life for our freedom and liberty. Romans 6:7-8 says, "For he that is dead is free from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we should also live with Him."
It is through His life, death and resurrection that we are free from sin. Now how do we embrace that? Paul continues in verse 15 by saying, "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid." Just because we are free from sin doesn't mean we can live any ole' way we want.
Which brings us back to lifestyle.
If you are truly saved and born again, your lifestyle will change. "that our old man is crucified with him.." It is in my opinion that being a christian isn't a lifestyle. BUT being a christian will change your lifestyle. You'll act different, you feel different, you'll speak differently. This is my blog and it's a window to a lost world. I'm going to yell that the house is burning down, not to condemn, but out of love. Some may say i'm ranting, but i'll do whatever it takes to get people out of the house. Even if that includes running in.
Jesus said, "I AM the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father , but by me."
The way of Jesus is the ONLY WAY to the Father. And if you know him, then you know the Father.
on being open minded pt.1...
I have come to the realization that i need to clear a few things on my last blog. I think i might have been taken in the wrong way on a few things. So, look forward to a new blog soon to answer questions and concerns.
As i good friend once told me, "Rescue is coming..."
As i good friend once told me, "Rescue is coming..."
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
being open minded... pt.1
So, I've finished "Velvet Elvis".
It was ok, not all the hype i thought it was going to be.
There were some really good illustrations and ideas, but then some stuff was way out there. I wouldn't recommend this book to a baby christian or someone who isn't solid in they're faith. The reason behind that is in this first blog.
Mr. Bell uses the illustration that our faith should be like a trampoline. At first it made sense, it should be fun and enjoyable and you should being inviting people to jump with you. I've got no problem with that. Yes, Christian life should be something we enjoy and something we're willing to share with others. What's the point of a trampoline? To jump. What the point of being a Christian? To Follow Christ.
And here lies my biggest problem with all of Mr. Bell's teaching.
Christianity becomes a lifestyle. Or the "best possible way to live."
I am a Christian not because i think it is the best way to live my life, but because i sinned against a righteous and holy God, who sent His son to die in my place. I became guilty before a perfect judge and a fine had to be paid. Jesus paid that fine. I am a slave to Christ. I owe him my life and that is why i follow Him, not because i think it's the best way to live my life.
It is because I am a Christian and servant of Christ that my life reflects His.
Lastly, Mr. Bell takes a stab at John 14:6 and says that "Jesus was not making claims about one religion being better than all other religions." He says that misses the point. Mr. Bell say, that Jesus was telling his followers, "his way is the way to the depth of reality." That the way Jesus lived his life "is the best possible way for a person to live."
Oh how sad it is that we only look to merely imitate Christ, because we think it's the best thing to do. Jesus didn't come to this earth to live, he came to die. Christians open your eyes, this teaching is running heavily through our churches today. It's so close to the truth, it seems only three degrees off. But whether you're three degrees off or a hundred, you will end up off course.
So, Christian is Christ just a lifestyle or is He life?
If you have never repented of your sin, know that God has given us a mirror unto our souls through his commandments. Just a rapist is a rapist after only raping once, a liar is liar after only one lie. A thief is a thief. Jesus said, "If you look at a woman with lust, then you are an adulterer at heart." Know that one day you will stand before a holy God who will judge you by His moral standard, not yours. And then it won't matter what your lifestyle was, but where you life is.
It was ok, not all the hype i thought it was going to be.
There were some really good illustrations and ideas, but then some stuff was way out there. I wouldn't recommend this book to a baby christian or someone who isn't solid in they're faith. The reason behind that is in this first blog.
Mr. Bell uses the illustration that our faith should be like a trampoline. At first it made sense, it should be fun and enjoyable and you should being inviting people to jump with you. I've got no problem with that. Yes, Christian life should be something we enjoy and something we're willing to share with others. What's the point of a trampoline? To jump. What the point of being a Christian? To Follow Christ.
And here lies my biggest problem with all of Mr. Bell's teaching.
Christianity becomes a lifestyle. Or the "best possible way to live."
I am a Christian not because i think it is the best way to live my life, but because i sinned against a righteous and holy God, who sent His son to die in my place. I became guilty before a perfect judge and a fine had to be paid. Jesus paid that fine. I am a slave to Christ. I owe him my life and that is why i follow Him, not because i think it's the best way to live my life.
It is because I am a Christian and servant of Christ that my life reflects His.
Lastly, Mr. Bell takes a stab at John 14:6 and says that "Jesus was not making claims about one religion being better than all other religions." He says that misses the point. Mr. Bell say, that Jesus was telling his followers, "his way is the way to the depth of reality." That the way Jesus lived his life "is the best possible way for a person to live."
Oh how sad it is that we only look to merely imitate Christ, because we think it's the best thing to do. Jesus didn't come to this earth to live, he came to die. Christians open your eyes, this teaching is running heavily through our churches today. It's so close to the truth, it seems only three degrees off. But whether you're three degrees off or a hundred, you will end up off course.
So, Christian is Christ just a lifestyle or is He life?
If you have never repented of your sin, know that God has given us a mirror unto our souls through his commandments. Just a rapist is a rapist after only raping once, a liar is liar after only one lie. A thief is a thief. Jesus said, "If you look at a woman with lust, then you are an adulterer at heart." Know that one day you will stand before a holy God who will judge you by His moral standard, not yours. And then it won't matter what your lifestyle was, but where you life is.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Trying to be open-minded...
so, after being labeled a "conservative fundie", i have decided to try and remain open-minded about things. I started reading Rob Bell's book, "Velvet Elvis" and I'm trying to work my way through it. I've put it off, because i haven't always agreed with everything Mr. Bell taught.
But after being labled in such a way, i figured it be best to try and remain open minded.
But after being labled in such a way, i figured it be best to try and remain open minded.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
