26-31Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don't see many of "the brightest and the best" among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn't it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God."
I dont think any of us are to bad to be here, and i also dont think that we are to good to stay away. (btw i did read that on a sign in front of a church). Reply to this
June 11, 2009 3:29 PM
Dustin wrote:
I looked at the history of the blog and it went dead at this same time last year. you always seem to have something to say to us about the scripture you post. What happened? Reply to this
June 10, 2009 5:40 PM
Zack wrote:
17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel
I thought our whole purpose was to go and make disciples. Reply to this
June 11, 2009 7:34 AM
Sam wrote:
AH! But how DO you make Disciples? The Baptism is just a step along the way. Preaching the Gospel is what 'makes' Disicples....don't you think? Reply to this
June 11, 2009 11:03 AM
rick wrote:
my sentaments exactly! I had that conversation with him last night. It is good to see him process information and ask these type of questions. Reply to this
June 11, 2009 2:07 PM
Dustin wrote:
Zack, can you tell me a little history about 1 corinthians, like is it a book? (i know what it is please dont yell at me to correct it), who is it addressed to? and why you think that Paul wrote it? before we get to deep into it. Reply to this
14-16The unspiritual self, just as it is by nature, can't receive the gifts of God's Spirit. There's no capacity for them. They seem like so much silliness. Spirit can be known only by spirit—God's Spirit and our spirits in open communion. Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God's Spirit is doing, and can't be judged by unspiritual critics.
Isaiah's question, "Is there anyone around who knows God's Spirit, anyone who knows what he is doing?"
can anyone answer that question at the end?
Why would anyone want to get out of bed that early on a sunday and go and clap there hands and sing and listen to some allknowing guy stand up in front of you and tell you how bad you are? if you want to do that you go im stayin here in bed.......true story, i said it to chris many times before Christ got through to me. I am so glad that he did get through because i was on a very self destructive path. Since the day Rick invited us i have felt closer to my brothers every day. I feel know that when something happens to me i can reach out and someone will reach back to help. It is such an amazing feeling to have.
the answer to the question is: "has been answered: Christ knows, and we have Christ's Spirit." Reply to this
It's a sad day for me today. I have put this off till the last minute (typical me). I still dont know what i am going to say. Today i have to voluntarilly quit my job. I have to write my two week notice. I have to give up my job in order to move. I have to give up my new friends in order to move. I have to give up my new brothers and find new ones in order to move. Emotions are running through my head today like gazelle's in a mad sprint. I dont know where to start. I am lost. I just sat here with my fingers on the keyboard starring at my desk because i lost my train of thought again.
I sit here and wonder: is my foundation strong, Are my walls strong, is my temple built strong for Jesus. Sometimes i sit through a study in silence because i feel that i have nothing to say that will mean anything. I wonder if my temple will withstand gods inspection. If i pass away will jesus say well done? Or will i be left barely alive? Will i have to start over building my foundation? I dont know just full of sadness today because i can see the end of this journey coming and this is the only one i dont feel that i should make. I feel like i am leaving the brothers that need me.
Well i need to go pick up a truck from the shop ill write more later. Reply to this
June 13, 2009 4:18 PM
Rick wrote:
I will make sure I pray you meet some good friends/brothers in Cali. Just remember one thing-if you go with the mind set "who will talk to me? Who will become friends with me?" you will struggle. If you go with the mind set " who can I say high to, who can I befriend?" you will be more successful. this is coming from someone who has moved 4 times as a Christian. be outward focus, not inward focused. remember the 10 things to do when joining a new congregation that was read on Wednesday night? you should ask for a copy of that. also callus when you are not feeling loved and encouraged. that last thing you want to happen is to feel as if you are on an island all alone. This atmosphere is completely unhealthy for anyone who wants to stay close to God, especially as young as you are. james 1 2-4 2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. BE ENCOURAGED!! Reply to this
Before i start i would like to say thank you Rick. I think that my biggest fear is going to be the fact that i dont have a job after my time here. I know that i can pick up some odd jobs if i need them but they arent always there. Anyway back to 1 corinthians 4.
1-4Don't imagine us leaders to be something we aren't. We are servants of Christ, not his masters. We are guides into God's most sublime secrets, not security guards posted to protect them. The requirements for a good guide are reliability and accurate knowledge. It matters very little to me what you think of me, even less where I rank in popular opinion. I don't even rank myself. Comparisons in these matters are pointless. I'm not aware of anything that would disqualify me from being a good guide for you, but that doesn't mean much. The Master makes that judgment.
I have heard a couple people say that i should become deeper in the church. So i have thought of a few things that i would like to do when i move out to CA.
1. Organize my own bible study (i was thinking tuesday nights around 7:30) 2.Be a coordinator/instructor for Financial peace. 3.Help with the childrens ministry 4.plan and organize a mens retreat 5.Lead a communion (hardest for me)
The message I'm not responsible for what the outsiders do, but don't we have some responsibility for those within our community of believers? God decides on the outsiders, but we need to decide when our brothers and sisters are out of line and, if necessary, clean house.
Pauls kind of forceful there huh. Well its sad to see a brother that isnt(that i know of) relying on his brothers for help. Rich, JB, Sam, and anyone else that needs help should be posting here. Sam if i was told right this blog is for all of us to share our thoughts and scriptures to help each other on our journey. I pray that you all come back. Reply to this
June 17, 2009 8:12 AM
Zack wrote:
1 Corinthians 8 says a lot of things about eating food sacrificed to idols. Did people back then really eat the food after they sacrificed it? If so, then why was that such a big problem. Another thought i had was that food might be theoretical and it is really our actions. What we do influences other people. And bad actions might cause others to not seek God. Reply to this
June 17, 2009 10:33 AM
Sam wrote:
Oh absolutely oh-questioning-one! Food prepared/burned/cooked/etc for sacrificing to God and to gods was most certainly eaten. Various parts of animals were burned, but most were eaten by those in charge of the sacrifices and then to others. You hit the nail squarely on the head when you refer to actions, vice the 'eating of the meats'. We are to honor God (not gods) with our actions (includes tithing, evangelizing, loving, praying, helping, serving, etc) and don't worry about what we eat. He also, of course, hated the practice of sacrificing anything to 'gods' instead of to GOD. By sacrificing things to objects other than God Himself, we are really dishonoring God. So, when you spend time watching TV, playing video games, participating in sports, and they become the 'way' of life for you, then maybe you ought to reevaluate and see how you can turn some of these activities into some method of honoring God, rather than yourself. (I am not saying you are doing that, but we all should reflect on what we are 'sacrificing' and see if those are things for God, or for ourselves. Reply to this
June 17, 2009 10:53 AM
Zack wrote:
Thanks, i know i struggle with that kinda stuff. I spend too much time with games and sports when i know i should be more productive with my spiritual life. Reply to this
June 17, 2009 12:12 PM
Rick wrote:
I too spend more time with all kinds of other things and not enough time with God. Like Mac said trying to make the things we are doing a way of honoring God vice just doing them for ourselves. using the sports and gaming as reach out tools for those around you. If there is no one around you is there something else you could be doing at that time? Some "down time" is OK. when you have all kinds of "down time" everyday then maybe you should reevaluate your priorities. Reply to this
June 18, 2009 2:55 PM
Dustin wrote:
yeah um wish i could be here for jeff to explain this one. I must be missing the point also. Reply to this
June 19, 2009 7:27 AM
Sam wrote:
Really? (To you too Dustin). There is more in this chapter than I could write about in a month. Start with the ending part about running for the prize. That doesn't say anything to you? It should. It talks of self denial. Of sacrifice. Of love for God. It says that we should be doing things for God but in a structured sort of way. We should plan our actions the best we can. Every day. We should make short term and long term plans (plans don't always mature into finalization the way we want, but planning is a crucial factor in our lives for God). We should attempt to execute these plans. We should, during that execution, try to stay the course and not be influenced by satan or others to change it. Thousands of examples come to mind, but one is evangelism. People 'plan' to preach the Word of God to people they meet, but along the way something happens and then nothing happens. People are swayed from doing what they planned. Paul is telling us to fight off those temptations. He is warning us that to get to Heaven we must continue to run the race. If you drop out of a foot race, for example, you'll never get to the finish line. Some people say 'once saved, always saved.' Au contrair, there are many, many verses which tell us we must continue to walk in the way of Christ, otherwise, when we get to those pearly gates, we may be told, "away from me you evil-doers. I don't know you."
Oh yes, lots and lots of stuff in this chapter. But let's stay in this section for a bit longer and liken it to you (Zack) preparing yourself for football. What can you bench press now? 300 pounds? 400? 500? 1000? WHATEVER that number is, you didn't start off by doing it...you started with a much lesser number. But then, you continued to train. You continued to grow in your ability to lift larger weights. Your short term goals probably changed as you progressed. Your long term ones may have also. But the point is, you stuck to your guns and continued to press on. Your ultimate goal? I don't know what that is as far as weight lifting, but it just MIGHT be that you want a body strong enough to play pro or semi-pro football someday. Who knows what will come of your 'plan', or your race toward your goals, but at least you have goals. You have plans. Paul tells us that our final goal is a crown in Heaven. What training must we do to get that crown? How much Bible reading and IN-DEPTH studying is necessary (for some, it comes easier than others--for those who have more difficulty understanding God's Word, they should be training harder...reading more, referencing more, conjecturing more, studying more). I was a little disappointed in you and Dustin with your comments today (yesterday the 18th as I am responding to this on the 19th). How can you say you got NOTHING out of this whole chapter? If you got nothing, you need to have picked up that 'weight' again and pressed even harder. If you gave up on weight lifting like you did on ... Reply to this
June 19, 2009 7:32 AM
Sam wrote:
...this chapter, then you'd never get to play good football. This goes for anyone else who is reading this and says something similar like he/she doesn't get anything from a chapter in the Bible....how can you NOT? It does not take the Holy Spirit to get SOMETHING out of a chapter. CHALLENGE--Read Jeremiah 35 and see what you get out of that (my reading for this morning). THEN, return to 1st Corinthians 9 and re-read it (again and again if necessary)----concentrate on the part about Paul not taking anything from the people he is preaching to, other than the satisfaction of seeing people come to Christ. THAT is a great topic that might help people with tithing.
Okay....back off my soapbox, but sometimes I just get concerned when people say they got 'nothing' from reading the Bible. Impossible not to.
June 19, 2009 8:08 AM
Dustin wrote:
okay, captain soapbox, we finally got you to come out and speak to us.
Jer 35 says that if you dont listen to God all disasters gad has spoken will happen. Also it says that since Jer listened to and obeyed his forefathers that he would never fail to have a man serve me. I am assuming Me is God.
So back to 1 cor 9, i didnt say that i didnt get anything out of it. I said i think i missed the point. I actually had a few questions but knew that there were only a few people (like your self SAM) that could answer them. LIKE:
1. 2Even though I may not be an apostle to others----is he not an apostle to all?
2. 3This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. 4Don't we have the right to food and drink? 5Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas[a]? 6Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living?
Why is he asking this?
3.7Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Is Paul speaking of a roman soldier?
4.11If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?
We sow seeds, we water seeds, but its God that makes the harvest grow so wouldnt it be Gods right to harvest it and not ours?
5.13Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?
I thought that we were not to eat from the altar.
Those are them. So now that i know you are here and reading, can you answer them?
So here is what i got from yesterday. God doesnt charge you for his love. He gives it freely. Just like we should. Every one of us should be studying like the runners train. Evryone of us should be training our minds so that we are closer to Christ. Because our prize is at the end of the race. Every one of us knows how that race ends. Have we trained hard enough? Have i trained hard enough. I keep hearing that we are not guarenteed tommorow. But can you say that you have trained hard enough that your race can end and you are able to obtain the prize. I pray that i can train hard enough, to push hard enough, and then i pray that i push harder than enough. I want the prize. How about you? Reply to this
June 19, 2009 9:04 AM
Sam wrote:
I am sure I CAN! Of course, my 'answers' may just be my opinion, and not fact. But then, who knows? They might actually be the truth...I'll come back later....but first, wanted to post my thoughts on Jeremiah 35. (Next) Reply to this
June 19, 2009 12:01 PM
Sam wrote:
1. An apostle is one who SHARES the Word of God/Christ with others. Some people simply refuse to listen, so there is really no 'sharing' even though the word was 'spoken'. Hence, Paul was NOT an apostle to everyone. 2. Those opposing Paul came from all walks of life....christians, non-Christians who believed in God, and those who didn't believe in a god at all. But, he seems to be addressing the Christians who are opposing him. They were obviously complainers---saying that because he WAS an apostle, his standards needed to be higher than their's (shouldn't be married because it would impact on his mission; should receive salaries/monies from 'the church' because it was 'the thing to do'). Paul was simply telling them that he works for living, yet he lives for God, unlike some of the others perhaps in the Corinthian churches. 3. Could be, but I think he is referring to being soldiers in God's army. Each soldier must give up a lot to remain in the ranks, but each also receives a lot back for their contributions. In God's 'army' we receive love from others, we receive solace from knowing our fight is with satan and backed by Christ. As a soldier of Christ, one would expect to get 'paid' in this manner. 4. God wants to share everything with us....that includes the 'glory' or reward for 'finding' that person who God finally brings to God on His own, encouraged by you, one of his soldiers (see above), who He wants to 'pay' or reward. 5. "Refrain from foods offered to idols", not 'to God'. Written in the laws in Leviticus and Deuteronomy, you will find that foods used to honor THE ONE AND ONLY GOD were consumed by the Levites and others performing the rituals God required. It was part of their payment.
June 19, 2009 9:46 AM
rick wrote:
Jerem 35, "the son of Habazziniah, and his brothers and all his sons—the whole family of the Recabites" Was God holding these people up as an example of obedience or was he saying to them 'you can obey your forefathers, but you do not obey me'? "in Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem" disaster was coming. the aforementioned family was living in Jerusalem so were they going to get the smiting that was coming? that is what I am unsure about, here is what I am sure about.
Do we do things because of what our parents, grandparents, bosses, and others in a leadership positions(or maybe our own judgment) say out of loyalty, obedience and trusting there judgment, yet question God? Do we think it is difficult to have faith in the scriptures and what they command? I want to trust God and His Word. I do not want to be smitten by Him. Reply to this
If we have love, true love, love that is spelled out here in Corinthians, the church would flourish, marriages would never fall apart, friendships would have depth we can only dream of. this is the scripture (13, 4-8) that single handedly has saved my marriage, and as long as I continue to go back to it my relationship with my wife will continue to grow. same with my children, If i apply this to my actions with them they will understand more and more how God works. I think this is one of the most powerful vs's in the whole bible, it is how Jesus lived day in and day out, it is how we can keep from being entangles with many sins. It is the essence of GOD. Reply to this
June 23, 2009 9:01 AM
Sam wrote:
Draw the Line. Where is the line concerning what is acceptable sin and what is not. Obviously everybody sins (Romans 5:12, 11:32, 1 John 1:8, e.g.), so what is ‘acceptable’, and what is not?
The Catholic religion, if I can call it that, have a thought about ‘deadly sins’, versus those not leading to ‘death’. Seven is their magic number: lust, anger, pride, sloth, envy, gluttony and greed. Guess murder and rape and the such are not deadly?????? Maybe they just consider these to be the ‘result’ of one (or more) of the SEVEN.
Paul seems to also separate sins into deadly and non-deadly ones: “If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.”—1 John 5:16-17. But the following verses do not seem to separate the different wrongdoings. (Except ‘keep away from idols’---seems minor compared to ‘the seven’, YET, it is God’s ‘first’ commandment!)
It is obvious to me that we all sin. Not just because of what the Bible says, but from observation of people. Oh, I am sure some folks sin a LOT less than others, but …..hmmm…a thought just hit me….I don’t remember my mom sinning! REALLY. Lust? Nope. Anger? Not really. Pride? Definitely not. Sloth? NOPE! Envy? Maybe, but she never seemed to show it. Gluttony? No way. Greed? Absolutely not? Murder, rape, and ‘all the others’? Absolutely not! Is my mom perfect? Probably not, but to me she is. Now, I didn’t know her in her younger years (she was 27 when I was born), but her actions today sure seem to reflect on a very good life. I love my mom. Okay, sorry, back to the subject….is there a line between what is acceptable sin and what is not?
In society, there certainly is. Laws have been developed over the years to separate allowable actions, vice those punishable. And these laws are continuing to be developed. For example, it is now a ‘crime’ to spank your child in some locations. I don’t mean ‘harm’ your child, but a simple ‘spank on the butt’ is taboo, and is actually punishable by law in some states. Simply amazing. Also, it is now against the law to ‘talk bad’ about somebody, ESPECIALLY if it is along racial lines. You can get fired, or even go to jail, for saying things concerning race. Again, simply amazing. Where did our first amendment rights go? I can see if someone DOES something that causes harm to some one of a different race, but someone calling me ‘a honky’, or a ‘mick’ (I’m of Irish descent), or even ‘wasp’ (white anglo-saxon protestant), certainly doesn’t, in my mind, violate any laws nor cause me ‘harm’. Now, it might cause someone ELSE to sin, and I guess, in doing that, the person causing them to sin, sins as well (1 Cor 1:8 and Rev 2:14). TBC... Reply to this
June 23, 2009 9:03 AM
Sam wrote:
But should that be against a ‘law’? Oh well, I digressed again.
John, one of the original Disciples quotes Jesus concerning sin: "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” Yet Paul says, “… We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” Yet, starting in Romans 6 verse 4, and continuing through Romans 8, around verse 6, Paul says that we should NOT be in sin (at all!).
Peter, one of Jesus’ closest friends and followers, tells us that by the wounds of Jesus, we have been healed, and that we ‘died to sins’.
And again, John writes that ‘no one who lives in him (Jesus) keeps on sinning’.
YET, we KNOW we sin most every day (and probably my mom does, but she hides it well!!!).
I don’t believe, after all I’ve written here, and read throughout the Bible, that there IS a line. I also don’t believe that there isn’t a ‘gray area’, which could mask a line. I believe all sin is sin (and we aren’t limited to just seven ‘deadly’ ones either…they are all bad in God’s eyes. The confusing part about all this, separating sin into groups, or drawing lines between the ‘good’ and the ‘bad’ ones, is that there is NOT a simple solution. We know Jesus died for us. We know we (Christians) died ‘with’ Him during our baptism. We know we continue to sin. We know that any sin can keep us from Heaven. We know a lot about what sin is, what it can do to us, and how to ‘avoid’ it. We DON’T know much about the ramification of committing sin and then confessing it. Do we NEED to continually confess sins? Or did the death of Christ answer for all of them already? Is there a separation from adulterers, murderers, rapists, and liars (or any other of the many, many sins listed within our Bible? Will God take into Heaven a murderer just as ‘quickly’ as he’d take one who is greedy? Will he take neither? So many questions one simple question begs. I can’t draw a line between sins, however, I can draw a line between a sinFULL life and one where the individual fights it. I believe, without the intervention at some point by God, that those who live a life full of sin (Galatians 5:21), will not inherit the Kingdom of God. The line is between constant fighting sin, and giving it to it all the time. I can’t draw one between any individual, or set of, sins. Only between wanton, sinful lifestyles, versus one in which people actually try to live for Christ.
Mom, I love you! (Even though you're not reading this.) Reply to this
June 23, 2009 9:58 AM
Zack wrote:
I'm a little frustrated now because i typed up this long blog entry and when i tried to post it, it didn't show up. So i'm gonna try to paraphrase what i came up with earlier.
2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.
If you just have love, than do these other things count. Or is love just a foundation that we need to build off of and then knowledge and faith will soon come after? When we start out should we just strive to love? Cause if we strive to be like Jesus, I've always heard GOD IS LOVE, not God is Faith or God is Knowledge.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
Is this passage about the coming of Jesus. Cause that is what i got when i read about the the "perfect" coming the imperfect disappears. Reply to this
June 23, 2009 11:08 AM
rick wrote:
I have heard it is a reference to the written Word, which is Jesus. I am not 100% sure what the "Perfect" is refering to. Reply to this
June 23, 2009 2:36 PM
Sam wrote:
After you type in your thoughts, and before you try to post, do what Jesus does. SAVE! Save it in computer memory. If you put the mouse anywhere in the area you are typing and hit CTRL-A (Ctrl and A keys simultaneously(, and then after all the text is selected (that's what Ctrl-A does), use the Ctrl-C (copy) key combination to SAVE it into memory. That way, if it disappears when you post, you can start another post and then Ctrl-V (PASTE) it back into the box....then try again--bet it will work. I ALWAYS (well, whenever I remember) do that, just in case. Reply to this
June 24, 2009 8:13 AM
Zack wrote:
I dont really have a good understanding of speaking in toungs, but i think what he's trying to get at is using your talents to help the church in any way you can. Paul has the ability to speak in tongues, so he is like a translater to help converts people of different races and cultures.
And man, i knew that women shouldn't stand up and preach, but this says that they are NOT aloowed to speak and should ask her husband to speak for her. That doesn't seem all that fair to women because they too have the ability to repent, be baptised, and make disciples. Reply to this
June 24, 2009 11:33 AM
Sam wrote:
Ahhh, but God made Man (male) first, and only added Woman (female) as a HELPER (not a leader!!)... Reply to this
June 24, 2009 12:44 PM
Zack wrote:
But that doesn't mean that they shouldn't speak. I understand if they shouldn't lead, but not speaking at all is harsh. Reply to this
June 25, 2009 7:50 AM
Zack wrote:
Is there a difference between apostles and the twelve disciples that hung out with Jesus? It says that jesus appeared to the twelve, then to all the apostles.
P.S. I'm getting baptized friday night at the North River Building if anyone is interested in coming. Reply to this
June 25, 2009 9:49 AM
Sam wrote:
First, congrats. It'll be a hard and long road, but it's worth it.
Second, copy this link into your browser and read what I think about Apostles:
June 26, 2009 8:05 AM
Dustin wrote:
Zack, We have to be at nrcoc at 6:30 right? My family will be there just let me know the time. Reply to this
June 30, 2009 8:28 AM
Dustin wrote:
hope all is well back east. Just wanted to let you all know about our progress. We spent the night at la quinta in shawnee Oklahoma. We are making good time and might actually arrive a day early. Reply to this
July 5, 2009 1:50 AM
dustin wrote:
Hey all hope you guys had a great 4th of July. I know we did. We stopped in tennesse and picked up a few fireworks and lit them off tonight. So trip progress., We arrived on wednesday night and have been haveing fun ever since. We have had to clean out the house we are moving into because the owner has not moved out yet. Hopefully that will be done soon. Well i met alot of the brothers from north orange county yesterday, they came over to help unload the truck. Scott Sweeney stopped by the house today but i was over at my moms for our bbq and i missed him. But i will get to meet him tommorrow. so far this new church seems to be awsome. We have met our family group leader, he is 3 blocks away from our house which is cool. well anyway, hope all is well and look forward to seeing you all sometime. Tell everyone at nrcoc that i said hi. Reply to this
July 6, 2009 10:22 AM
Dustin wrote:
So we went to church last night. Yeah i said last night. The service here for north orange county is at 5:00 at night. I got to meet a lot of great people and have joined a family group. I also got to meet scott sweeney and his wife. You are right Rick he is a good guy. My mom and sister went with us, which was shocking that i got my sister to go. But any way are we quiting blogging or what? Reply to this
July 11, 2009 8:21 AM
Dustin wrote:
Good Morning all, I am heading out this morning to go to Long Beach and watch the catalina ski race. I thought i would drop by to say hi to you all but see that no one has posted since my last post. oh well ill keep posting to myself until someone says im crazy. see ya'll. Reply to this
July 11, 2009 10:05 AM
Zack wrote:
Wassup! Sorry i havn't been posting. It's been a wierd week. But dude, what's a ski race doing on a beach? Reply to this
July 12, 2009 5:10 PM
Dustin wrote:
Hey Zack how is tennesse? Did you visit the new church. Well ours out here in cali is at 5:00 pm because we share the church with about 4 others. Any waY Long Beach is the name of the city and not really a beach, beach. It is more like a port. The Spruce Goose (used to be there) and the Quenn Mary are the two big tourist sites in Long Beach. So the Water ski race starts at the Quenn Mary and then goes out to Avalon, Catalina Island for the turn and then they come back to Long Beach. The guy i used to race in the 15-18 year old class set a world record yesterday. He went out and back on a single ski in 5o min and 19 sec. It was pretty cool. I saw my old boat driver. He has gone thru some really rough times but is doing good. If you want to know more about the race or want to see some really fast boats here are the sites.
any way i need to get ready for church and hey let me know what you would like to study. i need to get back to my studies and i havent been in my bible in a while. All right ill see ya later Reply to this
July 13, 2009 8:57 AM
Zack wrote:
Tennesse is pretty good. But, the church just isn't the same as North River. It's not as convicting and it's kinda discouraging. I know we have to make the best of it, and maybe, we as a family, can bring something new to this place. Oh, and the teen group is all of about 4 people. So this is gonna be a new experience for me. I might have to take a big role in this group. Reply to this
July 13, 2009 8:51 AM
Zack wrote:
The church up here is going a study on Phillipians, so if its alright we could start there.
20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
I started football practice last week and i still havn't told anyone that i am a disciple of Jesus yet. I've avoided most of the people that are just too vulgar, but it seems that everyone there constantly curses and talks about girls all the time. It's really hard to avoid somethimg that's all around you. I've just been praying alot and asking for a group of people that i can safely hang out withand invite them to church. I have not found a particular person or group to work with, and i'd appreciate it if you'd pray for me. I want to let people know that God is awesome, but i just need the right opprotunity. Reply to this
July 13, 2009 11:06 AM
Sam wrote:
Zack...great you're continuing to blog (you too Dustin). You should not have to TELL anyone you are a Disciple of Jesus, they should SEE it in your actions. Keep up the good work of 'avoiding' the 'bad stuff'; you will have plenty of opportunity to use your football 'stage' to talk with lots of people about Jesus. I'd suggest not even telling anyone at this point, just drop 'hints' by saying things like "don't ya think that (type of talk) is a bit off-color?", or something like that. Or, "I bet God doesn't appreciate you talking like that." If you do that a few times, eventually they will see that your morals are a bit different than their's, and I'll bet some will respect you for it and ask how you became like this. THAT would be your opportunity to share about the new life Jesus has promised you (and others) through your baptism. Do you keep your bible handy when 'out with the boys'? A little pocket one would come in handy to give you encouragement sometimes during the day...like, when others are cursing, you might look up Ephesians 5, and possibly even quote it if the opportunity arrives!!! Reply to this
July 13, 2009 8:08 PM
Zack wrote:
Wow. Thats great advice. Instead of telling people about God, they should see it in my actions. Reply to this
this is a challenge. I tend to complain to much, when in fact I should not do it at all. I occasionally still get into arguments with my wife, but I definitely try not to argue. I do not think about the complaining part as much and I need to. I have called it observing and making comments about a situation, but Jeanette calls it complaining, and she is probably right. I will try to be complaint free for the rest of the week. (really for the rest of my life, but I will just start with a week). Reply to this
July 15, 2009 8:00 AM
rick wrote:
wow chapter three has a ton of information. do not put faith in your own ability, consider all things you have like garbage in comparison to your relationship with Christ. WOW how incredible is that.
Q. what would classify as "mutilators of the flesh" - false circumcision(NAS - (read the message version.) Reply to this
For any of you wishing to go on blogging, you may use this page.
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THANK YOU SAM !!!!!
THIS IS FROM THE MESSAGE IN 1 CORINTHIANS 1:
26-31Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don't see many of "the brightest and the best" among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn't it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God."
I dont think any of us are to bad to be here, and i also dont think that we are to good to stay away. (btw i did read that on a sign in front of a church).
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Are you going to continue blogging, Mac?
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Probably not, but will check the site every now and then. But, thanks for asking.
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I'm like "Mr. Ed", only speak when I have something to say.
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I looked at the history of the blog and it went dead at this same time last year. you always seem to have something to say to us about the scripture you post. What happened?
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17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel
I thought our whole purpose was to go and make disciples.
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AH! But how DO you make Disciples? The Baptism is just a step along the way. Preaching the Gospel is what 'makes' Disicples....don't you think?
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my sentaments exactly! I had that conversation with him last night. It is good to see him process information and ask these type of questions.
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Zack, can you tell me a little history about 1 corinthians, like is it a book? (i know what it is please dont yell at me to correct it), who is it addressed to? and why you think that Paul wrote it? before we get to deep into it.
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1 corinthians 2
14-16The unspiritual self, just as it is by nature, can't receive the gifts of God's Spirit. There's no capacity for them. They seem like so much silliness. Spirit can be known only by spirit—God's Spirit and our spirits in open communion. Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God's Spirit is doing, and can't be judged by unspiritual critics.
Isaiah's question, "Is there anyone around who knows God's Spirit, anyone who knows what he is doing?"
can anyone answer that question at the end?
Why would anyone want to get out of bed that early on a sunday and go and clap there hands and sing and listen to some allknowing guy stand up in front of you and tell you how bad you are? if you want to do that you go im stayin here in bed.......true story, i said it to chris many times before Christ got through to me. I am so glad that he did get through because i was on a very self destructive path. Since the day Rick invited us i have felt closer to my brothers every day. I feel know that when something happens to me i can reach out and someone will reach back to help. It is such an amazing feeling to have.
the answer to the question is: "has been answered: Christ knows, and we have Christ's Spirit."
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1 corinthians 3
It's a sad day for me today. I have put this off till the last minute (typical me). I still dont know what i am going to say.
Today i have to voluntarilly quit my job. I have to write my two week notice. I have to give up my job in order to move. I have to give up my new friends in order to move. I have to give up my new brothers and find new ones in order to move. Emotions are running through my head today like gazelle's in a mad sprint. I dont know where to start. I am lost. I just sat here with my fingers on the keyboard starring at my desk because i lost my train of thought again.
I sit here and wonder: is my foundation strong, Are my walls strong, is my temple built strong for Jesus. Sometimes i sit through a study in silence because i feel that i have nothing to say that will mean anything. I wonder if my temple will withstand gods inspection. If i pass away will jesus say well done? Or will i be left barely alive? Will i have to start over building my foundation? I dont know just full of sadness today because i can see the end of this journey coming and this is the only one i dont feel that i should make. I feel like i am leaving the brothers that need me.
Well i need to go pick up a truck from the shop ill write more later.
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I will make sure I pray you meet some good friends/brothers in Cali. Just remember one thing-if you go with the mind set "who will talk to me? Who will become friends with me?" you will struggle. If you go with the mind set " who can I say high to, who can I befriend?" you will be more successful. this is coming from someone who has moved 4 times as a Christian. be outward focus, not inward focused. remember the 10 things to do when joining a new congregation that was read on Wednesday night? you should ask for a copy of that. also callus when you are not feeling loved and encouraged. that last thing you want to happen is to feel as if you are on an island all alone. This atmosphere is completely unhealthy for anyone who wants to stay close to God, especially as young as you are.
james 1 2-4
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
BE ENCOURAGED!!
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1 corinthians 4
Before i start i would like to say thank you Rick. I think that my biggest fear is going to be the fact that i dont have a job after my time here. I know that i can pick up some odd jobs if i need them but they arent always there. Anyway back to 1 corinthians 4.
1-4Don't imagine us leaders to be something we aren't. We are servants of Christ, not his masters. We are guides into God's most sublime secrets, not security guards posted to protect them. The requirements for a good guide are reliability and accurate knowledge. It matters very little to me what you think of me, even less where I rank in popular opinion. I don't even rank myself. Comparisons in these matters are pointless. I'm not aware of anything that would disqualify me from being a good guide for you, but that doesn't mean much. The Master makes that judgment.
I have heard a couple people say that i should become deeper in the church. So i have thought of a few things that i would like to do when i move out to CA.
1. Organize my own bible study (i was thinking tuesday nights around 7:30)
2.Be a coordinator/instructor for Financial peace.
3.Help with the childrens ministry
4.plan and organize a mens retreat
5.Lead a communion (hardest for me)
Just some ideas.
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1 corinthians 5
The message
I'm not responsible for what the outsiders do, but don't we have some responsibility for those within our community of believers? God decides on the outsiders, but we need to decide when our brothers and sisters are out of line and, if necessary, clean house.
Pauls kind of forceful there huh. Well its sad to see a brother that isnt(that i know of) relying on his brothers for help. Rich, JB, Sam, and anyone else that needs help should be posting here. Sam if i was told right this blog is for all of us to share our thoughts and scriptures to help each other on our journey. I pray that you all come back.
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1 Corinthians 8 says a lot of things about eating food sacrificed to idols. Did people back then really eat the food after they sacrificed it? If so, then why was that such a big problem. Another thought i had was that food might be theoretical and it is really our actions. What we do influences other people. And bad actions might cause others to not seek God.
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Oh absolutely oh-questioning-one! Food prepared/burned/cooked/etc for sacrificing to God and to gods was most certainly eaten. Various parts of animals were burned, but most were eaten by those in charge of the sacrifices and then to others.
You hit the nail squarely on the head when you refer to actions, vice the 'eating of the meats'. We are to honor God (not gods) with our actions (includes tithing, evangelizing, loving, praying, helping, serving, etc) and don't worry about what we eat. He also, of course, hated the practice of sacrificing anything to 'gods' instead of to GOD. By sacrificing things to objects other than God Himself, we are really dishonoring God. So, when you spend time watching TV, playing video games, participating in sports, and they become the 'way' of life for you, then maybe you ought to reevaluate and see how you can turn some of these activities into some method of honoring God, rather than yourself. (I am not saying you are doing that, but we all should reflect on what we are 'sacrificing' and see if those are things for God, or for ourselves.
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Thanks, i know i struggle with that kinda stuff. I spend too much time with games and sports when i know i should be more productive with my spiritual life.
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I too spend more time with all kinds of other things and not enough time with God. Like Mac said trying to make the things we are doing a way of honoring God vice just doing them for ourselves. using the sports and gaming as reach out tools for those around you. If there is no one around you is there something else you could be doing at that time? Some "down time" is OK. when you have all kinds of "down time" everyday then maybe you should reevaluate your priorities.
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Wow, I got nothing from 1 Cirinthians 9. I didn't understand any of it.
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yeah um wish i could be here for jeff to explain this one. I must be missing the point also.
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Really? (To you too Dustin). There is more in this chapter than I could write about in a month. Start with the ending part about running for the prize. That doesn't say anything to you? It should. It talks of self denial. Of sacrifice. Of love for God. It says that we should be doing things for God but in a structured sort of way. We should plan our actions the best we can. Every day. We should make short term and long term plans (plans don't always mature into finalization the way we want, but planning is a crucial factor in our lives for God). We should attempt to execute these plans. We should, during that execution, try to stay the course and not be influenced by satan or others to change it. Thousands of examples come to mind, but one is evangelism. People 'plan' to preach the Word of God to people they meet, but along the way something happens and then nothing happens. People are swayed from doing what they planned. Paul is telling us to fight off those temptations. He is warning us that to get to Heaven we must continue to run the race. If you drop out of a foot race, for example, you'll never get to the finish line. Some people say 'once saved, always saved.' Au contrair, there are many, many verses which tell us we must continue to walk in the way of Christ, otherwise, when we get to those pearly gates, we may be told, "away from me you evil-doers. I don't know you."
Oh yes, lots and lots of stuff in this chapter. But let's stay in this section for a bit longer and liken it to you (Zack) preparing yourself for football. What can you bench press now? 300 pounds? 400? 500? 1000? WHATEVER that number is, you didn't start off by doing it...you started with a much lesser number. But then, you continued to train. You continued to grow in your ability to lift larger weights. Your short term goals probably changed as you progressed. Your long term ones may have also. But the point is, you stuck to your guns and continued to press on. Your ultimate goal? I don't know what that is as far as weight lifting, but it just MIGHT be that you want a body strong enough to play pro or semi-pro football someday. Who knows what will come of your 'plan', or your race toward your goals, but at least you have goals. You have plans. Paul tells us that our final goal is a crown in Heaven. What training must we do to get that crown? How much Bible reading and IN-DEPTH studying is necessary (for some, it comes easier than others--for those who have more difficulty understanding God's Word, they should be training harder...reading more, referencing more, conjecturing more, studying more).
I was a little disappointed in you and Dustin with your comments today (yesterday the 18th as I am responding to this on the 19th). How can you say you got NOTHING out of this whole chapter? If you got nothing, you need to have picked up that 'weight' again and pressed even harder. If you gave up on weight lifting like you did on ...
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...this chapter, then you'd never get to play good football. This goes for anyone else who is reading this and says something similar like he/she doesn't get anything from a chapter in the Bible....how can you NOT? It does not take the Holy Spirit to get SOMETHING out of a chapter. CHALLENGE--Read Jeremiah 35 and see what you get out of that (my reading for this morning). THEN, return to 1st Corinthians 9 and re-read it (again and again if necessary)----concentrate on the part about Paul not taking anything from the people he is preaching to, other than the satisfaction of seeing people come to Christ. THAT is a great topic that might help people with tithing.
Okay....back off my soapbox, but sometimes I just get concerned when people say they got 'nothing' from reading the Bible. Impossible not to.
Hope you have an enjoyable day.
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okay, captain soapbox, we finally got you to come out and speak to us.
Jer 35 says that if you dont listen to God all disasters gad has spoken will happen. Also it says that since Jer listened to and obeyed his forefathers that he would never fail to have a man serve me. I am assuming Me is God.
So back to 1 cor 9, i didnt say that i didnt get anything out of it. I said i think i missed the point. I actually had a few questions but knew that there were only a few people (like your self SAM) that could answer them. LIKE:
1. 2Even though I may not be an apostle to others----is he not an apostle to all?
2. 3This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. 4Don't we have the right to food and drink? 5Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas[a]? 6Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living?
Why is he asking this?
3.7Who serves as a soldier at his own expense?
Is Paul speaking of a roman soldier?
4.11If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?
We sow seeds, we water seeds, but its God that makes the harvest grow so wouldnt it be Gods right to harvest it and not ours?
5.13Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?
I thought that we were not to eat from the altar.
Those are them. So now that i know you are here and reading, can you answer them?
So here is what i got from yesterday. God doesnt charge you for his love. He gives it freely. Just like we should. Every one of us should be studying like the runners train. Evryone of us should be training our minds so that we are closer to Christ. Because our prize is at the end of the race. Every one of us knows how that race ends. Have we trained hard enough? Have i trained hard enough. I keep hearing that we are not guarenteed tommorow. But can you say that you have trained hard enough that your race can end and you are able to obtain the prize. I pray that i can train hard enough, to push hard enough, and then i pray that i push harder than enough. I want the prize. How about you?
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I am sure I CAN! Of course, my 'answers' may just be my opinion, and not fact. But then, who knows? They might actually be the truth...I'll come back later....but first, wanted to post my thoughts on Jeremiah 35. (Next)
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1. An apostle is one who SHARES the Word of God/Christ with others. Some people simply refuse to listen, so there is really no 'sharing' even though the word was 'spoken'. Hence, Paul was NOT an apostle to everyone.
2. Those opposing Paul came from all walks of life....christians, non-Christians who believed in God, and those who didn't believe in a god at all. But, he seems to be addressing the Christians who are opposing him. They were obviously complainers---saying that because he WAS an apostle, his standards needed to be higher than their's (shouldn't be married because it would impact on his mission; should receive salaries/monies from 'the church' because it was 'the thing to do'). Paul was simply telling them that he works for living, yet he lives for God, unlike some of the others perhaps in the Corinthian churches.
3. Could be, but I think he is referring to being soldiers in God's army. Each soldier must give up a lot to remain in the ranks, but each also receives a lot back for their contributions. In God's 'army' we receive love from others, we receive solace from knowing our fight is with satan and backed by Christ. As a soldier of Christ, one would expect to get 'paid' in this manner.
4. God wants to share everything with us....that includes the 'glory' or reward for 'finding' that person who God finally brings to God on His own, encouraged by you, one of his soldiers (see above), who He wants to 'pay' or reward.
5. "Refrain from foods offered to idols", not 'to God'. Written in the laws in Leviticus and Deuteronomy, you will find that foods used to honor THE ONE AND ONLY GOD were consumed by the Levites and others performing the rituals God required. It was part of their payment.
Hope those insights help a bit.
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Jerem 35,
"the son of Habazziniah, and his brothers and all his sons—the whole family of the Recabites" Was God holding these people up as an example of obedience or was he saying to them 'you can obey your forefathers, but you do not obey me'? "in Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem" disaster was coming. the aforementioned family was living in Jerusalem so were they going to get the smiting that was coming?
that is what I am unsure about, here is what I am sure about.
Do we do things because of what our parents, grandparents, bosses, and others in a leadership positions(or maybe our own judgment) say out of loyalty, obedience and trusting there judgment, yet question God? Do we think it is difficult to have faith in the scriptures and what they command? I want to trust God and His Word. I do not want to be smitten by Him.
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What we reading today?
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I thought we were still working through corinthians. yesterday was 1cor 11 and today is 1 cor 12.
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1 cor 12,13
If we have love, true love, love that is spelled out here in Corinthians, the church would flourish, marriages would never fall apart, friendships would have depth we can only dream of. this is the scripture (13, 4-8) that single handedly has saved my marriage, and as long as I continue to go back to it my relationship with my wife will continue to grow. same with my children, If i apply this to my actions with them they will understand more and more how God works. I think this is one of the most powerful vs's in the whole bible, it is how Jesus lived day in and day out, it is how we can keep from being entangles with many sins. It is the essence of GOD.
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Draw the Line.
Where is the line concerning what is acceptable sin and what is not. Obviously everybody sins (Romans 5:12, 11:32, 1 John 1:8, e.g.), so what is ‘acceptable’, and what is not?
The Catholic religion, if I can call it that, have a thought about ‘deadly sins’, versus those not leading to ‘death’. Seven is their magic number: lust, anger, pride, sloth, envy, gluttony and greed. Guess murder and rape and the such are not deadly?????? Maybe they just consider these to be the ‘result’ of one (or more) of the SEVEN.
Paul seems to also separate sins into deadly and non-deadly ones: “If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.”—1 John 5:16-17. But the following verses do not seem to separate the different wrongdoings. (Except ‘keep away from idols’---seems minor compared to ‘the seven’, YET, it is God’s ‘first’ commandment!)
It is obvious to me that we all sin. Not just because of what the Bible says, but from observation of people. Oh, I am sure some folks sin a LOT less than others, but …..hmmm…a thought just hit me….I don’t remember my mom sinning! REALLY. Lust? Nope. Anger? Not really. Pride? Definitely not. Sloth? NOPE! Envy? Maybe, but she never seemed to show it. Gluttony? No way. Greed? Absolutely not? Murder, rape, and ‘all the others’? Absolutely not! Is my mom perfect? Probably not, but to me she is. Now, I didn’t know her in her younger years (she was 27 when I was born), but her actions today sure seem to reflect on a very good life. I love my mom. Okay, sorry, back to the subject….is there a line between what is acceptable sin and what is not?
In society, there certainly is. Laws have been developed over the years to separate allowable actions, vice those punishable. And these laws are continuing to be developed. For example, it is now a ‘crime’ to spank your child in some locations. I don’t mean ‘harm’ your child, but a simple ‘spank on the butt’ is taboo, and is actually punishable by law in some states. Simply amazing. Also, it is now against the law to ‘talk bad’ about somebody, ESPECIALLY if it is along racial lines. You can get fired, or even go to jail, for saying things concerning race. Again, simply amazing. Where did our first amendment rights go? I can see if someone DOES something that causes harm to some one of a different race, but someone calling me ‘a honky’, or a ‘mick’ (I’m of Irish descent), or even ‘wasp’ (white anglo-saxon protestant), certainly doesn’t, in my mind, violate any laws nor cause me ‘harm’. Now, it might cause someone ELSE to sin, and I guess, in doing that, the person causing them to sin, sins as well (1 Cor 1:8 and Rev 2:14). TBC...
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But should that be against a ‘law’? Oh well, I digressed again.
John, one of the original Disciples quotes Jesus concerning sin: "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” Yet Paul says, “… We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” Yet, starting in Romans 6 verse 4, and continuing through Romans 8, around verse 6, Paul says that we should NOT be in sin (at all!).
Peter, one of Jesus’ closest friends and followers, tells us that by the wounds of Jesus, we have been healed, and that we ‘died to sins’.
And again, John writes that ‘no one who lives in him (Jesus) keeps on sinning’.
YET, we KNOW we sin most every day (and probably my mom does, but she hides it well!!!).
I don’t believe, after all I’ve written here, and read throughout the Bible, that there IS a line. I also don’t believe that there isn’t a ‘gray area’, which could mask a line. I believe all sin is sin (and we aren’t limited to just seven ‘deadly’ ones either…they are all bad in God’s eyes. The confusing part about all this, separating sin into groups, or drawing lines between the ‘good’ and the ‘bad’ ones, is that there is NOT a simple solution. We know Jesus died for us. We know we (Christians) died ‘with’ Him during our baptism. We know we continue to sin. We know that any sin can keep us from Heaven. We know a lot about what sin is, what it can do to us, and how to ‘avoid’ it. We DON’T know much about the ramification of committing sin and then confessing it. Do we NEED to continually confess sins? Or did the death of Christ answer for all of them already? Is there a separation from adulterers, murderers, rapists, and liars (or any other of the many, many sins listed within our Bible? Will God take into Heaven a murderer just as ‘quickly’ as he’d take one who is greedy? Will he take neither? So many questions one simple question begs. I can’t draw a line between sins, however, I can draw a line between a sinFULL life and one where the individual fights it. I believe, without the intervention at some point by God, that those who live a life full of sin (Galatians 5:21), will not inherit the Kingdom of God. The line is between constant fighting sin, and giving it to it all the time. I can’t draw one between any individual, or set of, sins. Only between wanton, sinful lifestyles, versus one in which people actually try to live for Christ.
Mom, I love you! (Even though you're not reading this.)
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I'm a little frustrated now because i typed up this long blog entry and when i tried to post it, it didn't show up. So i'm gonna try to paraphrase what i came up with earlier.
2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.
If you just have love, than do these other things count. Or is love just a foundation that we need to build off of and then knowledge and faith will soon come after? When we start out should we just strive to love? Cause if we strive to be like Jesus, I've always heard GOD IS LOVE, not God is Faith or God is Knowledge.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
Is this passage about the coming of Jesus. Cause that is what i got when i read about the the "perfect" coming the imperfect disappears.
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welcome to bloggers frustrations, it has happend to all of us one time or another.
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I have heard it is a reference to the written Word, which is Jesus. I am not 100% sure what the "Perfect" is refering to.
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After you type in your thoughts, and before you try to post, do what Jesus does. SAVE! Save it in computer memory. If you put the mouse anywhere in the area you are typing and hit CTRL-A (Ctrl and A keys simultaneously(, and then after all the text is selected (that's what Ctrl-A does), use the Ctrl-C (copy) key combination to SAVE it into memory. That way, if it disappears when you post, you can start another post and then Ctrl-V (PASTE) it back into the box....then try again--bet it will work. I ALWAYS (well, whenever I remember) do that, just in case.
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I dont really have a good understanding of speaking in toungs, but i think what he's trying to get at is using your talents to help the church in any way you can. Paul has the ability to speak in tongues, so he is like a translater to help converts people of different races and cultures.
And man, i knew that women shouldn't stand up and preach, but this says that they are NOT aloowed to speak and should ask her husband to speak for her. That doesn't seem all that fair to women because they too have the ability to repent, be baptised, and make disciples.
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Ahhh, but God made Man (male) first, and only added Woman (female) as a HELPER (not a leader!!)...
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But that doesn't mean that they shouldn't speak. I understand if they shouldn't lead, but not speaking at all is harsh.
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Is there a difference between apostles and the twelve disciples that hung out with Jesus? It says that jesus appeared to the twelve, then to all the apostles.
P.S. I'm getting baptized friday night at the North River Building if anyone is interested in coming.
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First, congrats. It'll be a hard and long road, but it's worth it.
Second, copy this link into your browser and read what I think about Apostles:
http://www.macisirish.com/QuietTimes/AreYouAnApostle.htm
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Zack, We have to be at nrcoc at 6:30 right? My family will be there just let me know the time.
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hope all is well back east. Just wanted to let you all know about our progress. We spent the night at la quinta in shawnee Oklahoma. We are making good time and might actually arrive a day early.
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Hey all hope you guys had a great 4th of July. I know we did. We stopped in tennesse and picked up a few fireworks and lit them off tonight. So trip progress., We arrived on wednesday night and have been haveing fun ever since. We have had to clean out the house we are moving into because the owner has not moved out yet. Hopefully that will be done soon. Well i met alot of the brothers from north orange county yesterday, they came over to help unload the truck. Scott Sweeney stopped by the house today but i was over at my moms for our bbq and i missed him. But i will get to meet him tommorrow. so far this new church seems to be awsome. We have met our family group leader, he is 3 blocks away from our house which is cool. well anyway, hope all is well and look forward to seeing you all sometime. Tell everyone at nrcoc that i said hi.
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So we went to church last night. Yeah i said last night. The service here for north orange county is at 5:00 at night. I got to meet a lot of great people and have joined a family group. I also got to meet scott sweeney and his wife. You are right Rick he is a good guy. My mom and sister went with us, which was shocking that i got my sister to go. But any way are we quiting blogging or what?
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Good Morning all, I am heading out this morning to go to Long Beach and watch the catalina ski race. I thought i would drop by to say hi to you all but see that no one has posted since my last post. oh well ill keep posting to myself until someone says im crazy. see ya'll.
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Wassup! Sorry i havn't been posting. It's been a wierd week. But dude, what's a ski race doing on a beach?
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Hey Zack how is tennesse? Did you visit the new church. Well ours out here in cali is at 5:00 pm because we share the church with about 4 others. Any waY Long Beach is the name of the city and not really a beach, beach. It is more like a port. The Spruce Goose (used to be there) and the Quenn Mary are the two big tourist sites in Long Beach. So the Water ski race starts at the Quenn Mary and then goes out to Avalon, Catalina Island for the turn and then they come back to Long Beach. The guy i used to race in the 15-18 year old class set a world record yesterday. He went out and back on a single ski in 5o min and 19 sec. It was pretty cool. I saw my old boat driver. He has gone thru some really rough times but is doing good. If you want to know more about the race or want to see some really fast boats here are the sites.
www.catalinaskirace.net/
http://www.nwsra.net/
any way i need to get ready for church and hey let me know what you would like to study. i need to get back to my studies and i havent been in my bible in a while. All right ill see ya later
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Tennesse is pretty good. But, the church just isn't the same as North River. It's not as convicting and it's kinda discouraging. I know we have to make the best of it, and maybe, we as a family, can bring something new to this place.
Oh, and the teen group is all of about 4 people. So this is gonna be a new experience for me. I might have to take a big role in this group.
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The church up here is going a study on Phillipians, so if its alright we could start there.
20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
I started football practice last week and i still havn't told anyone that i am a disciple of Jesus yet. I've avoided most of the people that are just too vulgar, but it seems that everyone there constantly curses and talks about girls all the time. It's really hard to avoid somethimg that's all around you. I've just been praying alot and asking for a group of people that i can safely hang out withand invite them to church. I have not found a particular person or group to work with, and i'd appreciate it if you'd pray for me. I want to let people know that God is awesome, but i just need the right opprotunity.
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Zack...great you're continuing to blog (you too Dustin). You should not have to TELL anyone you are a Disciple of Jesus, they should SEE it in your actions. Keep up the good work of 'avoiding' the 'bad stuff'; you will have plenty of opportunity to use your football 'stage' to talk with lots of people about Jesus. I'd suggest not even telling anyone at this point, just drop 'hints' by saying things like "don't ya think that (type of talk) is a bit off-color?", or something like that. Or, "I bet God doesn't appreciate you talking like that." If you do that a few times, eventually they will see that your morals are a bit different than their's, and I'll bet some will respect you for it and ask how you became like this. THAT would be your opportunity to share about the new life Jesus has promised you (and others) through your baptism.
Do you keep your bible handy when 'out with the boys'? A little pocket one would come in handy to give you encouragement sometimes during the day...like, when others are cursing, you might look up Ephesians 5, and possibly even quote it if the opportunity arrives!!!
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Wow. Thats great advice. Instead of telling people about God, they should see it in my actions.
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Philippians 2 vs 5-11.
That is so awesome!
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2-14
Do everything without complaining or arguing
this is a challenge. I tend to complain to much, when in fact I should not do it at all. I occasionally still get into arguments with my wife, but I definitely try not to argue. I do not think about the complaining part as much and I need to. I have called it observing and making comments about a situation, but Jeanette calls it complaining, and she is probably right. I will try to be complaint free for the rest of the week. (really for the rest of my life, but I will just start with a week).
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wow chapter three has a ton of information. do not put faith in your own ability, consider all things you have like garbage in comparison to your relationship with Christ. WOW how incredible is that.
Q. what would classify as "mutilators of the flesh" - false circumcision(NAS
(read the message version.)
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