Ramifications

Something I find interesting is looking at the ramifications of what we believe. Example: Jesus said only the Father knows when the end will come. How can they be unified if the Father knows something the Son and Spirit do not?
 
Paul told the church in Rome the Gentiles are a law unto themselves and will be saved on that basis. They either are saved with sins intact or their sins are forgiven without their being "in Christ" without having "come in contact with the blood of Christ." How? 
 
Jesus told a story or parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Apparently Lazarus was saved because he was poor while the rich was lost because he was unloving. Regardless their fate was set before Jesus died. Lazarus was "saved" before Christ died and without coming in contact with the blood of Christ.
 
If God can save without the blood of Christ why did he require Jesus to die? If there was other ways why didn't he take them? Was he just being arbitrary? Sometimes in our effort to make God be fair we confuse things.

Flocking

Al,

Recently we received the September issue of Gospel Advocate to which we have subscribed for probably close to 40 years. This issue is entitled "The Care and Feeding of the Flock." It occurred to me a small congregation can get away without elders but can a congregation of 150 members with a million dollar plus building? I am as much the problem as anyone because I have no interest in being an elder. But does it say something about a congregation of 150 when it has no one qualified to be an elder or interested in being and elder and has no plans to get people to be qualified?

In his editorial, Neil Anderson writes that sheep flock together, but they tend to wander without good leadership, Considering we lead by committee are we headed in the right direction?

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"IF 7UP hadn't decided on a name that was short and sweet we'd still be drinking Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda."

Mormon Crickets?

I recently read about Mormon crickets. I found additional information when I Google'd "mormon crickets." When the Mormons first went to Utah these crickets almost ruined the Mormons plans to establish in Utah. Migrating seagulls stopped by and ate the crickets thus saving the day. The Mormons consider that a miracle. They believe the seagulls were an answer to their prayers. The timing was perfect. They believe the migrating was nature but the timing was God. If not for the seagulls the millions of crickets would have destroy the vegetation.
 
Assuming you investigate a little you will have to determine if you believe the seagulls were a miracle and God's answer to their prayer. They believe God answered their prayer. If he did we might want to give the Mormon religion a little for attention.

 

I wonder how what you say for a cricket to think they are Mormon?

Must Have Bible Support

In the October Christian Chronicle there is a story about a family from Nigeria now living in Atlanta. The article goes:
 
The journey that brought the Ehimares to America began in Benin City, Nigeria. Aburime, then 13, was a street hawker and a devout Pentecostal. He believed that, by speaking in tongues, he could heal the sick---and even raise the dead.
 
When a neighbor's 2-year-old daughter died, the family asked him to do just that. He failed and his faith was shaken. And the story continues.
 
He believed he could do something without support in the Bible.  Sometimes we do the same and when we do we are no different than a 13-year-old street hawker in Benin City, Nigeria who was a devout Pentecostal and thought he could raise the dead.

Fwd: Gatlinburg church of Christ

Al and Howard,

 

I received the note below from friends at the Gatlinburg church. I am forwarding it in case you want to announce it, promote it, attend it, or not.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"IF 7UP hadn't decided on a name that was short and sweet we'd still be drinking Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda."

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rita H. Barton <rita@bartonquest.org>
Date: Mon, Sep 20, 2010 at 12:37 PM
Subject: Gatlinburg church of Christ
To: John Jenkins <jrjenki@gmail.com>

Have you ever wondered "How old is the Earth?" – or- "Did humans and dinosaurs exist together?" – or perhaps - "Did humans evolve from ape-like creatures?"  We invite you to join us as we investigate the evidence.  Please mark your calendars for October 22, 23 and 24 for a series of meetings led by Dr. Brad Harrub.  Dr. Harrub is a scientist who discusses the theory of evolution in light of the truth found in the scriptures.  He is especially effective with young people as he shares with them the truth as it differs from what is being taught in the class rooms.  Remember, those dates: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 22, 23 and 24. We hope you will join us.

www.gatlinburgchurchofchrist.com

 

Something to which to take Umbrage

At the risk of sounding like a heretic, I believe our prayers define our view of God. 

We believe God will heal a sick person, only if we specifically ask, while he stands or sits bye as a child is beaten to death or sexually molested. 

We believe that while we are traveling God will let us run into a tree unless we have asked him to protect us. 

We believe God will let our soldiers lean on an IED unless we specifically ask him to stop them. But if asked and only if asked he will change the trajectory of a bullet or missile to avoid our friend. 

You may suspect me of this already but what would you think of me if we were walking down the street and while I could see it about to happen I let you walk into a street sign. When you asked why I didn't tell you I say you did not ask me to. 

Since I do not like to volunteer to do things but will if asked, does that make me Christlike? That apparently is how we view Jesus.

We should really evaluate how we really perceive God.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"IF 7UP hadn't decided on a name that was short and sweet we'd still be drinking Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda."

In Jesus' Name

What does Jesus mean when he says John 14:13-14 "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."  And does saying "in Jesus name" qualify?

Acts 2:38 (ESV)  

    And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  

Acts 3:6 (ESV)  

    But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"  

Acts 9:27 (ESV)  

    But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.  

Acts 16:18 (ESV)  

    And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour. 

It seems to me that in the name of Jesus is similar to a policeman saying "in the name of the law" and it means by the authority of Jesus. What do we have the right to ask God to do by the authority of Jesus? Are there any examples of the apostles asking God to do something by the authority of Jesus? 

Burn Baby Burn

The reverend should burn as many books as he can. Muslims burn our flag but if we burn their book there's all hell to pay. They started this war and then they hide behind their women and children who are supposed innocent. We should declare any country that permits terrorists to attack us a killing zone and remove all signs of life. We won't have to do that more than one time.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"IF 7UP hadn't decided on a name that was short and sweet we'd still be drinking Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda."

Re: Second request

I must have overlooked the first request.

 

For years I have suggested that, especially for church prayers but no reason not to for private prayers, we stop and think about what specifically we are asking God to do and then look at the Bible for support for such a request.

 

We pray for God to touch the heart of an unbeliever. We are asking God to operate outside the foolishness of preaching to cause someone to believe. That is not a biblical concept so that prayer is a waste of breath. If we want that person saved TEACH THEM ourselves. Anyone who says they cannot tell others about Jesus is a liar and just plain lazy. Similar to when a person sees another person entering a dangerous situation and turns their back because they do not want to get involved.

 

But to your question: I, personally, me do not expect God to do anything for me. For years I did but no longer. I have never experienced nor have I observed the answer to any prayer for any reason. I have listened to church members ask for safety and protection, blessings (whatever they are), health and healing, to give the preacher a ready recollection, my personal favorite, "we pray for. . ." and on and on. I have never heard anyone ever pray for strength and boldness to tell others about Jesus.  

 

While "God helps those who help themselves" is not in the Bible I do not believe God is going to do anything for me I can do for myself. I believe God has already provided the way of escape from temptations so I do not expect anything special there either so there is no reason to pray about that.

 

This is an area each has to decide for themselves what they believe and why they believe it. Realizing the fact they believing something does not make it correct. As for me I have come to conclusions for myself. I felt a bit alone at first but I do not anymore. I think myself foolish before for thinking God would do something for me while he would sit or stand by and let a child be beaten to death, starve to death, die of a hideous disease.  I do not read anywhere in the bible of people praying for things we pray for today so I must accept they are not biblical.

 

I am sure I have not answered your question but Jesus never answered questions either. He just asked other questions so I guess that makes me Christ like.

 

Ps The moron who is having a Burn a Koran Day has admitted he is praying about it. Even a moron knows God does not burn Korans and does not want his people to do it either. God's kingdom is not of this world. So what is the moron praying about?

 

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"IF 7UP hadn't decided on a name that was short and sweet we'd still be drinking Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda."

On Wed, Sep 8, 2010 at 6:48 AM, Jake Book <jbook40@yahoo.com> wrote:

I sent you an email a few days ago asking you to explain what kind of prayers you believe are biblical since you feel that most prayers Christians pray today are unbiblical.  I have not gotten a response to that request.  Like I said in the email, I am not looking for another argument or debate.  I am genuinely interested in hearing what you have to say.  If I have been wrong all these years, I would like to investigate what is acceptable to God.  So when you have time, please let me know what it is that you believe are acceptable prayers.

Shallow

One reason I find our Bible classes and most sermons to be little more than filler is they are shallow. If you were to say God is not a "he" someone would surely tell you the Greek or Hebrew word is masculine so that means God is a "he." For one to believe in the word-for-word inspiration of the Bible they must first identify the version of the Bible so inspired. Language is our means of communication and is physical. As spirit we will have no need for language.

 

Everything we see today, everything we hear today is physical. As spirit we will neither need nor have any of them. An aborted baby and Methuselah (assuming the aborted baby is truly human and assuming the old guy makes it) will relate as if they were twins. 

 

When I hear the streets are gold I want to know where the streets go. When I hear about the pearly gates I want to know what is outside the gate. When I hear about streets of glass I want to know what you see when you look through the glass and do they reflect and what does the reflection of a spirit look like. When I hear about walls I want to know what is on the other side of the wall.

 

Once you begin considering such things the Bible opens up to you.

Have You Ever Considered. . .

Have you ever considered that once God chose the descendants of Isaac as his people he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Imagine the creator of everything over a barrel by his creation. In fact he changed what was acceptable concerning marriage and divorce against his own just to placate his creation and to keep them from total mutiny. He knew total mutiny meant no Messiah. There is a conundrum. The creator who is omniscient and all those other omnies having to cowtow to his creation. Since Messiah has come on the scene the Creator does not need to bend to anyone or anything.

God Active Today?

During WWII one of my uncles was drafted into the Marines. He had a wife and baby daughter. My aunt was in a wheel chair. She had MS I believe and had been in that chair a couple of years. Anyway when got his marching papers she made a pact with him. If he would come back alive she would walk to meet him at the railroad station.

 

He was on Iwo Jima for 10 days. He lost part of his skull and had a metal plate in his head the rest of his live. The day he came home she walked down the platform to meet him and was never in that wheel chair again. If God had anything to do with it he got cheated because no one gave him any credit for it. She was always an example of determination and strength.

 

About 5 years or so ago Shawn and Tasha had a friend, their age, was the mother of two children around 8 to 10 years of age and she had brain cancer. Shawn and Tasha brought her and her husband and children to Gatlinburg and treated them to Dollywood. A month or so later she died. The Sunday they were here I told the fellow who was making announcements about her and asked that she be included in the announcements of people who needed prayer. She was not even mentioned by name and never referred to again after that morning.

 

Since them I have come to the conclusion that God is not active today. His actions in the OT were to keep a remnant together long enough for Messiah to be born. His actions in the NT were to show the people Jesus and the apostles were from him, God. There is no purpose for his activity today.

 

People such as yourself pick a situation that went your way and accept that it went that way because of God's interference. I do not believe it but no matter. If God is active he is very selective. Getting involved to help a person find a parking spot but staying aloof as a little girl is beaten to death. Healing that lady you mentioned but letting Shawn and Tasha's friend die. I have found people who believe God is active are people with things generally going well. 

 

So no, I do not believe God is active today.

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"IF 7UP hadn't decided on a name that was short and sweet we'd still be drinking Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda."

Looking Again at the Roles of Women

It appears a number of congregations are re-looking at the roles of women within the body of Christ and from what I hear a number of congregations are excommunicating those same congregations. It might be nice to study what constitutes biblical leadership, authority and submission. For instance, men are to be in submission to one another and to their spiritual leaders. To stand before their leaders, to word a prayer, to read announcements, to sing, even to hand their spiritual leaders a Communion tray is considered a violation of the principle of submission for females. A young christian boy can do all these things and never once be considered a spiritual leader in the congregation.

 

The Idea of Church is in Trouble.

Looking at the NT we see where people were immersed on Pentecost. Being immersed was their response to instructions Peter and the apostles gave to them based on their question concerning what should they do which was their reaction to being told they had killed Messiah. Luke tells us that God added to their number those being saved. We see where their number continued to increase.
 
I do not believe the Bible tells us that these people understood they had just bought in to teaching the world. Thus I do not believe they had any responsiblity beyond their sphere of existence. There is no indication of anyone going about telling the world about Jesus. When persecution began they left the city and when asked told the people why they were running for their lives.
 
It would be natural for people with like beliefs and like fears to congregate together to strengthen and encourage each other. There is nothing in the Bible they congregated to worship. That is man's idea to save their job.
 
Since that time because of King James we have to deal with his idea of those assemblies via the word church. If he had permitted that word to be changed to a meaningful word he would have lost his position as head of the church of England. Without the word church what would he have been the head of? Poof, he would have had to stick with his day job as king.
 
After James we had the preachers to contend with. To keep their day jobs they had to organize church. Today we go to church, we do church, unbelievers are the unchurched. Anyone can start a church. So the term has lost is relevance. Today, the saved are a group, one group that includes the saved of all time. We have tolerated the word church and now we have to live with it and with people's attitudes about the church as a meaningless entity. The saved will always gather to encourage each other. Those not gathered are by definition not saved. They are rejecting the group to which God added them upon their immersion. There is nothng more for them. They are lost. As others in the Bible they have gone out from us. They were never a part of us.