Biblical Prayers

When Christians stop giving God credit for things he does not do; stop blaming God for things he does not do; stop asking God to do things he will not do and expects his followers to do; prayers will change.

Public Praying

 

Hi Al,

 

The reason I suggested you present a lesson on what specifically is expected when God is asked to intervene when a missionary cannot make ends meet is I cannot. I expect nothing. While I suspect I am not alone I wonder what others expect and why.  I've asked and have never received an explanation. My observations and experiences lead me to believe praying for the physical goes for naught.

 

Unless James was talking only about prayers for wisdom or the faith that he mentions references only a strong conviction that Jesus is the son of God praying without expecting is a major negative.

 

I have long been convinced that over the centuries the church has become careless with its public prayers the primary purpose being to fill the time allocated for public praying.

 

Anyway that's the reasoning behind the suggestion.  

 

 

 

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

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/
http://alumcave.blogspot.com/

 

 

"Many mickles make a muckle."

 

---George Washington

No Expectaions

I heard a man leading a public prayer mention to God that we know there are missionaries unable to make ends meet. He asked God to bless those missionaires and to help them. That man deludes himself. God is not going to help anyone. If anyone is going to help missionaires it will be people claiming to be Christians. I often ask people specifically what are they asking God to do. So far no answer. They have no idea. They delude themselves.

 

 

Prelude to the Amen

It appears those calling themselves Christian do not believe they have any sins to be forgiven. Have you noticed how those who say public prayers leave "asking for forgiveness" to the end, a prelude to the Amen? If they believed they really had unforgiven sins separating them from the Father wouldnt' you expect them to ask for forgiveness first?

Christian Deism?

The term "deism" refers to religious belief that the creator does not intervene in human affairs or suspend the natural laws of the universe. While Christians reject deism they do not give any examples of God suspending the natural laws of the universe. Even after they asked God to do precisely that every Sunday in their prayers.

What sort of world would it be if God directly intervened, suspending His natural laws, each time we encounter a life-threatening situation? This would render the law system of our planet completely undependable and make life a sphere of hopeless confusion. Such a haphazard system, in fact, would argue more for atheism that it would for theism. 

Wrong Focus

We believe what we want to believe. Reality has nothing to do with it. If we decide to believe something we do, otherwise we do not. Christians and people who claim to be often say "grace" before they eat. They are thankful that God has provided the food they are about to consume. In reality he had nothing to do with it. The fact appears to be if we do not have money to buy food we don't eat.

 

The term "food insecurity" means living with hunger or fear of starvation. Groups claiming to know report: more than 14 percent of households in the United States are "food insecure" relating to 17 Million Americans going to bed hungry each night. For one in six Americans, hunger is real. Often, these are hard-working adults, children and retirees who simply cannot make ends meet and are forced to go without food for several meals, or even days.

 

Can you imagine having a life-threatening problem and having a friend who can help but does not? As Christians thank God for food they are ignoring the question why God is blessing them while he does not provide the same for many Americans. They are ignoring their responsibility. They are failing to, as Jesus said, "do for the least." According to the story in Matthew, this is an eternal error on the part of these "grace saying" followers of Christ. In the story those failing to help the "least" were thrown into Hell.

 

Recently I read an article where the author asked that while many families in the United States are food insecure and additionally the United States is beginning to face water shortages why do we celebrate farmers growing giant pumpkins that as the growers confess are "not very tasty" and "often inedible" and "rarely found on supermarket shelves."

 

Americans, Christians or not are focused on the wrong things. Imagine how many "food insecure" people could be fed if the water, fertilizer and space were used to grow food instead of those 1,500+ pounds imitation food.

 

The Church of Christ Way

 

A few months ago in one of your classes you mentioned the attitude of some who say "I can be Christian without the church." The majority of people claiming to follow Christ believe they can be Christian without the church look at the number attending Sunday AM then look at Sunday Adult Bible Class, Sunday PM and Wednesday PM. It appears those who attend more often agree with those who do not because the next Sunday AM they accept the returnees as followers of Christ.

 

So, the question is "How does our assembly help us to follow Christ?" Going strictly by the numbers the answer is they do not. Nothing happens on Sunday AM to cause the majority to want to return until the next Sunday AM. And no one asks why.

 

Working at Dollywood on Sundays and attending only Sunday evening my observation is Sunday PM is a second class assembly. We sing less songs, the Lord's Supper is a formality and is little different than passing out soup at the homeless shelter. And it is easy to see who does not contribute.  Wednesday PM is 2 lectures separated by a couple of partial songs. Our Bible Classes are similar to the Soap Operas. You can miss a couple of weeks and not be behind. How does what we do help us to be followers of Christ?

 

It is not only GSM the majority of congregations are quite similar. It is "The Church of Christ Way." The problem is it is not working. The congregation we attended in Ohio recently merged with another congregation. It appears neither could afford to pay a man to speak. Those congregations were each close to 60 years old.  When we left, 13 years ago, the congregation membership was 200-225 had elders, deacons, a preacher and a Youth minister, a VBS with around 50 or so, a deaf congregation of 10-15. When they merged they were around 100.

 

Last night the speaker from WCB mentioned God's word will not return void. In the United States 95% of the people who become what they call Christian do so by the age of 25. That means the word that will not return void does not have much affect on people over the age of 25. And no one asks why.

 

Seeking or Diligently Seeking the Father?

Jesus said anyone who comes to the Father must believe that He is and that He rewards those who diligently seek him. Doesn't the first part go without saying? Who would want to come to the Father if they did not believe that he is? That suggests the second part is what defines, what differentiates true believers. If one is to come to the Father one must believe if they diligently seek Him He will reward them.

 

 

Before studying calculus, one needs to qualify one's self by studying arithmetic, algebra and geometry. Otherwise, more advanced subjects won't make any sense. Wouldn't the same be true about seeking God?

 

 

Getting to know the Father requires time and commitment. He doesn't need anything nor does he want anything, but for all people to diligently seek him. What does it mean to diligently seek God?

 

As Usual There are More than Two Sides to Every Story

Ray,

 

Apparently nothing is as simple as first appears. On her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, penned by a US resident, which was posted on the Internet. 

 

 
Dear Dr. Laura: Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination .... End of debate.

 

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them. 

 
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

 

 

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

 

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual unseemliness - Lev15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

 

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

 

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

 

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

 

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

 

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

 

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

 

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
 
I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I'm confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging. Your adoring fan, James M Kauffman, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus, Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education University of Virginia (It would be a damn shame if we couldn't own a Canadian)

 

 

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

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/
http://alumcave.blogspot.com/

 

 

"People don't know what they want until you show it to them."

 

---Steve Jobs

God May Not be a Respecter of Persons but is He Selective in Whom He Heals

Most of us believe what we choose to believe. Reality has no place in our choices. Someone wrote that our acceptance of a truth depends on our perception of the person telling us the truth. If we trust the person we accept if we do not we reject. Facts have little to do with which we choose.

Christians believe everything God "wills" will happen. They are incorrect in that belief and they know it. The bible says God "wants" everyone to be saved. Christians do not believe everyone will be saved so in practice Christians do not believe what they say they do thus the dilemma why bad things happen to good people.

Christians pray for the sick and injured and celebrate every improvement as evidence of God answering that prayer. Christians do not think very highly of God's abilities. For some reason God has allowed their loved one to for example be injured and paralyzed. During the healing process that paralyzed person is able to move some part of their body. Christians celebrate that as God's healing power. If that would be correct is it too much to expect God to heal everything at the same time? Have you noticed that God has a problem with Cancer? Have you noticed that so far God has proven to be unable to regenerate amputated limbs? It appears God is very selective in the illnesses or injuries he chooses to heal.

Gospel Advocate November 2011

Matthew Morine:

 

Reference your article "Over-Weight Worship" 

 

Nice article. It might be time to change the paradigm under which the church operates. Matthew wrote that Jesus told the disciples to:

  

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."

  

According to a dictionary preaching is to speak, plead or argue in favor of. One can preach about  Jesus to the unsaved. But you have to teach people to observe all that Jesus commanded. According to the same dictionary teach means impart skills or knowledge to; accustom gradually to some action or attitude.

  

Our formal service permits neither. Preaching to the saved is not the best use of a man who wants to preach. A preacher should be out preaching to the unsaved while back at the home front elders should be teaching those being saved. We have neither. We have a keynote speaker. Keynote speakers never have to explain or defend what they say. Keynote speakers are meant to entertain not teach. The current paradigm does not facilitate learning and without learning their is no teaching.

 

Again, nice article.

 

 

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

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/
http://alumcave.blogspot.com/

 

 

The comment that ended Groucho Marx's TV show:

 

To a woman on his show with many children Groucho commented:" I love my cigar but I take it out of my mouth once in a while".

Reference Gospel Advocate - November 2011

Johnny O. Trail:

 

Reference your article "Is Divorce Allowable for Alzheimer's Disease?"

 

Nice article, you ask "How can any religiously minded person advocate such a view?" For many the "rules" are "rules" when they never come into play. I have no idea what Pat Robertson's view is on the subject of abortion but I know Christians who while are not in favor of abortion they do advocate abortion in a case of rape or incest. Apparently the motivation behind the conception determines the humanity of the results.

 

Can we imagine a "Christian" couple where one is injured and is in a coma the other divorces and finds another spouse. Curious that anyone would entertain such an attitude.  

 

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

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/
http://alumcave.blogspot.com/

 

 

The comment that ended Groucho Marx's TV show:

 

To a woman on his show with many children Groucho commented:" I love my cigar but I take it out of my mouth once in a while".

Beatitude: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied

Matthew 5:6   

    "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

 

The promise is not to those who merely desire righteousness, but those who have an intense desire. Character is shown by the number, the intensity and the quality of its desires. The promise is to those who have such an intense desire for righteousness is that "they shall be filled." Being part of the kingdom of heaven requires one to have a deep longing after goodness and godliness. Paul told Christians in Thessalonica  about those who failed to love the truth and that God would send a delusion to those who did not.

 

One will be filled with what one intensely desires whether it be truth of a lie.

 

Can One Be Christian Without the Church?

Whatever Happened to Bible Study?

 

What used to be referred to as "Wednesday Night Bible Study" has changed. We begin by having the visitors introduce themselves. This usually takes 5-10 minutes of the 45 minutes allocated for bible study."   Following the introductions someone says a general all-purpose prayer. Next we sing a partial song. Following the song we have a lecture. I do not use the term lesson because lesson is closely related to teaching and learning. In our class we each leave believing what we believed when we arrived so there had been no teaching. The lecture which currently is labeled a study of 1 John covers most of the New Testament. It is difficult to remember what the speaker said and what book of the bible he referenced. 

 

At the 45 minute time limit we sing another partial song followed by another short lecture, followed by a partial song, followed by announcements, and another all-purpose prayer.  

 

The question is how does that help one to become a better Christian?