Alum Cave

Words of Napoleon at the End of His Life

2012-02-23T10:33:00.001-05:00

"I die before my time and my body shall be given back to the earth and devoured by worms. What an abysmal gulf between my deep miseries and the eternal Kingdom of Christ. I marvel that whereas the ambitious dreams of myself and of Alexander and of Caesar should have vanished into thin air, a Judean peasant---Jesus---should be able to stretch his hands across the centuries and control the destinies of men and nations. "

Christianity in a nutshell?

2012-02-20T13:53:00.000-05:00

Did Jesus die only so we could get out of this place and go somewhere else?

Is it our Creator's intention that if during our short life time we do not say nice things about him he will torture us for eternity? Is that Christianity in a nutshell? If a parent treated their children like that wouldn't we consider them bullies and child abusers?

Praying is a Delaying Tactic

2012-02-19T14:21:00.000-05:00

In his book Radical Together David Platt writes on page 97, "I challenge every member of the church (myself included) to ask God if he desires for us to go and then to wait for an answer. God can be trusted with these kinds of prayers from his people, and he will be faithful to provide those he leads with everything they need to accomplish the task he puts before them"

Such prayers are nothing more than a delaying tactic. Can you think of any reason why God would tell you not to go and make disciples? We already know God wants us to go. We do not want to go. Platt provides an excuse. If we do not see how to go we just say God did not provide the means so he does not want me to go.

We all do the same thing. Our congregation recently revisited the subject of elders. The last time we underwent a series on the subject of qualifications. We then found we did not have anyone interested in or who believed themselves qualified to be an elder. This time we decided to spend 2 months praying for guidance. We were to pray individually because publicly nothing has been said about the subject since then. Prayer is a delaying tactic. We do not want elders but we do not want to be seen as not wanting elders.

Have you noticed how preachers with jobs at a local congregation seldom if ever understand God to want them to leave that job and go make disciples? Such preachers are seldom if ever "gospel preachers" they are more "keynote speakers" for the assembly. Most of those who call themselves preachers are public speakers. You can "preach" the gospel but you cannot preach people to obey all that Jesus commands. That must be taught. Public speakers fill the time allocated for a speech with little if any dedicated to teaching. Teaching requires teacher-student relationship not a speaker-audience relationship.

I Do Not Believe Romans 13:1-6 Do You?

2012-02-17T10:06:00.001-05:00

Read Romans 13:1-6. Paul told Christians in Rome their government was not to be feared because God has given it the right to do what they were doing to the people and if they resisted the authorities they were resisting God and will incur judgment.

Paul was talking about Caesar and history shows how Caesar treated Christians and apparently under the guidance of God. So let's change a name here and there and see how it reads today.

Paul told the people in Libya, the United Nations as well as the countries around the world Muammar Gaddafi was not a terror to good conduct but to bad and if they would not incur his rath then they should do what is good and receive his approval since Muammar Gaddafi is God's servant. Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists Muammar Gaddafi resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For Muammar Gaddafi is not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for Muammar Gaddafi does not bear the sword in vain for he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Our forefathers did not believe it either otherwise they would never have rebelled. If what Paul said is correct the people of the United States will eventually incur God's wrath.

What Does it Mean "God is in Control"

2012-02-17T09:43:00.001-05:00

We talk about how God is in control and that we should have faith and not worry. Sounds nice but then reality sets in; 26,000 people most said to be children starve to death each day; children are abused, raped and murdered every day; and recently locally a couple of teenage boys have been accused of using kittens as baseballs.

If God will not intervene for the most innocent of his creation why do Christians think he will intervene for them? If God did not intervene when his followers were being beaten, tortured, and killed in the past what basis is there for Christians to think he will intervene for them today? History shows the church grows during persecution and shrinks when things go well, why should God intervene?

I do not take comfort in the thought God is in control since there is so much evidence that he does not intervene. The question is would any one be a Christian if there were no benefits in this life other than those that are byproducts of following Jesus instructions?

Is It Easy to be Christian

2012-02-16T12:54:00.000-05:00

Folks who find it easy to be Christian may be buying into that popular misconception that Christianity demands no works, and overlook that Jesus taught that one must seek the narrow way (demanding significant sacrifice, a lifetime of overcoming, and works of righteousness). The transformation from carnal and physical to spiritual is attended with a great deal of difficulty. I wonder how they do it with such ease. In a book "Not a Fan" the author differentiates fans from followers i.e. a fan of football or a participant in football; a fan of the military versus someone who gets down and dirty in the blood and muck.

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

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

"lupDujHomwIj lubuy'moH gharghmey"

---Klingon for "My hovercraft is full of eels."

A Christian's Expectations

2012-02-13T09:21:00.002-05:00

I often hear God is in control and that we should have faith and not worry. Sounds nice but then reality sets in; 26,000 people, most said to be children, starve to death each day; children are abused, raped and murdered every day; and locally a couple of teenagers have been accused of using kittens as baseballs.

I find it less than assuring that God is in control since there is so much evidence that he will not intervene.

Would any one be a Christian if they thought there were no benefits in this life other than those that are byproducts of following Jesus instructions?

Turning the Other Cheek

2012-02-12T14:14:00.003-05:00

Recently I read a book by David Platt. In his book he mentioned meeting a Christian from the Batak tribe of northern Sumatra in Indonesia. The fellow told the author the story of how his tribe had come to know Christ. Years earlier a missionary couple had come to his village to share the gospel. The tribe was 100 percent Muslim. The tribal leaders captured this missionary couple, then murdered and cannibalized them.

Years later another missionary came to their tribe and again began sharing the gospel. The tribal leaders recognized that the story he told was exactly what the former couple had shared. This time they decided to listen. After they listened, they believed. Within a short time, the entire tribe was converted to Christ. The believer told the author that today there are more than three million Christians among the Batak tribe of northern Sumatra.

When the author first heard this story he said he immediately had questions: Would he be willing for him and his wife to be that first missionary couple? Would he be willing to be killed and cannibalized so that those who come after him would see people come to Christ?

Five Evangelical Christian missionaries from the United States attempted to bring the gospel to the Huaorani people of the rainforest of Ecuador. The Huaorani, were an isolated tribe known for their violence, against both their own people and outsiders who entered their territory. With the intention of being the first Christians to evangelize the previously uncontacted Huaorani, the missionaries began making regular flights over Huaorani settlements in September 1955, dropping gifts. After several months of exchanging gifts, on January 3, 1956, the missionaries established a camp close to the settlements. Their efforts came to an end on January 8, 1956, when all five—were attacked and speared by a group of Huaorani warriors. The news of their deaths was broadcast around the world, and Life magazine covered the event with a photo essay.

The missionaries left letters to their families explaining why the missionaries had decided not to defend themselves. They reasoned they were read to die but the members of the tribe were not.

The story is much longer but the question is the same. Would I be willing to be killed and cannibalized so that those who come after me would see people come to Christ?

For many years I was a registered official in various soccer leagues and clubs in Ohio. Each year we would meet with to review the laws of soccer and any changes that had been made and were told what the laws meant. The laws said one thing but we were told they meant something else and that was how we were to enforce them. We have a tendency to do the same thing with the Bible.

On the subject of "turning the other cheek" what would Jesus do if he walked in on a robbery? What would Jesus do if someone struck him? What would Jesus do if his life was threatened? What does Jesus do when his followers die doing his bidding? What does Jesus expect of us? Would we deny Christ to save our families? Do we love our families more than we love Jesus?

Christians Deluded

2012-02-10T16:01:00.002-05:00

Paul told the church in Thessaloniki: "The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Christians must love truth. Christians must be willing to look at what they believe as compared with the Bible. Otherwise God will send them a strong delusion and be condemned

Compare Jesus' promise and Reality

2012-02-07T11:48:00.001-05:00

Consider the people who starve to death every day; consider the children who are raped and killed every day; consider the recent local case of teenage boys using kittens as baseballs; consider Jesus' promise recorded by Matthew; please explain.

Matthew 6:25-33

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Christians are too focused on the Present

2012-02-07T10:10:00.000-05:00

Paul told the Christians in Rome:

Romans 5:1-5

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. [2] Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3] More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, [4] and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, [5] and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Paul does not expect God to relieve him of his suffering. Rather he expects suffering to produce endurance.

Peter told his readers:

1 Peter 1:6-7

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, as was necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, [7] so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Peter did not expect God to relieve them of their trials. Rather he expects the tested genuineness of their faith will result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Christians are too focused on the present. God will not relieve us of our trials there is no reason to ask him to.

Pray a Blessing?

2012-01-30T09:43:00.002-05:00

Christians live in a dream world. They delude themselves. Yesterday in "The Closing Prayer" the fellow told God "we pray a blessing on" someone I forget who. What specifically does it mean "pray a blessing?" No one knows but it sounds good. It helps fill the time allocated for a "Closing Prayer."

Grace 5485

2012-01-28T11:18:00.000-05:00

Grace, highest privilege. It means a gift or a favor, an unmerited and undeserved gift or favor.

The favor and blessings of God; the undeserved and unmerited favor and blessings of God; the depth and richness of the heart and mind of God; the kindness and love that dwells within the very nature of God. God's grace covers all of life.

Grace: a term employed by the Biblical writers with a considerable variety of meaning:

Properly speaking that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, charm, sweetness, loveliness;

Good will, loving kindness, mercy etc;

the kindness of a master toward a slave.

Thus by analogy, it has come to signify the kindness of God to man

Grace is something that is God-given, made possible only by Jesus Christ and none other. It is God's gift of salvation granted to sinners for their salvation. The Christian teaching is that grace is God sending his son to die on a cross to give us eternal salvation.

Are Slaves a Blessing from God to his Followers?

2012-01-28T11:14:00.001-05:00

Those who want the Ten Commandments to be recognized today need to be careful what they wish for. Apparently we are expected to keep slaves.

Leviticus 25:44-46

As for your male and female slaves whom you may have: you may buy male and female slaves from among the nations that are around you. You may also buy from among the strangers who sojourn with you and their clans that are with you, who have been born in your land, and they may be your property. You may bequeath them to your sons after you to inherit as a possession forever. You may make slaves of them, but over your brothers the people of Israel you shall not rule, one over another ruthlessly.

Exodus 21:7-11

"When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has broken faith with her. If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter. If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights. And if he does not do these three things for her, she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money.

And realize that no place in the New Testament where Jesus objects to the practice of slavery. But via inspiration he has Paul tell the Christians in Ephesus as well as Timothy how to treat slaves:

Ephesians 6:5

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,

1 Timothy 6:1-4

Let all who are under a yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.

Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,

Either the entire Law or nothing you choose. . .

Divine Guidance and Morality?

2012-01-28T11:05:00.000-05:00

Christians need to explain how a loving God would create humankind from nothing give us, compared with infinity, a very short life span and torture us for all infinity if we do not say and think nice things about him.

Jesus told us to treat others as we would that we were treated. But through inspiration he told Paul and John to tell us:

2 Thessalonians 1:6-9

since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

John 15:6

If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

Reads kind of like the Koran don't you think?

The Church Jesus Established on Pentecost Does Not Like Music

2012-01-25T14:27:00.001-05:00

Have you ever heard anyone say they loved church services because they loved to sing and that they enjoyed the musical part of the service? I have not, at least from those associated with a Church of Christ. Would there be many Country Western or Gospel entertainers if they had been raised in the Church of Christ?

It is easy to see how few songs have been written by those associated with the Church of Christ. The church Jesus established on Pentecost apparently prefers to sit quietly and to listen.

Just Might Be Worth a Thought or Two

2012-01-24T15:53:00.001-05:00

According to the Oxford anthropoligist Robin Dunbar, an individual cannot handle more than 150 friends. The human brain was not built to keep track of more people than that. The day Jesus died he had around 120 people who were doing what he told them to do. That should tell the leaders of the mega churches something.

Discern

2012-01-24T14:31:00.000-05:00

John Calvin's commentary on 2nd Corinthians chapters 8 and 9 includes:

(God) "has enjoined upon us frugality and temperance, and has forbidden that any one should go to excess, taking advantage of his abundance. Let those, then, that have riches...consider that their abundance was not intended to be laid out in intemperance or excess, but in relieving the necessities of the brethren." Calvin said that half the church's funds should be allotted specifically for the poor. He concluded that "no one is to be allowed to starve."

Governments and organizations make the same mistake. While in their beginning their motives may have been correct they slowly slip into the attitude that the money they are given to dispense is "their" money to be used as they choose to use it. Our emergency fund contains the contributions of hundreds of people who thought we had a need. We have taken "their" contribution and put it into "our" emergency fund in case we need it. If those contributors had known we did not need their contribution they could have used the money to help someone who needed help.

I mentioned this before and was bombarded by some of the recipients when I said that GSMCOC does not need to operate on "faith" because we do not make any plans without knowing the source of the funds. I was told emphatically that relying on God is testing God and that is sin. I was equally as emphatically told that not knowing is bad business. Those reactions were spoken by people who never did anything without knowing. They have never experienced the loss of a job without a new job plainly in sight. They have not experienced a natural disaster where you wake up one morning and have: no house, no clothes, no food, no money, no credit cards, no driver's license or other form of identification. Not having experienced something of that order we comfortably and leisurely discuss our possible assistance and who is in charge and do they really need our funds.

There is a distinct difference between giving to God and giving to "the church". The example of the church at Corinth "laying by in store" was to help others. We encourage people to give to us.

Giving to God is a scriptural concept (Matt 22:21); Giving to "the church" could just be an emotional response to a well-orchestrated man-made appeal which is out of God's Will and God's Word. So it is important for us to study God's Word so that we are able to discern whether funds being solicited are based on sound New Testament Scriptural principles.

Suggestion for the Budget Committee

2012-01-24T14:27:00.001-05:00

Hi Ray,

Have you ever heard folks say when you are working on a budget you should first "purpose in your heart" an amount to be set aside to be given to your church and your retirement or savings and then lay out a budget to pay your bills, pay for vacations, buy clothes, buy a new house, buy a new car, hire a maid or chauffeur and etc? I will presume you have because I have. When you cannot make ends meet, based on discussions when the topic was benevolence, the attitude of the men of our congregation would be you should cut back on expenses, refinance loans, sell off assets such as cars etc stop buying anything not absolutely necessary and get another job or jobs.

Here is a suggestion for the Budget Committee. When you are developing the GSMCOC budget for 2012 first of all set aside money to do what the church is supposed to do. Not for ourselves but for others: taking the gospel to Pigeon Forge; setting aside funds for benevolence and projects such as those that the women have going and etc then layout the budget to pay the bills. If we cannot make ends meet we should cut back. If we cannot cut back due to commitments we have to figure out something such as looking into refinancing the building, reduction of staff salaries or reduction of staff etc. Instead of another job or jobs an organization such as GSMCOC has to seek additional contributions etc

This might be a reasonable time for us to practice what we tell others to do.

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

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

No amount of observations of white swans can allow the conclusion that all swans are white, but the observation of a single black swan is sufficient to refute that conclusion.

Karl Popper

Not Me, I'm Not Called

2012-01-21T14:17:00.002-05:00

Jesus told his apostles "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

But we often hear "I am not called to foreign missions." By foreign missions we mean an optional program for a dedicated few who apparently are called. The rest of us are willing to watch the presentations of those few when they report what they have been doing hoping we will provide the funds for them to continue.

Where does the bible suggest missions are optional? That Jesus' instructions to his apostles were optional and not required. We have taken this command and made it something only a few "have to" do.

On the other hand we take Jesus instructions to the crowds "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" as meaning me.

We take Jesus' statement to his apostles: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" and say it refers to some people and Jesus' promise "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" means me.

As David Platt says, we have taken the obligations of Christianity to mean a few others and the privileges of Christianity to mean me. We send others who we say "are called" while the rest stay behind with the others because we "are not called."

Message of Christianity

2012-01-21T12:20:00.001-05:00

Christians enjoy what they call "rightly dividing the Word." God told Jeremiah "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Christians take the first part to mean that God knows each of us before we are born. They do not believe God appointed them a prophet to the nations.

If you ask a group of Christians to summarize the message of Christianity you will probably hear "God loves me" or "God loves me so much he sent his Son to die for me." If the message of Christianity is "God loves me" then who is Jesus?

If the object of Christianity is "me" then when we look for a congregation we look for music that fits me, programs that cater to me, and my family. When I am making plans for my life and my career it is all about what is best for me and my family. When I decide where I will live, the car I will drive, the clothes I will wear, the way I will live, it is all what is best for me.

This is not the Christianity we find in the bible.

Jesus said:

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'"

Most Christians will find they are among the many Jesus was thinking of when he said:

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

Example or No Example

2012-01-19T16:11:00.001-05:00

I cannot find an example in the Bible where the men of the congregation conducted the business of the congregation. For a group proud of its reliance on examples this is curious to say the least.

Paul appeared to consider congregations being lead by elders a necessity. He left Titus in Crete, so that he might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town.

Today congregations may exist for 10, 20 or more years without elders. Lead by men who do not meet Paul's requirements to be elders qualified nor are they interested in becoming qualified. But they do feel qualified to lead the activities of the congregation. In these situations preachers become defacto pastors while criticizing churches not organized as the Bible says they should be.

Tired Leaders

2012-01-17T15:36:00.000-05:00

Our congregation's leaders are tired. Our congregation's leaders are satisfied with the status quo. Our congregation's leaders are satisfied with the congregation swelling instead of growing. When was the last time you were excited about inviting others to attend the adult bible class?

Sunday school growth requires effective leaders who plan thoroughly and keep people informed.

When a church is committed to reach new people and its members are excited about inviting others, everywhere members go they talk positively about their congregation, their Bible study program, and their fellow members and leaders.

Our adult bible classes are more like Town Meetings than learning situations. Because no serious attention was afforded acoustics, before one can comment or ask a question a microphone needs to be brought to them, thus quenching the enthusiasm and discussion. Sunday school classes need to be "open" groups where newcomers are genuinely welcomed, made to feel wanted, and assimilated into the group.

Growing Sunday Schools are alert to opportunities to create new units, both inside the church building and in locations across the community. Nor is time of day or day of week a limiting factor. While Sunday morning may continue to be the primary Bible study time in many churches, new Bible study groups can be started any day of the week to meet at any time of day or night, to meet in various places such as private homes, apartment club rooms, or restaurants. This requires additional teachers which in turn requires teacher training which requires qualified trainers.

Our leaders are tired. Our congregation is in trouble.

On the Subject of God and Athletics

2012-01-12T14:27:00.001-05:00

If you believe God is interested in what happens on a daily basis please explain why he lets 2-year-old girls get raped and murdered; why does he let teenage boys use kittens as baseballs; why does he allow his followers to starve to death; why does he only heal cancer for example that is known to respond to chemotherapy; why doesn't he ever regrow an amputated limb. God is not active in the physical world today. As a Christian Tim Tebow is violating one of Jesus' instructions by praying in front of thousands and millions instead of going into a closet or small room and praying in secret. Jesus said God answers in secret. Then ask Tim Tebow why he doesn't attend church services. Tebow is finding he could do and say things while in college because of a limited audience. The NFL is worldwide. Thanking his teammates for victories suggests he believes they are doing it all for him. But just leave him alone. He is not the NFL.

Retirement, Not Intended for Christians

2012-01-12T13:57:00.003-05:00

Retirement is for the middle-class. Poor people need to work or they do not eat. Rich people don't retire. Look at Warren Buffet. He has so much money he gives most of it away. Of course, he probably sets his own hours.

Retirement is a new idea. 150 years ago, almost no one thought of retiring. The idea of retirement has only been around for about 60 years.

For most of its history, retirement wasn't popular with older people. Retirement was never intended to help older people; it was intended to get rid of them.

Throughout most of history there was birth, a very brief childhood, work, and death. In other words: no retirement. Work was inseparable from life. If you lived, you worked. People worked as long as they could because not working was viewed as unseemly. If you stopped working, you were probably dead or broken beyond repair.

Today Christians hoard money for that time when they will not work. Today Christians look around they see a world of need surrounding them and say: "what you would have gained from me is reserved for the time when I will not have to work." Today Christians sound very much like the Pharisees Matthew tells us about and we can read in chapter 15.

Today, Christians believe God blesses them so they can buy oversize houses, drive expensive cars, enjoy lavish vacations, and not work.

Praying with a Smart Phone

2012-01-11T10:36:00.001-05:00

I have several versions of the bible from Laridian on my iPod Touch so I get emails trying to sell new products. There is an "app" that helps one organize their prayers and it costs less than $2.

Matthew 6:6

But when you pray, take your iPod or smart phone and go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Here is help to follow through on your promises to pray for people and be more consistent in your prayer life. Laridian's PrayerPartner App keeps track of your prayer requests and God's answers. Download today on the App Store for only $1.99.

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Organize the items you are praying for by day and category. You can schedule items to be prayed for daily, on certain days of the week, or certain days of the month.
Mark when an item has already been prayed for that day
Associate a prayer request with a contact from your Contacts Address Book. You can view all requests for a contact and even email a note of encouragement.

PrayerPartner makes it all so convenient!

As a new year begins, now is a great time to focus on this important aspect of our spiritual life: prayer. PrayerPartner can help you do just that!

Craig Rairdin
President
Laridian, Inc.

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Prayer?

2012-01-02T13:16:00.001-05:00

When we talk about limitations of prayer we use Paul's request for removal of "the thorn" and God's negative response with an explanation. Not available to us today. When we talk about God answering prayer we use Elijah increasing the oil of the widow, raising the dead son, causing rain, and fire where God communicates directly to him also not available to us today. To support our contention that God answers prayer we use Jesus' telling his disciples that anything they asked according to his will he would do. None are applicable to us today.

Apparently I have never met a righteous man because I have never observed nor experienced a prayer that did anything not to mention "availeth much." I wonder what "prayer is powerful means?

Make Disciples of All Nations

2011-12-31T10:16:00.002-05:00

Romans 10:13-15

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?

God sends servants.

His servants preach.

People hear.

Hearers believe.

Believers call.

Everyone who calls is saved.

Not everyone will believe but some will.

There is not one verse in Luke's letter (Acts) where the gospel is advanced to the lost other than by a human agent.

There is no other plan. Prayers for other ways are not in line with God's Will.

Isaiah 7:14

2011-12-27T14:49:00.001-05:00

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin (5959 almah: a lass (veiled or private: damsel) shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Matthew 1:23

Behold, a virgin (3933 parthenos: maidenhood, virginity; by implication an unmarried daughter: virgin) shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Luke wrote that Mary, when told she was going to conceive, reacted to the announcement with a question "How can this be I have not known a man."

Mary testifying she was virgin does not require every occurrence of the word translated "virgin" to reference Mary. Nor does it require every mention of a young girl with high moral standards to refer to Mary.

Sin or No Sin

2011-12-23T08:48:00.003-05:00

I hear people say they can go 24 hours without sinning. Let's look at that. They ask for their sins to be forgiven and then at the end of those 24 hours they can truthfully say they are without sin, right? Doesn't John say those who say they are without sin make God a liar and the truth is not in them? Hmmmmm!

Seems to me these people have a low opinion of what sinless means. If they can do it obviously it is not such a big deal that Jesus did it. They also have a low opinion of what maturity the Bible talks about "be perfect (mature, complete) as the Father is "perfect." At the end of those 24 hours they are on the same level as God. No big deal if we can do it and I thought that was a goal that was difficult to reach. Obviously it is not.

Christians are schizophrenic

2011-12-20T10:42:00.001-05:00

When it comes to God, Christians are schizophrenic. They say God is a loving God, (as if there is another kind of god) while they believe he intends on torturing for eternity anyone who does not say nice things about Him. That strikes me as a bit odd.

Christians say God is in control and they pray unceasingly for his protection. But have you noticed how many animals suffer at the hands of his creation? Have you noticed how he apparently stands (or sits) by and watches young children suffer at the hands of his creation? If the God in control does not protect the innocent what makes anyone expect him to protect a sinner either saved sinners or unsaved?

Christians blame Satan for suffering and for sin but Satan is an angel possibly an archangel how does he influence us? If God is in control why does Satan have so much more influence upon us that Michael and Gabriel also angels and possibly archangels?

You know what I think? I think Christians have no idea what they believe. They believe what the preacher tells them to believe.

To Whom are We Proclaiming?

2011-12-19T15:02:00.001-05:00

Moses records God's instructions describing a feast Israel was to repeat each year. Moses even recorded God's instructions concerning how Israel should eat it: "In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord's Passover."

Those instructions leave nothing to man's interpretation. But, Matthew describes Jesus and the disciples observing the Passover Meal more as a meal in a restaurant: "When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve." Do you suppose we are more concerned in the "how" than the "what?" Do you suppose we are more concerned with the "how" than Jesus was?

When Jesus "gave thanks" for what was he thanking God? When we say those two prayers for what are we thanking God?

Paul told the church in Corinth "…I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John do not record Jesus telling his disciples to eat and drink in "remembrance of Him." When we eat and drink alone to whom are we proclaiming the Lord's death until he comes?

Where Would the Church of Christ have Stood?

2011-12-19T14:30:00.001-05:00

Moses recorded wrote: "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation."

Beginning with Adam God placed a limit on what type of activities man and animal alike could do on the seventh day. The fourth commandment required Israel to observe the seventh day as a holy day on which no work should be done by man or beast. Everyone including strangers within the city gates was to desist from all work and keep the day holy.

Luke tells us at the time of his writing "Acts" the distance from Mount Olivet to Jerusalem was a Sabbath day's journey away or about 2,000 yards.

Two lambs were sacrificed on the Sabbath while one lamb was sacrificed of each of the other six days. During the Maccabean war. Jewish soldiers allowed themselves to be massacred rather than profane the Sabbath by fighting in self-defense. After a thousand of so Jews were slaughtered they decided that in the future it would be permissible to defend themselves if attacked on that holy day but not to engage in offensive actions. Destroying siege-works was not permitted on the Sabbath so Pompey was able to raise his mound and mount his battering rams against Jerusalem without interference from the Jews.

By Jesus' time the religious code regarding the Sabbath listed "39 principal classes of prohibited actions: sowing, plowing, reaping, gathering into sheaves, threshing, winnowing, cleansing, grinding, sifting, kneading, baking, shearing wool, washing it, beating it, dyeing it, spinning it, making a warp of it, making two cords, weaving two threads, separating two threads, making a knot, untying a knot, sewing two stitches, tearing to sew two stitches, catching a deer, killing, skinning, salting it, [preparing its hide, scraping off its hair, cutting it up, writing two letters, blotting out for the purpose of writing two letters, building, pulling down, extinguishing, lighting a fire beating with a hammer, and carrying from one property to another. Each of these chief enactments was further discussed and elaborated, so that actually there were several hundred things a conscientious, law-abiding Jew could not do on the Sabbath.

For example, the prohibition about tying a knot was much too general, and so it became necessary to state what kinds of knots were prohibited and what kind were not. Allowable knots were those that could be untied with one hand. A woman could tie up her undergarment and the strings of her cap, those of her girdle, the straps of her shoes and sandals, of skins of wine and oil, of a pot with meat. She could tie a pail over the well with a girdle, but not with a rope.

The prohibition regarding writing on the Sabbath was further defined as follows: 'He who writes two letters with his right or his left hand, whether of one kind [of letter] or of two kinds, as also if they are written with different ink or are of different languages, is guilty. He even who should from forgetfulness write two letters is guilty . . . Also he who writes on two walls which form an angle, or on the two tablets of his account-book, so that they can be read together, is guilty.

And on and on; man added to what God had said. The lay-Jew was required by their "preachers" and "elders" to follow those detailed instructions. God did not intervene.

The rabbis considered the sabbath as an end in itself where Jesus taught the Sabbath was made for man's benefit and that man's needs must take priority over the law of the sabbath. Luke tells us Jesus attended worship in the Synagogue on the sabbath.

Would the Church of Christ have sided with Jesus or with the Pharisees?

from "Four Lessons on Money from One of the World’s Richest Preachers,” Edward White

2011-12-17T11:20:00.000-05:00

"… [Wesley] identified a modest level of expenses that he was going to live on every year. The first year his income surpassed that level by a small amount, and he gave that excess away. The next year his income increased, but he kept his standard of living the same, so he had more to give away. This continued year after year. At one point Wesley was making the equivalent of about $160,000 a year in today's terms, but he was living as if he were making $20,000 a year. As a result he had the equivalent of more than $140,000 to give away that year."

What Does Our Debt Tell?

2011-12-17T11:07:00.001-05:00

In his book Mark recorded a story of a young rich man asking Jesus "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" … And Jesus …said to him, "…go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." The question we have to answer is if you believe what you call your possessions are provided to you by God does he provide them so you can buy nice cars, live in oversize houses, go on vacations, retire and not work or so that you can help others?

John Wesley (1703-91) provides an example of how to see our possessions in light of the needs around us. Wesley once purchased some pictures for the walls of his apartment. It was a winter day when the department store delivered them. During the delivery a Chambermaid arrived at his door wearing only a thin linen gown for protection against the cold. Wesley reached into his pocket to give her some money for a coat; he only had a little left, not enough left for the purchase. Looking at his recent purchase Wesley wondered if the Lord was pleased with the way he had spent his money. He asked himself, "Will the Master say, 'well done, good and faithful steward? Thou has adorned thy wall with the money that might have screened this poor creature from the cold! O justice! O mercy! Are not these pictures the blood of this poor maid?'"

The pictures were not wrong in and of themselves. However, it was very wrong for him to buy unnecessary decoration for himself when a woman was freezing without a coat.

We do not need to feel guilty every time we purchase a commodity that is not an absolute necessity. The point we can learn from the event in Wesley's life is that, our perspective on our possessions radically changes when we open our eyes to the needs of the world around us. When we look at the faces of those who have no food what is important to us will change.

Christians and congregations have put themselves so indebt they cannot afford to help those who need help. Since the term Christian means "follower of Christ" does our indebtedness show we are not following Jesus and therefore are not Christians?

Limitations of Prayer

2011-12-12T10:30:00.001-05:00

When we talk about limitations of prayers we use Paul's request for removal of "the thorn" where God verbally responds with a 'No." When we talk about God answering prayer we use Elijah increasing the oil of the widow, raising the dead son, causing rain, and fire. We use, as support; Jesus' telling his disciples that anything they asked according to his will he would do. None are applicable to us today.

Do you know of an example in the NT of a prayer by an individual, not directly involved with God's effort to spread the news of Jesus that received a positive response from God?

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

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

Roses are #FF0000 , Violets are #0000FF

Ephesians 2:8,9

2011-12-10T10:21:00.001-05:00

For by grace (5485: the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude;) are ye saved (4982: to save; deliver or protect; heal; preserve; make whole) through faith (4102: conviction of a religious truth or the truthfulness of God; reliance upon Christ for salvation; assurance; belief); and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

1 John Missing the Mark

2011-12-09T09:59:00.001-05:00

1 John 1:7-9

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin (266). [8] If we say that we have no sin (266), we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins (266), he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (266), and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 2:1

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin (264) not. And if any man sin (264), we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: [2] And he is the propitiation for our sins (266): and not for ours only, but also for the sins (*) of the whole world.

1 John 2:12

I write unto you, little children, because your sins (266) are forgiven you for his name's sake.

1 John 3:4-9

Whosoever committeth sin (266) transgresseth also the law: for sin (266) is the transgression of the law. [5] And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins (266); and in him is no sin (266). [7] Whosoever abideth in him sinneth (264) not: whosoever sinneth (264) hath not seen him, neither known him. [7] Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

[8] He that committeth sin (266) is of the devil; for the devil sinneth (264) from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. [9] Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin (266); for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin (264), because he is born of God. [10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins (266).

1 John 5:16-18

If any man see his brother sin (264) a sin (266) which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin (264) not unto death. There is a sin (266) unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. [17] All unrighteousness is sin (266): and there is a sin (266) not unto death. [18] We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth (264) not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

266-offence, sin (-full)

264-to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize) to err; faults, offend, trespass)

Satan and Michael and Gabriel

2011-12-09T09:56:00.001-05:00

Recently the preacher mentioned many people do not believe Satan is real. From what I have read that includes many if not most teenagers. They may have been teached at or preached at but never accepted what was being told to them. They were never convinced. One question might be why didn't' we realize our failure but that is another subject.

Some questions I have are:

Who tempted Satan?

Satan is an angel as Michael and Gabriel are angels. Since we say nothing happens unless God permits it why do we say Satan is more powerful and influential than Gabriel and Michael?

James says James "… each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. James does not say we sin because of Satan acting upon us. James appears to say I do not need Satan's help to sin.

The answer to my first question appears to be Satan sinned when he was lured and enticed by his own desire.

Our teachers make statements, do not back them up and then we wonder why folks do not believe.

Jesus told his disciples to preach and then teach. Teach requires open discussion not just lectures.

Is Satan a Who or a What?

2011-12-08T10:25:00.000-05:00

Quite a while back I read that teens are spiritual but not their parents' spiritual. Recently I read teens' and young adults' experience of Christianity is shallow. Many if not most Christians do not know why they believe what they believe assuming they believe something. Apparently a fairly high percent of teens do not believe Satan is real. What would you tell a college student convince them Satan is real? Satan is an angel as Gabriel and Michael are angels. How did former get more influence than the latter? If God is in control why does he permit Satan to have such influence over the creation but he limits Michael and Gabriel in their influence? Genesis says Satan tempted Eve but God punished the Serpent. Why? Jesus said "Get behind me Satan" when he was talking to Peter. Why? If Satan is the cause behind our sinning what did James mean when he wrote we sin when we are lured by are own desires? Satan was the first of God's creation to sin but what other activity is he involved in today?

Self-Described Christians Dominate America but Wrestle with Four Aspects of Spiritual Depth Barna.org

2011-12-08T10:07:00.001-05:00

http://www.barna.org/faith-spirituality/524-self-described-christians-dominate-america-but-wrestle-with-four-aspects-of-spiritual-depth

Five Myths About Young-Adult Church Dropouts

2011-12-08T09:59:00.001-05:00

http://www.barna.org/teens-next-gen-articles/534-five-myths-about-young-adult-church-dropouts

Six Reasons Young Christians Leave Church - Barna.org

2011-12-08T09:57:00.001-05:00

http://www.barna.org/teens-next-gen-articles/528-six-reasons-young-christians-leave-church

Ethics and the American Food Supply

2011-12-07T11:29:00.001-05:00

Exodus 23:5

If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.

Exodus 23:12

"Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed.

Compare God's instructions to Israel as to how to treat animals and keeping animals that normally lie down to sleep standing in cages their entire lives; leaving the lights on twenty-four hours a day with the sounds of machinery and animals in pain ringing in their ears.

J Matthew Sleeth reports to obtain billions of hamburger patties for a few cents each, America's fast-food restaurants buy much of their mean from Central and South American farmers. These farmers clear-cut forests often to start a cattle-raising process that can be sustained for a few years.

The loss of these forests means clouds they once made no longer blow across the Atlantic to Africa. As a result the Sahara grows by thousands of acres a year. Bottom line for Africans is starvation while the bottom line for Americans is cheap hamburgers.

When God Blesses Us Does He Curse the Chicken?

2011-12-03T10:41:00.000-05:00

People all over the world thank God for the food they eat. People all the worldover fail to understand God had nothing to do with their having something to eat. To believe God is blessing them with something to eat is to believe God is cursing the billion people worldwide who do not have enough to eat; that God has cursed the twenty-five thousand who starve to death today.

Food insecurity is a term meaning "going without something to eat for days; to fear starvation." The term is becoming more familiar and will become even more familiar world wide and in the United States.

A "cage-free, organic" chicken farm will sort and wash four thousand eggs an hour. One cage-free barn will hold fourteen thousand chickens. They feed from pneumatic shoots; they drink from hydraulic nozzles, and defecate on the floor. Each corner of the barn contains an electrical device that delivers a shock to discourage the chickens from roosting in the corner. In a barn with fourteen thousand chickens they will suffocate themselves trying to roost together.

During their 9-month lifetime they will never see the light of day, feel the wind, or have a moment's rest or security.

Apparently this is how God blesses us with a chicken dinner.

John 14:13-14 "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do

2011-12-01T09:53:00.000-05:00

John 14:13-14 "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."

To ask in Jesus' name is to ask as the representative of Jesus and for Jesus. It is more than asking by his authority.

Jesus was speaking to those in his presence when he said it. He was not speaking to us.

Jesus promise was he would do what was asked so His Father may be glorified. In our prayers how is the Father honored?

The Father desiring something does not mean it will be done.

2011-12-01T09:46:00.001-05:00

1 Tim. 2:3-4

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The Father desiring something does not mean it will be done. God wants everyone to be saved and that will not happen.

"Your will be done"

2011-12-01T09:42:00.001-05:00

Matthew 6:10

Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 26:42

Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done."

The word "will" means choice, desire, pleasure. Our desire should be that what the Father desires is done on earth, his creation. In his prayer Jesus was submitting to what His Father's choices.

John 14:13-14 “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do"

2011-12-01T09:20:00.001-05:00

John 14:13-14 "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."

To ask in Jesus' name is to ask as the representative of Jesus and for Jesus. It is more than asking by his authority.

Jesus was speaking to those in his presence when he said it. He was not speaking to us.

Biblical Prayers

2011-11-30T09:21:00.002-05:00

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

2011-11-29T09:18:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-28T15:08:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-28T15:04:00.000-05:00

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?

2011-11-25T10:45:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-25T10:26:00.000-05:00

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

2011-11-21T10:52:00.000-05:00

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?

2011-11-18T09:36:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-17T09:59:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-15T11:25:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-08T15:56:00.000-05:00

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

2011-11-08T15:32:00.000-05:00

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

2011-11-06T13:07:00.001-05:00

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?

2011-11-04T10:51:00.001-04:00

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?

Preacher-Pastors

2011-10-26T15:42:00.001-04:00

Our preacher is our pastor. He is a public speaker not a gospel preacher not a teacher and does nothing at all like Jesus. Members of the church of Christ do not call their preachers, Pastor, but that is what most of them are. They do the work of the Elders, while the Elders do the work of the Deacons, while the Deacons do the work the members should be doing while the members sit and listen and contribute money.

When Jesus left this earth he had 120 or so followers doing what he told them to do. What is important to us was not important to Jesus. A British Anthropologist, Robin Dunbar has concluded the maximum number of people we can relate to is 150 so mega-churches don't work.

To be fair churches today have dug themselves into quite a hole. We have accumulated a large amount of debt requiring large "cheerfully given" contributions. Jesus never accumulated debt. Also, most preacher-pastors look to "their" congregation for their income and are therefore limited as to how much of Jesus' teachings they can teach. Jesus did not have that dilemma.

John 6:53-54

So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. [54] Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

John 6:56

Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.

John 6:66

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.

Jesus was not interested in marketing to the masses. When Jesus invited potential followers he expected, required more than the crowds were willing to accept and he appeared to be comfortable with that. He focused on the few who remained.

Followers of Jesus must embrace Jesus even though crowds left him because of his hard sayings. Today followers of Christ today have values and ideas that are unbiblical and that contradict the bible we claim to believe.

It is past time to rid the church of public speakers. What the church Jesus established on Pentecost needs is preachers who will, as the apostles did, make disciples and teach them to observe all that Jesus has commanded and followers who will follow Jesus. Our only option is to do what the crowds did during Jesus' ministry, leave him because of the hard sayings.

What Happened to Doing Things the Bible Way?

2011-10-21T09:19:00.001-04:00

The oversight of the local church is to be exercised by mature brethren raised up by the Holy Spirit from within the local congregation. Most congregations today entrust the spiritual leadership of the congregation and the vast majority of the public ministry to a solitary Pastor, who is chosen from among the professional clergy, imported from outside the congregation, and promised a fixed salary for his services. This is a drastic departure from the scriptural pattern?

Cause Without a Mission/Vision

2011-10-20T16:10:00.001-04:00

Ray,

Remember several years ago when the Men's meeting considered ad nauseum developing a Vision Statement or Mission Statement? In their book "It's Not the Big that Eat the Small, It's the Fast that Eat the Slow" Jason Jennings and Laurence Haughton write:

"The fastest companies in the world---those that get to market fastest---don't waste time sitting around a conference table processing visions with the creative types from HR They don't need to. They share something bigger and stronger. Each has a cause that they use to launch crusades."

The authors define

Cause: that which gives rise to an action, a motive, a principle, a belief or purpose

Vision: something perceived in a dream, trance, spell, or stupor: something supernaturally revealed to a prophet.

Unlike missions and visions, which are generally created by committees and sufficiently watered down to please everyone, offend nobody, and motivate no one, a cause comes from a defining moment in the leader's life.

It occurred to me our problem is GSMCOC has no leader to have a defining moment in their life.

I remember the process of documenting a mission and a vision at Mead Corporation and the authors are dead on. Mead Corporation had a mission and vision but no cause and now there is no Mead Corporation.

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

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

"If I had asked my customers what they wanted, they would have told me, 'A faster horse.'"

---Henry Ford

Question on Beginning

2011-10-20T10:29:00.000-04:00

Hi Rick, Al:

Last night you appeared to imply there was a beginning prior to the beginning in Genesis 1:1. What other beginning do you have in mind?

In John 1:1 the term beginning appears in reference to the creation and the origin of matter. It refers to period prior to all created things in which nothing existed. When Jesus was with God in the beginning he was with God in the creation of all things.

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

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

"If I had asked my customers what they wanted, they would have told me, 'A faster horse.'"

---Henry Ford

AntiChrist?

2011-10-20T09:57:00.001-04:00

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance says the word translated "antichrist" means "an opponent of the messiah." The word may mean either an enemy of Christ or one who usurps Christ's name and rights. Jesus warned against "the false Christs" and "the false prophets" see Matthew 24:24.

Jesus and the Christ are separate issues see Acts 9:22 and Acts 17:2-3. As Caesar and Pharaoh were titles, the term Christ is a title not Jesus' last name.

In 1 John 4:3 John mentions that to refuse to confess both the deity and the humanity of Jesus is to promote the spirit of the antichrist. In 1 John 2:22 John says the liar mentioned in verse 21 is as the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Many false theories were being passed around at the time John wrote these letters. The Gnostics claimed that Jesus and Christ were two different persons; that Christ merely appeared to have flesh, but in reality did not; and that Jesus did not have divine origin. The affect was to deny Jesus' deity and the Christ's humanity.

In verse 18 and 22 the word antichrist is used to identify those who had the character and attributes of the great antichrist to come. The one who taught such things was promoting the same purpose and spirit as antichrist and therefore could have the same designation.

When Peter attempted to discourage Jesus from carrying out his mission Jesus called him Satan. See Matthew 16:21-23. It was not Satan it was Peter promoting Satan's agenda rather than God's agenda. When one promotes the agenda of Satan he can be considered Satan or the same as if Satan was doing it; when one promotes the agenda of the antichrist he can be considered the antichrist or the same as if the Antichrist was doing it. By extension for one to do something to promote God's agenda would be the same as if God were doing it. Christians claim they are the face of God to the world and the hands and feet of God to the world.

Apparently the coming of the Antichrist was an event generally expected by the Church. But John is more concerned with directing the attention of Christians to the antichristian forces already at work. He says teachers of erroneous views of the person of Christ, the Ebonites and Gnostics) are the antichrists.

My guess is the identity of the Antichrist is lost in the figurative language of Revelation and possibly Daniel. W.B.West Jr in his book "Revelation through First-Century Classes" believes the beast who made war on God's people for three and one-half years in Revelation 17 and Daniel 7, 8 was Nero and possibly the antichrist. While I do not know, I am confident the people to whom John wrote understood and they knew and therefore the antichrist came in their time.

I doubt that false Christs and false prophets exist today. If we go by the simplistic definition that anyone who teaches other than what the church of Christ teaches are false this or that we leave no room for honest error and at the same time declare ourselves perfect.

Congregations Beware!

2011-10-11T09:41:00.000-04:00

Relentless positive attitude suppresses crucial information from within a congregation. Members will avoid mentioning unsettling information because they do not want to be seen as being negative. Most people do not want to be a "nitpicker." Gradually, the relentless positive attitude will change the group to a bunch of "yes-men."

Leaders must understand that while leaders may be able to force people to act the way they want them to act it is impossible to force people to think the way the leader wants them to think.

Congregations beware!

2 Chronicles Does Not Mean Christians

2011-10-04T09:33:00.001-04:00

2Chronicles 7:14 is misused and abused.

[14] if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

God is talking to Solomon about Israel. God is not talking about Christians. Christians have no land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 in context:

2 Chronicles 7:13-15

When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, [14] if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. [15] Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.

It was Peter Not Satan

2011-10-01T09:30:00.001-04:00

In the following verses Jesus was speaking to Peter not Satan. It can be understood that Peter was promoting Satan's agenda over God's agenda and in that way he was acting as Satan's proxy. Satan was an angel with not more or less powers and influence than Gabriel and Michael.

Matthew 16:20-23

Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you." But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."

Christians are Focuses on Themselves.

2011-10-01T09:29:00.001-04:00

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

James is telling his readers the motive which prompts such giving, as well as the gifts themselves, originates, not with men but with God who is in heaven. All that is good ultimately derives from God. Of course everything God created was good. When Satan influenced Eve to sin that brought sin into God's creation. One can honestly say that everything that is good comes from God, even though God was not specifically active in proving that good and everything that is not good comes from Satan even though as James tells his readers "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire."

If one believes God gives, to them specifically, food for example they must explain why Christians worldwide starve to death for the lack of food. If one believes God will protect them or their property from danger and damage they must explain why innocents such as children and animals suffer abuse and death when they have done nothing to deserve such treatment. If one believes God gives them physical health they must explain why Christians world wide die from the vary causes healthy Christians pray to avoid. If one believes God answers prayers for the sick they must explain why amputated limbs have never been re-grown; why major illnesses have no cures and why God has difficulty healing the more serious forms of cancer; etc.

Christians spend more time seeking health, safety, comfort and security for themselves than they do spreading the Gospel to a lost world.

Do these verses relate?

2011-09-27T11:27:00.001-04:00

How do these verses relate?

Luke 11:3

Give us each day our daily bread,

Romans 8:26

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

James 4:2-3

…You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Christians Need to Know Why They Believe

2011-09-20T10:14:00.000-04:00

Christians as a whole believe the Bible but do not read the Bible. They have been told what the Bible says but they do not KNOW what the Bible says.

Christians and Muslims pray to the same God, each has there understanding of God, neither receives responses neither questions that lack of response.

James tells us: "… You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."

"…let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Native Americans had their religions. Some prayed to one Spirit others prayed to many Spirits. They believed the Spirit(s) answered their prayers. We believe they deceived themselves.

How about the millions of Christians praying for the end to world hunger while millions continue to starve to death? When was the last time an amputated limb was restored? When the last time a person horribly disfigured was restored to the way they had been?

Christians need to look very hard at what they believe.

The Holy Spirit is not automatic.

2011-09-15T12:05:00.001-04:00

Paul told the Roman Christians, the Spirit himself intercedes for us because we do not know what to pray for James told his readers we can pray wrongly and for that the Holy Spirit is of no help.

Romans 8:26

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

James 4:3

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

No One Questions. . .

2011-09-05T16:43:00.002-04:00

It has been demonstrated again and again that the placebo effect can make people get better. Research has shown the placebo effect is enough to cure cancer. If a trusted doctor gives you medicine, odds are it will make you feel better (it may even make you get better) even if the medicine is only a sugar pill.

If the doctor truly believes, truly cares, and can see us for who we are, we can sense that. It doesn't matter what she says; it matters what else we pick up in our interactions with her. The words don't cure us our beliefs do.

Several times Matthew, Mark and Luke recorded that Jesus told people "their faith has made them well." James told his readers when they prayed they had to "ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."

Do we pray expecting God to heal? We may believe he can but are we convicted that he will? I for one am not because in my experience and observation he never has. I imagine you have heard the preacher's story of the man who prayed that it not rain and took an umbrella or the opposite he prayed that it would rain and left the umbrella at home. Most public prayers are by rote and because it is time for a prayers. Prayer appears to be the only area in which growth is not expected. The manner in which an individual prays as a child is accepted when they are adult.

When people attempt to refute my assertions about prayer their examples always come from the Old Testament. Apparently we have no New Testament examples of God answering prayer. But no one questions that. People make comments such as "prayer works" or "prayer is powerful" but do not offer examples supporting their words. But no one questions that.

Apparently I have never met a righteous man or at least never heard one recite a prayer because I have never experienced nor observed a prayer that did anything close to James' assurance "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

The disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it (a demon) out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." Christians claim Jesus was perfect but they do not believe him. If they are correct Jesus lied and was hardly perfect.

I believe Jesus was being literal and no I do not have faith enough to move mountains. But I wonder what people would think if I did.

Muslims pray. Christians pray. Neither experiences results and no one questions that.

How Long

2011-09-01T19:56:00.001-04:00

Most churches spend little time looking ahead and planning for unexpected events.

In the 70s some black folks were going around interrupting church services to read their "Black Manifesto." At one of the business meetings the men of the congregation we attended in Ohio addressed the issue of how the congregation would respond. One of the men said if they showed up he would blow them back out the door with his shotgun. No one asked if he had the shotgun with him at all times or if he had it stored someplace accessible in the building. I did not doubt the former or the latter.

Now change the scenario to gay. How will we react to a practicing homosexual showing up at our door; maybe as a result of an invitation of one of our members? When it happens it will catch us off guard and we will be unsure of how we should react or act. The men have already shown we cannot discuss sensitive issues so this should be good one.

My guess is the men will be surprised to know the word homosexual does not appear in the original text but rather a description that some translators translate as homosexual. Several versions translate the terminology as homosexual but the word does not appear. It did not exist until the last century.

1 Cor. 6:9 (ESV)
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality (KJV-nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, )

1 Tim. 1:10 (ESV)
the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality (KJV-defile themselves with mankind), enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,

Homosexual is slang for queer. Queer means: off center, weird, odd, unwell. Synonym to queer is strange. Nothing to do with same gender sex.

According to the Wiki Dictionary, Gay in the sense of homosexual (first recorded in 1951) was shortened from earlier gay cat 'homosexual boy' in underworld and prison slang, itself first attested about 1935, but used earlier for a young tramp or hobo attached to an older one.

People attracted sexually to members of their own gender are at the very least a bit odd, weird, off center. They are queer. They should not be mistreated because of their queerness but there is no denying they are a bit odd. Anyone who has ever seen a female impersonator doing burlesque understands those folks are a bit strange.

Anyway I am looking forward to the eventual discussion of what we do.

As an aside notice in 1 Corinthians 6:9 sexually immoral, adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality are different, Apparentloy adulterers are not being sexually immoral as effeminate, and abusers of themselves with mankin are not being sexually immoral. That might be worth discussing that in a class sometime.

When to Ask for Forgiveness

2011-08-28T14:16:00.002-04:00

Jesus told the people:

Matthew 5:23-24

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

On the other hand have you noticed that most of the time our public prayers end with our asking for our sins to be forgiven?

If we really believed we had sins that required forgiveness wouldn't that be the first thing for which we would ask? We have several phrases we use to signal we are approaching the end of this prayer. Our public prayers are to fill the time allocated for a prayer not for communicating with God.

Not Apples and Oranges

2011-08-25T12:33:00.000-04:00

1 Corinthians 16:1-4

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. [2] On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. [3] And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. [4] If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

The expression Now concerning identifies these instructions as a reply to a question Paul had been asked earlier.

The collection to which Paul refers is for the poor saints in Jerusalem. Sunday was convenient. The amount was to be as they had prospered. The purpose served for the instructions was so the contribution would be available when Paul arrived. Christians were to store up money, supplies, produce, animals etc for Paul and local representatives, if they so chose, to take to Jerusalem for Christians in need. This collection had nothing to do with the support of the activities and comfort of the local congregation.

The bible does not support our contention this storing up was an "act of worship."

The example was directed outward. We have changed that to inward. We use the funds mostly for our own benefit. The example, helping the poor appears is not optional. Preachers, buildings, secretaries, church supplies, pews etc are not addressed in the bible making them non biblical and optional.

Members of any organization should be willing to support the activities of that organization. This is reason enough to keep the membership informed and involved.

We have taken a convenience and made it law does anyone see Pharisee?

Why is the GSMCOC?

2011-08-24T13:45:00.001-04:00

If you ask typical church members why their church exists, you'll get a wide variety of answers. A survey of members of nearly a thousand churches asked the question "Why does the church exist?"

89 percent said "The church's purpose is to take care of my family's and my needs." For many, the role of the (preacher) is simply to keep the sheep who are already in the "pen" happy and not lose too many of them. 11 percent said, "The purpose of the church is to win the world for Jesus Christ."

The leaders of the same churches answered exactly opposite. 90 percent said the purpose of the church was to win the world and 10 percent said it was to care for the needs of the members.

Is it any wonder why we have conflict, confusion, and stagnation in many churches today? If the leaders and congregation can't agree on why the church exists, conflict and disagreement on everything else is inevitable.

Unless the driving force behind a church is biblical, the health and growth of the church will never be what God intended.

Why does Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ exist? No where does the bible suggest allowing others to assemble with us is a goal of the New Testament church.

Are we relevant? Are we having an impact? Is the church Jesus established on Pentecost better because we exist?

What is Wrong?

2011-08-23T12:58:00.002-04:00

We do not pray as Paul prayed. Our prayers are not concerned with the same issues that concerned Paul. We want health and wealth and success and miracles and church growth and prayer in schools and a conservative president and a job and a good life for our children and…and…

James tells us we do not receive what we ask for because "you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions." We ignore that and pray mostly for ourselves to use it on our passions. Jesus said where your treasure is is where your heart will be. Our treasure is us.

All religions that believe in God, a god or higher being of some sort pray to that entity. None receive answers, all our comfortable. In Old Testament times Cyrus permitted the people he conquered to keep their religion. The religion made no difference. Religion keeps a people docile. Allowing that Christians follow Jesus and Jesus is God one would think the prayers of Christians would make a difference but they do not. What is wrong?

God Does Not Cause Bad Things to Happen

2011-08-16T10:46:00.002-04:00

God permits the rain to fall on the just and the unjust.

John 9:1-3

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

The disciples' initial question is not logical. How or when could the man have sinned to cause blindness at his birth? Can we sin before we are born?

God did not cause or permit this man to be born blind to give Jesus an opportunity to heal him. The weaknesses and illnesses of the parents or the surroundings of the persons had been such the result was the baby was blind at birth. This man having been born blind provided Jesus an opportunity to give him sight, demonstrate Jesus' power and kindness, and make known the power of God to the world. This does not suggest all suffering and disorder does not come as the result of sin and violation of God's law. The blindness was not the direct result of sins of his parents or in fact the baby.

John 11:1-4

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." But when Jesus heard it he said, "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it."

Lazarus was sick. Jesus could have prohibited his death but did not. Death was not the object. Jesus had another reason to delay to permit Lazarus to die. Jesus was honored through the exhibition of miraculous power in raising Lazarus from the dead.

The Auditorium is NOT a Holy Place

2011-08-16T10:15:00.002-04:00

We stress the church is people not buildings; then we sing

"The Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silent before him"

to remind folks they are in a holy place. Church auditoriums are places you whisper, dress up, and do not dare carry a cup of coffee into. Listen to the reasons given to small children concerning why they should not run in the auditorium after the assembly.

Unconditional Love vs Moral Guardians

2011-08-15T14:25:00.000-04:00

The story of the Samaritan woman at the well provides an example to us how to react to sin. Jesus did not mention the fact she had had five husbands and that the man she was living with was not her husband to confront or to judge or to "fix" her. He offered no commentary and dismissed it as not relevant to his primary concern. He mentioned it only to convince her that he was the Messiah. Jesus let her know he knew everything about her past and that his offer of "life" was still available to her, no questions asked. Knowing this the woman ran back into town and happily proclaimed she had met a man who knew every thing about her, including her sin. If she felt Jesus shamed her or was judging her it would have hardly been a happy occasion.

The point of the story is not how Jesus fixes people's moral lives but how he loves people and how he offers everlasting life regardless of their moral lives. We are to: "walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." We are to see a need and meet it. . .no questions asked. We must not do what Jesus did not do: position ourselves as wiser, morally superior guardians and "fixers" of others. Moral guardianship was what the Pharisees did . . .not Jesus.

Gospel Preacher or Keynote Speaker

2011-08-15T12:08:00.001-04:00

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."

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

Our formal service permits only preaching. A preacher should be out preaching while back at the home front elders should be teaching. We have neither. We have a key note speaker.

Freedom of Religion Unless the State Does Not Like Your Religion

2011-08-09T14:25:00.001-04:00

The media and the courts continue to beat-up the Mormons. As Christians applaud the life sentence given to Warren Jeffs we would be wise to remember that the majority and laws have never been and never will be the correct measure of what is right. Relying on government to enforce our morality is dangerous. What the government gives the government can take away.

Marie Antoinette was born in Vienna, Austria, November 02, 1755, child number 15 out of 16 born to the Empress Maria Theresa and the Emperor Francis I. To preserve the alliance between Austria and France, Marie was married to the future king of France, Louis the 16th, when she was 14 years old. The world has changed. Today we would most probably have Marie's parents arrested.

Most states set the minimum age to marry between and including 14-18 with New Hampshire setting the minimum age for girls at 13. In Utah for those 15 years old, parental consent must be obtained, approval from Juvenile Court is necessary with the court concluding the marriage is voluntary and in the best interests of the minor.

Throughout most of the 19th century, the minimum age of consent for sexual intercourse in many of the states was 10 years old. In Delaware it was seven; as late as 1930 twelve states allowed boys as young as 14 and girls as young as 12 to marry with parental consent.

If the state can decide what is best for the FLDS when do you suppose they will decide what is best for the Church of Christ and what do you suppose that might be?

Based on tradition we would probably have Jesus' grandparents on his mother's side arrested for letting their daughter marry at such a young age especially to an older man like Joseph. Do you suppose Joseph was a pedophile?

As I have often said most Christians operate on automatic. They have no idea what they believe or why they believe it but they are sure they are right because someone such as a preacher told them so. What is the real reason we do not like the Warren Jeffs of the world? Are the men envious wishing they were Jeffs? Are the women jealous that young girls are so much in demand?

Oh, another thing. Marie Antoinette is one of the most famously misquoted people in history. It was actually an earlier princess, Maria Theresa of Spain, who said, "If there is no bread, let them cake."

Praying for Marriage in America?

2011-08-08T12:08:00.000-04:00

In the September 2011 issue of Christian Chronicle the Editor Emeritus wrote in his Opinion article Praying for marriage in America that he is praying for marriage as an institution in the life of the United States. He also mentioned he is praying for marriage as a meaningful, godly union where people develop rich, full lives blended by the Holy Spirit. Sounds nice but what does it mean?

What specifically does "pray for marriage" mean? What specifically won't God already be doing, if he was going to do anything, or want to do without such a prayer? Until we get specific and have Bible support for our prayers we are no different than the Pharisee thumping his chest and thanking God he was not like the sinner. Most prayers are a waste of time and breath.

Prayer Either "Works" or it Does Not 'Work"

2011-08-06T18:04:00.002-04:00

Look at the following story with special attention to the 5th paragraph from the end.

http://www.christianchronicle.org/article2159422~At_church,_recovering_addicts_must_come_out_of_hiding

If prayer "works" how could anything take more than an "I'm praying for you?"

Looking to Government to Enforce Morality

2011-08-01T14:07:00.001-04:00

Christians err when they look to government to enforce morality. What government gives government can take away.

What Can I Spare? vs What Will It Take?

2011-08-01T11:43:00.000-04:00

In times of need whether the need is to spread the news about Jesus or help in times of physical needs too many Christians ask "What can I spare?" when they should be asking "What will it take?"

Here and Now

2011-08-01T11:36:00.001-04:00

Jesus told Pilot: ""My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world." The result of that position Jesus died as did most of the apostles and many of his followers. How should that affect about the "here and now"?

Now I realize Jesus wanted to die. But how should his statement guide us as to our physical protection? Paul ran rather than fight. Today, Christians are looking to the "now" and live too much for the "now." Listen to the public prayers. We are focused on the world not on heaven: on the physical not the spiritual: on the flesh not the spirit.

Was Not and Is Not

2011-08-01T10:46:00.000-04:00

The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States is an oath of loyalty to the federal flag and the Republic of the United States of America composed in 1892. Adopted by Congress as the pledge in 1942 it has been modified four times with the most recent change adding the words "under God" in 1954.

Prior to 1942 the United States did not have a "pledge."pledge did not exist. Before 1954 the United States was not considered a nation "under God." It was not and is not.

In 1956 "in God We Trust" was adopted as the official motto of the United States. The phrase first appeared on coinage on the 1864 on the two-cent coin. ince 1938, all coins have borne the motto.

In July 1954, just one month after the phrase "under God" was incorporated into the Pledge of Allegiance, Congress required the motto on all coins and currency. The motto was added to paper money during 1957 to 1966.

The point is the United States was not and is not a country under God and has not and does not trust in God. Christians are in the world but not of the world and should act like it.

Focused in the Wrong Direction

2011-07-28T19:23:00.002-04:00

The church is too focused on itself. Where our treasure is there will be our heart. Our heart is definitely on ourselves. When you listen to the public prayers they are all about us. One Sunday when I was working at Dollywood we had a lot of people with mental and/or physical problems and it occurred to me at that very time there were a group of Christians thanking God that they are not like these people. If God blesses Christians then he curse the ADAs at Dollywood. What do Christians think God is going to provide health, provide safety, etc for them when he doesn't even help the innocent helpless hapless creatures such as in this story. . .

http://www.themountainpress.com/view/full_story/14797675/article-EDITORIAL--Cruel-and-unusual?instance=main_article

Preachers tell us Jesus is with us, we are never alone. Personally I do not find comfort in having a "friend" who can help me but will not. The church should be more outward focused and less inward focused.

Simple When You Think About it - Addendum

2011-07-28T17:09:00.000-04:00

If you told your children to do something and gave them specific instructions as to how to do it would you accept results not even close to what you had instructed?

God told Timothy to appoint elders in every city. We changed that to elders in every congregation. We changed that again to if you do not find anyone interested let the hirling lead but do not call him leader. When the men of the congregation refused to submit to authority we changed it again to let the men run the congregation. How close is our way to the bible way?

Simple When You Think About It

2011-07-28T17:06:00.000-04:00

On the subject of "What is a Christian?" in the July Gospel Advocate the answer is simple. A Christian is a disciple of Jesus. A Christian is a follower of Jesus. Kind of simple when you think about it.

Same article the fellow defines when a group is and is not the Lord's church. Again the answer is simple. The called out are the group that did what the folks on Pentecost did.

The fellow writes to be considered the Lord's church the group must be scripturally organized. Since GSMCOC has been in existence for almost twenty years and is not currently, has no plans to be, and has no desire to be scripturally organized does that mean the group is not the Lord's church?

Could the problem be our leaders do not avail themselves of a copy of the "inerrant" Word of God. Simple when you think about it.

Providence of God?

2011-07-28T14:42:00.001-04:00

Providence, is God's activity in the world. A distinction is usually made between "general providence", which refers to God's continuous upholding the existence and natural order of the universe, and "special providence", which refers to God's extraordinary intervention in the life of people. The latter possibly be the result of prayer.

While I do not ascribe to the term "providence of God" I cannot prove it does not exist. One cannot prove a negative. One can prove an existance or occurance one cannot prove the lack of existance or occurance.

It was long thought all swans were white, an unassailable belief and confirmed by empirical evidenced. The first sighting of a black swan illustrated the limitation of learning from observations or experience. Though to that point in history only white swans had been observed. The sighting of the first black swan proved assuredly that all swans were not white.

I cannot say assuredly God does not answer prayer. What I can say is I have never experienced nor observed answered prayer. What I can say is after over half a century I have never observed God healing anyone but Christians continue to pray for such an event. How can they pray expecting which according to James is the only acceptable manner of prayer.

Drawn to the Church

2011-07-25T16:33:00.001-04:00

Is one a Christian if they do not offer unconditional love as Jesus offered? Is one a follower of Jesus if they do not do what Jesus did? If one is not following Jesus one is NOT a Christian. Tax collectors and prostitutes were drawn to Jesus because of the unconditional love and acceptance he gave. Tax collectors and prostitutes are not similarly drawn to the church because they do not find unconditional love and acceptance. They experience judgment.

Do As Jesus Did

2011-07-25T12:16:00.002-04:00

Followers of Christ were called Christians. Do our lives demonstrate we are followers of Christ? Christian is not something one becomes separate from following Jesus. Does the world know we are followers of Jesus? When you look at others do we know if they are followers of Jesus. . .or not?

The story in John of the woman caught in adultery tells us that it is one thing for a sinless person to say "sin no more" and quite another for people like us---with logs in our eyes to say it.The story should also remind us her accusers were in no position to judge her; that they were as much sinners as she. Jesus did not condemn her. Jesus told her to abstain from sinful behavior in the future. To judge another one must be without sin and if one is without sin one won't judge.

Followers of Jesus are to love not condemn. Followers of Jesus are to do things as Jesus would do them.

Providence of God

2011-07-19T18:02:00.001-04:00

The "providence of God" refers to God's activity in the world and consists of "general providence" God's continuous upholding the natural order of the universe, and "special providence" God directing every detail of his creation.

Are the results of natural law "providence of God." Are the consequences we experience because of our actions "providence of God." Is everything preordained?

Gospel Advocate, July 2011, The Revised NIV: A Trojan Horse of Error, Gregory Alan Tidwell

2011-07-19T18:00:00.001-04:00

Editor, Gospel Advocate:

For years I have asked folks which version they are referring to when they claim the Bible says we have the complete Word of God.

Our preacher tells a story something like this: Marshall Keeble, when asked what the Greek says asked the people how many understood Greek. When no one said they did MK said it would do no good for him to tell them what the Greek said. Apparently he did not have to deal with a multiplicity of versions as we do today. Our preacher regularly tells us what the Greek and Hebrew say and most of us do not know either.

Apparently we need to be fluent in Greek and Hebrew to be able to discern which version we should use. The translators claim to know what the Greek and Hebrew say, our preachers claim they know. I wonder who knows. Not being fluent in Greek and Hebrew how can we be sure we have the "complete" Word of God?