Cost Rico Presentation

Gary,

If this is not the email you prefer let me know.

Great presentation tonight. . . . .and points.

In his book "Walden" published in 1854, Henry David Thoreau poses two intensely practical questions that must come to dominate our thinking if we're to make necessary changes: How much is enough? and How do I know what I want?

In the advanced consumer society in which we live, How much is enough? is...the most deeply subversive question you can pose. We've been carefully trained to know that the answer is always: More.... I know it is subversive because I have posed it to various Christians and the reaction has generally been quite harsh.

Our culture has corrupted us as individuals as well as the church. Look at us, individually and as the church we are deep in debt.  Over $70,000 of the congregation's annual mortgage payment is allocated to sitting idle. In his book Balance in the chapter Overbuilt Underused, Ira North said if you drive by a million dollar building on Monday morning at 11 o'clock and it is empty that congregation is in trouble. I believed him when he said it and I believe  him now and I believe we are.

 Notice the invitation song this evening? "Living below in this old sinful world, hardly a comfort can afford. . . . We see ourselves as requiring assistance not providing assistance. We are victims.

Again, great presentation and excellent suggestions  I believe how we respond is critical with our individual eternal destination in the balance.

 

 

 

 

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

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

  "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face"  

 

---Mike Tyson

Abilene Paradox

Many years ago when I was in school I took a series of psychology courses. One of the experiments we studied was how individuals function differently in groups than they function as individuals.

 

Individuals were placed in a room under the guise of completing a job application. Smoke was introduced through the vents. Without exception the individuals left the room and reported the smoke to the person who brought them into the room.

 

At another time different people were placed in a room in groups also under the guise of completing a job application. Smoke was again introduced into the room. In the majority of situations no one reported the smoke. Researchers concluded when the individuals in a group saw the smoke, they looked at the other individuals and since the others were doing nothing it was interpreted as not a problem.

 

On a hot afternoon in Coleman, Texas, the story goes; a family is comfortably playing dominoes on a porch, until the father-in-law suggests they take a trip to Abilene, fifty-three miles north, for dinner. The wife says, "Sounds like a great idea." The husband, despite having reservations because the drive is long and hot, thinks that his preferences must be out of step with the group and says, "Sounds good to me. I just hope your mother wants to go." The mother-in-law then says, of course I want to go. I haven't been to Abilene in a long time." The drive is hot, dusty and long. When they arrive at the cafeteria, the food is bad. They arrive back home four hours later, exhausted. One of them dishonestly says, "It was a great trip, wasn't it?"

 

The mother-in-law says that, actually, she would rather have stayed home, but went along since the other three were so enthusiastic." The husband says, "I didn't want to go. I only went to satisfy the rest of you." The wife says, "I just went along to keep you happy. I would have to be crazy to want to go out in the heat like that." The father-in-law says that he only suggested it because he thought the others might be bored.

 

The group sits back, perplexed that they together decided to take a trip which none of them wanted. They each would have preferred to sit comfortably, but did not admit to it when they still had time to enjoy the afternoon.

 

This is a benign but dramatic illustration of the consequences of groupthink. Every member of the group agreed to do something they didn't want to do because they thought the others were committed to doing it. The result was that no one came away happy.

We, the men of GSMCOC, have shown we cannot discuss sensitive personnel issues. Until we are able, groupthink will rule.

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

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

  "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face"  

 

---Mike Tyson

Fodder for Small Group Study

Individual Christians are isolated. First, congregations are isolated from other congregations, each being autonomous. If there is association between congregations it is limited and is due to the leadership of each thinking alike. (When we all think alike, someone is not thinking).

Second, Christians are isolated within each congregation. Christians apparently believe the bible is best studied alone. That is presuming there is study. Research shows the majority of Christians spend little time in study and even less reading the bible.  

 

Third, for many congregations the preacher is the primary source from which the members receive instruction in the bible. This limits those Christians to one individual's understanding and ideas. Lecture is the vehicle for conveying information but not for teaching.

 

Isolated Christians reject challenges to what they believe; anything that threatens their level of comfort.      

 

If I were to tell you our understanding of Heaven and Hell is erroneous my guess is you would disagree. If I were to tell you our understanding of what Paul said about women is not correct, my guess is you would disagree. If I were to tell you instrumental music is irrelevant you would most likely disagree. If I were to tell what we do on Sunday has nothing to do with worship you would disagree and if I said Paul told us what worship is and Hebrews tells us what purpose the assemblies serve and that they are separate you would disagree. If I were to tell you the Bible was written for us but not to us, my guess is you would disagree. If I were to tell you much of what Jesus said to his disciples/apostles does not include us you would disagree. If I were to tell you Satan has no more influence on us today than the influence Michael and Gabriel have you would disagree.

 

Those just might be fodder for a small group study.

 

 

 

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

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

  "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face"  

 

---Mike Tyson

Give What is Needed

James 2:15-17   

    If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

 

What is the difference between saying "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving the things needed and saying "I am praying for you", without giving the things needed?

 

Peter had no cash but he gave what he had.

 

Acts 3:6   

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

 

Anything less than was is needed is not enough. The question is "What is needed?" not "What can I afford? 

Parts of the Bible Christians Believe But Are Not True

Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin, yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won't he much more clothe you, you of little faith?  "Therefore don't be anxious, saying, 'What will we eat?', 'What will we drink?' or, 'With what will we be clothed?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.

 

When we look around at Christians and children dieing because they have no food, no water, no shelter we know what we say Jesus said is not true so what did he really say and what did he mean?

Parts of the Bible Christians Do Not Believe

What is retirement if not treasure?

 

 "Don't lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don't break through and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 

Christians lay up treasure, for a time they will not have to work, while the world around them is suffering.

No doubting

 

 

It is evident God does not answer prayers for physical. When have you experienced or observed God restoring a severed limb; an individual with stage 4 cancer that does not respond to chemotherapy? Of course he apparently does very well with the flu, sprained ankles, broken arms, cancers that are often cured. If God heals he is very selective. Luke tells the story of a woman who had been suffering for twelve years:

 

Luke 8:43-56

And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone.  She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!" But Jesus said, "Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me." And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."

   

Unless James is referring only to praying for wisdom anyone who asks God for something is required to expect not hope, not sure that God can but expected.

 

James 1:5-8   

    If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But 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.

 

Could it be that God does not answer prayers due to out lack of expecting, our lack of faith? When was the last time you asked God and expected not hoped, not sure that God can but expected?

 

 

 

Maasai

 

The Maasai originated in Ethiopia sometime during the seventeenth century. During the nineteenth century the Maasai began a southern migration attacking and absorbing other tribes along the way in order to gain more land for cattle-grazing.

 

Cattle are an integral part of Maasai life. So much so that cattle are treated with the same respect accorded to family members, and in most cases, they are used as currency.

 

In the "The African Paradox" there is this story told by Kasi Koonyi of how the Maasai became herdsmen with cattle. "In the beginning, when there was only forest, Ngai (God) gave us bushmen to hunt for us. But then the animals moved away, too far to be hunted. The Maasai prayed to Ngai to give us an animal that wouldn't move away, and He said 'Wait seven days.'"

 

Koonyi takes a hide strap and holds one end of it skyward, to demonstrate a ramp sweeping down to Earth. "cattle came down from heaven, and everyone said, 'Look at that! Our God is so kind; he sent us such a beautiful beast. It has milk, beautiful horns, and different colors. Not like the wildebeest or buffalo, with only one color.'"

 

The Maasai claim all the cattle are meant for them, and kick the bushmen out of their bomas (pastures).  When the bushmen ask Ngai (God) for their own cattle to feed themselves, He refused, but offered them the bow and arrow. "That's why they still hunt in the forests instead of herding like we Maasai."

 

Koonyi explains the Maasai figured out how to burn trees to create savannas for their herds (apparently without Ngai's help); the fires also smoke out malarial mosquitoes. "When humans were mere hunter-gatherers, we weren't much different from any other animal. Then we were chosen by God to become pastoralists, with divine dominion over the best animals, and our blessings grew."

 

The Maasai have faith; atheists have faith; we have faith; a strong conviction. Without Bible support how is the Christian's faith different than theirs?

 

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

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

  " The great obstacle to progress is not ignorance but the illusion of knowledge"  

 

---Daniel Boorstin

Dreaming or Hallucinating?

The other night at Cracker Barrel Rick mentioned he will be repeating his "Dreaming about Heaven" class. At the Book of the Month meeting a few nights ago I mentioned no-one wants God; Muslims are looking forward to their 72 virgins; Christians are looking forward to their mansions, streets of gold, gates of pearl; seeing friends and family ;others have their interests. Why do Christians want to go to Heaven?

If we could have everything about Heaven — forgiveness, fellowship, absence of sin and pain and death, etc. — but God is not there, would we still want to go there?

What are Christians looking for and hoping for in Heaven? Is it the rest of Heaven? Is it to be free from troubles and tribulations? Is it the peace of Heaven? Is it the joy of Heaven? Is it associating with family and friends? Did Jesus die just to give us a better place to live? All those things are to be found there but that is not the thing to look forward to in Heaven. It is the face of God; to stand in the very presence of God.

What else is there to dream about?  

Before we dream about Heaven we might want to cogitate upon what we really believe. We may not practice philosophical universalism we do practice functional universalism. If everyone in Pigeon Forge not associated with GSMCOC is going to Hell shouldn't we be doing something?   Before we dream about Heaven we just might want see if the Bible supports our view of us being there. Are we sheep or goats?

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

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

 

"Except for a small amount that's been incinerated every bit of plastic manufactured in the world for the last 50 years or so still remains. It's somewhere in the environment."  

 

---Dr. Anthony Andrady

Maasai Blessed by God

 

The Maasai originated in Ethiopia sometime during the seventeenth century. During the nineteenth century the Maasai began a southern migration attacking and absorbing other tribes along the way in order to gain more land for cattle-grazing.

Cattle are an integral part of Maasai life. So much so that cattle are treated with the same respect accorded to family members, and in most cases, they are used as currency.

In the "The African Paradox" there is this story told by Kasi Koonyi of how the Maasai became herdsmen with cattle. "In the beginning, when there was only forest, Ngai (God) gave us bushmen to hunt for us. But then the animals moved away, too far to be hunted. The Maasai prayed to Ngai to give us an animal that wouldn't move away, and He said 'Wait seven days.'"

Koonyi takes a hide strap and holds one end of it skyward, to demonstrate a ramp sweeping down to Earth. "cattle came down from heaven, and everyone said, 'Look at that! Our God is so kind; he sent us such a beautiful beast. It has milk, beautiful horns, and different colors. Not like the wildebeest or buffalo, with only one color.'"

The Maasai claim all the cattle are meant for them, and kick the bushmen out of their bomas.  When the bushmen ask Ngai for their own cattle to feed themselves, He refused, but offered them the bow and arrow. "That's why they still hunt in the forests instead of herding like we Maasai."

Koonyi explains the Maasai figured out how to burn trees to create savannas for their herds; the fires also smoke out malarial mosquitoes. "When humans were mere hunter-gatherers, we weren't much different from any other animal. Then we were chosen by God to become pastoralists, with divine dominion over the best animals, and our blessings grew."

 

Good is the Enemy of Great

 

In a recent Newsline you write "Too long we have accepted mediocrity in our spiritual lives. We have accepted shallow attempts at prayer, casual efforts at worship and service, we have generally come to expect nothing spectacular from God and that is what we receive."

 

In his book Good to Great, Jim Collins writes:

"Good is the enemy of great. And that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great.We don't have great schools, principally because we have good schools. We don't have great government principally because we have good government. Few people attain great lives, in large part because it is just so easy to settle for a good life.  The vast majority of companies never become great, precisely because the vast majority become quite good---and that is the main problem."

 

I will presume the same can be said concerning the activities you write about.

 

People Need Truth

People are ready to believe anything if it brings them a little hope. When the subject is alternative medicines that is one thing but when the subject is religion people need truth.

Christian Nation?

To call the United States a Christian nation seems to ignore that disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. The term has been changed to refer to anyone who believes Jesus exists. During the first century the difference between followers of Jesus and followers of other things was obvious. Today many if not most people in the United States admit to having heard about Jesus and of that group some consider themselves followers. Today evangelism mostly concerns how to do church. As for this nation being a Christian nation it has never been a follower of Jesus. 

 

Would God's people perform genocide on Native Americans, believe owning human beings is acceptable, kill innocent civilians under the guise of saving lives? No, Christian and the United States have nothing in common.   

In God We Trust

 

 

Interest in adding "In God we trust" to our money began during the Civil war at least part to declare that God was on the Union side. In 1956 Congress passed a joint resolution to replace the existing motto with "In God we trust" partly motivated by a desire to differentiate between communism and Western capitalistic democracies. Neither action was because we actually trust in God. One was to tell the Confederates God was on the side of the Union the other to tell the communists God was on the side of the capitalists.

 

The phrase appears to have originated in the Star-Spangled-Banner written during the War of 1812 which most people do not realize since we do not sing all the verses. I guess events would be about 7 or 8 minutes longer if we sang all verses. The fourth stanza:

 

O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

 

I have always thought it a bit odd that God would be on the side of the Colonies since we were rejecting his instructions to obey the government and give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar? Is it biblical to overthrow the government, violently or otherwise, especially one that is not violating any of his laws and precepts? 

 

 

 

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

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

 

“There are three types of people when it comes to the future: those who will watch what happens, those who will make it happen, and those who will wonder what happened. Which will you be?”  

 ―   George Barna

 

Blame God or Not Blame God

Hi Al,

Today for the second time recently you mentioned wondering why people blame God when bad things happen to them. After all we believe Satan is the real culprit.  It is a reasonable conclusion based on what they are taught and what they hear.

First so you know where I am coming from, I do not believe God blesses or curses anyone today. I do not believe he answers prayers for physical things today. I base my beliefs on what I find and do not find in the New Testament and as well as my personal experiences and observations and the ramifications of such beliefs.  He did in the Old Testament as well as in the first century. During those periods reasons existed for him to involve himself in the physical realm which do not exist today.

But if it is true that he does bless people the question of why me is a logical question. During most assemblies we are taught God blesses people. In the prayers we hear people thank God for their jobs, for their families, for their houses, for their vacations, for their health, etc. If that is correct why shouldn’t those whom God has not blessed with those items wonder why God is picking on them?  If God chooses others why shouldn’t we blame God for not choosing us?

There is no need to respond to this email. This is a suggestion for a future presentation either sermon or class on the subject.

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

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

 

“There are three types of people when it comes to the future: those who will watch what happens, those who will make it happen, and those who will wonder what happened. Which will you be?”  

 ―   George Barna

Does God Desert Christians?

When Christians blame God when something bad happens to them have they been taught that God has deserted them? If you listen to the prayers we thank God for food, for safe travel, for jobs, for our houses, health etc you get the picture. If it is true that God has provided those things when we do not have them apparently he has decided not to give them to us thus our bad times are his fault. Actually God has nothing to do with our physical status. He does not deserve credit nor does he deserve blame. What happens happens. Christians do not know what to believe. They are taught by leaders who do not spend much time in the Bible. They are taught opinions. They are taught biases. Christians themselves do not spend much time in the Bible so they are susceptible to being misled.

 

Has it occurred to you that you believe in a God who created humankind to require certain things such as oxygen, food, water, clothes and leaves it up to us to obtain the same? Has it occurred to you that God gave humankind a short life span in which we do not say nice things about God he will torture us for eternity? Has it occurred to you that you have food to eat in spite of God not because of him? In Genesis we see he punished all humankind by making it more difficult to grow what he designed us to require. Have you noticed how God never responds positively to prayers to restore amputated limbs; to cancers that do not respond positively to chemotherapy? Humankind is the only part of the creation that needs clothes and without which we would not survive? We thank God for food, which there is no reason to do, but we do not thank him for air or water.

 

Christians need to look in the bible for support for everything they believe and lacking support stop believing.

 

Galatians 5:6 Faith working through Love

 

 

Galatians 5:6

    For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith (4102-persuasion i.e. credence; conviction of religious truth or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher, reliance upon Christ for salvation,  gospel, truth itself, assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity) working through love (26-affection or benevolence, charity, dear, love).

 

To work through love is to work from a principle of love. If we love God, we seek to please him, do his will. The faith in God leads to the love of God because he loved us. Love to man leads us to do good to man. A faith that works by love leads one too do the will of God and to do good to his fellow men.

Without bible support where are we?

Do you ever wonder if this applies to today? "Does grace permit Christians to believe anything they like?

 

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 

 

    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.

 

Someone needs to ask the question.

Al has made presentations on evangelism many times with the same results. Must be frustrating.

 

This link us from early 2010 and I may have sent this to you before.

 

http://alumcave.blogspot.com/2010/02/for-your-cogitation-now-what.html

 

Groups need leaders. Groups need people to follow. Without leaders group thrash about. Daily we are enundated with commercials on television and radio and the internet. We have become so used to what we hear not being true it has seeped into our churches. Who believes what the preacer says. I realize I am part of the problem but to my knowledge Al has never done what he tells us we should be doing. Groups need leaders who lead by example.

 

People say "I can be a Christian without the church" and we say they cannot. I believe we can. Actually most of the people on the GSMCOC list believe they can and the rest of us agree because when they infrequently show up we act as if nothing is wrong. So the question we need to answer is: Specifically what does GSMCOC do to help its members be Christians? The responsibility of the group is to encourage the individual. The responsibility of the group is to provide motivation to the individual.

 

Interesting our pastor believing having "gospel meetings" is valuable enough to participate in them while at the same time not believing they are valuable enough for GSMCOC to participate. We are a group, we need leaders who will lead by example.

 

 

 

On the subject of evangelism:

 

Can we be saved even though we do not do what Al suggested this morning?

 

If we can, who cares about those not saved?

 

If we cannot we had better care,

 

Someone needs to ask the question.

 

 

 

P.S. When Sue handed Dottie the minutes of the ladies' meeting I told her she was making the Men's meeting look bad. She said "Yes I am." Actually her help is not needed. 

 

 

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

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

 

"Our lives depend on decisions made by other people; we have no control over these decisions and usually we do not even know the people who make them. Our lives depend on whether safety standards at a nuclear power plant are properly maintained; on how much pesticide is allowed to get into our food or how much pollution into our air; on how skillful (or incompetent) our doctor is. . ."

 ---Ted Kaczynski, better known as the Unabomber

 

Christians must stop deluding themselves.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12  

 

    The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,  [10] and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  [11] Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,  [12] in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 

The Curse of Certainty

At the close of the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin spoke to his fellow delegates. He called for a unanimous vote, even while acknowledging that he had his own reservations about some of its provisions. Yet he acknowledged his own fallibility and asked them to confront the danger of their certainty as well:

"Most men," he said, "think themselves in possession of all truth, and that wherever others differ from them it is so far error." Yet, "when you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected? It therefore astonishes me, Sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does..."

Too many of us are certain our political and policy views are perfection including our understanding of the scriptures. Franklin reminds us that a democracy depends not so much on perfect solutions as on humble collaboration. If they could listen, why can't we?

Lucky GSMCOC was not around in 1776

 

For a functional group to accept the minutes of the previous meeting the group first decides whether a quorum is present at the current meeting. With a quorum present, the secretary to the group reads the minutes aloud from the previous meeting, noting those in attendance and all actions that transpired. Discuss the minutes from the previous meeting, making appropriate corrections. Discussion should be factual and friendly, not opening up old debates or conflicts. The chairman of the meeting asks for a motion to accept the previous meeting's minutes as read or with discussed changes as noted. A second to the motion is required to be made by someone else.The previous minutes must be accepted before the current meeting can proceed. All attendees are asked to vote to accept the minutes. This is done through a show of hands, by voice or by the chairperson asking each attendee individually.

 

To my knowledge the Men's meeting has never been unable too approve minutes. I have no idea why they cannot this time but the chairman has shown himself to be not a leader but a follower unable to complete the simplest of tasks. He appears to defer to the pastor. If the men cannot come to a consensus on such a mundane item, whether or not the distributed minutes are correct or incorrect surely they cannot be expected to successfully agree on who is or is not qualified to be elder. The group is the epitome of the term dysfunctional.

 

If, as they say, "prayer works" I wonder why they did not ask him to help them come to a decision. After all they ask God to fix the election for president. If God cannot get minutes approved or disapproved he is probably over his head trying to fix an election. 

 

Imagine the status of the colonies if this group were the founding fathers.

 

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

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

 

"science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."

 ---Albert Einstein

 

Is it unreasonable. . .

My mind has a tendency to meander especially during sometimes than others. . .

 

When God created humankind he built in certain requirements for humankind to exist such as oxygen, food etc. According to Christian teachings humankind originally was naked and apparently oblivious to that fact. At a point in time humankind became aware and began covering up.  Humankind is the only member of his creation requiring clothes. As originally made we are unable by nature able to survive. The current state of humankind is we require air to breath, food to eat, and clothing as a matter of life and death.

 

Is it unreasonable to expect God to provide what is necessary for his creation to survive or has God created humankind just so we can thank him for providing what he created us to require? Since he intentionally made growing food more difficult do we owe him thanks when we are successful in spite of his efforts?  What do Christians expect of God?

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

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

 

"Americans can always be counted on to do the right thing...after they have exhausted all other possibilities." Winston Churchill

 

Why Did Jesus Live? or Why Did Jesus Die?

Have you noticed how we spend more time listening to others tell us what President Obama or Candidate Mitt Romney thinks on various issues than we do listening to Obama or Romney them self?

 

Do we spend more time listening to others (preachers, teachers, apostles such as Paul, etc.) tell us what Jesus said and thought than actually "listening" to what Jesus said? Is the message of Christianity how to do church?

 

Or is the Christian message about "Why Jesus died?" Is Christianity about providing for a better death, rather than life?

Could the real question be "Why did Jesus live?" Could the answer possibly provide the reason why we live.

The story called "gospel" / "'good news" is more than under-populating a place called 'hell' so that we might over-populate a place called "heaven." Fear of hell produces the very fear that the Bible tells us God, as Love, drives out.

Did Jesus die just to give us a better place to live?

 

 

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

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

 

"People do not like to think. If one thinks, one must reach conclusions. Conclusions are not always pleasant." Helen Keller

 

"The questions you ask set limits on the answers you get." Temple Grandin

 

Does God Only Help Those Who Help Themselves?

In the past when I commented it would a long time before our congregation would have to act on faith I received several harsh responses from men who consider relying on God as a sin in that it tests God and additionally is bad business. They functionally believe God helps those who help themselves. They have never experienced having nothing.

 

 

Several months ago following the tornado in the Greenville area the men's meeting discussed helping the victims of that storm. Did they really need our help? Were others providing what was needed? What were the government and non government agencies doing? We have people in Greenville area, presumably Christians, who have no house, no clothes, no car, no drivers license, no credit cards, no bank cards, no water, no food and we sit in our multi-million-dollar building with an emergency fund wondering if those folks needed our help.

 

 

Instead of a no-end-in-sight class on the Holy Spirit a class on "what it means to depend on God" might be of some value.  What can we realistically expect of God?

 

 

In Matthew we read where Jesus sent the twelve out with the following instructions:

 

Acquire no gold nor silver nor copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 

 

 

It appears the apostles were being sent out depending on God's people not God. I often hear Christians say they are the hands and feet of God to the lost.  That suggests God's response to prayers will come through his people not his direct intervention. People influenced by God doing what they believe God wants helping people. People doing what God wants them to do, promoting his agenda could be said to be God acting as Jesus called Peter Satan when Peter was promoting Satan's agenda by discouraging Jesus from his mission.

Believing Does Not Make Truth

 

 

Chickens accompanied Roman armies and their behavior was carefully noted before battle; A good appetite meant victory was likely.
 
Recently Al mentioned folks warned him about studying psychology etc in college because it would cause him to lose his faith? Many people believe too much education leads one away from God. While I do not believe that I do believe education leads one to thinking and for most people who consider themselves Christian that is a new and possibly threatening concept.
 
Research concludes teens do not believe a lot of what their parents believe concerning Bible, God, Jesus, Satan, heaven, hell, etc. Our eyes show us what the church is doing is not working and has not worked for quite a while.
 
Believing does not make something true. Remember Copernicus and the sun? Remember witch hunts? Remember the church and Galileo? Remember Zeus and Diana? How about the rabbit who believes if he cannot see the enemy the enemy cannot see him?
 
A couple of years ago I sent an email to a group of the men of GSMCOC suggesting an idea of reading one of LaGard Smith's books, After Life: A Glimpse of Eternity Beyond Death's Door and meeting to discuss his conclusions. Bob Keyser asked that I not begin a class at that time due do him preparing a series of lessons that would cover the same subject. No one was interested and Bob is still forecasting a series of lessons on the metaphysical.
 
Much of what religion teaches can be traced to religious leaders wanting to preserve clergy vs. laity, keeping the people afraid and subservient, maintaining the hierarchy, and keeping the status quo. What we believe about God suggests He created humankind, gave them a short life span during which if we do not say nice things about him will torture his creation for eternity. We believe God tests his people much like a parent who trips their child so the child will learn how he reacts to being tripped. We believe God enjoys being asked even when he never says yes. He especially enjoys repeated requests. He created humankind to require certain things for survival such as oxygen and food. Then he makes growing food diffcult and insists on being thanked when it grows.
 
Research shows the next generation is not accepting our interpretation of the bible or our interpretation of the purpose of assembling on Sundays and Wednesdays, our massive financial debt our purpose to exist.
 
P.s. 12 centuries ago the church considered the chicken special. In Leviticus 5:7 a guilt offering of two turtledoves or pigeons was acceptable if the sinner in question was unable to afford a lamb but nowhere does God request a chicken be sacrificed. Matthew 23:37 tells how Jesus likened his care for the people of Jerusalem to a hen caring for her brood. During the ninth century Pope Nicholas 1st decreed that a figure of a rooster should be placed atop every church as a reminder of how special the chicken is to God. Imagine the shock and dismay of the parents when the teenagers rejected their belief in the holy chicken.
 
What do we believe that is not truth?

Truth or Jibberish

I believe it was Cyrus who when he captured a people permitted them to retain their religion which he believed kept the captives docile. What one person believes is truth another considers gibberish i.e. Christians view of other religions so you cannot argue people out of their belief.

 

As one who does not believe God answers any prayers physically (I do not have a strong opinion concerning whether or not he answers in the spiritual realm) and is not responsible for the good things that happen to us nor the bad things I am baffled by a couple of comments in this morning's service. Al B mentioned the sick have become so numerous he had to cut down on his article and Bob A mentioned they had a "very productive" prayer session Saturday morning.  What is a productive prayer session?

 

When I became convinced that God does not answer prayers physically, after all Jesus said His kingdom is not of this world and if it was he would fight, and concluded others had no expectations I stopped attending Monday's prayer time. Of course I could be mistaken but I understand James to say anyone who prays and does not expect is unstable. Anyone can believe God can do something it takes real moxie to expect he will.

 

All these sick people; all these prayers; all these deaths; and no one appears to notice, no one notices.

 

Recently one of our nieces, 17-years-old, lost the sight in one of her eyes "Taxioplasmosis." She told my sister, her grandmother, she thought God was teaching her a lesson by bling her. We are careless with our language. This girl had either been taught or heard comments leading her to believe God would knock the wheels out from under her. We say God tests us. I do not believe that. Is God like a parent who trips one of their children so the child would learn how they would react to being tripped. Gibberish.

 

The reason children leave the church is when they become adults they discover most of what they have been taught is not true. We have to stop quoting the "corporate policy" and get back to reality. Some may not care if God never answers their prayers others when they find they have been duped all those years leave.

 

No need to reply unless you know how to identify a productive prayer session.

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

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

 

"People do not like to think. If one thinks, one must reach conclusions. Conclusions are not always pleasant." Helen Keller

 

"The questions you ask set limits on the answers you get." Temple Grandin

 

COMFORTER

 

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible based on the KJV identifies the word  "paracletos" found in John 14:16 and 26, 15:26 and 16:7 "comforter."

 

It means "one who is summoned to the side of another" to help him in a court of justice by defending him, "one who is summoned to plead a cause." There is no one word that can adequately translate paracletos. The word that probably comes closest is simply Helper.

 

Paul nowhere uses the word paracletos yet presents the idea it embodies when he speaks of the "intercession" both of Christ and the Spirit in Romans 8:27, 34.

 

The purpose is to help in any way possible.

 

1) A friend called in to help a person who is troubled or distressed or confused.

 

2) A commander called in to help a discouraged and dispirited army.

 

3) A lawyer, an advocate called in to help a defendant who needs his case pleaded.

 

What is the Alternative to being Naked?

 

Humankind is the only species created by God without a natural cover. Humankind cannot survive without unnatural clothing. Jesus says not to worry about what we wear but what alternative is there?

What Makes Christians Different?

Christians must have specific bible support for everything they believe. If they do not they are no different that Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists etc. To believe the bible is written by human beings divinely inspired is all that separates followers of Christ from all other religions.

PFJ Meeting

When the war was winding down and George Washington had returned to Mount Vernon his friend Marquis de Lafayette, who hated the practice of slavery, sent a letter suggesting a process by which slavery could be abolished. His suggestion was Washington would purchase an estate, free the Negroes and use them as tenants. If it was successful at Mount Vernon the practice could spread and eliminate slavery.

 

At the time Washington's economic well-being depended on slavery so whatever his theoretical sympathy with Lafayette's idea he could not have been thrilled with the timing.  Not wanting to disillusion his friend Washington replied:

 

"The scheme, my dear Marquis which you propose as a precedent to encourage the emancipation of the black people of this country…is striking evidence of the benevolence of your heart. I shall be happy to join you in so laudable a work, but will defer going into detail of the business till I have the pleasure of seeing you."

 

This was Washington's canny way of crediting Lafayette's noble project while also sidestepping any specific commitment to it.

 

Look back at the actions the men have undertaken to address the subjet of elders. A period of prayer followed by a delay of about a month waiting for Al to present his lesson on church leadership, followed by a period of prayer to permit the team to meet and formulate a plan to be presented at a future Men's meeting followed by a period of time to allow the congregation to submit names of possible candidates followed by a period of weeks or so to allow the team to vet the candidates followed by a period of more weeks to allow the candidates to be considered by the congregation followed by a men's meeting to decide how to tell the congregation there are no viable candidates or how the candidates will be anointed followed by a period of time to permit Al to develop an anointing ceremony.

 

The leaders lack of attending the assemblies is a hindrance to GSMCOC men attempting to move forward on such issues other than via the monthly Men's Meeting. I believe the initial period of prayer began in January it will easily be August or later before we know how things turn out. Eight months, are we men of action or what? What'd you think of the PFJ meeting? George Washington is not the only one who can credit an idea as well as sidestep commitment to it.

 

 

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

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

 

"People do not like to think. If one thinks, one must reach conclusions. Conclusions are not always pleasant." Helen Keller

 

"The questions you ask set limits on the answers you get." Temple Grandin

 

Is the Church of Christ too much at home in the world?

Luke tells us that "… in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians." What were the disciples doing that caused them to be considered "Christ like?" Many times we can identify individuals from other religious groups but not members of the Church of Christ.

Are we afraid to be different? Looking at other groups we see traits that the Church of Christ should exhibit. For example, the Amish exhibit some traits found in the Bible that members of the Church of Chris do not exhibit. They dress in a very simple style. They avoid most basic ornamentation. Their dress is symbolic of their faith. Their clothing styles encourage separation from the world.The Amish are averse to any technology which they feel weakens the family structure. The conveniences that the rest of us take for granted such as electricity, television, automobiles, telephones and tractors are considered to be a temptation that could cause vanity, create inequality, or lead the Amish away from their close-knit community and, as such, are not encouraged or accepted. The Amish believe strongly in education, but only provide formal education in their own private schools. The Amish consider the family the most important social unit in their culture. Large families are common. The father is considered the head of the household. Amish marry Amish - no intermarriage is allowed. Divorce is not permitted and separation is very rare.

Maybe the Church of Christ needs to be more like the Amish or maybe more "Christ like."

Christians need to Compare what they Believe and Reality

Evolution does not make sense but does what Christians believe make any more sense?

Among their beliefs are: while humankind has a short lifespan God will torture for eternity all who do not say nice things about him; that God made humankind with specific needs such as oxygen, food, and water and that humankind should thank God for providing them lest he let humankind die. What is the purpose in that?

Christians believe God wants them to talk i.e. pray to him and that while he knows what they need he will not provide for those needs unless they ask. 

Christians believe God will test them just for them to see how they will react. Similar to a parent who trips a child to let the child learn how the child will react to being tripped.

Christians believe God will provide safe travel and that he will heal the sick while at the same time God will not protect the innocent of his creation such as the animals that are tortured and abused as are children.

God has never responded positively to a prayer for the restoration of a severed limb nor for cancer that does not respond favorably to chemotherapy.

Christians pray but do not expect. James says those who do that are unstable. 

Christians believe Jesus said "he that is immersed will be saved" but some say he meant sprinkling or pouring or even that it is unnecessary; Jesus said to the rich man "sell all you have and give to the poor and follow me" but some say he did not mean all and he certainly did not mean me; Jesus said "Go into all the world etc" but some say he meant send or stay behind and support; Jesus said he that loses his life will gain it but he that saves his life will lose it but some say he did not mean die for him.

Christians will say they believe in prayer but do not believe Jesus will help them in dangerous situations. It is easy to pray for safe travel but not so easy to pray for protection from men with guns.

Christians need to really look into what they believe and compare those beliefs with reality.

Elders or No Elders

 

 

Each congregation is autonomous. Each congregation recognizes that autonomy as long as the congregation does the same things in the same way they do. It is a hypocritical concept to say the least. Our congregation is in the process of attempting to find men within the congregation who are qualified as well as willing to serve as elder. We have gone through this process before and come up empty.

 

Our congregation has a monthly "men's meeting" that governs the business of the congregation with somewhere around 15 or 20 men attending the meeting that lasts less than 2 hours. If a man is selected as elder is not from that number it means we will have an elder who is either not interested in working with the men or is too busy. Either way he will be a problem.  We also have a monthly "book of the month" meeting that lasts 2 hours with 4 or 5 men attending plus a number of women. Each month we read one or more books of the bible and then meet for two hours to discuss the books. If a man is selected as elder is not from that number it means we will have an elder who is either not interested in taking advantage of an opportunity to discuss the bible with others of the same faith or is too busy. Either way he will be a problem.  

Should be interesting.

Christians Delude Themselves

During the ten years of our Iraq and Afghanistan wars over 6,300 flag draped coffins were sent home. During those same ten years there were over 20,000 coffins draped with baby blankets, victims of the parents or third parties. If God is not going to protect the innocent and defenseless just who is he going to protect?

What Do Christians Expect of God?

 

 

What do Christians expect of God? Did Jesus die just so we could have a nicer place to live?  When God created humankind he built in certain requirements for humankind to exist such as air, food etc. According to Christian teachings humankind originally was naked and apparently oblivious to that fact. At a point in time humankind became aware and began covering up.  That is the current state of humankind; we require air to breath, food to eat, and clothing as a matter of life and death. Humankind is the only member of his creation requiring clothes. We are not by nature able to survive without additional coverings. Is it unreasonable to expect God to provide what is necessary for his creation to survive? So why doesn't he provide that which is required for his creation to survive? Has God created humankind just so we can thank him for providing what he created us to require? What do Christians expect of God?

Spirituality and Religion are they Mutually Exclusive?

Spirituality and religion are often discussed. In the current issue of USAToday there is an article "When Spirituality and Religion Collide."  In the article the author refers to the increasing gap between spirituality and religion in Western societies, and the failure of traditional religious institutions to learn from the divide. The Church of Christ is one of those religious institutions.

 

I take spiritual to refer to interest in a higher power of some sort and religion to refer to the weekly assemblies of the thousands of churches and folks believe they can be interested in one but not the other. I continue to believe that people claiming to be Christian are saying they can follow Jesus without attending the local congregation.  

 

According to what I have read, 80% of Americans under the age of sixty describe themselves as "spiritual."  Two thirds say they pray every day, three fourths say they want a personal relationship with God but only a third say they attended church weekly.

 

Years ago the Kingsport Times had a column concerning how teenagers are spiritual but not the spiritual of their fathers so this has been going on a long time. In the book "Not a Fan" the author writes about the difference between being a fan of Jesus and being a follower of Jesus. Jesus has more fans than he does followers even in the Church of Christ.

 

If what I read is correct the Church of Christ is shrinking relative to the population as well as in actual numbers. It appears our traditions are not working. A reasonable question would be how to change that but I will predict the Church of Christ will as will most religious groups continue to arrange the deckchairs on the Titanic. Spirituality vs. religion is, I believe, a conundrum.      

Saying Grace? Why?

Do you suppose Christians who insist on "saying grace" before they eat also say grace when they feed their pets? God had as much to do with their pet's food as He did for theirs.

Leaders think folks care what they think.

Have you noticed how people we call celebrities think the public cares what they think? Have you noticed how preachers think the congregation cares what they think on any subject other than the bible? There are no gospel preachers any more there are keynote speakers for the assembly of that congregation. He is expected to entertain not teach not admonish not rebuke. 

Big Government and Christians

Christians apparently want big government since they want government to enforce their moral beliefs. Christians are quite similar to Muslims when it comes to wanting to force others to believe the way they believe. Generally speaking Christians are delusional. 

Do Christians have to GO?

On the subject of willfully going into dangerous situations have you noticed how Christians rationalize? Jesus said "he that is immersed will be saved" but some say he meant sprinkling or pouring or even that it is unnecessary; Jesus said to the rich man "sell all you have and give to the poor and follow me" but some say he did not mean all and he certainly did not mean me; Jesus said "Go into all the world etc" but some say he meant send or stay behind and support; Jesus said he that loses his life will gain it but he that saves his life will lose it but some say he did not mean die for him. Christians will say they believe in prayer but do not believe Jesus will help them in dangerous situations. This goes with my Law of Verifiability which says if it is easy to verify confidence is low while if it is difficult to verify confidence is high. It is easy to pray for safe travel but not so easy to pray for protection from men with guns.

 

In most of the cases recorded in the New Testament I believe Jesus was speaking to those to whom he was speaking at that time, not me, not you. I have no responsibility to go anywhere I do have the responsibility to teach where I am to live for him where I am to die for him where I am, if I want to go fine, but I do not have the responsibility to go.

 

Stephen could have spoken a little more gently and lived but he did not and he died. I know people who consider themselves Christians but own weapons and say they are prepared to kill to protect their family. Didn't Jesus say something about loving him more than family?

 

Recently I read a book by David Platt in which he mentioned meeting a Christian from the Batak tribe of northern Sumatra in Indonesia. The fellow told Platt 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 Platt 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? Another question I think if is: would he allow himself and his family to be sacrificed by not defending himself against people who are not prepared to meet God in judgment? Would those Christians who say they are prepared to kill to protect their family go into a dangerous situation to preach the gospel? I doubt it. 

 

Christians rationalize too much and we find it difficult to apply what we intellectually understand.

 

Do Christians Understand What They Believe?

Christians teach God, created humankind, gave them a relatively short life span and if during that short life time they do not say nice things about him he will torture them for eternity. Is that something a loving Creator would do?

Focus?

Why does it matter if GSMCOC exists? We do the typical sort of things that churches of Christ do if we cease to exist we will be replaced by another church of Christ that does similar things.

What value to society do we provide that other churches of Christ do not provide?

Our Culture is Our Problem

Has it ever occurred to you our culture sets girls up for sexual encounters while it teaches the boys that girls enjoy being seen almost naked and even naked. Look at the beach. Boys wear swim trunks down to their knees while girls wear swim suits that expose the maximum amount of skin especially close to their genitals and as much of their breasts as acceptable to their parents. Look at sporting events. Athletes wear uniforms such as in football that covers almost their entire body, with the exception of tight pants that expose the shape of the buttocks while girls wear short skirts which expose their pantie covered genital area and tops that expose the maximum acceptable breast area. In basketball male and female athletes are well covered while the cheerleaders are still in those skimpy uniforms. Obviously girls enjoy being seen almost naked in public. They obviously enjoy displaying their pantie covered buttocks and genital area. Whatelse are boys supposed to think?

Back to the beach. Girls wear swim suits that expose the maximum amount of skin legs for tanning which will be seen only by their sexual partners.

It may not be politically correct; it may not be deserved; it may not be something for which they are asking; but we know advertising sells and our culture sells girls as sex objects and religious folks are no different.