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Saturday, January 22, 2005What do Catholics believe about Scripture???
Obviously this is an overly broad. The question is broad mostly because “Catholics” are not a monolithic group that all think alike. So let me be a little more succinct and break the question down a little bit more. I think there are three audiences for this question or maybe three different ways to ask this question.
1. What does Catholic doctrine say they believe about Scripture?
2. What do lay people actually believe?
3. What do Priests and other lower level leaders believe about Scripture?
To Read the whole story click MORE below
posted by @ 04:37 PM CST [more..] [Karma: -7 (+/-)]
Quote of the day
"To give up the task of reforming society is to give up one's responsibility as a free man. "
- Alan Paton
posted @ 03:19 PM CST [link] [Karma: 18 (+/-)]
Birds Eye View of the Bush 2nd Inauguration
This week I had the opportunity to take part in a piece of American History. While sitting at work all day tied up with meetings I grew increasingly depressed I was just a few short miles from the steps of the US Capital where President George W. Bush was being sworn in for his 2nd term as the President of the United States, yet I was missing it all. Very few people around the office even mentioned what was going on. One person mentioned that I could go to a conference area in the building and watch the activities on TV, but I could have done that if I was still living in AZ.
Then late in the afternoon a call came in from a friend. My friend, a very active member of the Democratic Party, knowing how important attending an event like this would be to me had been making some calls to see what she could do. As it turns out she was able to procure two tickets to the Democracy Ball at the Washington, DC Convention Center, the official ball for the states of AZ, CA, ND, SD, KY, NC, and SC.
To read the rest, click MORE below....
posted by @ 01:03 PM CST [more..] [Karma: 6 (+/-)]Friday, January 21, 2005Roe v. Wade Overturned? - MUST READ - ACTION ALERT
http://www.reclaimamerica.org/
C E N T E R F O R R E C L A I M I N G A M E R I C A
From the Desk of Dr. Gary Cass, Executive Director PRO-LIFE ALERT,
1/17/2005 Supreme Court receives case to overturn Roe v. Wade
On January 18, the U.S. Supreme Court will begin a process that could overturn Roe v. Wade!
Because you have stood with the Center for Reclaiming America on pro-life issues, I wanted to alert you to this news.
On January 18, Norma McCorvey (the original "Jane Roe" of Roe v. Wade) will file a legal appeal with the Supreme Court to have Roe v. Wade reversed.
I will be in Washington, D.C., on that day to stand with our friends at The Justice Foundation in support of this case. The Justice Foundation has invested thousands upon thousands of hours in this case. They have gathered an enormous body of evidence to support Norma's case.
This is a powerful opportunity to refute Roe v. Wade!
Here is how you can help.
First, notify your friends.
Forward this message to everyone you know. We simply must get the word out.
Second, please pray for Norma and the team at The Justice Foundation. Set aside time on January 18, specifically, to pray.
Third, find out more about this case and how you can impact The Justice Foundation’s efforts here: http://www.operationoutcry.org
Thank you!
Dr. Gary Cass
Executive Director
Center for Reclaiming America + + For CENTER
coverage of this issue: http://www.reclaimamerica.org/pages/operation/operationout.asp
The Center for Reclaiming America, established by Dr. D. James Kennedy, is an outreach of Coral Ridge Ministries to inform the American public and motivate Christians to defend and implement the biblical principles on which our country was founded.
The Center, led by Executive Director Dr. Gary Cass, provides non-partisan, non-denominational information, training, and support to all those interested in impacting the culture and renewing the vision set forth by our Founding Fathers.
Questions? cfra@coralridge.org
posted @ 03:30 PM CST [link] [Karma: 8 (+/-)]
You Are
You Are
You are strong
when you take your grief and teach it to smile.
You are brave
when you overcome your fear and help others to do the same.
You are happy
when you see a flower and give it your blessing.
You are loving
when your own pain does not blind you to the pain of others.
You are wise
when you know the limits of your wisdom.
You are true
when you admit there are times you fool yourself.
You are alive
when tomorrow's hope means more to you than yesterday's mistake.
You are growing
when you know what you are but not what you will become.
You are free
when you are in control of yourself and do not wish to
control others.
You are honorable
when you find your honor is to honor others.
You are generous
when you can take as sweetly as you can give.
You are humble
when you do not know how humble you are.
You are thoughtful
when you see me just as I am and treat me just as you are.
You are merciful
when you forgive in others the faults you condemn in yourself.
You are beautiful
when you don't need a mirror to tell you.
You are rich
when you never need more than what you have.
You are you
when you are at peace with who you are not.
Author Unknown
posted @ 12:30 PM CST [link] [Karma: 9 (+/-)]
Peggy Noonan: Interesting comments on the Bush Inauguration
I must say, I love much of the stuff that Peggy Noonan writes. If you do not know her, she has been one of the great speach writers of our time. One of her many accomplishments include writting for the great one, Ronald Reagan. She is now a syndicated columnist and political commentator.
Any why, I cant say that I agree with her here, but she is still very interesting to read.
Enjoy her article.
PEGGY NOONAN
Way Too Much God
Was the president's speech a case of "mission inebriation"?
Friday, January 21, 2005 12:01 a.m. EST
posted @ 10:20 AM CST [link] [Karma: 8 (+/-)]
James Lesson 2: Tests of a Living Faith
Faith Tested by Blame in Temptation (1:13-18)
Section Summary
God is not responsible for our temptations or for the sins that result from succumbing to them. Rather, He is responsible for our righteousness.
Outline
I. Temptation and the Nature of Evil (13)
Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
Tempted (3985): “peirasmos”. Depending on the context, means either:
1) An outward circumstance of trial (as in v. 3)
2) Temptation to sin (this verse)
While trials come from God (as noted in Lesson 1), temptations to sin cannot come from God because God Himself cannot be tempted by evil. There is not the slightest degree of moral depravity to which temptation can appeal to Him. We then ask, “What about Matthew 4:1 and 6:13?”
· Matthew 4:1: Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. While Satan’s perspective of this encounter was an inducement to sin, from Jesus’ perspective, it proved His impregnability to sin. This illustrates the different meanings of “peirasmos”.
· Matthew 6:13: Lead us not into temptation. The petition is that God would not lead us into a testing of our faith that, because of our weakness or immaturity, could become an unbearable temptation to evil. God, therefore, allows the trials in which temptation can occur, not to solicit believers to sin, but to move them to greater endurance.
The singular present imperative “Let no one” is not a mild suggestion, but a strong command to every individual Christian that prohibits the practice of blaming God for his sin.
II. Temptation and the Nature of Man (14)
But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
“Each one is tempted” indicates that temptation is universal among men; none are exempt. The present tense of the verb emphasizes the continuing, repeated, and inescapable reality of temptation. “His own” shows the unique and personal nature of temptation. All are tempted, but in unique and personal ways that are peculiar to his own lusts. “Carried away” (lit. getting one’s attention), and “enticed” (luring with bait to yield) are hunting terms. Our own personal lusts aim to get our attention, then lure us away.
III. Temptation and the Nature of Lust (15-16)
Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
The connecting word “Then” indicates a sequence of events. Just as there is a sequence of events leading to our maturity (vv.2-3), there is a sequence of events leading to death. Lust leads to sin, which leads to death. While we are not to interrupt the sequence of events leading to maturity, we should interrupt the sequence of events leading to death (i.e. terminate the life and growth of sin). This is the synergistic reality of sanctification. The present tense imperative, “Do not be deceived”, means to stop being deceived, and is connected to what has just been stated, as well as transitioning to what James says next.
“When man is confronted with the alluring temptation, he sees only the attractiveness of the desired object; only when his will has sanctioned the performance of the sinful act do the tragic consequences come into action.” D. Edmond Hiebert
IV. Temptation and the Nature of God (17)
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
This verse is connected to what has already been said about God, namely that He gives generously (v. 5), and that temptation to sin cannot come from God. The term “good” points to the source of the gift (i.e. the nature of the giver), and “perfect” points to the value of the gift in meeting the needs of the recipient. Amplified, this passage says, “Every useful and beneficial thing is given lavishly by a generous God in order that we would lack nothing that is good for our souls”. The same truth is stated in 2 Peter 1:3, ”His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness.”
V. The Nature of Regeneration (18)
In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.
This verse is far reaching in its implications, yet it is stated so matter-of-factly as if there is no debate in the mind of the writer or hearers. Verse 19a confirms this by adding, “This you know”.
· The cause of our regeneration is God’s sovereign, deliberate, and uninfluenced will. My Arminian friends should ponder this verse very carefully, as it clearly states that God alone is the cause of our regeneration (cf. John 1:12-13). It is true that everyone may come to Christ, but not everyone can (i.e. those who are spiritually dead). Opportunity does not imply ability. Sanctification, as noted above, is synergistic, but justification, as noted here and many other places in Scripture, is monergerstic. I’ve now revealed my reformed bent.
· The means of our regeneration is the Word of God.
· The result of regeneration is being born again (“brought forth” is exactly the same word that is used about sin in v. 15).
Conclusion
It is easy to lose perspective when confronted by the Word with our own wrongdoings. How will we respond to temptation? Will we:
· Blame God?
· Blame the Devil?
· Blame it on a “disease”?
· Blame it on our genes?
· Blame it on our environment?
My second 30-day challenge to the class and myself is this:
Be cognizant of your own unique lusts and temptations, and work to terminate the life and growth of sin in your life by repenting. This means you offer no excuses to God for your sins, and that you petition Him that He would not lead you into a testing of your faith that, because of our weakness or immaturity, could become an unbearable temptation to evil. That is praying according to God’s will.
Next Lesson: James 1:19-27 Faith Tested by Response to the Word
Steve Budd
posted @ 10:10 AM CST [link] [Karma: 1 (+/-)]Thursday, January 20, 2005Quote of the day
"We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and private: and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship."
C.S. Lewis
--The Weight of Glory
posted @ 01:30 PM CST [link] [Karma: 3 (+/-)]
Does Evil Exist???
The university professor challenged his students with this question.
Did God create everything that exists?
A student bravely replied, "Yes, he did!" "God created everything?" The professor asked. "Yes sir", the student replied.
The professor answered, "If God created everything, then God created evil since evil exists, and according to the principal that our works define who we are then God is evil".
The student became quiet before such an answer.
The professor was quite pleased with himself and boasted to the students that he had proven once more that the Christian faith was a myth.
Another student raised his hand and said, "Can I ask you a question professor?"
"Of course", replied the professor.
The student stood up and asked, "Professor, does cold exist?"
"What kind of question is this? Of course it exists. Have you never been cold?" The students snickered at the young man's question.
The young man replied, "In fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat. Everybody or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy.
Absolute zero (- 460 degrees F) is the total absence of heat; all matter becomes inert and incapable of reaction at that temperature. Cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat.
The student continued. "Professor, does darkness exist?"
The professor responded, "Of course it does".
The student replied, "Once again you are wrong sir, darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton's prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color. You cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it.
How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn't this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present."
Finally the young man asked the professor. "Sir, does evil exist?"
Now uncertain, the professor responded, "Of course as I have already said. We see it every day. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. "These manifestations are nothing else but evil."
To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is not like faith, or love that exist just as does light and heat. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."
The professor sat down.
The young man's name --- Albert Einstein
Submitted by a friend
posted @ 01:28 PM CST [link] [Karma: 0 (+/-)]
Transcript: Bush's Address: Thursday, January 20, 2005
Transcript: Bush's Address
Thursday, January 20, 2005
WASHINGTON — Following is President George W. Bush's inaugural address:
Vice President Cheney, Mr. Chief Justice, President Carter, President Bush, President Clinton, reverend clergy, distinguished guests, fellow citizens:
On this day, prescribed by law and marked by ceremony, we celebrate the durable wisdom of our Constitution, and recall the deep commitments that unite our country. I am grateful for the honor of this hour, mindful of the consequential times in which we live, and determined to fulfill the oath that I have sworn and you have witnessed.
At this second gathering, our duties are defined not by the words I use, but by the history we have seen together. For a half century, America defended our own freedom by standing watch on distant borders. After the shipwreck of communism came years of relative quiet, years of repose, years of sabbatical - and then there came a day of fire.
We have seen our vulnerability - and we have seen its deepest source. For as long as whole regions of the world simmer in resentment and tyranny - prone to ideologies that feed hatred and excuse murder - violence will gather, and multiply in destructive power, and cross the most defended borders, and raise a mortal threat. There is only one force of history that can break the reign of hatred and resentment, and expose the pretensions of tyrants, and reward the hopes of the decent and tolerant, and that is the force of human freedom.
To read the rest click MORE below....
posted by @ 10:20 AM CST [more..] [Karma: -7 (+/-)]
Opening Prayer at Bush's 2nd Inauguration
The Rev. Dr. Luis Leon's invocation prayer
at President Bush's inauguration
Let us pray
Most gracious and eternal God, we gather here today as a grateful people who enjoy the many blessings you have bestowed on this nation. We are grateful for your vision, which inspired the founders of our nation to create this democratic experiment as one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
We are grateful to you that you have brought to these shores a multitude of peoples of many ethnic, religious and language backgrounds and yet have fashioned one nation out of so many cultures and traditions.
Even as we celebrate our -- this great moment, we remember before you the members of our armed forces. We commend them to your care. Give them courage to carry out their duties and courage the face the perils which we set them, and grant them always the sense of your presence in all that they do.
Finally today, we are especially grateful for this inauguration, which marks a new beginning in our journey as a people and a nation. We pray that you will shower the elected leaders of this land and especially, George, our president, and Richard, our vice president, with your life giving spirit.
Fill them with a love of truth and righteousness that they may serve you and this nation ably and glad to do your will. Endow their hearts with your spirit of wisdom that they may lead us in renewing the ties of mutual respect which form our civic life, so that peace may prevail with righteousness and justice with order.
We pray that you will strengthen their resolve as they lead our nation seeking to serve you in this world, that this good and generous country may be a blessing to the nations of the world.
And may they lead us to become, in the words of Martin Luther King, members of a beloved community, loving our neighbors as ourselves so that all of us may more closely come to fulfill the promise of our Founding Fathers, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
All this we ask in your most holy name, amen.
Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell BENEDICTORY PRAYER follows the Presidents speech.
Our sincere thanks to FreeReublics Alamo Girl for getting us these prayers. The Lord God of Creation, Christ Jesus bless you Sandi.
posted @ 10:14 AM CST [link] [Karma: 6 (+/-)]
Muslim Faithful Begin Hajj
I have been reading and hearing in the news about the annual Hajj coming up. The Muslim trip to Mecca Saudi Arabi.
Some 1.7 million Muslims prepare to start Hajj rituals
Hajj Pilgrims Begin Stoning of Devil
Muslim faithful begin Hajj
Well, I experienced a little mini Hajj today on the way to work.
I work in downtown St. Paul MN. I park my car in a lot and walk a few blocks to the office. During my walk I go through the Excel Energy Center, which is like a conference center and sports complex. The Minnesota Wild Hockey team also plays there.
Anyway, the elevator was unusually packed this morning and the people all appear to be people of African and Middle Eastern descent. I know I am way too politically incorrect that I noticed. Many of the people were carrying their prayer carpets and other accessories for their morning of prayer. The people were just streaming in.
So, my assumption is, being they are not able to goto Mecca this year, they are having a mini Hajj right here in downtown St. Paul.
This did make me think, how willing are we Christians willing to be called to prayer?
Have a great day!
Wayne Moran
posted @ 07:54 AM CST [link] [Karma: -1 (+/-)]Wednesday, January 19, 2005Vietnam, Iraq, and the 2004 Election
Vietnam, Iraq, and the 2004 Election
The Honorable Zell Miller
United States Senator
Zell Miller was born in Young Harris, Georgia, and served in the United States Marine Corps. After receiving his B.A. and M.A. degrees in history from the University of Georgia, he was elected mayor of Young Harris in the late 1950s. Following service as a state senator and two terms as governor of
Georgia, he was elected to the U.S. Senate in November 2000 to serve the remaining four years of the late Senator Paul Coverdell’s term, becoming only the third Georgian to be elected both governor and senator. He did not seek re-election in 2004. A lifelong Democrat but a staunch supporter of the war on
terrorism, Senator Miller delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Republican National Convention. He is author of the best-selling book, A National Party No More: The Conscience of a Conservative Democrat. He and his wife Shirley have two sons, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The following is adapted from a speech delivered on December 9, 2004, at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., at the fifth annual Hillsdale College Churchill Dinner.
The most significant meaning of the 2004 election is that America has renounced the worst lessons of the post-Vietnam era. America’s faith in freedom has been reaffirmed. With the re-election of President Bush, America recommitted itself to expanding freedom and promoting liberty.
For complete article select more below
or goto http://www.hillsdale.edu/imprimis/
"Reprinted by permission from IMPRIMIS, the national speech digest of Hilldale College, www.hillsdale.edu."
posted by @ 07:21 PM CST [more..] [Karma: -1 (+/-)]
A Young Marine Needs You To Take A Stand
ConservativePetitions.com News Alert
Should a U.S. soldier spend the rest of his life in prison for killing terrorists?
Should a U.S. soldier be prosecuted for protecting his own life and the lives of his brothers?
By now, you are all familiar with the story of the young Marine who was caught on videotape by an NBC reporter shooting a wounded terrorist in a Fallujah Mosque.
By now, many of you know that anti-American groups like the United Nations, the ACLU, Amnesty International and a host of others are literally calling for this young man's head on a silver platter.
And as these left-wing organizations continually chant their mantras of hatred against this young soldier -- and try to make him their sacrificial lamb for a war of liberation that they never really wanted the United States to fight -- almost two months have passed and this young Marine is still hanging in the wind, wondering whether he will be charged with war crimes, while the military authorities "investigate" the incident.
But what is probably the most infuriating is that we've heard hardly a peep from our leaders in Washington in this young man's defense.
IT'S AN ATROCITY! But with your help we are going to finally fix that situation -- TODAY!
Use the hyperlink below to send your personalized Blast Fax to President George Bush, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, ALL 25 Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee and ALL 61 Members of the House Armed Service Committee. That's a fax from you to 88 KEY DECISION MAKERS.
The liberal left has attacked this young man and made him a political pawn and a symbol to denigrate a war of liberation that they did not want the United States to fight.
Admonish them for their silence and demand that they stand up for this young man and -- at the very least -- use the bully pulpit of their office to offer words of support and encouragement for this young man.
http://www.grasstopsusa.com/cpfallujah.html
posted by @ 02:05 PM CST [more..] [Karma: 9 (+/-)]
Destroying Abortion Myths: The Cost of 'Choice'
I received the following commentary today from Chuck Colson.
Some of you may be interested. Some of you may hate me and want to kill me.
Please read it with an open mind.
Destroying Abortion Myths: The Cost of 'Choice'
If you are of the praying type, would you please consider praying for an end to abortion?
Wayne Moran
posted @ 11:58 AM CST [link] [Karma: -4 (+/-)]
James Lesson 1: Tests of a Living Faith
Faith Tested by Perseverance Through Trials (1:1-12)
The Book of James is not steeped in doctrine like many of the Pauline Epistles, but it is rich with exhortations. A quick look at the verbs used throughout the book will reveal that the passion of its writer was to confront those in the assembly of believers who possessed false, dead faith, and to exhort them to realize that a saving faith is a living, active faith.
Section Summary
Perseverance through trials attests to God’s approval. It gives evidence of salvation, since trials are the essential means God uses to develop Christian character.
Outline
I. We Should Face Trials with a Joyful Attitude (2)
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
Consider (2233): Aorist imperative: to deem, to regard as. Conveys a sense of urgency connected to a definite action. Calls for a mental evaluation and due deliberation.
Encounter (4045): Being unexpectedly surrounded with no way of escape. Used only here, Acts 27:41 (where Paul’s ship ran aground), and Luke 10:30 (where the Good Samaritan fell among thieves).
Various (4164): Many colored. Not describing the number of trials but the diversity of them.
Trials (3986): Tests, experiments. Not used here to mean temptations to sin.
Trials in the life of a Christian are unavoidable, and take on many forms and nuances. Some may be “positive”, such as a large financial inheritance, and some may be “negative”, such as the loss of a job. Some may be internal, while some may come from without. Christians are exhorted to think joyfully when trials befall us, and James will explain why in the next verse.
“Maturity of character is not the result of the number of trials encountered, but the way in which those trials are met.” D. Edmond Hiebert
II. We Should Face Trials with an Understanding Mind (3)
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
Knowing (1097): Full understanding. Knowledge grounded in personal experience. This participle is in grammatical agreement with the imperative “count”.
Endurance (5281): To stay or remain under. “Patience” is not the best translation. Patience is more temporary, but endurance is that permanent inner quality that bravely endures trials and pressures, and grows under them.
It is with full and conscience knowledge that we are to count our trials full joy. Unlike an emotional irrational reaction to trials, we are to engage our mind around the purposes of God in our lives, and to recall the promises He has made to us as His children (e.g. Eternal Security).
III. We Should Face Trials with a Submissive Will (4)
And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
The exhortation in this verse can be found in the Greek present imperative “let”. This is a strong command, not a passive “suggestion”, that is intent on putting the readers on guard against allowing the chain of results to be interrupted (i.e. trials produce endurance, which makes us complete, lacking in nothing).
IV. We Should Face Trials with a Believing Heart (5-8)
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
The type of Greek conditional sentence found here assumes people who face trials lack wisdom. “Let him ask” is a Greek imperative, not merely a suggestion or recommendation. We will face trials, and we will need wisdom. There is a strong connection between the double-minded man here and Matthew 6:19-24, where Jesus describes two treasures (the heart), two visions (the mind), and two masters (the will).
V. We Should Face Trials with a Humble Spirit (9-11)
But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
This description of the rich and poor men is intended to erase any superficial distinctions we might be inclined to make based on outward appearances. Rich and poor both experience trials. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus parallels this thought. The rich will tend to lay up treasures on earth while the poor may be inclined to worry about them. Both are deluded.
Conclusion
God brings trials into our lives for a multitude of reasons:
· To demonstrate to us the strength or weakness of our faith.
· To humble us.
· To wean us from our dependence on worldly things.
· To remind us to look forward to being with Him.
· To reveal what we really love.
· To teach us to value God’s blessings.
· To develop enduring strength in us for greater usefulness.
· To enable us to better help others in their trials.
This should prompt us to pay closer attention to what God may be doing in our lives. My 30-day challenge to the class and myself is this:
Recognize the unique trials God brings into your life, consider why He may be bringing them, and ask Him for wisdom to face them in a way that will build endurance and bring Him glory.
Next Lesson: James 1:13-18 Faith Tested by Blame in Temptation
***********************************************************************
Till next time
Steve Budd
posted @ 11:39 AM CST [link] [Karma: 4 (+/-)]Tuesday, January 18, 2005Luther: The Movie
'Unless I am convinced by scripture and plain reason, my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience would be neither right nor safe. God help me. Here I stand, I can do no other.'~~Martin Luther, 1521
I suppose all of you have already seen the Luther movie.
Well if you are a little slow like we are and you have not seen it go out and rent it.
It is a very good movie, and the best thing is, I laughed, I cried and I learned something.
I did not know there was such a huge purge of the Church by violent means during Luther’ time. He may have been responsible in some ways for this violence yet at the same time he opposed it. As I watched I was struck with how the spiritual forces of evil must have been very active in the events that were described in the movie. I can think of nothing else to cause such incredible violence.
You may also see a familiar face in the movie. Does Alfred Molina ring a bell? He was the bad guy in the last Spiderman movie. I could not place him at first. I needed the insight of my kids to figure that one out.
Go check it out...
http://www.lutherthemovie.com/
The questions and Answers Blogger
Wayne Moran
posted @ 02:06 PM CST [link] [Karma: -3 (+/-)]
Do you want the men around you to be more expressed?
To create the kind of situation that enables men to communicate fully, remember this:
· Make sure it is a good time to ask a question. This means when he is not doing anything else (including things you don't think are important). To check, you can ask, "Is this a good time to ask a question?" Don't take it personally if he says no and try again at a later time.
· After you ask the question, give him time to think before he responds. He is not taking the answer off the top of his head, he is really thinking about it. That is the respect he is paying to your question. Just wait patiently while he thinks. If you prompt him, or rephrase your question, that will interrupt his thought processes and you will likely end up getting very little communication from him, if any.
· Make sure that you don't have a "right answer" in mind. If his answer will get him in trouble with you, he can tell this and is likely to not answer at all. Be open and willing to be surprised and learn something from him.
Alison Armstrong
http://www.understandmen.com/
posted @ 12:35 PM CST [link] [Karma: 7 (+/-)]
Black Minister Correlates Social Security Crisis With Abortion
A prominent African-American minister from the largest black denomination in the United States said on Monday that the Social Security crisis in this country is the result of the excessive number of abortions performed since it was legalized on demand by the controversial Roe v. Wade decision in 1973,
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I have had this thought for a long time. I also think that the current immigration issue that we are currently debating is also directly caused by abortion. We have killed at least 32 million babies. Some of those babies would have taken the low-income jobs that we say that we cannot find anyone to perform.
I know this is very unpopular in both conservative and liberal circles, but It is true. Abortion has major consequences in all areas of life.
I am not here throwing stones at anyone; I am just laying out the truth. Hopefully I am doing it in love.
Wayne
posted @ 12:12 PM CST [link] [Karma: -1 (+/-)]
Kerry Blames 'Suppressed' Voters In His Defeat To Bush
In remarks made at the annual Martin Luther King Day Breakfast in Boston on Monday, Sen. John F. Kerry (D-MA), who was defeated in November by President George W. Bush in his bid for the White House, said his loss was the result of voters who were "suppressed."
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posted @ 09:38 AM CST [link] [Karma: -2 (+/-)]
Parents Television Council ALERT
Blog Team,
I received an email yesterday from the Parents Television Council. It was discussing a show that was aired on CBS not once but twice. This was even after CBS had been fined for airing the show in the first place.
The show "Without a Trace" was show in prime time in the central time zone depicts a teen orgy party in graphic detail. It was truly shocking!!!
I want to first of all make you aware of the situation. Click here to see email message that I received.
Secondly I want to urge you to take action!!!
If we good people do nothing then we get exactly what we deserve in a very perverse society.
Act now please….
Wayne Moran
posted @ 08:17 AM CST [link] [Karma: -6 (+/-)]
Study of James: Introduction
James:Tests of a Living Faith
Introduction
The New Testament Book of James may well be viewed as a practical commentary on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Like Jesus, James presents a series of tests by which the genuiness of one’s salvation can be determined. While James nowhere says that he is quoting Jesus, his parallels seem to represent the Lord’s teachings as they were remembered in the early days of the church, before they were recorded in the written record. The implication is that Jesus’ teachings were so widely known and accepted that they didn’t have to be quoted.
We will study the Book of James in a series of twelve lessons under the theme “Faith Tested By…”
· …Perseverance Through Trials (1:1-12)
· …Blame In Temptation (1:13-18)
· …Response to the Word (1:19-27)
· …Reaction to Partiality (2:1-13)
· …Production of Works (2:14-26)
· …Production of Self Control (3:1-18)
· …Reaction to Selfish Strife (4:1-12)
· …Response to the Will of God (4:13-17)
· …Reaction to Injustice (5:1-11)
· …Reaction to Self-Serving Oaths (5:12)
· …Resort to Prayer (5:13-18)
· …Restoration (5:19-20)
Overview
Author
· Most likely the half brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3, Galatians 1:19)
· Along with his brothers, did acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah before the crucifixion (John 7:3-5)
· Not likely one of the twelve disciples or brother of John (1 Corinthians 15:7)
· A significant leader in the early Jerusalem church (Acts 15:13-29, Galatians 2:9)
· Strong verbal parallels between the Book of James and the letter from James in Acts 15 (e.g. “Greetings” used only by James) point to his authorship.
· According to Josephus, martyred in 62 A.D.
· Other references: Acts 1:14, 12:17, 15:13, 21:18, Jude 1.
Audience
· To professing Jewish Christians (1:18, 2:1-2, 7, 5:7, 14).
· “Twelve tribes” (1b) expresses the unity of the ideal covenant nation.
· “Dispersion” (1b) refers to Jews living outside of Palestine.
“The faults against which the epistle is directed…are typically Pharisaic, and peculiarly Gentile faults like idolatry and impurity, which are so prominent in such an epistle as 1 Corinthians, are conspicuous by their absence”. D. Edmond Hiebert
Setting
· Probably written from Jerusalem, James’ home town.
· References to natural climatic conditions (1:6, 11, 3:4, 3:11-12, 5:7) point to a Palestinian location.
· Most likely written prior to the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 (46-49 A.D.), and not a later date.
· Considering this evidence, James is the earliest recorded New Testament writing, penned when the church was still very young and very Jewish.
Purpose
· While not explicitly stated, implied. To confront those in the assembly of believers who possessed false, dead faith, and to exhort his readers to realize that a saving faith is a living, active faith.
Next Lesson: Jams 1:1-12 Faith Tested by Perseverance Through Trials
posted @ 07:57 AM CST [link] [Karma: 4 (+/-)]
Rich Content
In an effort to post great meaningful content, I am in the process of inviting other great minds to participate in our discussions. One such mind is Steve Budd. He is the Chairman or Director (or some other big term) of Adult Ministries at South Suburban Evangelical Free Church. He is a man of the word and a man of study. He thinks carefully and speaks even more precisely.
Steve has so much great content that he has worked on over the years, and this on-line outlet is a great way for him to communicate with many more people than he could just at church. Steve will be a guest author and commentator for a time and we will all learn together how this process works.
Steve will be starting with a Study on the Book of James. This book is so rich for all Christians but maybe it has even a little bit more impact on those who come from or maybe are still in the Catholic Tradition. And maybe it should have a bit more impact on we that call ourselves evangelicals. Evangelicals have a tendency to focus on personal salvation and loose the focus of doing something with that salvation. This little book hits so hard on the whole side of DOING. We are not just to hear the word, but we are to listen and obey.
Enjoy Steve's Posts.
Have a great day
Wayne Moran
posted @ 07:44 AM CST [link] [Karma: 6 (+/-)]Sunday, January 16, 2005The Need to Oversee the Poor
I got shot by a shotgun right between the eyes today! Well not really, but figuratively. This was in Sunday school at church. We were reading and studying from the book of James. Here is the text for your convenience.
Listening and Doing
James 1:19-27
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror
24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does.
26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
The first thing that hit me was verse 21: “get rid of all moral filth…” It is so prevalent in our lives and yes my life that sometimes we do not see it. We just get used to it. Well, stop that. Cast it out and get ride of it. The consequences are disastrous. The results of doing it are great blessings most notably in peace.
The second thing that he was from verse 22: Don’t just listen, but obey. If you just hear it and do nothing you are deceiving yourself. WOW. I use this verse on my kids all the time as an exhortation to listen and obey their parents, i.e. Me. But, it is relevant in my life as well. I know what is true and right. Some of my favorite sins just are too much fun. Lord, I need your redeeming power to overcome the power of my sin!!! Help me Lord!!!
Third, verse 26, the tongue: Do you have perfect control over your tongue? Do you have any control over your tongue? Man when I get just a little bit tired I am a wreck and I will say anything. Are you convicted enough yet? The problem is the tough on is yet to come.
Forth, verse 27, what is true religion, “to look after orphans and widows in their distress”. I hate to tell you, this is not a new mandate for a new welfare program; this is a command go get involved in the lives of the widows and orphans. This is command to get dirty with some people that we find very distasteful. There is so few that claim to be Christian that actually do this. We have a few that are missionaries that are supposed to do this, then there are most of us that send off our check to the aid agency so that we can attempt clear our guilty conscious of what we know to be good and true and right.
I believe so strongly that the growth in the welfare movement in the early 60’s was significantly because the Church in America (meaning all of us in the Church) reneged on our responsibility to care for the poor. And now we have a government programs that are trying to fill that need. Without the redeeming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ these social programs cannot create the transformed lives that individual Christians and well run Christian social programs can affect in peoples lives.
We need to get back to James 27: “look after orphans and widows in their distress”.
Have a good day
Wayne Moran
posted @ 02:43 PM CST [link] [Karma: 2 (+/-)]
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