Saturday, June 28, 2008
Gone Camping
Tommorrow my family and I are going camping for a few days. It's been quite a while since we've gone camping simply for the sake of going camping, and I'm looking forward to it.
Making Me, and Others
Today, my nephew brought over his Wii. If you don't already know, you can create characters to look however you want them to. You can change eyes, hair, nose, etc. So tonight we made "Miis" to look like my mom, my dad, me, and my nephew Nathan. This may seem a little weird, but I'd say it's almost as much fun to make the characters as it is to play the game.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Plenty of Time
Prov 24:30-34
30 I passed by the field of the sluggard, and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense;31 And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles, its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.32 When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, {and} received instruction.33 "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,"34 Then your poverty will come {as} a robber, and your want like an armed man.(NAS)
This passage comes from the end of a chapter that has a lot to say about aquiring knowledge... from a book that has a lot to say about aquirng knowledge.
Prov 24:13-14
13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste;14 Know {that} wisdom is thus for your soul; if you find {it,} then there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.(NAS)
What's the point of this? With summer here, it is a great temptation to do nothing of value. No school, no responsibilities, right?
Well, Christians have a responsibility to gain knowledge and become more like Jesus. Don't be the sluggard that rests in time of plenty. Instead, use that plenty of time for something profitable.
30 I passed by the field of the sluggard, and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense;31 And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles, its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.32 When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, {and} received instruction.33 "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,"34 Then your poverty will come {as} a robber, and your want like an armed man.(NAS)
This passage comes from the end of a chapter that has a lot to say about aquiring knowledge... from a book that has a lot to say about aquirng knowledge.
Prov 24:13-14
13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste;14 Know {that} wisdom is thus for your soul; if you find {it,} then there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.(NAS)
What's the point of this? With summer here, it is a great temptation to do nothing of value. No school, no responsibilities, right?
Well, Christians have a responsibility to gain knowledge and become more like Jesus. Don't be the sluggard that rests in time of plenty. Instead, use that plenty of time for something profitable.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Free Time
Now that school's out, a question comes to mind... What will I do with my free time this summer?
Reading is one thing that I hope to do more of. Not just sci-fi thrillers like Michael Crichton's Timeline or Jurassic Park. How about some reading with long-term value? Today I started reading a book by Andrew Murray. The book is called Abide in Christ, and I think the title explains what it's about. It looks to be a beneficial (and good) read.
John 15:1-5
1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every {branch} that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.3 "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither {can} you, unless you abide in Me.5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.(NAS)
Reading is one thing that I hope to do more of. Not just sci-fi thrillers like Michael Crichton's Timeline or Jurassic Park. How about some reading with long-term value? Today I started reading a book by Andrew Murray. The book is called Abide in Christ, and I think the title explains what it's about. It looks to be a beneficial (and good) read.
John 15:1-5
1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every {branch} that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.3 "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither {can} you, unless you abide in Me.5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.(NAS)
Sunday, June 22, 2008
A Kingdom
Read this passage and thought the promises and implications involved were amazing. I think it speaks for itself:
Heb 12:18-29
18 For you have not come to {a mountain} that may be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind,19 and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which {sound was such that} those who heard begged that no further word should be spoken to them.20 For they could not bear the command, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned."21 And so terrible was the sight, {that} Moses said, "I am full of fear and trembling."22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels,23 to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect,24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than {the blood} of Abel.25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned {them} on earth, much less {shall} we {escape} who turn away from Him who {warns} from heaven.26 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying," Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven."27 And this {expression} "Yet once more," denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, in order that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;29 for our God is a consuming fire.(NAS)
Heb 12:18-29
18 For you have not come to {a mountain} that may be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind,19 and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which {sound was such that} those who heard begged that no further word should be spoken to them.20 For they could not bear the command, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned."21 And so terrible was the sight, {that} Moses said, "I am full of fear and trembling."22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels,23 to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect,24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than {the blood} of Abel.25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned {them} on earth, much less {shall} we {escape} who turn away from Him who {warns} from heaven.26 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying," Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven."27 And this {expression} "Yet once more," denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, in order that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;29 for our God is a consuming fire.(NAS)
Saturday, June 21, 2008
A Little Less Convincing
Prov 21:2 Every man's way is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts.(NAS)
We're all guilty of it sometimes. Convincing ourselves that we're not doing something wrong when we really are. Sometimes it "works" in the short term, but for the Believer, it always comes back around. The Holy Spirit convicts, and God knows our motivations behind every action, honorable and otherwise.
Now there's a subject for another time: doing the right things for the wrong reasons.
We're all guilty of it sometimes. Convincing ourselves that we're not doing something wrong when we really are. Sometimes it "works" in the short term, but for the Believer, it always comes back around. The Holy Spirit convicts, and God knows our motivations behind every action, honorable and otherwise.
Now there's a subject for another time: doing the right things for the wrong reasons.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Just Barely
I had an idea.
I was almost sure of what I was going to talk about tonight... a few hours ago.
In the course of trying to remember what it was, it seems as if I've passed midnight. Oh, well.
Maybe I'll remember tomorrow, or as the case is now--today.
I was almost sure of what I was going to talk about tonight... a few hours ago.
In the course of trying to remember what it was, it seems as if I've passed midnight. Oh, well.
Maybe I'll remember tomorrow, or as the case is now--today.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Endurance
Heb 12:1-3
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.(NAS)
This is only one of many places where the Christian life is refered to as a race. In order to stay in the race, our hope must be fixed on Christ. In a race, the winner is the one who never looks away from the finish line. Every aspect of the Christian's life should be aimed toward Jesus and becoming more like Him. Anything that gets in the way of that needs to be cast aside.
When we are in struggles of any kind, we can remember Jesus, who suffered more than we could even imagine, and yet endured it for the sake of our Salvation and His glory. In the same way, we can endure for His glory.
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.(NAS)
This is only one of many places where the Christian life is refered to as a race. In order to stay in the race, our hope must be fixed on Christ. In a race, the winner is the one who never looks away from the finish line. Every aspect of the Christian's life should be aimed toward Jesus and becoming more like Him. Anything that gets in the way of that needs to be cast aside.
When we are in struggles of any kind, we can remember Jesus, who suffered more than we could even imagine, and yet endured it for the sake of our Salvation and His glory. In the same way, we can endure for His glory.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
5 Point?
Recently, I decided to research into what the five points of Calvinism are, and whether I agree with them.
From what I understand, the simple version of these five points is as follows:
1. All mankind is born into sin, and is incapable under their own power of coming to Salvation.
2. Those who will accept Jesus' sacrifice and thus become saved have been predestined since before the beginning.
3. When Jesus died on the cross, He only died for those that are predestined to Salvation.
4. The Christian comes to saving faith through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and not by their own power.
5. Once a Believer, there is nothing that can remove one's Salvation. It is permanent.
Point one is definitely scriptural.
Rom 3:23-24
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;(NAS)
The Bible makes it very clear that we are all sinners and all incapable of working towards salvation on our own. The second half of this first point is so closely linked to the 4th that I'll hold off for now.
Point two is also backed by scripture.
John 15:19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.(NAS)
Eph 1:4-6
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.(NAS)
I believe point three, however, is not scriptural.
I believe that because of a verse that just about everyone knows:
John 3:15-16
15 that whoever believes may in Him have eternal life.16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.(NAS)
Point four is also scriptural.
Rom 8:30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.(NAS)
Finally, point five is, yes, scriptural.
Eph 1:13-14
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of {God's own} possession, to the praise of His glory.(NAS)
I guess that makes me a 4-point Calvinist. And now I know. Although I'd prefer to be known as a "Christian," or a "follower of Christ," or best of all, a "man after God's own heart." I think that's the goal. Follow Christ and pursue a life that is pleasing to God. Nothing else really matters.
From what I understand, the simple version of these five points is as follows:
1. All mankind is born into sin, and is incapable under their own power of coming to Salvation.
2. Those who will accept Jesus' sacrifice and thus become saved have been predestined since before the beginning.
3. When Jesus died on the cross, He only died for those that are predestined to Salvation.
4. The Christian comes to saving faith through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and not by their own power.
5. Once a Believer, there is nothing that can remove one's Salvation. It is permanent.
Point one is definitely scriptural.
Rom 3:23-24
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;(NAS)
The Bible makes it very clear that we are all sinners and all incapable of working towards salvation on our own. The second half of this first point is so closely linked to the 4th that I'll hold off for now.
Point two is also backed by scripture.
John 15:19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.(NAS)
Eph 1:4-6
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.(NAS)
I believe point three, however, is not scriptural.
I believe that because of a verse that just about everyone knows:
John 3:15-16
15 that whoever believes may in Him have eternal life.16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.(NAS)
Point four is also scriptural.
Rom 8:30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.(NAS)
Finally, point five is, yes, scriptural.
Eph 1:13-14
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of {God's own} possession, to the praise of His glory.(NAS)
I guess that makes me a 4-point Calvinist. And now I know. Although I'd prefer to be known as a "Christian," or a "follower of Christ," or best of all, a "man after God's own heart." I think that's the goal. Follow Christ and pursue a life that is pleasing to God. Nothing else really matters.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Done
I just have one word to say to describe how I feel right now:
Yaaaaaahooooooooooooooo!
As of yesterday, I am officially done with classes for this year, and am now a senior. I've taken the SATs, and I think I did pretty well. I have a small but well paying job this summer (if only I could find a permanent job as good as this one time job). I guess it's time to start thinking about what I'm going to do after graduation next year. But for now, I'm taking a much needed break from this pesky process known as "thinking."
Yaaaaaahooooooooooooooo!
As of yesterday, I am officially done with classes for this year, and am now a senior. I've taken the SATs, and I think I did pretty well. I have a small but well paying job this summer (if only I could find a permanent job as good as this one time job). I guess it's time to start thinking about what I'm going to do after graduation next year. But for now, I'm taking a much needed break from this pesky process known as "thinking."
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Out of Gas
The race is almost over, which is a good thing because I'm almost out of gas.
The last day of classes are Monday, to be followed by two finals. Speaking of gas, that's what my heavily weighted final paper in writing class is about.
The last day of classes are Monday, to be followed by two finals. Speaking of gas, that's what my heavily weighted final paper in writing class is about.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Faith
Heb 11:6-8
6 And without faith it is impossible to please {Him} for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and {that} He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.7 By faith Noah, being warned {by God} about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.(NAS)
Even in the days of the Old Testament, men were justified by faith.
Gal 3:6 Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.(NAS)
Being sinful, there is no way we can please God without having faith in Him. The faith that only He can give.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please {Him} for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and {that} He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.7 By faith Noah, being warned {by God} about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.(NAS)
Even in the days of the Old Testament, men were justified by faith.
Gal 3:6 Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.(NAS)
Being sinful, there is no way we can please God without having faith in Him. The faith that only He can give.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Saved?
Heb 10:26-29
26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,27 but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on {the testimony of} two or three witnesses.29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?(NAS)
This passage is often used to say that we can lose our Salvation. The truth of the matter, however, is that we have been sealed in our Salvation.
Eph 1:13-14
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of {God's own} possession, to the praise of His glory.(NAS)
If God chose those who would believe in Him from the beginning, how can they fall? The Hebrews passage instead refers to those who appear to be saved, and perhaps think they are saved, but have not given their lives over to Jesus and accepted His gift fully. They are the "seeds that have fallen on the hard ground," the ones that have no root.
It is also important to note that this secure Salvation is a freedom in Christ and for Christ. It is NOT an excuse to continue sinning.
Rom 6:1-2
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase?2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?(NAS)
26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,27 but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on {the testimony of} two or three witnesses.29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?(NAS)
This passage is often used to say that we can lose our Salvation. The truth of the matter, however, is that we have been sealed in our Salvation.
Eph 1:13-14
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of {God's own} possession, to the praise of His glory.(NAS)
If God chose those who would believe in Him from the beginning, how can they fall? The Hebrews passage instead refers to those who appear to be saved, and perhaps think they are saved, but have not given their lives over to Jesus and accepted His gift fully. They are the "seeds that have fallen on the hard ground," the ones that have no root.
It is also important to note that this secure Salvation is a freedom in Christ and for Christ. It is NOT an excuse to continue sinning.
Rom 6:1-2
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase?2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?(NAS)
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