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Where has will power gone. I know this is a daily fight and struggle, but it is the recipe for your character. You could spend 20 years building up a well respected image and make one decision and ruin your reputation. We have seen this happen time and time again from athletes to politicians to preachers. Our will power is a great guide to a better life. The more self control you have the less trouble you will manage to dive into. You must have will power to be obedient to God. I use to be so very weak in this category, but I have worked and prayed over the issue. I have definately made progress but am still quite a ways from home plate. One story that comes to mind on the topic was an interview I watched on Pastor Rick Warren. The interviewer asked Mr. Warren what his views on homosexuality were. He replied that he didn't approve of it but didn't frown upon it. The interviewer then said that homosexuals were born that way and how could he not approve of it. He replied that he was born with the urge to sllep to with every beautiful woman he saw, but that was not biblically right either and that we must have will power. I love this explanation and it so very true. There are many things that would be fun to do, but that doesn't make them right. When my wife makes chocolate chip cookies I want to eat the whole batch, but my will power kicks in and I stop after 2 or 3. It seems as though that society has slowly transitioned into this mentality that everyone owes them something and they are gonna do what they want. Maybe this is why are economy is in the shape it's in. Doing the right thing will not always be the most fun, but it will be the most rewarding. That is if you have self respect, morals and ethics.
Heard a great message Sunday by Chris Stapleton of The Rock Church. His message was titled Guarded. The point that he made that really hit home to me was that God is not looking for perfection, he is looking for availability. God is well aware that we as humans are not perfect. He doesn't want us to be perfect. What he does want is for us not to repeatedly sin intentionally and when we do mess up and sin to repent. He also wants us to be available to spread the good news of salvation and The Kingdom. This is something that I defiantely need to work on as well. There are many times I have an opportunity to be more helpful or to take the extra time to help, but don't because I am in a hurry to do something that won't matter a week from now. I think we all get wrapped up and lost in our careers and our narcissistic mentality. Being available might also require that you crawl out of your shell or comfort zone. A touching story relating to this that I heard recently was about a woman who was in line with her family at McDonald's. She said as they got in line they smelt a perpetual stream of breath taking body odor. As they peered to the front of the line they saw to homeless men buying a cup of coffee. The woman over herd the men saying that they only had enough money for a cup of coffee, but were more appreciative for the warmth that the restuarant was providing from the sub zero temperature. As the woman approched the apologetic cashier and placed her order, she also oredered to extra meals and asked that they be placed on a seperate tray. She then took the tray over to two homeless men, smiled, and said that God was blessing them through her. At that moment one of the men looked up at her with tears running down like a thawing ice cube. He looked her straight in the eyes as he gently clutched her hand and kissed it while exclaiming his utmost gratification. Her generosity touched the hearts of everyone in McDonald's as well as the employees. This is a great example of the availability that God is looking for. Forget perfection and focus on being available to those in need. Spread the word and show God's grace and love through your actions.
I heard a great message by Pastor Kevin Bennett from Mountain View Baptist in Black Mountain. Their current series is Christmas is For-giving. He took this message a step further Sunday with Christmas is For-going. He challenged the congregation to humble themselves by apoligizing to anyone that they had upset or made mad. He explained that our peers judge us by our actions. We judge ourselves by our intentions. Sometimes the two can produce skewed outcomes and emotions. Sometimes we didn't intend to hurt someone, but our actions did. If you have ever thought you might have offended someone, then you most likely did, so go ahead and clear the air and make amends. As Christians we are suppose to be forgiving and love our neighbor and brother. God forgives us on a daily basis and sacrificed his son to pay the penalty for our sins. Matthew 5:23 says: "So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come offer your gift." God doesn't want you honoring or praising him if your not honoring your neighbor and brother. It says in the scripture that if you can't honor and love someone in the flesh, you definately can't honor someone you have never seen. Pastor Kevin also talked about how we will be in a store and see someone we don't want to take the extra time to talk to, or don't want to talk to them because of other reasons. So we act like we didn't see them, or head in the other direction, or we duck like were hiding from a sniper in battle. We are guilty of this behavior at some point in our lives. However, that doesn't make it right. Everytime we do this we add gasoline to negative thoughts, emotions, attitudes, and relationships. It's kind of like letting a cavity turn into a root canal. If you had addressed the cavity earlier you would have saved some coin and alot of pain. This kind of makes me think of how nice and sincere strangers were right after 9/11. Even Yankees would take the extra second for a smile or pleasant greeting. This behavior lasted a couple of months and then society dove back into their seclusive self centered ideology of life. Lets remember that it is the Christmas season and that we are judged on our actions not our intentions. If you need to apoligize or mend a relationship I encourage you to do it. When you ask, right now, tommorow is not promised. Take the extra time to serve and love others, it will be worth it. I hope that this is enlightening and that you can take something away from it. I know I have!
God Bless!
I go to a leadership lunch and learn bible study on Tuesday's. It's a great time of fellowship with godly men and a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of a busy work week. This past Tuesday we discussed John 3:22-30. In this scripture John the Baptist's followers point out to John that everyone is going to Jesus to get baptized instead of John. John immediatelty refocus's this comparison to God. He replies "A person cannot recieve even one thing unless it is given him from heaven."
He then tells his people that he is not Christ, but he has been sent before him. He then says that the one who has the bride is the bridegroom. Then in modern day language he says my joy is complete in being the best man. The scripture ends with John saying "He must increase, but I must decrease." What unbelievable humility John the Baptist showed us in this passage. He combated comparison with total humility. Whenever someone gives us credit or praise it is because they are comparing us to others in someway. It is human nature to want to soak it all in and take all the credit. However, like John the Baptist said we can't recieve anything unless it is given from God. Stay humble and give all the glory, honor, and praise to God.
Hurry, Hurry, read all about it!!!!!!!!!!!! Why does society get so excited, baffled, and let down when someone who is famous like Tiger Woods is hit with multiple affair allegations. Maybe it's because too many people in society idolize famous people, actors, and athletes. Society needs to remember that these are people just like everyone else. They will mess up and sin just like the rest of us. It is actually probably harder for them being exposed to the media and having millions of dollars at their disposal. Not only are they human but most of them are of the world. People that are of the world are gonna walk in sin. As Jesus said they know not what they do. They will pursue the worldly trinity of status, money, and power. They are trying to fill a void that can't be filled. A big part of being a faithful christian is obedience, faith, and love towards God and God's children. It's not about focussing on yourself and your desires, it's about honoring God. Tiger Woods like most of society was worried about pleasing himself, instead of being faithful to his Creator and Redeemer. I'm not sure if Tiger is even familiar with the concept of being the spiritual leader of the household. Most of the people that are mad at Tiger have done the same thing or carried out their fare share of sin. They need to take the log out of there eye before they tell there neighbor to take the speck out of his eye. Tiger broke one of the 10 commandments like most of society does on a routine daily basis. Just like alcoholism, lying, and divorce, affairs have became socially acceptable. It gives society something to gossip about and fuel their euphoric state of self deprivation. After all, the name is extremely hard to live up too, lets just pray that the big cat repents and gives his heart to God.
One of my good friends, Hajo Engelke, came and spent Thanksgiving with me and the fam. Hajo was a foreign exchange student while I was at Christ School and we became great friends. I actually went and spent a couple weeks in Germany with him and his family. Hajo graduated with an MBA from UNC's Kenan Flagler School of business and started his company. His company is called Custom Choice Cereal. It is a web based business that offers cerealaholics and shoppers a unique opportunity of building and naming your own cereal. Hopefully you won't be as crazy creative as the last shopper before the Thanksgiving holidays. he named his cereal: I've got nuts, thats what she said. Rough economic times and all these comedians out of work and this guy is trying to be one. Custom Choice Cereal is also gluten free, but don't let that fool you. All that means in lamens terms is that the ingredients are organic and it does not contain wheat, rye, or barley. This tranisitons to more healthy and a much more tasty. I hope that the 2 or 3 people that read this blog will take a few minutes to check out my buddy's website and at least order and try a bag if you ever eat cereal. If you don't eat cereal pass the good news and company name and website on to someone who does, especially if they are a celiac (auto immune to gluten). I promise, you will not be dissapointed. You can find a link to the Custom Choice Cereal on my blog page or visit them at www.customchoicecereal.com
Thanksgiving was great and I was still in a fried turkey euphoric state when I my french bulldog Stella got ran over and killed friday morning. Less then 2 hours earlier she had been snuggled up on the couch with me watching tv. She wasn't even 2 years old yet. It was like loosing a family member. The most important thing was that she loved us and she knew we loved her. She was just as protective of my son as a me or my wife. He was her little boy too. As I was digging a hole to bury her my son walked down and said Dad what are you doing? I told him that I we had to bury Stella because she had gone to a better place. He said but dad, we can't bury Stella she is my friend. I told him I knew that, but that she was better off and in a better place where nothing could harm her. I'm not sure he can grasp the entirety of everything that happened Friday, but it was an early life lesson. I know that everything happens for a reason and I am just grateful that God brought that little bulldog into our lives. After all the word dog is God backwards. Maybe that is why they are referred to as a mans best friend. She will truly be missed!
1. I am so very thankful that my Lord and Savior sent his only son to pay for our sins and offer us eternal life through salvation. I am thankful that Jesus came down and showed the world what perfection, love, grace, joy, righteousness, and a sinless life is all about. I am thankful that Jesus left us with the Holy Spirit after he arose and went to be with the father. The Holy Spirit has consumed me and keeps me on the path to be more Christlike everyday. I am so thankful and can't get enough, God is so great!
2. I am so very thankful that I am married to best friend and beautiful wife Meghan. She is my rock on earth and totally supports me in whatever I do. I am thankful that God blessed us with such a healthy loving charismatic little boy. He makes everyday an adventure and keeps life's most important attributes in perspective.
3. I am thankful that I have such great friends and family in my life.
4. I am thankful for God's financial blessing. I have a house, car, clothes, food, and many gadgets that 50% of the world will never see or experience. More then half of the world lives on less then a $1 a day. Yeah thats right, go ahead and marinate on that for a minute. Can you imagine living on less then $365 a year. Most Americans drink more then $365 of Starbucks every six months. We as a country I so blessed and ungrateful all at the same time.
5. I am thankful for the Bible. One of my professors told a class that he had inherited millions of dollars and was willing to give any student $500,000 to swear to never read, quote, or talk about the Bible for the rest of their lives. No one in the class would take the offer. I can honestly say that there is no way I could take that offer. I guess there really isn't even a price tag that would make it appealing. God says you can't worship Him and money, so I'll take God.
Hope everyone had a memorable and blessed Thanksgiving! I highly recommend fried turkey and Tiramisu, what a combo.
God Bless!!!!!!!!!
Why is our society so caught up on numbers? Everything is based on numbers. How much money you make. How much status you have. How much power you have. How many friends you have on facebook. How much your car cost. How big your house is. How many business's you own. How many beers you drank on Saturday night. This worldly thought process has even filtered into our churches. Church success is currently based on attendance. If a church's attendance is on the rise then they are considered successful. Then there is also the number of salvations and baptisms that success is attributed to. My question to the church is what are you doing to disciple your flock? Yeah great your attendance doubled this year, you had a record number of salvations, but half of the them have gone back into living in sin because you surpassed the quota that you had set a year prior. Don't get me wrong I think growth, salvations, and baptisms are a very important part of the ministry, but I think that alot of pastors and church's have gotten away from discipleship. Most of the pastors in these mega church's are not even accessable to the congregation unless your high up on the political or financial heirarchy. I can't imagine the thought of not being able to go speak to my pastor if life throws me one of it's infamous curveballs. I got news for you numbers don't equal success. Your success will be determined by God, not society. He made you, blessed you, sent his son to die for your sins, forgives, and offers eternal life. And yet we would rather try to impress society and people that don't care about you or anyone else except themselves. Your success should be based on your obedience and faithfulness to God and his children. Let the numbers go, quit thinking about today and focus on eternity. Life should not be based on convenience and comfort, it should be based on serving and sacrifice. The more obedient and faithful you are to God, the more He will bless you. Let's free ourselves from self deprevation and this distorted thought process and open are hearts, eyes, and minds, to glorifying and honoring our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
God Bless!!!!
I went to a bible study today at lunch and we disscused leadership. It was very intersting listening and talking about the difference in Worldly Vs Godly leaders. The world leader has a goal of benefitting himself, while a Godly leader has the goal of benefitting his flock. In order to be a true Christian you have to do everything opposite of the world, yes it really is that simple. A worldly leader typically has hidden agendas, lacks morals & ethics, self in mind, greed, power, and is selfish. A Godly leader is camposionate, observant, moral, ethical, God minded, mot worried about convenience, humble, happy, obedient, and puts everyone before himself. Worldly living suck, if you don't believe me get some Jesus in your life. Yeah I said it, Corporate America and Worldly leaders need a swift kick in the butt. I challenge you to be Godly leaders. We all have some sort of leadership role in our everyday lives, whether it be at work, home, social groups, etc...
God Bless!
Phil 4:13
Just got back from one of my best friends visitation and will attend her funeral tomorrow. These are the most awkward tragic events we deal with in life. You never know what to say or how to react. Death is probably the most harsh tragic heart breaking event that we deal with in this vapor of life. As bad as the reality of death sucks, we should tuck away are greed and jealousy and rejoice for a fellow Christian friend or relative has found utopia. And as bad as death sucks it awakens us like no other experience. It makes you analyze life, unlock your heart, takes your mind on a roller coaster ride followed by the drop zone, ending with a hot air balloon ride. This event will bring you to your knees, expel a river of tears mixed with laughter and great memories, then blind side with you the analyzation of life. You start analyzing your life, relationships, career, hobbies, passions, motives, beliefs, character, morals, society, and intuition. Basically death brings out a melting pot of everything that we should focus on every day of our life. Everything we take for granted showers down and then explodes from within. It is simply a rare phenomenon that digs into your heart, soul, and mind and awakens you! Lets quit taking life for granted and start living. If Jesus Christ is not your LORD and SAVIOR then I suggest you find a Bible, turn to Romans 10:9-10 and get down on your knees and start developing a relationship with Jesus Christ. Only he knows who will be next and when that moment comes there is only one thing that is gonna matter. ARE YOU SAVED? I love you Cassie, I know you knew Christ and I know your occasionally gonna take a break from playing with all those animals and angels and visit us. Are Lady Bugs in heaven white?
God Bless!!!!!!!!!!
The shock is over
I heard a great sermon on youtube today by pastor Paul Washer. This man straight brings it and tells it how it is. He gets in depth about how so many Christians in America think there saved because they said a prayer one time when they were some where between the ages of 8 and 15. From my experience this statement is very true, we did a study on this in our Bible study class and asked random people two questions. 1. Are you saved? 2. How do you know? The most common answer was Yes and the most common answer was because I said a prayer. My response to all this is thats great, you have successfully completed the first step. I don't think you can say a prayer and go back to the world and a worldly lifestyle. The scripture says if you have salvation then you have the Holy Spirit. If you have the Holy Spirit it is impossible walk in sin. This thought process is like getting married and then doing what ever you want with no concern for your husband or wife. You can't start a relationship and then act like nothing ever happened. God is a forgiving God but he also states in the scripture that he is a jealous God. I find it hard to believe that all these individuals that are walking in sin and with satin will go to Heaven. This is also a big problem in our churches and with church leaders because this is what they teach. Say and prayer and your going to heaven. My friends Matthew 7:13 says Enter by the narrow gat. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those that enter it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. This scripture does not support the notion that I said a prayer one time years ago and I'm going to heaven. Statistically speaking around 65% of America claims to be christians, take a look around, somebody's lying. The hour glass of life is slowly running out and the rapture could happen at any moment. If you are not saved, or have ever questioned your salvation, or you feel like your reading your autobiography, I challenge you to repent and get right with God. I have been on both sides and the grass is greener. If you have any questions, need advice, or want somebody to talk to faith about don't hesitate to ask. Quit proclaiming I know God, over half of our nation claim they know God. Ask yourself if He knows you, according to Matthew God knows few.
I was going through my normal routine yesterday and started thinking about what it means to be a parent and the responsibilities that are tied to this miracle of life. A child requires that you totally open up emotionally and that you reconnect with your inner child that you barried many years ago. Other than a relationship with God being a parent is the greatest experience of life between a husband and wife. This wonderful experience is like our relationship with Jesus Christ. He expects alot, but gives even more. I expect a great deal out of my son, but reward with praise, love, affection, and whatever fun activities I can throw in to our daily routine. Being a father is a blessing from God and enlightens us with a minute fraction of what he deals with as our Father, Redeemer, and Savior. Think about what it must be like to shepherd the flock of the world. It is difficult sometimes to keep up with one or two children let alone the whole world. What is sad is that most people fail as parents to a child or a few children. These people fail because they are reliant on the world and the world does not guide or lead, it is the great distractor from what is truly important in life. I know this for at one point I was of this world and believe me, it was swallowing me up and taking a toll on my health, heart, and relationships. Why someone would wanna attempt parent or to walk through life without the Holy Spirit is a mystery to me. Salvation is a free gift to come alive and jumpstart your soul so that you can find the true happiness and love that you have always desired. I know for a fact that I would totally fail as a parent, husband, and friend if I was walking alone. We live in the most dangerous, lost, and dark society in history. The most concerning aspect of our current society is that the lost souls think they have life figured out. We need a world revival and to reestablish the relationship with our maker. It also very scary and disheartening to know that satin is preying on society from our children to are elders. The evil one will use any opening he can to confuse and disrupt the lives of any one at any time. This is why it so important to have a relationship with our Lord and Savvior and to immerse yourself in scripture. There is but one way and that way is through Him. Let the Bible be your compass and the Holy Spirit be your guide. Don't walk in darkness. Don't walk alone!
Thanks be to God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Where has RESPECT gone in modern day society. It has been 40 plus years since Aretha Franklin conquered the billboard charts with the number one hit. I guess in the last 40 years society has transitioned from the forgotten term. I see evidence of this on a daily basis and it is very disheartening. People in the 21st century are more worried about loathing in self deprivation then Respecting others. This has been seen lately in the media, political, and music industries as well. Does President Obama and Artist Taylor Swift not have enough criticism to dodge from the media and haters? Is it really neccesary for their recognition to be sabotaged from immature lost pathetic individuals like Joe Wilson and Kanye West. You can also witness this on a daily basis during your normal routines. If it isn't the latest coworker soap opera, the finger and horn from an opposing driver, or a kid at the grocery store disrespecting his parents, or a husband and wife arguing in public because they had a stressful day. Where has respect gone in 2009? If we aren't respecting each other then we are definately not respecting God! I mean it says in the scripture if you don't love your brother, who is in the flesh, then you definately can't love and respect the Lord. We are all God's children and it is only because he sent his only son to die for us that we are alive. As a father I can somewhat comprehend what that must have been like. My son Talyn and Meghan are my Life after God. They make every day an adventure and blessing to my life. Grow up America and get over yourselves, start honoring God and he will put your heart at peace and bless your life. Let me take you to 1 Corinthians Chapter 13: If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, i am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. THe scripture continues: Love is patient and kind, love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. Get LOVE back in your lives and its mate RESPECT will follow. I challenge you to Love and Respect everyone, if you do you will honor God and He will bless you and you will be much happier!
GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Deuteronomy 10:12 - And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?
10:16 - Circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn.
Read this verse today and thought I would post it, how quickly we forget God's will and become influenced by the world. I know I struggle with this on a daily basis, so i figured i would throw the reminder out there. Quit honoring and pleasing yourself and the world...use your energy to honor and please God, your gift will be in Heaven!
GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!!!
One of my good friends and coworkers, Josh Lewis, just got through sharing a story with me about how God had blessed a family through him today. At lunch today he went to the hospital to visit a friend, bible in hand. The nurse told him to have a seat in the lobby, while she checked to see if his friend was up. He said ok and took a seat by a very depressed looking couple. They were there becasue they are having alot of trouble with their 24 year old son. The woman asked if he was there to speak to them, he replied no, but I would be happy to and introduced himself. He heard their story and opened his bible to the book of Ephisians and read some scripture to them. He explained to her that even though she has no idea why her son is going through crazy times in his life, God is soverign and has a plan. After reading and discussion he asked the woman if she would like to pray and she exclaimed YES! They got down on their knees in the waiting area and prayed for God to carry out his work and a new realization that we as humans will not always realize God's plan. You just have to believe that tragic events are part of God's plan and he has a purpose for everything he carrys out. The mother embraced Josh, thanked him and asked for continue prayer and encouragement. For some reason the father walked off as they started to pray. Please pray for this family and for all the christians out there that can take a few minutes out of their lives and show God's grace, love, and encouragement to people in need. Josh never did get to see his friend, but did help someone in need. I challenge anyone reading this to reach out to people in need and share God's word, your gift will be in heaven!
God Bless!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My Grandmother passed away on Saturday (09-19-09) I was asked to speak at her funeral. If you have never given a eulogy as you can imagine it is a very difficult thing to do. But I prayed about it and I knew that God would give me the words and the strength to honor such a holy woman that meant so much to me. The only reason I have posted this is because God burdened me with this thanks and message and maybe it will touch you.
"The tragedy of life is being dead inside while still alive" We are all born lost and dead inside until we find salvation and the holy spirit enters us. Luckily my grandmother found her lord and savior Jesus Christ and the verse Psalms (118:8): "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than trust in man." My grandmother was many things to many people. She was a wife. The kind of wife that would go in every morning and wipe up her husbands tears after praying. This undertaking required a full sized bath towel because there was a huge puddle. My grandfather could pray down heaven and he did every morning of his life. She was a mother, raising 3 daughters and 2 sons. She lived by Proverbs (22:6): "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." She was a friend, the kind of friend that would always make you feel good about yourself and do anything she could to help you out. She was a cook, the best cook that I have ever met. But most important of all she was a christian. Saturday was judgment day for my grandmother and at that point her salvation was the only thing that mattered. Not how much money she had, not her house, not her jewelry, cars, or clothes. She was not just a christian that went to church, but one that built her house on the rock. Not a woman that got lost in the world, but a woman that walked in the word. A woman that placed Jesus above all. She was a woman that not only had knowledge, but possessed wisdom; which you can only get from Gods word. Pastor James MacDonald once said the most important decision you will ever make is if you choose to be born twice or die twice. Dying only referring to the physical death if you have salvation. John (8:51) says: "Truly truly I say to you if anyone keeps my word, they will never die." The second death is mentioned in Revelations chapter 21 which reads: "The one who conquers I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murders, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns of fire and sulfur, which is the second death." Loss is never easy, but at least as Christians who have found salvation it is only temporary. 1 Thessalonians (4:13) says "Christians should not grieve as others do who have no hope." The grief that is being acknowledged should be grief mixed with joy because 1st Corinthians and Revelations talk about future reunions. As we are experiencing here right now the hourglass of life on Earth will one day end. Our judgment day will come. Always remember Psalms (118:8) "It is better to trust in the lord than to trust in man."
God Bless!
I have been reading the book of Hosea lately. God sent Hosea to prophesy in the nation of Israel. The reason Hosea was sent was because the once holy city of Israel had lost touch with God and were crediting themselves with their success. What they failed to realize was their success had nothing to do with them. It was only because of God's blessings that they had gained material things, military strength, and peaceful relations with their neighbors. They got greedy and cocky, which most of us do at some point or another. When you have success in your life always remember that it is a blessing from God and he deserves the praise. Like Hosea told the Israelites: "sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. You have plowed iniquity; you have reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your warriors."(Hosea 10:12-13 ESV) If you want to return or open up to God you have to break up your fallow ground. Open your hear to him, repent, and praise him for without him we would not be. I was at this exact point months ago in my life and I was very miserable, I always had this empty feeling. I rededicated my life to God and I am at total peace and happiness for the first time in years. Believe the hype, God is real and his powers are endless. We will be judged!
Started a class in church last night titled Theology 101! Very interesting stuff, our first lesson was on the word theology. The meaning of theology is the rational and systematic study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truth.
The three varieties of theology are Historical, Biblical, & Systematic.
We discussed Arminianism which there are five main tenets:
1) God elects or reproves on the basis of foreseen faith or unbelief,
2) Christ died for all men and for every man, although only believers are saved,
3) Man is so depraved that divine grace is necessary unto faith or any good deed,
4) This grace may be resisted,
5) Whether all who are truly regenerate will certainly persevere in the faith is a point which needs further investigation.
We then discussed Calvinism which has 5 main tenets:
1) Total depravity: that man is touched by sin in all parts of his being: body, soul, mind, and emotions,
2) Unconditional Election: that God’s favor to Man is completely by God’s free choice and has nothing to do with Man. It is completely undeserved by Man and is not based on anything God sees in man (Eph. 1:1-11),
3) Limited atonement: that Christ did not bear the sins of every individual who ever lived, but instead only bore the sins of those who were elected into salvation (John 10:11,15),
4) Irresistible grace: that God's call to someone for salvation cannot be resisted,
5) Perseverance of the saints: that it is not possible to lose one's salvation (John 10:27-28).
These are the 2 extreme beliefs. Most religions fall some where in the middle of the 2, this is referred to as "Free Will." This is the doctrine that an individual, regardless of forces external to him, can and does choose at least some of his actions.
We then talked about staments of faith. This is your personal religious beliefs that must be backed by scripture. The teacher suggested that all christian families or christians develop their statement of faith. This will provide a solid foundation for yourself and/or your children and why you have the beliefs you do. Statements of faith will differ among religions and individuals. Some things are more important to some then others are. Emphasize what's important to you in your statement of faith and include the scripture to back up these beliefs. Great piece of advice I got from the class.
In summary Life starts with theology. It is only after your second birth (SALVATION) that you are living. In order to be saved you must study and acknowledge the scripture and believe that it is the truth. The next step is doctrines are formed. This would be your position or beliefs after immersing yourself in the Bible. The next step is your ultimate outcom e of this, your statement of faith. Which leads to step 4 your morals and ethics. The final step is the decisions you make every second of the day and hopefully every decision is gloryifying God.
Last thought: You can choose to be born twice or die twice. I'm glad I chose Salvation! If you are reading this and have not chosen Jesus Christ read Romans 10:9&10--"that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead,you will be saved. 10-For with the heart one believes unto righteousnessand with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
