tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11568017251909118142024-03-21T13:16:26.343-07:00Jason SalingBiblical Answers for Today: Family • Current Events • Cultural Hot Topics • Entrepreneurship.Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-61109555267450237952024-01-23T20:28:00.000-08:002024-01-23T20:28:38.493-08:00Commit Thou to Faithful Men<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcsHyZtyC62_68hYybS5AJEkJwuXaaTcV-44rb8_7ymE_uD24Y_DSvHVtYII1LCJZS6PZVZsIok6igCiJSSAy6sv4qQgEbxDOk6IsrEEmSpZ3CKKk4cUZWfZeL5JGwyURVNcgKxg0hh46E1wAI2uMUMC1-gzgGc8BHGuw0LCIFioDOsvbJBdRLVvjIfe3/s2000/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1545" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcsHyZtyC62_68hYybS5AJEkJwuXaaTcV-44rb8_7ymE_uD24Y_DSvHVtYII1LCJZS6PZVZsIok6igCiJSSAy6sv4qQgEbxDOk6IsrEEmSpZ3CKKk4cUZWfZeL5JGwyURVNcgKxg0hh46E1wAI2uMUMC1-gzgGc8BHGuw0LCIFioDOsvbJBdRLVvjIfe3/s16000/1.png" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6DOz2C7UCgOKDztzhXUtm1nN8JpPydECLoATlRNXAZbBXwZxQ7yRKYkWgRM6xJfhElpNssKK_6sGnYThiEAfx_-knP0MJskOMgSLattkx9Sl1HEAbhINnT4aje5cYE-jbjz-j31QTsNyISXYy2eAdt6vPfvWXThpaWm3rfyGzvK-bA-GDQ6y6AlIOO2K/s2000/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1545" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6DOz2C7UCgOKDztzhXUtm1nN8JpPydECLoATlRNXAZbBXwZxQ7yRKYkWgRM6xJfhElpNssKK_6sGnYThiEAfx_-knP0MJskOMgSLattkx9Sl1HEAbhINnT4aje5cYE-jbjz-j31QTsNyISXYy2eAdt6vPfvWXThpaWm3rfyGzvK-bA-GDQ6y6AlIOO2K/s16000/2.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-75432182197221963172023-11-27T02:32:00.000-08:002023-11-27T02:34:56.943-08:00Clothing in the Backcountry<br />One of the key things to pay attention to when preparing to go on a hike deep into the backcountry is to bring multiple layers of clothing. Each layer combined in a wet and cold environment is going to be crucial to keep you dry and warm. An example of layers would be a t-shirt, sweatshirt, puffy jacket, and a rain jacket. The rain jacket protects the down puffy jacket from getting wet from the rain. If rain permeated the down puffy jacket then it would lose it’s ability to keep you warm. The sweatshirt is then another layer of warmth and the t-shirt serves as the base layer and provides the best comfort on the skin. While you’re exerting yourself hiking, or as the weather gets warmer and dryer, then you may choose to reduce layers such as the rain jacket, puffy jacket, and maybe the sweatshirt.<br /><br /><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9rEzbjNBIP1SYhh05EDT_Notd3DUGhk_D73gGQXbzReBg9Y73EYI-3wq7m4Q1HVeDyDLAxU_bbJV_h8QUYjUUkrzhxad4yckPDmhyphenhyphencsRUPWOePM8YWAYaU2alDgKNxHMI1P432Edy4SDu25fNLFoJiEanP1qSZz4UsoLVp9wDuqLrrHdkLfDaRfzCLjr/s4032/IMG_9562.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9rEzbjNBIP1SYhh05EDT_Notd3DUGhk_D73gGQXbzReBg9Y73EYI-3wq7m4Q1HVeDyDLAxU_bbJV_h8QUYjUUkrzhxad4yckPDmhyphenhyphencsRUPWOePM8YWAYaU2alDgKNxHMI1P432Edy4SDu25fNLFoJiEanP1qSZz4UsoLVp9wDuqLrrHdkLfDaRfzCLjr/s320/IMG_9562.png" width="320" /></a></div>KEEPING EXTRA CLOTHES DRY</b><br />Keep your extra layers of clothes that you’re not currently using dry by stuffing them in a dry sack. This will protect your clothes during a downpour of rain or if having to walk across the river with your backpack partially submerged.<br /><br /></div><div><b>STAYING WARMER IN THE MORNING</b><br />After staying warm and cozy in your sleeping bag throughout a cold night it can be non-motivating to get out of your sleeping bag to put on clothes that have become cold throughout the night. To make this sleeping to awake transition more comfortable, consider storing tomorrow’s clothes inside of the sleeping bag while you’re sleeping and your body heat trapped in your sleeping bag will keep your clothes warm in the morning. This is much more pleasant than putting cold clothes on!<br /><br /></div><div><b>FEELING AND SMELLING CLEAN </b><br />I used to wonder how some hikers don’t bring that many clothes when going on a hike for multiple weeks. I’ve since learned that the secret is in the type of fabric your clothes are made out of. Experienced hikers have a saying that “cotton kills.” While cotton may be comfortable to wear at home, it’s not best to wear it when exerting yourself on a hike. The cotton will soak up and retain a lot of moisture from your sweat. While this may not be a big deal when you’re hot, it can become dangerous when it cools than and you can possibly get hypothermia without realizing it at first. <br /><br /></div><div>Polyester is a good reasonably priced alternative to cotton that is great at wicking away moisture. It’s great to use for a long day hike, however it will likely retain an odor after a full day of hiking. That being said, for multiple day trips, it’s not the best option if you don’t want to smell and feel stinky. A better option would be Merino Wool which wicks away moisture as well as wicks away odors. It’s possible to hike 10+ miles a day 3-5 days a week and the next morning the clothes won’t stink. You could hike 10 miles a day three days in a row, and the next morning the shirt won’t likely stink at all. You may not even realize the shirt may be dirty. These clothes are more expensive than cotton and polyester but if you’re taking less clothes on the hike, it could balance itself out and then you’re also carrying less weight in your backpack. Having socks made of Merino Wool is also greatly beneficial to prevent blisters from forming.<br /><br /></div><div><b>BONUS TIP</b><br />When going on a multi-day backpacking trip that’s hours away from home, bring an extra pair of clothes, socks, and shoes to leave in the car for you to change into when you conclude the hike and drive back home. It will make the ride home so much more comfortable!<br /><br /></div><div><b>SPIRITUAL TRUTH</b><br />As it is important to bring multiple layers of clothing when going camping in the wilderness, it is vital for Christians to clothe themselves with multiple layers of spiritual attributes. These are not layers that we’ll want to remove but to continue to put on in our lives. Paul gave the following list of attributes for Christians to be clothed with:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Mercy</li><li>Kindess</li><li>Humility</li><li>Meekness</li><li>Longsuffering</li><li>Forbearing One Another</li><li>Forgiving One Another</li><li>Charity</li></ul>Colossians 3:12–15 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.<br /><br /></div><div>In the scriptures we see that Peter also emphasizes the same or similar attributes that Paul did for living the Christian life.<br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Faith</li><li>Virtue</li><li>Knowledge</li><li>Temperance (Self Control)</li><li>Patience</li><li>Godliness</li><li>Brotherly Kindess</li><li>Charity</li></ul>Peter writes that if we continue to add these things to our life that we will be fruitful in our walk with the Lord. Those that lack these things don’t form a deep understanding and appreciation for the forgiveness of sins that they’ve received by God’s grace. When we aren’t growing our knowledge of Christ, we end up living unfruitful lives. Layer yourselves with these spiritual attributes and may it be a light to others of the peace of God that rules in your hearts. <br /><br /><b>2 Peter 1:5–10</b> And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:</div>Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-91595139804129559502023-11-09T07:30:00.028-08:002023-11-09T07:30:00.133-08:00Food in the Backcountry<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyhniqpancu0KGQV2VGKuaX6zDZqv51yxDpbS-b65j0_oen34RhjsIc7OWshha2O66o2exWqR9WI72Z8mDDsw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><b>THE ESSENTIAL NATURE OF FOOD</b></b></div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">One of the essentials to bring when camping in the backcountry is food. We all know that food is essential for our bodies to live and thrive. With the exception of fasting for brief amounts of time, no one recommends eating just once a month or even once a week. While there are a variety of opinions on what diet is best, almost all nutrition experts would agree that it is essential to eat food on a daily basis.</span><p></p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">When doing long hikes in the wilderness it is important to increase your calorie and protein intake since you are exerting yourself more. It is also a good idea to bring more food than you think you’ll need just incase you get lost or stranded due to getting hurt. Many hikers recommend planning for at least one full extra day’s worth of food. Our family has been on a five day hike before where I didn’t adequately pack enough food as I was trying to plan our hike so that we are carrying as little weight as possible. Thankfully we were able to make it stretch but we were hungry throughout the trip. My wife said she would plan the food for the next trip and ended up overpacking causing our loads to be much heavier than it needed to be as we had lots of food left over after the trip. Through experience we have learned a good balance of having the right amount of food but not have more weight to carry than we need to. That said, it is good to plan at least one extra day’s worth of food just incase of an emergency. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>PROPER STORAGE</b></span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gVhFMuM9XguVCHnY2lNKBIsLwYLNT6syl9YuATf9Ol3nmqLjTVFwzLFcGRKZ6sGvO-oAoqvkuFV6gCmIB1TBHUwXz8AoK8XcVNEqeeaG4jfMDASahLxsiMNh8p3wDOyCbbDLiBt5Q5shE29_Cfr9Qvo2qnT4Z74l8SgWdS3HJe7e1xrKmTmuGhvKWCuD/s1024/Canister.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gVhFMuM9XguVCHnY2lNKBIsLwYLNT6syl9YuATf9Ol3nmqLjTVFwzLFcGRKZ6sGvO-oAoqvkuFV6gCmIB1TBHUwXz8AoK8XcVNEqeeaG4jfMDASahLxsiMNh8p3wDOyCbbDLiBt5Q5shE29_Cfr9Qvo2qnT4Z74l8SgWdS3HJe7e1xrKmTmuGhvKWCuD/s320/Canister.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>In bear country it is often required to have a bear canister food storage system or to hang your food in a <br />tree. This is because bears and other wildlife can smell miles away. Some sources say that bears can smell scents up to around 20 miles away. You definitely don’t want a bear digging into your tent in search of food while you’re sleeping. It would be a nightmare to wake up to! It is recommended to store your food in a bear canister or bear hang at least 100 feet away from your campsite. Just don’t be inconsiderate like one man was to us who basically put his bear hang on a tree in our campsite. I wanted to go bring my bear resistant food canister into his campsite to make a point but thankfully I resisted the temptation to do so as that would have been responding in the flesh instead of in the spirit. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">It’s not just the bears, cougars, elk, or other big animals that might try to get into your tent if they smell food in it. So even if you’re not in bear country it would still be wise to bring a hard food canister to store your food away from the campsite otherwise rodents (rats, raccoons, chipmunks, squirrels, etc) may chew their way inside of your tent. It is also vital to not feed the wildlife. Yes, it may be cute seeing a chipmunk or bird eat food out of your hand, but you are conditioning the animals to see humans as their food source. This can cause them to unlearn their instincts to find food in the winter when there is less people hiking but it can also cause these little critters to get aggressive towards humans along the hiking trail. Likewise, don’t feed the big animals either. There is a saying that goes “a fed bear is a dead bear.” This is because a bear in the wild that grows accustomed to seeing humans as a food source can become more aggressive and attack humans. A friend of mine had a grizzly encounter this past summer. The bear kept walking towards them as they were fishing and they were having a hard time scaring the bear off. While they were able to get out of the area safely, this could have been fatal. They learned that other hikers and fisherman were throwing salmon towards the bear. Sometimes this was because they thought it was an exciting experience to feed the bear and sometimes it was out of fear, throwing the bear a fish in hopes that it wouldn’t come after them. This conditioning caused this grizzly to be a danger to hikers and fisherman. This then endangers the life of the bear as sometimes the rangers will have to put them down so they’re not a threat to humans.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>THE NECESSITY FOR SPIRITUAL FOOD</b></span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus gave us a model prayer that includes praying for our daily bread (Luke 11:3). When we are hungry sometimes our stomach will growl as a reminder to eat food. While this is a great reminder to eat food, it is easy to forget taking time to partake in our spiritual food. By spiritual food I mean reading the Bible on a consistent basis. The word of God is spiritual food for our daily life. Reading it more than once a day can be helpful in forming a healthy spiritual habit. The psalmist says about the righteous man in Psalm 1:2 that “his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Food is absolutely necessary to live but we see that Job’s attitude to the word of God was that it was even more of a priority to him than his necessary food. </span><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br />Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">In Psalms we see that the word of God is to be desired more than “much fine gold” and sweeter than “honey and the honeycomb.” God’s word gives us warnings that if we take heed to them will benefit us greatly. God’s word was not meant to be grievous to us nor to take away the fun out of life, but was meant for our own benefit individually and collectively as a community.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Psalm 19:9–11 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: And in keeping of them there is great reward.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.</span></div>Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-75262332168160210272023-11-06T04:54:00.002-08:002023-11-06T04:55:47.286-08:00Carrying Our Burdens<p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwV31jcEoHvKmf25Fkr_hP1mA40x6qkoIa9iFQNLejxVeULqyo50fxe5gmnr5yDa5Dctz508fbyhAiSLFhgprZluv6R9t4m_T8CsWK5As_KVgQ12VGySvsVmlaUyGbevTdafafgwK5M1l04smplzCXEdRSEucSpyAtuAfFKo-PvUpDDfSWNZ6cnsx4b9xg/s4032/IMG_6750.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwV31jcEoHvKmf25Fkr_hP1mA40x6qkoIa9iFQNLejxVeULqyo50fxe5gmnr5yDa5Dctz508fbyhAiSLFhgprZluv6R9t4m_T8CsWK5As_KVgQ12VGySvsVmlaUyGbevTdafafgwK5M1l04smplzCXEdRSEucSpyAtuAfFKo-PvUpDDfSWNZ6cnsx4b9xg/w400-h225/IMG_6750.png" width="400" /></a></b></div><u><b>Carrying Our Burdens</b> </u><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Going backpacking in the wilderness for multiple days means you’re going to be carrying a burden. There are things you can do to help ease the burden but there still will be a burden of weight to carry. Yet that burden is also what contains your blessings. Your backpack contains things that are going to be needful for your trip such as food, water, clothing, a sleeping bag, pad, a tent for shelter, and many other items. Can you imagine having to carry all of those without a backpack though? That would be a miserable way to hike. The backpack keeps everything combined and the weight centralized and evenly distributed. The hip bel helps so all the weight isn’t felt on your shoulders. The various pockets also help organize your smaller items. You can also use trekking poles to help ease the burden on your legs and potentially prevent an injury. </span><p></p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><u>Sharing and Carrying Each Other’s Burdens</u></b></span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">While there are burdens you’re going to have to carry, bringing a partner hiking with you will surely ease the burden off of both of you if you split and share the loads. I suppose the best way to plan a hike is to carry as little weight as possible personally and bring a friend who packs their fears by overpacking.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">In Galatians 6:1-9 it tells us that in our spiritual walk that we are to bear our own burden but also that we fulfill the law of Christ when we bear one another’s burdens. It is a joy to help lighten the load of others. The Bible says “let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” The Christian life can sometimes be tiresome but the reward comes with perseverance. Can you imagine someone beginning a 40 mile hike to see a beautiful alpine lake with the mountains as the backdrop but they stop just short of their destination? That would feel like a big let down after hiking so far to get so close but not get to enjoy the beauty of the destination.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><u>Giving Our Burdens to the Lord</u></b></span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">When your load is too heavy, cast your burden to the Lord. Psalm 55:22 says “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Sometimes we carry burdens that are unnecessary. Each time I go on a hike I try to think about things I didn’t use for the past couple of hikes and examine if I can safely leave any of them behind on this trip. There are sins and weights that easily beset us that we should leave behind in life. Grudges, bitterness, anger, and a double mind are just a few things we should let go of. The burden of forgiveness is much lighter than holding a grudge. We see in the book of Job that Job had multiple trials come into his life. His friends even speculated and told him things that implied that he wasn’t walking with the Lord so God was punishing him. It can be hurtful to have your friends think such about you. Yet an interesting nugget we see in Job was that it was when he prayed for his friends that God removed the burden and blessed him.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Job 42:10 And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The burdens you carry in life may be what contains the blessings that God will open for you in due time. </span></div>Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-57240619468848690852022-11-02T03:51:00.001-07:002022-11-02T03:51:31.593-07:00Standing in Awe<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKWjUtPq5H4yHntx8uVJC7Oyg9AJ_ColPB0CTX9m6dpms42SOCVKQg_lFS3FJEn5NRh0XkwbuFxJXSVRDlmH5EVntim1HOofGqJeFh4ag9P1ymgaLMhQanPQX0BWRCKs1cosjb0zbQ3B8rMkLtnlb2G1wWYqy1Iivz0ZPxQ_LafQ4Dnx97E2CBc0cKw/s4032/IMG_1422.jpeg" style="clear: right; 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text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGcfVoZ0i897uFBTF8uvJwvZrQ24pLqxddVVXle_nJs16DskN8MaKxqvuCP_SaCN1YZ6PlQ4fkSv8ITPSyGmIv1hkbxpE3t_rcMPIggQq0Xf57b5ktCdaw-tpeCyZhE_otIREHTv3anBnfRNfDppsM3ahcVkheko8EISqhced8pDMSzVNwLmuUU8kYg/s4032/IMG_0611.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGcfVoZ0i897uFBTF8uvJwvZrQ24pLqxddVVXle_nJs16DskN8MaKxqvuCP_SaCN1YZ6PlQ4fkSv8ITPSyGmIv1hkbxpE3t_rcMPIggQq0Xf57b5ktCdaw-tpeCyZhE_otIREHTv3anBnfRNfDppsM3ahcVkheko8EISqhced8pDMSzVNwLmuUU8kYg/s320/IMG_0611.jpeg" width="180" /></i></a></div><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><b>Psalm 33:8 </b>Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.</i></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">This year our family has been fortunate to be able to go on adventurous hikes that have left us in complete awe when we saw the great beauty in the diversity of the nature that God created. My wife and I went hiking in the rain and camped alongside a river and saw several beautiful waterfalls. One of them was called Tunnel Falls because you walk behind the waterfall in a tunnel to get to the other side. Oh how nice the sounds of hearing the waterfall crashing into the creek was! With two of our oldest boys we were able to do a 46 mile round trip hike up Mount Olympus to see the glistering blue glacier and on a separate day hike climb up to the peak of Mount Saint Helens. With my younger boys we were able to hike through different valleys. As a family we were able to<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>see the magnificent beauty of Zion National Park and some of us hiked up to the top of Angel’s Landing. According to some reports is considered one of the top three most dangerous day hikes in America but the beauty of the canyon from up top is without comparison. We got to hike The Narrows through the Virgin river which flows between a canyon of incredible rock and saw a cold spring bubbling over a rock at the end. I was able to see the amazing geological formations of Bryce Canyon while the rest of my family took a day of rest. On our way to see the Grand Canyon we stopped by Horseshoe Bend and saw the beauty of the rock carved from the massive waters from the global flood of Noah’s day. It’s amazing that even through an act of judgement, God then made all things new and beautiful again.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><b>1 Chronicles 16:12 </b>Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;</i></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">As we stood in awe of the beauty of God’s creation we couldn’t help but give God praise for what we were able to experience. I was reminded that there is so much more than just God’s earthly creation to be in awe of God about. Here are a few things that would be helpful for us to be mindful to be in awe of our creator.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><h3 style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>Jesus</b></h3><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">For the Christian it almost goes without saying, but let us never lose the awe of the salvation that God gives us in Christ Jesus. Salvation from our sin and the consequences thereof is definitely something to be in awe about. How grateful we can be that we no longer even have to spend a minute in hell let alone for all eternity separated from fellowship with God. However, let us recognize that greater than salvation is Jesus himself. In him we live, and move, and have our being <b>(Acts 17:28)</b>. It’d be better to experience hell on earth, with Jesus, than in a heaven without Jesus.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><h3 style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>His Grace</b></h3><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">May we forever be in awe of God’s grace and mercy. God’s grace being his unmerited favor, mercy being that he doesn’t punish us according to what we deserve. Our unrighteousness Jesus freely took upon himself, and his perfect righteousness he offers to us through believing the gospel of Jesus Christ <b>(Romans 4)</b>.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><h3 style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>Care in the Storm</b></h3><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Jesus told us that we would experience trials and hardships in this life, but we learn from his time with his disciples that Jesus was with them even in the midst of storms. He can say to the storm “peace, be still” and there become a great calm. Even when there isn’t calmness and we’re still in the fire, we can be assured that Jesus is there with us <b>(Daniel 3:25).</b></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><h3 style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>God’s Word</b></h3><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">When our Bible cover is always closed then we miss out on this one, but when it’s open and we’re reading it, it can be like finding an oasis when life was feeling like a desert. From God’s word we are warned of many dangers, shown how we can have an abundant life filled with joy, and to continue to grow in our walk with the Lord. <b><i>Psalm 119:18 </i></b><i>Open thou mine eyes, That I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. </i><b><i>Psalm 119:161 </i></b><i>…my heart standeth in awe of thy word.</i></p><h3 style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /><b>A New Hope</b></h3><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">God gives us a new life that includes a new hope. God doesn’t hold us in bondage to our past. He gives us a hope that overcomes all despair that we may have faced in our life.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b><i>Romans 15:13 </i></b><i>Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.</i></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><h3 style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>He Hears Us</b></h3><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Not only does God hear our prayers, he takes interest in hearing us. As a father loves to give good gifts to his children, our Heavenly Father takes pleasure in answering our prayers. <b><i>Hebrews 4:16</i></b><i> Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. <b>Jeremiah 33:3 </b>Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.</i></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><h3 style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>Peace</b></h3><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Not only does God give his children peace, its a marvelous peace that the world doesn’t understand. I stand in amazement of the peace that God gives me even when the world, economy, governments, etc, are all plummeting to new lows and crime and wickedness peaking at new highs. There is nothing for children of the King of kings to worry about! <b><i>Philippians 4:6–7</i></b><i> Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.</i></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><h3 style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>Purpose</b></h3><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">God not only saved us by his grace, he also gives us purpose in life. As I see many in the world sadly sitting around living like they have no purpose in life, my soul feels burdened for them and it reminds me to be thankful that I’m able to wake up every day understanding that God has a purpose for my life.<i> </i><b><i>Ephesians 2:10</i></b><i> For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.</i></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><h3 style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>A New Creation</b></h3><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Along with a new hope in this life, we are eagerly waiting for a future new creation. A new heaven and a new earth not tainted by sin and its curse. As much as I enjoy hiking in God’s beautiful garden called earth, I can’t even imagine how amazing and beautiful the new earth will be like! See <b>Revelation 21</b>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><h3 style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>Church</b></h3><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Oh the marvelousness of the wisdom of God in establishing the church. What a privilege it is that we get to be members of his body, to be exhorted by the preaching of God’s word, to worship Jesus in community, to edify one another, to help carry burdens for each other, and there are many other benefits that God loads us with by being a part of his church. While some may feel it’s a chore coming to God’s local assembly, I look forward to being with God’s people on the first day of the week <b>(Hebrews 10:24-25)</b>. As Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost, he chose to use us in the continuation of that mission till he comes again <b>(Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><h3 style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>He Will Never Leave Us</b></h3><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Let’s be real. In life, broken relationships happen. Best friends sometimes get to the point where they don’t even see each other anymore. While just about every new marriage plans on being married for life, divorce sadly happens on a large scale. Relationships between parents and children are sometimes dissolved. How much more meaningful is it to know that God will never leave us. He’s never going to take away the salvation he’s given us. It’s called everlasting life for a reason. It’s eternal! What awe we can have for a gracious God that will never leave us! <i><b>Hebrews 13:5 </b>Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.</i></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Let the world see you in awe of your God. We aren’t to keep our excitement about our God to ourself, or revealed only when we are at church services. The heathen, the lost ought to see us in awe and praise to our God. It may be your testimony that God uses to draw them to himself. Live your faith out loud as you stand in awe of your God.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><b>Psalm 4:4 </b>Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.</i></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrDgIXNkd03WUIJ41WnTDP-qxgvGaHE74WU4VVJaP74z2C_BU48qQ1seosOCRlEhJIftRanu5nAe0OJnAHEiackJ3JkDcfJEsX7yhkw3xdAugJKEDpTyo6f5fzNHo9I80DWFF3M7GwhM9egbn1QYBIxlmb0MncXXCX3GxNGi0tfLzMwrk-cZQ11rcyQ/s4032/IMG_9297.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrDgIXNkd03WUIJ41WnTDP-qxgvGaHE74WU4VVJaP74z2C_BU48qQ1seosOCRlEhJIftRanu5nAe0OJnAHEiackJ3JkDcfJEsX7yhkw3xdAugJKEDpTyo6f5fzNHo9I80DWFF3M7GwhM9egbn1QYBIxlmb0MncXXCX3GxNGi0tfLzMwrk-cZQ11rcyQ/s320/IMG_9297.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><i><b>1 Chronicles 16:23–26 </b>Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; His marvellous works among all nations. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: He also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: But the Lord made the heavens.</i><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We can go on and on about what things we can be in awe about our Saviour. Our God is truly marvelous! What are some things you’re in awe of God about? Let me know in the comments.</p><p></p>Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-55181306511766744062022-03-22T02:04:00.002-07:002022-03-22T02:06:16.370-07:00Rejoice in the Lord<i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lIm13h7xFajHHk5f_2FSIIlz7QNn_ZRK82uEzj3p5_rTH6wRV3xC5vSjQzzP97Mnr_bH-LF-njeHtWxZwlRpiYDN39EoaESUfCS0ZqV1cwB1kMOHZ_uHmbMia10tziBLu5uukTDZ9G6JC-XCAEIFkaYwdI9mUyqtxmFXBX_wqlJMM0wsK2yvuFhflg/s1280/cliff-g5d247f94f_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1280" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lIm13h7xFajHHk5f_2FSIIlz7QNn_ZRK82uEzj3p5_rTH6wRV3xC5vSjQzzP97Mnr_bH-LF-njeHtWxZwlRpiYDN39EoaESUfCS0ZqV1cwB1kMOHZ_uHmbMia10tziBLu5uukTDZ9G6JC-XCAEIFkaYwdI9mUyqtxmFXBX_wqlJMM0wsK2yvuFhflg/w400-h267/cliff-g5d247f94f_1280.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Luke 10:17–20</b> And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. </i><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes our joy can be misplaced. Our joy can even be on good things that shouldn’t be the focus of what makes us feel happy. The disciples of Jesus were astounded and excited about having power over the devils through the name of Jesus. While it was good that they did give glory to the name of the Lord Jesus, even He said the power to cast out devils isn’t the thing to rejoice about. Likewise, God tells us not to rejoice when our enemies stumble. </div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>Proverbs 24:17–18</b> "Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, And let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, And he turn away his wrath from him.” </i></div><div><br /></div><div>When someone that despises us does something wrongfully to us, and then we see some type of tragedy happen in their life, it might bring the question to our mind “Is God punishing them?” He may not be, but it’s possible that He might be. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t rejoice in that, but rather should take on the attitude of Moses who prayed and interceded for the children of Israel even when they were speaking evil of him and complaining about God. Moses understood that vengeance belonged unto God, but he also understood that mercy did as well, and therefore he prayed for God to have mercy upon Israel. God desires for our heart to be pure walking in the Spirit. He tells us to not rejoice when we have victory over our enemies whether they be physical or spiritual. What he does tell us to rejoice about is that our names are written in heaven. With a Christians citizenship being in heaven, no enemy of ours can conquer us. When you’re feeling weak, and perceive that people are against you, and that you’re in spiritual warfare with the devil and his angels fighting against you, remember that your strength isn’t in carnal weapons, but that the “joy of the Lord” is your strength. Jesus said to abide in Him and your joy will be full. As Paul told the church at Philippi, I exhort you "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” You will find your spiritual strength not by trying to be tougher than your enemies, but by having the joy of the Lord. <div><br /></div><div><b>Nehemiah 8:10</b> Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.</div></div>Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-64414635420512754212019-11-05T12:42:00.001-08:002019-11-05T12:42:27.571-08:00Sermon Notes Journals<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbRe7jagnHiWiGCHdTCQCUeyAJWtNVhOdoqfXviptDMBgPP07ZdLA-STq6iUkOHLjgnYlf6g_iXmUPCxHztJfLzzNH9_0ZP4rI16y8FWFSThaPxIAfT4AlbeDst7cntrMN96-GBMW42fB/s1600/floral+journal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1500" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbRe7jagnHiWiGCHdTCQCUeyAJWtNVhOdoqfXviptDMBgPP07ZdLA-STq6iUkOHLjgnYlf6g_iXmUPCxHztJfLzzNH9_0ZP4rI16y8FWFSThaPxIAfT4AlbeDst7cntrMN96-GBMW42fB/s320/floral+journal.jpg" width="320" /></a>We just released a brand new feminine floral journal for sermon note taking. It consists of a beautiful teal background with flowers on the top and bottom edges of the cover with a scripture verse about the virtuous "Proverbs 31 Woman" who is faithful to the Lord and her household. When difficult times arise, she is known to be a woman of strength and honor. Godly women work hard and there can be times when they feel overwhelmed, are discouraged feeling like they're not doing enough, perhaps when she sees her child fall short in some area she then undeservedly feels the blame. Every woman can use encouragement to stay faithful and to remain steadfast, that through all her toil and hard work, the time will come where she will be full of rejoicing.</div>
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Consider getting this sermon notes journal for a godly woman that you consider to be a Proverbs 31 type woman, to serve as a reminder to her to keep on being a woman of strength and honor that follows the Lord with the promise of rejoicing in time to come. Inspire a teenager to be a godly lady with this tool to take notes of sermons at church.</div>
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<b>Proverbs 31:25 </b></div>
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<i>Strength and honour are her clothing; And she shall rejoice in time to come.</i></div>
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The interior pages have a beautiful floral border and the journal has a few prompts to help guide people to take notes of highlights of life changing messages at church. To see all of the journals we currently have available visit the following page.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.christianjournals.org/">www.ChristianJournals.org</a></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzf8nLCo6spNsQGgLY2NVOlyZu4XgDgPWbebtyEoWsb-ae-EgJvTPeJ4JXL3015O59b-YxV46BerwEq-gkxur2mKRBPxLzU_cv697VZqmKyokefYIPErd-uR2KCjGE7NwaR-XG3q3gXzt/s1600/floral-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="340" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzf8nLCo6spNsQGgLY2NVOlyZu4XgDgPWbebtyEoWsb-ae-EgJvTPeJ4JXL3015O59b-YxV46BerwEq-gkxur2mKRBPxLzU_cv697VZqmKyokefYIPErd-uR2KCjGE7NwaR-XG3q3gXzt/s320/floral-1.png" width="206" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rKdpb_8y1B6TN3m21R-XmR6arlwcZjQQZLfJ1jH-L7E4SSHTW3ndKgpgdSS6VsFU0omgZzGw0XKh0u4eskIB7-iPYgs5rsH1ZGBBGWot9dKggLhl8Je41WkWNkJFusY1UQbwV_fs4oZV/s1600/floral-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="342" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rKdpb_8y1B6TN3m21R-XmR6arlwcZjQQZLfJ1jH-L7E4SSHTW3ndKgpgdSS6VsFU0omgZzGw0XKh0u4eskIB7-iPYgs5rsH1ZGBBGWot9dKggLhl8Je41WkWNkJFusY1UQbwV_fs4oZV/s320/floral-2.png" width="207" /></a></div>
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Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-2473832943293640112017-10-20T17:30:00.000-07:002017-10-20T17:32:00.187-07:00The Lord is Sovereign in the Storm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5bJQFN83pBW0-vWOt-vWLKWkx1JQx6StlAUQmsu4qVw_cKotg_dtzfxgNmPLNaFwLI9oaL12ADqcJ-lY5bHDzWsf0SOhkwz46uqNmjksAfHOC_lNz6o1R-XyshvRDuLl8qrWK3-wIA_Y/s1600/storm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="960" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5bJQFN83pBW0-vWOt-vWLKWkx1JQx6StlAUQmsu4qVw_cKotg_dtzfxgNmPLNaFwLI9oaL12ADqcJ-lY5bHDzWsf0SOhkwz46uqNmjksAfHOC_lNz6o1R-XyshvRDuLl8qrWK3-wIA_Y/s400/storm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Jonah 1:1–4 </b><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-kerning: none;">In the historical account of Jonah we see that God will at times send storms. When viewed from a distance, we awe at the amazing power of storms, earthquakes, and fires. In Psalm 107 beginning in verse 23 we read <i>“they that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.”</i> When we are personally in the midst of a storm whether it be literally or figuratively, our awe turns into great fear and as the Bible states, we can feel as if we are at our wits’ end. These storms are sometimes sent by God into our lives as we see with Jonah, and other times they are allowed by God as we see in the account of Job where Satan brings various trials into his life. The scriptures are affirmative that God is sovereign over the universe, but why would a loving God allow His creation to go through difficult storms? Sometimes it is just the course of nature effected by the curse of sin. <i>Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. </i>Yet there are times that God for specific reasons brings storms into our life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Judgment</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Throughout the scriptures there is abundance of evidence that God often brings storms or plagues as an act of judgment upon wicked nations (Sodom, Gomorrah, Egypt) and individuals (Herod being eaten of worms, Acts 12:23). God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another. (Psalm 75:7) The proper response to warnings of judgment would be to repent like Nineveh did and place your faith in the Lord for salvation. Jesus Christ through his death, burial, and resurrection gave us the power to become children of God and to provide deliverance for us from His wrath upon the wicked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Chastening</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;">With Jonah we see an example of how disobedience always leads us into troubled waters. When you run away from the Lord, you never get to where you are going, and you always pay your own fare. The Bible says that “the way of transgressors is hard.” On the other hand, when you go the Lord’s way, you always get to where you are going, and He pays the fare. The mariners found Jonah fast asleep during the turmoil of the storm. When you’re running from God, it will wear you out more than it will walking with Him. In God’s mercy, He sent a whale to swallow Jonah to preserve his life and bring him to shore. How much easier it would have been for Jonah if he had just said yes to the Lord’s command to go preach in Nineveh. Nevertheless, God will use chastening to draw us back to Him, and bring us in accordance with his will because He loves us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Hebrews 12:6, 9-11 </b>For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.</span> </blockquote>
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Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.</blockquote>
<span style="font-kerning: none;">If you are currently facing a storm in your life, ask the Lord to reveal if it’s because of His loving chastisement. It may not be, but it just might be. Pray with the mindset David had when he wrote <i>Psalm 139:23–24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”</i> God does not mean us ill but chastens us for our wellbeing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Proverbs 3:11–12</b> My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: for whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">To Grow Us and Show His Glory</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Just because we are in the midst of a storm does not mean we are facing the judgment or chastening of God. In life there will be difficulties and troubles to the best of people. But why? Questions of why have been asked for centuries. Even Jesus’ disciples asked him <i>“who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?”</i> supposing someone was at fault for this hardship. Jesus answered, <i>“neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him”</i> and then Jesus healed the man of his blindness (John 9). Sometimes God places storms in our life that Christ might be glorified through us. God described Job as a man who was <i>“perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil”</i> and yet he loss his cattle, servants, even his children, and became severely ill. Most of us probably would sink into depression and question the goodness of God. Job grieved, but through this great storm he sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. Job’s response was to continue to worship God and said <i>“naked came I out of my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return thither: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord”</i> (Job 1:20-21). After going through even more trials he retained this attitude and said of the Lord <i>“though he slay me, yet will I trust in him"</i> (Job 13:15). Job was able to cope with the trials of life because he understood that His God was sovereign and the supreme caregiver.</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Jonah faced a fierce storm because of disobedience, the apostle Paul on the other hand endured many storms of life because he was faithful to the Lord even in the face of persecution. Jesus even said to Ananias regarding Paul <i>“I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”</i> Paul ended up later writing to Timothy <i><b>“</b>Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution”</i> (2 Timothy 3:12). Peter wrote in his first epistle <i><b>“</b>Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”</i> </span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;">When Jonathan Edwards, the great pastor and theologian died unexpectedly from a smallpox vaccination, his wife wrote these words, <i>“What shall I say? A holy and good God has covered us with a dark cloud. O that we may kiss the rod, and lay our hands on our mouths! The Lord has done it...but my God lives; and he has my heart...we are all given to God.”</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>James 1:2–5 </b>My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Are you facing a storm in your life? Ask the Lord if He’s chastening you for sin and if so, repent and draw nigh unto the Lord. If it’s not chastisement, then rest content that God is allowing you to suffer to show forth his praise and glory. Rather than doubt the goodness of God, remember the proclamation in Genesis 18:25 <i>“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”</i> Be of good courage throughout the battles of life. </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(87, 135, 38);">Historian Mark Brinsley wrote:</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">A battlefield is a deadly place, even for generals; and it would be naive to suppose (Stonewall) Jackson never felt the animal fear of all beings exposed to wounds and death. But invariably he displayed extraordinary calm under fire, a calm too deep and masterful to be mere pretense. His apparent obliviousness to danger attracted notice, and after the first Manassas battle someone asked him how he managed it.</span> </blockquote>
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Stonewall Jackson replied <i>“My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God knows the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter where it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.”</i></blockquote>
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The same Lord who is sovereign to bring storms into your life is the same Lord who is sovereign to calm the storms. If He chooses not to calm the storm, and you're right with the Lord, be at peace knowing that He is in the midst of the storm with you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Matthew 8:25–27 </b>And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(255, 38, 0);">Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!</span></blockquote>
Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-78683217234820510932017-01-06T01:28:00.001-08:002021-11-26T17:22:18.458-08:00Bizarre Reasons People Have Left Their Church<div style="line-height: normal;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLntt9MfTaNNhGWkuv0zklwGODABW3bggWPXVJT2ukJt8e8uhE9uHa1gRYsONBO5Dv3OkvUlh0MACkD9ORu51UrWtOttMvvFq3xKotPiyISGiyHK2-npETZd6riVjFMpDKhJ7AylVlXka/s1600/itch.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLntt9MfTaNNhGWkuv0zklwGODABW3bggWPXVJT2ukJt8e8uhE9uHa1gRYsONBO5Dv3OkvUlh0MACkD9ORu51UrWtOttMvvFq3xKotPiyISGiyHK2-npETZd6riVjFMpDKhJ7AylVlXka/s320/itch.jpg" width="211" /></a><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I love the ministry and the people the Lord has called me to pastor. It is an honor to preach God's Word, exciting to see people trust in Christ for salvation, and amazing to witness their lives being transformed by the grace of God as they grow in their walk with the Lord. Nevertheless, there are heartbreaking challenges of the ministry. One such challenge is the revolving door that can be found in churches. As new people come into the church and the church starts to grow, there are others that happen to be leaving the church. Rather than church attendance being like a steady staircase of growth, it can be more like a rollercoaster of going up and down. Pastors are usually heartbroken when anyone leaves, but we’ve heard some reasons that really make you scratch your head. Some may even make you laugh. I asked some pastor friends to share with me some of the bizarre excuses they’ve personally heard. Here is a compilation of excuses us pastors have heard on why people have quit going to their local church.</span></span></div>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Someone asked us about our salvation experience, and we thought that question was too personal.</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The church service doesn’t end at noon every week like my friend’s church does, and that’ll make me late for lunch with them every Sunday.</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The pastor is too young or he is too old.</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;">My parents made me go to church, so now that I'm an adult I don't want to go anymore.</span><span style="color: #990000; text-indent: -36px;"> (Did their parents make them take baths and brush their teeth?)</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Church business meetings are held during the evening or midweek service instead of the Sunday morning service.</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Pastor, don't look at the clock! Just keep on preaching till you're done! A couple months later...they're leaving because they think the pastor preaches too long.</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The pastor doesn't get political enough in his messages, yet to another he is considered too political in his messages, hence they both leave.</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">There are not enough programs and activities to entertain the kids, they have to hear the pastor preach the word of God instead.</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">A couple complains that they can't hear the pastor's preaching very well and asks if he could speak up or adjust the volume some. A couple months later they leave the church saying the pastor is too loud for them.</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;">Observing the Lord's Table two to four times a year is not enough, we might forget that Jesus died for us if we don't do it more often. </span><span style="color: #990000; text-indent: -36px;">(Do they celebrate Christmas every month so they don't forget that Jesus was born? Did the Jews forsake fellow Israelites because they only observed the Passover once a year?)</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The pastor preaches the bible during Sunday School instead of teaching a Sunday school lesson. </span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The church doesn't have as many deacons and/or trustees as I think there should be (although I wasn't willing to serve in that capacity when they asked me if I would)</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">A friend or family member didn't like something that the pastor preached, so I'm upset with the pastor too now and am leaving...even though I know what the pastor said was from the Bible.</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I am stagnant and declining spiritually, and it's because of the pastor's preaching.</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The pastor personally bought something for the church, but he never asked the church to vote on it first.</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;">The church doesn’t have a potluck meal every week</span><span style="color: #990000; text-indent: -36px;"> (although the next church they attend doesn't have it every week either)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; text-indent: -36px;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #FFFFFF;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The church replaced the long pews with </span>cushioned chairs, and I think a church should have pews (although the next church we joined also uses chairs)</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; text-indent: -36px;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #FFFFFF;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The pastor had the treasurer step down from his role due to him and his wife not being faithful attenders to church, not being transparent with the finances, and they have a gambling addiction.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The pastor announced they were having a special offering coming up in several weeks, and the pastor reminded the congregation about it the next week when he gave church announcements.</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The pastor preached from Song of Solomon, Proverbs 5, and I Corinthians 7, and I don't think the parts of the bible that teach about marital intimacy should be taught in church.</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;">The Lord's Table is not always on a Sunday morning. Sometimes it's done Sunday night or during a midweek service. </span><span style="color: #990000; text-indent: -36px;">(Jesus didn't even institute the Lord's Table on a Sunday, but rather in the middle of the week.)</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The song leader sang a song that a member requested to be sung, but it was done as a special instead of as a congregational.</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;">I left the church because me and my family are going through struggles: personal sins, having marriage issues, trouble with addictions, etc. </span><span style="color: #990000; text-indent: -36px;">(Isn't that part of the reason remaining part of a church family is important?)</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The pastor is too passionate when he preaches, he actually jumped on a pew while he was preaching, and that's totally irreverent! This church should be solemn and monotone like the presbyterian church I used to go to.</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;">The church has dress standards when people are serving in leadership and ministry roles: Sunday school teachers, choir members, ushers, etc. </span>(translation: I am willing to wear a uniform for my job, or dress up for a wedding or funeral, but I'm not willing to abide by a dress code when serving at God's house)</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;">A family tells the pastor that they prayed about joining the church and that God is leading them to do so. A couple of weeks later they are leaving the church because "God is leading them in another direction." </span><span style="color: #990000; text-indent: -36px;">(They apparently found out something about the church that God didn't already know)</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #FFFFFF; text-indent: -36px;">I'm not telling the pastor why I'm leaving, I don't think it'll do any good. </span><span style="color: #990000; text-indent: -36px;">(Even though their concern was misperceived and had no factual basis)</span></span></li>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #FFFFFF;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">These are reasons people gave for leaving a church, but it's really an issue of the heart and one's personal walk with the Lord. Sometimes the whole family doesn’t even know why they are really leaving. It can be something simple as a pastor privately and lovingly challenging a man to spend more time with his wife and children. Instead of considering the advice, the man gets angry and through criticizing the pastor repetitively to his family, it turns them against the pastor, who they once loved and appreciated. The ironic part was that the pastor was trying to help them gain more time as a family. Another reason a family may leave a church can be simply because a good man is afraid to lead his family with conviction and righteousness because his wife is a brawling complaining woman and doesn’t like another church member or the pastor</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">, or because their children would rather go to an entertainment styled “church.” Sometimes a person leaves a church simply because they’re routine church hoppers, who are never satisfied (Proverbs 27:20). When they tell me that we are the fifth or sixth church they’ve visited in the past year, I know they’re not likely going to stay long. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Regardless of how comical the reasons may be in the above list, the reality is that my pastor friends and I are almost always grieved when anyone leaves. The work of the ministry must go on, so there is no time to have a pity party, there are still souls to be saved and believers to be discipled in the word, and worldwide missions to support. Nevertheless, pastors miss those who have been a part of the flock before and the church family also misses them being a part of the church body. They are people that you’ve grown to love and invested in, and perhaps led one of their family members to the Lord. Some of them even were a support to you and the ministry of the church at one time. Oftentimes those who were the most excited and greatest support to a new pastor coming in, end up being the ones that leave the church and hurt you the most. I still love those that spent a lot of their time criticizing me while they were a part of our church. Moses was a great example to look up to who continued to love and pray for his fellow hebrews even when they sinned and murmured against him and the Lord continually (Deut 9:13-29). As my pastor regularly taught me, “When you love people, you will get hurt, but love anyways.” I never truly understood the weight of that until I was a pastor myself.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEHimQLZuNZyihIl5AiO5GaW0DRZ2q24r2Q_v23tOJexfh6BZ7hyphenhyphenBDCgAO4Xm7R0zfPEemLSqxsFohLuymcDHSCBzseRg90wIiHBkZKMvgAUp1gNFC6kxM-Rc4ByljLpFp6RdgXdbcSgj/s1600/idea.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEHimQLZuNZyihIl5AiO5GaW0DRZ2q24r2Q_v23tOJexfh6BZ7hyphenhyphenBDCgAO4Xm7R0zfPEemLSqxsFohLuymcDHSCBzseRg90wIiHBkZKMvgAUp1gNFC6kxM-Rc4ByljLpFp6RdgXdbcSgj/s1600/idea.jpg" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Now imagine this! Imagine if instead of finding petty reasons to leave their church, people got engaged in the work of their church! Instead of getting bitter when offended by something, we chose to forbear and forgive one another. Instead of being a habitual critic, we went out soul winning and saw people saved. Imagine if everyone decided to stay and be fitly joined together with a right spirit and personally helped make their church great again! The fruit to the glory of God could be tremendous!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i><b>Ephesians 2:19–22 </b>Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i><b>Colossians 3:12–17 </b>Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.</i></span></span><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue", "arial", "helvetica", sans-serif"><i><b>Hebrews 10:25</b> Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Let us know in the comments any crazy bizarre reasons you’ve heard people say why they chose to quit their church.</span></span></div>
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Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-34324996954886489982015-09-29T02:18:00.002-07:002015-09-29T02:18:47.827-07:008 Thoughts on Fishing<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; min-height: 14px;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jesus often went fishing with his friends. It must have been one of those sports that he enjoyed. We also see in the scriptures that he loved having fish with his disciples for a nice meal. Jesus even used the idea of fishing as an illustration to reach others with the gospel. He told his disciples to follow him and that he would make them fishers of men.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Matthew 4:18–20 </i></b><i>And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, </i><span style="color: #ff2600; font-kerning: none;"><i>Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.</i></span><i> And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost and commissioned his church to do the same. This causes me to consider a question. Would it be plausible that if we are not fishing for men, then we are not truly following Christ? As I thought about fishing, some parallels of fishing for fish and fishing for men came to mind. Here are eight thoughts that I hope will help encourage you to follow Christ in fishing for men.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wise fishermen make preparation before they actually go out fishing. They put appropriate attire on for the activity. They get their gear. They’ll often prepare several leaders for their line in advance so they’re not spending too much of their time making leaders when they’re supposed to actually be fishing. We will generally be more effective in sharing the gospel with others when we prepare our self through prayer, meditate upon the word of God, and are actively part of our local church. When we come together as a church to exhort one another, it helps prepare us to go out into the world and be fishers of men. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is important to bring a tackle box with you when you go fishing as it provides storage for you to have enough supplies to go fishing. I’ve gone fishing before and didn’t have the right bait. I’ve forgotten to bring weights with me. When I was without these needed supplies, the time fishing wasn’t very profitable and I went home rather quickly. It is important to memorize bible verses and references so you can have scriptures stored in your mind to readily give the gospel and answer questions people may ask. For starters, the “Romans Road” is a good selection of scriptures to memorize (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9-10, 10:13, 5:1). Underline them in your bible, make cross references to other scriptures, and store them in your memory and it will do you well as a tackle box does for a fisherman.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOMccqLFZz8cv55awiPXNNRQJk5jpU_qi6482SjeEeb2fd9VeSOnq-XW-l6oL3Fu_3IHuoWlVD9u3hhLhyphenhypheneuj6bXt9f2j8rKEBmEQ0u4gDBDrgw5aLxztVYnvjqSY-bF3d-aVJwPRdbpZ/s1600/steelhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOMccqLFZz8cv55awiPXNNRQJk5jpU_qi6482SjeEeb2fd9VeSOnq-XW-l6oL3Fu_3IHuoWlVD9u3hhLhyphenhypheneuj6bXt9f2j8rKEBmEQ0u4gDBDrgw5aLxztVYnvjqSY-bF3d-aVJwPRdbpZ/s200/steelhead.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The first time I went fishing at a river I thought to myself, surely since I got here early in the morning and if I stay till dark then I’m bound to catch at least one fish. I didn’t catch anything after being out all day! Another fisherman told me that you can usually expect to catch a Steelhead every 500 casts or so. Then I read online that Steelhead is sometimes even called the “1,000 Cast Fish.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I learned to be a good fisherman requires patience. Some may give up fishing after trying only once or a few times. But real fishermen are patient and keep on trying. If a fisherman hasn’t caught any fish, or simply hasn’t caught his legal limit yet, he will often keep on trying. They don’t want to give up. They will tell themselves “just one more cast” over and over again. Fishing takes both patience and endurance. I’ve been told that when a relatively big fish takes the hook then it can take 1-3 hours to successfully reel the fish in. That can be exhausting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After going soul winning for so long and not leading anybody to Christ can sometimes be discouraging and make you think it’s useless spending your time that way. Yet we see the fisherman enduring with much patience till he catches something. And if he unfortunately doesn’t that day, he doesn’t just give up. He goes fishing again another day. The eternality of the soul in heaven or hell ought to be more of a concern to us than a steelhead or salmon. The more we go fishing for men, the more likely we’ll make a catch. We often will reap in proportion to how much we sow. The more patient and passionate the fisherman is, the more likely he will catch fish. The more passionate and determined we are as Christians to fish for men, the more likely we will catch some. Let’s gain the excitement to “just give out one more tract” over and over again.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Attraction</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinVN4cBLbXM8PLqUXuWKc2ovZAYB3piO-k683AXUSTjOOSHksqNxRdQV7HWpdeztzeJjkHH0ewsU3H8qF_v2AIrJPaelJD6cURTkNmE6z1oxdTwa7hpxuoP8xQcxFGT06iftrdOMeo1Ei/s1600/boyfishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinVN4cBLbXM8PLqUXuWKc2ovZAYB3piO-k683AXUSTjOOSHksqNxRdQV7HWpdeztzeJjkHH0ewsU3H8qF_v2AIrJPaelJD6cURTkNmE6z1oxdTwa7hpxuoP8xQcxFGT06iftrdOMeo1Ei/s200/boyfishing.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fishermen use bait, lures, scents, etc, to attract fish so they can catch them. We also need to do our best to attract people to Jesus Christ, to persuade men to believe upon him for salvation (II Corinthians 5:11). I’m not talking about sugarcoating the gospel. The gospel must be given in its pure form, teaching repentance and faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, our life ought to reflect an attractive life in Christ. I’ve known Christians who if I was lost and saw their life, I would want no part of it. They were sour and mean spirited. We won’t successfully fish for men if we are not living a life that is spirit filled and following Christ. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Where some people error is when people say their only method of evangelism is their life style. They say that they don’t want to impose their beliefs on others, so they will just live the best life they can and maybe people will want to believe the gospel. According to a study by the Barna Group, three out of four Christians in the United States (74%) will share their faith only through “lifestyle evangelism,” an approach void of direct, verbal witness to the lost around them. The oxymoron is that by not sharing their faith with others, they are not following Christ’s command to teach the gospel to every creature.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Suppose there was a man who lived by the lake and bought some fishing rods and reels. He also purchased bait, lures, and clothes for the occasion. He talked about how he loved fish. He even decorated his house with fishing gear and photographs of fish. Yet he never personally went fishing. He lived much of the life of a fisherman, but he could not rightfully be called a fisherman. His lifestyle alone does not catch fish. We ought to do our best to live for Christ, to have a testimony that is attractive to others when they see your love, the peace you have, and the joy that you possess. A lifestyle that is becoming of the gospel combined with a verbal witness of Christ will attract people to the good news of salvation from sin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Using a net helps prevent losing fish that are on the line. We don’t just give up on catching a fish when it is close to the shore. Sometimes we use the assistance of others to draw a net. When one professes Christ as their Saviour, we ought to do our best to help them be grounded in their understanding of the word of God. This sometimes takes a team effort. Some plant, others water, and God gives the increase. One may have shared the gospel with someone, and yet it may be later when they hear the gospel again when they get saved. Then there may be a Sunday School teacher that helps them continue to grow in their walk with the Lord. Or it may be you teaching them one on one that they may continue to grow in grace. Just as fishermen use the help of others, we also can be more effective when we utilize help from others as well. Someone made the fishing rod, another provided the line, another made the hooks and lures, and another person made the bait. Then one catches the fish. We can be assisted in our evangelism through bringing a prayer partner with us when we go on organized church outreach events, help prepare for an event, design or order tracts, praying for others when you’re unable to physically go out. Having genuine hospitality towards others when they visit your local church can also help net them in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When one catches fish, it doesn’t take long to learn that fish stink. Some don’t go fishing because they don’t like the smell. Fishermen can’t get around it. If they’re going to fish, there will be unpleasant smells. Everyone of us stinks with sin. We may all have different sins that we struggle with, but all of our sins stink. If you follow Christ and go fishing for men, you’re going to find sinners. We must be willing to go where it stinks, and be loving towards sinners whether they’re out in the world or visiting your church. It is Jesus Christ alone who can clean up their life, so point them to Jesus who washes away our sin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fishermen make fishing a priority. That is why they end up bringing fish home on a regular basis and feed their family. Christians ought to make fishing for men a priority. Many people are eager to launch a new business, career, hobby, or start a new relationship. Many see the spiritual need surrounding them. Yet few have the faith and courage to take action. Few are surrendered to launch out in response to Jesus’ command, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Will you begin making fishing for men a priority? Perhaps start out by committing yourself to give out at least one gospel tract a day. By the end of the year you would at least have given out 365 seeds of the gospel message. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Besides enjoying spending time with my children, going fishing with them brings another advantage. We get more poles in the water and are likely to catch more fish. As a church, we will lead more people to Christ when more of us are fishing for men. I encourage you to be faithful to give the gospel message to those God puts in your path as well as get involved in your church’s scheduled outreach opportunities. The more people there are fishing for men, the more people you are likely to catch with the goodness of the gospel. After Jesus got Peter and Andrew to follow him, he didn’t stop there. He called after James and John as well, and many others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Matthew 4:21–22 </i></b><i>And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fishing can be challenging, but good fishermen are optimistic when they go fishing. They go with an attitude of hope that they’re going to catch fish. Recently a restaurant owner asked me how the church was doing and said “Your job must be more difficult than mine. People have to eat food. They may not always come here, but we’re likely to have a steady customer base as people need to eat and people love pizza. You on the other hand have two options to grow your church, and both are difficult."</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"You can try to get people from another church, but if they’re already at another church then they’re probably already content where they’re at."</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Or you need to convince people that don’t believe in God, or hate church, to change their mind and all of a sudden desire to start coming to your church."</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He was right. Fishing for men can be challenging. Our focus is not the first option, but rather the second. Jesus came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. If myself and two other men go fishing together, let’s say Daniel and Bruce for example. Suppose Daniel catches three fish and puts them in his ice chest. However, Bruce and I don’t have such luck. So Bruce takes two of the fish out of Daniel’s ice chest and puts them in his own. I see that and take one fish out of Bruce’s ice chest and put it in my own thinking its fair that we all have one fish. Have we caught any more fish than the original three that Daniel caught? No! There were still only three caught, they just changed hands. A church’s growth ought to be primary of reaching new people with the gospel, not simply swapping members from one church to another. Jesus called us to be fishers of men, not keepers of an aquarium.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Although this can be challenging, we are most likely to catch men if we are optimistic in our attitude and pray believing that the Holy Spirit will use us when we fish for men. Set aside pessimistic attitudes about soul winning. Fishing for men won’t work if you don’t work at it. You may have already toiled a lot by giving out many tracts, inviting people to church, telling them about Jesus, but seemingly having no results. Don’t give up. Keep on fishing for men. Cast your net out at Christ’s word and you’ll reap a harvest of fish.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Luke 5:4–8 Luke 5:4 </b>Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(174, 25, 22); color: #ff2600;">Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.<b> </b></span>And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Luke 5:10–11 </b>…And Jesus said unto Simon, <span style="color: #ff2600; font-kerning: none;">Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.</span> And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.</span></i></div>
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Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-45698844880994083562015-03-06T01:19:00.002-08:002015-03-06T01:20:47.548-08:00Seven Components of Growth Found in a Healthy Christian<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">When people have the inspiration to become healthier they will follow various diet and exercise guides to help them stay on track. The food pyramid was the most popular plan when I was growing up.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Sweets were the top of the pyramid and the tiniest portion we were supposed to partake in. Fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy were in the middle of the pyramid diagram. Wheats and grains were on the bottom and were the largest portion we were to eat to have a healthy balanced diet. Now there are diets that have an emphasis on not eating wheats and grains at all. There are also dairy free and meatless diets that have a major following. Typically, one usually does grow healthier as they follow a guide, as they are being more conscientious of what they eat. However, the top recommended diets are constantly in a flux. They’re always changing. The same is true with exercise plans. As important as it is to eat healthy and to exercise, we should take heed that we don’t neglect growing in our spiritual health.</span></div>
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<b><i>1 Timothy 4:8 </i></b><i>For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.</i></div>
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Here is a guide you can follow to help stay on track in growing spiritually. And this type of plan won’t change in a decade. They are components of growth found in a healthy Christian yesterday, today, and t.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Growing in Grace</span></b></h3>
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<i><b>2 Peter 3:18 </b>But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.</i></div>
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Without any regard to any of our works or our merit, it is the grace of God that saves us through faith in Christ. Yet as a born again Christian we ought to continue to “grow in grace.” Grace means “favor.” We grow in God’s grace, in his favor, when we are walking in the Spirit. </div>
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It is due to the grace of God we are able to have our sins forgiven. The grace of God doesn’t give us a desire to continue to live in our sin either. <i><b>Romans 6:1–2</b> </i><i>What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? </i>While we will still struggle with the sinful nature while we are in this flesh, the grace of God continues to help us overcome sin. If we grow in grace it will reveal itself through us getting victory over sin.</div>
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<b><i>Titus 2:11–14 </i></b><i>For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.</i></div>
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Another aspect we are to grow in grace is by showing grace towards others. We are not deserving of the grace of God, yet God still revealed his grace to us. Therefore we ought to follow his example of showing grace to others. Others should be able to come to us and see hope. We should increase in our graciousness towards others; to show favor, to care for, and manifest goodwill. To grow in grace is to grow spiritually; it is to increase in God’s favor.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Growing in the Word </span></b></h3>
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<b>II Peter 3:18</b> revealed to us the importance to “<i>grow in grace,</i>” and it also tells us of the need to grow in “<i>the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ</i>.” We grow in our knowledge of Christ by reading the word of God. The Apostle Peter said in his first letter, <i>“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” </i><b>(I Peter 2:2)</b>.<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">A newborn baby would die if it had no source of nutrition. This is the same with older children and adults. If we don’t eat for a long period of time, then we would die sooner rather than later. We need the milk of the word of God to grow spiritually. As we mature spiritually, as a baby does physically, then we are able to digest and understand more of the word of God <b>(Hebrews 5:14)</b>. For growth we must make the word of God a priority to us as Job did. The Bible says that Job was a man that was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. Job had this to say </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the </i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;"><i>words of his mouth</i></span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> more than my necessary food</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">” <b>(Job 23:12)</b>.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Growing in Communion with God </span></b></h3>
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In order to grow closer to the presence of the Lord we should make our prayer life a focus. Most of us probably can increase the time we spend in prayer, all of us ought to improve the quality of our prayer. I’m not talking about making fancy and eloquent prayers. I’m speaking of making sure you are actually engaged when you’re praying. Take heed that when you pray that you’re not just mumbling off a few words without any thought to it. Don’t pray simply out of routine. Don’t pray without faith. Have confidence and believe that God is actually going to answer your prayers. Jesus said “<i>What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them </i><b>(Mark 11:24)</b>. The Apostle John wrote “<i>And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him" </i><b>(I John 5:15)</b><i>.</i> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">After all, God desires to show his children the miraculous. </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. </i></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Be truly connected to God in prayer and he will draw nigh in presence. </span><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><i>Psalm 145:18 </i></b><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, To all that call upon him in truth. </i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Growing in our prayer life certainly brings us closer to God when we seek him with all of our heart.</span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </i><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><i>Jeremiah 29:12–13 </i></b><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.</i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Growing in Faith</span></b></h3>
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Having mentioned the importance of prayer in a Christians life, let me reemphasize that prayer without faith is meaningless. It would simply be words thrown in the air. Our faith isn’t supposed to cease after we’ve trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation from our sin and the consequences of an everlasting lake of fire. We can’t even please God without having faith. <b><i>Hebrews 11:6 </i></b><i>But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.</i></div>
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We are to grow in our faith in our God. <b><i>II Thessalonians 1:3 </i></b><i>We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;</i></div>
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It will do us well to learn to trust Him in our prayers, have faith that God will fulfill the pro<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">mises he’s revealed in his word, and have faith in following the leading of the Holy Spirit. We are to be faithful in giving of our tithes in our local church while applying good financial stewardship overall, and have faith to trust him to provide for all of our needs. I believe one of the main reasons God even teaches us to give is to increase our faith. It is the only time I’m aware of where the Bible ever says to test him, to prove him (Malachi 3:10). How has your faith been lately? Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and he will provide for us all physical and spiritual needs.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Growing in Love</span></b></h3>
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<i><b>Ephesians 3:17–19 </b>That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.</i></div>
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If we’re going to be sincere followers of Jesus then love is going to be a staple of our life. To know the love of Christ results in us loving God and others. When we stop dwelling on the love of Christ, then our love cools off. Have you dwelt on the love of Christ lately? Let his love flow through you. Jesus said that all men would know who his disciples are by their love for one another <b>(John 13:35)</b>. The two greatest commandments, the two that all the law and prophets hang on is based on love. Foremost to love God and secondarily to love others. There is no law against love. Let love be a trait you’re diligent to grow in. <b><i>1 Thessalonians 3:12 </i></b><i>And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you.</i></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Growing in Involvement at Church</span></b></h3>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">For Christians to be healthy in their spiritual life they need to be involved in a local Bible believing church unless they’re providentially hindered. The local church is foundational in importance to a genuine follower of Christ. </span><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><i>Hebrews 10:25 </i></b><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. </i></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">If you’re a Christian that is or is not currently part of a local church, ask God to help you grow in what Christ loves. Christ loves the church. He died for the church. Most of the New Testament was addressed specifically to local churches. It’s in the church that Christians are to be accountable to one another. It’s where Christians are to participate and get involved in serving God. It’s where we are to gather to worship the Lord together. It’s where we are commanded to care for one another’s needs, those of the household of faith <b>(Galatians 6:10)</b>. We aren’t to treat church simply with a consumer mentality, but rather in the fashion of how can I personally get involved and be a viable member of the Lord’s church? </span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><i>I Corinthians 15:58 </i></b><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.</i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Growing in Sharing the Gospel</span></b></h3>
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Healthy fruit trees bear fruit. Healthy Christians are also going to bear fruit. They will bear the fruit of the Spirit as mentioned in <b>Galatians 5:22-23</b>. They are also to bear fruit through sowing the seed of the word of God. Just before Jesus ascended to Heaven he told his disciples to preach the gospel to every creature. We ought to make his last command one of our first priorities. Jesus said that his Father was glorified when we bear much fruit. How has your evangelism been? Who was the last person you told about Jesus? Is it recent or has it been too long ago? Work on growing in this area in your walk with the Lord that he might be glorified. It will also bring you much joy when you introduce someone to Jesus Christ as their Saviour. <b><i>1 Corinthians 3:8 </i></b><i>Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. </i>Those that lead many to Christ are going to be rewarded by the Lord for all of eternity. <b><i>Daniel 12:3 </i></b><i>And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.</i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Conclusion</span></b></h3>
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These are seven components of growth found in a healthy Christian. May this be a guide you can use to track your own spiritual growth and walk with the Lord. Pursuing Christian maturity will also lead to doctrinal stability and prevent a Christian from easily being led astray. </div>
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<i><b>2 Peter 3:17–18 </b>Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.</i></div>
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<ol style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Growing in Grace</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Growing in the Word</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Growing in Communion with God</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Growing in Faith</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Growing in Love</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Growing in Involvement at Church</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Growing in Sharing the Gospel</span></li>
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<br />Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-22659051613094619722014-10-10T01:17:00.003-07:002014-10-10T01:20:55.346-07:00Edifying & Thought Provoking Reads - 10/10/2014<i>Click on the headings to go to the articles</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://caryschmidt.com/2014/10/what-to-do-when-youre-down/" target="_blank">What to Do When You're Down</a></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB502Tlmuh55-_qC6hkr19LG_Ryu4UZ-YgDcZ80E2p57kXOpu-DtfFNvLKm_P2ZltX4SAIjmFMNoHVCuiP9BnxonKxlMM3Ek3w43LJaDl0iQwb-sgU_qmXlJ_YYhjmF6IfaLRhyz7u1sd7/s1600/woman-72111_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB502Tlmuh55-_qC6hkr19LG_Ryu4UZ-YgDcZ80E2p57kXOpu-DtfFNvLKm_P2ZltX4SAIjmFMNoHVCuiP9BnxonKxlMM3Ek3w43LJaDl0iQwb-sgU_qmXlJ_YYhjmF6IfaLRhyz7u1sd7/s1600/woman-72111_640.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a>As a pastor and a friend, I will sometimes have people come to me who are discouraged or suffering to some degree a bout of depression. Sometimes they don't even know why they're feeling down. When we are feeling vibrant and things are going well for us, it can be easy to overlook those that are depressed. Be alert, perhaps God will use you to be an encouragement to someone. When we ourselves are down, there are things we can do and an attitude we can seek to have that will help our cheer. This is a great article about what to do when you're feeling discouraged.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2013/12/13/the-scandal-of-the-semi-churched/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">The Scandal of the Semi-Churched</span></a><br />
It is natural for the non-saved to not have a desire to wake up Sunday morning for church or to attend after work for the midweek service. That's to be expected. One thing that is alarming and doesn't really make sense is that many Christians now hold church to a lower esteem. If it's convenient and they're not busy doing something else then they <i>might</i> show up for church, as long as they're not already exhausted from their Saturday entertainment and activities. They like church, but other things commonly come before the Lord's church. They are the semi-churched. Why a born again believer wouldn't make coming to God's house a priority is mind boggling to me. Christians should be making church more of a priority today, not less.<br />
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<i><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">Hebrews 10:24–25</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span lang="en-US">And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: <u>Not forsaking the assembling</u> of ourselves together, <u>as the manner of some is</u>; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGNc8GC6sB8OQd8vIMvIN4ixe472Q3gCT2382PsmGB1BZS1PVUHacgAKv4A46T0RYj65OsbqqLzc_P6M2gZmIPvyIzfILHtphzS8EYwYDTFtZfNakgeV-XZOgEtK6kHFx8VTU81c71ygu/s1600/532076662_55fac597b9_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGNc8GC6sB8OQd8vIMvIN4ixe472Q3gCT2382PsmGB1BZS1PVUHacgAKv4A46T0RYj65OsbqqLzc_P6M2gZmIPvyIzfILHtphzS8EYwYDTFtZfNakgeV-XZOgEtK6kHFx8VTU81c71ygu/s1600/532076662_55fac597b9_z.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>This trend of undervaluing the priority of church can be contagious. I've seen Christians lose their passion for the things of the Lord in part because their spouse first brushed aside the value and importance of being in church regularly. After all, it gets difficult coming to church by yourself when your family seems disinterested. So the whole family ends up becoming lethargic, lukewarm, and joyless Christians who are in desperate need of a strong dosage of revival. I recommend going to the link above on The Scandal of the Semi-Churched and giving it a read. Let's not become "as the manner of some is," let's not be "semi-churched." Let's grow in grace and be fully engaged in provoking others unto love, good works, and exhorting one another even more as we see the day of Christ's return draw closer.Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-33534771435874636352014-09-23T15:57:00.002-07:002014-09-24T18:35:46.759-07:00The Way of Champions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfwhhnzhlcXQsVNZooin-PH6nHG-AM39uCBqDyvwHi1AAFhPavdbfUQ_k3Ox1mU-MwBx4754KcqAr2k4Ik_UUBQ8puYBK0w_0JG2ASdS7s1Vekukc5-4yIrv4kAw7Y0QGRiJhsDOT3iah/s1600/Russell_Wilson_vs_Vikings,_November_4,_2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfwhhnzhlcXQsVNZooin-PH6nHG-AM39uCBqDyvwHi1AAFhPavdbfUQ_k3Ox1mU-MwBx4754KcqAr2k4Ik_UUBQ8puYBK0w_0JG2ASdS7s1Vekukc5-4yIrv4kAw7Y0QGRiJhsDOT3iah/s1600/Russell_Wilson_vs_Vikings,_November_4,_2012.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Seattle Seahawks had a phenomenal year this past season winning the Super Bowl by the enormous margin of 43-8 against one of history’s best offenses the Denver Broncos. Now they have just freshly beat the Denver Broncos in a nail bitter of 26-20 in Over Time. An interesting statistic is that Russell Wilson is now 7-0 in winning against teams with the elite quarterbacks Peyton Manning (2-0), Aaron Rodgers (2-0), Drew Brees (2-0), and Tom Brady (1-0). There are many keys you can look to on what has helped make Seattle such a dominate team, but I would like to point out just a few keys specifically as it pertains to their quarterback Russell Wilson in leading the way of the Seahawks consistently being a championship team, as well as how these characteristics can be beneficial for you and your church.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Legacy of a Father Goes a Long Way</span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Russell speaks much of his father. He is very fond of him and often speaks of lessons that his father taught him or encouraged him in. Speaking of his father he said, “He used to always tell me ‘Russ, why not you?’” With his dad’s encouragement he said that despite the potential disadvantage of being a short quarterback that he decided to play football to go against the odds. Russell has used his dad’s motivation to encourage his team to strive for excellence in the beginning of the season by incorporating his dad’s saying “Why not you Russ?” to “Why not us?” in regards to making it to the Super Bowl. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His father always encouraged him to be the best he could be. Fathers play a crucial role in the development of their children. The legacy that they pass on can be positive or detrimental. Children need their fathers, they are their glory.</span></span><br />
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</i><b><i>Proverbs 17:6 </i></b><i>Children’s children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fathers, make sure you are actively involved in your children’s lives. You can be the key to their success in life, their walk with God, as well as make an impact on them that will impact others. Russell’s father’s words impacted him so much that he helped inspire his team to a championship. Your harshness or simple absence can effect your children in ways that you regretfully did not intend.<br />
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<b><i>Ephesians 6:4 </i></b><i>And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Power of Encouragement</span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the Seahawks you’ll often hear of the 12’s or the 12th Man. There are only 11 players per team on the field at any given time. To have any more would be a penalty call. So what do they mean when they refer to the 12th Man? They are referring to the fans. Now the fans don’t practice all week, rough it out in a game of football, or even make any money for being the 12th man. In fact, it costs them money to go to a game! So what is all the hurrah about? Even though they are not playing on the field with the 11 players, they do make an impact on the game! After this week 3 game of the 2014 season, Russell Wilson in his career is now 17-1 in winning games at home (CenturyLink Field of Seattle) during the regular season. While playing on the road his record is only 9-8. Still a winning record, but not nearly as dominating as when he has home field advantage. I expect his win/loss ratio on the road to continue to improve, but the stats clearly show that the 12th man, the fans of Seattle, do make a huge impact motivationally for the Seahawks to win games. They cheer them on enchantingly when they have possession of the ball. It helps the tempo and rhythm of the home team. It helps the players feel an extra boost of adrenaline to push to succeed at winning the game.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can you imagine a NFL football game where there were no fans watching the game? The game would lose it’s impact. It is vital to a healthy church for people to show up and be there. It would be empty for a pastor to preach where no one showed up to church. There have been times where right after an emphasis of outreach for a special day, we had many visiting guests but a significant amount of regulars would be absent. Obviously there are times when people are providentially unable to be there, but something I’ve noticed is that our impact as a church is often reduced in reaching out to visiting guests when our member’s attendance is lower than average. It is important to be in church when we are able, not only for ourselves, but also for others.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Hebrews 10:24–25 </i></b><i>And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not only is it crucial to faithfully attend a local bible preaching church, it is also important for people to be engaged and active in serving in the church. The work of the church is handicapped if it is solely left to the “professionals,” i.e. the pastor, deacons, etc. The truth is that every member is to be an active part of the work of the ministry. We all have various gifting abilities and different roles, but we should all be engaged in the local church that God has planted us at (1 Corinthians 12). Things are hindered when you’re not there and when you’re not involved in some aspect. We are not only supposed to assemble, we are to provoke one another unto love and to good works. The power of encouragement in the church body helps produce a vibrant and healthy church.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the <i>opponent</i> team of the Seahawk’s has possession of the ball, the fans (12th Man) are extremely noisy to a science. They get as loud as they can to distract the opponent team’s concentration and to make it difficult for the team to hear the play calls. We can encourage the work of the Lord in the local church by aggressively resisting sin in our lives, not giving place to the devil, and loudly confronting those who would bring disunity to the church body through slander and gossip. The Bible says in Proverbs 25:23 <i>“The north wind driveth away rain: So doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.” </i>Discouraging others from speaking ill of one another, and by not giving an ear to those who seek to cause damage in the church, helps create an atmosphere of unity in the church which enables the church to be focused on the proclamation of the gospel to the lost and ministering to the saints. Any opponents ought to know who we are cheering for. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Setting the Standard Higher for Yourself</span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Russell Wilson sets a high standard of excellence for himself. Some may think he goes overboard at times. But his standard of excellence is only going to help him, not hurt his reputation. The first time he did an interview at Wisconsin where he played college football, he asked to borrow a shirt with a collar from the equipment manager because he chooses to not do interviews in a T-shirt or shorts. This interview wasn’t even on camera I hear. Yet he set the standard higher for himself, even though it wasn’t necessary. Following an NFL game, he dresses in a suit and tie before giving any media sessions. Do all players do this? No. Is it necessary to? Not at all. Yet Russell Wilson, as a leader of the team of being the quarterback of the franchise, chooses to set the standard high for himself. The reputation of himself and his team matters to him.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the Christian life, there are times where we may want to set the standard higher for ourselves to not bring reproach upon our name or the name of Christ, or simply to not cause a stumbling block to others. As a pastor, there are somethings that I choose not to participate in not because they are necessary sinful, but to be above reproach and avoid being a stumbling block to others. One example would be that I choose not to go to the Movie Theaters. Granted there is often a lot of filth, immorality, profanity, etc. on many of the movies. Those are things all Christians shouldn’t watch. However, there are occasions where the theater may be playing wholesome movies, yet I still don’t go. It’s not as if its a sin to watch a movie on a larger screen. I also wouldn’t expect other Christians to necessarily hold to the same standard I hold to. I don’t feel like having this standard is keeping me in any form of bondage, but a responsibility I freely hold to as a pastor. I could give a list of reasons why I don’t go, but one reason is simply to not be a stumbling block to others. To most it probably wouldn’t be a stumbling block. But I wouldn’t want to cause a situation in which a child asks their parents why they’re not allowed to go to the movies when their pastors goes. Though I may have liberty and not have to be held to another man’s conscience, as a pastor I am happy to strive to live blameless and give none occasion of stumbling. With leadership comes a greater responsibility. As a Christian we also want to make sure we’re looking out for one another.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>1 Corinthians 8:8–13 </i></b><i>But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Separation is in the Preparation</span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Russell Wilson is regularly heard saying there’s “No time to sleep.” Obviously he gets some sleep and the bible says in Ecclesiastes 5:12 <i>“The sleep of a labouring man is sweet”</i> but even a little too much sleep will hinder success. Proverbs 24:33–34 “<i>Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; And thy want as an armed man.” </i>Russell means to emphasize the importance of preparation to be successful<i>. </i>He wakes before the sun rises. According to a report I read he gets to work at 5:30 AM, which is quite a bit earlier than when practice actually starts. He even prepared his mind the year before they won the Super Bowl, by attending the previous Super Bowl to get familiar with the atmosphere, the media hype, and the pressure that would come during such a big game. He was preparing himself mentally, as he really believed they had a chance of making it to the Super Bowl the next year. One of his common cliches is “the separation is in the preparation.” Preparation is vital to success.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Proverbs 30:25 </i></b><i>The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their meat in the summer;</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Proverbs 6:6–8 </i></b><i>Go to the ant, thou sluggard; Consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, And gathereth her food in the harvest.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What has set Russell and the Seahawks apart is their intense preparation. Whatever ministry God has placed us in, may we work at preparation. What typically sets a great church conference from a poor one is preparation. What is often different from a good sermon from an ok message is the preparation. The separation is in the preparation. A great employer or employee is one that knows how to plan and prepare for the occasion. I am usually up late working, but I am challenged to go to bed a little earlier that I may arise earlier and prepare my day more efficiently.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Having Vision and Goals</span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having a vision and goals is important for any NFL team. Last year Russell had some reminders of goals he had written in his locker. They were Consistent, Dominate, Clutch, Healthy. Consistent being number one. Russell struggled a little the latter fourth of the season of putting any elite statistics on the board. However one thing he was good at was having goals and being consistent. Even when he didn’t have his best offensive game, he was consistent at not making any costly mistakes. Seattle’s defense often picked up the slack when Russell wasn’t doing his best and they still won games because of a true teamwork environment and they had a vision to win. They had goals for themselves.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is important for Christians to set goals for themselves. To set goals that help their spiritual growth and to have a vision with accommodating goals of how to grow the particular ministry the Lord has them involved in. Set goals for your family.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Philippians 3:14 </i></b><i>I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Focused Intensity and Diligence</span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Seahawk players put all their focus on the game they’re playing. Although the vision is to make it to the Super Bowl and win it, they are focused on the goal right in front of them: to win the next game. When others would talk about the playoffs prematurely, the players and coaches would often say “Our goal is simply to go 1 and 0.” Now every team basically says they have that mentality, but the Seahawks really successfully got this ingrained in all of the players. They had a focused intensity about them. They worked diligently at preparing for the game that was ahead of them, treating every game as a championship game. The following was written in another article online regarding Russell:</span></span><br />
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<i>“How did Wilson arrive at Wisconsin in the middle of the summer, so far behind, then win the hearts of his new teammates so quickly that four weeks later he was named a team captain?” “He works harder than you," said Cole Hawthorne, one of his old receivers at Collegiate. "That's what got so many people following the bandwagon. It's almost like a challenge. You're trying to work harder than Russell."</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We all could do well to have the same character to work diligently at whatever is before us. <b><i>Ecclesiastes 9:10 </i></b><i>Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not Living in the Past</span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Seahawks have enjoyed their Super Bowl celebrations, but you don’t see them consumed with it now. Their motto is “What’s Next?” They are not focused on back then, they’re looking at what’s next. The Super Bowl was back then, this is now. We also need to make sure we are not consumed with the past, whether they are victories or failures. Reflect on the past, but don’t live in it. Focus on the now, that which is before you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Philippians 3:13 “</i></b><i>Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,”</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Making a Difference</span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another trait that Russell embodies well is compassion. He visits the Seattle Children’s Hospital just about every Tuesday, his day off. At the close of last year I heard him say that he met over 1,500 kids in hospitals from around the country and that 82 percent of them did not have a father or mother. That demonstrates a sad condition our country is in with regards to the family unit. Russell shows compassion on many who often facing terminal illnesses. May we all strive to manifest compassion towards one another.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Jude 22 </i></b><i>And of some have compassion, making a difference:</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #323333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Here is an excellent video about the attitude and mindset of several of the Seahawk players and coaches regarding the making of a champion. Do watch. It is inspirational and something you don’t commonly see in professional athletes. May Jesus Christ be </span><span style="color: #323333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">preeminent</span><span style="color: #323333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"> in our life! To God be the glory!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><i>Mark 12:28–30 </i></b><i>And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, </i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">A man was curious of what Jesus thought was the greatest commandment of God, so he asked him what was the first of all the commandments. Sometimes even today Christians wonder which commandments are the most important. People usually give close attention to the things that are most important to them, and as a Christian we ought to give special attention to what Jesus said was the chiefest of all commandments. Interestingly, he didn’t mention a particular religious ritual, duty, or an outward standard to keep. He went straight to our relationship with God. That the greatest thing we can do is to love God with all of our being. With that said, it would be greatly beneficial for us to ask ourselves questions to examine how our love for the Lord is. We know the abundance of Christ’s love for us, but how is your love for the Lord?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Do You Love Him With All of Your Heart?</b></span></span></h2>
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The heart is considered to be the seat of the affections, emotions, and passions. All of which should center around God. Ask yourself who holds your greatest affection. Where is your passion? Are your emotions consumed with the things of this world? One man wisely said “<i>The more objects you set your heart upon, the more thorns there are to tear your peace of mind to shreds.” </i>When God is first in our love, we rest in him and his sovereign care. When God is not supreme in our love, then our life ends up being an emotional roller coaster of ups and downs. Often then we focus on self, success, money, and yet are full of anxiety. Jesus said where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. If your treasure is earthly and it is taken away then your heart will ache miserably. If the Lord is your treasure, then your heart can be at rest even in the most difficult of trials. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. God loved us first, may He be our passion in life loving him with all of our heart. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Do You Love Him With All of Your Soul?</b></span></span></h2>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Loving the Lord with the whole soul constitutes the personality of a man, as distinguished from his body. The soul denotes a person’s conscious state and his life. We are to love God with all our life even if it meant death. We may never understand the fullness of this commandment, till we get as far as the martyrs, who rather than disobey God would be cast into the furnace, be beheaded, or devoured by wild beasts. Would you be willing to give your life for Christ? If you think so, then further question yourself on how you are living for him. Do you seek the Lord early? The psalmist said <i>“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: My soul thirsteth for thee, My flesh longeth for thee In a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;</i> (Psalm 63:1). Do you remember to give thanks and desire Him before you go to sleep? Isaiah 26:9 says <i><b>“</b>With my soul have I desired thee in the night; Yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early.”</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">If we are loving the Lord with all our soul then we will desire to be in the word of God. It will be a priority to us. It will mean more to us than any hobby or wealth. Psalm 119:16 <i>“I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”</i> Psalm 19:10–11 <i>“More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: And in keeping of them there is great reward.”</i> Has your desire for the word of God waned some? Renew your delight in it and strive to keep his commandments with joy. As recorded in John 14:15, Jesus said <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”</span></i> If we are not seeking to obey the Lord, then our love is void.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you love the Lord with all your soul then you will also hate the things that God hates. Do you hate wickedness and the evil of the world? <i>Psalm 97:10 “Ye that love the Lord, hate evil.” </i>If we are prone to continue in our sin without trying to forsake it and please the Lord, then it is evidence of not having a sincere love for the Lord. Let us strive to not sin against God.</span></span></div>
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1 John 2:15–17</b> Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Is there evidence that you love God with all your soul? Can you see spiritual fruit in your life? Better yet, can others see spiritual fruit in your life? Do you have a good report with those you are often around and even those you may see infrequently?</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do the things of the Lord come to your mind throughout the day? Or are they forgotten once the Lord’s Day has passed? Do you seek to study the Bible with thy mind and understanding? We ought to also hate every false way and heretical teachings. <b>Psalm 119:104</b> <i>“Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way.”</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you love God and follow him even though your mind cannot comprehend everything about God? Dr. Alexander Maclaren used to tell of a man of great intellectual power whom he longed to win to Christ. To do so the famous preacher preached a whole series of sermons dealing with intellectual difficulties. To the doctor’s delight, the man came shortly afterward and said he had become a convinced Christian and he wanted to join the church. Overjoyed, the doctor said, “And which of my sermons was it that removed your doubts?” “Your sermons?” said the other. “It wasn’t any of your sermons. The thing that set me thinking was that a poor woman came out of your church beside me and stumbled on the steps. When I put out my hand to help her, she smiled and said “thank you” and then added, ‘Do you love Jesus Christ my blessed Saviour? He means everything to me.’ I did not then, but I thought about it. I found I was on the wrong road. I still have many intellectual difficulties, but now He means everything to me, too.” We may not always understand certain things about God or why he is allowing some trial in our life, but if we trust him with our mind we will have peace. Isaiah 26:3 <i>“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on thee: Because he trusteth in thee.”</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Do You Love Him With All Of Your Strength?</span></b></span></h2>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are to love Jesus Christ with all our <i>strength</i>, that is, to love him <i>actively </i>with our<i> abilities. </i>We ought not to put the Lord last in our capacity of strength and energy. God forbid that we should put temporal things first, and then be too tired to serve God. May we give God our full capacity. Ask yourself the following questions regarding how much effort you put into your love and service to the King of kings. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Is coming to the house of God (church) a priority to you? Psalm 111:1 <i>“Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.”</i> Hebrews 10:24-25 further says<i> “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” </i>If it is in our ability and within our strength to attend church faithfully, and we simply choose not to make it a priority, then it reveals that our love for the Lord is lacking. As Jesus said in Luke 6:46 <i>“…<span style="color: #cc0000;">why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?</span>”</i> Not only should you attend a Bible preaching church regularly, but you should also become a part of the body via serving in a ministry or function of the church. Read Romans 16:1-12 and see how the early Christians had a great love for serving in the Lord’s church. Also, as God has prospered you, do you financially invest in the work of the Lord? For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. May our hearts be involved in the work of the Lord. We often don't like preachers talking about giving, but our desire to give or not to give does manifest our heart and whether we love the Lord with the financial strength he has given us.<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Love the Lord thy God with Your All</span></b></span></h2>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">As a church and as a Christian, it is certainly possible to labor heavily in the work of the Lord, to have godly spiritual traits, to hate wickedness, to stand solidly for sound Bible doctrine, and to have the discernment to know false teachings, and yet still have lost our first love for the Lord. Check out the church of Ephesus. That’s what happened with them. They had many things right, but their love was lacking.<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Revelation 2:1–4 </i></b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The reality is we all fall short of where our love for God should be. Yet, may we diligently seek to love the Lord God with all of our heart, all of our soul, all of our mind, and with all of our strength. How is your love for the Lord? Restore your first love for Christ.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Are there other questions you think can be helpful to ask ourselves in examining our love for the Lord? If so, please mention them in the comments.</span></span></div>
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<i style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ephesians 6:24</b> Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.</span></i></div>
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Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-71647914454062628682014-05-22T01:22:00.000-07:002014-05-24T13:31:41.150-07:00Bible Prophecy: Understanding the Times<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">False Prophets Making Merchandise of People</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">We live in a time of history that people are extremely fascinated with prophecy. Some charlatans have taken advantage of this and disguise themselves as Bible preachers and/or write books on prophecy. They gain a following and make lots of money making merchandise of people. If people were students of the Bible they would often see the fraud. However, due to ignorance of the scriptures, people are simply deceived by these self-proclaimed prophets. Benny Hinn has stated that Jesus was going to physically appear in Kenya, Africa; and, that Jesus was appearing physically to muslim dominated countries. I’ve seen him on one of his shows claiming that Jesus was becoming physically present with him on stage (although invisible). He told specific pastors to come on the stage while in the meantime telling others to go off the stage because Jesus doesn’t share the platform with anybody. He said that Jesus was going to prove his physical presence by doing something magnificent. The pastors would come forth slowly and then fall to the ground as they approached the center of the stage and people would speak in gibberish tongues. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">This was supposedly proof that Jesus was on the platform. </span><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">He also proceeded to yell at people to keep a curious child away from the platform. If that child came on stage, he innocently would have caused harm to the fake "show" that Benny Hinn was manufacturing. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Over a decade ago I went to a meeting that The Prophecy Club was putting on. A man and woman led the service, with the man claiming to be an apostle and the woman to be a prophetess. They would ask “Does anyone want a prophecy?” People would raise their hands and all attention would focus on them as the religious psychic (aka prophetess) would “miraculously” know of a struggle they were going through and then prophesy of how God is going to make things better for them. Shortly thereafter a person said that God gave them a dream and that they saw that one of their leader’s homes was full of pornography. News of this so called “dream from God” spread and schisms flourished. The Prophecy Club was full of emotionalism, unbiblical teachings, and false prophecies. <a href="http://carm.org/ihop"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Mike Bickle, of International House of Prayer</span></a> along with many other groups also have made false prophecies. There are the date setters of Christ’s return; and, there are events that happen that people will then write a book about and say it was a fulfillment of prophecy in scripture, when in reality the scripture said nothing of the event. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Scriptures Warn Us of False Prophecies</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">We live in an era of doctrinal confusion. However, Jesus and his apostles did warn us of false prophets, date setters, and perceived miracle workers. Reading the Bible will help guard us from being deceived.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>Matthew 7:15 </b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Matthew 24:23–27 </b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Matthew 24:36 </b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Matthew 7:22–23 </b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2 Corinthians 11:12–15 </b>But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Having mentioned some of the false, it is important to know true biblical prophecy. Christ would have us to understand real Bible prophecies, as he accurately warned us of false prophecies. With the increased fascination of Bible prophecy, it is even more needful today to teach genuine biblical prophecies regarding the end times. In </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Daniel 12:4 it says</span><b style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> “</b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” George Sweeting in his book <i>Your Future</i> has observed the following:</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">“More than a fourth of the Bible is predictive prophecy. Approximately one-third of it has yet to be fulfilled. Both the Old and New Testaments are full of promises about the return of Jesus Christ. Over 1,800 references appear in the Old Testament, and seventeen Old Testament books give prominence to this theme. Of the 260 chapters in the New Testament, there are more than 300 references to the Lord’s return—one out of every thirty verses. Twenty-three of the twenty-seven New Testament books refer to this great event. For every prophecy on the first coming of Christ, there are eight on Christ’s second coming.”</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">At Napavine Baptist Church we are hosting a Bible Prophecy Conference June 1-3. Not a conference where a man or woman claims to have new revelations and prophecies from God. Rather a meeting in which we go directly to the scriptures to see what God has said will come to pass as well as prophecies already fulfilled. Philip Sawilowsky all be our guest teacher. Philip grew up in a Jewish Orthodox family and was saved at the age of 16. He will be showing us from the scriptures, particularly Leviticus 23, how Jesus Christ is presented prophetically in the Seven Feasts of Israel. There were the spring and fall feasts, each holding special significance of God’s timetable. Come learn Bible Prophecy at Napavine Baptist Church June 1-3. We can live </span>courageously<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> in these last days serving Christ!</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.napavinebaptist.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8t1nBpLfuV8ayGoG3MyplteJlDd6z7edBDx9JNrLpbm1nMQWDnKMq43PrcquNJUNv2Rukm8asvXIpBuWysWsd5Dth7BHpA7fYGg4na-0Y5MZijrV69KdCkQ5Mh4G8JUWL574FgEEbgPS/s1600/Bible-Prophecy-Conference-2014.JPG" height="278" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-30071543444837178282014-04-17T19:49:00.000-07:002014-04-18T10:49:39.971-07:00Are Fundamental Baptists as a Viable Movement Dying?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">There are some who say that the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) as a viable movement has died or at least is in the process of dying. Some will refer to it as “gray headed.” Some are singing the praises of this apparent death, as they’ve departed with an attitude and heart of rebellion*. These pastors have become part of a new evangelical group, emergent church, embraced the reformed movement, or turned to a charismatic emphasis (or a combination of the aforementioned). These pastors now have their new founded tattoos, face piercings, beer brewing small groups, rock n’ roll worship, and pictures of themselves proudly on Facebook going to church conferences that are entertainment driven with hip and trendy speakers (apparently they post these to boast that they are no longer a fundamentalist). There are a few reasons commonly given why they have changed direction: the leaders they looked up to are hypocrites as they’ve had a marital affair or some other scandal, there is a lot of pride and self-righteousness, and that the IFB movement is too focused on man-made standards and inner-fightings over trivial issues.</span></li>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">* </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Note: Not everyone that changed course has left due to a heart of rebellion. Some of them have genuinely had terrible experiences, with heartless, dictatorial pastors, who were involved in awful scandals. These people sincerely went to look for a more truthful, humble, and compassionate Christianity, perhaps not realizing that their bad experience does not speak for all IFB churches. Just as one having a bad experience in a Presbyterian church, does not mean all Presbyterian churches fit the mold of that person's bad experience.</span></i></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Have some of these problems been legitimate in IFB circles? Absolutely! Has there been some fragmentation? Sure, sometimes necessarily so and other times it should and could of been avoided. Has there been scandals with a few prominent IFB pastors? Unfortunately, yes. Has there been pride? Yes there has been at times a lack of charity and fighting over trivial issues. Does that make biblical positions that IFB churches hold to invalid? Of course not.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">As mentioned earlier, sometimes people turn from their fundamentalist roots because they’ve been hurt in the ministry by a mentor, and they’ve seen a similar inconsistency in another Independent Baptist leader. They understandably, but incorrectly feel as if that speaks for the entire IFB movement. They also speak as if these problems are isolated to IFB churches. In reality, these issues will pop up wherever there are sinners regardless of affiliation or identification (obviously none of us are without sin). I've seen people that have jumped ship because of some problems, thinking the grass is greener on the other side. They eventually find out that their newfound movement have the same moral failings, struggle with pride, and same types of inner-fightings about trivial preferences and issues. You find these same problems in the Reformed movement, in Charismatic circles, in modern contemporary churches, outright theological liberal churches, etc. I’ve known those who have changed course in their ministry partly due to leaders they’ve looked up to fail, to then yoke up with Reformed and Charismatic groups. Then they see one of their newfound heroes/leaders they gravitated towards, to then be exposed for a decade long hidden affair. I’ve also seen the doctrinal compromise of some of their new mentors (or new co-laborers) in having meetings with those that are Anti-Trinitarian in their theology and espouse a health, wealth, prosperity gospel. Also adoption of worldliness and unholiness is common. It has also been habitual for them to mock biblical fundamentalists, while ignoring to confront doctrinal compromise and false gospels preached by other groups.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Every generation needs to examine themselves, and the strengths and weaknesses of the prior generation. We don't need to jump ship to other movements because of some mistakes in the IFB circles. We ought to confront problems head-on as they come, and not pretend they don’t exi</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px;">st. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>1 Timothy 5:19–20 </i></span><i style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px;">Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. </i><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px;">A pastor that commits adultery should no longer be in the pastorate. When people may question why we hold to certai</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">n standards, we ought not to simply rant about our convictions, but explain the biblical principles why we may hold to them. We ought to destroy pride by staying humble before the Lord and serving others. There may be those that we don’t personally yoke up with ecclesiastically, yet it doesn’t mean they’re our enemy (</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Mark 9:38–40).</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Are Independent Fundamental Baptists dying as a viable movement in reaching the lost, growing, planting churches, and discipling people in the word of God? I don’t believe so! It is evident to me that they are in the midst of revival. Obviously some have left their IFB heritage, but a few loud voices does not speak for the majority of those who are still abiding faithful to serving the Lord on the old paths. Biblical fundamentalism, though based </span>pun the "old paths" of God's word, it<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> is not a “gray hair” movement as some would have us to believe. I see revival with older men still at the helm and younger pastors arising (not shrinking). I counted the IFB pastors that I knew of in Washington State, and almost half of them are in their 20’s or 30’s. Church planting has even revived. Last year I was also at a large IFB conference and the pastor asked for those pastors aged 50 and above to stand up. There were several of them. At another time he asked for pastors who were aged 35 and younger to stand up, and there was noticeably a lot more pastors that stood up! I don’t see us dying, I see us in a state of revival and new growth. </span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">I've seen IFB churches do what was right even when it was difficult and confront their pastors who have sinned morally, removing them from their positions. I've also seen great charity amongst Independent Baptists who genuinely love serving people instead of fighting over trivial preferences. I see christians that are not abandoning their convictions simply to be trendy to a lost culture or “carnal christianity.” I see plenty of young pastors who still hold to the King James Bible and have not bought into the errors of modern textual criticism, who still have convictions, who still don't use rock n' roll and hip-hop in their services, yet not afraid to sing new songs either, and are not afraid to use technology for the glory of God. They’re still not going to get a tattoo, and are still teaching the Bible in their small groups instead of how to brew alcoholic beverages. They are young pastors who still are not going to yoke up with compromisers and ecumenical movements, yet have a humility about them and also appreciate it when the gospel is preached by other groups. I see IFB pastors who's fellowship truly is based upon the word of God, rather than by what school they went to. I see a renewed emphasis on reaching lost sinners and not simply waiting for transfers from other IFB churches who already "look right, dress right, act right, etc." I see revival in the movement! They're reaching out to the lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ and seeing them transformed by the power and grace of God. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Perhaps the reason some think the IFB is dying out is simply because of a healthy repentance and a renewal of walking in the Spirit amongst Baptists who retain the good, and simply toss out some of the bad attributes that may have been present in the movement. That is always a good thing. Here at Napavine Baptist Church, by God's grace, we are in a state of growth. People are trusting in Christ as their Saviour, lives are being transformed, people are getting back in church, and many are getting involved in ministry serving the Lord and one another. To God be the Glory! </span><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Matthew 16:18</span><b style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-large; letter-spacing: 0px;"> … </b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.</span></i></li>
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Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-91197438348183206602013-12-02T17:19:00.000-08:002013-12-02T23:08:22.873-08:00Edifying & Thought Provoking Reads - 12/02/2013<div>
<a href="http://fervr.net/bible/8-ways-to-stop-going-to-church-without-anyone-noticing" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><b>Eight Ways to Stop Going to Church Without Anyone Noticing</b></a></div>
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Pun is intended in this article. Of course I would never encourage someone to stop going to church. This article does however reveal the pattern people usually follow unconsciously when they are in transition of slipping out of church. <i>Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:17-18</i><br />
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<a href="http://veritasvenator.com/2013/09/25/to-you-who-bring-small-children-to-church/" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><b>To You Who Bring Small Children to Church</b></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7j81keWLfXBtVh3ne7_caAE5AgLGYVHG9wqpPk8QXbsykM4UTLBNX6zGsDvTYOjjC2nGFfn3n8OFmPncP5N42rdRKWm3MQ25l1RchZLBhaPvayFpOm0fRj-UGgWsv-vN-wG5OSJWchQKu/s1600/iStock_000017601957XXXLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7j81keWLfXBtVh3ne7_caAE5AgLGYVHG9wqpPk8QXbsykM4UTLBNX6zGsDvTYOjjC2nGFfn3n8OFmPncP5N42rdRKWm3MQ25l1RchZLBhaPvayFpOm0fRj-UGgWsv-vN-wG5OSJWchQKu/s320/iStock_000017601957XXXLarge.jpg" width="320" /></a>This article isn't for just those who bring small children to church, but would be a good read for all who attend church. At Napavine Baptist Church we do have a children's Sunday School, as we also have a Youth & Adult Bible Class. I think these times can be excellent learning experiences. However, for the regular church service we all meet to worship the Lord together as "one body" as they did in the New Testament (Matthew 18:1-5, 19:13-15, I Corinthians 12, Ephesians 6:1-4). God's people also met this way in the Old Testament as well (Deuteronomy 31:12-13, Ezra 10:1, Nehemiah 8:1-2).<br />
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We want to follow the Biblical pattern and encourage families worshipping the Lord together. I also admittedly acknowledge that sometimes new families may visit and are not used to the concept, and at times feel embarrassed if their child makes a little noise, afraid they are distracting everybody else. Sometimes they may even feel <i>"There's no point in coming to church, as I can't get anything out of it because I am constantly trying to get my child to sit perfectly still." </i>Be sure to read the above linked post, I think it'll help you feel a little bit more relaxed. And church family, we want to do our best to make visiting families feel comfortable in church even if their child wiggles some and makes a little noise. Let them know that it is a blessing to have them and their children in church.<br />
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<a href="http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/aid/v8/n1/killing-jesus-review" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><b>Killing Jesus - Book Review</b></a></div>
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Here is a well done review and critique by Tim Chaffey of Answers in Genesis, of the latest book written by Bill O'Reilly & Martin Dugard.</div>
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Any thoughts on these blogposts? Share any ideas of how we can be more aware of it when people slowly start to disengaged from church and maybe need some encouragement. Any ideas on how to better minister to young families with children who may feel apprehensive their children are being a distraction even though they really are not? If so, leave a comment.</div>
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Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-4678427002259326062013-11-19T15:35:00.000-08:002013-11-23T22:49:12.392-08:00Baptist Distinctives - New Series<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are some beliefs that all born again Christians hold to. They are fundamental beliefs of Christianity such as the inerrancy of the scriptures and it being the inspired word of God, as well as the virgin birth of Jesus, that He gave himself as a substitutional atonement for our sins when he died on the cross, that Christ literally and bodily resurrected after three days, and that He will soon be coming again! There are Christians across some denominational lines that would adhere to these doctrinal Christians.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are however some basic doctrinal truths that all Christians do not hold to, but have historically been unique to Baptist churches. These are not simply Baptist "traditions," but rather clearly biblical teachings. It just so happens that these biblical distinctives are typically doctrines that Baptists have historically championed. For sure there are some Christians that may not be Baptist that will hold to <i>one </i>or a<i> few</i> of these doctrinal teachings, but it is <i>usually</i> only Baptists that would hold to <i>all</i> of these biblical distinctives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will begin teaching this series on Biblical Distinctives of Baptists beginning December 1st (about 12 weeks in duration) in our Adult & Youth Bible Class at <a href="http://www.napavinebaptist.com/" target="_blank">Napavine Baptist Church</a> at 10 AM on Sundays. There is also an exciting Sunday School class for children where they are having fun learning the Bible!</span>Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-47011197740209697762013-11-11T00:11:00.001-08:002013-11-11T00:22:08.423-08:00Blackberries and their Vines<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
<b style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scripture Reading: Romans 6:6-23</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NYw-iqS9ANAmQSywzjMY_k-Go1ZemvxNmMGeafAi5-5Hv_W4THZW7pN4vvPbCrFpGN-UbB1Uq6cDXiRYPWuWeRd4VPHW77ntd87EwnX7VypeOimHh4Zp-P5XWyltggagiPDIHFE9xeDh/s1600/blackberries2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NYw-iqS9ANAmQSywzjMY_k-Go1ZemvxNmMGeafAi5-5Hv_W4THZW7pN4vvPbCrFpGN-UbB1Uq6cDXiRYPWuWeRd4VPHW77ntd87EwnX7VypeOimHh4Zp-P5XWyltggagiPDIHFE9xeDh/s320/blackberries2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Just about everybody loves blackberries! Blackberries are </span>juicy<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> and very pleasant to the taste. They are great in pies, cobbler, as toppings, as jam, and right off the vine! Yet I have learned that there are some places that are just not so convenient to have blackberry vines growing. Several years ago at another church we were making improvements to our church’s landscaping and we needed to get rid of the unsightly blackberry vines. Long vines were all around us seeming to want to choke and entrap us. Along with the vines were sharp thorns that scratched and tore us. Now if the vines had no berries but only thorns that caused us pain, I don't think people would joyfully climb through them. Most animals don't get ensnared in an </span>empty evil looking trap with nothing enticing them. There is usually some form of bait set in the trap to be attractive to it's desired victim.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This past summer my family went blackberry picking. The blackberries tasted so delicious. However the delight of picking blackberries diminished as we got pricked by the thorns and our children tripped into the vines getting tangled with the thorns, to then get stung by </span>yellow jackets! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We don't typically sin because we see the pain and destruction that it is going to cause. You don't see liquor companies advertising the devastation their drink provokes. They don't show TV ads of the significantly increased health risks of alcohol consumption, or of marriages that were ruined, the sexual immorality that often follows when in a drunken state, that alcohol related vehicle crashes is the number one killer of teenagers, domestic abuse, depression, etc. They promote their beverage </span>enticingly; they show celebrities and sport figures drinking, attractive men, sexualized women, partying and having fun. It may be fun momentarily, but the fact is drinking alcohol doesn't make you famous, attractive, or better at sports. T<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">here is something attractive that entices us to sin, and yes it is </span>usually<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> pleasurable but only for a season.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">When we were working on improving the landscaping of the church, we cut back all of the blackberry vines. They grew back with </span>vengeance<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> the next summer. I then thought of diverse methods to try to kill the vines so I </span>wouldn't have to do this every year.<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Trimming them just helped them flourish abundantly. On extra hot sunny days the sun would burn and wither the vines, but after a few cool days and nights with water the vines would revive. I’ve seen widespread burns before, but the bushes would also rejuvenate over time. I tried using poison, but after a rainy evening it would deem ineffective.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Often we try to trim or cutback on our sin to a “moderation” that we think we can handle, only to have it flourish abundantly in it’s dominion over us. We’ll gain a fire and zeal for the Lord, but only when the wind blows our way. We’ll draw nigh unto the Sun of righteousness, but we soon slip back into darkness when offenses come. The Holy Spirit will fill our life with joy, howbeit when we get self centered we choose to follow the lusts of our flesh. The only sure way to get rid of the blackberry bushes was to dig out the roots. The only way we’ll conquer sin in our life is if we’ll go beyond the surface and dig out the root of our sin crucifying the old man in us. We must amputate our sin, not just trim it </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">down a little.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"> Resist the temptation of sin when it comes your way, and when possible avoid the very presence of temptation (Proverbs 4:14-15). We can only have this victory over sin with a Spirit-filled life through the power of the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Though we won't be perfect until we are with Christ, we don't need to live in defeat as if sin has dominion over us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Enjoy God's gift of blackberries while carefully trying to avoid the thorns </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">(thorns actually even came as a result of the curse because of sin - Genesis 3:17-19)</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">, but don't even play with sin no matter how enticing and pleasing it seems. It always leads to destruction, misery, and ultimately death. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-PnorwyXfnHV0-VWZo11Jyq1sufwFtPB7JRK3C7Znlx5YOndzeVagCD3px-McoNHW_Upp7yD-FRQXloMrxU8I8Ir5MVKgSOibtuVgiWuAOF4J6ZUMXPkJ6lhA6vTPV83WJRLgNUn6rzI/s1600/trap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-PnorwyXfnHV0-VWZo11Jyq1sufwFtPB7JRK3C7Znlx5YOndzeVagCD3px-McoNHW_Upp7yD-FRQXloMrxU8I8Ir5MVKgSOibtuVgiWuAOF4J6ZUMXPkJ6lhA6vTPV83WJRLgNUn6rzI/s320/trap.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-PnorwyXfnHV0-VWZo11Jyq1sufwFtPB7JRK3C7Znlx5YOndzeVagCD3px-McoNHW_Upp7yD-FRQXloMrxU8I8Ir5MVKgSOibtuVgiWuAOF4J6ZUMXPkJ6lhA6vTPV83WJRLgNUn6rzI/s1600/trap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-PnorwyXfnHV0-VWZo11Jyq1sufwFtPB7JRK3C7Znlx5YOndzeVagCD3px-McoNHW_Upp7yD-FRQXloMrxU8I8Ir5MVKgSOibtuVgiWuAOF4J6ZUMXPkJ6lhA6vTPV83WJRLgNUn6rzI/s1600/trap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-PnorwyXfnHV0-VWZo11Jyq1sufwFtPB7JRK3C7Znlx5YOndzeVagCD3px-McoNHW_Upp7yD-FRQXloMrxU8I8Ir5MVKgSOibtuVgiWuAOF4J6ZUMXPkJ6lhA6vTPV83WJRLgNUn6rzI/s1600/trap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size: large;">James 1:12–16 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.</span></i>Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-26739586132694962622013-09-09T21:11:00.002-07:002013-09-09T21:11:19.615-07:00Summer Reflection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-48144991754455498912013-08-07T17:14:00.000-07:002013-08-07T17:14:24.987-07:00How to be a Blessing to Your Pastor<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvBzUozcWMDHbNO9ATl85OXAbRBeB5Djdm8DlgcQOueh0T1TMBkNWoS1eOMQavLT7uJ-1UP-WcmOETKsKiJs440RPkx0lb_ngtekoEodHtZOTflUPLrBmI1Zd8WG7whkysGQC56mYjUlL/s1600/blessing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvBzUozcWMDHbNO9ATl85OXAbRBeB5Djdm8DlgcQOueh0T1TMBkNWoS1eOMQavLT7uJ-1UP-WcmOETKsKiJs440RPkx0lb_ngtekoEodHtZOTflUPLrBmI1Zd8WG7whkysGQC56mYjUlL/s320/blessing.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes people will ask me as their pastor how they can be a help and a blessing to me. Typically I'll tell them that they have already been a blessing to me, as usually these are the people that are actively serving the Lord and working at being a blessing. In many churches (there are probably a few in every church) people may attend church but are very apathetic towards the things of God and lackadaisical about their own spiritual growth. There is no interest to find a role they can serve in at the church, or there is not much passion poured into the ministries that they are involved in. I am privileged to pastor here at Napavine Baptist Church that has people that genuinely have a heart for the the Lord Jesus Christ. It is always a blessing to me as the pastor when people are serving God with their talents, skills, time, and treasure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This summer people have been a blessing to me as their pastor by helping with the upkeep of the house of God, by donating wood to use, planing and cutting the wood as needed, painting the buildings, and shortly we will be installing trim to finish off the exterior projects. People have been a blessing helping with office administrative stuff, such as printing the bulletins, data-entry, etc. Also helping in the kitchen; preparing for events and cleaning after activities. We have also been involved in three parades passing out invitations to our Vacation Bible School, and it has been a great week of VBS this week! Bro. Fred Matthews of <a href="http://waskidz.com/" target="_blank">WAS Kidz Ministries</a> has been a blessing for our VBS as our guest speaker, song leader, ventriloquist, giving bible illusions, as the game coordinator, and much more! (I'd recommend him to any pastors who would love to have an exciting and God honoring VBS in their church) What a blessing it has been with several people, including our senior saints, come out to spend time ensuring VBS is a success for the children. People are a blessing to me through the ministries they serve in; whether it be in music, as a Sunday School teacher, as a deacon, serving as ushers, working with the sound equipment, working in the nursery (a huge blessing to my wife), or simply getting me a cup of water as I prepare to preach. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is also a blessing hearing about people honoring their pastor to others in their speech. I'm not talking about thinking of me above measure, as our focus is to be on Christ, not the pastor. <i><span style="color: #660000;"><b>2 Corinthians 4:5 </b>For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.</span> </i>It speaks volumes of a church's unity and focus on Christ's vision when people are not murmuring about the church, other people, or the pastor, but rather are lifting each other up. I've had visitors on more than one occasion come to me and compliment on the church's love for Jesus, their care for other people, and that "people really love you and your family here, they speak highly of you as their pastor." I am both embarrassed and blessed by such a compliment upon the church family. It really shows a church aligned with <span style="color: #660000;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">1 Thessalonians 5:12–13</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US"><i><span style="color: #660000;">And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.</span><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></i></span>It is a great testimony to others in the church, to visitors, and even to those without in the community when we speak well of each other.</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While there are many ways people have been been and continue to be a blessing to me as their pastor, there is one particular way that abundantly blesses me above all else as I strive to serve the Lord alongside the people of Napavine Baptist Church. This morning I watched this video clip of <a href="http://www.paulchappell.com/" target="_blank">Pastor Paul Chappell</a> of Lancaster Baptist Church and he sums it up very well. Watch the following video to see how you can be an exceptional blessing to your pastor, and ultimately to the Lord Jesus Christ.</span></span></div>
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Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-86506520371757219262013-08-06T03:55:00.001-07:002013-08-06T03:55:41.291-07:00Reza Aslan's Misrepresentation of the Apostle Paul<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Prior to getting into a detailed review of the many inaccurate claims found in Reza Aslan’s book</span><b style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Zealot: The Life and times of Jesus of Nazareth, </b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I’ll mention what I questioned Aslan about at Powell’s bookstore last week. I don’t like to slander people’s character. Many times that is what people do when they themselves feel insulted by someone else. Yet Aslan holds high in defending his credentials and says that his book was a matter of academic pursuit with two decades of research. I don’t doubt the amount of years it took him to research for this project, but I do (and I did at Powell’s) question him on his academic honesty on the research as found in this book.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The information that I questioned Aslan on is found on pages 185 and 186 of his book. I will cover the chapter as a whole later, but will just deal with these pages and our discourse at Powell’s bookstore. I will cover five inaccuracies found on these two pages. Following are some quotes from Aslan’s book, speaking of the apostle Paul:</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“He insists he is far superior to all the other apostles.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Are they Hebrews?” Paul writes of the apostles. “So am I! Are they Israelites? So am I! Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I! Are they servants of Christ? <i>I am a better one</i>”</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Paul holds particular contempt for the Jerusalem-based triumvirate of James, Peter, and John, whom he derides as the “so-called pillars of the church” (Galatians 2:9). “Whatever they are makes no difference to me,” he writes. “Those leaders contributed noting to me” (Galatians 2:6). </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“The apostles may have walked and talked with the living Jesus (or, as Paul dismissively calls him, “Jesus-in-the-flesh”). But Paul walks and talks with the divine Jesus”</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“according to Paul...Jesus imparts secret instructions intended solely for his ears.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“The apostles may have been handpicked by Jesus as they toiled away on their fields or brought up their fishing nets. But Jesus chose Paul before he was born: he was, he tells the Galatians, called by Jesus into apostleship while still in his mother’s womb (Galatians 1:15).” In other words, Paul does not consider himself the thirteenth apostle. He thinks he is the first apostle.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Misrepresentation One</span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aslan says that the Apostle Paul insists that he is superior to all the other apostles. And he further misquotes Paul, by making up his own translation (as he admits to doing in the Author’s Note at the beginning of the book). He quotes Paul as saying “I am a better one” in the context of being better than the twelve apostles.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Fact: </b>The church at Corinth began to listen to false teachers who claimed to be "super-apostles," or “chiefest apostles.” These false teachers attempted to discredit Paul to the church at Corinth, pointing out that he wasn’t very eloquent in his speech. Paul revealed to the church that these men were false apostles and deceitful workers.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>2 Corinthians 11:13–15 </i></b><i>For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>2 Corinthians 11:3–4 </i></b><i>But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These so called “super apostles” were preaching another Jesus, another Spirit, and another gospel than what was the truth. Aslan in his speech said that Paul is referring to the twelve apostles as the “false apostles.” This is not true. Paul speaking of the apostles of Christ said that they preach the same gospel of Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>1 Corinthians 15:11 </i></b><i>“whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.”</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was other people who were deceiving the people into thinking that they themselves were “chiefest apostles” of Christ with their glamor, elitism, and they boasted in their Jewish heritage. Paul responds that he too is a Hebrew, is an Israelite, and of the seed of Abraham. Yet in direct opposite to the lifestyles of these false “super-apostles,” he mentions that he sacrificed more so that the church at Corinth would be able to hear the true gospel of Christ. He was reluctant to speak of his labors and apostleship, but was compelled to do so by the deception the false apostles were being to the church at Corinth.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>2 Corinthians 11:23–28 </i></b><i>...(I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paul never boasted to be better than the other apostles of Christ. In fact, Paul said he didn’t even deserve to be an apostle and that he was the least of the apostles. He credited only the grace of God that he was able to serve as an apostle of Christ.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>1 Corinthians 15:9–10 </i></b><i>For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain...”</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aslan wrote that Paul holds <i>contempt</i> for James, Peter, and John, making a mockery out of them as "so-called pillars of the church" (Galatians 2:9). Aslan continues to add that Paul says of these three apostles of Christ, “Whatever they are makes no difference to me...those leaders contributed nothing to me" Galatians 2:6).</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Fact:</b> It was false brethren (Judaizers) who were trying to discredit the ministry of Paul to James, Peter, and John. Judaizers were those who taught that one had to keep the law of Moses to be saved. In particular here, they were teaching that one could not receive salvation unless they got circumcised first. Paul wasn’t being derogatory towards the twelve apostles themselves, but to the extravagant and exclusive claims of the Judaizers. Paul writes respectfully that James, Peter, and John didn’t have anything additional to him in regards to their credibility or in the message that they preached. That even these three great apostles concluded that Paul was called to be an apostle and preacher of the gospel. They were all preaching the same gospel, but unto different people groups: Paul primary to the Gentiles, and they primary to the Jews.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Galatians 2:4–8 </i></b><i>And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It becomes very obvious that Aslan isn’t simply happening to be making a mistake in interpretation of Galatians 2:9. This isn’t even taking one verse out of context of a larger passage. This is taking a “few words” out of context of a “single verse.” Aslan said that Paul was deriding James, Peter, and John as “so called pillars of the church.” Paul was actually commending them as recognized great leaders of the church and speaks of them welcoming him into fellowship and sending him and Barnabas to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Galatians 2:9 </i></b><i>And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At Powell’s bookstore, Aslan repetitively depicted Paul and these three apostles as always being at odds with each other as if they were enemies. The truth is that they loved each other, supported each other, and preached the same Jesus. James, Peter, and the rest of the apostles supported Paul’s mission (Acts 15). In one of Peter’s writings, he commended the wisdom of Paul and understood his epistles to be scripture.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>2 Peter 3:15–16 </i></b><i>And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aslan portrays Paul as an egomaniac. He colors him as a prideful man that believes he is better than the other apostles because Jesus gives him secret instructions solely for his own ears. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Fact:</b> Paul was a humble man. We already saw that he considered himself to be the least of the apostles. He didn’t proudly brag about secret conversations with Jesus, but rather sometimes even spoke of visions he received in the third person (II Corinthians 12).</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Misrepresentation Four</span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aslan mentions that Paul, in an effort to prove his superiority over the other apostles, insists that the other apostles only got to walk and talk with Jesus-in-the-flesh. That he himself got to know the divine Jesus. Aslan says that Paul uses the terminology “Jesus-in-the-flesh” in a dismissive manner.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Fact:</b> The apostle Paul never spoke in this manner. No wonder Aslan doesn’t quote an example here. The exact opposite is actually true. Paul was an eye-witness of the resurrected Jesus Christ. Jesus literally physically rose from the dead. It is this same Jesus the rest of the apostles walked with before he even died! Paul believed Jesus Christ to be both 100% human and 100% deity. This is often called the Hypostatic-Union amongst theologians. Paul said Jesus Christ our Lord was made of the seed of David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God with power. Paul also made it clear that Jesus was God in the flesh. Paul never dismissively referred to a “Jesus-in-the flesh,” but rather embraces the reality.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Romans 1:3–4 </i></b><i>Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>1 Timothy 3:16 </i></b><i>And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Misrepresentation Five</span>
</b>Aslan says that Paul implies in Galatians 1:15 that rather than being the thirteenth apostle he is really Jesus’ first choice as an apostle. He expresses this mindset as if Paul was thinking the other apostles didn’t get picked until Jesus was living amongst them, but that he was chosen before he was even born.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Fact:</b> Paul declares that it was only because of the grace of God that he was appointed as an apostle and preacher of the gospel. Paul even acknowledged that the other apostles were appointed before he was. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Galatians 1:17 </i></b><i>Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Misrepresentations - Intentional or Unintentional?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With these five misrepresentations showing up primary on one page (p.185) of Aslan’s book, it appears that this is a research project that is catastrophic at best. Are these misrepresentations intentional or unintentional? In his speech at Powell’s he tried to play things off as if there may be various interpretations about any passage of the scripture text. Yet it is obvious to me that this is not a case of difficult and various interpretations. The scripture texts are very plainly stated, and they don’t mean what Aslan taught them to mean. This book appears to purposefully twist and manipulate the text to give a portrayal of Jesus that is inaccurate. Here in particular it is giving a portrait of the apostle Paul that is false and not true to the very text that he supposedly quotes. You be the judge and leave a comment. Are these misrepresentations intentional or simply poor research that may have been unintentional? Or do you not think there is any misrepresentation at all?</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One thing is abundantly clear to me, with at least five inaccuracies on one page, something does not add up right. A work that distorts historical documents does not hold up to its claims of being an academic and scholarly research project. It is apparent to me that this is simply a work with an agenda to undermine the real historical Jesus as also depicted in the historical documents we know as the scriptures. The apostle Paul must of known what he was talking about when he mentioned that there were those who preach “another Jesus” and “another gospel,” “which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” Galatians 1:17</span></span><br />
Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-3910709932191702002013-07-31T15:52:00.001-07:002013-07-31T15:54:59.829-07:00Reza Aslan @ Powell's Bookstore - Zealot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #37404e; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; letter-spacing: 0px;">On Monday July 29 I saw an interview of Reza Aslan about his book </span><b style="color: #37404e; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; letter-spacing: 0px;">Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth </b><span style="color: #37404e; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; letter-spacing: 0px;">on Foxnews. It is supposed to be about the “historical” Jesus, as compared with the Jesus of Christianity. That the real Jesus was different than what Christians think of him as. He is wrong on that account, but I’ll get to that later. Here is the clip from <a href="http://video.foxnews.com/v/2568059649001/zealot-author-reza-aslan-responds-to-critics/" target="_blank">Foxnews</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Tuesday morning I saw him on more interviews (CNN & MSN). The Foxnews story went viral because Reza Aslan was questioned why he as a Muslim is writing about Jesus. To that he said he did not write as a Muslim, but as an academic historian of religions. The firestorm in the news media and blogs began.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Tuesday around noon my wife and I decided to go to Portland Oregon for a day trip. While there we stopped by Powell's Bookstore for the first time, which is a huge bookstore! We happened to walk into the Pearl room, and we see many copies of the book Zealot and a crowd sitting in chairs in front of an empty lectern. I wondered if Reza Aslan was going to be there, I thought surely not, it’ll probably be someone else giving a talk about the book but I decided to stay to see what was going on. I thumbed through the book and read portions of it and noticed what appears to be blatant dishonesty about the writings of the gospels and the writings of Paul. He quotes several of the New Testament writings and pieces portions together way out of context. I’m not talking about diverse interpretations of scripture, but putting scriptures, sayings, quotes, etc. in a context that is very dishonest to the plain reading of the text. I was flabbergasted, because this is supposed to be an academic scholarly book and many will be reading this book (especially students at Universities), yet the substance is very inaccurate. Far from being scholarly. Dishonest is likely. Yet many who read this will not even checkup on the supposed “facts” but will simply take Aslan’s word for it. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As I was continuing to read, sure enough about 45 minutes later Reza Aslan comes on out, waves and smiles at our youngest child as he makes his way to the lectern. He was friendly, told a few jokes, and is an eloquent speaker. What was disturbing though was either poor research or dishonesty. He was captivating in his talk, but the information he was spouting out wasn't only untrue from what the biblical text says, but also other historical information was inaccurate. When the floor was opened for questions, I questioned and challenged him on his academic honesty regarding some of the things he said and wrote in his book. He said my question was going to be the last one as he wanted to spend extra time answering it. He answered eloquently yet would say things that were false and again would piece New Testament writings together in such a fashion that would be dishonest to it’s immediate and historical context. I even spoke up again in the middle of his answer respectfully yet firmly calling out his dishonesty specifically, and then was quiet to let him finish his answer since people did come to hear him in the first place. I hope there will be people that will do diligence in research and not blindly accept his opinions or book as “facts,” since I did challenge him on the accuracy of some of his statements. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I purchased the book and am going to read it in its entirety and post a review and rebuttal supposed facts as necessary. In it I will post in detail the things that were misrepresented in his speech and book that I briefly mentioned in this post. I talked to Reza Aslan following the talk, thanked him for taking my question, and even got a picture with him. He signed my copy, and I gave him a gospel tract. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; letter-spacing: 0px;">The firestorm in the media was about Aslan being questioned about his motives in writing about Jesus, since he was a Muslim. Aslan responded with his degrees and credentials, and that he was not writing as a muslim, but as a historian. I agree that Aslan can write about Jesus as a Muslim, just as Christians can write about Muhammed. It is also inevitable that both to a degree will have a bias in their writing even with academic credentials. Yet it is claimed that this book is purely academic on who the real Jesus was, with no faith bias at all. After scanning the book and listening to Aslan speak at Powell’s Bookstore, it is obvious to be the contrary. There is an agenda to undermine the historical Jesus and the Christian faith. He is free to try to do that, but don’t say it is an academic work when the book either manifests poor scholarship or is outright dishonest in an attempt to undermine the credibility of the Christian faith. He would often say things similar to “You can believe what you want. If believing in Jesus in a celestial spiritual way helps you, and you find comfort in it, then believe it. Don’t let what I say shake your faith. I’m just interested in the historical Jesus.” He was simply employing a “polite” form to mock Christians as being unintellectual and blind followers. </span><span style="color: #37404e; font-family: Lucida Grande;">Yet I'm sure even Aslan knows that many will be blind followers of his misrepresentations of the Bible and other history.<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> There was even a <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/books/index.ssf/2013/07/reza_aslan_talks_about_jesus_j.html" target="_blank">post online in The Oregonian</a> (in regards to Aslan's visit to Powell's Bookstore) that implied that people can believe in a fairytale Jesus if they want to, but scholarship and </span>academia<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> focus on the "real man" named Jesus. I quote the writer of the post, "</span>Aslan was challenged only once and responded with a lengthy disquisition on the Apostle Paul that included several reminders that it’s OK to believe what you want to want to believe. Scholarship is one thing; faith is something else.<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">" The Christian faith, however, is not a blind faith but based on much historical evidence. One of many good resources to read is the book titled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Evidence-Demands-Questions-Challenging-Christians/dp/0785242198/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375310341&sr=8-1&keywords=the+new+evidence+that+demands+a+verdict" target="_blank"><b>The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict</b></a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">For the record, the historical Jesus is the same Jesus that Bible believing Christians worship. The Old and New Testament writings are a reliable collection of historical documents, many written by eyewitnesses themselves and those who lived during the lifetimes of other eyewitnesses. Many of the things they saw and heard were a fulfillment of many of the prophesies found in the Old Testament. The books of the Bible were written on three separate continents (Africa, Europe, and Asia), in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) between 40+ diverse authors, written over the course of about 1,500 years. They are filled with names, times, and places. Archaeological digs confirm historical facts that are mentioned in the Bible. There are almost 6,000 known Greek manuscripts for the New Testament alone. As compared to other ancient writings this amount is astronomical. Assuming the following figures are still accurate, there are only 10 copies of Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars (written in first century B.C.), seven copies of Aristotle's Poetics, and zero manuscripts of the writings of Socrates (what we know of him is only in the writings of Plato). In regards to the New Testament, besides the Greek manuscripts, there are over 19,000 copies in the Syriac, Latin, Coptic, and Aramaic languages. The total supporting New Testament manuscript base is well over 24,000, and this is not even counting early Christian writings in the 1st-5th centuries quoting the New Testament text.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">For Gallic Wars, the earliest manuscripts we have were written about 1,000 years after the original. Aristotle’s Poetics earliest was written 1,400 years later. You take Homer’s Iliad and the earliest manuscript was written approximately 500 years later. The earliest historic manuscript we have of the New Testament dates from around 125 A.D. It is a fragment of the Gospel of John (</span><span style="color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px;">John Rylands Papyri)</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">. That is within around 28-30 years of the original. That is unheard of in any other ancient writings. I mention this to point out that the New Testament writings are a reliable collection of historic documents with many manuscripts testifying to the purity of it’s transmission to what we have today in our english Bible. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, the writings of Paul and others are not simply “spiritual/devotional” writings, but are in fact historical documents. They are historic accounts of many eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ and his resurrection. Christians have superior criteria confirming the authenticity and reliability of the New Testament than anyone has of any other other ancient writing. It is already evident that the Bible is a superior historical account of the man Jesus than Reza Aslan’s book Zealot. Stay tuned for a rebuttal of the accuracy of Aslan’s book.</span></div>
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Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-7139889445049874232013-07-25T01:49:00.001-07:002013-07-25T02:02:23.228-07:00Mount Up With Wings As Eagles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We've been busy almost all summer working on remodeling and painting the exterior of the church </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Titus Flying a Kite</td></tr>
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buildings as well as being involved in three city parades in getting the word out about our upcoming Vacation Bible School that will be August 4-7 (our church was able to get out approximately 2,500 invitations).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before Photo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing to Prime & Paint</td></tr>
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It feels like it's been busy non-stop. At times the adrenaline and excitement of accomplishing many projects in serving the Lord by repairing the breaches of the house of God seems to keep you from even getting tiresome. However, after awhile you see the many things completed, you also see the many things that still need to get finished and you begin to get weary. You also understand that family is needing some time together.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After Photo</td></tr>
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We've been working together as a family when possible, but there is a time to relax and have fun together as well. Plus some of those in our church family probably need a little break as well! Though we're still not finished yet, it was about time that we spend some family fun time! So off we went spontaneously to Long Beach Monday morning! We had such a great time driving on the beach, playing in the sand and ocean, visiting shops, and doing other activities that my wife had the idea that we camp out in our vehicle overnight and enjoy another day at the beach! </div>
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All cramped up in the morning, but it soon wore off and we had another adventurous day. We went to historic forts, went hiking, ate huge Texas Donuts in Washington, and climbed huge rocks to lose the calories we gained! We even saw a good sized rock in the distance while driving on the beach. </div>
As we drove closer, it started to look like it might be some sort of large bird. The kids said "no, it's a rock daddy." Then as we got closer wings spread out with a wing span of 6-7 feet. It was an American Bald Eagle and it was a beautiful sight to see! We got to drive alongside the eagle for a few miles and see it fly over the ocean alongside the shore of the beach. What a beauty it was seeing this magnificent creation of God soar so graciously yet with power, agility, and confidence. Before we went to the beach, we charged our camera's battery the night before, only to then forget to bring the camera with us when we left. So we didn't get to get any amazing pictures like we hoped, but we did manage to get a brief video on a low-quality phone-camera. We were a lot closer to the eagle than the video appears to depict, though far enough not to attempt to be a disturbance. It was an awesome time at Long Beach. We had such a great time of refreshing as a family Monday and Tuesday.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6NIeSVJogr4EAV06WpwfDMMWchP-yep8c3x4qt-cF3KUR3_P7uredEKx7rNKRS6C9cl4APfg0IDwM_GmyzwtftQsIk3tBGrK4RxV1DoyXoLkkWaqOLYYgHmNxJuTtuXZwCVzxX7tELMb/s1600/Stepping+Out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6NIeSVJogr4EAV06WpwfDMMWchP-yep8c3x4qt-cF3KUR3_P7uredEKx7rNKRS6C9cl4APfg0IDwM_GmyzwtftQsIk3tBGrK4RxV1DoyXoLkkWaqOLYYgHmNxJuTtuXZwCVzxX7tELMb/s320/Stepping+Out.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I also was reminded on Wednesday, being a special day, that nine years ago I made one of the best decisions in my life. That was to take Jaimee to be my wife. I'm so thankful that she chose to join me in this life's journey. We are a family blessed of the Lord and we are also grateful to be able to serve amongst such a great church family. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solomon driving bumper cars for the first time at 8.<br />
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We come home and one of the ladies of the church had weed-eated around our house and the church, then one of the men came and mowed the lawn the next day. Another man came and cleaned out the gym a little bit so he could come back tomorrow so he can prime and paint the trim boards that we'll be installing on the church building soon. Others are making preparation for Vacation Bible School. It is a blessing to serve as pastor amongst many great servants of God. May we as a church family always remember to wait upon the Lord, and he will renew our strength and enable us to mount up with wings as eagles. May we see Napavine Baptist Church run and not be weary, walk and not faint. Remember to take times to rest and "come apart as a family, so you don't come apart." "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:9-10<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children Climbing Mountains of Rocks</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">Isaiah 40:28–31</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span lang="en-US">Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, That the everlasting God, the </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span lang="en-US">, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; And to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span lang="en-US"> shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles; They shall run, and not be weary; And they shall walk, and not faint.</span></span></i>
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Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156801725190911814.post-34471690999207980402013-07-20T18:09:00.003-07:002013-07-20T19:40:43.340-07:00Pastor Jason Saling's Blog<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ia10hCxirV07hHxWlA9oGubYVvxdJRGOmo-6zr62zfIY8-UMDl7bMSXQFJNsXUX_wd3RFQyeHFy5ThFFvfduE17p7bHvlxtSD0IM6tm_2PFJicx-deg9cvZM880VRNbIV7ZIJBOwwqkv/s1600/FreeGreatPicture.com-6284-feather-pen-and-scrolls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ia10hCxirV07hHxWlA9oGubYVvxdJRGOmo-6zr62zfIY8-UMDl7bMSXQFJNsXUX_wd3RFQyeHFy5ThFFvfduE17p7bHvlxtSD0IM6tm_2PFJicx-deg9cvZM880VRNbIV7ZIJBOwwqkv/s320/FreeGreatPicture.com-6284-feather-pen-and-scrolls.jpg" width="320" /></a>I have begun a new blog that will serve a diversity of purposes. Sometimes I will write about our family and post pictures. It may be about a day trip or vacation we happen to go on, a day at home, working together as a family, or something random.<br />
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Other times I will write things that I hope will be spiritually edifying to others. I will post theological excerpts, teach biblical doctrine, and topical bible studies. There will be times when it may be devotional in nature, something to challenge ourselves about, or to motivate Christians in their service unto the Lord Jesus Christ. I'll share recent stories of missionaries that we support or may know. Occasionally I may post a book review of something I've read that was profitable unto me or mention resources that others may find helpful.</div>
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Jason Salinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083636666223784505noreply@blogger.com0