Please explain this passage of Scripture:
Hebrews 6:1-8
1 So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity[a] again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don't need to start all over again with the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. 2You don't need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.
4For it is impossible to restore to repentance those who were once enlightened--those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, 5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come-- 6and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people to repentance again because they are nailing the Son of God to the cross again by rejecting him, holding him up to public shame.
7When the ground soaks up the rain that falls on it and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has the blessing of God. 8But if a field bears thistles and thorns, it is useless. The farmer will condemn that field and burn it. (NLT)
Hmmmm...
Monday, August 22, 2005
Friday, August 05, 2005
All Dogs Go To Heaven
I pose the heavy theological question:
Will our pets be in heaven?
If you say “yes” then is that restricted to just pets, or all critters go to heaven?
Hmm, what are you going to say to the piece of chicken you ate yesterday or the steak you’ll have tonight?
What about the bug you squished, or the rare Hawaiian bird our land developments displaced and caused to go extinct?
If you say “no” how do you explain that to a little kid who’s dog just died?
Is it a soul/no soul issue?
Will they only inhabit the earth as in "A new heaven and a new earth."?
If heaven is so heavenly won’t we grieve the loss of a beloved pet?
Will we think “humanly” as we do now about these things when we get to heaven?
Got any scriptures to back this thoughts up with?
Come on, I need some help here………
Will our pets be in heaven?
If you say “yes” then is that restricted to just pets, or all critters go to heaven?
Hmm, what are you going to say to the piece of chicken you ate yesterday or the steak you’ll have tonight?
What about the bug you squished, or the rare Hawaiian bird our land developments displaced and caused to go extinct?
If you say “no” how do you explain that to a little kid who’s dog just died?
Is it a soul/no soul issue?
Will they only inhabit the earth as in "A new heaven and a new earth."?
If heaven is so heavenly won’t we grieve the loss of a beloved pet?
Will we think “humanly” as we do now about these things when we get to heaven?
Got any scriptures to back this thoughts up with?
Come on, I need some help here………
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Here, Let Me Show You How It Is Done.
I'm starting on a book, that will be the best of Christian Writings!
Okay, I've only developed the title so far....
Doing Church As A Team That Is Living A Purpose-Driven Life To Make Chicken Soup For The Soul As You Let Go Of The Ring To Say The Prayer Of Jebez And Want A Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire So You Can Have The Best Life Now Instead Of Mere Christianity.
We read so many books about the Bible, instead of reading the Bible...Is it because these great authors write better than the inspired authors (inspired by God, no less) of the original 66 books?
Are we so "marketized" and "media-blitzed" that the ole' Bible ain't good enough?
What about 1 Corinthians 2:1-5?
1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. (NIV)
Look at it again...
1You'll remember, friends, that when I first came to you to let you in on God's master stroke, I didn't try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. 2I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did--Jesus crucified.
3I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate--I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it-- 4and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway. God's Spirit and God's power did it, 5which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God's power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else.
(The Message)
It's even worth reading again...
1Dear brothers and sisters, when I first came to you I didn't use lofty words and brilliant ideas to tell you God's message. 2For I decided to concentrate only on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. 3I came to you in weakness--timid and trembling. 4And my message and my preaching were very plain. I did not use wise and persuasive speeches, but the Holy Spirit was powerful among you. 5I did this so that you might trust the power of God rather than human wisdom. (NLT)
While I'm at it I'll start a church too:
First New Hope Calvary Chapel with the Word of Life Assembly of God
Hmmm, maybe I should just use the shortened moniker--Christ's Body.
Some churches are trying to find a way to draw people to their church with slogans and seeker-sensitive campaigns...
I'm wondering, are we helping the Holy Spirit or are we hindering/working against the Holy Spirit?
Were does Godly inspiration end and for God desperation start?
Would you go/stay at a church that heeded Paul's statement: making the message and the preaching very plain?
How many of my 200+ books should I toss from my "Christian Living" bookshelves and get back to the Word of God?
Don't get me wrong, there are wonderful, life-changing books there....But I need to ask myself where I am focused, and if I'm reading more books about the Bible than I am actually reading the Bible...I'm hearing more from the voice of man's wisdom than God's truth and wisdom.
If I'm listening to a pastor or buying tapes of one that always makes me feel good, makes me laugh, and tells me my life is gonna be blessed and better, and happy...Sure that is part of the Christian promise...but there is more, much more and the Word of God point's to suffering, difficulties and a promise that will be met, if not now in this life....in Heaven.
Word
Okay, I've only developed the title so far....
Doing Church As A Team That Is Living A Purpose-Driven Life To Make Chicken Soup For The Soul As You Let Go Of The Ring To Say The Prayer Of Jebez And Want A Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire So You Can Have The Best Life Now Instead Of Mere Christianity.
We read so many books about the Bible, instead of reading the Bible...Is it because these great authors write better than the inspired authors (inspired by God, no less) of the original 66 books?
Are we so "marketized" and "media-blitzed" that the ole' Bible ain't good enough?
What about 1 Corinthians 2:1-5?
1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. (NIV)
Look at it again...
1You'll remember, friends, that when I first came to you to let you in on God's master stroke, I didn't try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. 2I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did--Jesus crucified.
3I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate--I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it-- 4and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway. God's Spirit and God's power did it, 5which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God's power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else.
(The Message)
It's even worth reading again...
1Dear brothers and sisters, when I first came to you I didn't use lofty words and brilliant ideas to tell you God's message. 2For I decided to concentrate only on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. 3I came to you in weakness--timid and trembling. 4And my message and my preaching were very plain. I did not use wise and persuasive speeches, but the Holy Spirit was powerful among you. 5I did this so that you might trust the power of God rather than human wisdom. (NLT)
While I'm at it I'll start a church too:
First New Hope Calvary Chapel with the Word of Life Assembly of God
Hmmm, maybe I should just use the shortened moniker--Christ's Body.
Some churches are trying to find a way to draw people to their church with slogans and seeker-sensitive campaigns...
I'm wondering, are we helping the Holy Spirit or are we hindering/working against the Holy Spirit?
Were does Godly inspiration end and for God desperation start?
Would you go/stay at a church that heeded Paul's statement: making the message and the preaching very plain?
How many of my 200+ books should I toss from my "Christian Living" bookshelves and get back to the Word of God?
Don't get me wrong, there are wonderful, life-changing books there....But I need to ask myself where I am focused, and if I'm reading more books about the Bible than I am actually reading the Bible...I'm hearing more from the voice of man's wisdom than God's truth and wisdom.
If I'm listening to a pastor or buying tapes of one that always makes me feel good, makes me laugh, and tells me my life is gonna be blessed and better, and happy...Sure that is part of the Christian promise...but there is more, much more and the Word of God point's to suffering, difficulties and a promise that will be met, if not now in this life....in Heaven.
Word
May I Take Your Order?
Here's some definitions from Webster's Dictionary:
Obedient
1. complying with or submissive to authority.
Obey
1. to comply with the commands of, 2. to comply with; to obey orders. 3. to submit or conform to.
Submit
1. to give over or yield to the power or authority of another. 2. to yield oneself to the power or authority of another.
What does this mean to you?
I am sometimes so “proud” of myself for being obedient to God….hmmm. In reality I need to have a clearer understanding of this…so let’s look at it together.
Imagine I own a rowboat on a river…. Now, I want to go downstream because it is with the flow of the current, it is easier to row, and there is a nice village down there. It so happens, my boss wants me to run some stuff in my boat to the same village. Since I plan to go there and there is room enough for his stuff too, I consider this for just a moment. So I say, in obedience, I will do just that.
Am I really obedient, or is it more to the fact it is convenient to my own personal plans?
It doesn’t require much effort on my part to then obey.
Now, consider my boss instead wants me to row upstream with his stuff to a few villages…If I do so, immediately, completely and without grumbling….is that a better model of obedience?
My point, I guess is to really learn obedience is to do those things we know God wants us to do even when (especially when) our flesh, the world, and/or our temptations say/desire otherwise. We need to do it immediately, without grumbling and to completion.
In a book I recently read, the author stated this point….To delay in obeying is still disobedience. To not fully complete the task is disobedience. To obey but grumble and gripe is still disobedience…..WOW, I’ve been DIS-obedient more often than I want to admit to myself and you.
I really want to learn obedience…if it’s convenient, without discomfort, and requires little or no effort/energy. That is NOT what God wants to teach me. With obedience comes pain, suffering, discomfort, sorrow, and a more intimate relationship with God!
Read your Bible…This is what is found every time someone is obedient…even obedient to death on a cross.
On the other side….Disobedience also comes at a great cost, and without God’s favor…just eat the apple….ignore the covenant…turn from the Lord your God…run from God and look what happens. You lose your property rights to the best garden on earth… your enemies defeat you… you don’t get into the Promised Land… and get swallowed by a whale…etc.
Sure, this is a simplified and shallow study of obedience…I just want to get some dialogue going on real-life examples, stories, and thoughts from YOU on what being obedient is to YOU!
Obedient
1. complying with or submissive to authority.
Obey
1. to comply with the commands of, 2. to comply with; to obey orders. 3. to submit or conform to.
Submit
1. to give over or yield to the power or authority of another. 2. to yield oneself to the power or authority of another.
What does this mean to you?
I am sometimes so “proud” of myself for being obedient to God….hmmm. In reality I need to have a clearer understanding of this…so let’s look at it together.
Imagine I own a rowboat on a river…. Now, I want to go downstream because it is with the flow of the current, it is easier to row, and there is a nice village down there. It so happens, my boss wants me to run some stuff in my boat to the same village. Since I plan to go there and there is room enough for his stuff too, I consider this for just a moment. So I say, in obedience, I will do just that.
Am I really obedient, or is it more to the fact it is convenient to my own personal plans?
It doesn’t require much effort on my part to then obey.
Now, consider my boss instead wants me to row upstream with his stuff to a few villages…If I do so, immediately, completely and without grumbling….is that a better model of obedience?
My point, I guess is to really learn obedience is to do those things we know God wants us to do even when (especially when) our flesh, the world, and/or our temptations say/desire otherwise. We need to do it immediately, without grumbling and to completion.
In a book I recently read, the author stated this point….To delay in obeying is still disobedience. To not fully complete the task is disobedience. To obey but grumble and gripe is still disobedience…..WOW, I’ve been DIS-obedient more often than I want to admit to myself and you.
I really want to learn obedience…if it’s convenient, without discomfort, and requires little or no effort/energy. That is NOT what God wants to teach me. With obedience comes pain, suffering, discomfort, sorrow, and a more intimate relationship with God!
Read your Bible…This is what is found every time someone is obedient…even obedient to death on a cross.
On the other side….Disobedience also comes at a great cost, and without God’s favor…just eat the apple….ignore the covenant…turn from the Lord your God…run from God and look what happens. You lose your property rights to the best garden on earth… your enemies defeat you… you don’t get into the Promised Land… and get swallowed by a whale…etc.
Sure, this is a simplified and shallow study of obedience…I just want to get some dialogue going on real-life examples, stories, and thoughts from YOU on what being obedient is to YOU!
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
If We Ask Will We Hear?
After reading Randall's comments on the "When We Should Ask God?" blog entry, I pondered his point on hearing God's voice. I had written on this briefly back in 2003 and I again post some thoughts/questions to you all.
I have never heard the audible voice of God. For that matter, I have never seen the Hand of God writing on a wall; speaking through an ass (Donkey, you guys) or a small still voice--a whisper. Nothing that noteworthy, or in such Biblical proportions.
Now, the Bible has those examples and others, but what I want to discuss is if anyone else "hears God's voice"....
If you "hear from God" how do you know?
What are some things to look for, as evidence it is God?
How do you hear Him?
What does He say?
Is there a difference between hearing God's voice and the Holy Spirit's urgings and promptings?
How do you separate your own inner voice and His?
I know we are to seek the Lord and we are to pray/ask for guidance....so what if we don't/can't hear a response? Do we just freeze up and not move forward? Do we forgo trying to hear and just blunder ahead....how can we "check-in" as we move?
Hmm, inquiring minds want to know...
I have never heard the audible voice of God. For that matter, I have never seen the Hand of God writing on a wall; speaking through an ass (Donkey, you guys) or a small still voice--a whisper. Nothing that noteworthy, or in such Biblical proportions.
Now, the Bible has those examples and others, but what I want to discuss is if anyone else "hears God's voice"....
If you "hear from God" how do you know?
What are some things to look for, as evidence it is God?
How do you hear Him?
What does He say?
Is there a difference between hearing God's voice and the Holy Spirit's urgings and promptings?
How do you separate your own inner voice and His?
I know we are to seek the Lord and we are to pray/ask for guidance....so what if we don't/can't hear a response? Do we just freeze up and not move forward? Do we forgo trying to hear and just blunder ahead....how can we "check-in" as we move?
Hmm, inquiring minds want to know...
Monday, August 01, 2005
When Should We Ask God?
How often do we go about our lives, making our own plans for the future...then we ask God to bless it.
Shouldn't we be asking WHAT God's will is for our lives first, THEN He will bless us?
hmmmm
Matthew 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
A full review of this chapter may be warranted....
Too often we try to mold God and his will for our lives into what we've already planned to do, say, or be....It's really all wrong, in the sense that we should first realize...."it's not about me." My life is not my own anymore...it ALL belongs to God.
Too often we ask God to bless us, our lives, our plans....rather than asking God to reveal to us HIS will for us and HOW can we be a BLESSING to others according to his plans....
I want.....
I need.....
I feel.....
I desire....
Try this prayer for a week or so....
"Oh Lord, who is in heaven, blessed be your name. Your kingdom come, YOUR WILL be done on earth, as it is in heaven and let it begin with my life...in every part, in every facet, in every day.
Let me not move an inch out of YOUR WILL for my life. Please speak correction and direction, and grant me the will and the ways to obey out of choice rather than repentance out of circumstances. YOUR WILL be done in me."
I invite each of you to share some experiences and some scriptures that relate to this blog entry....This blog is only as good and useful as the involvement in it.
NOTE: If you desire to be removed from our notification list or if you know of others that want to be added, just let us know....no problemo (hawaiikman@yahoo.com)
May the Lord our God, bless you and strengthen you for His service.
Colossians 1:9-11
Shouldn't we be asking WHAT God's will is for our lives first, THEN He will bless us?
hmmmm
Matthew 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
A full review of this chapter may be warranted....
Too often we try to mold God and his will for our lives into what we've already planned to do, say, or be....It's really all wrong, in the sense that we should first realize...."it's not about me." My life is not my own anymore...it ALL belongs to God.
Too often we ask God to bless us, our lives, our plans....rather than asking God to reveal to us HIS will for us and HOW can we be a BLESSING to others according to his plans....
I want.....
I need.....
I feel.....
I desire....
Try this prayer for a week or so....
"Oh Lord, who is in heaven, blessed be your name. Your kingdom come, YOUR WILL be done on earth, as it is in heaven and let it begin with my life...in every part, in every facet, in every day.
Let me not move an inch out of YOUR WILL for my life. Please speak correction and direction, and grant me the will and the ways to obey out of choice rather than repentance out of circumstances. YOUR WILL be done in me."
I invite each of you to share some experiences and some scriptures that relate to this blog entry....This blog is only as good and useful as the involvement in it.
NOTE: If you desire to be removed from our notification list or if you know of others that want to be added, just let us know....no problemo (hawaiikman@yahoo.com)
May the Lord our God, bless you and strengthen you for His service.
Colossians 1:9-11
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