I guess I am like an ogre – I have many layers.
In this process of sanctification, I see that I have many layers needing to be peeled away. The Lord will continue to peel away my sin through various means. I have peeled away to Ohio and I look forward to seeing how the Guide of my life will change me in the coming months. I DOUBTED His being able to change me in Washington. I FOUGHT returning to Washington. I thought I would be friendless, stuck in my sin, and destined to a life of spinster living in her father’s home while knitting the household some red socks for winter. (I am not joking. I wrote out a list of about 16 fears I had in coming back to Washington from California. I looked back occasionally, sometimes they were lived out, but overall God provided for my needs and I had no need to fear.)
God is GOOD! He knows my sin and He wants to conform me to the image of His Son!! He will NOT allow me to linger in my sin and He will NOT forsake me. I have seen His faithfulness and His goodness in the land of the living and so I am eager and willing to place my faith in Him to do the same NOW. He does not forsake His sheep! I am living and so He still has a purpose for my life! He used me in Washington (I pray), and He will be faithful to put me to use in Ohio.
Some things that I have contemplated and have been contemplating while making my decision about going early to Ohio or not:
Do Hard Things by the McDowell brothers. Yes, this book is for teenagers, but I got some good stuff from it.
DO HARD THINGS:--Outside your comfort zone,
--That go beyond what is expected or required,
--That are too big for you to do alone,
--That don’t pay off immediately
--That go against the crowd.
Ohio seemed to fit there.
“On the Line” – what am I willing to put on the line? What do I have to put on the line? What am I willing to risk, by faith, not knowing for sure what the Lord will do in response? – Ohio sounded good.
Did I leave “too early”? I guess that was part of the risk.
Does God direct our steps even when man plans the way of his heart?
I guess that was the part of stepping out in faith.
I have now learned to love and lean on the reality that God is sovereign. He does direct our steps and He has planned our ways. All things work for His glory and for our good!! That includes this move. That includes choosing to move and choosing to keep myself under my dad’s direct authority.
I don’t know if it was “too early,” but since He [my Heavenly Father] didn’t prevent me from going, I am going to say that it was right on His time. I will seek His goodness in the land of the living! (Psalm 27:13-14)
(2nd Corinthians 4)
BECAUSE our inner man is being renewed day by day.
BECAUSE our light and momentary affliction works for us an eternal weight of glory.
BECAUSE God is preparing us a house that is eternal, in the heavens.
BECAUSE we will be further clothed as mortality is swallowed up.
BECAUSE God is preparing us to receive these glories; (needed: trials).
BECAUSE we have the Spirit as a guarantee; (not required – His goodness bestowed upon us).
BECAUSE we are confident as we walk by faith and not by sight,
“THEREFORE, we make it our aim, whether present or absent, [from the Lord] to be well pleasing to Him.” 2nd Corinthians 5:9
So, as I tour around Ohio and try to figure out why God brought Him here (which, perhaps I will never know,) I will endeavor to be faithful to Him. He has given us these promises. He gave up Himself and He asks that we follow Him. He asks that we lay ourselves down as a sacrifice – holy and pleasing to Him.
…PLEASING to Him…
What does that mean, again?
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
“Walk worthy of the calling with which you have been called – with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.”
Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep Him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
At Grace, the Lord taught me the importance of the Body. He taught me what it is to truly love the Body. He used all my former experiences and learnings and understandings and seemed to be balancing me and chiseling me.
Now, I am entering into a new fellowship to apply what I have learned. The Lord has brought great teaching through Grace and has used it to peel away my sin – layer, by disgusting layer. Now, I have come to FBC, Ohio. May I be faithful here! I am excited to see what Faith (haha) will teach me -- what layers it will peel away.
Please pray:
That I would find a job soon and that this would be the place where God has the right people to whom I can minister appropriately. (Nice money flow would be a good prayer request as well.)
That my dad and I would bond during this “alone time.”
[The Lord has so changed my attitude toward my dad. (CRAZY!) I see that he is an honorable man who is trying (with all diligence and perseverance) to walk worthy of his Lord. My dad wants to be able to stand before God blameless and holy. He wants to be held as a good steward of his family. –PRAISE THE LORD!]
That I would find where I should be ministering in the church – that my eyes would see the needs of the souls and take action.
That I would find some friends.
That I would find some older women…and bond quickly. (Some may have found me already.)
Sunday, October 24, 2010
My Former Days (I found old pictures!)
I did not realize how strange I TRULY was back in my college days. I recently found my MySpace account (that I have not accessed in YEARS) and saw these on there. I also found HUMOROUS writings up there! I have NO idea how I had any friends. I now understand why I didn't graduate with my "MRS" degree. (hahahahahahaha!!!)
Here are a few writing "exerpts":
"I am evil. Very, very evil because I am not doing my homework. But, my friends who don't actually exist, I am BORED! I don't want to write the paper anymore. I don't want to memorize anymore history facts and...well, I am not bored with my Bible class, but I just don't want to sit down and concentrate. I want to use my creative thinking parts. :0) My Bible class is actually very interesting. We are going from Romans to Revelation. My teacher is Dr. Doug Bookman. Have you all heard of him? He is GOOD. He is funny! He often gets off the subject, but he has soo many good tidbits in his rabbit trails that they are easily forgiven. He even starts the evening class earlier and ends it early so we can go watch home basketball games. He is a good guy. "
"So, I have decided that I would now devote this time to give a little commercial concerning what I like to call Splendiferously Crazy Unattached Mujeres. YES!! Isn't it beautiful? It is apart of the larger group people call the Spinster Sister Society. hehehe SCUM has come about because the Master's College delights in highlighting the "need" and the many opportunities at college to find one's spouse. Pooh pooh! If we are currently single, as the majority of us at college are, why should we be focusing on marriage and how to be godly in preparation for marriage?!! My opinion is that we should have more of a focus on how to be a godly SINGLE person now. We can use our singleness for God's glory. To be single is a gift that many are given for a temporary time. Are we going to sit on this gift and do nothing with it except prepare for marriage (which may not come)? I hope not! Thus, SCUM has come about. #1) To take a stand against the Master's desire for marriage and #2) to encourage each other (mujeres...women) in being single and using our time wisely (ie for the Lord.) We are not a group that is against marriage (no no!!) we are a society that is against an overwhelming focus and chasing after becoming "attached." :0) I am trying to write some short stories about SCUM. We have membership cards. Please, look for the membership card on the "more pics." I will try and post them. Fare thee well!"
"So, I have come back to school. That interesting institution that people flock to attend. Why? I ask again, why do we want to attend colleges and universities? Those who have progressed in the years of their life say it is because with a(n) "higher education" you can achieve amazing goals. Muhahaha I think not. There have been many amazingly successful people out there who have not attended university. What is the meaning of successful anyways? Hmmm... I mean really...when you graduate from university someone hands you a piece of PAPER that says you are qualified. How have we allowed pieces of PAPER to tell us whether or not someone is qualified for something? I do not know. Well, perhaps I do, because the person who gives us that piece of paper (degree) has also been given several pieces of paper that signify HE/SHE is qualified to tell us we are qualified. Have we bought into a cultural flop? I would love to rebel against this institution, but no. I cannot because I am too weak. Ahh! Well, that and I think the Lord wants me to get an education so I can better serve the people around me. :0)"
"Have you ever wonderedwhat we would do without libraries? I love my library system. So beautiful is it! Comfy, cushy chairs are dotted throughout the rather spacious building. My library system offers WIFI services which I just used for the first time. Do you get what I am saying? The library is a BEAUTIFUL thing. I mean, what other places offer you an array of books, movies, music, and research assistants? A library is a place where you can escape from the real world and you dont have to pay a fee before you leave the building. Praise the Lord for the creation (by Benjamin Franklin, wasnt it?) of libraries!"
ABCs of Greeting Newcomers
This is an original composition. Enjoy.
A – Accept that you may become their friend.
B – Believe that what they are saying is true.
C – Confess that you forgot their name.
D – Don’t let them leave without being greeted.
E – Eye-to-eye contact is great.
F – Firmly shake their hand.
G – Get their email, phone number, or something.
H – Highlight their interests.
I – Invite them to join you –in church, on another day, in another church meeting, etc.
J – Jostle their funny bones.
K – Keep eye-to-eye contact.
L – Laugh with them…not at them…(yet).
M – Match them up with other potential friends and/or contacts.
N – Never day dream while the new person is speaking to you.
O – Offer to show them around the church and/or the town.
P – Pause; see what they would like to say.
Q – Questions: Family, Occupation, Recreation, Dreams
R – Remember the information you have been asking them about; particularly their name.
S – Smile at them and with them.
T – Take them where their needs can be met.
U – Uphold God’s Word, the fellowship of the Body, and Jesus.
V – Value them as a potential friend.
W – Walk up to them first.
X – Xenophobia*; don’t fall prey to its devices!
Y – Yak in moderation.
Z – Zealously befriend one another; remembering we represent Christ.
*"Xenophobia" is the fear of foreigners -- people who are different from you.
Something Old..."Journey to London"
It was my final journey from the halls of Capernwray Bible School. After my German friend dropped me at the Carnforth train station, I took the train to Manchester. In Manchester I found (praise the Lord!) the coach station.
The National Express coach was taking me from Manchester to London. This was to be a 4 hour 30 minute drive down. I was expecting my own seat, time to read, think, and plan out my day and a half in London. The weather outside was HOT...well, for England. It was probably about 70/75 (Farenheit).
After putting my suitcase under the bus, I step aboard. I looked around and saw that I would not be in my own seat, but would have to share with a (GASP!) stranger.
After realizing this, I quickly glanced around the bus, looking for a smiling face.
A hairy man with his top shirt buttons unbuttoned smiled...he was too nice.
I continued to walk deeper into the bowels of the bus. With each step my choices were running out. I had to make my seat decision...and soon. In the very last seat, next to the toilet, sat a man. He smiled and waved.
I tried to look away, but I smiled instead.
I had no where else to go.
I was at the back of the bus.
If I turned around now he would know I was running away from him.
Bravely, I gathered up my bag and took the seat almost next to him. (It was a 3 seater, he sat next to the window, then there was an open seat, then I sat in the seat next to the toilet. That is what you get for 4 quid my friends! Value for your money on National Express!)
I sat down. The man (Robert) and I began to talk. He was not clean shaven, but looked very friendly. He wore a plan t-shirt and dark sweat pants. As we started talking I learned that his parents were both dying of different cancers and other illnesses and that he was living in Burnley, England. His parents had immigrated from Jamaica and he had grown up in London.
At the time of our meeting he was 45 years old. He was living in Burnley because he owed drug dealers in London thousands of pounds and they wanted to kill him since he couldn't pay.
I also found out that he needed injections to help him with his schizophrenia and depression.
He said that he belonged to the Church of England, but also liked to know what his horoscope was saying for the day.
He liked to talk.
For awhile I was glad that he could keep up the conversation...no awkward silences.
Some minutes later we were joined by another gentleman of the name of Omu. At the time, he was a lawyer from Nigeria, taking his exams in order to be a lawyer/solicitor (British term) in England. He told me that his name means "my God has come." ...He was the last child and only boy after 3 girls. Needless to say, his dad was very happy to have a son.
He really liked to talk as well.
He knew facts about all sorts of subjects.
He was journeying to meet his girlfriend in London and then they were going to Paris.
He laughed so loud and so wonderfully, it was great!
During our bus ride, the children in front of us kept coming to use the toilet. Omu had a huge bag and had to move it every time they wanted the door to be opened. We would spot them coming, Omu would squish closer to me so his bag could get out of the way, and then I had to get closer to Robert. While they were in the toilet, Omu would leave his bag in front of the door. There was one bathroom trip when he forgot about his bag and the person couldn't get out.
We were in the middle of laughing when his girlfriend called, checking to see where the coach was. She heard him laughing and wanted to know why he would be doing such a thing on the coach. He told her that he was leaving her and running off with a girl he had just met from the US and could give him his green card.
At this, his girlfriend commanded him to hand me the phone. He did. His girlfriend then started telling me that I should be careful because he likes children. I laughed and handed the phone back. When he heard what she said, he said, "Don't worry I am not Michael Jackson."
The rest of the coach ride was equally pleasant. We chatted and sweated a great deal together. Delightful!
While standing in line to check in at Heathrow Airport I stood behind a man who was going to Vancouver. He was dressed in a sort of "zoot suit" from the 90's. He wore a black hat, pink tie, white shirt, black jacket with pink lines, black trousers, pink socks, and black shoes. He told me that he had a mentally disturbed wife who was accusing him of stealing and was very emotionally damaging. I wondered if he wasn't the one who was mentally troubled. For awhile he kept going on about the problems with his wife. I eventually stopped talking to/with him. (The line was an hour long.)
The man behind me then started a conversation with me. I found that he used to be a professor at Cambridge and that he was back from Australia to visit his former students who are now professors at Cambridge.
His accent was lovely.
A posh Southern English accent.
He told me that he had practically traveled all around the world. He then said that he had yet to be to South America, Eastern Europe, or Africa. The question that then arose in my mind was, what part of the world HAD he traveled to?!!
Another amazing little bit was that he spent 300 pounds on the 5 star hotel he stayed in in London for the night! He was telling me that the quality for the price was getting a bit better in London, but still not as good as what you could get in other places. I thought, "You don't want to know how much I paid for my hostel last night!"
(32 pounds for two nights...a shared girls dorm. YES!)
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Evidence [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy]
Evidence [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy]: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
Oh my goodness. My brain is about to explode...I think, literally.
I also went to the page about logic and types of arguments.
This seems to be a good resource, but one to be used with caution.
I have struggled with doubt before. At this moment I am not and so, I pray as I read.
I pray the Lord will use this study so I may use it while speaking/interacting with others.
Knowledge only puffs up; love edifies.
Oh my goodness. My brain is about to explode...I think, literally.
I also went to the page about logic and types of arguments.
This seems to be a good resource, but one to be used with caution.
I have struggled with doubt before. At this moment I am not and so, I pray as I read.
I pray the Lord will use this study so I may use it while speaking/interacting with others.
Knowledge only puffs up; love edifies.
Collision: Quotes (Second)
Hitchens:
“Truth is not relative, but we cannot find it.
Truth is not relative, but honesty and kindness are best.”
(Isn’t that a truth statement? How do you know what “honesty” and “kindness” are? How do you conclude they are “best”? What is “best”?)
On statements he receives about his writing, “If I travel several blocks and do not hear complements, I start to get very sulky.” Haha!
On Protestants: “They came to do good, and ended up doing well.” Hahaha
On who will read the book: “These are the sort of people who buy the ‘Left Behind’ series, aren’t they? So that means they can’t be reading for pleasure. OR instruction.” (hahahahahahahaha)
On seeing someone who says they have just risen from the dead, “I would look at him quite narrowly…”
Wilson’s reply, “…if you had been with the guy for three years and he told you this would happen…I hope that you would look at him more than just squinty-eyed.” (haha!)
I loved the ending conversation they have in the car. Wilson appears to be dead-dog tired, while Hitchens seems to be gaining his second wind. Wilson tries to stay engaged (and awake) while Hitchens explains to him that if only one religious person were left on the earth, he wouldn’t try to convince them to leave behind their erroneous ways. He would let them stay religious. Very curious. I would have liked to see the incredulous look on Dawkins’s face! What joy would he find in keeping one religious person operational? Would this be done out of kindness? pity? to show-off his power?
Hitchens never knew that the "Good Samaritan" parable was culturally shocking.
Woe to those who teach fluffy Sunday school lessons thinking that little boys and girls (and/or adults) cannot comprehend!
I LOVED the footage of when they would discuss things after a debate. Wilson did such a better job of explaining and speaking during these one-on-one chats. I was thrilled to see that BOTH gentlemen listened intently to one another. So interesting to observe that when debating/discussing neither one would look at each other in the eyes. They don’t have time to take in the other one’s facial expressions! They are sifting through the other one's words while they are sifting through their own. Each man was processing and thinking. Neither of them took this lightly.
I think it can be noted that Hitchens finds this more of an amusement and Wilson finds this to be a deep responsibility to souls; perhaps he found his greatest burden of responsibility to the soul of Christopher Hitchens.
(What other well-studied Christian can say that the Lord allowed him to spend three whole days with Christopher Hitchens?! What other well-studied Christian could DO what Wilson did in the manner of a “regular guy” as Wilson did it? Out of all the teachers my church’s culture listens to – could one of them could stand as Wilson did? I think that’s slightly disenchanting.)
Wilson:
I love how he made fun of (within reason) Puritans, Protestants, the United States, himself and Christopher.
I appreciated how he went into pubs and taverns to formally debate and even went to the pubs and taverns to discuss topics after their formal debate. (I’m just glad he wasn’t “prissy”. He was relating to the man on his own terms WITHOUT stepping away from the truth. This is the BEST example the Church has seen and all must watch Collision for that very reason.)
WHAT does Wilson believe about end times??
I was surprised to hear some foul language come from his lips, but I think it was appropriate in making a point. (It actually helped to gain their attention and to show them that, according to the Atheist premise; it does NOT matter if the Amalekites died. They ARE taking on Christian standards when they protest the killing of the Amalekites.) I do find it humorous that the editors chose to highlight it with such great efforts.
Wilson did lose the Amalekite battle every time, however. The problem is that he will lose it every time. I am not sure there is a way for a Christian to win it in a setting such as this because you must take too much time to explain the background theology of God’s holiness, His patience, His justice, our obedience, etc. I will give it to Wilson that he may have gained a point in this argument (particularly at Martin’s Tavern) when he used the “No God; _______ happens” line. He proved right there that there is NO standard for right or wrong in the atheist premise and so it does NOT matter that the Amalekites died.
A ridiculous statement that came from Wilson (I cringed when he said it)came in the “bonus features.” Wilson was stating why atheists should watch the movie.
(I paraphrase)
“There is Christian argument yet to be engaged by the ‘sophomoric’ arguments of the atheists.”
I would agree to a point. Some arguments are sophomoric, but the REASON they haven’t engaged it is because Christian laymen are at the junior high level of argumentation! (I speak for myself.)
They have not read good literature, and they do not know good logic.
But to say that atheist arguments are at the sophomoric level when I just watched a movie in which Wilson himself didn't win every argument?
To say that atheist arguments are at the sophomoric level when (many) of his constituents are far behind?
I didn’t think that was an appropriate statement. Maybe he said it to be purposely offensive, thereby trying to influence many to watch out of rage.
Watching this video has given me a bit of motivation to study how to structure arguments and how to debate properly. I must read more, study more, speak more, and PRAY more.
(What can wash away our sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit by the predestination of God.)
Not by the power of our words, but by the will of God; therefore, we must PRAY.
“Truth is not relative, but we cannot find it.
Truth is not relative, but honesty and kindness are best.”
(Isn’t that a truth statement? How do you know what “honesty” and “kindness” are? How do you conclude they are “best”? What is “best”?)
On statements he receives about his writing, “If I travel several blocks and do not hear complements, I start to get very sulky.” Haha!
On Protestants: “They came to do good, and ended up doing well.” Hahaha
On who will read the book: “These are the sort of people who buy the ‘Left Behind’ series, aren’t they? So that means they can’t be reading for pleasure. OR instruction.” (hahahahahahahaha)
On seeing someone who says they have just risen from the dead, “I would look at him quite narrowly…”
Wilson’s reply, “…if you had been with the guy for three years and he told you this would happen…I hope that you would look at him more than just squinty-eyed.” (haha!)
I loved the ending conversation they have in the car. Wilson appears to be dead-dog tired, while Hitchens seems to be gaining his second wind. Wilson tries to stay engaged (and awake) while Hitchens explains to him that if only one religious person were left on the earth, he wouldn’t try to convince them to leave behind their erroneous ways. He would let them stay religious. Very curious. I would have liked to see the incredulous look on Dawkins’s face! What joy would he find in keeping one religious person operational? Would this be done out of kindness? pity? to show-off his power?
Hitchens never knew that the "Good Samaritan" parable was culturally shocking.
Woe to those who teach fluffy Sunday school lessons thinking that little boys and girls (and/or adults) cannot comprehend!
I LOVED the footage of when they would discuss things after a debate. Wilson did such a better job of explaining and speaking during these one-on-one chats. I was thrilled to see that BOTH gentlemen listened intently to one another. So interesting to observe that when debating/discussing neither one would look at each other in the eyes. They don’t have time to take in the other one’s facial expressions! They are sifting through the other one's words while they are sifting through their own. Each man was processing and thinking. Neither of them took this lightly.
I think it can be noted that Hitchens finds this more of an amusement and Wilson finds this to be a deep responsibility to souls; perhaps he found his greatest burden of responsibility to the soul of Christopher Hitchens.
(What other well-studied Christian can say that the Lord allowed him to spend three whole days with Christopher Hitchens?! What other well-studied Christian could DO what Wilson did in the manner of a “regular guy” as Wilson did it? Out of all the teachers my church’s culture listens to – could one of them could stand as Wilson did? I think that’s slightly disenchanting.)
Wilson:
I love how he made fun of (within reason) Puritans, Protestants, the United States, himself and Christopher.
I appreciated how he went into pubs and taverns to formally debate and even went to the pubs and taverns to discuss topics after their formal debate. (I’m just glad he wasn’t “prissy”. He was relating to the man on his own terms WITHOUT stepping away from the truth. This is the BEST example the Church has seen and all must watch Collision for that very reason.)
WHAT does Wilson believe about end times??
I was surprised to hear some foul language come from his lips, but I think it was appropriate in making a point. (It actually helped to gain their attention and to show them that, according to the Atheist premise; it does NOT matter if the Amalekites died. They ARE taking on Christian standards when they protest the killing of the Amalekites.) I do find it humorous that the editors chose to highlight it with such great efforts.
Wilson did lose the Amalekite battle every time, however. The problem is that he will lose it every time. I am not sure there is a way for a Christian to win it in a setting such as this because you must take too much time to explain the background theology of God’s holiness, His patience, His justice, our obedience, etc. I will give it to Wilson that he may have gained a point in this argument (particularly at Martin’s Tavern) when he used the “No God; _______ happens” line. He proved right there that there is NO standard for right or wrong in the atheist premise and so it does NOT matter that the Amalekites died.
A ridiculous statement that came from Wilson (I cringed when he said it)came in the “bonus features.” Wilson was stating why atheists should watch the movie.
(I paraphrase)
“There is Christian argument yet to be engaged by the ‘sophomoric’ arguments of the atheists.”
I would agree to a point. Some arguments are sophomoric, but the REASON they haven’t engaged it is because Christian laymen are at the junior high level of argumentation! (I speak for myself.)
They have not read good literature, and they do not know good logic.
But to say that atheist arguments are at the sophomoric level when I just watched a movie in which Wilson himself didn't win every argument?
To say that atheist arguments are at the sophomoric level when (many) of his constituents are far behind?
I didn’t think that was an appropriate statement. Maybe he said it to be purposely offensive, thereby trying to influence many to watch out of rage.
Watching this video has given me a bit of motivation to study how to structure arguments and how to debate properly. I must read more, study more, speak more, and PRAY more.
(What can wash away our sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit by the predestination of God.)
Not by the power of our words, but by the will of God; therefore, we must PRAY.
Collision: Reviewed (First)
Last night I watched “Collision” for the first (and second) time. I enjoyed it immensely! I wrote two pages of notes per viewing, in reflection I have written about eight more. I cried once, danced to the soundtrack, and laughed multiple times.
Truth be told, I was not amazed at the way in which Doug Wilson carried his arguments. I was not astounded with any wins or losses on either side. What struck me as the most important factor in watching this film was to witness Doug Wilson intellectually engaging with Christopher Hitchens in a "life-on-life" scenario.
Wilson seemed to have engaged in these conversations with Hitchens in order to "be all things to all men that some might be saved." And he did this excellently. I – now – greatly admire and respect Doug Wilson. (Before, I neither cared for him nor disliked him. I thought nothing of him. Now I respect him, greatly.)
All Christians must watch this in order to see that we CANNOT fall away from the truth!
Be separate!
KNOW the Bible!
Study theology!
Study philosophy!
Study politics!
Study history!
Enjoy literature!
Enjoy art, theatre, music!
Go OUT AMONG THE PEOPLE!!!
Have discussions!
It is not our duty to SAVE the souls, but to PREACH so they might HEAR.
The problem with Christians:
When the people who have the knowledge argue, they argue as if they are fighting and could save the soul through the argument.
[I liken it to giving someone a scalpel and telling them about the procedures and then pulling them into the O.R. to perform the open-heart surgery. It’s not going to go well. It’s the same with the people in the church. People have the scalpel (God’s Word), they have heard how they should use it, they have heard that they are the only ones with this truth and need to use it, and then they go to use it and all they are doing is cutting the person up because they have not heard or seen or practiced actually using it to turn the person to health.]
When the people want to make the non-believers feel better, they change the doctrine of the Scriptures. (I would say this is up there in the #1 stumbling blocks for evolutionists, etc. Don’t be inclusive! The Bible is NOT inclusive! R.C. Sproul notes that the church has become, “Embedded in proud mediocrity.” What will happen then, folks?! Jesus will SPEW us out of His mouth! Nice is not better.)
When people tout the Bible as the truth, and then they don’t live life accordingly. (HYPOCRITES!)
If you are going to say it: LIVE IT!
If you are going to discuss it: do it with POWER, with SHARPNESS and APTITUDE, but do it in LOVE. Do it as you are living LIFE. Do it as a natural part of your relationship and interaction with the unsaved community. LOVE THEM!!!!!
If you want to engage them in their own world: make sure you are clinging to the word of God. Make sure that you have a strong fellowship within your church body. Make sure that you know the Word! Know things that they actually do! Engage them in conversations about THEIR LIFE and actually be INTERESTED!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you want to make them feel better: bake them a cake; don’t change the Bible!
Hitchens said, “[Wilson] appears to really believe it…I know where I stand with him.” Hitchens noted that Wilson didn’t try to agree with him on anything for the sake of argument. Wilson declared them to be different because of the truths of God’s word. They were both arguing passionately, but with care and respect for one another.
Praise the Lord that Hitchens could respect the education and argumentation of a Christian!
Praise the Lord that Wilson stepped into such a RELATIONSHIP with Christopher Hitchens.
Praise the Lord that the truth has been declared and that Hitchens will have NO excuse when he stands before the seat of judgment.
Now, are we ready to do such a thing with our peers in our communities?
Truth be told, I was not amazed at the way in which Doug Wilson carried his arguments. I was not astounded with any wins or losses on either side. What struck me as the most important factor in watching this film was to witness Doug Wilson intellectually engaging with Christopher Hitchens in a "life-on-life" scenario.
Wilson seemed to have engaged in these conversations with Hitchens in order to "be all things to all men that some might be saved." And he did this excellently. I – now – greatly admire and respect Doug Wilson. (Before, I neither cared for him nor disliked him. I thought nothing of him. Now I respect him, greatly.)
All Christians must watch this in order to see that we CANNOT fall away from the truth!
Be separate!
KNOW the Bible!
Study theology!
Study philosophy!
Study politics!
Study history!
Enjoy literature!
Enjoy art, theatre, music!
Go OUT AMONG THE PEOPLE!!!
Have discussions!
It is not our duty to SAVE the souls, but to PREACH so they might HEAR.
The problem with Christians:
When the people who have the knowledge argue, they argue as if they are fighting and could save the soul through the argument.
[I liken it to giving someone a scalpel and telling them about the procedures and then pulling them into the O.R. to perform the open-heart surgery. It’s not going to go well. It’s the same with the people in the church. People have the scalpel (God’s Word), they have heard how they should use it, they have heard that they are the only ones with this truth and need to use it, and then they go to use it and all they are doing is cutting the person up because they have not heard or seen or practiced actually using it to turn the person to health.]
When the people want to make the non-believers feel better, they change the doctrine of the Scriptures. (I would say this is up there in the #1 stumbling blocks for evolutionists, etc. Don’t be inclusive! The Bible is NOT inclusive! R.C. Sproul notes that the church has become, “Embedded in proud mediocrity.” What will happen then, folks?! Jesus will SPEW us out of His mouth! Nice is not better.)
When people tout the Bible as the truth, and then they don’t live life accordingly. (HYPOCRITES!)
If you are going to say it: LIVE IT!
If you are going to discuss it: do it with POWER, with SHARPNESS and APTITUDE, but do it in LOVE. Do it as you are living LIFE. Do it as a natural part of your relationship and interaction with the unsaved community. LOVE THEM!!!!!
If you want to engage them in their own world: make sure you are clinging to the word of God. Make sure that you have a strong fellowship within your church body. Make sure that you know the Word! Know things that they actually do! Engage them in conversations about THEIR LIFE and actually be INTERESTED!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you want to make them feel better: bake them a cake; don’t change the Bible!
Hitchens said, “[Wilson] appears to really believe it…I know where I stand with him.” Hitchens noted that Wilson didn’t try to agree with him on anything for the sake of argument. Wilson declared them to be different because of the truths of God’s word. They were both arguing passionately, but with care and respect for one another.
Praise the Lord that Hitchens could respect the education and argumentation of a Christian!
Praise the Lord that Wilson stepped into such a RELATIONSHIP with Christopher Hitchens.
Praise the Lord that the truth has been declared and that Hitchens will have NO excuse when he stands before the seat of judgment.
Now, are we ready to do such a thing with our peers in our communities?
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