Do these statements sound like they contradict each other?
1. It is not a sin to be a homosexual.
2. It is a sin for a man to have sexual intercourse with another man.
Explain....
Subscribe To
Posts
All Comments
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
I'm an Adult Now
A lot of people that I love are well on their way into adult life. Many are getting married and having children. This song might not fit perfectly into this kind of a blog and it's written from a guy's perspective.
I like some of the realities at play in the song. Sooner or later, we all need to grow up. If you're an adult now, enjoy.
I like some of the realities at play in the song. Sooner or later, we all need to grow up. If you're an adult now, enjoy.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
The Mystery of the Missing Kidney Stone
As we walk through life, we see the kind of things that we want to see. Don’t we? I mean, we all have a look at the same evidence, but come to different conclusions, based on our own worldview. I don’t pretend to write without a bias, but I do hope that I am forthcoming about my bias. I have been persuaded to believe that there is a God who is living and active in the world today; the God who sent His son as the only means to being reconciled back to Him. That’s my bias and it should make it easy for you to discount my conclusions if you don’t agree with them.
My friend’s wife Tonya was scheduled for surgery this past Friday, Jan 21st. She had a kidney stone which was measured to be about 5 mm. I don’t know when she was diagnosed, but my wife and I have known about it for at least a month. When we first heard about it, the pain was intense enough that she had been taking Percocet in order to cope with the pain. My family and I have been praying for her pretty well every day. I’m sad to say, but my wife and children have been more faithful at this than I have been myself. My friend Dave and his wife Tonya have been praying diligently as well. (I haven’t asked, but I assume that they have prayed much more than we have.)
From our end, we have been praying specifically that Tonya wouldn’t become dependent on her pain killers. Percocet pills are highly addictive and I’ve known one individual who has been physically ruined because of her addiction. We have also been praying that the Lord would heal her. My wife met with Tonya briefly on Wednesday. She had told Barb that she was in some pain, but was able to tolerate it and hadn’t had to take the pills.
If you want or need more details, I’ll try and get them for you. What I do know is that on Friday, she was prepped and put under anesthetic. When she woke up, her caregiver told her that the stone wasn’t there anymore. I didn’t ask how they knew without cutting her open. I figure they did an ultra sound. She was told that she had likely passed the stone.
I don’t know the mechanics of the female anatomy, but when I ponder the possibility of passing a 5mm kidney stone, I almost pass out. In speaking to my wife, Tonya describes it this way – “There is no way that I could pass a 5 mm kidney stone without knowing it. God healed me. I can feel it.”
From my end of the story, I give God the glory. I do however often have a hard time being faithful in my prayers. I get discouraged sometimes when I consider some of the people who have died or others who continue to suffer. I have a friend whose son is sick and so many people keep praying, but the road is still tough.
I guess it’s like we’re living in this sin infested world and there is absolutely no way to live through life without being brought down by the curse of death. That is a reality which we cannot escape. He does however choose to demonstrate His power above the curse, sometimes by providing the strength amidst the adversity, while in others demonstrating his power over the adversity itself.
Of course, knowing my bias….you knew I would say something like that.
By the way, if you agree with the diagnosis of the doctor, try peeing out a small marble. Let me know how it feels. (You’re right. That was a bit much. But I had fun with it.)
My friend’s wife Tonya was scheduled for surgery this past Friday, Jan 21st. She had a kidney stone which was measured to be about 5 mm. I don’t know when she was diagnosed, but my wife and I have known about it for at least a month. When we first heard about it, the pain was intense enough that she had been taking Percocet in order to cope with the pain. My family and I have been praying for her pretty well every day. I’m sad to say, but my wife and children have been more faithful at this than I have been myself. My friend Dave and his wife Tonya have been praying diligently as well. (I haven’t asked, but I assume that they have prayed much more than we have.)
From our end, we have been praying specifically that Tonya wouldn’t become dependent on her pain killers. Percocet pills are highly addictive and I’ve known one individual who has been physically ruined because of her addiction. We have also been praying that the Lord would heal her. My wife met with Tonya briefly on Wednesday. She had told Barb that she was in some pain, but was able to tolerate it and hadn’t had to take the pills.
If you want or need more details, I’ll try and get them for you. What I do know is that on Friday, she was prepped and put under anesthetic. When she woke up, her caregiver told her that the stone wasn’t there anymore. I didn’t ask how they knew without cutting her open. I figure they did an ultra sound. She was told that she had likely passed the stone.
I don’t know the mechanics of the female anatomy, but when I ponder the possibility of passing a 5mm kidney stone, I almost pass out. In speaking to my wife, Tonya describes it this way – “There is no way that I could pass a 5 mm kidney stone without knowing it. God healed me. I can feel it.”
From my end of the story, I give God the glory. I do however often have a hard time being faithful in my prayers. I get discouraged sometimes when I consider some of the people who have died or others who continue to suffer. I have a friend whose son is sick and so many people keep praying, but the road is still tough.
I guess it’s like we’re living in this sin infested world and there is absolutely no way to live through life without being brought down by the curse of death. That is a reality which we cannot escape. He does however choose to demonstrate His power above the curse, sometimes by providing the strength amidst the adversity, while in others demonstrating his power over the adversity itself.
Of course, knowing my bias….you knew I would say something like that.
By the way, if you agree with the diagnosis of the doctor, try peeing out a small marble. Let me know how it feels. (You’re right. That was a bit much. But I had fun with it.)
The Next Two Thursdays..
Well, technically speaking, I'm ready for my next two Thursdays. When I say, 'technically', I mean I've done all that I can personally do to prepare. I've read my passages, I've looked at my available study notes. I've considered how these chapters relate to the rest of scripture.
The rest is up to God. From here all I can do is to meditate, pray and hope that enough of the word has been or will be written on my heart.
Here are the links for both studies.
Revelation 11:19 --> 13:10
Revelation 13:11 --> 15:4
I suppose if I were one to write out the text of the message it would be more helpful wouldn't it? Are we still friends?
The rest is up to God. From here all I can do is to meditate, pray and hope that enough of the word has been or will be written on my heart.
Here are the links for both studies.
Revelation 11:19 --> 13:10
Revelation 13:11 --> 15:4
I suppose if I were one to write out the text of the message it would be more helpful wouldn't it? Are we still friends?
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
A Task For Each of Us.
What is your life’s objective? Does it have anything to do with seeking after the Kingdom of God? On any given day, if you are to ask me, ‘Kevin, how can I pray for you?’, I’ll probably respond by saying that I need the Lord’s guidance. If any of you have walked closely with me for the past several years, is that not a fair statement?
You’ve likely heard me say on more than one occasion that not all believers are called to foreign missions work, street evangelism, teaching or any other area of spiritual gifting. What I have never addressed in my posts is this question, “What are all believers supposed to be doing?” If you were to ask that question and if I were to answer, I would say something such as;
All believers are called to obedience.
(Notice I didn't say 'believe'. I'm not talking about salvation here.)
I sometimes have a difficult time nailing down what obedience looks like. Being obedient to Christ tends to sound rather vague. There are many imitations. 1. We can use the scriptures as a sports rule book. We carry with us a mental list of the kinds of things that we need to abstain from. 2. Or, through our studies, we might also carry a mental list of the kinds of things that God’s people are supposed to do. 3. For the more cunning, you might even study the life of Christ, His work and His ministry and live your life playing a game of copy cat. My King James study notes say that Jesus was likely home schooled. I guess we all have to be homeschooled now. Sorry folks. King James’ study notes never lie. You’re right. Maybe Rome was more than happy to use Judean taxes towards public education for the Jews.
There are likely more ways to live out a counterfeit walk, but I hope that these three are enough for our time here together tonight. I would also like to add that it’s possible, perhaps even common to live out an authentic faith in Christ, yet live a form of obedience that I have just mentioned. If you were to label me, for much of my life with Jesus, I’d likely fall into the first. Just stay away from that demon liquor and all will be well with your soul.
True obedience is impossible to live out without possessing genuine faith. Let us face it. If you don’t really believe in Christ, how can you do what He says? Sure, you can stay away from beer, you can invite in the homeless, you can even minister to the outcast. (because that’s what Jesus did.) Is it possible to abstain from sin, stand for social justice and copy Jesus, all the while living out an empty walk? Yeah. It’s possible to live out that sort of life, all the while believing that Jesus is little more than a character in one of the world’s greatest story books.
In order to obey anyone, be it Jesus, your parents or your supervisor, the person that we are obedient to actually has to be alive. I hope that doesn’t blow you mind. If you are in Christ, I hope to remind you that we serve a God who is in fact alive and who is able to guide us as we seek after His kingdom. Do you believe that? Really? Would you like me to answer my own question? Sure.
Sometime I believe that I can trust God to articulate to me the things that He wants me to do. Sometimes I do not.
I hope you realize, I’m not speaking on the life issues that are clearly outlined in scripture. I’m talking about knowing and doing the things that Jesus wants us to do. Does Jesus want you to hand out scriptures at the fair? Or does he want you being an advocate for Compassion? Does He want you helping drug addicts? Does He want you in Africa? Do all of these things need to be done? Yes. Can you do all of those things effectively? No you can’t.
You’ve likely heard me say on more than one occasion that not all believers are called to foreign missions work, street evangelism, teaching or any other area of spiritual gifting. What I have never addressed in my posts is this question, “What are all believers supposed to be doing?” If you were to ask that question and if I were to answer, I would say something such as;
All believers are called to obedience.
(Notice I didn't say 'believe'. I'm not talking about salvation here.)
I sometimes have a difficult time nailing down what obedience looks like. Being obedient to Christ tends to sound rather vague. There are many imitations. 1. We can use the scriptures as a sports rule book. We carry with us a mental list of the kinds of things that we need to abstain from. 2. Or, through our studies, we might also carry a mental list of the kinds of things that God’s people are supposed to do. 3. For the more cunning, you might even study the life of Christ, His work and His ministry and live your life playing a game of copy cat. My King James study notes say that Jesus was likely home schooled. I guess we all have to be homeschooled now. Sorry folks. King James’ study notes never lie. You’re right. Maybe Rome was more than happy to use Judean taxes towards public education for the Jews.
There are likely more ways to live out a counterfeit walk, but I hope that these three are enough for our time here together tonight. I would also like to add that it’s possible, perhaps even common to live out an authentic faith in Christ, yet live a form of obedience that I have just mentioned. If you were to label me, for much of my life with Jesus, I’d likely fall into the first. Just stay away from that demon liquor and all will be well with your soul.
True obedience is impossible to live out without possessing genuine faith. Let us face it. If you don’t really believe in Christ, how can you do what He says? Sure, you can stay away from beer, you can invite in the homeless, you can even minister to the outcast. (because that’s what Jesus did.) Is it possible to abstain from sin, stand for social justice and copy Jesus, all the while living out an empty walk? Yeah. It’s possible to live out that sort of life, all the while believing that Jesus is little more than a character in one of the world’s greatest story books.
In order to obey anyone, be it Jesus, your parents or your supervisor, the person that we are obedient to actually has to be alive. I hope that doesn’t blow you mind. If you are in Christ, I hope to remind you that we serve a God who is in fact alive and who is able to guide us as we seek after His kingdom. Do you believe that? Really? Would you like me to answer my own question? Sure.
Sometime I believe that I can trust God to articulate to me the things that He wants me to do. Sometimes I do not.
I hope you realize, I’m not speaking on the life issues that are clearly outlined in scripture. I’m talking about knowing and doing the things that Jesus wants us to do. Does Jesus want you to hand out scriptures at the fair? Or does he want you being an advocate for Compassion? Does He want you helping drug addicts? Does He want you in Africa? Do all of these things need to be done? Yes. Can you do all of those things effectively? No you can’t.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
My Time With The Guys
Hi everyone! I spent the afternoon preparing for my teaching time at men's group. If you're interested in taking a peek, here are the point form notes that I'll be speaking from. If you are a guy and you would like to come,I will be speaking for the last Thursday in January and the first Thursday in February. This should give you enough ammunition if you want to challenge me.
If this is a waste of your time, just let me know. I'll make sure that I don't post things like this in the future. God bless! Enjoy our Canadian winter!
Revelation 11:19 13:10
Revelation 11:19 – God’s Temple Opened
Perspective?
Revelation 12:1 – 6 The Woman, her ‘Child’ and the Dragon
Vs 1 – Woman – Israel
Sun, Moon – Genesis 37:9
12 Stars – Sons of Jacob, 12 Tribes
Not Mary – Salvation is from the Jews, John 4:22
Vs 3 Dragon – devil (slanderer) & Satan (adversary)
The vision in verse 4?
What did these events look like from our perspective?
Q – Why does life on earth look different when we’re looking through God’s vantage point?
Vs 5 The male Child – One who is to rule
Snatched away – the ascension
Q - What importance would this passage have in John’s day? Our day? For futurists?
Revelation 12:7-17 Implications of the Man Child
Q – What did Christ’s birth and ascension accomplish?
Satan and angels defeated
No longer any place for the devil and his followers in heaven
The promise of Genesis 3:15 fulfilled
Vs 12 – Life after Satan’s defeat
John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11 prince of this world
Why isn’t it a compliment to be called ‘worldly’?
The Context for life on earth in the AD
Satan’s last stand
Entrenched on this ‘tiny dot’ (illustrate?)
Spirit of air? Ephesians 2:2
War with Woman & the rest of her offspring
Holocaust, Rome, persecution today?
Revelation 13:1-10 The Beast of the Sea
The powers that be?
Characteristics of ‘The Beast’
Authority vs 1
Blasphemous vs 1,5,6
Qualities of a bear, lion, leopard vs 2
Receives power and throne from Satan vs 2
Mortally wounded, yet lives vs 3
Wages war against the saints vs 7
Worshipped by the people of the ‘world’ vs 8
Q – What would people in John’s day call the beast?
Can ideology be a beast?
What do you think of the following?
“Only capitalism can save us.”
“From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.”
Is Communism dead? Fascism?
Q - How is the cause of Christ really doing under Western Democracy?
One world government?
Q-What if Capitalism, Fascism, Democracy, Communism and Tribalism are all different forms of the same beast? (different forms of the world system)
Are any of them really compatible with Christ?
Vs. 9 – If anyone has an ear....
If this is a waste of your time, just let me know. I'll make sure that I don't post things like this in the future. God bless! Enjoy our Canadian winter!
Revelation 11:19 13:10
Revelation 11:19 – God’s Temple Opened
Perspective?
Revelation 12:1 – 6 The Woman, her ‘Child’ and the Dragon
Vs 1 – Woman – Israel
Sun, Moon – Genesis 37:9
12 Stars – Sons of Jacob, 12 Tribes
Not Mary – Salvation is from the Jews, John 4:22
Vs 3 Dragon – devil (slanderer) & Satan (adversary)
The vision in verse 4?
What did these events look like from our perspective?
Q – Why does life on earth look different when we’re looking through God’s vantage point?
Vs 5 The male Child – One who is to rule
Snatched away – the ascension
Q - What importance would this passage have in John’s day? Our day? For futurists?
Revelation 12:7-17 Implications of the Man Child
Q – What did Christ’s birth and ascension accomplish?
Satan and angels defeated
No longer any place for the devil and his followers in heaven
The promise of Genesis 3:15 fulfilled
Vs 12 – Life after Satan’s defeat
John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11 prince of this world
Why isn’t it a compliment to be called ‘worldly’?
The Context for life on earth in the AD
Satan’s last stand
Entrenched on this ‘tiny dot’ (illustrate?)
Spirit of air? Ephesians 2:2
War with Woman & the rest of her offspring
Holocaust, Rome, persecution today?
Revelation 13:1-10 The Beast of the Sea
The powers that be?
Characteristics of ‘The Beast’
Authority vs 1
Blasphemous vs 1,5,6
Qualities of a bear, lion, leopard vs 2
Receives power and throne from Satan vs 2
Mortally wounded, yet lives vs 3
Wages war against the saints vs 7
Worshipped by the people of the ‘world’ vs 8
Q – What would people in John’s day call the beast?
Can ideology be a beast?
What do you think of the following?
“Only capitalism can save us.”
“From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.”
Is Communism dead? Fascism?
Q - How is the cause of Christ really doing under Western Democracy?
One world government?
Q-What if Capitalism, Fascism, Democracy, Communism and Tribalism are all different forms of the same beast? (different forms of the world system)
Are any of them really compatible with Christ?
Vs. 9 – If anyone has an ear....
Friday, January 14, 2011
Late High School Start Urged (TVDSB)
Seeing as I don’t have my children in the public school system, I really shouldn’t even be writing about what I read in the London Free Press this week. Apparently the Thames Valley District School board is considering delaying start times for high school aged children. Teenagers are tired in the mornings and it’s difficult to get them up in time for school.
I was very glad to see that the article addressed people who might label teenagers as being lazy. They might have been thinking of me. Again, not that it’s my concern as a parent. I really don’t care if other people have a hard time getting up their teenager for school. I’m not sure if this is a news flash, but getting up for school never has been easy. I slept through many of my own high school classes. (And several university classes as well.)
I don’t know about you, but as I walk through life, I have found that many of the things that I need to do are difficult. Getting up in the morning is still difficult for me. In fact, I slept in just this morning. There are many tasks in the workplace which aren’t all that glorious; tasks such as washing the toilet bowl and cleaning the gutter. They are tasks which nobody likes to do, but they need to be done.
Perhaps it is the trade that I work in, but we find very few individuals who are willing to do these ‘less worthy’ tasks. I believe that high school students would get better grades if they could sleep in longer. I don’t doubt that. What lessons are we are handing down with respect to work ethic? I’m not saying that my generation has an outstanding work ethic either. This is not a, 'kids these days' rant. I’m just saying, that if getting up when you are tired is too much of a burden, how will you handle the pressures of life in the real world? What if you end up having to do shift work someday? Are you going to tell Toyota to delay your start time? For those of you are living in the work force, did life get easier after you left high school?
I don’t care when other people’s children start school, but if they don’t have the internal resolve to get up for 8:00am classes, please make sure that kind of information is clearly placed on the individual’s resume.
I was very glad to see that the article addressed people who might label teenagers as being lazy. They might have been thinking of me. Again, not that it’s my concern as a parent. I really don’t care if other people have a hard time getting up their teenager for school. I’m not sure if this is a news flash, but getting up for school never has been easy. I slept through many of my own high school classes. (And several university classes as well.)
I don’t know about you, but as I walk through life, I have found that many of the things that I need to do are difficult. Getting up in the morning is still difficult for me. In fact, I slept in just this morning. There are many tasks in the workplace which aren’t all that glorious; tasks such as washing the toilet bowl and cleaning the gutter. They are tasks which nobody likes to do, but they need to be done.
Perhaps it is the trade that I work in, but we find very few individuals who are willing to do these ‘less worthy’ tasks. I believe that high school students would get better grades if they could sleep in longer. I don’t doubt that. What lessons are we are handing down with respect to work ethic? I’m not saying that my generation has an outstanding work ethic either. This is not a, 'kids these days' rant. I’m just saying, that if getting up when you are tired is too much of a burden, how will you handle the pressures of life in the real world? What if you end up having to do shift work someday? Are you going to tell Toyota to delay your start time? For those of you are living in the work force, did life get easier after you left high school?
I don’t care when other people’s children start school, but if they don’t have the internal resolve to get up for 8:00am classes, please make sure that kind of information is clearly placed on the individual’s resume.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)