For those of you who have been at a loss as to what curriculum to tackle next, and those weighing the school options. Ron Paul has written what promises to be an all inclusive higher performing curriculum designed to advance it's students and develop intrinsic values and motivation.
I had always planned on building a school when i put other projects behind me. This is the next best alternative. Perhaps it is actually a better choice, however, i am aware that not all people can stay home from their paying jobs to school their children, Thus we have public and private formal educational systems.
Consider Rob Paul's curriculum. I believe you Will be pleased and best of all, the curriculum is free for k-6 grade. Joining the parent forums costs you,
Give it a try.
Ron Paul Curriculum: Homeschooling: The Future of Liberty
Monday, April 8, 2013
Thursday, March 3, 2011
What can separate us From His LOVE?
February 17, 2011
"What can separate us from the love of Christ?
Romans 8:35,39
:35Shall: tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril or sword?
:36 "As it is written, we (are as good as dead) are killed all day long, we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. :37 "Nay, in ALL things we are MORE than conquerers through Him who loves us!
:39 "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor death, nor any other creature shall separate us from the LOVE of God, which is in Christ Jesus our lord ""What can separate us from the love of Christ?
Romans 8:35,39
:35Shall: tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril or sword?
:36 "As it is written, we (are as good as dead) are killed all day long, we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. :37 "Nay, in ALL things we are MORE than conquerers through Him who loves us!
God's Love is Eternal It never ends I’m in the business of Love. It’s God’s business. If I ever deemed to "be about my father’s business," this is the crux of the matter. We’ve all strived to maintain a better walk, a more pleasing attitude, a closer relationship, more spiritual gifts and more service. We often strive to obtain spiritual accolades through the use of our divine gifts, such as the gift of tongues or prophecy. Others of us push our intellectual superiority, displaying our invaluable knowledge, uncovering mysteries and telling of hard to understand facts of the Bible as our means of reasonable service to the Lord. The bare facts are very simple; Even "..A wayfaring man, though a fool, can understand it..” And that is “He first LOVES us…” And if the message wasn’t enough, “God demonstrates His LOVE, in this, that while we were yet sinner, Christ [God's only son] died for us“ He didn’t die for himself or his own biological children. He wasn’t tripped up while on a quest to obtain Earthly riches or fortune or fame. He LOVES us. The Bible is extremely clear on this one thing: Every manifestation of spirituality will pass away. I Co 13 says, all of our efforts will pass away, will stop, will fail, but LOVE will NEVER fail, stop, cease. In fact, it says that where there are divine giftings manifest and flowing in our midst, tongues, prophecy or healings, they will cease if there is no love. The spirit may cease to move through us, but God’s Love does not cease toward us, for us or in us. So, we see that despite whether we feel we are being used of Him or endued with the power to do signs and wonders or build big churches or speak in pulpits or have our name in lights, we obtain no pinnacle of spirituality with anything other than love. The ‘Love Chapter’ describes the attributes of love:
Have you taken an accurate measurement of your spirituality lately? What are you using as a measuring stick? For all of our efforts, we labor in vain if there is not love. Love Cannot be Quenched But where is the limit? How far must i go? How far does Christ go? If love is good will vs evil intentions, then when does that change? The answer is never, real love cannot be quenched. Good, by it's very virtue cannot be evil, therefore, goodwill cannot cease and become evil will. Real love passes the test(s). You cannot out live it, drown it, burn it, quench it or bury it deep enough to suffocate it. Song of Solomon 8:6-7 says: “Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love [is] strong as death; jealousy [is] cruel as the grave: the coals thereof [are] coals of fire, [which hath a] most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it...” So, when the day is done and all is swept away... What will remain? The Bible says, "my word will never pass away." But, "Speaking the truth in love" will never fail. God's Love is at work in me when Circumstances are pressing, oppressive and even perilous Can man take away God's love? No. Can hard circumstances prove God's love is gone? No. If hard times come, does that mean God doesn't care? If bad things happen, does that mean God has abandoned you? Again the answers are NO How often do we brag or hear a speaker, believer or preacher brag about the blessings of God, as if they are the direct results of our own efforts, a mark of accomplished spirituality? As if to say "We are blessed, therefore we are approved of God, loved by God, favored by God." But the Bible doesn't tell of God's love being displayed only in good times. In fact the Bible says: "whom the Lord loves, he chastises...", "it rains on the just and the unjust" ... just for starters. In these trying times, we need to understand the nature of God and His plan for man in this age, on this Earth and how He loves us, despite what the world has going on; Despite what may come. No matter if we at some point face hardships, persecution, famine or peril. This propagation that God's seal of approval is manifest solely as material wealth and Earthly/fleshly comfort is heresy. Let's take a glimpse at the Biblical model of the Christian's walk and what it can entail. The apostle Paul says, 1Cor 4:7 :7 But we have this treasure in Earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. :8 [We are] troubled on every side, yet not distressed; [we are]perplexed, but not in despair; :9 Persecuted, but no forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; :10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. "11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. :12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you. :13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe and therefore speak. :14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus and present [us] with you. : 15 For all things [are] for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many rebound to the glory of God. "..That the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many rebound the the glory of God"....(?) In all of the above mentioned hardship and peril, persecution and trouble...The apostle says the "thanksgiving rebounds to the glory of God" If the apostles endured hardship and pain to establish Christ's church upon the Earth, then to further His church, to establish it in places that are hard to reach or simply have not yet accepted the gospel, in hard hearts and stubborn people, in our own midst or abroad, what could we then suffer? In so suffering and enduring are we then less loved of God? If we are not in living in abundance and wealth, does God love us less? Never. The apostle Paul says, 'Never!' Love 'never' ceases. Have the right perspective and your walk will be secure: Your identity in Christ sure and your life full of fruit. Love should be the foundation of our walk, beginning with the receiving His perfect love that we do not come close to deserving. "Freely you have been given, freely give" the master says. Love is a currency that every walk of life can afford. There are no acceptable excuses for having lack in this area. Check yourself today and send a new message from your heart next time you act or speak. And don't forget to meditate on Love's attributes. The flesh does not come by them easily, it takes an act of will to obtain them, which is God's plan for man. He willed us into being, he requires we love what He loves and for His children to have obedient hearts. |
Friday, October 1, 2010
Why you still Searching?
It's funny how spiritually lost people say they are "searching" when in fact they are not; they are wandering, on detours, chasing negative images and false hopes, evidenced by the fact the the TRUTH has not changed, LIFE has not moved, Love has not taken a vacation. Death lies and cheats and steals and seduces, even the sweetest among us.
Maybe it's time to wake up, pray and recognize who it is that has actually moved, it surely is not the ONE, who was and is and will be, nor those that follow HIM; We remain, united by TRUTH and LOVE so divine it will not permit death into it's camps. So, those that lust after the flesh, take detours to obtain what they desire. Those that vary from the inerrant TRUTH, in disagreement break away from the pack. Those adverse to the discipline and accountability that comes with being a "child" of the living God, wander away from the fold, leaving the shepherd's care and comfort and guidance. Ps 23: "...Thy rod and they staff, they comfort me." I am comforted that "...Whom the Lord loves, He chastises" I am comforted that He really does love me, He really will not permit that i stray without me feeling His hand, His governing staff upon my heart/ life, tugging.
"God demonstrates His love for us in this: that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us"
To reconcile us to a just God, our father, who will not permit us to trample upon the blood of Jesus. To receive Him, is to receive the adjudication of our guilt. We are guilty of selfish and vain ambition. He, Christ Jesus, God's only son, redeemed us from our penalty of death, which we deserve and now, we accept that pardon only by confessing our sin as if we are standing at the very judgment seat of God and accepting His provided substitute.
The Bible says that we become "born again" at that moment. The union of our soul with God conceives a "new creation" . The union, characterized by the act of our confessing of our sins, our soul's ownership of our own unworthiness and guilt and shame. The bible says God places the desire in our heart, we receive him and this births a "new creation" in us. Born again the bible says in spirit; Born of spirit.
Henceforth, being a "new creation," a spiritually alive being, we show our new life by living by new rules. The book of Romans says "No longer being bound by the laws of sin and death"
You no longer wander to an fro. You instead walk in the spirit and the word, the word "which is alive and sharper than any two edged sword"... The word that is able to keep you and teach you "For all scripture is inspired (the Greek word here actually means "God Breathed" ) and is profitable for doctrine, reproof(which means rebuke, discipline) and instructions in righteousness"
Why you still running, hiding, wandering?
Yield. It's as easy as that. But it is a daily occurrence that you will have ever before you while living in this tent called our flesh.
Heed the call to stay not stray.
Humble yourself and He will lift you up. No other elevation matters. Nothing else in life will satisfy. Sex will leave little more than a note on your pillow. Drugs will leave you in your own rubble. Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.
I'm reminded of the monkey who get's his hand stuck in the cookie jar. A trap was set up to catch a monkey. The monkey arrives on the scene and sticks his hand in the jar to get a cookie, upon raising his hand to leave with his prize, he encounters a problem: His hand will not fit back through the mouth of the jar unless he lets the cookie go. Determined to have his cookie, he refuses to let go, death ensues, all because he fell for the trap set before him.
Your leap of faith my require personal loss and loneliness, but stand for God and see how he comes in like a flood. Ask him in and then don't leave, wander, chase the world. Be there when He accepts your invitation: "For behold, i stand at the door and knock, if any one open the door for me i will come in and i will sup with him" Some of you call on Jesus, then as he steps in, you have already headed out the window to the party.
Why you still wandering, saying you are searching? You know where He is, right there at your hearts door. Are you actually searching for a way to escape confession and surrender? If so, it's a very brutal life you are pursuing. Death and flesh are insatiable, but the way of LIFE is satisfying and quenches the thirst from a well that never will run dry.
Why you still searching. Stop at your hearts door, that's where Jesus is!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Please Note:
Often after the initial mailing is done. I edit. Backwards i know. Trying to get the hang of it and much of the time I'm in a hurry.
~~ Just want to suggest that if you receive a mailing that i have a new post, please do not read it in the body of your email, Please go to the site (there should be a link at the bottom of the email) and read it there. Nine times out of ten it will be different, edited, finished - ish, on the blog site.
~~Thanks for your patience
Sherrie
~~ Just want to suggest that if you receive a mailing that i have a new post, please do not read it in the body of your email, Please go to the site (there should be a link at the bottom of the email) and read it there. Nine times out of ten it will be different, edited, finished - ish, on the blog site.
~~Thanks for your patience
Sherrie
Honest Scales : Becoming as little children, for such is the kingdom of God
You know, even a five year old can tell you that honesty is essential to being a good person. A class of kindergarteners were asked what they thought a good person was. Here were the top ten answers: 1. Not hitting. 2. Not lying. 3. Not taking anybodies stuff. 4. Sharing. 5. Helping your teacher or friend. 6. Not spilling your milk, but cleaning up your milk if you do. 7.Raising your hand if you want to talk. 8. Not making fun of the other kids if they cry. 9. Bringing your mom flowers. 10. Saying your sorry.
I love little pre school aged kids (k-5 included.) So raw and pure, they are not yet jaded by life and it's experiences. You know, we have all made excuses at one time or another for questionable behavior. i.e. Didn't take back the overage of change someone gave us. Told the white lie because it was better for situation or because we didn't want to hurt someone or maybe, just maybe, it slanted the situation to our advantage. Told our husband "...what, this old thing?" Most of the time, we fudge behavior when it seems small, and we do it to avoid conflict or consequences. Sometimes we find ourselves doing it while in dire straights thinking: "If i just twist it this one time, i will stay afloat...i.e. not lose this acct., not get fired, not get demoted, not lose a friend, client, dollar, account" *All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (honesty is just one way)
We have a saying in our house, it goes back to our oldest child telling the next in line, his sister, "God's watching!!" while they were before me settling a dispute.
I've noticed that so many who call themselves believers, fudge alot of the time, when it comes to common everyday things that even a K-5'er knows is wrong. Perhaps the grown up has decided that moral integrity does count in the small things. How do we come to that conclusion?
The Bible says that one sin is as great as the next. That there are no great or small sins. It says *"If you have broken the law in one thing, you have broken the law in all" In other words: Breaking the law is breaking the law. I believe the biggest lesson we should derive from that principle is the K-5 knowledge that wrong is wrong. Little five year old's have not been alive long enough to have become aware of embezzling or adultery or serial killing, so the top ten are elementary. The bible says, sin is elementary and until we become like "little children" we will not enter the kingdom of heaven, for that is what the kingdom is made up of.
There are some terrific babies i love to have with me as often as possible. The oldest is now 12 years old and the youngest 5yrs, but as young as age 2 and still today, they will say "ooooh, miss Sherrie" and they will look at me with shame and almost healthy fright for what i had coming, when i say a bi-word. Am i saying stop your bi-words? No. What i am saying is. We need to get back to weighing our attitudes and behaviors against the elementary and fundamentals of our faith. Truth is truth, not a variation. Right is right, absolutely.
Mr Welsh, former President of GE, in March '09 stated: "integrity is something that is instilled in early childhood, by the time someone reaches the job market, either it is there or it is not."
We often weigh our behavior by our excuses, what we have to lose, whom it will affect, who will be mad at us.
Just a reminder: God requires "Honest scales." We tend to use them on others, how 'bout using them on ourselves.
I challenge you to begin to use honest scales. Believe in absolutes. We have seen recently how Wallstreet and often even Mainstreet can tweek the numbers. Medical and pharmaceutical researchers are tempted to do the same on trials and the like, and are often caught doing so. Most of them think they are justified in compromising, as it is simply a means to an end. But we, brothers and sisters, have knowledge that there is no end. That this is not all there is. That life as we know it will pass away, but we will go on, to face our maker who will decide our fate in eternity; Who see's and is a rewarder of those that diligent seek him.
Before acting, making decisions, weigh your thoughts, patterns, actions, ideas, decisions, not against our flawed systems of this world, rather weigh on the scales of fundamental "Truth," let the "truth" decide if you come up wanting. Whether your words or action are balanced and measure up. In short: Use complete honesty, truth, integrity as your measure of our spirituality, morality, behavior.
Regardless of our judgment day destination. We are called to be *"Children of the Light" The Bible says: "It is shameful to even mention what the sinner does in secret or cover of darkness" ...But, we are children of the Light, so let us shine forth that we might bring glory to our God, in word and deed that others might see and glorify God... I cannot help but write on the subject. In this, one more way, we can Be the Church.
Did you know that little children are known for spotting a phony? Well, they are not the only ones. Christians, we are not our own. We are Christ's; we are in Him who is: the only way to God, the truth and the life. I can't help saying it again: Let's not fudge our way through life. Be the church, my friends, not the counterfeit!!
I love little pre school aged kids (k-5 included.) So raw and pure, they are not yet jaded by life and it's experiences. You know, we have all made excuses at one time or another for questionable behavior. i.e. Didn't take back the overage of change someone gave us. Told the white lie because it was better for situation or because we didn't want to hurt someone or maybe, just maybe, it slanted the situation to our advantage. Told our husband "...what, this old thing?" Most of the time, we fudge behavior when it seems small, and we do it to avoid conflict or consequences. Sometimes we find ourselves doing it while in dire straights thinking: "If i just twist it this one time, i will stay afloat...i.e. not lose this acct., not get fired, not get demoted, not lose a friend, client, dollar, account" *All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (honesty is just one way)
We have a saying in our house, it goes back to our oldest child telling the next in line, his sister, "God's watching!!" while they were before me settling a dispute.
I've noticed that so many who call themselves believers, fudge alot of the time, when it comes to common everyday things that even a K-5'er knows is wrong. Perhaps the grown up has decided that moral integrity does count in the small things. How do we come to that conclusion?
The Bible says that one sin is as great as the next. That there are no great or small sins. It says *"If you have broken the law in one thing, you have broken the law in all" In other words: Breaking the law is breaking the law. I believe the biggest lesson we should derive from that principle is the K-5 knowledge that wrong is wrong. Little five year old's have not been alive long enough to have become aware of embezzling or adultery or serial killing, so the top ten are elementary. The bible says, sin is elementary and until we become like "little children" we will not enter the kingdom of heaven, for that is what the kingdom is made up of.
There are some terrific babies i love to have with me as often as possible. The oldest is now 12 years old and the youngest 5yrs, but as young as age 2 and still today, they will say "ooooh, miss Sherrie" and they will look at me with shame and almost healthy fright for what i had coming, when i say a bi-word. Am i saying stop your bi-words? No. What i am saying is. We need to get back to weighing our attitudes and behaviors against the elementary and fundamentals of our faith. Truth is truth, not a variation. Right is right, absolutely.
Mr Welsh, former President of GE, in March '09 stated: "integrity is something that is instilled in early childhood, by the time someone reaches the job market, either it is there or it is not."
We often weigh our behavior by our excuses, what we have to lose, whom it will affect, who will be mad at us.
Just a reminder: God requires "Honest scales." We tend to use them on others, how 'bout using them on ourselves.
I challenge you to begin to use honest scales. Believe in absolutes. We have seen recently how Wallstreet and often even Mainstreet can tweek the numbers. Medical and pharmaceutical researchers are tempted to do the same on trials and the like, and are often caught doing so. Most of them think they are justified in compromising, as it is simply a means to an end. But we, brothers and sisters, have knowledge that there is no end. That this is not all there is. That life as we know it will pass away, but we will go on, to face our maker who will decide our fate in eternity; Who see's and is a rewarder of those that diligent seek him.
Before acting, making decisions, weigh your thoughts, patterns, actions, ideas, decisions, not against our flawed systems of this world, rather weigh on the scales of fundamental "Truth," let the "truth" decide if you come up wanting. Whether your words or action are balanced and measure up. In short: Use complete honesty, truth, integrity as your measure of our spirituality, morality, behavior.
Regardless of our judgment day destination. We are called to be *"Children of the Light" The Bible says: "It is shameful to even mention what the sinner does in secret or cover of darkness" ...But, we are children of the Light, so let us shine forth that we might bring glory to our God, in word and deed that others might see and glorify God... I cannot help but write on the subject. In this, one more way, we can Be the Church.
Did you know that little children are known for spotting a phony? Well, they are not the only ones. Christians, we are not our own. We are Christ's; we are in Him who is: the only way to God, the truth and the life. I can't help saying it again: Let's not fudge our way through life. Be the church, my friends, not the counterfeit!!
Monday, September 6, 2010
The Church and Who She Is
I'm all for multi-site churches. What i am not for, is the misunderstanding of the terms and language that the Bible uses to describe who the church is. You might notice that i assigned the church a "who" instead of a "what". That is because, by Biblical definition, she is a living breathing organism, connected by synapse, sinew, bone and marrow, muscles and organs, hands and feet. She is a walking, talking, breathing, influential, tangible, recognizable presence on this Earth and her efficacy should not be underestimated, neither by herself nor her adversaries.
Though the church is one, it is a conglomerate unit. I like how my military friend Juan Camacho put it, "...One church, one people, A UNIT as we say in the military..." A unit of believers, with one directive, one allegiance, one God, one with her husbandman - her redeemer. Many members, sprinkled all over the Earth, like salt on a dish flavoring the whole. On seven continents, in nearly every country, scattered across many villages, comprising countless denominations, in prisons, surviving school campuses, on beaches, under piers, in valleys and abroad oceans, the church lives. But, there is a difference in the physically gathered church and the ethereal church that is the extended body.
Christ called the apostles to the world to make believers of humans, then called all humans to the ministry of reconciliation and to the fastening of themselves together into this form, this body called the church.
Let's take a look at one of the words the Bible uses to address believers. Every time you see the word "church" in the NT, in the original it is the word "ekklesia", which means: "Church/Assembly", The etemology further denotes "called unto a place by name and officially assembled together". So the "church" the "ekklesia" is the local body. The physically "fitly joined together" (Strong's # G1577)
Understanding that a literal gathering of believers should adhere strictly to the paradigm dynamics which the apostles administered in grace to the new testament church, we pause a moment to consider the Apostle Paul, instructing the church, more than once, to "greet one another with an holy kiss and a a psalm," a personal and hands on act. The apostles finished their lives visiting when possible and writing when necessary, admonishing and commending the early church concerning one main theme, the same thing Jesus was concerned with in Jn 17, the "unity"of believers. We read the apostles advising that we, the church, are to be bearing one another's burdens, preferring one another over our own selves, confessing our faults one to each other (vs denying them,) supporting one another, holding one another accountable and looking after the orphan and the widow, without divisions, that we might "function" as one.
Now, let's pan out to the bigger picture. Assemblies, ekklesias, bodies of believers may link up with other units of believers and be a body of ekklesias. There is nothing wrong with that. But remember, "the ekklesia" is the physical group, not an ethereal one. They are a unit that comes together "in one place, in one accord" regularly.
So, believers, distinguishable from coast to coast and around the world as the church, are a conglomeration of groups not individuals. Each level of ekklesia denotes perhaps units of units. But there is no way to escape the fact that , by virtue of definition, the church is not an individual. Nor is an individual the "church" - "the gathered(pl) together in one physical place" (notwithstanding exigent circumstances neither discussed here)
Ekklesia is a physical group, two or three gathered together in His name....it is not singular, it is the "assembly" you don't assemble one item, you assemble two or more.
Some have referred to the churches at home, scattered and abroad as a unit, a sleeping giant. I merely make reference as to give you the picture of who she is united, but there is no mandate that ALL the churches of the world be in unison prior to that day when Christ returns to the Earth physically, The Bible does, however, mandate the church/ekklesia=local church, be adhering to sound doctrine, in one accord without divisions.
Jesus called disciples just as he was beginning public ministry... The apostles were sent to make disciples and from that we read the entire new testament, apostolic writings, giving instruction to the "churches", the gatherings of believers, how they are to conduct themselves, personally, morally, physically, in assembly, in dispute, in charity, in community. The letters concerning the early church were replete with echoes of a clear mandate: "Forsake NOT the Gathering together as some have become accustomed to doing"
Jesus "sups" with his disciples. Jesus walks with his disciples. Jesus talks with his disciples. Jesus weeps for his followers. Jesus calls his followers friends. Jesus prays with his disciples, gets involved with their living.
I've had the privilege of being of flocks who may boast of pastors' that fully felt the call of shepherd. You know some are teachers, prophets, evangelists who serve in the capacity of pastor and that is okay-ish, but the pastor/shepherd, today is a rare and really special combination. I remember pastor Don telling of a man he felt led to bring to the Lord. He visited him, told him of Jesus grace, had coffee with him and on occasion asked if he would mind if he went on a run with him in his truck. That man felt the shepherd love of this pastor. My present pastor will set aside time for his members, mainly the men. He will take them on trips with him, not so that they can carry his luggage, but so that he can spend time with them, connecting in a way that spending long hours together facilitates. He will come and help with any thing that needs being done: Fixing automobiles, moving into new homes, moving out of old homes, setting up stages, etc. Hands on - in your biz if you need him or the clan he enlists to help as well. The men in our church are the most connected men i have ever seen. The young men have a code of honor that i am so impressed with because of the strength of the men that are before them. Valiant men of God. But this kind of strength and unity comes from "connection" and this kind of connection is what makes us a "church" a "body" a "physicaly assembled unit - ekklesia"
So, as we stray from the original meanings in scripture, wanting easy-to-read versions of what we believed were the Bible, we often lose the truths that God managed to maintain and hand down to us through the ages.
We are the body of Christ. And we do esteem and feel a part of the churches of God around the world, but we are accountable to be in local fellowship, physically gathering, meeting, supping with, praying in person with, touching physically, meeting needs, supporting, confessing our faults --meaning, being transparent one with another, in a way that we are only able, in community, connection, gathering physically, regularly. This is the paradigm of the church of the living God. It is clearly factual. (just ask me for the scriptural study)
I'm reminded of the Ethiopian Eunuch in the book of Acts. He is alone, reading the scripture and God sends him a flesh and bone man of God. That is another story for another time, however, the point i am trying to make is: God intends for believers to have connection with others, physically. Of this, there is no doubt. As i study scripture, this truth has become paramount.
If you call yourself the church, i would first ask you, "Are you currently in fellowship with a body of believers and if so; Whom are they with which you are fellow-shipping." Jesus put names to his group. Real flesh and blood, present and accounted for, men of God, of diverse backgrounds and education. Some he chastised, some he loved, some he taught to put down the sword, but is absolutely clear, that he had one-on-one, ongoing, close fellowship with his flock, his church, his disciples. If you are not a pastor you need one. If you are not a shepherd you are a sheep which physically belongs in a flock. The Bible is clear. We are the ekklesia/church/the assembled .
Let's stop looking for itchy ears versions of the word of God. Let us give a concerted effort to learn the vocabulary of the Bible, and the true intended meanings of it's carefully chosen words and not it's biased watered down paraphrased versions.
If God said, "...a body, fitly joined together..." (Eph 4:21, 4:16) let us "...be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves..." (James 1:22)
Jesus died that we might have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who's job it is to empower the believer to overcome and stand in the face of culture, oppression, hardship, challenges,abundance and complacency, that we might find the grace to obey what the original scripture instructs.
Be the Church, people, not the counterfeit!
Though the church is one, it is a conglomerate unit. I like how my military friend Juan Camacho put it, "...One church, one people, A UNIT as we say in the military..." A unit of believers, with one directive, one allegiance, one God, one with her husbandman - her redeemer. Many members, sprinkled all over the Earth, like salt on a dish flavoring the whole. On seven continents, in nearly every country, scattered across many villages, comprising countless denominations, in prisons, surviving school campuses, on beaches, under piers, in valleys and abroad oceans, the church lives. But, there is a difference in the physically gathered church and the ethereal church that is the extended body.
Christ called the apostles to the world to make believers of humans, then called all humans to the ministry of reconciliation and to the fastening of themselves together into this form, this body called the church.
Let's take a look at one of the words the Bible uses to address believers. Every time you see the word "church" in the NT, in the original it is the word "ekklesia", which means: "Church/Assembly", The etemology further denotes "called unto a place by name and officially assembled together". So the "church" the "ekklesia" is the local body. The physically "fitly joined together" (Strong's # G1577)
Understanding that a literal gathering of believers should adhere strictly to the paradigm dynamics which the apostles administered in grace to the new testament church, we pause a moment to consider the Apostle Paul, instructing the church, more than once, to "greet one another with an holy kiss and a a psalm," a personal and hands on act. The apostles finished their lives visiting when possible and writing when necessary, admonishing and commending the early church concerning one main theme, the same thing Jesus was concerned with in Jn 17, the "unity"of believers. We read the apostles advising that we, the church, are to be bearing one another's burdens, preferring one another over our own selves, confessing our faults one to each other (vs denying them,) supporting one another, holding one another accountable and looking after the orphan and the widow, without divisions, that we might "function" as one.
Now, let's pan out to the bigger picture. Assemblies, ekklesias, bodies of believers may link up with other units of believers and be a body of ekklesias. There is nothing wrong with that. But remember, "the ekklesia" is the physical group, not an ethereal one. They are a unit that comes together "in one place, in one accord" regularly.
So, believers, distinguishable from coast to coast and around the world as the church, are a conglomeration of groups not individuals. Each level of ekklesia denotes perhaps units of units. But there is no way to escape the fact that , by virtue of definition, the church is not an individual. Nor is an individual the "church" - "the gathered(pl) together in one physical place" (notwithstanding exigent circumstances neither discussed here)
Ekklesia is a physical group, two or three gathered together in His name....it is not singular, it is the "assembly" you don't assemble one item, you assemble two or more.
Some have referred to the churches at home, scattered and abroad as a unit, a sleeping giant. I merely make reference as to give you the picture of who she is united, but there is no mandate that ALL the churches of the world be in unison prior to that day when Christ returns to the Earth physically, The Bible does, however, mandate the church/ekklesia=local church, be adhering to sound doctrine, in one accord without divisions.
Jesus called disciples just as he was beginning public ministry... The apostles were sent to make disciples and from that we read the entire new testament, apostolic writings, giving instruction to the "churches", the gatherings of believers, how they are to conduct themselves, personally, morally, physically, in assembly, in dispute, in charity, in community. The letters concerning the early church were replete with echoes of a clear mandate: "Forsake NOT the Gathering together as some have become accustomed to doing"
Jesus "sups" with his disciples. Jesus walks with his disciples. Jesus talks with his disciples. Jesus weeps for his followers. Jesus calls his followers friends. Jesus prays with his disciples, gets involved with their living.
I've had the privilege of being of flocks who may boast of pastors' that fully felt the call of shepherd. You know some are teachers, prophets, evangelists who serve in the capacity of pastor and that is okay-ish, but the pastor/shepherd, today is a rare and really special combination. I remember pastor Don telling of a man he felt led to bring to the Lord. He visited him, told him of Jesus grace, had coffee with him and on occasion asked if he would mind if he went on a run with him in his truck. That man felt the shepherd love of this pastor. My present pastor will set aside time for his members, mainly the men. He will take them on trips with him, not so that they can carry his luggage, but so that he can spend time with them, connecting in a way that spending long hours together facilitates. He will come and help with any thing that needs being done: Fixing automobiles, moving into new homes, moving out of old homes, setting up stages, etc. Hands on - in your biz if you need him or the clan he enlists to help as well. The men in our church are the most connected men i have ever seen. The young men have a code of honor that i am so impressed with because of the strength of the men that are before them. Valiant men of God. But this kind of strength and unity comes from "connection" and this kind of connection is what makes us a "church" a "body" a "physicaly assembled unit - ekklesia"
So, as we stray from the original meanings in scripture, wanting easy-to-read versions of what we believed were the Bible, we often lose the truths that God managed to maintain and hand down to us through the ages.
We are the body of Christ. And we do esteem and feel a part of the churches of God around the world, but we are accountable to be in local fellowship, physically gathering, meeting, supping with, praying in person with, touching physically, meeting needs, supporting, confessing our faults --meaning, being transparent one with another, in a way that we are only able, in community, connection, gathering physically, regularly. This is the paradigm of the church of the living God. It is clearly factual. (just ask me for the scriptural study)
I'm reminded of the Ethiopian Eunuch in the book of Acts. He is alone, reading the scripture and God sends him a flesh and bone man of God. That is another story for another time, however, the point i am trying to make is: God intends for believers to have connection with others, physically. Of this, there is no doubt. As i study scripture, this truth has become paramount.
If you call yourself the church, i would first ask you, "Are you currently in fellowship with a body of believers and if so; Whom are they with which you are fellow-shipping." Jesus put names to his group. Real flesh and blood, present and accounted for, men of God, of diverse backgrounds and education. Some he chastised, some he loved, some he taught to put down the sword, but is absolutely clear, that he had one-on-one, ongoing, close fellowship with his flock, his church, his disciples. If you are not a pastor you need one. If you are not a shepherd you are a sheep which physically belongs in a flock. The Bible is clear. We are the ekklesia/church/the assembled .
Let's stop looking for itchy ears versions of the word of God. Let us give a concerted effort to learn the vocabulary of the Bible, and the true intended meanings of it's carefully chosen words and not it's biased watered down paraphrased versions.
If God said, "...a body, fitly joined together..." (Eph 4:21, 4:16) let us "...be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves..." (James 1:22)
Jesus died that we might have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who's job it is to empower the believer to overcome and stand in the face of culture, oppression, hardship, challenges,abundance and complacency, that we might find the grace to obey what the original scripture instructs.
Be the Church, people, not the counterfeit!
Monday, August 30, 2010
First Love Dynamics (The intro)
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, plagiarist, i know. Sometimes we realize that life is not all ups, that there are inevitably going to be some downs and there is no way to omit the undesirable parts of real life, but there are things we can do to survive them.
Sometimes i wonder what people do to let go. What horrible thing did one person do to another to warrant divorce or a split. Sometimes i see others who have turned their backs on God and walked away, taking back their own lives, to live as they desire, for their own momentary pleasures, to live by decisions they are comfortable with vs. abstaining, being self controlled, forgiving, etc.
It was a bad week. The culmination of a long stretch of time riddled with poor circumstances and hard times. We couldn't seem to land on the same page at the same time. I was disappointed and running out of grace and patience. (I'm sure there have been many times that he could say the same) I can honestly say, i contemplated every alternative way to make it end. Then i wrote him a love letter on his laptop, complete with bright decorative graphics and made an icon so he would see it the next morning at work. (according to him, it was so out of character for me, he initially thought it was our youngest daughter) It reminded him that i LOVE him, no matter if i am disappointed, hurt, angry or plummeting! It gave him renewed belief that our love remains/exists amidst the rubble of real life.
Who knew one little fun love letter would have such a profound affect on him. I say " I love you" minimum - once a day, yet, seeing is believing. I take care of him and myself and our life, family..etc.. that is seeing right? Perhaps we take "life" for granted... but, seeing the words on paper (screen), perhaps it was a guy thing, perhaps a (receptive) love language thing, but what ever it was. Fanning the flames of love is essential to it's survival.
Sometimes i think i understand what God was saying to the church in Revelation 2:4 - "This one thing i hold against you, You've forgotten your first love" Life happens and you may be managing with great integrity and perseverance, but do you remember what it was like, initially, in love?
I watched a young man pursue a young woman for close to two years, committed to courtship, he did not touch her inappropriately or even kiss her, yet, all roads led to her. He would do anything for her, go anywhere, no distance too far, no valley too wide! Protective, long suffering (she couldn't push him away hard enough), providing: she couldn't say she needed anything that he didn't materialize what ever it was. If she didn't want to see him, i saw his heart sink, you could almost feel the lump in his throat in your own as you witnessed the look on his face. He considered ways to make her happy, comfortable, amused. He thought about the future, what it would take to make it and worked toward it with noticeable advancement. He was constantly aware of her needs before she was, and most often offered to meet them. His was the most exhaustive pursuit of the object of love i think i have seen (besides my husband's : )
First love, do you remember what it was like? What you did, what you/he/she did while enraptured by it? There was nothing in our hearts and minds that matched the feelings, thoughts and/or desires that we had concerning the object of our affection. We would almost defy anything for him/her.
It's our responsibility to maintain the volume of energy in our relationships both with God and with our mates and loved ones. But one thing is for sure. "First Love" holds the key.
I don't remember when the last time was that i wrote him a love letter. He certainly didn't expect one on the week that i was probably the emotionally weakest that he has ever known me to be. What he expected was more of my fury, tightening of the ranks, nose to the grind stone work orders... What i resorted to was "first love". In my stretched to the extreme moments i realized, that if the tight wire snapped, i had no desire to let go of my first love, regardless!
Similarly, we must recall our first love feelings, ways and efforts, if we are to maintain our relationship with the Lord.. My letter said to my husband, no matter how i feel about the situation, the way i feel about you hasn't changed. That's all he needed was to hear that. What is God requiring of y our heart. Has it strayed, waxed cold, taken Him for granted, grown angry, impatient, spoiled?
First love: In all relationships, we must remember "first love" principles, if love is to survive
. . Remember
....It's our responsibility to kindle/rekindle the flames. Even an ember can be fanned to blazing flame. Who will take the responsiblity to fan to flames?... Many a cold winter's nights have bit upon a once cozy home because someone forgot to fan the fire before retiring to rest. Super cold times might take more effort. Someone might need to rise early or intermittantly through out the night in order to dispel the cold.
..One thing for sure.. even the bible declares that there are "times and seasons". So, this too will pass.
Now, whether we or our love for God (or our other covenant relationships) survive the season is another story.
...The race is not given to the swift or strong, but the one who finishes. In other words: There are not winners or losers, betters or lessors... Just finishers and quitters! We want to hear him say well "done" my good and "faithful" servant
...Don't kid yourself into believing that you will be considered a finisher in a luke warm state. A luke warm state is like a dying ember, it's just moments of time away from being extinguished.
...Be aware of "first love", no matter what season you are in. First love matters!
Sometimes i wonder what people do to let go. What horrible thing did one person do to another to warrant divorce or a split. Sometimes i see others who have turned their backs on God and walked away, taking back their own lives, to live as they desire, for their own momentary pleasures, to live by decisions they are comfortable with vs. abstaining, being self controlled, forgiving, etc.
It was a bad week. The culmination of a long stretch of time riddled with poor circumstances and hard times. We couldn't seem to land on the same page at the same time. I was disappointed and running out of grace and patience. (I'm sure there have been many times that he could say the same) I can honestly say, i contemplated every alternative way to make it end. Then i wrote him a love letter on his laptop, complete with bright decorative graphics and made an icon so he would see it the next morning at work. (according to him, it was so out of character for me, he initially thought it was our youngest daughter) It reminded him that i LOVE him, no matter if i am disappointed, hurt, angry or plummeting! It gave him renewed belief that our love remains/exists amidst the rubble of real life.
Who knew one little fun love letter would have such a profound affect on him. I say " I love you" minimum - once a day, yet, seeing is believing. I take care of him and myself and our life, family..etc.. that is seeing right? Perhaps we take "life" for granted... but, seeing the words on paper (screen), perhaps it was a guy thing, perhaps a (receptive) love language thing, but what ever it was. Fanning the flames of love is essential to it's survival.
Sometimes i think i understand what God was saying to the church in Revelation 2:4 - "This one thing i hold against you, You've forgotten your first love" Life happens and you may be managing with great integrity and perseverance, but do you remember what it was like, initially, in love?
I watched a young man pursue a young woman for close to two years, committed to courtship, he did not touch her inappropriately or even kiss her, yet, all roads led to her. He would do anything for her, go anywhere, no distance too far, no valley too wide! Protective, long suffering (she couldn't push him away hard enough), providing: she couldn't say she needed anything that he didn't materialize what ever it was. If she didn't want to see him, i saw his heart sink, you could almost feel the lump in his throat in your own as you witnessed the look on his face. He considered ways to make her happy, comfortable, amused. He thought about the future, what it would take to make it and worked toward it with noticeable advancement. He was constantly aware of her needs before she was, and most often offered to meet them. His was the most exhaustive pursuit of the object of love i think i have seen (besides my husband's : )
First love, do you remember what it was like? What you did, what you/he/she did while enraptured by it? There was nothing in our hearts and minds that matched the feelings, thoughts and/or desires that we had concerning the object of our affection. We would almost defy anything for him/her.
It's our responsibility to maintain the volume of energy in our relationships both with God and with our mates and loved ones. But one thing is for sure. "First Love" holds the key.
I don't remember when the last time was that i wrote him a love letter. He certainly didn't expect one on the week that i was probably the emotionally weakest that he has ever known me to be. What he expected was more of my fury, tightening of the ranks, nose to the grind stone work orders... What i resorted to was "first love". In my stretched to the extreme moments i realized, that if the tight wire snapped, i had no desire to let go of my first love, regardless!
Similarly, we must recall our first love feelings, ways and efforts, if we are to maintain our relationship with the Lord.. My letter said to my husband, no matter how i feel about the situation, the way i feel about you hasn't changed. That's all he needed was to hear that. What is God requiring of y our heart. Has it strayed, waxed cold, taken Him for granted, grown angry, impatient, spoiled?
First love: In all relationships, we must remember "first love" principles, if love is to survive
. . Remember
....It's our responsibility to kindle/rekindle the flames. Even an ember can be fanned to blazing flame. Who will take the responsiblity to fan to flames?... Many a cold winter's nights have bit upon a once cozy home because someone forgot to fan the fire before retiring to rest. Super cold times might take more effort. Someone might need to rise early or intermittantly through out the night in order to dispel the cold.
..One thing for sure.. even the bible declares that there are "times and seasons". So, this too will pass.
Now, whether we or our love for God (or our other covenant relationships) survive the season is another story.
...The race is not given to the swift or strong, but the one who finishes. In other words: There are not winners or losers, betters or lessors... Just finishers and quitters! We want to hear him say well "done" my good and "faithful" servant
...Don't kid yourself into believing that you will be considered a finisher in a luke warm state. A luke warm state is like a dying ember, it's just moments of time away from being extinguished.
...Be aware of "first love", no matter what season you are in. First love matters!
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