Why the Lamb Was Spotless

Why the Lamb Was Spotless

Upside Down Worldview

For the Record:
1. Government should not mandate anyone to buy stuff that violates their faith. (not about contraception, but free exercise of religion)
2. You will know them by their fruit; warming a pew every couple of months for the photo op reveals nothing.
3. I believe Satan is real!
4. Nice to hear some candidates speak the Truth and be Authentic versus catchy jingles and platitudes!
5. God shows grace to the self-righteous elder brother and the wayward younger son - so there is hope for all through Christ Jesus (Lk. 15:1-32; Jn. 14:6)

Today

Is a Tuesday. Same prayer as yesterday: Be a light and servant to the neighbor God sends my way today. Tonight: Praise for another day to be Your servant and Lord forgive me forgive me when I was not light but darkness.

He is so not finished with me!

Is Blogging a Journal?

Need to consider why I have this blog? I tend to use my Facebook page, but this would allow for a more thoughtful examination of what and how I BELIEVE!

God is good; still working on this sinner!

Love Scripture Citings - Who we should Mirror

John Piper on Hero Worship: Here is one small contribution. In spite of all the legitimate warnings against hero worship, I want to risk waving a flag for holy emulation—which includes realistic admiration. Hero worship means admiring someone for unholy reasons and seeing all he does as admirable (whether it’s sin or not). Holy emulation, on the other hand, sees evidences of God’s grace, and admires them for Christ’s sake, and wants to learn from them and grow in them.

This theme is strong in the New Testament.

• “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
• “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us” (Philippians 3:17).
• “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9).
• “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 1:6).
• “[Do] not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12).
• “You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness” (2 Timothy 3:10).
• “Continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it” (2 Timothy 3:14).
• “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity” (Titus 2:7).

Fulfilling Resolution?

Restart - Jan thru May

• Share More, Blog More (F)
• Drink More Water (D)
• Time with Family (B-)
• Faithfulness (C-) - stirring by the Spirit to grow to a C

(LEGALIST ALERT, THIS MY SCALE and NOT THE COMMANDMENTS - NEED TO ASK GOD WHAT PARTS OF YOUR LIFE HE WANTS MORE OF)

May thru December:
-More time with Jesus, Wendy, Kids and Extended Family
-Thankful for all I need I have!
-Content with Vocation
-Foster/Adopt - His will be done!
-Celebrate: July 15 - 10 year rebirth day and October 27 - 10 years sober.

Ultimately -be content, humble, thankful and look more like the One that Saved me.

Mushy Middle

Watched a video where Pastor Timothy Keller explains the mushy middle disappearing - more agnostics and more devout, fundamentalist believers. He claims we have much fewer middle of the road/Sunday proclaim followers of Jesus. The result is less publicaly stated Christians/evangelicals, but those that believe are serious about trying to walk as Jesus walked. Pastor Keller says this is a good thing.

I agree. One can be conservative, devoted to Jesus with grace and truth AND not be mad about it. Likewise, an agnostic has a right to follow Darwin and believe that truth is relative. (let's be honest though that both groups can not be right).

Some things are debatable, but not all. Calling a sin and evil or addressing vile thoughts in a call to repentance does not make one intolerant. It is love to serve others for the glory of God and bring them to Jesus (if you believe in TRUTH).

Build up and Tear Down

Taking a little heat for my support of Jim Tressel. I do think he made some mistakes and as one in his position needs to right the wrong. Also, he has done a lot of good for real people (not many do a lick for others).

Why do we make idols and then tear them down? It is the hole in the heart always seeking to find something.

Find Jesus so the search ends and life begins (+++ we can forgive others)!

Compassion

Never watch American Idol, but saw this clip and witnessed compassion seen in everday people (even Steven Tyler at the end of the clip):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elaXeN15isM&feature=player_embedded

Francis Chan on living eternally

2011 Resolution

To blog more; almost like a journal of the things I see and read from real smart people and from HIS WORD!

Testimony for Luke Russell (BC and AC = Before Christ and After Christ)

TRUE NON-HOLLYWOOD STORY
bought and paid for by Jesus (Luke is along for the ride)

Before Christ: I honestly do not remember ever hearing the true news of Jesus the Messiah. I do remember thinking about the answers to life (why am I here, what is my purpose, and what is the meaning to life) which created a void (which I believe everyone has in their heart). I was the most self-centered person ever by the time I hit middle and high school. My parent are the GREATEST, perfect upbring, loved and knew it etc..., but sin looks out for self (pride); and man do I loving doing that. I really think all I thought about was ME; many could give testimony to this fact. Around the time I entered college, I thought I would find the answers to fill any void that existed. Not so! I decide a little more partying and playing could be more fulfilling - all the while leaving a path of destruction and hurt. After college I continually strived for a better job with more pay; -- Thinking this was the meaning to my life. Material possessions and my annual salary defined me. I would always use society as my measuring gauge and reassurance that I was a “success”. I was trying to be the best Father and Husband through my actions, but always very inconsistent - always struggling to find my stride. Deep down I knew I lacked an overall purpose or meaning in my life. I was gradually moving up the economic ladder; we were able to buy bigger and nicer THINGS; which were NOT providing true peace. I continued to search. I regularly felt the void and missing piece in my life that did not have any explanation.------------------ ++ Changed by Grace++ For the children’s sake, my wife started to drag me to church. She wanted our children to attend Sunday school and be brought up with Christian beliefs/morals. To say I was reluctant would be an understatement. At first, I thought that everything about Christianity and faith did not apply to me; I was not into the singing and did not understand why people brought black books with them. Through the sermons, I was introduced to the Gospel, and for the first time in my life I learned what it meant to be a Christian (not a religious person). I knew my thoughts and actions did not follow the ideas and the teachings of Jesus. My worldly pursuits and self-ambition were in opposition to the gospel message. I also recognized the real attitude, caring nature, and genuine fellowship exhibited by the Christians I met. I now know how blessed I was and am to learn from real Christians who witnessed to me through their words and actions. Several consuming thoughts began to invade my thoughts during this time. I started to be convicted over thoughts and actions that did not conform to Christian beliefs, and I recognized my actions and behaviors with non-Christians were not changing. But, I did feel a growing sense of purpose and understanding through biblical teaching, bible study and reading and prayer. My priorities and attitude started to change; and the internal void was being filled. These changes were unexplainable (at the time); exciting and intimidating. After skipping a worship service for no compelling reason; I felt the void return that had been disappearing. I felt a conviction in my soul like none ever before, and knew without a doubt that God was asking me to accept and follow what I know to be true, that Jesus died for my sins and he could fill that void. That Sunday (July 2001)evening while reading the Bible, I committed my life to Jesus Christ and turned to HIM and asked for my sins to be forgiven (1 Jn. 1:9). No huge sense of relief/fireworks; rather I understood that the old self-ambition and worldly pursuits were going to be replaced with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. ################ Now, I understand the internal joy of following Christ. From that Sunday on, I have been given by grace a growing purpose and commitment. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, I want to mature in Christ. I also know God has a plan to help me grow in my faith. I now rely on the Lord’s guidance, and accept that he will provide what I need to get through this life. (Prov. 3:5-6) When I fall short, which happens very often, I go to the Lord through my relationship with Jesus. My priorities have value and meaning that transcends self-centered ambitions. During times of conflict, I feel a sense of calm and patience knowing my treasure is in eternal life with our Savior. The relationships in my life have flourished. The changes Christ has made in my life has reinforce my trust and faith in Him. I know Christ died on the cross for my sins, and all I needed to do is believe in and trust in him to give me direction. The Void has been Filled, and I realize the hole in my heart was a life without Christ. ************ I pray that you relate to my story. All you have to do is accept Jesus as Savior – He will give purpose and meaning to your life. In Jn. 1:12, John Says “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Please give me a shout out if you read this and are interested, or want share your story, or have ANY questions.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++PEACE W/ GOD: STEP 1: God's Purpose: Peace and Life God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life—abundant and eternal. The Bible says ... "We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." —Romans 5:1 (NIV) "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." —John 10:10 (NIV) Why don't most people have this peace and abundant life that God planned for us to have? STEP 2: The Problem: Our Separation God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us as robots to automatically love and obey Him. God gave us a will and a freedom of choice. We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God The Bible says ... "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." —Romans 3:23 (NIV) "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." —Romans 6:23 (NIV) Our Attempts to Reach God People have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God ... The Bible says ... "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." —Isaiah 59:2 (NIV) No bridge reaches God ... except one. STEP 3: God's Bridge: The Cross Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people. The Bible says ... "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ." —1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV) "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." —1 Peter 3:18 (NIV) "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." —Romans 5:8 (NIV) God has provided the only way. Each person must make a choice. STEP 4: Our Response: Receive Christ We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation. The Bible says ... "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." —Revelation 3:20 (NIV) "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." —John 1:12 (NIV) "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." —Romans 10:9 (NIV) Where are you? Will you receive Jesus Christ right now? ++++++++++++ Here is how you can receive Christ: 1. Admit your need (I am a sinner). 2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent). 3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave. 4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)