After life deals us our cards and with the odds stacked against us, we confer with our brothers, push our chips to the middle of the table and utter, "All in for Christ." Such is the essence of the Band of Brothers.
Chan
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Polishing the Brass?
The question of the appropriate application of “Separation of Church and State” seems to constantly be in focus these days. In this presidential election year, as with previous ones, the television news, talk radio and even grocery store magazine racks are filled with speculation and likely misinformation regarding the various presidential front-runners, their faith & spirituality. Does it Matter? Just where do we draw the line between personal and public?
Nothing can start a fight faster than Politics or Religion so mixing the two is simply unthinkable, right? For the Bible believing, Bible reading Christian it is very easy to see that the future is going to be filled with persecution and tribulation. Read your Bible, it’s in there! Because of this I thought for a long time that getting politically involved was tantamount to “polishing the brass on the Titanic”. But is it, really?
The Bible speaks about being both Salt and Light.
Matthew 5: 13
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it become salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”
Ephesians 5:8
“…for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light.
How can we be salt and light if our flavor or brilliance is indistinguishable from those around us, who know not the truth? We can not! The work that Christ has done within us needs to be proclaimed!
Our light needs to shine! Our salt needs to be flavorful!
Yes, we know how the story goes. Persecution is coming; perhaps it is already here, as many believe. But we have a job to do for Him who gave it ALL on our behalf!
The best part is…we know how the story ends too…Perhaps engaging in the political process as messy as it can be, on Christ’s behalf, through the leading of the Holy spirit, is the best course of action in these uncertain times.
I’m willing.... Lord use me!
Nothing can start a fight faster than Politics or Religion so mixing the two is simply unthinkable, right? For the Bible believing, Bible reading Christian it is very easy to see that the future is going to be filled with persecution and tribulation. Read your Bible, it’s in there! Because of this I thought for a long time that getting politically involved was tantamount to “polishing the brass on the Titanic”. But is it, really?
The Bible speaks about being both Salt and Light.
Matthew 5: 13
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it become salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”
Ephesians 5:8
“…for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light.
How can we be salt and light if our flavor or brilliance is indistinguishable from those around us, who know not the truth? We can not! The work that Christ has done within us needs to be proclaimed!
Our light needs to shine! Our salt needs to be flavorful!
Yes, we know how the story goes. Persecution is coming; perhaps it is already here, as many believe. But we have a job to do for Him who gave it ALL on our behalf!
The best part is…we know how the story ends too…Perhaps engaging in the political process as messy as it can be, on Christ’s behalf, through the leading of the Holy spirit, is the best course of action in these uncertain times.
I’m willing.... Lord use me!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
What would Jesus do?
The phrase "What would Jesus do?" (often abbreviated to WWJD) became popular in the United States in the 1890s and again in 1990s as a personal motto for thousands of Christians who used the phrase as a reminder of their belief that Jesus is the example to be followed in daily life, and to act in a manner which Jesus would approve. The inquiry can be found on Tee-shirts, bumper stickers and even jewelry too. "What Would Jesus Do?" all started with a youth group from the Calvary Reformed Church of Holland, Michigan. As members of "Generation X," they wanted to influence their community for Christ. Inspired by the 1896 Charles Sheldon Book, "In His Steps" (which asked the same query), these youths were moved to apply this question to the daily choices that they all faced. As a tangible reminder, they had simple cloth bracelets made that used the abbreviation, WWJD. The bracelets caught the attention of friends, classmates, parents, and town's people. Soon, almost everyone was wearing one of these bracelets. As their popularity grew, the bracelets were mass-marketed, causing the retail revolution that we see today.
Some find the inquiry trite, some overly manipulative, but this writer hopes most found it to be a question worth answering. “What would Jesus do?” a very powerful question when asked with pure motives and answered honestly.
The power of the question is derived from the “established, yet unspoken” Standard that the mere mention of Jesus’ name brings with it. Whether you believe that Jesus was Lord, Liar or lunatic, it is generally assumed that He did things right, He treated people right and He both taught and brought a message of Love.
The beauty of the question is that those presented with it may, for the first time ever, begin to look for answers that are based upon more than just their own selfish desires
Before we can answer the question "What would Jesus do?" we must ask ourselves whether we know Jesus. Knowing Jesus begins with reading about His life, teachings and claims in the Bible. However, reading the Bible as literature alone only helps us to learn ABOUT Jesus. To truly KNOW Him requires a personal, spiritual relationship with Him.
In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says:
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."
This process of coming to know Jesus is a lifelong commitment and journey called sanctification. In our little circle of friends, we call this being ALL IN. This idea of being ALL IN is a process, none of us has yet attained.
Consider the following: If you had someone over to a pool party and they came late, stayed briefly and only dipped their feet in the pool or maybe just viewed it from afar, you might really question whether they had a complete experience or enjoyed the pool party at all. Does Christ wonder if you enjoy your life as a Christian? We desire to be ALL IN, fully immersed in Christ. To that end we meet weekly with each other to pray with and for each other. Our desire is to follow Him and assist each other in that unifying goal. Jesus invites all of us to join in this party.
Through God's inerrant Word, we know what Jesus did and continues to do....so now the question we ask you is…..What will you do?
Some find the inquiry trite, some overly manipulative, but this writer hopes most found it to be a question worth answering. “What would Jesus do?” a very powerful question when asked with pure motives and answered honestly.
The power of the question is derived from the “established, yet unspoken” Standard that the mere mention of Jesus’ name brings with it. Whether you believe that Jesus was Lord, Liar or lunatic, it is generally assumed that He did things right, He treated people right and He both taught and brought a message of Love.
The beauty of the question is that those presented with it may, for the first time ever, begin to look for answers that are based upon more than just their own selfish desires
Before we can answer the question "What would Jesus do?" we must ask ourselves whether we know Jesus. Knowing Jesus begins with reading about His life, teachings and claims in the Bible. However, reading the Bible as literature alone only helps us to learn ABOUT Jesus. To truly KNOW Him requires a personal, spiritual relationship with Him.
In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says:
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."
This process of coming to know Jesus is a lifelong commitment and journey called sanctification. In our little circle of friends, we call this being ALL IN. This idea of being ALL IN is a process, none of us has yet attained.
Consider the following: If you had someone over to a pool party and they came late, stayed briefly and only dipped their feet in the pool or maybe just viewed it from afar, you might really question whether they had a complete experience or enjoyed the pool party at all. Does Christ wonder if you enjoy your life as a Christian? We desire to be ALL IN, fully immersed in Christ. To that end we meet weekly with each other to pray with and for each other. Our desire is to follow Him and assist each other in that unifying goal. Jesus invites all of us to join in this party.
Through God's inerrant Word, we know what Jesus did and continues to do....so now the question we ask you is…..What will you do?
Saturday, April 26, 2008
We wish we could be there...
Our dad and his friends always go out without us on Thursday night and we wish we could go because it sounds like they have fun, especially when they jam to Third Day. ROCK ON!
Dogs sons,
Skyler & Dylan
Friday, April 25, 2008
Dogs First Blog
This Blog has been created for the free exchange of ideas that will lead to the renewing of minds and ultimately to the expansion of the Kingdom of God. It is also dedicated to the two good friends that accompany me on this journey of sanctification, this process of refinement, namely: Keent and Mr. Chan
Dog
Dog
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