I was doing some surfing and noticed that Answers in Genesis has done some really great videos for the account of creation. Check out their page HERE!
There is a series of videos about the 6 literal days of creation. One thing I like is the forthrightness of AG and how they take on the tough questions and give even tougher answers to those who wish to believe that we are all just a superior animal instead of a specifically designed creation by a loving and gracious God.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Merry Christmas!
It is with great joy that I come to say to you and yours, Merry Christmas! This is a time of celebration as we think and ponder upon the greatness of our God's design and plan. A child, a son, an innocent participant in an eternal plan was granted to us as God's demonstration of love, compassion, and desired restoration. He, Who did not sin, was willing to send One, His Son, the spotless and perfect One, to become sin for us.
Christmas is such a beautiful time of the year. We behold the ornaments, the lights, the sounds, and the smells of this season. For those of us in the north country (and for some even in our southern states) snow falls and conditions become cold, but the beauty of the pristine brightness and the even the crispness of the cold air stimulates us to look up and behold the grand design of our God.
As carols play, cantatas are sung, and the nativity scenes come alive all around us,
let us not forget the beauty of God's perfect plan to redeem us and make us His prized possession. May our hearts be warmed and our lives be stirred to reflect the beauty of the Christ that came in such humility. May our lives be challenged to grow into His image even as He grew to become a sacrifice of willing obedience, even to face the death that we deserved. God bless each and every one of you! Merry Christmas and may the year to come be one of hope and joy as we anticipate the next major event on our God's calendar, the coming or our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
This thing called "Ministry" (Part 3)
I began something I intend to finish it! Several weeks ago I mentioned that I wanted to evaluate what "ministry" is through the book of 1 Corinthians and as we see Paul flesh it out. (Part 1 and Part 2) So let me progress into a third passage in 1 Corinthians.
To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now. I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.
(1 Corinthians 4:11-16)
Paul is not complaining, neither is he hinting that this is the lifestyle that these Corinthian believers must adhere to. What he is addressing is the contrast to their attitude of superiority. They have become "puffed up" and filled with knowledge to the point of having big heads in spiritual matters. They are filled with pride and arrogance and so much so that they are forgetting their heritage. Paul is their "spiritual father."
There are two sides to this that I see in a very non-commentary fashion. Paul warns them of arrogance and forgetfulness. He warns them of the dangers of lauding themselves as being better or more spiritual by having all these gifts and abilities. Paul is still dealing with them as babes in Christ and even as "carnal." (3:1) He is doing his duty as their "father" to alert them to their failures.
That leads me to see the second aspect. Paul's ministry included correction and "big head popping." He wanted to bring them down to see that life is about ministry and loving your fellow believers. As we saw earlier in vs. 1-2, Paul was a minister, a servant, a slave of God's vocational calling. He was a steward of the mysteries of God's magnificent Gospel. Paul is alerting his "spiritual children" of their duty to serve.
But note v. 16 - "Be imitators of me." Wow! Can I honestly call my people up and say, "Hey, by the way, if you have a problem or need to figure out how you should be living this Christian life, then just do it as I do!" I don't think so. But as a minister of the gospel and as a pastor, teacher, and steward of God's truth, I should strive to be so.
How are we doing, "MINISTERS?" Are we an example, a servant, a leader by service rather than by demand? Are we encouraging right living by living right in front of our fellow believers? How about when they are not looking? We need to remember that this thing called ministry is.... become(ing) as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now. (1 Corinthians 4:13)
Love your people! Serve your people! They are your "spiritual children." Be then a father to them and demonstrate the compassion that our loving heavenly Father has lavished upon them. Minister!
To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now. I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.
(1 Corinthians 4:11-16)
Paul is not complaining, neither is he hinting that this is the lifestyle that these Corinthian believers must adhere to. What he is addressing is the contrast to their attitude of superiority. They have become "puffed up" and filled with knowledge to the point of having big heads in spiritual matters. They are filled with pride and arrogance and so much so that they are forgetting their heritage. Paul is their "spiritual father."
There are two sides to this that I see in a very non-commentary fashion. Paul warns them of arrogance and forgetfulness. He warns them of the dangers of lauding themselves as being better or more spiritual by having all these gifts and abilities. Paul is still dealing with them as babes in Christ and even as "carnal." (3:1) He is doing his duty as their "father" to alert them to their failures.
That leads me to see the second aspect. Paul's ministry included correction and "big head popping." He wanted to bring them down to see that life is about ministry and loving your fellow believers. As we saw earlier in vs. 1-2, Paul was a minister, a servant, a slave of God's vocational calling. He was a steward of the mysteries of God's magnificent Gospel. Paul is alerting his "spiritual children" of their duty to serve.
But note v. 16 - "Be imitators of me." Wow! Can I honestly call my people up and say, "Hey, by the way, if you have a problem or need to figure out how you should be living this Christian life, then just do it as I do!" I don't think so. But as a minister of the gospel and as a pastor, teacher, and steward of God's truth, I should strive to be so.
How are we doing, "MINISTERS?" Are we an example, a servant, a leader by service rather than by demand? Are we encouraging right living by living right in front of our fellow believers? How about when they are not looking? We need to remember that this thing called ministry is.... become(ing) as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now. (1 Corinthians 4:13)
Love your people! Serve your people! They are your "spiritual children." Be then a father to them and demonstrate the compassion that our loving heavenly Father has lavished upon them. Minister!
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