In my last post, I mentioned about Jesus having died for the sin of the world, and that there is no depth to man's evil, that Jesus Christ's redemption by the cross does not go deeper yet! There is not sin so sinful, that the blood of Jesus does not wash clean, and as white as snow.
One example that seems to have most people confused, or unsure is often cited as being what about Hitler? And perhaps even now, Osama bin Laden has met his earthly demise, (or, so they say) then where does he end up? Well, the list goes on as to who some people think deserve an extended punishment even to eternity, and those who perhaps deserve to be cut a break. Like I said, it is sort of having God grading people based on a curve.
However, when I wrote what I am convinced to be true without a doubt, I was pretty sure I was not clear in my meaning. Since then I received an email from Roy, a long time friend, who added some comments to what I wrote, and I thought they so wonderfully clarified my meaning, that I wanted to write this post so I could share them with anyone who would read this blog. What follows is what he wrote.
The Adolph Hitler that had party to all that he did in this life will be so thoroughly changed by Christ he will no longer exist in his old nature and state, isn't that true? So,the old Hitler won't be in heaven if you look at it in a certain way. If any man be in Christ the old nature has passed away and all things have become new.....As with you and I, what we once were we are no more. We are being changed in degrees to new creatures that are and will be unrecognizable to even ourselves in the future! I have been changed by Him so much from what I was as a young man.....This is what many don't understand, don't you agree? That the old Hitler truly will never see "heaven" but a new creature raised up in him. Many don't see this process and don't see it yet...
This is truely the key to understanding such a great mystery of what happens to each one of us! Behold all things become new, because now, or later... in this life or the next.... The Old Is Passed Away!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Grades Based On The Cross!
Every once in a while I get a particular inspiration to write a blog post on a particular subject. This is one of those occasions. It happened while I was driving home from work, and was listening to The O'Reilly Factor on my Sirius radio. It was about half way through the program, and I just caught a minute at the end of a segment with Franklin Graham, Billy Graham's son. I think the segment was in response to an earlier day in which I caught the last minute of an interview with another minister on the program who seemed to be supporting the fact that there was no hell.
Bill O'Reilly is a Catholic, and will often state his Catholic beliefs as fact when a religious subject comes up. He was quick to dismiss that there was no hell. He is convinced that someone like Hitler could not possibly be in heaven, and the very idea of God being able to "let" him in was unthinkable. He confirmed his beliefs in the interview with Graham when he said that God gave everyone a free will, and we are all free to choose, and we suffer the consequences of our choices, and it's all up to us what we do.... yada, yada, yada. Of course Graham agreed.
Well, statements like that always get my goat! My mind was forming all kinds of arguments countering such ridiculous assertions! When you think about it, Hitler did not personally kill six million Jews. I don't know that he personally killed anyone! He ordered it, but if people did not carry out his orders, then none of it would have happened. And not a few carried out those orders. But Hitler is the only one people blame.
It also got me to thinking that if people are responsible for the choices they make because they all have free will, then is there a difference between the choices a person makes who grows up in a privledged home, with happy loving parents, and a good education, and their needs and wants taken care of, and someone else who grows up in a poor home, with a drunken father, and a drug addicted mom, who is beaten, and barely fed, and left alone, abandoned?
Take any extremes you want. But to make a statement that everyone has a free will and is responsible for the choices they make, as if everyone starts off from an even playing field is not truthful with the facts! Of course, they would have to admit that not everyone has the same upbringing, and are not all treated the same, with the same influences in their life, so then the answer must be then that everyone would be judged according to the choices they make based on their circumstances. That is the only way they could seem to be fair.
I then thought to myself that if such would be their answer, then would it mean that they think God grades peoples actions based on a curve? You don't have to be perfect, you only have to be above the average?
Then immediately my thoughts went to an answer in response, (and I sincerely believe these thoughts were birthed in my spirit inspired by His Spirit within me), and I thought "No, God grades based on the cross!"
If Hitler is in hell because of what he did, then what Jesus did on the cross wasn't enough!
Did you get that? Read it again..... If Hitler is in hell because of what he did, then what Jesus did on the cross wasn't enough!
But what Jesus did not the cross WAS ENOUGH! It satisfied all the requirements for sin. The wages of sin is death, and Jesus died for every man! There is nothing else required. It is not Jesus and.... anything. It is not Jesus and your being good. It is not Jesus and your reading your bible. It is not Jesus and your praying. It is not Jesus and your trying to obey the Ten Commandments!
"Yes! But they have to accept it", you say.
"Oh, they will."
"Not everyone does", you say.
"Oh yes they do!" I reply.
What most people seem to believe is that God is finished dealing with His created beings during their mortal life on this earth, and after that ends, there is nothing else that He can do to influence or alter our lives during or after, but that is simply not accurate to scriptural truth! We all know the verse from Philippians 2:10,11 "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." It is EVERY KNEE and EVERY TONGUE that is bowing and confessing! The only way that is possible is if He reveals Himself to everyone, and there is no way that one single person is capable of resisting God revealing Himself! It is simply not possible!
Oh, you might resist a "salvation sermon being preached in church. You might resist a Christian getting in your face, and warning you about your path to hell unless you pray this prayer. You might even resist what you know to be a true voice within of God Himself speaking to you. But to think that your puny will and resistance is any match for a single moment of direct revelation of God, is delusional at the very least.
Oh, but the argument goes on to suggest that God is a gentleman, and would not interfere with your free will, and does not go where He is not wanted. He would not force Himself on anyone. Oh really?? That is your idea of a gentleman? To design a place of eternal fiery torment and torture, and then require people with questionable information to give their life over to someone whom they do not know, and do not trust, or He will throw them into a fiery pit. But He would not want to force Himself on anyone because He is a gentleman!
It is this silly notion of a free will that has many people confused. It is not to say that we do not have a will, but our will is subject to the greatest amount of influence. Will we do good or evil? What is the greatest influence on our choice? The bible is clear, that our will is in bondage to unrighteousness, as long as we are a slave to sin. Once we become believers, then we become a servant to righteousness.
Besides all of this, the fact remains that we are not saved by our righteousness, but by His! God does not keep Hitler out of heaven because of what he did, but rather lets him in because of what Jesus did! "Hitler doesn't deserve it" you say? Well, neither do you! And it is not a question of deserving anything! Grace is a free gift! Faith is a gift as well! "We are saved by grace through faith and THAT not of yourselves it is a gift of God." What is a gift of God? FAITH. The very faith that you believe with is the gift your are given. "Lest anyone should boast." There is no boasting in your believing if the fact that you believe because you were given that faith to believe.
Christians come up with some of the strangest statements sometimes, thinking that they qualify for God's favor based on their own actions, and others deserve God's judgment based on their actions otherwise. Perhaps we think that God hates the same people we do. Better yet, maybe we should start loving the same people God does instead! Who do you think that leaves out? Read John 3:16
I will discuss this more in future posts, but for now aren't you glad, when you really consider it that God does not grade us on a curve but rather Grades Based On The Cross!
Bill O'Reilly is a Catholic, and will often state his Catholic beliefs as fact when a religious subject comes up. He was quick to dismiss that there was no hell. He is convinced that someone like Hitler could not possibly be in heaven, and the very idea of God being able to "let" him in was unthinkable. He confirmed his beliefs in the interview with Graham when he said that God gave everyone a free will, and we are all free to choose, and we suffer the consequences of our choices, and it's all up to us what we do.... yada, yada, yada. Of course Graham agreed.
Well, statements like that always get my goat! My mind was forming all kinds of arguments countering such ridiculous assertions! When you think about it, Hitler did not personally kill six million Jews. I don't know that he personally killed anyone! He ordered it, but if people did not carry out his orders, then none of it would have happened. And not a few carried out those orders. But Hitler is the only one people blame.
It also got me to thinking that if people are responsible for the choices they make because they all have free will, then is there a difference between the choices a person makes who grows up in a privledged home, with happy loving parents, and a good education, and their needs and wants taken care of, and someone else who grows up in a poor home, with a drunken father, and a drug addicted mom, who is beaten, and barely fed, and left alone, abandoned?
Take any extremes you want. But to make a statement that everyone has a free will and is responsible for the choices they make, as if everyone starts off from an even playing field is not truthful with the facts! Of course, they would have to admit that not everyone has the same upbringing, and are not all treated the same, with the same influences in their life, so then the answer must be then that everyone would be judged according to the choices they make based on their circumstances. That is the only way they could seem to be fair.
I then thought to myself that if such would be their answer, then would it mean that they think God grades peoples actions based on a curve? You don't have to be perfect, you only have to be above the average?
Then immediately my thoughts went to an answer in response, (and I sincerely believe these thoughts were birthed in my spirit inspired by His Spirit within me), and I thought "No, God grades based on the cross!"
If Hitler is in hell because of what he did, then what Jesus did on the cross wasn't enough!
Did you get that? Read it again..... If Hitler is in hell because of what he did, then what Jesus did on the cross wasn't enough!
But what Jesus did not the cross WAS ENOUGH! It satisfied all the requirements for sin. The wages of sin is death, and Jesus died for every man! There is nothing else required. It is not Jesus and.... anything. It is not Jesus and your being good. It is not Jesus and your reading your bible. It is not Jesus and your praying. It is not Jesus and your trying to obey the Ten Commandments!
"Yes! But they have to accept it", you say.
"Oh, they will."
"Not everyone does", you say.
"Oh yes they do!" I reply.
What most people seem to believe is that God is finished dealing with His created beings during their mortal life on this earth, and after that ends, there is nothing else that He can do to influence or alter our lives during or after, but that is simply not accurate to scriptural truth! We all know the verse from Philippians 2:10,11 "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." It is EVERY KNEE and EVERY TONGUE that is bowing and confessing! The only way that is possible is if He reveals Himself to everyone, and there is no way that one single person is capable of resisting God revealing Himself! It is simply not possible!
Oh, you might resist a "salvation sermon being preached in church. You might resist a Christian getting in your face, and warning you about your path to hell unless you pray this prayer. You might even resist what you know to be a true voice within of God Himself speaking to you. But to think that your puny will and resistance is any match for a single moment of direct revelation of God, is delusional at the very least.
Oh, but the argument goes on to suggest that God is a gentleman, and would not interfere with your free will, and does not go where He is not wanted. He would not force Himself on anyone. Oh really?? That is your idea of a gentleman? To design a place of eternal fiery torment and torture, and then require people with questionable information to give their life over to someone whom they do not know, and do not trust, or He will throw them into a fiery pit. But He would not want to force Himself on anyone because He is a gentleman!
It is this silly notion of a free will that has many people confused. It is not to say that we do not have a will, but our will is subject to the greatest amount of influence. Will we do good or evil? What is the greatest influence on our choice? The bible is clear, that our will is in bondage to unrighteousness, as long as we are a slave to sin. Once we become believers, then we become a servant to righteousness.
Besides all of this, the fact remains that we are not saved by our righteousness, but by His! God does not keep Hitler out of heaven because of what he did, but rather lets him in because of what Jesus did! "Hitler doesn't deserve it" you say? Well, neither do you! And it is not a question of deserving anything! Grace is a free gift! Faith is a gift as well! "We are saved by grace through faith and THAT not of yourselves it is a gift of God." What is a gift of God? FAITH. The very faith that you believe with is the gift your are given. "Lest anyone should boast." There is no boasting in your believing if the fact that you believe because you were given that faith to believe.
Christians come up with some of the strangest statements sometimes, thinking that they qualify for God's favor based on their own actions, and others deserve God's judgment based on their actions otherwise. Perhaps we think that God hates the same people we do. Better yet, maybe we should start loving the same people God does instead! Who do you think that leaves out? Read John 3:16
I will discuss this more in future posts, but for now aren't you glad, when you really consider it that God does not grade us on a curve but rather Grades Based On The Cross!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
I'll Take You Back
"And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." Luke 23:43
No, the title of this post has nothing to do with some cheesy country and western song! ha. What it does have to do with though is another thoughtful insight into something that I saw with a new understanding. It came from one of the messages that was preached during the conference we were at in Lake City TN. What was particularly interesting to me was a comment made almost offhandedly during the message that caught my ear, and it cleared up something that has been somewhat of a mystery to everyone I know including me up until now. That is, if you accept my explanation of its meaning.
This insight has to do with the meaning of the words of Jesus to the thief on the cross as quoted above. "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." The concern from some has to do with the placement of the comma. The suggestion is that since the Greek language does not include punctuation in it's writings, then perhaps the translators made a mistake in where they placed the comma. One such discussion is detailed at this web site located HERE. Either placement of the comma presents several Theological difficulties, but as I will show you, that is a distraction from the real meaning of what Jesus was saying.
The Theological question is raised as to whether Jesus was saying to the thief "I am telling you this today (comma) you will be with me in Paradise" in order to suggest that there is some future time in which the thief would be with Him. Or if the comma reflects the intent that it was actually that day in which the thief would be with Him in Paradise.
On the one hand, if Jesus was saying that since they would both be dead before the day was through, and that since their Spirits would be leaving their bodies at the moment of their death, then the thief would be with Him in Paradise that very instant, then what about the fact that it could be argued there is contradictory evidence of Jesus going to heaven the moment He died? Even more so, what about the fact that it would not be until Jesus actually rose from the grave, that He was able to accomplish the full measure of our salvation! Consider what Paul said in Rom.4:25 "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."
On the other hand it does not make sense for Jesus to say to the thief that He is telling him this fact today, as if there was some sort of question about when He is speaking! I think it is grammatical gymnastics to try to suggest such an answer in order to solve other Theological problems.
Neither answer ever really sat very well with me, and not only that, Jesus' use of the word Paradise never made sense either. Why would He say that as opposed to the word Heaven? It never made sense to me, and every explanation I have heard or read had never solved it to my satisfaction until this past week! The two words are not synonymous thus the first clue to the theological answer.
The meaning of the Greek word Jesus used is from the Strongs 3857. paradeisos Of Oriental origin (compare pardec); a park, i.e. (specially), an Eden (place of future happiness, "paradise") -- paradise. This compares to the Garden of Eden in Genesis.
With that in mind, what Jesus did in His death on the cross is to reverse what Adam did by his sin in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve lived in Paradise. Their disobedience caused not only them, but the whole human race to be expelled from Paradise. Jesus' death on the cross restored what Adam lost.
The words of Jesus to the thief on the cross was not just to the thief, but to the whole human race. It is as if it were a declaration what His death would accomplish! His death would reverse the curse! His death was the wages paid for the sin of the world! The wage of sin is death. Jesus paid those wages for EVERY man!
Don't you see now that the verse that is so often misunderstood in Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" is answered by the very next verse... "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many;.." And by the way, if there is any question about the use of the word many there, it is the same many that is refered to who Adam brought into sin. The same many made unrighteous by Adam is the same many made righteous by Christ.
What Jesus was saying to the thief was not that He was going to take him to some literal physical location! Goodness sakes! So many Christians have some literal mansion on a hill top idea of heaven as if there is some tangible physical location to live somewhere over the rainbow! You see, I knew that already, I just never put it together until that day when it clicked into my understanding. I almost jumped out of my seat!!
Jesus was not confused about what He meant either. He did not mean to say heaven, and said paradise by mistake as some might think. What He was really saying is that His death would restore what Adam lost. That His death would so pay for the sin of the world that our relationship with God would be as it was in Paradise before the fall. But what really made it click for me was remembering the words to a song that my good friend Gary Sigler would play as a sort of theme song on his taped messages. Click the link to hear the song.... The words are written beneath.
I'll Take You Back
I’ll take you back to where you were in Me
before the fall of man.
I’ll restore your soul. I’ll reconcile your heart.
I’ll give you back your true identity.
I’m removing the veil from your eyes
so that you can clearly see
you will be with Me in paradise
on this earth you’ll walk with Me.
If this has sparked an interest to read more, then the following is a link to a message on this subject by Gary Sigler that I recommend reading. It might just change your life!http://newlifeinternational.faithweb.com/STHolyOfHoliesSigler.html
We have yet to fully comprehend what Jesus accomplished on the cross, and the effects it had on the whole human race! Most preachers give Adam all the credit for getting us into this "mess" but fail to understand the full extent of cross! Perhaps from now on, when you read that verse, or hear it being preached, instead of thinking that Jesus was taking the thief to some literal heaven, you will now realize He was talking to the whole human race saying "I’ll take you back to where you were in Me before the fall of man."
No, the title of this post has nothing to do with some cheesy country and western song! ha. What it does have to do with though is another thoughtful insight into something that I saw with a new understanding. It came from one of the messages that was preached during the conference we were at in Lake City TN. What was particularly interesting to me was a comment made almost offhandedly during the message that caught my ear, and it cleared up something that has been somewhat of a mystery to everyone I know including me up until now. That is, if you accept my explanation of its meaning.
This insight has to do with the meaning of the words of Jesus to the thief on the cross as quoted above. "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." The concern from some has to do with the placement of the comma. The suggestion is that since the Greek language does not include punctuation in it's writings, then perhaps the translators made a mistake in where they placed the comma. One such discussion is detailed at this web site located HERE. Either placement of the comma presents several Theological difficulties, but as I will show you, that is a distraction from the real meaning of what Jesus was saying.
The Theological question is raised as to whether Jesus was saying to the thief "I am telling you this today (comma) you will be with me in Paradise" in order to suggest that there is some future time in which the thief would be with Him. Or if the comma reflects the intent that it was actually that day in which the thief would be with Him in Paradise.
On the one hand, if Jesus was saying that since they would both be dead before the day was through, and that since their Spirits would be leaving their bodies at the moment of their death, then the thief would be with Him in Paradise that very instant, then what about the fact that it could be argued there is contradictory evidence of Jesus going to heaven the moment He died? Even more so, what about the fact that it would not be until Jesus actually rose from the grave, that He was able to accomplish the full measure of our salvation! Consider what Paul said in Rom.4:25 "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."
On the other hand it does not make sense for Jesus to say to the thief that He is telling him this fact today, as if there was some sort of question about when He is speaking! I think it is grammatical gymnastics to try to suggest such an answer in order to solve other Theological problems.
Neither answer ever really sat very well with me, and not only that, Jesus' use of the word Paradise never made sense either. Why would He say that as opposed to the word Heaven? It never made sense to me, and every explanation I have heard or read had never solved it to my satisfaction until this past week! The two words are not synonymous thus the first clue to the theological answer.
The meaning of the Greek word Jesus used is from the Strongs 3857. paradeisos Of Oriental origin (compare pardec); a park, i.e. (specially), an Eden (place of future happiness, "paradise") -- paradise. This compares to the Garden of Eden in Genesis.
With that in mind, what Jesus did in His death on the cross is to reverse what Adam did by his sin in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve lived in Paradise. Their disobedience caused not only them, but the whole human race to be expelled from Paradise. Jesus' death on the cross restored what Adam lost.
The words of Jesus to the thief on the cross was not just to the thief, but to the whole human race. It is as if it were a declaration what His death would accomplish! His death would reverse the curse! His death was the wages paid for the sin of the world! The wage of sin is death. Jesus paid those wages for EVERY man!
Don't you see now that the verse that is so often misunderstood in Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" is answered by the very next verse... "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many;.." And by the way, if there is any question about the use of the word many there, it is the same many that is refered to who Adam brought into sin. The same many made unrighteous by Adam is the same many made righteous by Christ.
What Jesus was saying to the thief was not that He was going to take him to some literal physical location! Goodness sakes! So many Christians have some literal mansion on a hill top idea of heaven as if there is some tangible physical location to live somewhere over the rainbow! You see, I knew that already, I just never put it together until that day when it clicked into my understanding. I almost jumped out of my seat!!
Jesus was not confused about what He meant either. He did not mean to say heaven, and said paradise by mistake as some might think. What He was really saying is that His death would restore what Adam lost. That His death would so pay for the sin of the world that our relationship with God would be as it was in Paradise before the fall. But what really made it click for me was remembering the words to a song that my good friend Gary Sigler would play as a sort of theme song on his taped messages. Click the link to hear the song.... The words are written beneath.
I'll Take You Back
I’ll take you back to where you were in Me
before the fall of man.
I’ll restore your soul. I’ll reconcile your heart.
I’ll give you back your true identity.
I’m removing the veil from your eyes
so that you can clearly see
you will be with Me in paradise
on this earth you’ll walk with Me.
If this has sparked an interest to read more, then the following is a link to a message on this subject by Gary Sigler that I recommend reading. It might just change your life!http://newlifeinternational.faithweb.com/STHolyOfHoliesSigler.html
We have yet to fully comprehend what Jesus accomplished on the cross, and the effects it had on the whole human race! Most preachers give Adam all the credit for getting us into this "mess" but fail to understand the full extent of cross! Perhaps from now on, when you read that verse, or hear it being preached, instead of thinking that Jesus was taking the thief to some literal heaven, you will now realize He was talking to the whole human race saying "I’ll take you back to where you were in Me before the fall of man."
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Can You Say Amen?
I mentioned in an earlier post that one meaning behind the word Amen is "That is my voice". The idea being that what you are saying amen to is so in tune with your own thoughts, that it is as if your words are coming out of the other person. I have had an Internet friend named Roy since the mid 90's who is one of those people that almost always speaks with "my voice"! When he speaks I hear my words come from his mouth. When he writes he puts my thoughts into words. The following is his response to my last post edited only with the greetings and the salutation. It so much expressed my heart that I got his permission to include it in this blog, but at the same time I think I could have plagerized it, and claim it as my own and not be found guilty anyway! Ha.
"I have heard some say that we are past limiting "the Christ" to just referring to Jesus. They say that all people have "Christ," an anointing from God potentially. We are commissioned to speak to that anointing in others and encourage it, call it forth, so to say. There are elements of truth to this way of thinking but for me such thinking also falls short on many levels. I am in agreement that His anointing has been realized by some as the Father has given them light and power to see. All others do potentially have this anointing as well and the potential will come to fruition at a time of the Father's choosing. But, why would I want to distance myself from expressing Jesus' name as I grow to understand that His anointing will be realized by all people? I have heard some say we have simply grown past the need to express His name. Those I have heard say such have a variety of reasons why we should be quieter concerning His name. Some seem to imply that it is needless to distress a Buddhist, Muslim, or some other that appears to be manifesting His Spirit though they don't acknowledge Him by name. Some of these that they are convinced are operating in the same Spirit will even vehemently resist His name....
First off, I can surely see His Spirit moving in some that don't acknowledge His name. The Lord did say that publicans and sinners would enter the kingdom before many of the Jews of His day and in that spirit of thinking I can see where some move in His Spirit, even in the nature and character of Jesus, that don't acknowledge His name. However, I am far from convinced that it is in the volume of peoples and numbers that some believe it is. And, if these are moving in His Spirit, why would I want to stop short of telling them, even gently and with great patience, about this Jesus that they are unknowingly following? Some say that they have been poisoned by what they have seen from a false Christian religion and church. That is probably true in many instances but wouldn't it then fall on us that know Him better, by His grace, to even more tell them of Him to give them proper witness of Who He is? In other words, I don't think that the best answer is to just fall silent concerning telling of Jesus just because these have possibly been shown an improper witness. To me, the more excellent approach would be to humbly desire to speak of Him properly towards these thus replacing the evil witness with the good....
Again, some would say we are just past speaking of Him by name. But, to have this view we must also move past the clear examples in the New Testament which I know some have. Many have found that the only way to support their new beliefs is to jettison many scriptures. Because the clear teaching of the New Testament is an ever increasing exaltation of that name.
Some would say that "Jesus" isn't even the name in the original manuscripts. They would go back through Latin,Greek, and Hebrew and point out this thing and that thing to come to the proper spelling and pronunciation. What a great deal of energy they would expend to argue in the wrong spirit of things! The point is the Spirit behind our reasoning, I think. In all of these exercises why would folks be moved so mightily to do so much to finally deflect attention. glory and honor to that name? I would think His Spirit would be moving us more and more in a direction that would exalt that name, lift it up, not divert attention from it.
Finally, some would say they have moved past Jesus because they are now in direct relationship with the Father and have no need of going through Him. They will even sight a few scriptures to give credence to this stance. It is hard for me to believe they are using these scriptures in the true Spirit they were intended to be used. Again, why would any scripture be written with the proper intention being to divert us away from Jesus in any way? I am of the belief that the true and proper interpretation and application of any New Testament scripture would be to draw us evermore toward Him for when we see Him we see the Father.
I could go on but I think you get the jest of what I believe. I also have many thoughts that tie in with these concerning the current rush of many that claim the UR belief toward complete inclusion at this time. I don't believe we are in the time of complete inclusion. i believe the Lord will save everyone, "each in His own order,"but, this isn't presently the time for many and a proper understanding of what the Lord is doing at this time is extremely important toward proper growth. I have many thoughts and scripture along those lines.....
Also, I have many thoughts that tie into all this concerning 'loving everyone" as this also is one of the great cries of the day.....Many of these say that "God is love so all I have to do is love everyone." First off, what is love? Love expressed in each individual circumstance and situation is different. It is not always just "being kind" or "being gentle." Actually, in some instances, being kind and being gentle may not be the best representation of love at that moment. And, if that is true, one may not be expressing the presence of God at that moment. Some peoples and some circumstances call for us to be a rock of offence, and, that would be the true expression of God and love at that moment....But this brings us back to the evils of this rush toward complete inclusion out of season. The only way to include everyone at this time is to come close to saying "anything goes" and, while the Father calls all to Himself just as they are you better believe He will work to change them as He works to change us. And, often He will call us to be the ones He speaks change through. But, some don't really want to deal with that....
I have much more to say on these things. The calling of the Sons will swing back into balance at some point. Every high place will be brought low and every low place exalted. Many have been so hurt by past experiences they can't get past all of that right now. Some hunger for the wrong things mistaking doing good from the tree of good and evil for His life."
I know that when I read this email it put into words my same thoughts and understandings. What about you? Can You Say Amen?
"I have heard some say that we are past limiting "the Christ" to just referring to Jesus. They say that all people have "Christ," an anointing from God potentially. We are commissioned to speak to that anointing in others and encourage it, call it forth, so to say. There are elements of truth to this way of thinking but for me such thinking also falls short on many levels. I am in agreement that His anointing has been realized by some as the Father has given them light and power to see. All others do potentially have this anointing as well and the potential will come to fruition at a time of the Father's choosing. But, why would I want to distance myself from expressing Jesus' name as I grow to understand that His anointing will be realized by all people? I have heard some say we have simply grown past the need to express His name. Those I have heard say such have a variety of reasons why we should be quieter concerning His name. Some seem to imply that it is needless to distress a Buddhist, Muslim, or some other that appears to be manifesting His Spirit though they don't acknowledge Him by name. Some of these that they are convinced are operating in the same Spirit will even vehemently resist His name....
First off, I can surely see His Spirit moving in some that don't acknowledge His name. The Lord did say that publicans and sinners would enter the kingdom before many of the Jews of His day and in that spirit of thinking I can see where some move in His Spirit, even in the nature and character of Jesus, that don't acknowledge His name. However, I am far from convinced that it is in the volume of peoples and numbers that some believe it is. And, if these are moving in His Spirit, why would I want to stop short of telling them, even gently and with great patience, about this Jesus that they are unknowingly following? Some say that they have been poisoned by what they have seen from a false Christian religion and church. That is probably true in many instances but wouldn't it then fall on us that know Him better, by His grace, to even more tell them of Him to give them proper witness of Who He is? In other words, I don't think that the best answer is to just fall silent concerning telling of Jesus just because these have possibly been shown an improper witness. To me, the more excellent approach would be to humbly desire to speak of Him properly towards these thus replacing the evil witness with the good....
Again, some would say we are just past speaking of Him by name. But, to have this view we must also move past the clear examples in the New Testament which I know some have. Many have found that the only way to support their new beliefs is to jettison many scriptures. Because the clear teaching of the New Testament is an ever increasing exaltation of that name.
Some would say that "Jesus" isn't even the name in the original manuscripts. They would go back through Latin,Greek, and Hebrew and point out this thing and that thing to come to the proper spelling and pronunciation. What a great deal of energy they would expend to argue in the wrong spirit of things! The point is the Spirit behind our reasoning, I think. In all of these exercises why would folks be moved so mightily to do so much to finally deflect attention. glory and honor to that name? I would think His Spirit would be moving us more and more in a direction that would exalt that name, lift it up, not divert attention from it.
Finally, some would say they have moved past Jesus because they are now in direct relationship with the Father and have no need of going through Him. They will even sight a few scriptures to give credence to this stance. It is hard for me to believe they are using these scriptures in the true Spirit they were intended to be used. Again, why would any scripture be written with the proper intention being to divert us away from Jesus in any way? I am of the belief that the true and proper interpretation and application of any New Testament scripture would be to draw us evermore toward Him for when we see Him we see the Father.
I could go on but I think you get the jest of what I believe. I also have many thoughts that tie in with these concerning the current rush of many that claim the UR belief toward complete inclusion at this time. I don't believe we are in the time of complete inclusion. i believe the Lord will save everyone, "each in His own order,"but, this isn't presently the time for many and a proper understanding of what the Lord is doing at this time is extremely important toward proper growth. I have many thoughts and scripture along those lines.....
Also, I have many thoughts that tie into all this concerning 'loving everyone" as this also is one of the great cries of the day.....Many of these say that "God is love so all I have to do is love everyone." First off, what is love? Love expressed in each individual circumstance and situation is different. It is not always just "being kind" or "being gentle." Actually, in some instances, being kind and being gentle may not be the best representation of love at that moment. And, if that is true, one may not be expressing the presence of God at that moment. Some peoples and some circumstances call for us to be a rock of offence, and, that would be the true expression of God and love at that moment....But this brings us back to the evils of this rush toward complete inclusion out of season. The only way to include everyone at this time is to come close to saying "anything goes" and, while the Father calls all to Himself just as they are you better believe He will work to change them as He works to change us. And, often He will call us to be the ones He speaks change through. But, some don't really want to deal with that....
I have much more to say on these things. The calling of the Sons will swing back into balance at some point. Every high place will be brought low and every low place exalted. Many have been so hurt by past experiences they can't get past all of that right now. Some hunger for the wrong things mistaking doing good from the tree of good and evil for His life."
I know that when I read this email it put into words my same thoughts and understandings. What about you? Can You Say Amen?
Monday, April 4, 2011
Many Ways To The ONE Way
For those of you who have been following my writings, this will be the first in more than a month, and for that I am sorry for the delay. I do have some half written posts that are still in the "oven" of my thoughts that I hope to finish soon. In the mean time, there are a couple of freshly baked thoughts to write about now. For those of you who are newly visiting, then there has been no delay for you to be concerned with! You can sit and enjoy good eating right away! ha.
Cindi and I have just returned from our vacation where we spent most of the time at a ministry conference in Lake City TN. hosted by Justin Phillips pastor of Lake City Christian Fellowship. We went there last year, and were happy to be able to do it again this year.
While there was a lot going on during the several days of the conference, there were a couple of particular insights which stood out to me in a more significant way. That is what I want to focus on for the next couple posts.
The first has to do with a conversation I had with one of the ministers that stemmed from the interest I had to buy one of his books. During the course of our short conversation, we talked about the difference between some new age folk that believe there are many ways to God, and the fact that we agreed that there is really only ONE way to God through Jesus Christ.
After I sat down, my thoughts pondered on some of the things we discussed, and during that pondering it was as if the Lord showed me a picture in my mind's eye of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. This illustration serves the purpose to show an idea of what I saw in my thoughts.
I know from previous studies that when the Children of Israel were traveling with Moses in the wilderness, and they set up camp, the Tabernacle was set up, and the twelve Tribes were specifically arranged in position around the walls of the Tent. I also know very well, that the Tabernacle and every detail is significant as a symbols of the Gospel.
There is no need for me to discuss all of the details, but only to point out a few things to illustrate what I saw in my mind. The first thing to take note of is that there is only one entrance into the Tabernacle, and the first item of furniture you would see is a brazen altar, next you would see a laver for washing. Then there is an entrance into another tented room, which is the Holy Place, where there is a candlestick on one side, and a table of bread on another and in front of another room within the room, is an altar of incense. Inside that smaller room which is the Most Holy Place, is the Ark of the Covenant, where there was the presence of God. There was only one way, and only one person, (the High Priest) allowed to get into the presence of God; that is until Jesus. And Jesus fulfilled all of the symbolism of the Tabernacle within Himself!
Okay, so with that being said, here is my point in a nutshell. While anyone could come to the Tabernacle from anywhere in any direction.... there is still only one entrance, and only one way through into the Most Holy Place wherein dwelt the Presense of God!
The title of this post is what the Lord said to me. There are many ways to the ONE way! Jesus said, No man comes unto the Father but by me. God may draw many people from all different walks of life, from all different religions, from all over over the world.... But there remains only ONE WAY that anyone will ever get into His Presense, and that is through the sacrifice Jesus accomplished on the cross!
Every knee will bow, and every tongue (joyfully) proclaim that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father!
Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Baptists, Catholics, or even atheists, or New Agers, take note... There are many ways to get to the only ONE Way!
Cindi and I have just returned from our vacation where we spent most of the time at a ministry conference in Lake City TN. hosted by Justin Phillips pastor of Lake City Christian Fellowship. We went there last year, and were happy to be able to do it again this year.
While there was a lot going on during the several days of the conference, there were a couple of particular insights which stood out to me in a more significant way. That is what I want to focus on for the next couple posts.
The first has to do with a conversation I had with one of the ministers that stemmed from the interest I had to buy one of his books. During the course of our short conversation, we talked about the difference between some new age folk that believe there are many ways to God, and the fact that we agreed that there is really only ONE way to God through Jesus Christ.
After I sat down, my thoughts pondered on some of the things we discussed, and during that pondering it was as if the Lord showed me a picture in my mind's eye of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. This illustration serves the purpose to show an idea of what I saw in my thoughts.
I know from previous studies that when the Children of Israel were traveling with Moses in the wilderness, and they set up camp, the Tabernacle was set up, and the twelve Tribes were specifically arranged in position around the walls of the Tent. I also know very well, that the Tabernacle and every detail is significant as a symbols of the Gospel.
There is no need for me to discuss all of the details, but only to point out a few things to illustrate what I saw in my mind. The first thing to take note of is that there is only one entrance into the Tabernacle, and the first item of furniture you would see is a brazen altar, next you would see a laver for washing. Then there is an entrance into another tented room, which is the Holy Place, where there is a candlestick on one side, and a table of bread on another and in front of another room within the room, is an altar of incense. Inside that smaller room which is the Most Holy Place, is the Ark of the Covenant, where there was the presence of God. There was only one way, and only one person, (the High Priest) allowed to get into the presence of God; that is until Jesus. And Jesus fulfilled all of the symbolism of the Tabernacle within Himself!
Okay, so with that being said, here is my point in a nutshell. While anyone could come to the Tabernacle from anywhere in any direction.... there is still only one entrance, and only one way through into the Most Holy Place wherein dwelt the Presense of God!
The title of this post is what the Lord said to me. There are many ways to the ONE way! Jesus said, No man comes unto the Father but by me. God may draw many people from all different walks of life, from all different religions, from all over over the world.... But there remains only ONE WAY that anyone will ever get into His Presense, and that is through the sacrifice Jesus accomplished on the cross!
Every knee will bow, and every tongue (joyfully) proclaim that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father!
Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Baptists, Catholics, or even atheists, or New Agers, take note... There are many ways to get to the only ONE Way!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Passed With "Flying" Colors
Local Trucker Trades 18 Wheels for Two Wings
For more information, contact Prof. H. Paul Shuch, Chief Flight Instructor
Office (570) 748-3725, Cell (570) 419-1229, email fly@AvSport.org
Lock Haven, PA, 26 February 2011 – Culminating six months of flight training during which he flew nearly every weekend, Keith McAndrew, a Williamsport truck driver originally from Ontario, Canada, today passed his FAA practical exam, becoming a fully licensed Sport Pilot. McAndrew, 53, completed his training at AvSport of Lock Haven, the sport aviation training center established a year ago on the William T. Piper Memorial Airport. His oral and flight examinations were conducted by Art Tarola, an FAA designated pilot examiner from Allentown PA, under the supervision of AvSport adjunct flight instructor John Spencer.
"Keith was an ideal student,” stated Spencer. “He displayed first rate enthusiasm and an excellent work ethic. His flying skills and overall knowledge of the pertinent information gave true credence to thework he put into learning to fly."
“It’s been a pleasure working with Keith these past six months,” said Prof. H. Paul Shuch, AvSport’s founder and Chief Flight Instructor. “He is a seasoned skydiver, which gave him extensive aeronautical experience prior to commencing flight training. I knew he was going to do well on his practical test when he missed but a single question on his FAA written exam.”
While McAndrew says he found learning to fly to be more challenging than at first he thought it would be, he relates that “each accomplishment was more satisfying than I expected as well. The first unassisted take-off is an experience I will never forget. The first unassisted landing, even more so. The first solo stands alone as the greatest sense of accomplishment in the training process! It is at that point that you really get the sense that you are actually becoming a pilot. Once you experience solo flight for the first time, that is all the encouragement needed to do whatever it takes, to continue until you can do it all of the time with your own pilot's license.”
AvSport is registered with the US Transportation Security Administration as an approved Alien Flight Student Program provider. Although a permanent US resident, McAndrew is still a Canadian citizen. Obtaining the required TSA approvals delayed his flight training by about a month. The TSA closely scrutinizes all foreign nationals who seek to learn to fly in the US.
The Sport Pilot license is the newest portal of entry into the world of aviation, allowing prospective pilots to become licensed in half the time, and at half the cost, of the traditional Private Pilot license. Sport pilots fly for fun, and are restricted to flying simple, safe, low performance aircraft that comply with the Light Sport rule. They are allowed to carry a single passenger, flying in uncongested airspace, during daylight hours, and only in good weather conditions. Piper Memorial Airport is the ancestral home to the legendary Piper Cub, arguably the world’s first sport plane. Modern Light Sport aircraft allow pilots to recapture the bygone fly-for-fun Cub era,with increased reliability and improved safety.
DOWNLOADABLE PHOTO: http://www.avsport.org/photos/students/Keith+Art.jpg CAPTION: Newly licensed Sport Pilot Keith McAndrew receives his Sport Pilot license from FAA designated pilot examiner Art Tarola at AvSport of Lock Haven.
For more information, contact Prof. H. Paul Shuch, Chief Flight Instructor
Office (570) 748-3725, Cell (570) 419-1229, email fly@AvSport.org
Lock Haven, PA, 26 February 2011 – Culminating six months of flight training during which he flew nearly every weekend, Keith McAndrew, a Williamsport truck driver originally from Ontario, Canada, today passed his FAA practical exam, becoming a fully licensed Sport Pilot. McAndrew, 53, completed his training at AvSport of Lock Haven, the sport aviation training center established a year ago on the William T. Piper Memorial Airport. His oral and flight examinations were conducted by Art Tarola, an FAA designated pilot examiner from Allentown PA, under the supervision of AvSport adjunct flight instructor John Spencer.
"Keith was an ideal student,” stated Spencer. “He displayed first rate enthusiasm and an excellent work ethic. His flying skills and overall knowledge of the pertinent information gave true credence to thework he put into learning to fly."
“It’s been a pleasure working with Keith these past six months,” said Prof. H. Paul Shuch, AvSport’s founder and Chief Flight Instructor. “He is a seasoned skydiver, which gave him extensive aeronautical experience prior to commencing flight training. I knew he was going to do well on his practical test when he missed but a single question on his FAA written exam.”
While McAndrew says he found learning to fly to be more challenging than at first he thought it would be, he relates that “each accomplishment was more satisfying than I expected as well. The first unassisted take-off is an experience I will never forget. The first unassisted landing, even more so. The first solo stands alone as the greatest sense of accomplishment in the training process! It is at that point that you really get the sense that you are actually becoming a pilot. Once you experience solo flight for the first time, that is all the encouragement needed to do whatever it takes, to continue until you can do it all of the time with your own pilot's license.”
AvSport is registered with the US Transportation Security Administration as an approved Alien Flight Student Program provider. Although a permanent US resident, McAndrew is still a Canadian citizen. Obtaining the required TSA approvals delayed his flight training by about a month. The TSA closely scrutinizes all foreign nationals who seek to learn to fly in the US.
The Sport Pilot license is the newest portal of entry into the world of aviation, allowing prospective pilots to become licensed in half the time, and at half the cost, of the traditional Private Pilot license. Sport pilots fly for fun, and are restricted to flying simple, safe, low performance aircraft that comply with the Light Sport rule. They are allowed to carry a single passenger, flying in uncongested airspace, during daylight hours, and only in good weather conditions. Piper Memorial Airport is the ancestral home to the legendary Piper Cub, arguably the world’s first sport plane. Modern Light Sport aircraft allow pilots to recapture the bygone fly-for-fun Cub era,with increased reliability and improved safety.
DOWNLOADABLE PHOTO: http://www.avsport.org/photos/students/Keith+Art.jpg CAPTION: Newly licensed Sport Pilot Keith McAndrew receives his Sport Pilot license from FAA designated pilot examiner Art Tarola at AvSport of Lock Haven.
A Dream Come True
If you have been following any of the blog posts I have written up until now, you would not have to read very many to know that I have been training to get my pilot's license. It was a process that began back near the beginning of July 2010, and came to it's successful conclusion as of late Saturday afternoon November 26 2011, having passed both a couple of hours oral test, and then a 1.4 hour flight test.
It is something I had wanted to do for years but neither had the time, nor the money to learn. Instead for a period of about 15 or more years I spend many weekends jumping out of airplanes rather than flying them. I began that sport in Oct. of '85, and last jumped about six years ago with a total of almost 1100 jumps!
When I related some skydiving stories to a customer on one of my routes, he indicated that he and his buddy had made a number of jumps, and then went on to take flying lessons. Well, I said that is something I have always wanted to do, and that conversation stirred within me a renewed desire to fulfill that dream.
During the long July 4th weekend, I went to the local airport and talked with an instructor there, and yet he just seemed so busy with other things I did not get the impression he would have much free time to train me when I was available. Then I remembered reading an article in the paper a few months before of a flight instructor who just opened a new flight school called Avsport with a web address and contact information.
I called up the instructor, who booked me for an introductory flight for the following Saturday. The introductory flight serves as the first lesson for those who are interested in training. Well, I was hooked, and so I wrote the check that would pay for the first series of lessons to start me on the path to making my dream come true.
Well, right off the bat there was a delay of several weeks because I am a Canadian citizen, and I needed approval with the TSA! Then there are delays because of weather, there are delays because of working during the week, and only having weekends. I took a weeks vacation the end of August, and got 5 lessons in that week which really helped my progress! There were delays because of instructor commitments, some delays because of airplane maintenance, and one or two delays because of my own commitments, or even other students being trained at the same time.
However, I stuck with it. And as some students graduated, and the weather changed in the late fall, I became one of the few left still willing to fly during the cold winter days! Cold weather is the best air to fly in, and some of the smoothest air, since it is more dense, and there is not the thermals that cause turbulence And so, back in mid November, I did my first solo, which I wrote about and you can read HERE and HERE
When I finally completed all of my training, it then became necessary to arrange for my practical test, which is commonly referred to as a "check ride". I called the examiner, and we agreed to try to make it the first available flyable weekend day. Well, that did not happen right away. All of a sudden, the weekend weather did not cooperate, and it was forecasting rather iffy conditions for this past weekend too.
Then added to the mix was the fact that on Friday when I went to work, they cancelled all of the driver's routes because of the weather, and put us on an "on call" basis for Saturday! So, the weather forecast improved, but I did not know if I would be forced to come in to work, and Sunday did not look good weather wise, and it had already been three weeks since I last flew! I did not know when I went to bed, whether I would be working or flying the next day. More sure I would be working than flying.
Well, as it turned out, work gave me the option of coming in or not, and I turned it down so I could fly, and the weather turned out perfect for flying! Almost too perfect since the examiner had to find ways to challenge me during the flight portion so as to not make the test too easy to pass. And let me say it was NOT easy to pass what so ever!
More of the details I will describe in a new post very soon, but for now let me just end by saying, that I was also trying to keep in mind the thoughts I wrote about in my previous posts concerning God's will, and WWJD, and trying to put that perspective into practical Human Journey practice! I did not know how it was all going to turn out. I did know I really wanted to get my check ride over and done with, and not delay any longer, but I also knew that God was intimately involved in using every detail as teachable moments, as well as surprising me with the satisfaction of a long awaited Dream Come True!
It is something I had wanted to do for years but neither had the time, nor the money to learn. Instead for a period of about 15 or more years I spend many weekends jumping out of airplanes rather than flying them. I began that sport in Oct. of '85, and last jumped about six years ago with a total of almost 1100 jumps!
When I related some skydiving stories to a customer on one of my routes, he indicated that he and his buddy had made a number of jumps, and then went on to take flying lessons. Well, I said that is something I have always wanted to do, and that conversation stirred within me a renewed desire to fulfill that dream.
During the long July 4th weekend, I went to the local airport and talked with an instructor there, and yet he just seemed so busy with other things I did not get the impression he would have much free time to train me when I was available. Then I remembered reading an article in the paper a few months before of a flight instructor who just opened a new flight school called Avsport with a web address and contact information.
I called up the instructor, who booked me for an introductory flight for the following Saturday. The introductory flight serves as the first lesson for those who are interested in training. Well, I was hooked, and so I wrote the check that would pay for the first series of lessons to start me on the path to making my dream come true.
Well, right off the bat there was a delay of several weeks because I am a Canadian citizen, and I needed approval with the TSA! Then there are delays because of weather, there are delays because of working during the week, and only having weekends. I took a weeks vacation the end of August, and got 5 lessons in that week which really helped my progress! There were delays because of instructor commitments, some delays because of airplane maintenance, and one or two delays because of my own commitments, or even other students being trained at the same time.
However, I stuck with it. And as some students graduated, and the weather changed in the late fall, I became one of the few left still willing to fly during the cold winter days! Cold weather is the best air to fly in, and some of the smoothest air, since it is more dense, and there is not the thermals that cause turbulence And so, back in mid November, I did my first solo, which I wrote about and you can read HERE and HERE
When I finally completed all of my training, it then became necessary to arrange for my practical test, which is commonly referred to as a "check ride". I called the examiner, and we agreed to try to make it the first available flyable weekend day. Well, that did not happen right away. All of a sudden, the weekend weather did not cooperate, and it was forecasting rather iffy conditions for this past weekend too.
Then added to the mix was the fact that on Friday when I went to work, they cancelled all of the driver's routes because of the weather, and put us on an "on call" basis for Saturday! So, the weather forecast improved, but I did not know if I would be forced to come in to work, and Sunday did not look good weather wise, and it had already been three weeks since I last flew! I did not know when I went to bed, whether I would be working or flying the next day. More sure I would be working than flying.
Well, as it turned out, work gave me the option of coming in or not, and I turned it down so I could fly, and the weather turned out perfect for flying! Almost too perfect since the examiner had to find ways to challenge me during the flight portion so as to not make the test too easy to pass. And let me say it was NOT easy to pass what so ever!
More of the details I will describe in a new post very soon, but for now let me just end by saying, that I was also trying to keep in mind the thoughts I wrote about in my previous posts concerning God's will, and WWJD, and trying to put that perspective into practical Human Journey practice! I did not know how it was all going to turn out. I did know I really wanted to get my check ride over and done with, and not delay any longer, but I also knew that God was intimately involved in using every detail as teachable moments, as well as surprising me with the satisfaction of a long awaited Dream Come True!
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