Basic Christian Doctrine
1. There is only one God - Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8; John 17:3; 1 Cor. 8:5-6; Gal. 4:8-9
2. God is Trinity - 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2
3. There are no Gods before or after God - Isaiah 43:10
4. God knows all things - 1 John 3:20
5. God is all powerful - Psalm 115:3
6. God is everywhere - Jer. 23:23,24
7. God is sovereign - Zech. 9:14; 1 Tim. 6:15-16
8. God is Spirit - John 4:24
9. God created all that exists - Gen. 1:1; Isaiah 44:24
10. Spirit does not have a body of flesh and bones - Luke 24:39
11. God has always been God - Psalm 90:2
12. Jesus Christ is God - John 1:1,14; 10:30-33; 20:28; Col. 2:9; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 1:8
13. Jesus became a man - Phil. 2:5-8
14. Jesus has two natures: divine and human - Col. 2:9; 1 Tim. 2:5
15. Jesus was sinless - 1 Pet. 2:22
16. Jesus is the only way to God the Father - John 14:6; Matt. 11:27; Luke 10:22
17. The Holy Spirit is God - Acts 5:3-4
18. The Holy Spirit is not a force. He is a Being- Acts 13:2
19. The Bible is inspired by God - 2 Tim. 3:16
20. All people have sinned - Rom. 3:23, 5:12
21. Man did not evolve, he was created - Gen. 1:26
22. Adam and Eve were real people - Gen. 3:20; 5:1; 1 Tim. 2:13
23. Death entered the world because of Adam's sin - Rom. 5:12-15
24. Sin separates us from God - Isaiah 59:2
25. Jesus died for all our sins - 1 John 2:2; 2 Cor. 5:14; 1 Pet. 2:24
26. Jesus' sacrifice was a substitution, for us - 1 Pet. 2:24
27. Jesus rose from the dead in His physical body - John 2:19-21
28. Those who reject Jesus will go to Hell - Rev. 20:11-15
29. Hell is a place of fiery punishment - Matt. 25:41; Rev. 19:20
30. Hell is eternal - Matt. 25:46
31. The unsaved go to hell forever - Rev. 21:8
32. Salvation is a free gift of God - Rom. 4:5; 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9
33. The Bible is the Word of God - 2 Tim. 3:16
34. Jesus will return visibly to earth - Acts 1:11
35. There will be a final judgment - 2 Pet. 3:7
36. The damned will be thrown into a lake of fire - Rev. 20:15
37. Satan will be cast into the lake of fire - Rev. 20:10
Monday, February 23, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Some Excellent Words
Notes from the book, The Road less Travelled - M. Scott Peck
“Neurotics make themselves miserable; those with character disorders make everyone else miserable.”
“Love can be defined as the will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth.”
“What seems to be love is often not love at all.”
“The difficulty we have in accepting responsibility for our behaviour lies in the desire to avoid the pain of the consequences of that behaviour.”
“A life of total dedication to the truth also means a life of willingness to be personally challenged.”
“We teach ourselves to do the unnatural until the unnatural becomes itself second nature.”
“The reason people lie is to avoid the pain of challenge and its consequences.”
“The act of withholding the truth is always potentially a lie, and that in each instance in which the truth is withheld a significant moral decision is required. The decision to withhold the truth must always be based entirely upon the needs of the person or people from whom the truth is being withheld.”
“By their openness, people dedicated to the truth live in the open, and though the exercise of their courage to live in the open, they become free from fear.”
“Two people love each other only when they are quite capable of living without each other but choose to live with each other.”
“Passive dependent people are so busy seeking to be loved that they have no energy left to love.”
“A good marriage can exist only between two strong and independent people.”
“If you expect another person to make you happy, you’ll be endlessly disappointed.”
“Masochists look on their submission to mistreatments as love, whereas in fact it is a necessity in their never-ceasing search for revenge and is basically motivated by hatred.”
“If an act is not one of work or courage, then it is not an act of love. There are no exceptions.”
“The principal for that the work of love takes is attention.”
“Attention is an act of will, of work against the inertia of our own minds.”
“You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time.”
“True listening, total concentration on the other is always a manifestation of love.”
“Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the making of action in spite of fear; the moving out against the resistance engendered by fear into the unknown and into the future.”
“We can love only that which in one way or another has importance for us.”
“A full life will be full of pain. But the only alternative is not to live fully or not to live at all.”
“When we shy away from death, the ever-changing nature of things, we inevitably shy away from life.”
“The only real security in life lies in relishing life’s insecurity.”
“The highest forms of love are inevitably free choices and not acts of conformity.”
“The proper management of one’s feelings clearly lies along a complex balanced middle path, requiring constant judgment and continuing adjustment.”
“To attempt to love someone who cannot benefit from your love with spiritual growth is to waste your energy, to cast your seed upon arid ground.”
“Genuine love, with all the discipline that it requires, is the only path in this life to substantial joy.”
“The genuine lover always respects and even encourages the separateness and the unique individuality of the beloved.”
“Narcissistic individuals lack the capacity for empathy, which is the capacity to feel what another is feeling.”
“Everyone has a religion, no matter how limited or primitive or inaccurate.”
“To some extent the religion of most adults is a product of transference.”
“Human beings are poor examiners, subject to superstition, bias, prejudice, and a profound tendency to see what they want to see rather than what is really there.”
“Those who achieve growth not only enjoy the fruits of growth but give the same fruits to the world.”
“Those who are in the relatively more advanced stages of spiritual growth are the very ones most aware of their own laziness.”
“Mental illness occurs when the conscious will of the individual deviates substantially from the will of God, which is the individual’s own unconscious will.”
“Genuine loving people are, by definition, growing people.”
“When we nurture ourselves and others without a primary concern of finding reward, then we will have become lovable.”
“What makes life difficult is that the process of confronting and solving problems is a painful one.”
“The four areas of discipline include delaying gratification, accepting responsibility, dedication to truth, and balancing.”
“In taking the time to observe and to think about their children’s needs, loving parents will frequently agonize over the decisions to be made, and will, in a very real sense, suffer along with their children.”
“The feeling of being valuable – ‘I am a valuable person’ – is essential to mental health and is a cornerstone of self-discipline.”
“Problems do not go away. They must be worked through or else they remain, forever a barrier to the growth and development of the spirit.”
“Neurotics make themselves miserable; those with character disorders make everyone else miserable.”
“Love can be defined as the will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth.”
“What seems to be love is often not love at all.”
“The difficulty we have in accepting responsibility for our behaviour lies in the desire to avoid the pain of the consequences of that behaviour.”
“A life of total dedication to the truth also means a life of willingness to be personally challenged.”
“We teach ourselves to do the unnatural until the unnatural becomes itself second nature.”
“The reason people lie is to avoid the pain of challenge and its consequences.”
“The act of withholding the truth is always potentially a lie, and that in each instance in which the truth is withheld a significant moral decision is required. The decision to withhold the truth must always be based entirely upon the needs of the person or people from whom the truth is being withheld.”
“By their openness, people dedicated to the truth live in the open, and though the exercise of their courage to live in the open, they become free from fear.”
“Two people love each other only when they are quite capable of living without each other but choose to live with each other.”
“Passive dependent people are so busy seeking to be loved that they have no energy left to love.”
“A good marriage can exist only between two strong and independent people.”
“If you expect another person to make you happy, you’ll be endlessly disappointed.”
“Masochists look on their submission to mistreatments as love, whereas in fact it is a necessity in their never-ceasing search for revenge and is basically motivated by hatred.”
“If an act is not one of work or courage, then it is not an act of love. There are no exceptions.”
“The principal for that the work of love takes is attention.”
“Attention is an act of will, of work against the inertia of our own minds.”
“You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time.”
“True listening, total concentration on the other is always a manifestation of love.”
“Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the making of action in spite of fear; the moving out against the resistance engendered by fear into the unknown and into the future.”
“We can love only that which in one way or another has importance for us.”
“A full life will be full of pain. But the only alternative is not to live fully or not to live at all.”
“When we shy away from death, the ever-changing nature of things, we inevitably shy away from life.”
“The only real security in life lies in relishing life’s insecurity.”
“The highest forms of love are inevitably free choices and not acts of conformity.”
“The proper management of one’s feelings clearly lies along a complex balanced middle path, requiring constant judgment and continuing adjustment.”
“To attempt to love someone who cannot benefit from your love with spiritual growth is to waste your energy, to cast your seed upon arid ground.”
“Genuine love, with all the discipline that it requires, is the only path in this life to substantial joy.”
“The genuine lover always respects and even encourages the separateness and the unique individuality of the beloved.”
“Narcissistic individuals lack the capacity for empathy, which is the capacity to feel what another is feeling.”
“Everyone has a religion, no matter how limited or primitive or inaccurate.”
“To some extent the religion of most adults is a product of transference.”
“Human beings are poor examiners, subject to superstition, bias, prejudice, and a profound tendency to see what they want to see rather than what is really there.”
“Those who achieve growth not only enjoy the fruits of growth but give the same fruits to the world.”
“Those who are in the relatively more advanced stages of spiritual growth are the very ones most aware of their own laziness.”
“Mental illness occurs when the conscious will of the individual deviates substantially from the will of God, which is the individual’s own unconscious will.”
“Genuine loving people are, by definition, growing people.”
“When we nurture ourselves and others without a primary concern of finding reward, then we will have become lovable.”
“What makes life difficult is that the process of confronting and solving problems is a painful one.”
“The four areas of discipline include delaying gratification, accepting responsibility, dedication to truth, and balancing.”
“In taking the time to observe and to think about their children’s needs, loving parents will frequently agonize over the decisions to be made, and will, in a very real sense, suffer along with their children.”
“The feeling of being valuable – ‘I am a valuable person’ – is essential to mental health and is a cornerstone of self-discipline.”
“Problems do not go away. They must be worked through or else they remain, forever a barrier to the growth and development of the spirit.”
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Depression
I appreciate the thinking of Dr. Bill Gillham. He understands a person's identity in Christ. He has wrote numberous books. One book he wrote, was "LifeTime Guarantee, it is a great understanding about the work of God in you.
Touch the book you see and it will take you to a Christian Bookstore to purchase it, if you want a copy.
Here is an article he wrote on "Depression".
"It was no big deal for Peter to try walking on water. He was a fisherman. Obviously he must have been a good swimmer, right? If he sank, he'd just swim out. No sweat. I'm like that," my dear friend said. "If I see I'm getting in over my head in my business, it's no big deal. I can always swim out." My friend’s faith was in himself until one day God said, "Listen Sport, this time I’m going to let you get so far from the shore that you’ll never be able to swim back."
Perhaps you identify with my friend. So long as you were able to keep your arms and legs flailing, you never experienced depression or defeat. But, when the currents have carried you far from shore and you can’t swim out, you become a candidate for depression. Don’t despair! Your loving Father wants to show you how to stop placing your faith in the wrong object, self or others. Christ alone must be your primary Source if you are to be liberated from the chains of depression.
A practitioner who always treats depression as the problem is missing the mark. Just as fever is but a symptom of the cause, so it is with depression. Depression is a symptom of a deeper cause. Most counselors would agree that less than 5% of depression cases have physically induced depression which does not respond to counseling. PMS, hypoglycemia, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, thyroid or blood sugar problems, etc. are physical factors which can cause depression. Counseling such a Christian with spiritual truth can subject him to even greater despair because although he may see the truth which sets a man free, he can’t appropriate it. However, the remaining 95% of the depressed Christians can experience victory solely through spiritual counsel.
Let's work backward from the symptom, depression, to identify its source. Show me a person who is depressed and I’ll show you a person who is hostile. Show me a person who is hostile and I’ll show you a person who is frustrated. Show me a person who is frustrated and I’ll show you a person who is not getting a basic need met. An unsatisfied need is the root cause of depression. Let’s identify which need it is:
You feel rejected by others: You feel rejected or abandoned by the one(s) whom you’ve chosen as love sources. Your love-need is unsatisfied.
You reject yourself: You need to respect (love) yourself and you can’t do it.
You can’t control: You can’t control your circumstances, the people you’ve targeted, or God. They just won’t "act right" and you are hostile. You feel you have the right to control. Although this is not a basic need, falsely assuming it to be can produce depression when it can’t be satisfied.
Depressed people typically experience one or more of the following thought patterns:
Self-condemning thoughts: I’m such a sorry person! I always mess up! I don’t blame them for the way they treat me; it’s all my fault!
Low self-esteem thoughts: I understand why they don't love me. They've discovered what I have always known. I'm unlovable!
Pity-party thoughts: It's her fault! If she'd just try as hard as I do! You’re not fair, God! I don't deserve this! If only I had (this)…If only I hadn't lost (that)…if they (or God) would just do it my way!
Thoughts of this type are served up to your sound mind through your flesh (old patterns of behavior) with first person singular pronouns by a power called sin. You can’t stop them, but you don’t have to obey them (Rom. 6:11-13). Reject them! God commands you to "let your mind dwell on" (those things that are good and true and right...) If you are depressed, you are doing just the opposite. Given the fact that your emotions respond to your mind, it’s no wonder that you feel so down.
You must "let your mind dwell on" these facts:
Your Creator designed you to need His unconditional love which you already have through your relationship with Jesus Christ. But, you seek to satisfy your love-need through conditional love from people; you seek to merit or earn their love. Or you seek to bestow love upon yourself via the same technique and because you’ve let yourself down, you can’t value yourself. When your love supply wanes it paves the way to depression.?
Your Creator designed you to be dependent upon Christ and His strength through you, but you’ve sought to depend on self. Not hearing of exchanging your life for Christ’s Life, nor who you now are in Him, you appropriated Him only as Savior and Lord. So you’ve been living independently which is sin. You’ve actually believed it was noble to face Monday mornings trusting in your strength. This is trusting in the arm of flesh which will fail you. Like my friend at the beginning of this article, when you find yourself so far from the shore that it’s hopeless to swim back on flesh power, you begin to sink into the murky waters of depression.
So much for the problem. Let’s talk about letting the One who created you give you victory over it. After all, who knows what’s best for you, your Creator or His creation?
• Your Creator designed you to need His unconditional love which you already have through your relationship with Jesus Christ. But, you seek to satisfy your love-need through conditional love from people; you seek to merit or earn their love. Or you seek to bestow love upon yourself via the same technique and because you've let yourself down, you can't value yourself. When your love supply wanes it paves the way to depression.?
• Your Creator designed you to be dependent upon Christ and His strength through you, but you've sought to depend on self. Not hearing of exchanging your life for Christ's Life, nor who you now are in Him, you appropriated Him only as Savior and Lord. So you've been living independently which is sin. You've actually believed it was noble to face Monday mornings trusting in your strength. This is trusting in the arm of flesh which will fail you. Like my friend at the beginning of this article, when you find yourself so far from the shore that it's hopeless to swim back on flesh power, you begin to sink into the murky waters of depression.
So much for the problem. Let's talk about letting the One who created you give you victory over it. After all, who knows what's best for you, your Creator or His creation?
1. Make God's unconditional acceptance through Christ your major Source of love. Stop grieving over the human love you want but can’t obtain. It isn’t that God is against our getting human love; He tells us to love one another. But notice He never says we are to strive to get loved by people. It’s fine when you get it, but people-love must not be your source, God is. And your tank is already topped off with God's love. Believe it with your mind whether your emotions agree or not. It’s always to be believed, not always to be felt!
2. Stop trying to run your little portion of the universe. As a friend of mine says, "If you want to get along with God, stay out of His chair." Move! Tear up declaration of independence! You’re cutting in on His job description! Stop it!
3. You are obviously of such value that the One who created you "spent" His only Son to purchase you as a son. This cannot be denied, so choose to believe this with your will. Your emotions may not buy it. They think it’s nonsense. You must accept the fact that you are extremely valuable to your Creator. Adopt His opinion.
4. God says that upon your death in Christ, you were recreated in Him for a specific purpose (Eph. 2:10). This purpose is to enjoy an intimate, warm relationship with Jesus and to bring honor to His reputation by letting Him express His life through you. Rain on whether you feel like it. Dive in and begin acting like it! Give life your best shot and believe Christ is doing it through you.
5. Accept the fact that you are a new creation in Christ, someone different whom you can learn to respect (2 Cor. 5:17). The new you is a lovable delight to the "Father of your spirit." Everything offensive about you was crucified in Christ and buried in Him. Then when Christ arose, you were reborn as a lovely new creation much like a worm which becomes a butterfly.
6. To us, it seems like we’re earthlings with a heavenly hope, but God says we are heaven-dwellers who temporarily live in earthsuits. You have already ascended to heaven in Christ where you are the apple of your spiritual Father’s eye. He even wants you to call Him "Daddy!" ("Abba" means "Daddy").
7. You can believe all of the above and it will not make a dent in your depression. You must sell out to the truth. You must walk in the light if you are to come out of the darkness. Close your eyes. Picture yourself treading water far from the safety of the shore. Say, "Jesus, I have been trying to swim in the ocean all of my life myself. I didn’t know You came into me through me. It’s no wonder I’m so exhausted and defeated. They say that a person being rescued from drowning is supposed to relax and submit himself to his Rescuer. Jesus, I do that right now."
You are now relaxing in Christ’s loving arms and He is in control. Yes, you move your arms and you flutter kick your feet, but you think, "not I, but Christ through me." Call us and order the tape series on depression. Listen to it repeatedly, trusting in the Holy Spirit to reveal Christ as all He desires to be to you. Slowly, step-by-step, you will begin to experience the lifting of your depression. Why? Because you will experience God’s unconditional acceptance (love) which will relieve your frustration, which will relieve your hostility, which will lift your depressed spirit. As you learn to walk in the Light, fellowshipping with Jesus, letting Him serve others through you, you will begin to think, "You know, Dad, thanks to You, I’m actually learning to respect myself. Oh, use me to show others the purpose for living."
Touch the book you see and it will take you to a Christian Bookstore to purchase it, if you want a copy.
 | Lifetime Guarantee By Bill Gillham |
Here is an article he wrote on "Depression".
"It was no big deal for Peter to try walking on water. He was a fisherman. Obviously he must have been a good swimmer, right? If he sank, he'd just swim out. No sweat. I'm like that," my dear friend said. "If I see I'm getting in over my head in my business, it's no big deal. I can always swim out." My friend’s faith was in himself until one day God said, "Listen Sport, this time I’m going to let you get so far from the shore that you’ll never be able to swim back."
Perhaps you identify with my friend. So long as you were able to keep your arms and legs flailing, you never experienced depression or defeat. But, when the currents have carried you far from shore and you can’t swim out, you become a candidate for depression. Don’t despair! Your loving Father wants to show you how to stop placing your faith in the wrong object, self or others. Christ alone must be your primary Source if you are to be liberated from the chains of depression.
A practitioner who always treats depression as the problem is missing the mark. Just as fever is but a symptom of the cause, so it is with depression. Depression is a symptom of a deeper cause. Most counselors would agree that less than 5% of depression cases have physically induced depression which does not respond to counseling. PMS, hypoglycemia, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, thyroid or blood sugar problems, etc. are physical factors which can cause depression. Counseling such a Christian with spiritual truth can subject him to even greater despair because although he may see the truth which sets a man free, he can’t appropriate it. However, the remaining 95% of the depressed Christians can experience victory solely through spiritual counsel.
Let's work backward from the symptom, depression, to identify its source. Show me a person who is depressed and I’ll show you a person who is hostile. Show me a person who is hostile and I’ll show you a person who is frustrated. Show me a person who is frustrated and I’ll show you a person who is not getting a basic need met. An unsatisfied need is the root cause of depression. Let’s identify which need it is:
You feel rejected by others: You feel rejected or abandoned by the one(s) whom you’ve chosen as love sources. Your love-need is unsatisfied.
You reject yourself: You need to respect (love) yourself and you can’t do it.
You can’t control: You can’t control your circumstances, the people you’ve targeted, or God. They just won’t "act right" and you are hostile. You feel you have the right to control. Although this is not a basic need, falsely assuming it to be can produce depression when it can’t be satisfied.
Depressed people typically experience one or more of the following thought patterns:
Self-condemning thoughts: I’m such a sorry person! I always mess up! I don’t blame them for the way they treat me; it’s all my fault!
Low self-esteem thoughts: I understand why they don't love me. They've discovered what I have always known. I'm unlovable!
Pity-party thoughts: It's her fault! If she'd just try as hard as I do! You’re not fair, God! I don't deserve this! If only I had (this)…If only I hadn't lost (that)…if they (or God) would just do it my way!
Thoughts of this type are served up to your sound mind through your flesh (old patterns of behavior) with first person singular pronouns by a power called sin. You can’t stop them, but you don’t have to obey them (Rom. 6:11-13). Reject them! God commands you to "let your mind dwell on" (those things that are good and true and right...) If you are depressed, you are doing just the opposite. Given the fact that your emotions respond to your mind, it’s no wonder that you feel so down.
You must "let your mind dwell on" these facts:
Your Creator designed you to need His unconditional love which you already have through your relationship with Jesus Christ. But, you seek to satisfy your love-need through conditional love from people; you seek to merit or earn their love. Or you seek to bestow love upon yourself via the same technique and because you’ve let yourself down, you can’t value yourself. When your love supply wanes it paves the way to depression.?
Your Creator designed you to be dependent upon Christ and His strength through you, but you’ve sought to depend on self. Not hearing of exchanging your life for Christ’s Life, nor who you now are in Him, you appropriated Him only as Savior and Lord. So you’ve been living independently which is sin. You’ve actually believed it was noble to face Monday mornings trusting in your strength. This is trusting in the arm of flesh which will fail you. Like my friend at the beginning of this article, when you find yourself so far from the shore that it’s hopeless to swim back on flesh power, you begin to sink into the murky waters of depression.
So much for the problem. Let’s talk about letting the One who created you give you victory over it. After all, who knows what’s best for you, your Creator or His creation?
• Your Creator designed you to need His unconditional love which you already have through your relationship with Jesus Christ. But, you seek to satisfy your love-need through conditional love from people; you seek to merit or earn their love. Or you seek to bestow love upon yourself via the same technique and because you've let yourself down, you can't value yourself. When your love supply wanes it paves the way to depression.?
• Your Creator designed you to be dependent upon Christ and His strength through you, but you've sought to depend on self. Not hearing of exchanging your life for Christ's Life, nor who you now are in Him, you appropriated Him only as Savior and Lord. So you've been living independently which is sin. You've actually believed it was noble to face Monday mornings trusting in your strength. This is trusting in the arm of flesh which will fail you. Like my friend at the beginning of this article, when you find yourself so far from the shore that it's hopeless to swim back on flesh power, you begin to sink into the murky waters of depression.
So much for the problem. Let's talk about letting the One who created you give you victory over it. After all, who knows what's best for you, your Creator or His creation?
1. Make God's unconditional acceptance through Christ your major Source of love. Stop grieving over the human love you want but can’t obtain. It isn’t that God is against our getting human love; He tells us to love one another. But notice He never says we are to strive to get loved by people. It’s fine when you get it, but people-love must not be your source, God is. And your tank is already topped off with God's love. Believe it with your mind whether your emotions agree or not. It’s always to be believed, not always to be felt!
2. Stop trying to run your little portion of the universe. As a friend of mine says, "If you want to get along with God, stay out of His chair." Move! Tear up declaration of independence! You’re cutting in on His job description! Stop it!
3. You are obviously of such value that the One who created you "spent" His only Son to purchase you as a son. This cannot be denied, so choose to believe this with your will. Your emotions may not buy it. They think it’s nonsense. You must accept the fact that you are extremely valuable to your Creator. Adopt His opinion.
4. God says that upon your death in Christ, you were recreated in Him for a specific purpose (Eph. 2:10). This purpose is to enjoy an intimate, warm relationship with Jesus and to bring honor to His reputation by letting Him express His life through you. Rain on whether you feel like it. Dive in and begin acting like it! Give life your best shot and believe Christ is doing it through you.
5. Accept the fact that you are a new creation in Christ, someone different whom you can learn to respect (2 Cor. 5:17). The new you is a lovable delight to the "Father of your spirit." Everything offensive about you was crucified in Christ and buried in Him. Then when Christ arose, you were reborn as a lovely new creation much like a worm which becomes a butterfly.
6. To us, it seems like we’re earthlings with a heavenly hope, but God says we are heaven-dwellers who temporarily live in earthsuits. You have already ascended to heaven in Christ where you are the apple of your spiritual Father’s eye. He even wants you to call Him "Daddy!" ("Abba" means "Daddy").
7. You can believe all of the above and it will not make a dent in your depression. You must sell out to the truth. You must walk in the light if you are to come out of the darkness. Close your eyes. Picture yourself treading water far from the safety of the shore. Say, "Jesus, I have been trying to swim in the ocean all of my life myself. I didn’t know You came into me through me. It’s no wonder I’m so exhausted and defeated. They say that a person being rescued from drowning is supposed to relax and submit himself to his Rescuer. Jesus, I do that right now."
You are now relaxing in Christ’s loving arms and He is in control. Yes, you move your arms and you flutter kick your feet, but you think, "not I, but Christ through me." Call us and order the tape series on depression. Listen to it repeatedly, trusting in the Holy Spirit to reveal Christ as all He desires to be to you. Slowly, step-by-step, you will begin to experience the lifting of your depression. Why? Because you will experience God’s unconditional acceptance (love) which will relieve your frustration, which will relieve your hostility, which will lift your depressed spirit. As you learn to walk in the Light, fellowshipping with Jesus, letting Him serve others through you, you will begin to think, "You know, Dad, thanks to You, I’m actually learning to respect myself. Oh, use me to show others the purpose for living."
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Qualifications of a Biblical Counselor
Counseling is not a discipline like dentistry or medicine which depends upon a very ridge, technical knowledge. Rather, counseling is mainly a helping relationship between people who care. Counseling can happen and does happen on many levels.
Counseling is not just relationship, there is also technical knowledge to consider so that the counselor is confident that he or she will be of help to the counselee and the counselee knows that true help is available.
Effective Biblical counseling requires SEVEN QUALIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS, to see fruit in the area of setting people free. Free from sin-filled practices being carried out by the counselee.
Counseling is not for the élite or the special ones in a congregation but is really encouraged in Scripture to be practiced by the Christian community for believers who love one another and desire each one to be set free.
We can remember the seven qualifications of a biblical Counselor but starting each qualification off from the letter “C”.
Let’s look at each one of these seven qualifications:
CHRISTIAN - He/She Must Be a Christian
The first essential qualification is that the counselor himself/herself must be a genuine Christian — a true believer in Jesus Christ.
1 Cor. 2:14, "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." An unsaved counselor is precisely what Jesus describes in Lk. 6:39: "Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the ditch?"
CONVINCED - He/she must be absolutely convinced and convicted that the Bible is the inspired, infallible, inerrant, all-sufficient Word of God.
COMPETENT - He/She Must Be Competent. He/she must be competent to open the Word of God to others. He/she must have an extensive knowledge of the Scriptures (Rom. 15:14) which enables him/her to find Biblical solutions for the problems of life. While a seminary degree is not required to be a competent Biblical counselor, a working knowledge of the Bible is. By the way, a counseling degree from a university or seminary is no guarantee of a counselor's competence.
COMMON SENSE - He/She Must Have Common Sense Derived from the Word of God. He/she must have a good measure of divine wisdom, as Paul writes in Col. 3:16: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom." Godly wisdom is a balanced combination of knowledge, experience, and common sense directed by and under the illumination of the Holy Spirit.
CHARACTER - He/She Must Have Consistently Godly Character. Unlike the world, which believes it is possible to compartmentalize a person's character and their job performance, as though one does not affect the other, a Biblical counselor must understand that his/her own personal life has a direct bearing on his ability to minister effectively to others.
COMPASSION - He/She Must Have a Heart of Compassion. A Biblical counselor has the ability to relate to others in a compassionate way that encourages appropriate change. While genuine Biblical counseling often involves the confrontation of sinful behavior and attitudes, the counselor's own demeanor, his/her tone of voice, facial expressions, gestures, and body language; must draw a person toward the loving work of the Holy Spirit, rather than repelling him.
COMMUNICATE - He/She Must Be Able to Communicate. Paul describes this as "soundness of speech that cannot be condemned" (Titus 2:8). A competent Biblical counselor will learn how to explain Biblical commands and principles in ways that the counselee can understand and apply. This qualification for Biblical counseling is described in Isa. 50:4, "The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary."
Remember, You Are Not the Real Counselor
Every genuine Biblical counselor is comforted to realize that he or she is not the one who will accomplish healing in the heart of the person who comes to the office for help. Ultimately, only the Holy Spirit is able to produce the healing your counselee so desperately seeks, as He applies His own Word to His children.
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would assist in the work of counseling when he said, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (Jn. 14:26).
Though a counseling session must inevitably draw to a close, the counsel of the Holy Spirit continues to be available to the Christian, day or night. As Jesus said, "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever" (Jn. 14:16).
Counseling is not just relationship, there is also technical knowledge to consider so that the counselor is confident that he or she will be of help to the counselee and the counselee knows that true help is available.
Effective Biblical counseling requires SEVEN QUALIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS, to see fruit in the area of setting people free. Free from sin-filled practices being carried out by the counselee.
Counseling is not for the élite or the special ones in a congregation but is really encouraged in Scripture to be practiced by the Christian community for believers who love one another and desire each one to be set free.
We can remember the seven qualifications of a biblical Counselor but starting each qualification off from the letter “C”.
Let’s look at each one of these seven qualifications:
CHRISTIAN - He/She Must Be a Christian
The first essential qualification is that the counselor himself/herself must be a genuine Christian — a true believer in Jesus Christ.
1 Cor. 2:14, "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." An unsaved counselor is precisely what Jesus describes in Lk. 6:39: "Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the ditch?"
CONVINCED - He/she must be absolutely convinced and convicted that the Bible is the inspired, infallible, inerrant, all-sufficient Word of God.
COMPETENT - He/She Must Be Competent. He/she must be competent to open the Word of God to others. He/she must have an extensive knowledge of the Scriptures (Rom. 15:14) which enables him/her to find Biblical solutions for the problems of life. While a seminary degree is not required to be a competent Biblical counselor, a working knowledge of the Bible is. By the way, a counseling degree from a university or seminary is no guarantee of a counselor's competence.
COMMON SENSE - He/She Must Have Common Sense Derived from the Word of God. He/she must have a good measure of divine wisdom, as Paul writes in Col. 3:16: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom." Godly wisdom is a balanced combination of knowledge, experience, and common sense directed by and under the illumination of the Holy Spirit.
CHARACTER - He/She Must Have Consistently Godly Character. Unlike the world, which believes it is possible to compartmentalize a person's character and their job performance, as though one does not affect the other, a Biblical counselor must understand that his/her own personal life has a direct bearing on his ability to minister effectively to others.
COMPASSION - He/She Must Have a Heart of Compassion. A Biblical counselor has the ability to relate to others in a compassionate way that encourages appropriate change. While genuine Biblical counseling often involves the confrontation of sinful behavior and attitudes, the counselor's own demeanor, his/her tone of voice, facial expressions, gestures, and body language; must draw a person toward the loving work of the Holy Spirit, rather than repelling him.
COMMUNICATE - He/She Must Be Able to Communicate. Paul describes this as "soundness of speech that cannot be condemned" (Titus 2:8). A competent Biblical counselor will learn how to explain Biblical commands and principles in ways that the counselee can understand and apply. This qualification for Biblical counseling is described in Isa. 50:4, "The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary."
Remember, You Are Not the Real Counselor
Every genuine Biblical counselor is comforted to realize that he or she is not the one who will accomplish healing in the heart of the person who comes to the office for help. Ultimately, only the Holy Spirit is able to produce the healing your counselee so desperately seeks, as He applies His own Word to His children.
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would assist in the work of counseling when he said, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (Jn. 14:26).
Though a counseling session must inevitably draw to a close, the counsel of the Holy Spirit continues to be available to the Christian, day or night. As Jesus said, "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever" (Jn. 14:16).
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Fact, Faith and Feeling
Fact, Faith and Feeling
Fact, Faith and Feeling were walking on a wall,
When feeling came near the edge and took an awful fall,
Faith was so close to feeling that he fell too
But Fact remained and pulled Faith up,
And that brought Feeling up too!
Anonymous
This poem shows a great understanding of setting a person free. Free to live out their lives in obedience to Christ. The key is Facts or Truth.
Truth will set us free.
Fact, Faith and Feeling were walking on a wall,
When feeling came near the edge and took an awful fall,
Faith was so close to feeling that he fell too
But Fact remained and pulled Faith up,
And that brought Feeling up too!
Anonymous
This poem shows a great understanding of setting a person free. Free to live out their lives in obedience to Christ. The key is Facts or Truth.
Truth will set us free.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Uninformed Pastor
For the last two days we have had a group of 12 youth and young adult workers, leaders and pastors sitting around a table and thinking about how to reach this special age group with the gospel. As I sat there, never having directly done a youth ministry, I could see I was the opposite of the Reformed Pastor, I was the Uniformed Pastor.
How do you reach the age group between 13 and 25 years old? What are the bridges into their world? What are the obstacles that we struggle to get through? Who are the gatekeepers of this community? What are they looking for? What must the body of Christ do to reach these people?
1 Chronicles 12:32 ...of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do,...
As the group of leaders processed the why and the how to of ministry you could see the wisdom of the Lord enter the room. As the sharing continued, each one had stories of how the Lord was working and what was not working. The room's total "Evangelism IQ" raised a notch.
God, in His wisdom, wants us to wrestle with these issues. He could send His answer and His way at any given moment but He instead gives us insight into His mind as we hungry and thirst to know it. He does not just send down a "How To" manual for every situation. He wants us to seek His face on these issues. He wants us to rely on and totally trust Him as the way to obedience.
The meetings ended with prayer and focus. Focus to reach the young adults of Canada. Those who do not know the Scriptures and have never read a Bible. Those who come from various dialects and cultures. Those who are in families directly opposed to any Christian influences. All this set in a Canadian culture of apathy and tolerance.
Isn't it an exciting time to be in the ministry?
Lord, give your servants the wisdom needed to do the assignment You gave, to reach the lost. You, alone, know the heart beat and drive of every people, tongue and nation. You, alone, are the God of all peoples, the Lord of all lands. Make a way for Your people. Show us Your path into the heart of the lost that Your Name willo be glorified and Your Kingdom will be praised. AMEN.
How do you reach the age group between 13 and 25 years old? What are the bridges into their world? What are the obstacles that we struggle to get through? Who are the gatekeepers of this community? What are they looking for? What must the body of Christ do to reach these people?
1 Chronicles 12:32 ...of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do,...
As the group of leaders processed the why and the how to of ministry you could see the wisdom of the Lord enter the room. As the sharing continued, each one had stories of how the Lord was working and what was not working. The room's total "Evangelism IQ" raised a notch.
God, in His wisdom, wants us to wrestle with these issues. He could send His answer and His way at any given moment but He instead gives us insight into His mind as we hungry and thirst to know it. He does not just send down a "How To" manual for every situation. He wants us to seek His face on these issues. He wants us to rely on and totally trust Him as the way to obedience.
The meetings ended with prayer and focus. Focus to reach the young adults of Canada. Those who do not know the Scriptures and have never read a Bible. Those who come from various dialects and cultures. Those who are in families directly opposed to any Christian influences. All this set in a Canadian culture of apathy and tolerance.
Isn't it an exciting time to be in the ministry?
Lord, give your servants the wisdom needed to do the assignment You gave, to reach the lost. You, alone, know the heart beat and drive of every people, tongue and nation. You, alone, are the God of all peoples, the Lord of all lands. Make a way for Your people. Show us Your path into the heart of the lost that Your Name willo be glorified and Your Kingdom will be praised. AMEN.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Know The Enemy
The Evil One in the Scriptures is presented as the enemy of God. Since, we are the children of God, he has become our enemy also. But as one man said, "You must look at your enemy because it's better to have eye-to-eye contact with them – to know their shape, their form, their smell and their thinking."
To defeat an enemy, we should know something about them. Who are they? How do they think? How do they defeat us?
The Bible introduces the Evil One with a variety of names. These names describe him so we can defend against him. Look at the names and prepare accordingly.
1.Satan (Job 1:6-9; Matt. 4:10)
2.A False Angel of Light (2 Corinthians 11:14)
3.The Father of Lies (John 8:44)
4.The Proud One The five "I wills" in Isaiah 14:12-14
5.Belial (2 Cor 6:15)
6.Beelzebul (Matt. 12:24; Mark 3:22)
7.Abaddon, Apollyon (Rev 9:11)
8.The Prince of the Power of the Air (Eph. 2:2a)
9.The Accuser of the Brethren (Rev. 12:10)
10.The Prince or Ruler (John 12:31)
11.The Dragon (Rev. 12:7)
12.The Evil One (John 17:15; 1 John 5:9)
13.Lucifer (Isa. 14:12)
14.The Serpent (Rev. 12:9)
15.The Devil (Matt. 4:1, 5, 9; Eph. 4:27; Rev. 12:9; 20:2)
16.Power of Darkness(Colossians 1:13)
17.Prince of this world(John 12:31)
18.The Tempter(Matthew 4:3; 1 Thess. 3:5)
19.The Wicked One(Matthew 13:19)
20.Man of sin(II Thessalonians 2:3)
21.Little Horn (Daniel 7:8)
22.The Adversary (I Peter 5:8)
23.Antichrist (1John 4:3)
24.Enemy (Matt. 13:39)
25.Evil spirit ( 1Sam. 16:14)
26.God of this world( 2Cor. 4:4)
27.Murderer ( John 8:44)
28.Old serpent - Rev. 12:9, 20:2
29.Power of death - Heb. 2:14
30.Roaring lion - 1Peter 5:8
31.Ruler of darkness - Eph. 6:12
32.Son of perdition - John 17:12
33.Thief - John 10:10
To defeat an enemy, we should know something about them. Who are they? How do they think? How do they defeat us?
The Bible introduces the Evil One with a variety of names. These names describe him so we can defend against him. Look at the names and prepare accordingly.
1.Satan (Job 1:6-9; Matt. 4:10)
2.A False Angel of Light (2 Corinthians 11:14)
3.The Father of Lies (John 8:44)
4.The Proud One The five "I wills" in Isaiah 14:12-14
5.Belial (2 Cor 6:15)
6.Beelzebul (Matt. 12:24; Mark 3:22)
7.Abaddon, Apollyon (Rev 9:11)
8.The Prince of the Power of the Air (Eph. 2:2a)
9.The Accuser of the Brethren (Rev. 12:10)
10.The Prince or Ruler (John 12:31)
11.The Dragon (Rev. 12:7)
12.The Evil One (John 17:15; 1 John 5:9)
13.Lucifer (Isa. 14:12)
14.The Serpent (Rev. 12:9)
15.The Devil (Matt. 4:1, 5, 9; Eph. 4:27; Rev. 12:9; 20:2)
16.Power of Darkness(Colossians 1:13)
17.Prince of this world(John 12:31)
18.The Tempter(Matthew 4:3; 1 Thess. 3:5)
19.The Wicked One(Matthew 13:19)
20.Man of sin(II Thessalonians 2:3)
21.Little Horn (Daniel 7:8)
22.The Adversary (I Peter 5:8)
23.Antichrist (1John 4:3)
24.Enemy (Matt. 13:39)
25.Evil spirit ( 1Sam. 16:14)
26.God of this world( 2Cor. 4:4)
27.Murderer ( John 8:44)
28.Old serpent - Rev. 12:9, 20:2
29.Power of death - Heb. 2:14
30.Roaring lion - 1Peter 5:8
31.Ruler of darkness - Eph. 6:12
32.Son of perdition - John 17:12
33.Thief - John 10:10
Thursday, February 5, 2009
There Are No Accidents
When the world sees events or circumstances happening before them, they use words like, luck, good fortune, and chance to describe events happening that are just accidentally happening. But the scriptures teach us that there are no accidents or random events happening in the universe.
Why do I say this?
God's attributes, qualities or characteristics inherent in Himself are many but the three for our consideration are His Omnipotence, Omnipresence and Omniscience.
Omnipotence; He has the power to do anything He desires (Job 42:2; Luke 1:37).
Omnipresence - He is in all places, all the time (Jer. 23:24; 1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 90:2).
Omniscience - He knows all things (1 John 3:20).
It is out of these attributes His works flow:
Election - choosing who is saved (John 1:12-13; 6:37-40; Eph. 1:4;11; Rom.. 8:29-30; Acts 13:48; Phil. 1:29).
Creation - bringing the universe into existence (Isaiah 44:24; Col. 1:16-18).
Providence - guiding and providing for His creation (Psalm 135:7; Ecc. 3:13; Acts 14:17).
What this teaches us is He is omnipotent, then He has the power to accomplish anything He desires. He can create, alter, or destroy a universe and all that is in it.
His omnipotence teaches that He retain complete control over all objects that exist and events that occur; otherwise, He would not be able to say anything with absolute certainty. He would never be able to fully promise us anything because random chance might be able to change the circumstances that He wouldn't be aware was coming.
Since He is omnipresent, then nothing is hidden from Him. This includes all dimensions; all time whether past, present, or future; and every form of existence either thought, action, or substance. God is NOT just in the universe, the universe is IN GOD!
Since He is omniscient, then He eternally comprehends all things actual as well as potential. God comprehends all things from His eternal nature since omniscience, by default, is to know all things eternally.
This includes all objects in the entire universe, all thoughts, all actions, all motions, etc. God comprehending all things potential means all things that could exist but do not exist whether they be thought, motion, deed, object, energy, etc.
There is nothing that God does not know what will happen or has happened.
To deny God's omniscience is to deny His omnipresence. In order for God to know all things, He must be in all places at all times, past, present, and future. He would not be the God that is revealed in Scripture.
Therefore, since God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient, He is able to create anything He desires while retaining perfect knowledge and complete control of all actual objects and actions -- including perfect knowledge and complete control of all possible combinations of events of all those objects and actions. It necessarily follows that all things (actual and/or potential) that have been, are now, or will be in existence occur by the direct control of God and/or the permitted control of God.
Conclusion: With all knowledge, God has absolute control over all He encompasses. THERE ARE NO ACCIDENTS ONLY "ON PURPOSES", But many are in the purposes of God and are beyond our finding out. So we trust Him, as a Good and Wonderful God, only doing what brings Him glory, honour and praise!
Why do I say this?
God's attributes, qualities or characteristics inherent in Himself are many but the three for our consideration are His Omnipotence, Omnipresence and Omniscience.
Omnipotence; He has the power to do anything He desires (Job 42:2; Luke 1:37).
Omnipresence - He is in all places, all the time (Jer. 23:24; 1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 90:2).
Omniscience - He knows all things (1 John 3:20).
It is out of these attributes His works flow:
Election - choosing who is saved (John 1:12-13; 6:37-40; Eph. 1:4;11; Rom.. 8:29-30; Acts 13:48; Phil. 1:29).
Creation - bringing the universe into existence (Isaiah 44:24; Col. 1:16-18).
Providence - guiding and providing for His creation (Psalm 135:7; Ecc. 3:13; Acts 14:17).
What this teaches us is He is omnipotent, then He has the power to accomplish anything He desires. He can create, alter, or destroy a universe and all that is in it.
His omnipotence teaches that He retain complete control over all objects that exist and events that occur; otherwise, He would not be able to say anything with absolute certainty. He would never be able to fully promise us anything because random chance might be able to change the circumstances that He wouldn't be aware was coming.
Since He is omnipresent, then nothing is hidden from Him. This includes all dimensions; all time whether past, present, or future; and every form of existence either thought, action, or substance. God is NOT just in the universe, the universe is IN GOD!
Since He is omniscient, then He eternally comprehends all things actual as well as potential. God comprehends all things from His eternal nature since omniscience, by default, is to know all things eternally.
This includes all objects in the entire universe, all thoughts, all actions, all motions, etc. God comprehending all things potential means all things that could exist but do not exist whether they be thought, motion, deed, object, energy, etc.
There is nothing that God does not know what will happen or has happened.
To deny God's omniscience is to deny His omnipresence. In order for God to know all things, He must be in all places at all times, past, present, and future. He would not be the God that is revealed in Scripture.
Therefore, since God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient, He is able to create anything He desires while retaining perfect knowledge and complete control of all actual objects and actions -- including perfect knowledge and complete control of all possible combinations of events of all those objects and actions. It necessarily follows that all things (actual and/or potential) that have been, are now, or will be in existence occur by the direct control of God and/or the permitted control of God.
Conclusion: With all knowledge, God has absolute control over all He encompasses. THERE ARE NO ACCIDENTS ONLY "ON PURPOSES", But many are in the purposes of God and are beyond our finding out. So we trust Him, as a Good and Wonderful God, only doing what brings Him glory, honour and praise!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Good Questions
Dr. Jeff Myers of Bryan College helps others develop a biblical worldview. One of the tools he offers in developing critical thinking skills is how to use the right question at the right time.
He suggests four good questions to help anyone think critically.
1. What do you mean by that?
You want to get the other person to define his terms and explain what he is saying. If you don't make sure you understand what the other person means, you could end up having a conversation using the same words but meaning very different things.
Get the other person's definition. Let's say you're talking to a neighbor who says, "I don't believe there is a God." Don't quarrel with him: "Oh yes there is!" "No, there's not."
Just start asking questions instead. "What do you mean by 'God'? What's your understanding of this God who isn't there?" Let him define that which does not exist! You may well find out that the god he rejects is a mean, cold, abusive god who looks a lot like his father. In that case, you can assure him that you don't believe in that god either. The true God is altogether different.
Let's say someone says she is for a woman's right to choose abortion. You can ask, "What do you mean by 'woman'? Only adult women? What if the baby is a girl, what about her right to choose? What do you mean by 'right'? Where does that right come from?" Do you see how asking What do you mean by that? can expose problems in the other person's perspective?
2. Where do you get your information?
The question Where do you get your information? is particularly important in today's culture, where we drown in information from a huge array of sources. Information is being pumped at us from TV, radio, music, Websites, email, blogs, billboards, movies, and conversations with people who have no truth filters in place at all. Consider the kind of responses you could get to the question, Where do you get your information?
"I heard it somewhere." Well, how's that for reliable? Follow with another killer question, How do you know it's true?
"Everybody says so." That may be so, but is it true? If you say something loud enough, often enough, and long enough, people will believe it's true even if it isn't. For example, "everybody says" people are born gay. Doesn't everybody know that by now? That's what we hear, every day, but where is the science to back up that assertion? Turns out, there is none. Not a shred of proof that there is a gay gene.
"Someone else may say, "I read it somewhere." So ask, in a legitimate newspaper or magazine? Or in a tabloid?
Did you see it on the Web? That could be a single individual with great graphics abilities pumping out his own totally made-up stuff. Or it could be a trustworthy, legitimate Website like Probe.org.
Did you see it on TV? Who said it, and how trustworthy is the source? Was it fact, or opinion? Be aware of the worldview agenda behind the major media outlets. Former CBS reporter Bernard Goldberg exposed the leftist leanings of the media in his book Bias: A CBS Insider Exposes How the Media Distort the News. Most of what you see on TV is what the Bible calls "the world," and we are to be discerning and skeptical of the values and information it pumps out.
Don't be fooled by someone sounding confident and self-assured. Many people feel confident without any basis for feeling that way. Ask, Where do you get your information?
3. How do you know that's true?
The third killer question is, How do you know that's true? This is probably the most powerful question of them all. It puts the burden of proof on the other person.
Most people aren't aware of what they assume is true; there's simply no other way to see the world. They often believe what they believe without asking if it's true, if it aligns with reality. If you respectfully ask killer questions like How do you know that's true?, all of a sudden it can begin to occur to folks that what they believe, they believe by faith. But where is their faith placed?
Sometimes, the kindest thing we can do for people is gently shake up their presuppositions and invite them to think.
The reigning philosophy in science today is materialism, the insistence that the physical universe is all that exists. Something is only real if it can be measured and quantified. We need to ask, How do you know there is nothing outside the matter-space-time-energy continuum? How do you know that the instruments of physical measurement are the only ones that matter? How do you know there isn't something non-physical, which cannot be measured with physical measuring tools? If all you have is a ruler, how do you measure weight? (And if all you have is a ruler, and someone wants to talk about weight, it would be easy to deny there is such a thing as weight, only height and length, a lot like the materialists' insistence that since we can't measure the supernatural, it doesn't exist.)
At the heart of the debate over stem cell research is the question of the personhood of a human embryo. Those who insist that it's not life until implantation need to be asked, How do you know that's true? It's genetically identical to the embryo ten minutes before implantation. How do you know those are only a clump of cells and not a human being?
Postmodern thought says that no one can know truth. This philosophy has permeated just about every college campus. To the professor who asserts, "No one can know truth," a student should ask, How do you know that's true? If that sounds slightly crazy to you, good! A teacher who says there is no truth, or that if there is, no one can know it, says it because he or she believes it to be true, or they wouldn't be saying it!
We get hostile email at Probe informing us of how stupid and biased we are for believing the Bible, since it has been mistranslated and changed over the centuries and it was written by man anyway. When I ask, "How do you know this is true?", I don't get answers back. Putting the burden of proof on the other person is quite legitimate. People are often just repeating what they have heard from others. But we have to be ready to offer a defense for the hope that is in us as well.{3} Of course, when we point to the Bible as our source of information, it's appropriate to ask the killer question, "How do you know that's true?" Fortunately, there is a huge amount of evidence that today's Bible is virtually the same as the original manuscripts. And there is strong evidence for its supernatural origins because of things like fulfilled prophecy. Go to the "Reasons to Believe" section of Probe.org for a number of articles on why we can trust that the Bible is really God's word.
There are a lot of mistaken, deceived people who believe in reincarnation and insist they remember their past lives. Shirley MacLaine claims to have been a Japanese Geisha, a suicide in Atlantis, an orphan raised by elephants, and the seducer of Charlemagne.{4} Here's where this killer question comes in. If you lose your life memories when you die, how do you know your past lives are real? When you're born into a new body and your slate is wiped clean, how do you know it's you?
So many people have embraced a pragmatic, expedient standard of, "Hey, it works for me." "It works for me to cheat on my taxes, as long as I don't get caught." "It works for me to spend hours on porn sites late at night since my wife doesn't know how to check the computer's history." "It works for me to keep God in his corner of the universe while I do my own thing; I'll get religious later in life." Well, how do you know it works? You haven't seen the whole, big picture. You can't know the future, and you can't know how tomorrow's consequences will be reaped from today's choices.
Let me add a caveat here. The underlying question behind How do you know that's true? is really, "Why should I believe you?" It can be quite disconcerting to be challenged this way, so be sure to ask with a friendly face and without an edge in your voice.
4. What if you're wrong?
One benefit of this question is that it helps us not to "sweat the small stuff." There are a lot of issues where it just doesn't matter a whole lot if we're wrong. If you're agonizing over a restaurant menu, trying to figure out the best entree, what if you're wrong? It doesn't matter. You can probably come back another time. If you can't, because you're traveling and you'll never have another chance, is it going to wreck your life? Absolutely not.
Many of our youth (and, sadly, adults as well) believe that having sex is just part of being social. Many of them believe that sex qualifies as recreation, much like going to an amusement park. They need to be challenged: What if you're wrong? Besides the high probability of contracting a number of sexually transmitted diseases, there is the ongoing heartache of the discovery that "casual" sex isn't, because of its lasting impact on the heart.
The ultimate question where this matters is, What do you believe about God? What do you do with Jesus' statement "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except by Me"?{5} What if you believe there is no God, or that you can live however you want and God will let you into heaven because you're not a mass murderer? We need to ask, What if you're wrong? You will be separated from God forever!
It's only fair for Christ-followers to ask that of ourselves. What if we're wrong? What if we're actually living an illusion that there is a God and a purpose to life? I would say, "You know what? I still lived a great life, full of peace and purpose and fulfillment. Ultimately, if there were no God, it wouldn't matter—nothing would matter at all!—but I still loved my life. Either way, if I'm right or I'm wrong, I win."
He suggests four good questions to help anyone think critically.
1. What do you mean by that?
You want to get the other person to define his terms and explain what he is saying. If you don't make sure you understand what the other person means, you could end up having a conversation using the same words but meaning very different things.
Get the other person's definition. Let's say you're talking to a neighbor who says, "I don't believe there is a God." Don't quarrel with him: "Oh yes there is!" "No, there's not."
Just start asking questions instead. "What do you mean by 'God'? What's your understanding of this God who isn't there?" Let him define that which does not exist! You may well find out that the god he rejects is a mean, cold, abusive god who looks a lot like his father. In that case, you can assure him that you don't believe in that god either. The true God is altogether different.
Let's say someone says she is for a woman's right to choose abortion. You can ask, "What do you mean by 'woman'? Only adult women? What if the baby is a girl, what about her right to choose? What do you mean by 'right'? Where does that right come from?" Do you see how asking What do you mean by that? can expose problems in the other person's perspective?
2. Where do you get your information?
The question Where do you get your information? is particularly important in today's culture, where we drown in information from a huge array of sources. Information is being pumped at us from TV, radio, music, Websites, email, blogs, billboards, movies, and conversations with people who have no truth filters in place at all. Consider the kind of responses you could get to the question, Where do you get your information?
"I heard it somewhere." Well, how's that for reliable? Follow with another killer question, How do you know it's true?
"Everybody says so." That may be so, but is it true? If you say something loud enough, often enough, and long enough, people will believe it's true even if it isn't. For example, "everybody says" people are born gay. Doesn't everybody know that by now? That's what we hear, every day, but where is the science to back up that assertion? Turns out, there is none. Not a shred of proof that there is a gay gene.
"Someone else may say, "I read it somewhere." So ask, in a legitimate newspaper or magazine? Or in a tabloid?
Did you see it on the Web? That could be a single individual with great graphics abilities pumping out his own totally made-up stuff. Or it could be a trustworthy, legitimate Website like Probe.org.
Did you see it on TV? Who said it, and how trustworthy is the source? Was it fact, or opinion? Be aware of the worldview agenda behind the major media outlets. Former CBS reporter Bernard Goldberg exposed the leftist leanings of the media in his book Bias: A CBS Insider Exposes How the Media Distort the News. Most of what you see on TV is what the Bible calls "the world," and we are to be discerning and skeptical of the values and information it pumps out.
Don't be fooled by someone sounding confident and self-assured. Many people feel confident without any basis for feeling that way. Ask, Where do you get your information?
3. How do you know that's true?
The third killer question is, How do you know that's true? This is probably the most powerful question of them all. It puts the burden of proof on the other person.
Most people aren't aware of what they assume is true; there's simply no other way to see the world. They often believe what they believe without asking if it's true, if it aligns with reality. If you respectfully ask killer questions like How do you know that's true?, all of a sudden it can begin to occur to folks that what they believe, they believe by faith. But where is their faith placed?
Sometimes, the kindest thing we can do for people is gently shake up their presuppositions and invite them to think.
The reigning philosophy in science today is materialism, the insistence that the physical universe is all that exists. Something is only real if it can be measured and quantified. We need to ask, How do you know there is nothing outside the matter-space-time-energy continuum? How do you know that the instruments of physical measurement are the only ones that matter? How do you know there isn't something non-physical, which cannot be measured with physical measuring tools? If all you have is a ruler, how do you measure weight? (And if all you have is a ruler, and someone wants to talk about weight, it would be easy to deny there is such a thing as weight, only height and length, a lot like the materialists' insistence that since we can't measure the supernatural, it doesn't exist.)
At the heart of the debate over stem cell research is the question of the personhood of a human embryo. Those who insist that it's not life until implantation need to be asked, How do you know that's true? It's genetically identical to the embryo ten minutes before implantation. How do you know those are only a clump of cells and not a human being?
Postmodern thought says that no one can know truth. This philosophy has permeated just about every college campus. To the professor who asserts, "No one can know truth," a student should ask, How do you know that's true? If that sounds slightly crazy to you, good! A teacher who says there is no truth, or that if there is, no one can know it, says it because he or she believes it to be true, or they wouldn't be saying it!
We get hostile email at Probe informing us of how stupid and biased we are for believing the Bible, since it has been mistranslated and changed over the centuries and it was written by man anyway. When I ask, "How do you know this is true?", I don't get answers back. Putting the burden of proof on the other person is quite legitimate. People are often just repeating what they have heard from others. But we have to be ready to offer a defense for the hope that is in us as well.{3} Of course, when we point to the Bible as our source of information, it's appropriate to ask the killer question, "How do you know that's true?" Fortunately, there is a huge amount of evidence that today's Bible is virtually the same as the original manuscripts. And there is strong evidence for its supernatural origins because of things like fulfilled prophecy. Go to the "Reasons to Believe" section of Probe.org for a number of articles on why we can trust that the Bible is really God's word.
There are a lot of mistaken, deceived people who believe in reincarnation and insist they remember their past lives. Shirley MacLaine claims to have been a Japanese Geisha, a suicide in Atlantis, an orphan raised by elephants, and the seducer of Charlemagne.{4} Here's where this killer question comes in. If you lose your life memories when you die, how do you know your past lives are real? When you're born into a new body and your slate is wiped clean, how do you know it's you?
So many people have embraced a pragmatic, expedient standard of, "Hey, it works for me." "It works for me to cheat on my taxes, as long as I don't get caught." "It works for me to spend hours on porn sites late at night since my wife doesn't know how to check the computer's history." "It works for me to keep God in his corner of the universe while I do my own thing; I'll get religious later in life." Well, how do you know it works? You haven't seen the whole, big picture. You can't know the future, and you can't know how tomorrow's consequences will be reaped from today's choices.
Let me add a caveat here. The underlying question behind How do you know that's true? is really, "Why should I believe you?" It can be quite disconcerting to be challenged this way, so be sure to ask with a friendly face and without an edge in your voice.
4. What if you're wrong?
One benefit of this question is that it helps us not to "sweat the small stuff." There are a lot of issues where it just doesn't matter a whole lot if we're wrong. If you're agonizing over a restaurant menu, trying to figure out the best entree, what if you're wrong? It doesn't matter. You can probably come back another time. If you can't, because you're traveling and you'll never have another chance, is it going to wreck your life? Absolutely not.
Many of our youth (and, sadly, adults as well) believe that having sex is just part of being social. Many of them believe that sex qualifies as recreation, much like going to an amusement park. They need to be challenged: What if you're wrong? Besides the high probability of contracting a number of sexually transmitted diseases, there is the ongoing heartache of the discovery that "casual" sex isn't, because of its lasting impact on the heart.
The ultimate question where this matters is, What do you believe about God? What do you do with Jesus' statement "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except by Me"?{5} What if you believe there is no God, or that you can live however you want and God will let you into heaven because you're not a mass murderer? We need to ask, What if you're wrong? You will be separated from God forever!
It's only fair for Christ-followers to ask that of ourselves. What if we're wrong? What if we're actually living an illusion that there is a God and a purpose to life? I would say, "You know what? I still lived a great life, full of peace and purpose and fulfillment. Ultimately, if there were no God, it wouldn't matter—nothing would matter at all!—but I still loved my life. Either way, if I'm right or I'm wrong, I win."
Worship Vs Sports
"Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious!" Psalm 66:1-2
She stands out among the other worshippers in the crowded auditorium. Her worship is so exuberant, she can hardly contain her joy. She restrains her excitement. Her fist pumping a little, probably out of respect for others who might feel uncomfortable. She turns his face heavenward, eyes closed, and sings her heart out to the King of glory. She sits near the front row, and points her index finger high, presumably indicating God as number One. If you didn't know better, you might think she's idolizing her favorite band and lost in the wonder. When I observe this woman worshipping, I am suddenly struck by a stark contrast.
Think about where we sit at sporting events, concerts, or plays. When we purchase tickets for an event like that, we try to get the best seats we can. Often there is discussion about which outfield to sit in, or how close can you get to the 50 yard line. Is it worth an extra $20 to sit 10 rows closer? The location of your seats totally transforms your experience.
Consider how many behave on these occasions. Many head to a game painted in team spirit. I've seen folks who are typically reserved reaming out a referee or cheering like an uninhibited child. We stand up, clap, and chant. We're totally invested in the game. Often, many have begun celebrating the event earlier in the day by tailgating, talking about the rankings and who's favoured in this particular game. If our team wins, the celebration may continue late into the evening, or produce wild behaviour in the streets.
Now, think about church attendance.
Many often arrive late. Try to sneak quietly in the back so they won't be noticed. The front two rows are usually completely empty. Some sing halfheartedly, concerned what others might think if they externally display any signs of true worship. They try to pay attention to the sermon, but are distracted. We avoid overt expressions of emotion, because we want to be "reverent". In our "reverence," are we simply masking our fear of being real with God? When church is finally over, many beeline for the door, trying to decide what's for lunch.
Obviously, we must take into consideration one's personality or "bent" in this illustration. Some people, like my mother, would never jump, clap, or shout at any of the aforementioned events. Her worship may be just as intense and personal as the one in our illustration who's on her knees, arms stretched high.
Church, God is so much better than our favourite team and more stirring than any show we've ever attended. He trumps U2 backstage, Wicked, or an NFL rivalry game. We always have the best tickets to His productions, so let's give Him the authentic praise He alone deserves.
I'll see you in the front-row Sunday morning, with a heart full of worship.
She stands out among the other worshippers in the crowded auditorium. Her worship is so exuberant, she can hardly contain her joy. She restrains her excitement. Her fist pumping a little, probably out of respect for others who might feel uncomfortable. She turns his face heavenward, eyes closed, and sings her heart out to the King of glory. She sits near the front row, and points her index finger high, presumably indicating God as number One. If you didn't know better, you might think she's idolizing her favorite band and lost in the wonder. When I observe this woman worshipping, I am suddenly struck by a stark contrast.
Think about where we sit at sporting events, concerts, or plays. When we purchase tickets for an event like that, we try to get the best seats we can. Often there is discussion about which outfield to sit in, or how close can you get to the 50 yard line. Is it worth an extra $20 to sit 10 rows closer? The location of your seats totally transforms your experience.
Consider how many behave on these occasions. Many head to a game painted in team spirit. I've seen folks who are typically reserved reaming out a referee or cheering like an uninhibited child. We stand up, clap, and chant. We're totally invested in the game. Often, many have begun celebrating the event earlier in the day by tailgating, talking about the rankings and who's favoured in this particular game. If our team wins, the celebration may continue late into the evening, or produce wild behaviour in the streets.
Now, think about church attendance.
Many often arrive late. Try to sneak quietly in the back so they won't be noticed. The front two rows are usually completely empty. Some sing halfheartedly, concerned what others might think if they externally display any signs of true worship. They try to pay attention to the sermon, but are distracted. We avoid overt expressions of emotion, because we want to be "reverent". In our "reverence," are we simply masking our fear of being real with God? When church is finally over, many beeline for the door, trying to decide what's for lunch.
Obviously, we must take into consideration one's personality or "bent" in this illustration. Some people, like my mother, would never jump, clap, or shout at any of the aforementioned events. Her worship may be just as intense and personal as the one in our illustration who's on her knees, arms stretched high.
Church, God is so much better than our favourite team and more stirring than any show we've ever attended. He trumps U2 backstage, Wicked, or an NFL rivalry game. We always have the best tickets to His productions, so let's give Him the authentic praise He alone deserves.
I'll see you in the front-row Sunday morning, with a heart full of worship.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Hobby Farm Vs Real Farm
A hobby farm is a small country estate of about three to ten acres.They are normally very beautiful, set along a nice river bank or rolling hills. The home is full of style and elegance. The yard is fully fenced and five or six chickens peck at the feed still laying in between the rocks.
The owners enjoys the outdoor life. The fresh air, the freedom from the city's fast pace. They normally work in the community so they can afford to keep their farm. The expenses are high considering the cost of feeding the horses, one or two cows and a few chickens. The machinery needs to be up kept. And the expense list can go on.
The main point of the hobby farm is enjoyment. The farmer does not need a harvest to keep it going. It does not rely on the resources it produces but on the other monies the farmer brings in from the outside to keep it running.
Contrast this against a real farm.
A real farm is large, with many acres to care for because all of the expenses must come from the harvest. The feed is faithful sown each year or they will go hungry or lose the farm completely if this was neglected.
Every animal is on the farm for food or work, no animal is allowed to stay for free. Each must pay the cost of living on the farm. The farmer normally has many animals also because he is not only providing for his own household but for the households of the nations.
The spring is a time of focus sowing. All time and energy is directed for the singular purpose of getting things in and ready for the harvest. The harvest is always the focus.
The farm takes much work to run. The work is hard but rewarding. Each person on the farm must be self motivated not waiting on a person to come and tell them to labour.
A church is like a hobby farm or a real farm. The way you can always tell is talk to the leaders and congregation about the harvest. If they take you on a walk and show you the facilities, the services and the music. If they focus your attention on how they care for its members and not on the care for the lost, you will know they are hobby farming.
If they show you how they make disciples and equip each person to declare their faith to a dying world. If they reveal a clear plan on how they are bringing each and everyone into the business of bringing in the harvest. And if they desire to present a clear gospel to you and those you love within the short time you know them, you know you have arrived at a real farm. A farm that looks for the harvest to sustain them.
Royal Heights, we must always be a real farm. We must always plant and water so the Lord will cause the increase because harvest time is coming! The harvest is not just a great time for the church, it is why it is in business!
Psalm 126
5 Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
6 He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.
The owners enjoys the outdoor life. The fresh air, the freedom from the city's fast pace. They normally work in the community so they can afford to keep their farm. The expenses are high considering the cost of feeding the horses, one or two cows and a few chickens. The machinery needs to be up kept. And the expense list can go on.
The main point of the hobby farm is enjoyment. The farmer does not need a harvest to keep it going. It does not rely on the resources it produces but on the other monies the farmer brings in from the outside to keep it running.
Contrast this against a real farm.
A real farm is large, with many acres to care for because all of the expenses must come from the harvest. The feed is faithful sown each year or they will go hungry or lose the farm completely if this was neglected.
Every animal is on the farm for food or work, no animal is allowed to stay for free. Each must pay the cost of living on the farm. The farmer normally has many animals also because he is not only providing for his own household but for the households of the nations.
The spring is a time of focus sowing. All time and energy is directed for the singular purpose of getting things in and ready for the harvest. The harvest is always the focus.
The farm takes much work to run. The work is hard but rewarding. Each person on the farm must be self motivated not waiting on a person to come and tell them to labour.
A church is like a hobby farm or a real farm. The way you can always tell is talk to the leaders and congregation about the harvest. If they take you on a walk and show you the facilities, the services and the music. If they focus your attention on how they care for its members and not on the care for the lost, you will know they are hobby farming.
If they show you how they make disciples and equip each person to declare their faith to a dying world. If they reveal a clear plan on how they are bringing each and everyone into the business of bringing in the harvest. And if they desire to present a clear gospel to you and those you love within the short time you know them, you know you have arrived at a real farm. A farm that looks for the harvest to sustain them.
Royal Heights, we must always be a real farm. We must always plant and water so the Lord will cause the increase because harvest time is coming! The harvest is not just a great time for the church, it is why it is in business!
Psalm 126
5 Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
6 He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.
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