It has been awhile, seems a thought has been stuck in my mind, " Work out your own salvation"
In the last prison ministry ( 4 days) as we talked into the wee hours of the night I kept postulating the premise that No one is 100% right, a little of this and a little of that seems a good mix to me. Calvin was only partially right, every reformer that came along had some of it right, so we take what we need and leave the rest.
Except for the word of God, Scripture being Gods word, all this other stuff is either pure blather or gold that God has led us to read.
Predestination can free you, at least me from the rabid desire to drag everyone by the hair to Christ. because God chooses YOU, I am Free, and still we need to speak the words. Holy Spirit will convict, but our lives, lived as a living sacrifice and our words of proclamation bring those who are lost to meet God.
I am now a graduate of an ELCA Lay school, got the diploma and everything. It was the very best of time and I loved it, could not wait fore it to start every Thursday night. Now It is over,,,I had asked to teach a course, I doubt i will be blessed with that task, seems I am a bit to reformed to teach Lutherans and Presbyterians.
So ther is a slim chance that the ELCA will bless me with me performing Pulpit suppy, which I have always loved, I have filled the Pulpit over 20 times and have given communion solo a few times, But the ELCA is very gaurded who speaks in there name, I cannot find fault in that, It is after all the represenatation of God. But at Synod convention I realized this, an Idiot with a masters degree in teoligy is still and Idiot. kinda like the person with the worst grade in med school is called........Doctor.
Here is the odd thing. I always LOVED preaching, a month or so ago I was filling in for pastor Tari and I was feeling during the whole service unfullfilled, odd, out of place. and so I wonder was God telling me that preaching in a church is not for me at this time?
Because
Doors have burst wide open for me to expand Keryx into another Prison, and I love prison ministry. I relate to the guys and I feel at home.
So I thought the gifts of the spirit God gave me was to be a Preacher,,,seems I am to be a evangelizer with a strong inclination to also be a Disiple.
God is good, all the time, in time, throgh time, and as we die to self dailey we remember,,, Our lives are forfit to he whom created us... And so in Love and Humilty we become the hands and feet of the annointed one of the most high God. Adonai.
Amen.
Showing posts with label Keryx. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Keryx. Show all posts
Friday, June 27, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
I know what the bible says, but I believe this,
1 Cor 12:12-27 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves [4] or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
That’s not the first time you’ve heard this. Just as importantly as our salvation being an individual, personal matter – Scripture does tell us in Philippians 2 to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that we, the church have been justified by faith.
As Romans 5:1 says – working that salvation out is for me to do and for you to do. But the point of the 1 Corinthians passage is to show us that our salvation is also, in a sense, a “we” matter. “We” are the church. As a corporate body. The question I want to raise here, for you, knowing that as a Christian, if you are one, that your salvation came from God and God alone, how much do you trust Him. Just how much? How much do you submit? How much do you believe He is sovereign? That God is truly, presently, actively in charge of all things, governing His creation in the same way He has since he created it? Listen to what God had to say to His people in Isaiah 46, verses 8-11: “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.”
Do we, Christians living under the New Covenant, believe that? Really? How about Psalm 115:3?: “Our God is in the heavens; He does all that he pleases.”
How about Isaiah chapter 14, verses 24-27? “24 The Lord of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand, 25 that I will break the Assyrian in my land, and on my mountains trample him underfoot; and his yoke shall depart from them, and his burden from their shoulder.” 26 This is the purpose that is purposed concerning the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. 27 For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?”
How about Proverbs 16? The first 9 verses: The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. 2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. 3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. 4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. 5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished. 6 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. 7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. 9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
That’s all Old Testament, right? Doesn’t apply to us because we’re under the New Covenant – we’re not under law, we’re under grace…oh, yeah?
Where are those passages annulled or made not applicable in the New Testament? Let’s go to the New Testament. Romans 8.
Some Christians get nervous when you start reading from Romans. There are some, as Peter referred to them in 2 Peter 3, some “things that are difficult to understand” in Paul’s letters. Here’s one.
Romans 8:28-30. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, [7] for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined He also called, and those whom he called He also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
We like verse 28. God works together all things. All means all, right. But for whom – for those who are called according to His purpose. Then it says those whom he foreknew He predestined to be conformed to the image of His son. As soon as you mention predestination to some people they throw up their hands and object. Immediately.
But to flat out say they don’t believe in any form of predestination, then they have to blow off Romans 8 and 9 and Ephesians 1, for starters. Maybe your belief in predestination isn’t the same as mine, but you better have SOME form or you aren’t believing the whole Bible. Paul goes on in Romans 8 with what is called the golden chain of salvation, then goes on to talk about the assurance of the Christina’s salvation and then in Romans 9 addresses the salvation of the Jews. Paul even addresses some objections he knows will come up during the course of his teaching. In verse 14, he knows there will be an objection, so he asks the rhetorical question, “What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part?” In verse 19, Paul says this: “You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” What was so objectionable? Saying that God loved Jacob and hated Esau. Saying that God will have mercy upon whom He will have mercy. Both times using the Old Testament passages to prove his points. I could go on. Go back and read Romans 8 and 9. Several times. Try to read it and come away not understanding God is absolutely sovereign. Absolutely. Over everything. He does as He pleases.
Is God sovereign. They all say, “Sure He is.” But then you ask a few questions – is He sovereign over this? Well, sort of. How about this? No, because my God is a God of love and He wouldn’t do that. I bet if I went around this sanctuary and asked this question: “Is God sovereign over your choices?” I‘d get some pretty differing answers. I know there are those here who disagree with me. That’s OK. But here’s what I believe. That Almighty God, in His sovereignty, created us and has the right, the authority and the ability to do whatever he wants to with us. He created us as creatures with the ability to make choices. I believe He also created us and ordains, as the Westminster Confession of Faith says, “whatsoever comes to pass.” Even my own choices. You might say that makes me a robot. No, it doesn’t. Scripture shows, time and time again, how God prophetically says what will happen and then it does happen and it happens through the free choices of humans. Like my friend likes to say, that’s a hard teaching. But read the Bible. Is not our God mighty enough to make us creatures who have free choices and that He can ordain or decree those free choices and do it in a way that does not violate His won standard of holiness, justice and righteousness? Making a point about the fall of man. The consequences of Adam’s sin. Everybody agrees that the Scripture made that point. But then one guy says this, and pay attention to what he said – he said, “I know the Bible says that, BUT I believe………….” I know what the Bible says, but I believe….” You laugh. It’s not funny.
a verse from Proverbs 16:4. 4The LORD works out everything for his own ends-- even the wicked for a day of disaster. “I know what the bible says, but I believe……..”
My point is this – are you ready and willing to submit to and believe all the Scriptures? Even the hard ones? Are you ready to understand that being a Christian is not about that book you can go to Wal-Mart and buy written by a guy with more white teeth than I could ever dream of and who says you can have your best life now and get the best parking space and get the hot blonde wife and never be sick a day if you just have enough faith.
Jesus didn’t come and die so I could get the hot blonde. Jesus didn’t come and die so I could get out of my job. Jesus didn’t die so I could bench press 300 pounds and be as healthy and active as I was when I was running track in high school.
Jesus came to give glory to His Father. That’s why He came. And He came to give glory to His Father by coming to save people who deserved the just condemnation of the pits of Hell for our sin and rebellion against Almighty God. Jesus came to fulfill the Law by obeying the Law perfectly and by dying a horrific, bloody, public, shameful death on the cross. And He did it willingly. Jesus came to provide redemption for our sorry rear ends and He did it out of love. For His Father. And for His people.
Matthew 1:21 says He came to save His people from their sins. He came to do the will of His Father and John 6 says that will was to save those who the Father gave him. That’s how Jesus gave glory to His Father. How about us? Do we think otherwise? That our Christianity is all about making our ride through life a smooth, sweet one and Heaven is just icing on the cake? Do we perform acts of Christian service so we can get mainline the Holy Spirit? Do we serve Missions on Keryx weekends or Emmaus weekends or go on short-term missions trips to get our next Holy Spirit high? If that’s true, are we any different than those people out there who run around looking for the next high or the thing that will satisfy their own lusts of the flesh? Isn’t that humanism? Isn’t humanism sin? Then don’t veil our humanism in Christian clothing. Paris Reidhead was a missionary to Africa back in the 40’s. He thought he had God all figured out. He wrote a sermon is called “Ten Shekels and A Shirt.” ( you can download a recording) It’s from Judges 17 and 18. What this man found in Africa is that the people there did not want Christ, they wanted what they wanted. Plain and simple. Just like in America today where Americans choose to live in the filth they desire. It is no wonder that we have a 50% divorce rate. Selfish, I want what I want, Me, Me, society. We leave destruction in the wake of a self centered society.
That’s not the first time you’ve heard this. Just as importantly as our salvation being an individual, personal matter – Scripture does tell us in Philippians 2 to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that we, the church have been justified by faith.
As Romans 5:1 says – working that salvation out is for me to do and for you to do. But the point of the 1 Corinthians passage is to show us that our salvation is also, in a sense, a “we” matter. “We” are the church. As a corporate body. The question I want to raise here, for you, knowing that as a Christian, if you are one, that your salvation came from God and God alone, how much do you trust Him. Just how much? How much do you submit? How much do you believe He is sovereign? That God is truly, presently, actively in charge of all things, governing His creation in the same way He has since he created it? Listen to what God had to say to His people in Isaiah 46, verses 8-11: “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.”
Do we, Christians living under the New Covenant, believe that? Really? How about Psalm 115:3?: “Our God is in the heavens; He does all that he pleases.”
How about Isaiah chapter 14, verses 24-27? “24 The Lord of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand, 25 that I will break the Assyrian in my land, and on my mountains trample him underfoot; and his yoke shall depart from them, and his burden from their shoulder.” 26 This is the purpose that is purposed concerning the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. 27 For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?”
How about Proverbs 16? The first 9 verses: The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. 2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. 3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. 4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. 5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished. 6 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. 7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. 9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
That’s all Old Testament, right? Doesn’t apply to us because we’re under the New Covenant – we’re not under law, we’re under grace…oh, yeah?
Where are those passages annulled or made not applicable in the New Testament? Let’s go to the New Testament. Romans 8.
Some Christians get nervous when you start reading from Romans. There are some, as Peter referred to them in 2 Peter 3, some “things that are difficult to understand” in Paul’s letters. Here’s one.
Romans 8:28-30. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, [7] for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined He also called, and those whom he called He also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
We like verse 28. God works together all things. All means all, right. But for whom – for those who are called according to His purpose. Then it says those whom he foreknew He predestined to be conformed to the image of His son. As soon as you mention predestination to some people they throw up their hands and object. Immediately.
But to flat out say they don’t believe in any form of predestination, then they have to blow off Romans 8 and 9 and Ephesians 1, for starters. Maybe your belief in predestination isn’t the same as mine, but you better have SOME form or you aren’t believing the whole Bible. Paul goes on in Romans 8 with what is called the golden chain of salvation, then goes on to talk about the assurance of the Christina’s salvation and then in Romans 9 addresses the salvation of the Jews. Paul even addresses some objections he knows will come up during the course of his teaching. In verse 14, he knows there will be an objection, so he asks the rhetorical question, “What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part?” In verse 19, Paul says this: “You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” What was so objectionable? Saying that God loved Jacob and hated Esau. Saying that God will have mercy upon whom He will have mercy. Both times using the Old Testament passages to prove his points. I could go on. Go back and read Romans 8 and 9. Several times. Try to read it and come away not understanding God is absolutely sovereign. Absolutely. Over everything. He does as He pleases.
Is God sovereign. They all say, “Sure He is.” But then you ask a few questions – is He sovereign over this? Well, sort of. How about this? No, because my God is a God of love and He wouldn’t do that. I bet if I went around this sanctuary and asked this question: “Is God sovereign over your choices?” I‘d get some pretty differing answers. I know there are those here who disagree with me. That’s OK. But here’s what I believe. That Almighty God, in His sovereignty, created us and has the right, the authority and the ability to do whatever he wants to with us. He created us as creatures with the ability to make choices. I believe He also created us and ordains, as the Westminster Confession of Faith says, “whatsoever comes to pass.” Even my own choices. You might say that makes me a robot. No, it doesn’t. Scripture shows, time and time again, how God prophetically says what will happen and then it does happen and it happens through the free choices of humans. Like my friend likes to say, that’s a hard teaching. But read the Bible. Is not our God mighty enough to make us creatures who have free choices and that He can ordain or decree those free choices and do it in a way that does not violate His won standard of holiness, justice and righteousness? Making a point about the fall of man. The consequences of Adam’s sin. Everybody agrees that the Scripture made that point. But then one guy says this, and pay attention to what he said – he said, “I know the Bible says that, BUT I believe………….” I know what the Bible says, but I believe….” You laugh. It’s not funny.
a verse from Proverbs 16:4. 4The LORD works out everything for his own ends-- even the wicked for a day of disaster. “I know what the bible says, but I believe……..”
My point is this – are you ready and willing to submit to and believe all the Scriptures? Even the hard ones? Are you ready to understand that being a Christian is not about that book you can go to Wal-Mart and buy written by a guy with more white teeth than I could ever dream of and who says you can have your best life now and get the best parking space and get the hot blonde wife and never be sick a day if you just have enough faith.
Jesus didn’t come and die so I could get the hot blonde. Jesus didn’t come and die so I could get out of my job. Jesus didn’t die so I could bench press 300 pounds and be as healthy and active as I was when I was running track in high school.
Jesus came to give glory to His Father. That’s why He came. And He came to give glory to His Father by coming to save people who deserved the just condemnation of the pits of Hell for our sin and rebellion against Almighty God. Jesus came to fulfill the Law by obeying the Law perfectly and by dying a horrific, bloody, public, shameful death on the cross. And He did it willingly. Jesus came to provide redemption for our sorry rear ends and He did it out of love. For His Father. And for His people.
Matthew 1:21 says He came to save His people from their sins. He came to do the will of His Father and John 6 says that will was to save those who the Father gave him. That’s how Jesus gave glory to His Father. How about us? Do we think otherwise? That our Christianity is all about making our ride through life a smooth, sweet one and Heaven is just icing on the cake? Do we perform acts of Christian service so we can get mainline the Holy Spirit? Do we serve Missions on Keryx weekends or Emmaus weekends or go on short-term missions trips to get our next Holy Spirit high? If that’s true, are we any different than those people out there who run around looking for the next high or the thing that will satisfy their own lusts of the flesh? Isn’t that humanism? Isn’t humanism sin? Then don’t veil our humanism in Christian clothing. Paris Reidhead was a missionary to Africa back in the 40’s. He thought he had God all figured out. He wrote a sermon is called “Ten Shekels and A Shirt.” ( you can download a recording) It’s from Judges 17 and 18. What this man found in Africa is that the people there did not want Christ, they wanted what they wanted. Plain and simple. Just like in America today where Americans choose to live in the filth they desire. It is no wonder that we have a 50% divorce rate. Selfish, I want what I want, Me, Me, society. We leave destruction in the wake of a self centered society.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Where's Waldo? Not in the ELCA
Where have I been?
Been awhile, been busy beating the bushes for Disciples to serve the most high God. Today is Halloween and I am just regaining my energy from my last 4 days in Prison Ministry. I was able to minister to a very violent man who is ready to max out after 23 years inside. I was able to Minister to a semi - retarded ( no disrespect but I feel that it is an appropriate word) and 2 Muslim men plus another 20 inmates.
The Violent man found peace in Christ, I believe everlasting peace. The mentally handicapped man found Brothers who would care for him, Pray with him, protect him, and the Muslims? Well there were 2. Scott might not come to Christ but he for the first time in his life encountered the Holy Spirit and the rush of peace and love that comes from that. He is a changed man, If he stays a Muslim, well OK but he is our brother non the less.
Muslim #2 When I was praying for men in the prayer Chapel, We men received a prayer request from him that was in reality a curse. calling on condemnation of Christians through a semi Egyptian deity. Holding that prayer request was like handling a snake. Bile rose up and I cast it down and denounced it in the name of the most High God and his son Jesus the Christ.
Dramatic? Not if you had been there, It was Evil. Thank our God that the other 24 men in Prison for various crimes were filled with the Holy Spirit, and I do not use that term Lightly.
As a whole the 4 day Prison Keryx ( Cursillo) went great, many men either came to Christ or renewed there commitment in a loving relationship with Adonai.
As a carpenter and having to earn my bread I, in my spare time have been meeting with ministers in northern Michigan to see If I can talk at there church services to the collective Church to enlist men and women to minister in the state prisons. It seems that the ELCA Lutherans are way to bust to Evangelize, Maybe it should be the LCA?? Cause they are light on the E!
I have some invitations to talk at an LCMS and an Assembly of God church which I shall take up late December or January because I have already been in 2 prisons this fall and have to lock down again mid November.
As a conservative Christian I have always hated convicts and was for the death penalty, Now? It seems that when you are to do those things you do not want to do that God is behind the seen moving us into his kingdom. Ministering to men who have nothing has been the very best of ministries, most men I serve with when we get out are both elated to go home and depressed for being taken away from that holy ground where the holy Spirit is so alive ,,,,,It seems that you left a piece of you inside.
God has been good, We are most certainly blessed. Today my Grand Daughter who is 2 years old had surgery where they gave her Anesthesia. My Prayer partners across the country were praying for our little Katey. God is most certainly good, All the time
May Jehovah Bless you and keep you and yours
Rick
Out
Been awhile, been busy beating the bushes for Disciples to serve the most high God. Today is Halloween and I am just regaining my energy from my last 4 days in Prison Ministry. I was able to minister to a very violent man who is ready to max out after 23 years inside. I was able to Minister to a semi - retarded ( no disrespect but I feel that it is an appropriate word) and 2 Muslim men plus another 20 inmates.
The Violent man found peace in Christ, I believe everlasting peace. The mentally handicapped man found Brothers who would care for him, Pray with him, protect him, and the Muslims? Well there were 2. Scott might not come to Christ but he for the first time in his life encountered the Holy Spirit and the rush of peace and love that comes from that. He is a changed man, If he stays a Muslim, well OK but he is our brother non the less.
Muslim #2 When I was praying for men in the prayer Chapel, We men received a prayer request from him that was in reality a curse. calling on condemnation of Christians through a semi Egyptian deity. Holding that prayer request was like handling a snake. Bile rose up and I cast it down and denounced it in the name of the most High God and his son Jesus the Christ.
Dramatic? Not if you had been there, It was Evil. Thank our God that the other 24 men in Prison for various crimes were filled with the Holy Spirit, and I do not use that term Lightly.
As a whole the 4 day Prison Keryx ( Cursillo) went great, many men either came to Christ or renewed there commitment in a loving relationship with Adonai.
As a carpenter and having to earn my bread I, in my spare time have been meeting with ministers in northern Michigan to see If I can talk at there church services to the collective Church to enlist men and women to minister in the state prisons. It seems that the ELCA Lutherans are way to bust to Evangelize, Maybe it should be the LCA?? Cause they are light on the E!
I have some invitations to talk at an LCMS and an Assembly of God church which I shall take up late December or January because I have already been in 2 prisons this fall and have to lock down again mid November.
As a conservative Christian I have always hated convicts and was for the death penalty, Now? It seems that when you are to do those things you do not want to do that God is behind the seen moving us into his kingdom. Ministering to men who have nothing has been the very best of ministries, most men I serve with when we get out are both elated to go home and depressed for being taken away from that holy ground where the holy Spirit is so alive ,,,,,It seems that you left a piece of you inside.
God has been good, We are most certainly blessed. Today my Grand Daughter who is 2 years old had surgery where they gave her Anesthesia. My Prayer partners across the country were praying for our little Katey. God is most certainly good, All the time
May Jehovah Bless you and keep you and yours
Rick
Out
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Saved by Grace
Today was our Monthly Prison reunion / Bible Study at Newberry Correctional Facility. We had 5 inmates come and we discussed scripture in great detail, I ,Yellow highlighted many passages that I found great for teaching, Teaching me.
It's funny but when you talk to saved people about scripture outside in the world so to speak they either blow you off or change the subject. In Prison those men hunger for the word. And they are joyful that we come to see them, us men who have so much, are so blessed, who evangelize to those with so little. In the end it is we that are blessed.
On our Thursday night Bible study's at the Pike Unit inside Chippewa Correctional Facility we have been beating sin over the head vigorously. For three weeks we have been discussing, 1. How do you know if Holy Spirit in indwelt inside you. AND If you have been Baptized in the Holy Spirit and you keep sinning is Holy Spirit in you or are you misunderstanding Holy Spirit?
Will sin drive the Spirit out of you? If you have the fruits of the Holy Spirit can you still not be saved?
Well I sure am a sinner, It does not take that attractive of a girl/woman to catch my eye and even though I do not generally have lustful thoughts I sure do enjoy the beauty of the feminine form. SO If I do not covet and I do not lust, is it sin, Or are we getting to fundamentalist? and are splitting frog hairs of sin? Are we becoming Pharisees?
Sure Paul said he did what he did not want to do, and I guess that can be a scapegoat. But If We are working hard for the furtherance of Gods Kingdom If we truly love God and do works as a pleasing offering of sacrifice because we love out Father in Heaven, then can we be so damned? or are we still in Grace?
Grace, There it is. there can be no further discussion we are saved by grace and even all men's works are dirty linens to our God.
So I try to please God, I am covered in Grace, and as I do my best for our Jesus in the end we are all sinners, non better non worse.
May our God Adonai and his son Jesus Bless you this day.
It's funny but when you talk to saved people about scripture outside in the world so to speak they either blow you off or change the subject. In Prison those men hunger for the word. And they are joyful that we come to see them, us men who have so much, are so blessed, who evangelize to those with so little. In the end it is we that are blessed.
On our Thursday night Bible study's at the Pike Unit inside Chippewa Correctional Facility we have been beating sin over the head vigorously. For three weeks we have been discussing, 1. How do you know if Holy Spirit in indwelt inside you. AND If you have been Baptized in the Holy Spirit and you keep sinning is Holy Spirit in you or are you misunderstanding Holy Spirit?
Will sin drive the Spirit out of you? If you have the fruits of the Holy Spirit can you still not be saved?
Well I sure am a sinner, It does not take that attractive of a girl/woman to catch my eye and even though I do not generally have lustful thoughts I sure do enjoy the beauty of the feminine form. SO If I do not covet and I do not lust, is it sin, Or are we getting to fundamentalist? and are splitting frog hairs of sin? Are we becoming Pharisees?
Sure Paul said he did what he did not want to do, and I guess that can be a scapegoat. But If We are working hard for the furtherance of Gods Kingdom If we truly love God and do works as a pleasing offering of sacrifice because we love out Father in Heaven, then can we be so damned? or are we still in Grace?
Grace, There it is. there can be no further discussion we are saved by grace and even all men's works are dirty linens to our God.
So I try to please God, I am covered in Grace, and as I do my best for our Jesus in the end we are all sinners, non better non worse.
May our God Adonai and his son Jesus Bless you this day.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
My Life For You!
Brother Eric over der in Minisnowta who resides at The Heart of a Pastor Asked me what I thought are five things you dig about Jesus.
So this is not very deep or mind opening but here is what I said:
He was wounded for our iniquity's, he suffered and was killed for us, for me. He loves us so very much.
There is nothing I can do to make him love me any less, Sure I can run away but he is always there to pick me up and put me on the path.
He is waiting for us, to come to him and we shall spend eternity with him.
In the Darkest night of my soul he was there, When no one else was there he is there,
He is my rock and my salvation, to whom shall I go? Jesus has the words of eternal life.
Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit.
/////////////////
So what to say about he who is our all and all? It's funny how soon we forget about the Holy Spirit washing through us like warmth on a cool day, We forget Actual Miracles we have witnessed. We forget how in those really bad times Jesus carried us.
Like Trashcan man said in Steven Kings THE STAND,,,,,,,MY LIFE FOR YOU!
So this is not very deep or mind opening but here is what I said:
He was wounded for our iniquity's, he suffered and was killed for us, for me. He loves us so very much.
There is nothing I can do to make him love me any less, Sure I can run away but he is always there to pick me up and put me on the path.
He is waiting for us, to come to him and we shall spend eternity with him.
In the Darkest night of my soul he was there, When no one else was there he is there,
He is my rock and my salvation, to whom shall I go? Jesus has the words of eternal life.
Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit.
/////////////////
So what to say about he who is our all and all? It's funny how soon we forget about the Holy Spirit washing through us like warmth on a cool day, We forget Actual Miracles we have witnessed. We forget how in those really bad times Jesus carried us.
Like Trashcan man said in Steven Kings THE STAND,,,,,,,MY LIFE FOR YOU!
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Prison was Profitable
Chippewa Prison was good,
We had 22 out of 24 men come to Christ. Will they stick? Will they be Pilgrims on the WAY? or will they fall? I have seen the weak become strong and the strong become weak. I have seen Miracles where men who had no one working for there release men who had years yet to serve, I have seen them released within 2 years of accepting Jesus as there savior. I have seen men, who suicide was attractive find a reason to not only live but to work hard for him who gave his all to us. I have seen cold hard killers cry with gratitude for the love that only God can give. For that Peace that is worth more than gold.
The two that did not accept Jesus one was a Jew who might have been manic, the other was a Muslim who certainly did smile a lot. We blessed them and told them we loved them. And we meant that!
We are a Spiritual SWAT TEAM, we come in show them the love of Christ,read to them the way of salvation and we go, we come back every month and we attend weekly Bible study's with these men in Prisons. It does not matter what they did, Only that Salvation comes through Jesus. Only that we never die but live forever either with our Father or in Hell. Hell being "without God"
Tomorrow night I will be in another Prison, The Pike Unit (level 1 ) sharing the Gospel with men who will be released inside of a year, They have done there time and will be paroled, These guys when they hit the street will at least know that Jesus Loves them, Will be watching them, and will be judging them. As for me. I am the beggar that showed other where to find bread, that bread of life.
God Bless
Rick
We had 22 out of 24 men come to Christ. Will they stick? Will they be Pilgrims on the WAY? or will they fall? I have seen the weak become strong and the strong become weak. I have seen Miracles where men who had no one working for there release men who had years yet to serve, I have seen them released within 2 years of accepting Jesus as there savior. I have seen men, who suicide was attractive find a reason to not only live but to work hard for him who gave his all to us. I have seen cold hard killers cry with gratitude for the love that only God can give. For that Peace that is worth more than gold.
The two that did not accept Jesus one was a Jew who might have been manic, the other was a Muslim who certainly did smile a lot. We blessed them and told them we loved them. And we meant that!
We are a Spiritual SWAT TEAM, we come in show them the love of Christ,read to them the way of salvation and we go, we come back every month and we attend weekly Bible study's with these men in Prisons. It does not matter what they did, Only that Salvation comes through Jesus. Only that we never die but live forever either with our Father or in Hell. Hell being "without God"
Tomorrow night I will be in another Prison, The Pike Unit (level 1 ) sharing the Gospel with men who will be released inside of a year, They have done there time and will be paroled, These guys when they hit the street will at least know that Jesus Loves them, Will be watching them, and will be judging them. As for me. I am the beggar that showed other where to find bread, that bread of life.
God Bless
Rick
Saturday, April 28, 2007
I am Tired, but happy
It's 12:16 AM, Friday night.
This is the weekend for the spring KERYX Prison Ministry at the Chippewa Facility, which is a level 3 with level 4 inmates., We spend 4 days locked inside Prisons for 15 hours a day, Bringing the word of Christ to Men in chains. I should be sleeping on my cot at the Assembly of God church in Kinross Michigan or discussing Theology with my Brethren right now, But instead I am printing out Agape Gifts for the Inmates. The Prison notified us that we can no longer take team photos of the outside volunteer's with the Inmates, so I am making a word doc as a remembrance of who was there that has all of our names and what our tasks were that weekend. Seeing that some men travel Hundreds of miles to be the hands of Christ and I am only 35 miles from the Prison that I was asked to do this task. So I drove home at 9:00 and here I are, AND I am pleased to do that.
At Chippewa Correctional this is our 26th weekend bring men to a personal relationship with God through Christ. That's 650 men, some don't stay with God, most do, in the general population the recidivism rate is around 68% ours is around 25%. Though we are not there to get them out, our make their lives a subject of Movies. It is to proclaim the word of God for 4 days and them we are gone, and then come back for weekly Bible study's and monthly Group sharing.
I am Tired and have 4 days to go.
We men of Chippewa Area Keryx do this right now in 4 Prisons, There are other groups in Michigan that also minister to 5 other Prisons.
The Miracles I have seen.
God is good
May God, Bless you
Rick
This is the weekend for the spring KERYX Prison Ministry at the Chippewa Facility, which is a level 3 with level 4 inmates., We spend 4 days locked inside Prisons for 15 hours a day, Bringing the word of Christ to Men in chains. I should be sleeping on my cot at the Assembly of God church in Kinross Michigan or discussing Theology with my Brethren right now, But instead I am printing out Agape Gifts for the Inmates. The Prison notified us that we can no longer take team photos of the outside volunteer's with the Inmates, so I am making a word doc as a remembrance of who was there that has all of our names and what our tasks were that weekend. Seeing that some men travel Hundreds of miles to be the hands of Christ and I am only 35 miles from the Prison that I was asked to do this task. So I drove home at 9:00 and here I are, AND I am pleased to do that.
At Chippewa Correctional this is our 26th weekend bring men to a personal relationship with God through Christ. That's 650 men, some don't stay with God, most do, in the general population the recidivism rate is around 68% ours is around 25%. Though we are not there to get them out, our make their lives a subject of Movies. It is to proclaim the word of God for 4 days and them we are gone, and then come back for weekly Bible study's and monthly Group sharing.
I am Tired and have 4 days to go.
We men of Chippewa Area Keryx do this right now in 4 Prisons, There are other groups in Michigan that also minister to 5 other Prisons.
The Miracles I have seen.
God is good
May God, Bless you
Rick
Monday, April 9, 2007
The Pasion of the Christ
I awoke Easter Morning at 4 AM, It was dark and overcast here in Northern Michigan. I let the dogs out and went down to the rec room and searched for my copy of the Passion of the Christ. Went back up stairs let the dogs back in settled into my recliner wrapped up in a cuddle blanket and was immediately in the Garden of Gethsemane. The house was quiet like a tomb, It was dark and tears fell as they abused our Savior.
Tears, Gratitude and love. What Jesus offers to us all. But then again these things are offered but what is required of us?
Mathew 7: 15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21"Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Revelations 3: 14 These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
To many People who call themselves Christian feel they only need to Love and be good, They discard the requirements of Salvation and of works in the name of Jesus for our Father out of Love and Obedience.
Fear God, Means just that, Fear God. And in Reverence, Love, Obedience and Respect we serve him. Adonai Our God.
As the sky lightened I noticed it was the color of dirty water, Kind of depressing, and as I thought about the Worships in Preparation for Easter, Maundy Thursday, The Easter Vigil, The Saturday night service and Easter, My heart lightened, God is near, God is here, His Spirit is everywhere.
May God Bless You
Rick
Tears, Gratitude and love. What Jesus offers to us all. But then again these things are offered but what is required of us?
Mathew 7: 15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21"Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Revelations 3: 14 These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
To many People who call themselves Christian feel they only need to Love and be good, They discard the requirements of Salvation and of works in the name of Jesus for our Father out of Love and Obedience.
Fear God, Means just that, Fear God. And in Reverence, Love, Obedience and Respect we serve him. Adonai Our God.
As the sky lightened I noticed it was the color of dirty water, Kind of depressing, and as I thought about the Worships in Preparation for Easter, Maundy Thursday, The Easter Vigil, The Saturday night service and Easter, My heart lightened, God is near, God is here, His Spirit is everywhere.
May God Bless You
Rick
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Lutheran Liturgy, is a Balm to my soul
I was born a LUTHERAN, I remember as a child of nine leaving church and having this warm feeling rush over me, tingling, Did not know it then that was the Holy Spirit, But I had a thought that it was. And through my life worshiping with my grandmother Helen. I loved sitting with her and reciting the Liturgy. I love Lutheran Liturgy, and now we have the NEW Red book ( My Pastor refuses to call it red, she calls it Cranberry) I think I might like the red book as long as it isn't Blasphemy. We cant de-gender the Creeds and the Lords Prayer.
I have thought deeply of quitting Luther, and joining the Baptist or even the Evangelical Free Church. I desire worshiping in a church where there are absolutes. Good/Evil, Salvation/damnation. I want to go to a church where I can hear that Salvation is a gift from God and that through his son alone we find Heaven. I want to worship in a Christian Church and not a inclusive bastardization of whatever feels good now.
I love singing contemporary hymns, I love raising my arms high in Praise, I love shouting," Praise Jesus," "Amen," and "Thank you God" during service,
You see, I have seen behind the curtain, I have worshiped with my brothers at many multi Denominational services. The men I worship with, from all different churches from all over Michigan, are my family. We Minister in Prisons together, over 50 of us. God is Good, All the time, All the time, God is good. I love those guys.
But I'll stay Lutheran, Why? The Liturgy.
And now I know something else. I know that in the coming years I can become a voter during Synod Assembly, and I Pray that I can help Keep the ELCA from becoming a non Christian church.
Salem
Rick
I have thought deeply of quitting Luther, and joining the Baptist or even the Evangelical Free Church. I desire worshiping in a church where there are absolutes. Good/Evil, Salvation/damnation. I want to go to a church where I can hear that Salvation is a gift from God and that through his son alone we find Heaven. I want to worship in a Christian Church and not a inclusive bastardization of whatever feels good now.
I love singing contemporary hymns, I love raising my arms high in Praise, I love shouting," Praise Jesus," "Amen," and "Thank you God" during service,
You see, I have seen behind the curtain, I have worshiped with my brothers at many multi Denominational services. The men I worship with, from all different churches from all over Michigan, are my family. We Minister in Prisons together, over 50 of us. God is Good, All the time, All the time, God is good. I love those guys.
But I'll stay Lutheran, Why? The Liturgy.
And now I know something else. I know that in the coming years I can become a voter during Synod Assembly, and I Pray that I can help Keep the ELCA from becoming a non Christian church.
Salem
Rick
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Wheres the meat
I find it wrong, the latest Quiznos commercial, the two pretty girls at the end of the commercial allude to a sexual connotation. If your old enough to remember the old Wendy's commercial where the grandmother yells, " Where's the BEEF!" I guess some folks really want to know, where is the Meat!
That is what I see in the Lutheran Church, Where's the Meat. We certainly have filler, Pastors following the path of not preaching the Gospel because it might make someone not feel accepted.
We have lard, Pastors preaching Social injustice, Environment, or Sexual ordination rather than Salvation, Condemnation, Forgiveness, or what I see as the most important task in the church today,,,,,,Teaching
"A Relationship with God."
The Church today forgets what they are on earth for. To bring people to God, Through Christ Jesus.
To Proclaim Salvation, to literally save souls.
If your Lutheran I want to ask you, Is there a Bible in your pews? Do you or your congregation believe in hell, and if so what are you doing to Work Out Your Salvation? Do you worship God, or do you worship Luther?
And If your a Pastor, When you die, and are walking into heaven will you look down at the souls you recognize in hell from your life, and what will you do when they scream out, " Why did you not tell us about the requirements for salvation?" Ezekiel 3 chapter.
Maranatha
Rick Weiss
That is what I see in the Lutheran Church, Where's the Meat. We certainly have filler, Pastors following the path of not preaching the Gospel because it might make someone not feel accepted.
We have lard, Pastors preaching Social injustice, Environment, or Sexual ordination rather than Salvation, Condemnation, Forgiveness, or what I see as the most important task in the church today,,,,,,Teaching
"A Relationship with God."
The Church today forgets what they are on earth for. To bring people to God, Through Christ Jesus.
To Proclaim Salvation, to literally save souls.
If your Lutheran I want to ask you, Is there a Bible in your pews? Do you or your congregation believe in hell, and if so what are you doing to Work Out Your Salvation? Do you worship God, or do you worship Luther?
And If your a Pastor, When you die, and are walking into heaven will you look down at the souls you recognize in hell from your life, and what will you do when they scream out, " Why did you not tell us about the requirements for salvation?" Ezekiel 3 chapter.
Maranatha
Rick Weiss
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