It has been a long and winding road. It has been awhile since I have last thrown anything onto this electric screen to see what may stick.
Prison work has kept me busy, but to my great joy I have been working on outside prison teams along with my peeps all 35 plus of us leading the churched to salvation. How Holy Spirit uses us for God glory is nothing short than amazing.
I begin next week teaching a Lay school class, " The Holy Spirit and the Church in Mission". This is a joint Lutheran / Presbyterian class and I intend to shake things up because I do not see nether the Holy Spirit nor Mission work in Lutheran churches today, at least not here in the Hinterlands. I greatly Appreciate what the larger church has done in mission though. The ELCA does a fine job in reaching the least of these in the world. It is the dry bones of local churches though that is a real problem.
Im my case do I stay and divide a church to bring them into reconciliation with God? or do I leave? And If I leave how can I a Christian continue to be a Lutheran Christian and remain faithful to Abba?
As a Lutheran for 56 years and a member of the Zion Church council for 25 years to whom shall I go? Who has the words of eternal life?
To God be all Glory
Amen
Rick Weiss 2-14-09
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Friday, September 5, 2008
Liberals cannot understand real Christians
What Liberals cannot understand is that real Christians, People of the way, so to speak, Are to be much like Islamic bombers in that we are to completely give our lives over to our God, give our lives in loving sacrifice. This We call "Dieing to Self".
Yeah sure I for one get pissed blogging and call others names, This is huge problem and maybe I should quit Blogging.
How Christlike when I call others names? ( though a horse turd is a horse turd no matter what a person calls it)
The point is how Lib's cannot understand Sarah Palin, Being Pro-Life, against polluting very young children's minds with sex ed. and YET still love and support her daughter while she is an unwed expectant mother.
It seems normal for Kids to have sex even when they know the consequences, our sex drives are that powerful during puberty. Pregnancy and STD's are remote in kids minds when the hormones rage against moral backbone.
It is ALL about loving the Sinner and hating the Sin.
I am reminded of this when people say that "" I am Catholic but do not believe in Catholic doctrine."" UM that would make that person not a catholic but a Protestant who attends a Catholic Church. :)
Sarah is a breath of fresh air in this Shait hole called Washington politics, and I believe that she will run into stone walls but at least some people will learn how to use a moral measuring stick.
Anyway. I'll be in Prison on Sunday, Level 2,, Pray for me, a sinner who gets back on his feet and trucks on following the Way of the Christ Jesus.
Yeah sure I for one get pissed blogging and call others names, This is huge problem and maybe I should quit Blogging.
How Christlike when I call others names? ( though a horse turd is a horse turd no matter what a person calls it)
The point is how Lib's cannot understand Sarah Palin, Being Pro-Life, against polluting very young children's minds with sex ed. and YET still love and support her daughter while she is an unwed expectant mother.
It seems normal for Kids to have sex even when they know the consequences, our sex drives are that powerful during puberty. Pregnancy and STD's are remote in kids minds when the hormones rage against moral backbone.
It is ALL about loving the Sinner and hating the Sin.
I am reminded of this when people say that "" I am Catholic but do not believe in Catholic doctrine."" UM that would make that person not a catholic but a Protestant who attends a Catholic Church. :)
Sarah is a breath of fresh air in this Shait hole called Washington politics, and I believe that she will run into stone walls but at least some people will learn how to use a moral measuring stick.
Anyway. I'll be in Prison on Sunday, Level 2,, Pray for me, a sinner who gets back on his feet and trucks on following the Way of the Christ Jesus.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Will Lutherans die to sin or die as a Church
I can understand why the Episcopel Church is dieing and all the Christians are leaving, This is not unique to the Episcopalians, the Lutherans will be following down the path of Fuzzy Kitten Theology also albeit at a more leisurely pace.
The big brained thinkers who are steering these churches en masse must have rejected the teachings of the Christ for the teachings of Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep from the movie “Defending your life”. Where you go to a hire plain only because of how you lived your life as a good person who projected themselves into secular living.
This following of the secular churches take only parts of the teachings of the Christ Jesus and are closer to Humanist teachings than Christian Teaching. An example is Love, Love, Love, Love. And yet the loving aspect that Jesus taught was not a direct teaching but the fruits of his teachings. Love your neighbor has gone from being number 2 after loving God to supplant God altogether.
When one looks at those times when the Jews themselves were worshiping self rather than Yahweh, Jesus came to bring them back Into the fold, into reconciliation which I like to think of as realignment or in friendship with God. Jesus taught that a relationship with God, obedience to God and living for God was tantamount to be a member of the chosen peoples, and that he him self was the way, the truth and the light, which no one could come to the Father God, Abba except through him.
Many ministers in churches today do not teach this, they put there faith in the many rivers one ocean philosophy where all people go to heaven, which is just to opposite of the teachings of Jesus. The Episcopalians go a little further in that they are All inclusive of All peoples to even let those who promote a sinful life to be Ordained Clergy .
Now as a Yooper Theologian I have to say that Christianity is meant to be ALL INCLUSIVE, all are welcome to come to the father, BUT Salvation is a whole different matter you actually have to move toward God to receive that free gift, You have to first accept Jesus as your savior and then once you die to self, you fulfill the other requirements of a relationship with God out of Love, Humility and Gratitude.
The Gay clergy Issue is just the opposite, It’s like Joel Osteen preaches. “It’s all about you.”
The requirements of teachers is so severe that people who go to Christian seminary should be quaking in the boots that if they preach a false doctrine they will be severely punished by God and yet they do so Ignorantly because many Ministers have never studied the Bible, There teachers in Seminary taught secular theology that came from feel good , I’m a good person, love your neighbor psychology.
The Rev. Canon William Logan, 88, of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Detroit who supports the direction, of gay and lesbian rights similar to the context of the struggles of African-Americans and immigrant groups. Might as well go up to his own alter and spit a glob of goo onto the Cross of Christ, Not for supporting gay men and women which are certainly our brothers and sisters in need of fellowship with all believers in Christ but because of his fuzzy Kitten view of the Gospels.
The Rev. Logan sympathizes with conservative congregations saying "I don't want to dismiss someone else's dearly held beliefs." Umm HELLO Rev….It is your job, it is in your vows, IT is your calling from the Christ himself for you to do exactly that. I wonder, at what point in this mans life did he disregard the gospel of truth for the gospel of the itching ears?
Some issue of the Episcopalians and also the Lutherans are these,
Is Jesus the only means of salvation, or are there other legitimate paths? DUH !!
Is the Bible the literal word of God or man's word about God? DUH! DUH!!
Is premarital sex OK? Duh again.
It is Ignorance of the Bible or wanton disregard and the desire to bastardize Gods word that leads these so called ministers towards the road of damnation.
The Rev. Jonathan Sams of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Troy , Who wrote a blazingly sincere letter chastising the FreePress, himself could use a little more Bible and a lot less fuzzy warmth of those kittens from hell. His diocese did adopt a series of liberal changes that clashed with biblical tradition and if the good reverend really believes that such behavior is not compatible with the teachings of Christ or with Anglican tradition I have to advise Rev. Sams that he might want to change from calling himself a Christian to calling himself a Humanist.
It is not rocket science, Love your Lord you God with all your heart, mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. These people of the Episcopal church have thrown God out with the sweepings on the floor. So that they can be perceived as enlightened, much like the Gnostic 1900 years ago.
The big brained thinkers who are steering these churches en masse must have rejected the teachings of the Christ for the teachings of Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep from the movie “Defending your life”. Where you go to a hire plain only because of how you lived your life as a good person who projected themselves into secular living.
This following of the secular churches take only parts of the teachings of the Christ Jesus and are closer to Humanist teachings than Christian Teaching. An example is Love, Love, Love, Love. And yet the loving aspect that Jesus taught was not a direct teaching but the fruits of his teachings. Love your neighbor has gone from being number 2 after loving God to supplant God altogether.
When one looks at those times when the Jews themselves were worshiping self rather than Yahweh, Jesus came to bring them back Into the fold, into reconciliation which I like to think of as realignment or in friendship with God. Jesus taught that a relationship with God, obedience to God and living for God was tantamount to be a member of the chosen peoples, and that he him self was the way, the truth and the light, which no one could come to the Father God, Abba except through him.
Many ministers in churches today do not teach this, they put there faith in the many rivers one ocean philosophy where all people go to heaven, which is just to opposite of the teachings of Jesus. The Episcopalians go a little further in that they are All inclusive of All peoples to even let those who promote a sinful life to be Ordained Clergy .
Now as a Yooper Theologian I have to say that Christianity is meant to be ALL INCLUSIVE, all are welcome to come to the father, BUT Salvation is a whole different matter you actually have to move toward God to receive that free gift, You have to first accept Jesus as your savior and then once you die to self, you fulfill the other requirements of a relationship with God out of Love, Humility and Gratitude.
The Gay clergy Issue is just the opposite, It’s like Joel Osteen preaches. “It’s all about you.”
The requirements of teachers is so severe that people who go to Christian seminary should be quaking in the boots that if they preach a false doctrine they will be severely punished by God and yet they do so Ignorantly because many Ministers have never studied the Bible, There teachers in Seminary taught secular theology that came from feel good , I’m a good person, love your neighbor psychology.
The Rev. Canon William Logan, 88, of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Detroit who supports the direction, of gay and lesbian rights similar to the context of the struggles of African-Americans and immigrant groups. Might as well go up to his own alter and spit a glob of goo onto the Cross of Christ, Not for supporting gay men and women which are certainly our brothers and sisters in need of fellowship with all believers in Christ but because of his fuzzy Kitten view of the Gospels.
The Rev. Logan sympathizes with conservative congregations saying "I don't want to dismiss someone else's dearly held beliefs." Umm HELLO Rev….It is your job, it is in your vows, IT is your calling from the Christ himself for you to do exactly that. I wonder, at what point in this mans life did he disregard the gospel of truth for the gospel of the itching ears?
Some issue of the Episcopalians and also the Lutherans are these,
Is Jesus the only means of salvation, or are there other legitimate paths? DUH !!
Is the Bible the literal word of God or man's word about God? DUH! DUH!!
Is premarital sex OK? Duh again.
It is Ignorance of the Bible or wanton disregard and the desire to bastardize Gods word that leads these so called ministers towards the road of damnation.
The Rev. Jonathan Sams of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Troy , Who wrote a blazingly sincere letter chastising the FreePress, himself could use a little more Bible and a lot less fuzzy warmth of those kittens from hell. His diocese did adopt a series of liberal changes that clashed with biblical tradition and if the good reverend really believes that such behavior is not compatible with the teachings of Christ or with Anglican tradition I have to advise Rev. Sams that he might want to change from calling himself a Christian to calling himself a Humanist.
It is not rocket science, Love your Lord you God with all your heart, mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. These people of the Episcopal church have thrown God out with the sweepings on the floor. So that they can be perceived as enlightened, much like the Gnostic 1900 years ago.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
More hot ELCA SEX
More Sexuality stuff, So what would Jesus do?
In many of today's churches it is all about being of the world, a major sin to be sure, for we are to be in the world baptizing in the name of the Lord not hugging trees and ordaining gay and Transgendered people.
We seem to forget that Jesus when he taught had to reach Millennium's into the future to reach way past this generation.
So yes we love our neighbor, 24/7/365. but what if your neighbor kills your family, do you still love that neighbor? I say this because I know people who have forgiven the murderer of their loved ones. It is the most Christ Like life a person can have.
I say this in the extreme because just as we are to love our neighbor does not mean we have to like them or even talk to them. we need to help them when needed, especially to find Jesus. So we are open to all peoples to worship with us, offer to know the Christ, and we pray share and hug, we love. but we are not called to accept sin. We are not called to tell them it is ok to sin.
But do we accuse? Do we JUDGE?
Now I'm a judgement guy, I believe we cannot help people unless we judge them. Not to accuse or belittle but to access, help, and love.
We are to tell them that sex outside of marriage according to the Bible is a sin, one man, one woman. And that is it. We all sin, who is better than another? Only one is good and that is the father.
I sin every day, There are two kinds of Christians, those who sin and liars. I do not want to sin but I recognize and act on sin I do not rationalize it as something else.
Repent and Move on. So what if gay people say they are born that way and so it is ok to have sex in sin.
Well, I was born an alcoholic, I cannot change that fact, so I can either drink and hurt myself and those I love, Or I can abstain and not only turn from that sin which hurts me, but I have the chance to help others.
This came to me in Prayer recently, DO I love God, really love God,,,,,More than the sin I am committing??
I felt as Holy Spirit rushed over me at that moment that I wanted to desire God, Desire Jesus MORE than the sin I was committing.
So I view all people who are working toward ordination of gay people to being opposed to God, they are putting the world, sin and self ahead of God.... Not some plaster figure on a cross, But the LIVING GOD.
They adhere to fuzzy kitten theology, where we all live in a field of daisy's. They do not know the Bible, they do not know God and most Probably have not been baptized by Blood and Spirit.
If you truly believe in Adonai our God, shake with fear and humility. get on your knees and worship in love and ask for mercy. In Love, the God who died for you on the cross, will tell you in a quiet voice,
This is not your home, live a live devoted to our Father. Die to self daily and in Love and Humility love your neighbor as yourself.
We are not to burn these people at the stake, If they worship with you and still live in sin, even the heterosexuals, state Biblical truth to them once. Do not thump them with the Bible, Tell them once. They will either turn from sin or not, THAT is between them and God, It is up to each of us to work out our salvation.
We are asked to live the Gospel, and to share the good news. Tell them the truth, then love them into the Kingdom of God.
Amen
In many of today's churches it is all about being of the world, a major sin to be sure, for we are to be in the world baptizing in the name of the Lord not hugging trees and ordaining gay and Transgendered people.
We seem to forget that Jesus when he taught had to reach Millennium's into the future to reach way past this generation.
So yes we love our neighbor, 24/7/365. but what if your neighbor kills your family, do you still love that neighbor? I say this because I know people who have forgiven the murderer of their loved ones. It is the most Christ Like life a person can have.
I say this in the extreme because just as we are to love our neighbor does not mean we have to like them or even talk to them. we need to help them when needed, especially to find Jesus. So we are open to all peoples to worship with us, offer to know the Christ, and we pray share and hug, we love. but we are not called to accept sin. We are not called to tell them it is ok to sin.
But do we accuse? Do we JUDGE?
Now I'm a judgement guy, I believe we cannot help people unless we judge them. Not to accuse or belittle but to access, help, and love.
We are to tell them that sex outside of marriage according to the Bible is a sin, one man, one woman. And that is it. We all sin, who is better than another? Only one is good and that is the father.
I sin every day, There are two kinds of Christians, those who sin and liars. I do not want to sin but I recognize and act on sin I do not rationalize it as something else.
Repent and Move on. So what if gay people say they are born that way and so it is ok to have sex in sin.
Well, I was born an alcoholic, I cannot change that fact, so I can either drink and hurt myself and those I love, Or I can abstain and not only turn from that sin which hurts me, but I have the chance to help others.
This came to me in Prayer recently, DO I love God, really love God,,,,,More than the sin I am committing??
I felt as Holy Spirit rushed over me at that moment that I wanted to desire God, Desire Jesus MORE than the sin I was committing.
So I view all people who are working toward ordination of gay people to being opposed to God, they are putting the world, sin and self ahead of God.... Not some plaster figure on a cross, But the LIVING GOD.
They adhere to fuzzy kitten theology, where we all live in a field of daisy's. They do not know the Bible, they do not know God and most Probably have not been baptized by Blood and Spirit.
If you truly believe in Adonai our God, shake with fear and humility. get on your knees and worship in love and ask for mercy. In Love, the God who died for you on the cross, will tell you in a quiet voice,
This is not your home, live a live devoted to our Father. Die to self daily and in Love and Humility love your neighbor as yourself.
We are not to burn these people at the stake, If they worship with you and still live in sin, even the heterosexuals, state Biblical truth to them once. Do not thump them with the Bible, Tell them once. They will either turn from sin or not, THAT is between them and God, It is up to each of us to work out our salvation.
We are asked to live the Gospel, and to share the good news. Tell them the truth, then love them into the Kingdom of God.
Amen
Friday, June 27, 2008
SEX, SEX, SEX,SEX,SEX
I guess my picture does look like the Feds are coming to arrest me. ( long story)
I like SEX, Alot.
A joke, a guy named Sean brags in the bar that he gets all the sex he needs, his mate says, wot? I hardly knew you with a woman,,,,,,Don't need no woman said Sean, I got the Internet.
At the ELCA Synod convention I went to my first Lutheran CORE meeting, ( It was not well attended) AND there were spy's!!!!, my pastorette Tari and a pastor from Houghton and one from Escanaba. SEX, UGH,,,not in my church,,, Core is cool, Im up wit dem. I love Gay people, I feel for them, I really do, and I wish the gay marrige ban in Michigan would have left them with the ability for civel unions.
So at the ELCA sexuality hearing in Cheboygan yesterday I was prepared top read a whole page, and so I stepped on up to the microphone and found I was literally only able to say a small bit,,,,,Guess Holy Spirit wanted me to say only a little. and I said this
The study states that “The past six or seven decades have seen immense changes in every aspect of human life, including human sexuality. The sexuality study seeks to describe the social realities of this age and to address them pastorally.”
It seems to me that many Clergy in the ELCA believe that Gods church needs to change to conform to social norms. In the past the social norms in America was that Slavery of Africans was Permissible. True Christians and not Pseudo Christians were steadfast in there belief that Slavery was evil. The same can be said for Nazi Germany, The Lutheran and Catholic churches adopted the social norms of the times.
As Christ bearers in this world we are called to be set apart, holy, sanctified. We are not to adopt that which is of the world while disregarding the Word of God.
With Sex being the focus in the ELCA now I guess Interesting times are upon us. I wonder though, my Pastor kept stepping up to add or question small differences in the wording of the study, she wants the word baptism added and I wonder if she knows the difference between Baptism by water, by Blood, and by Spirit. I get the feeling she might not.
In Christ
Rick
I like SEX, Alot.
A joke, a guy named Sean brags in the bar that he gets all the sex he needs, his mate says, wot? I hardly knew you with a woman,,,,,,Don't need no woman said Sean, I got the Internet.
At the ELCA Synod convention I went to my first Lutheran CORE meeting, ( It was not well attended) AND there were spy's!!!!, my pastorette Tari and a pastor from Houghton and one from Escanaba. SEX, UGH,,,not in my church,,, Core is cool, Im up wit dem. I love Gay people, I feel for them, I really do, and I wish the gay marrige ban in Michigan would have left them with the ability for civel unions.
So at the ELCA sexuality hearing in Cheboygan yesterday I was prepared top read a whole page, and so I stepped on up to the microphone and found I was literally only able to say a small bit,,,,,Guess Holy Spirit wanted me to say only a little. and I said this
The study states that “The past six or seven decades have seen immense changes in every aspect of human life, including human sexuality. The sexuality study seeks to describe the social realities of this age and to address them pastorally.”
It seems to me that many Clergy in the ELCA believe that Gods church needs to change to conform to social norms. In the past the social norms in America was that Slavery of Africans was Permissible. True Christians and not Pseudo Christians were steadfast in there belief that Slavery was evil. The same can be said for Nazi Germany, The Lutheran and Catholic churches adopted the social norms of the times.
As Christ bearers in this world we are called to be set apart, holy, sanctified. We are not to adopt that which is of the world while disregarding the Word of God.
With Sex being the focus in the ELCA now I guess Interesting times are upon us. I wonder though, my Pastor kept stepping up to add or question small differences in the wording of the study, she wants the word baptism added and I wonder if she knows the difference between Baptism by water, by Blood, and by Spirit. I get the feeling she might not.
In Christ
Rick
Where am I?
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.
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.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
I know what the bible says, but I believe this, PART II
My Friend Jeff Peterson wrote this as a Agape talk on a Keryx weekend, It is my belief also am proud to post it here.
Have you been broken? That’s what this bread in Communion signifies as we break it. God sent his son to be broken for our sins. Understanding that God is truly sovereign. Understanding that we are indeed free. Grace falls like rain on our sinful heads.
But also understanding that our freedom never takes precedence over God’s freedom. Also understanding that biblical freedom isn’t about doing whatever we want – biblical freedom is about being free from the curse of sin – that what Jesus was talking about in John 8 when He said, “"If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Then the Jews respond right away by saying they have never been in bondage. Oh? What about Egypt? And Jesus goes on to say they slaves to sin and they serve their father the devil. That was a hard teaching for them, for sure.
You can repent and believe that Jesus died for your sins and you can believe that He will save you. If you do that now, come forward to Accept the Christ Jesus as your personal savior. NOT in front of man but truly, honestly between you and God.
The Shorter Catechism based on the Westminster Confession of Faith starts off with a question.
What is the chief end of man? Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. The Scriptural basis for that? 1 Corinthians 10:31: So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Psalm 73:24-26 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. John 17:22 and 24: The glory that you have given me, I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,….. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
That’s our charge – to give glory to our Father.
As we walk through life the Holy Spirit will testify to us about Jesus as Jesus testified about Himself in a passage from Luke chapter 24. Two men are on the road to Emmaus and Scripture says: 13That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17And he said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" 19 And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." 25 And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29but they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?" 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.”
Jesus will be revealed to us as we walk with Him. But when we sin, we’re not walking with Him. I had a lousy week spiritually. I had a Romans 7 week. Why do I do the things I know I should not do and why do I not do the things I know I should? Paul beat me to it by 1900-some years. When I’m being disobedient, I find I’m not learning about Jesus. How can I learn about Him when my eyes are off Him? I’ve called out for mercy this week, trust me. Like Paul. Oh, wretched man that I am, who will save me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
God, be merciful to me, a sinner. Luke 18:13. That’s me. That’s all of us, if we’re honest. If we understand we serve a sovereign God. Scripture says “He reigns.” Present tense. I take comfort in that. But I also tremble. That means He knows what I’m doing and will deal with my rebellion how He sees fit.
Remember 1 Cor 12:12-27. And consider this – God heard what you prayed, he see’s what you do.
Does not the potter have rights over the clay? You might say that’s a bad example – we’re more than clay and God is more than a potter. Your objection isn’t with me then, it’s with the Apostle Paul and the prophet Isaiah, the human authors of Scripture, and ultimately with Almighty God, who 2 Timothy 3 says breathed out ALL Scripture? Paul and Isaiah both use the potter and the clay examples. God heard what you prayed here today and in His sovereignty He will choose to respond however He sees fit and our response to His response should be to glorify Him whatever that response may be. I pray you are ready for Him to answer. I also pray we are ready to receive each other’s answers.
I know what the bible says, but I believe this, PART II
Have you been broken? That’s what this bread in Communion signifies as we break it. God sent his son to be broken for our sins. Understanding that God is truly sovereign. Understanding that we are indeed free. Grace falls like rain on our sinful heads.
But also understanding that our freedom never takes precedence over God’s freedom. Also understanding that biblical freedom isn’t about doing whatever we want – biblical freedom is about being free from the curse of sin – that what Jesus was talking about in John 8 when He said, “"If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Then the Jews respond right away by saying they have never been in bondage. Oh? What about Egypt? And Jesus goes on to say they slaves to sin and they serve their father the devil. That was a hard teaching for them, for sure.
You can repent and believe that Jesus died for your sins and you can believe that He will save you. If you do that now, come forward to Accept the Christ Jesus as your personal savior. NOT in front of man but truly, honestly between you and God.
The Shorter Catechism based on the Westminster Confession of Faith starts off with a question.
What is the chief end of man? Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. The Scriptural basis for that? 1 Corinthians 10:31: So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Psalm 73:24-26 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. John 17:22 and 24: The glory that you have given me, I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,….. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
That’s our charge – to give glory to our Father.
As we walk through life the Holy Spirit will testify to us about Jesus as Jesus testified about Himself in a passage from Luke chapter 24. Two men are on the road to Emmaus and Scripture says: 13That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17And he said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" 19 And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." 25 And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29but they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?" 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.”
Jesus will be revealed to us as we walk with Him. But when we sin, we’re not walking with Him. I had a lousy week spiritually. I had a Romans 7 week. Why do I do the things I know I should not do and why do I not do the things I know I should? Paul beat me to it by 1900-some years. When I’m being disobedient, I find I’m not learning about Jesus. How can I learn about Him when my eyes are off Him? I’ve called out for mercy this week, trust me. Like Paul. Oh, wretched man that I am, who will save me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
God, be merciful to me, a sinner. Luke 18:13. That’s me. That’s all of us, if we’re honest. If we understand we serve a sovereign God. Scripture says “He reigns.” Present tense. I take comfort in that. But I also tremble. That means He knows what I’m doing and will deal with my rebellion how He sees fit.
Remember 1 Cor 12:12-27. And consider this – God heard what you prayed, he see’s what you do.
Does not the potter have rights over the clay? You might say that’s a bad example – we’re more than clay and God is more than a potter. Your objection isn’t with me then, it’s with the Apostle Paul and the prophet Isaiah, the human authors of Scripture, and ultimately with Almighty God, who 2 Timothy 3 says breathed out ALL Scripture? Paul and Isaiah both use the potter and the clay examples. God heard what you prayed here today and in His sovereignty He will choose to respond however He sees fit and our response to His response should be to glorify Him whatever that response may be. I pray you are ready for Him to answer. I also pray we are ready to receive each other’s answers.
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
Saturday, August 11, 2007
A Gay time in Chicago
As a Christian who was raised in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod till we move to the U.P. and now a ELCA Christian since 1963, I am now concerned what will become of the Lutheran Church since this past week when in the ELCA Convention in Chicago, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) passed a resolution at its annual assembly urging bishops to refrain from disciplining pastors who are in "faithful committed same-gender relationships."
This passed by a vote of 538-431, What does this mean for the church? what does it mean for my church and what does it mean for me?
At Zion Lutheran here in St.Ignace our Church council president is a gay woman living in a committed relationship with another woman. I really like both women though only one of them attend church. I suppose that this vote will mean nothing physically to Zion Lutheran. Things will continue to go on as it has before.
I Imagine after the CORE convention Sept 28 some church's will split from the ELCA, how many will remain to be seen but I wonder if it will be 431 churches.
Core http://www.commonconfession.net/index2.html
What of me? I have 1 1/2 year of Lay School , I am deeply committed in a multi-Denominational Ministry in 4 prisons and have a hunger for the word of God.
Well, I will not attend a church that has a gay minister. I will still believe that what the Bible says that Homosexuality is a sin. Not so much because of scripture says verbatim but for the fact that A homosexual relationship is all about that person, And for thousands of years millenniums upon millenniums God has made it a HARD point to say it is NOT ABOUT YOU, It is about your relationship with Yahweh. So homosexuality is in defiance of Living for God and God alone.
For that Gay Community it is not only all about me, It seems they want to jam there lifestyle down our throats.
This call for Prayer, It calls for loving our gay brothers and sisters, But it also calls to God for Faithfulness.
In Messiah
Rick
This passed by a vote of 538-431, What does this mean for the church? what does it mean for my church and what does it mean for me?
At Zion Lutheran here in St.Ignace our Church council president is a gay woman living in a committed relationship with another woman. I really like both women though only one of them attend church. I suppose that this vote will mean nothing physically to Zion Lutheran. Things will continue to go on as it has before.
I Imagine after the CORE convention Sept 28 some church's will split from the ELCA, how many will remain to be seen but I wonder if it will be 431 churches.
Core http://www.commonconfession.net/index2.html
What of me? I have 1 1/2 year of Lay School , I am deeply committed in a multi-Denominational Ministry in 4 prisons and have a hunger for the word of God.
Well, I will not attend a church that has a gay minister. I will still believe that what the Bible says that Homosexuality is a sin. Not so much because of scripture says verbatim but for the fact that A homosexual relationship is all about that person, And for thousands of years millenniums upon millenniums God has made it a HARD point to say it is NOT ABOUT YOU, It is about your relationship with Yahweh. So homosexuality is in defiance of Living for God and God alone.
For that Gay Community it is not only all about me, It seems they want to jam there lifestyle down our throats.
This call for Prayer, It calls for loving our gay brothers and sisters, But it also calls to God for Faithfulness.
In Messiah
Rick
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.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
"Simul iustus et peccator"
So this months concerns, Can we truly be saved and a follower of the Christ if we continue to sin the same sins again and again? Some of my more fundamentalist friends have me guessing that. As a sinner of some renown I certainly can grasp "Simul iustus et peccator" / Simultaneously Saint and Sinner. I know how Paul felt, I do what I don't want to do. and sometimes I don't do what I want to do.
One must not make the assumption lightly that he or she is a true Christian. A false conclusion at this point is tragic and fatal. Therefore I want to set before you four strands of the Bible's answer to the question,
"What is a biblical Christian?"1. According to the Bible, a Christian is a person who has faced realistically the problem of his own personal sin.2. A biblical Christian is one who has seriously considered the divine remedy for sin.
(a) First of all, God's remedy for sin is bound up in a Person. The divine remedy for sin is bound up in a Person, and that Person is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ -the eternal Word who became man,
(b) Secondly, God's remedy for sin is center in the cross upon which Jesus Christ died.
(c) Thirdly, God's remedy for sin is adequate for all men, and it is offered to all men without discrimination.
3. A biblical Christian is one who has wholeheartedly complied with the terms for obtaining God 's provision for sin.The divine terms are two: repent and believe.
4 A biblical Christian is a person who manifests in his life that his claims to repentance and faith are real.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, "Jesus said, "but he who does the will of my Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).
In Hebrews 5:9 we read, "He be came the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him."
1 John 2:4 says, "He who says, 'I know him,' and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him".Do you repent and believe? And if you profess to repent and believe, can you make that profession stick - not by a life of perfection, but by a life of purposeful obedience to Jesus Christ?
May the God of our Faith Bless you all
One must not make the assumption lightly that he or she is a true Christian. A false conclusion at this point is tragic and fatal. Therefore I want to set before you four strands of the Bible's answer to the question,
"What is a biblical Christian?"1. According to the Bible, a Christian is a person who has faced realistically the problem of his own personal sin.2. A biblical Christian is one who has seriously considered the divine remedy for sin.
(a) First of all, God's remedy for sin is bound up in a Person. The divine remedy for sin is bound up in a Person, and that Person is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ -the eternal Word who became man,
(b) Secondly, God's remedy for sin is center in the cross upon which Jesus Christ died.
(c) Thirdly, God's remedy for sin is adequate for all men, and it is offered to all men without discrimination.
3. A biblical Christian is one who has wholeheartedly complied with the terms for obtaining God 's provision for sin.The divine terms are two: repent and believe.
4 A biblical Christian is a person who manifests in his life that his claims to repentance and faith are real.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, "Jesus said, "but he who does the will of my Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).
In Hebrews 5:9 we read, "He be came the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him."
1 John 2:4 says, "He who says, 'I know him,' and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him".Do you repent and believe? And if you profess to repent and believe, can you make that profession stick - not by a life of perfection, but by a life of purposeful obedience to Jesus Christ?
May the God of our Faith Bless you all
Thursday, June 21, 2007
On Judgment Day they'll be mighty sorry
Bible Study tonight at Chippewa Correctional Facility was, as always great. As a politically conservative man I firmly believe that you do the crime you do the time. Yet these men are paying for there sins in such a way that many do not. especially those who attend church regularly and have broken many laws or hurt people legally. It reminds me that God is watching. Always vigilant.
Of all the scripture we studied this was to me the most profound in only that the Message Bible said it so well. These men will get out someday, it will be so hard, they will be ostracized by family and friends, potential employers and even church members.
THE NIV
Mathew 10: 11"Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15 tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17"Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
The Message:
"When you enter a town or village, don't insist on staying in a luxury inn. Get a modest place with some modest people, and be content there until you leave. "When you knock on a door, be courteous in your greeting.
If they welcome you, be gentle in your conversation. If they don't welcome you, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.
You can be sure that on Judgment Day they'll be mighty sorry--but it's no concern of yours now.
"Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.
"Don't be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation--just because you believe in me.
Don't be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they've done you--and me--a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news!
And don't worry about what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.
God is watching, This life we live is no game, And yet 99% of all church goers think it is a game, and have yet to turn away from self and hold onto Jesus for there salvation.
If you died tomorrow where will you wake up? Are you sure?
Of all the scripture we studied this was to me the most profound in only that the Message Bible said it so well. These men will get out someday, it will be so hard, they will be ostracized by family and friends, potential employers and even church members.
THE NIV
Mathew 10: 11"Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15 tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17"Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
The Message:
"When you enter a town or village, don't insist on staying in a luxury inn. Get a modest place with some modest people, and be content there until you leave. "When you knock on a door, be courteous in your greeting.
If they welcome you, be gentle in your conversation. If they don't welcome you, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.
You can be sure that on Judgment Day they'll be mighty sorry--but it's no concern of yours now.
"Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.
"Don't be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation--just because you believe in me.
Don't be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they've done you--and me--a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news!
And don't worry about what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.
God is watching, This life we live is no game, And yet 99% of all church goers think it is a game, and have yet to turn away from self and hold onto Jesus for there salvation.
If you died tomorrow where will you wake up? Are you sure?
Watchman Nee
It's been awhile
I have been to busy, as a carpenter we need to make hay while the sun shines, Bible study's up in the Prison on Thursday nights have been so rewarding, I go there to be the hands of Christ and so who gets taught? :) me, It's so GREAT the exchanges of Ideas and Theology. I am reading a book by Watchman Nee The Breaking of the Outer Man and the Release of the Spirit.
When Watchman Nee was 17 years old (1920), and still a student, he went to hear an evangelist by the name of Dora Yu, who charged the people to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, a call that Watchman Nee accepted. From that day on, he consecrated himself completely to Jesus Christ and to the preaching of the Gospel in China. In the period between 1923-1949, more than 700 local churches arose with an attendance of more than 70,000. These were called House Churches. In 1952, Watchman Nee was imprisoned by the Chinese government for his faith. He remained in prison until his death twenty years later.
It's funny that I have always believed that God breaks you to use you. Watchman confirms this thought.
I probably will read the latest of the left Behind Series before tackling any more of study books such as Woodrow Krolls book " Taking back the Good Book."
Something we have been looking hard at in Prison is,,,,,Your Relationship with God our Father, Where are you? How is Your?
I have been to busy, as a carpenter we need to make hay while the sun shines, Bible study's up in the Prison on Thursday nights have been so rewarding, I go there to be the hands of Christ and so who gets taught? :) me, It's so GREAT the exchanges of Ideas and Theology. I am reading a book by Watchman Nee The Breaking of the Outer Man and the Release of the Spirit.
When Watchman Nee was 17 years old (1920), and still a student, he went to hear an evangelist by the name of Dora Yu, who charged the people to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, a call that Watchman Nee accepted. From that day on, he consecrated himself completely to Jesus Christ and to the preaching of the Gospel in China. In the period between 1923-1949, more than 700 local churches arose with an attendance of more than 70,000. These were called House Churches. In 1952, Watchman Nee was imprisoned by the Chinese government for his faith. He remained in prison until his death twenty years later.
It's funny that I have always believed that God breaks you to use you. Watchman confirms this thought.
I probably will read the latest of the left Behind Series before tackling any more of study books such as Woodrow Krolls book " Taking back the Good Book."
Something we have been looking hard at in Prison is,,,,,Your Relationship with God our Father, Where are you? How is Your?
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!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Well, I am out of Prison for a while, These 4 day lock downs are very tiring BUT It was very profitable, of the 39 candidates they all accepted Jesus as there savior. Some things happened that opened the door to a whole lot of healing, you could see God's hand in it as it unfolded, I'll Get more into this latter.
Tonight I go into Chippewa Correctional for our Thursday night Bible Study and Saturday Morning I am heading to northern Canada to fish for fish instead of men, BUT ya never know of the 10 men we fish with while me and Canada Bob read scripture, maybe, just maybe, they will also hunger for his Word.
Hope to elaborate more on the Straits weekend, It was sooooo Cool
God Bless
Rick
Tonight I go into Chippewa Correctional for our Thursday night Bible Study and Saturday Morning I am heading to northern Canada to fish for fish instead of men, BUT ya never know of the 10 men we fish with while me and Canada Bob read scripture, maybe, just maybe, they will also hunger for his Word.
Hope to elaborate more on the Straits weekend, It was sooooo Cool
God Bless
Rick
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
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
When Love comes to town
It has been a week, The Killings at Virginia Tech has rocked us all, There is so much stuff being said and is any of it relevant? I am a Christian, I follow Christ, and even though I have studied in Lay School how and who wrote the Bible, I believe without a doubt the words of Jesus. And so if there were Demons and evil spirits when Jesus walked, then did they disappear? or are they still here. Can they multiply or is the number of demons a fixed number?
Yes I believe in mental Illness and I also believe that some people are evil, and possessed. Separate and apart from Mental illness. So what to do? Trust in the Lord. Stuff will happen, always did, It's the free will thing. But in Prayer God sooths the storm or sooths the child.
This is not our home, we are just burning embers here, We are to register experiences for Gods own good, and we are to love our brothers and sisters to bring them to Christ Jesus. Mr. Cho, My God have mercy on his soul, and may he bless his family.
Evil was let loosed upon that campus, but love is the greater power, tears the healing balm, Come Holy Spirit, Bring us revival, through Christ.
Yes I believe in mental Illness and I also believe that some people are evil, and possessed. Separate and apart from Mental illness. So what to do? Trust in the Lord. Stuff will happen, always did, It's the free will thing. But in Prayer God sooths the storm or sooths the child.
This is not our home, we are just burning embers here, We are to register experiences for Gods own good, and we are to love our brothers and sisters to bring them to Christ Jesus. Mr. Cho, My God have mercy on his soul, and may he bless his family.
Evil was let loosed upon that campus, but love is the greater power, tears the healing balm, Come Holy Spirit, Bring us revival, through Christ.
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