What is the value of human life? or In Whos Hands Are You?

What is the value of human life?
People place a high value on human life. In fact most of us when asked we would say there is not much that is worth more. We would say that a murderer or some terrorist does not “value” human life and that is our way of showing how great a wrong it is. But what is the true value of a human life? In the world today there are, at last estimate, close to 7 billion humans on the earth. We often see things that are rare as having great value but human life is not rare at all, but instead there is an over abundance. But something in us (at least most of us) tells us that human life is precious. People that believe in evolution believe we are just an evolved life form, or just an animal, and that would make a human of no greater value than a cow, pig, dog, lizard, bug, or even a plant. They may argue that the thing in us that tells us that human life is precious is just a survival mechanism that has evolved in us and that animals without this have ceased to exist due to natural selection. Well that is another debate and one that I would choose to take the side of we have more value than just to “survive” as a species.
So back to the question “What is the value of life?” Some would say all people are created equal, and therefore they all have the same value. I would say we actually are all created unequal, because we are not all the same, and each of our lives will have a different value bases on how we use it. We may all have equally potential value, but it has no value as potential, it has to be put to use. In many cases this life we value so much is not used in a way that maximizes its value. So let me put it to you this way.

I have a basketball in my hands, and I am going to ask you “what is the value of this basketball?” If it is an NBA game ball it is around $90.00. If it is a Spalding T1000 it lists for about $55.00. And in my hands, even though I’m a decent basketball player, that’s all it is worth, about the cost of the ball at the local store. But if you put that same ball in Kobe Bryant’s hands or in the hands of Dirk Norwitzki it has a different value all together.

That is the same with my life. If left in my hands it has value for sure, but is it the most value that my life can be worth? You see I feel that we were each made for a purpose, and each of us has a different purpose and that’s why we are all different. And when we are used for that unique purpose we maximize our value. But when we are used for the wrong purpose our value is diminished greatly. It is like a tool that is used for the wrong job. A hammer or a saw both have great value as tools but a hammer has little value when used as a saw. Our lives are much the same as this. It is also who is in control of the tool that is important. A carpenter knows which tool to use for what purpose, but another might not know and put the tools to use for the wrong jobs and thus diminish their value. So how do place my life in the hands of someone that knows my purpose to maximize the value of my life?

Bertrand Russell a self proclaimed atheist once said “unless you assume there is a God, the question of life’s purpose is meaningless.” So I guess all you atheists can just stop reading right here. But really I don’t think that, I think atheist or God believing we all can sense that life is valuable and that there is a deeper meaning than just selfish self fulfillment. It is just hard for an Atheist to come up with the answer to the question, but the question is not meaningless. We can discover what something was made for or be used for (its purpose) by asking the one that made it. Take for example a car part. If you know nothing about cars, and you saw a piston or a valve or cam shaft it would be hard for you to determine their purpose. But if you talked to the designer of the car he could tell you how each one has value and purpose and are important when they are working together , but of little value when not used for their purpose. We are a lot like that, we have all been made for a special reason that fits into a bigger thing and when we are all operating in our purpose it will run smoothly but that has never been realized because so many of us are parts that are in rebellion to the plan and purpose of the designer.

So what did God your creator design and make you for? Colossians 1:16 says, For by Him (God) all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. So for starters you were made FOR Him, not for you. The bible says God thinks about you in this way, (Jeremiah 29:11) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. So God created with peace not evil in mind and has a hopeful future for you if you follow his plan and purpose for your life.

So what was Gods original plan for humans? In the Garden when man was created he had fellowship with God, so one of the main reason God created us is for relationship for God's own PLEASURE (for Him).

Psa 149:4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

Phl 2:13 For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.

Rev 4:11 You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.

Eze 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dies, says the Lord GOD: therefore turn [yourselves], and live.

Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

He created us to share His creation (His kingdom) with us and It brings him pleasure to do so.  But He does not force us to be with Him.  We have to want it and choose to.   

Ephesians 2:10 says, For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. So this is part of God's purpose is for us to do the good works that he places in front of us. Realization of this is the beginning of maximizing the value of your life on earth. But in the end God values our eternal life. He is concerned with if we are going to choose to spend our eternal lives with Him of without Him. Spending your life with him in the end is how to maximize your life, and we get this short physical life to make that choice.

My life in My hands has some value, but my life in GODS HANDS is priceless. The price is God's only Son. For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son. So that whoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life. God must see great value in each of us to give up so much to save us from ourselves.  Just so we can spend forever with Him.

Why Does God Allow Evil like 9/11?

Why Does God Allow Evil like 9/11?
By Rick Warren

The horrific mass murder of innocent Americans on 9/11 left all rational people shocked, angry, grief-stricken and numb. Our tears flowed freely and our hearts carried a deep ache.

With pain that is so heartfelt and so personal, it’s only natural to ask, Why does God allow such evil to happen? If God is so great and so good, why does he allow human beings to hurt each other?

The answer lies in what is both our greatest blessing and our worst curse: our capacity to make choices. God has given us a free will. Made in God's image, he has given us the freedom to decide how we will act and the ability to make moral choices. This is one asset that sets us apart from animals, but it also is the source of so much pain in our world. Every one of us is capable of making selfish, self-centered or even evil choices. Whenever that happens, people get hurt.

Sin ultimately is selfishness. I want to do what I want, not what God tells me to do. Unfortunately, sin always hurts others, not just ourselves.

God could have eliminated all evil from our world by simply removing our ability to choose. He could have made us puppets -- marionettes on strings that he pulls. By taking away our ability to choose, evil would vanish.

But God doesn't want us to be puppets. He wants to be loved and obeyed by people who freely, voluntarily choose to love him and each other. Love is not genuine if there is no other option.

Yes, God could have kept the terrorists from completing their suicidal missions. He could have short-circuited their ability to choose their own will instead of his. But, to be fair, God also would have to do that to all of us. While you and I aren't terrorists, we do hurt others with our own selfish decisions and actions.

In a world of free choices, God's will is rarely done! Doing our own will is much more common -- much easier. Don't blame God for the tragedy of 9/11. Blame people who ignored what God says to do: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

In heaven, God's will is done perfectly. That's why there is no sorrow, pain or evil there. But this is earth, a fallen, imperfect place. We must choose to do God's will every day. It isn't automatic. That is why Jesus told us to pray, "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."

The Bible explains the root of evil: "This is the crisis we're in: God's light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness ... because they were not really interested in pleasing God" (John 3:19, Message). We're far more interested in pleasing ourselves than we are in pleasing the one who made us.

Many other questions race through our minds during dark days, but the answers will not come from pollsters, pundits or politicians. We must look to God and his Word for comfort and direction, for answers to our questions. We must humble ourselves and admit that each of us often chooses to ignore what God wants us to do.

I suspect houses of worship across America have been packed this weekend, as they were the weekend after 9/11. In times of crisis we cry out to connect with our Creator. The urge is deep-seated and universal. The first words uttered by millions on Sept. 11, 2001, were, "Oh, God!"

We were made for a relationship with God, but he waits for us to choose him. He is ready to comfort, guide and direct us through our grief. But the choice is ours.


Well said Pastor Warren.

Parable Of The Krispy Kreme

Here is a funny but enlightening video by Louie Giglio.  It's called "The Gospel According to Krispy Kreme".
You see that Louie could tell you all day facts and figures and information about Krispy Kreme.  He could tell you the history of the company, and the mission statement of the company, and describe what their product is.  He could tell you how it tastes, and how they are made.  But until you actually eat one, and experience for yourself you don't really know what a Krispy Kreme is.

So in the bible we see In Luke 10:38-42, two women, Mary and Martha.  Martha has welcomed Jesus into her home in Bethany and she is busy working, and it says in Luke 10:40 "she was distracted with much serving".  At the same time Martha's sister Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus, and Martha tells Jesus "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me."  Jesus responds with "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But ONE THING is needed and Mary has chosen that good part.  Which will not be taken from her." 

You see in this that Martha does invite Jesus into her life, but there is a disconnect.  She is missing the ONE THING.  She is distracted by her work and being busy.  And she as Jesus tells us is worried and troubled about many things, even when Jesus is in her life, just like the disciples worried about the storm when Jesus was in the boat with them.  You see we might invite Him in but we don't get to know Him.  We get busy reading the bible and memorizing scripture, and we can tell everyone all the facts, about Jesus, and God.  We know the mission statement.  We know the history.  But until we sit at His feet.  Until we place Him on the thrown of our lives.  Until we finally get to a place where we realize that all the busy work we do to try to control the things we worry about, just don't quite get it done.  Until we see that the storms of life, no matter how hard we work, cannot be controlled by us.  Until we finally get to that point where we decide to surrender our lives, our problems, and worries to Jesus we are just like the guy who never tasted a Krispy Kreme. 

    Martha latter has a brother Lazarus who dies.  And no amount of work, no amount of worry, nothing in her own power could fix the problem.  At that moment she had an encounter that changes everything.  In John 11 Martha sees Jesus coming and goes out while her sister waits in the home.  Martha confronts Jesus and says "If you had been here, my brother would not have died."  At this point she has "head knowledge" of who Jesus is.  In fact she says "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.".  But when Jesus says to roll away the stone of the tomb where Lazarus is laying dead, Martha is reluctant because she thinks the body will smell.  You see she still does not fully trust, an have faith that Jesus can handle it.  She is still trying to take control of the problem.  And she does not any one to smell the stench.  We all tend to do this.  We want to keep our smelly problem under wraps, and we don't trust that Jesus can and will take care of it for us.  It is because we have never really sat at His feet.  We have never really encountered Jesus.  We are missing that ONE THING that once we have it like Mary will never be taken from us. We have never really "tasted" the Krispy Kreme.   Give it a try, once you do you will finally really KNOW what those who have experienced an encounter are talking about.

Delirious?, Riverside, CA, 11-02-2005

A very good sounding recording of a great show. The band is bringing out new material that the California fans had never heard before. There are some great moments in this show.

Delirious?

Harvest Christian Fellowship

Riverside, CA

11-02-2005

01 Intro

02 Rain Down

03 My Glorious

04 Now is The Time

05 Majesty / Break The Chains

06 History Maker

07 Miracle Maker

08 Bliss

09 Paint The Town Red

10 God In Heaven

11 I Was Blind

12 What A Friend I've Found

13 Paint The Town Red

Total Time: 73:52

http://www.mediafire.com/?jdc6ec1qu7ksuzr

Delirious? Birmingham UK 10-27-2007

This recording is the last part of a 12 song set that was played at an event called Gathering Max. It is good recording (broadcast) of a great performance. Here is a review of the show at a Delirious? fan site.   http://delirious.org.uk/document.php?id=775    My favorite part of this show is the song Majesty that then has some beautiful instrumental playing at the end and martin improvises by singing a few refrains from an REM song Everybody Hurts. Really a nice moment.

Delirious?

10/27/2007

NEC Arena

Birmingham UK

Mezzanine Floor

Radio Broadcast

Track list:

1. We Give You Praise

2. History Maker/God is Smiling

3. Paint The Town Red

4. Majesty (Here I Am)/Instrumental

5. Our God Reigns

6. Talking (incomplete)

7. God is Smiling

8. Investigate

Mp3/256k

Download Link

http://www.mediafire.com/?du52da43yhzdubv

If man were meant to fly. . . . .

Well who ever said if man were meant to fly he would have wings probably could never even imagine this stuff. I thought it was cool so I posted it


wingsuit base jumping from Ali on Vimeo.

Like Rocky the flying squirrel.   "DUUUUUUUDE! That was SICK!"

Doc Watson and the Nashville Bluegrass Band, 5-01-2005 (FM)

Here is some gospel bluegrass from Doc Watson and the Nashville Bluegrass Band. I guess this was a Sunday morning by the introduction. The first three are Doc solo and then the Nashville Bluegrass Band joins him.

Doc Watson and the Nashville Bluegrass Band

Merle Fest

Wilkes Community College

Wilkesboro, NC

Watson Stage

2005-05-01

Total time 42:39

01 Intro

02 On Praying Ground

03 I Am a Pilgrim

04 I'll Be Rested

05 Gospel Plow

06 Take Me in Your Lifeboat

07 Signs Following

08 Farther Along

09 Hush (Somebody's Calling My Name)

10 Praying Ground

11 Paul and Silas

12 No Hiding Place

Mp3/256k

http://www.filefactory.com/file/2x9kr1s3g92l/n/Merlefest_Doc_2005-05-01_rar

Michael W. Smith, Flevo Festival 8-16-2007

Michael W. Smith is one of the most prolific writers of worship songs and has written songs that are known in churches everywhere. Here is a great set including many of his best loved songs.

Michael W. Smith

Flevo Festival

Liempde

North Brabant, Netherlands

8-16-2007

01 Open The Eyes Of My Heart

02 Forever

03 Secret Ambicion

04 Cover Me

05 Michael W Smith (Church)

06 Open Arms

07 Happy Day

08 Shout Unto God

09 Michael W Smith (Cassie Bernall)

10 This Is Your Time

11 Live Forever

12 Michael W Smith (Revelation)

13 Its All About Grace

14 Healing Rain

15 Let It Rain

16 Above All

17 How Great Is Our God

18 How Great Thou Art

19 Michael W Smith (Blessings)

20 Stand

21 I Am Free

Total Time 80:07

Mp3 download

http://www.mediafire.com/?i7qtkskqwnycu37

Candi Staton, 8-07-2011 (FM)

Here is some Gospel for you. This one is Candi Stanton singing her brand of soulful Gospel and praise. Yea sister thats what I need to hear in my times of trouble "Haleluja Anyway". "You may not feel like it but say Haleluja Anyway" "Praise Him until your situtations turns around, lift your voice and say "Haleluja Anyway".

Candi Staton

New Testament Church of God

Manchester International Festival

8-07-2011

broadcast on BBC Radio 3 2011.07.12

BBC Radio 3 HD Stream

01 Feed me Jesus

02 I must tell Jesus

03 Mama

04 The Praise Choir/Talk

05 When I See Jesus

06 God can make something out of nothing

07 Bridge over troubled water

08 Haleluja anyway

Mp3/320k

http://www.filefactory.com/file/c5affbd/n/Candi_Staton_2011_07_08_rar

Fear And Intolerance The Deadly Combination

Fear And Intolerance The Deadly Combination

Well the recent violence in Norway is just another in a long line of violent events that the world has seen throughout history. In reading the comments that come after many of the on-line news stories of this event I see that people are always trying to link the guy Anders Behring Breivik to some group. I guess they do this because they want to have some understanding and with that some ways to control or predict this in the future and maybe prevent it. Some of the people commenting latched on to the fact that he claimed to be Christian and the people claimed religious extremists are always the ones doing this stuff. But we don’t have to look far to find people doing the same thing who are not religious at all such as Timothy McVeigh who said science was his religion (an Atheist), or Jared Lee Loughner who appeared to have no belief in God at all. Other claimed it was people with the right wing point of view that Breivik had that breeds this violence. But one of the people that knew Jared Lee Loughner in high school said “As I knew him he was left wing, and quite liberal.” Some of the news agencies quickly claimed that the event must have been done by Islamic terrorist, before they learned the suspect was Norwegian. And of course this event does not play into the theory that the racist guy that comments on my blog, has that paints black people as the ones who we are to fear.

This kind of thinking just plain lacks logic. Well Breivik is a 32 year old man so we should fear all 32 year old men. No that’s not it, but he is a white Norwegian so we should fear all Norwegians. Nope that won’t work. He is Christian so we should label religion as dangerous in spite of the majority of people of faiths throughout the world that love, do good, and are peaceful. You see no matter what group we try to blame there are none that are responsible as a group. It is just misguided individuals from different races, beliefs, or ideals. Crazy comes in all flavors.

The one thing that they all have in common is an intolerance of people who look different, or think differently than themselves, and often not just intolerance but a fear. What is sad and ironic is that the people who are looking to link these violent acts to a certain group of people are thinking and judging a group of people with a broad brush of fear and mistrust and going down the same illogical thought path of intolerance and fear that often brought about the violence. This kind of judgment of others is based in PRIDE. Thinking somehow that you and your group of people are above this other group and somehow immune to this pattern of violence. But in reality this is just the kind of thought that leads us down these paths of hate, and fear and doing it and talking about it causes other to do it and eventually we have some crazy person who listened to our hate and fear rhetoric and takes it to the next level of striking out in violence against the perceived fear. Or in some cases a mob yelling hang him or crucify Him. I just saw a story of a fire bomb at an abortion clinic, and commenters are saying things like "makes me want to go burn a church". Yea that makes perfect sense. 

Once we get to a place where we are controlled by fear we no longer are really in control at all. Scientific studies have shown that when fear comes into our thoughts the ability to reason leaves. We become controlled by more primitive survival parts of our brain. When I read the messages of the racist who comes to my blog, he can’t even debate with logic. He says things like “Fear not @ssh0!3” and tells me the bible say to not be afraid more than 50 times, and then in the same sentence he tells me to be afraid of all black people. Yea, that makes perfect sense. You see the bible says about those who choose to turn away from the light that is God and go toward the dark “in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness.” And it say in the last days there will be those who are “ giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.” So you see you can go to a point where you conscience is no longer in operation, and you don’t even see that what you do is wrong. So it is no surprise that when I write this stuff I attract this nonsense. The bible says it will be this way.

Fear has often been used by leaders to control the people, because it makes people unable to think clearly. They will often pick a certain group and use misinformation to vilify a group and then use fear to motivate the people to take action against them. Pretty soon they don’t even know that what they are doing is wrong, because they have no operational conscience. This is called a broken moral compass.

The problem is it starts off with pride, and then judgment of someone different, and then fear, and down the slippery slope to not even knowing how wrong we are in our prejudice of a certain group. And in the end we focus on our differences instead of our human similarity. I said this before “Looking for similarity not difference is the way to get along.” and that statement brought about a message full of name calling and profanity. Yep that seems level headed and logical. See what I mean?

I guess that is why Jesus said Fear Not. You can see in the example of Jesus that He did not fall for the segregation, hate and fear against groups of people that were part of His time. In his day it was the Samaritans, and women that were scorned and looked down upon, but Jesus went out of his way to travel through where Samaritans lived so He could talk to a Samaritan woman at a well and reveal to her who He was.

She was surprised that he would talk to her because she recognized that He was a Jew and she knew Jews did not talk to her kind. In John 4:9 she said “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. The result when Jesus crossed this social line of bigotry was He created the first woman evangelist, who shared with the others in her town about Jesus the guy who “read her mail” and about Him being the Messiah. You see Jesus was not about intolerance of others He was inclusive not exclusive. He was not about hate, He was about love. He was not about judgment of others, he was about grace, and forgiveness. And He and anyone that truly follows Him are not about violence, because he taught us to love our enemies and turn the other cheek. When the woman encountered this love that did not look down on her kind she ran to tell the people of the city. John 4:29, she said “Come, see a man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” And I today say the same thing to you COME SEE, and that is for ALL people not just the ones who look like me or think like me. Come and SEE, could He be who He claims to be?

Strange Man, Jerry Garcia Band 5-21-76

 

Jesus and the disciples condoned slavery and I’m thankful!

Jesus and the disciples condoned slavery and I’m thankful! (AZ are you crazy?)
A recent comment placed on an inappropriate post (Fortune Teller Part two) because it has nothing to do with the subject matter said this.
The children of slaves were innocent. They suffered due to the scripture regarding slavery in the Bible. This can not be denied. Did Jesus condemn the institution of slavery? He certainly didn't. His followers used language which gave tacit approval to it: Ephesians 6:5-9: Colossians 4:1: 1 Timothy 6:1-3 Does all morality stem from the Bible? No, secular society has outlawed slavery. Is the Bible literally true? If so, Ephesians 6:5-9: is the perfect justification for slavery. We now believe slavery to be unequivocally evil. Any Christian church will tell you that. Maybe slaveholders weren't really Christians? Is there vague language in the Bible which will "prove" my assertions untrue?
He most likely does not want a real answer and just wants an argument, but because he at least did not engage in personal attack as he did before (I’m somewhat certain it is the same guy) I will humor him and try to answer the best way I can. After all maybe he will someday understand. And God is not willing that any should perish. So one more try.

Did Jesus Christ and his disciples condone slavery? Yes, they did, and we must be thankful for it!
Thankful? Huh? Did I just say that? I must be out of my mind, right? Actually, I would be out of my mind not to be thankful. What? Well keep reading and see why.

One of the greatest apostles of Jesus was Paul, who had this to say to slaves and their masters:
"Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ; not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men; knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free. You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him." (Ephesians 6:5-9, WEB) (Please note: "Servants" in this passage means "slaves," or “bondservants” as some Bible translations have it.)

Regarding slavery, here is what Jesus said:
"If you want to be great, you must be the servant of all the others. And if you want to be first, you must be the slave of the rest. The Son of Man did not come to be a slave master, but a slave who will give his life to rescue many people." (Matthew 20:26-28, CEV)
"Whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else." (Mark 10:44, NLT)

The slavery Jesus and Paul spoke of is a very different type of slavery than we know. The slavery they condoned is serving people with absolute selfless love, regardless what positions we are in: doctors, teachers, employers and employees, parents and children, and yes in that time bond servants, and masters.
Jesus taught that the two most important commandments are number one, love God, and second, love others as you love yourself: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. The second is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31, ASV)
Jesus never condoned the cruel and ruthless slavery that humans have brought upon one another, because if you love others as you love yourself you would never be a ruthless cruel slave master. It seems so obvious doesn’t it.

Now on to slavery as our western mind or perspective knows it or thinks of it.
In the Old Testament, God did permit slavery for Israelites, but that slavery was also very different than the horrible treatment of slaves we know from the slavery of blacks in America. For example, God ordered male slaves to be set free after six years of service; but if the slaves loved their masters and didn't want freedom, the masters could have them for life. If girls were sold as slaves, the masters should care for them as wives; the masters should treat them as daughters if they married their sons. The penalty for kidnapping and selling people would be DEATH. (Exodus 21)
On Hebrew slavery Leviticus 25:35-43 says this
‘If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you. Do not take interest of any kind from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you. You must not lend him money at interest or sell him food at a profit. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God.
‘If one of your countrymen becomes poor among you and sells himself to you, do not make him work as a slave. He is to be treated as a hired worker or a temporary resident among you; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. Then he and his children are to be released, and he will go back to his own clan and to the property of his forefathers. Because the Israelites are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt, they must not be sold as slaves. Do not rule over them ruthlessly, but fear your God.’
Notice that the sole motive for allowing ‘slavery’ is actually humanitarian so the poor can continue in the land, and that it is NEVER ‘forever’ like the slavery we think of. The type of slavery we think of was forbidden and you would get the death penalty for doing it as you will see if you read Ex. 21:16 and Deut. 24:7.
The only clear case of involuntary servitude that was allowed was in the case of a thief that was too poor to make restitution for goods stolen, and here is was strictly an economic measure to repay the wrong doing – see Ex. 22:3

But why didn't Jesus condemn the institution of the oppressive form of slavery of the Romans?
To answer this, we must understand why Jesus came to Earth in the first place. He came here to fulfill very specific missions in a short span of time. Simply put, he was command-oriented. That means he was set to accomplish only what he was commissioned to do by Jehovah God Almighty.
Jesus' coming was, first, to teach people about God's Kingdom, and, second, to die in order to save us.
And by accomplishing his mission, he really in turn will abolished slavery for ever (but this won't be fulfilled until God's Kingdom is fully established on Earth). Once the Kingdom begins to reign in full power on earth (and it will), there will be no more tears, pain, suffering, and everyone will be happy and in peace for eternity. This is obviously a bigger more all encompassing long term goal than focusing on this Roman slavery issue. This is typical of those who put God on trial they only see the small picture and the present time. Just like those who tried and crucified Jesus. They wanted a savior that would free them from the Roman occupation and when He could not be controlled and did not do what they wanted Him to do they turned on him. We do that to when God won’t do it our way and in our time, and the way we think it should be done. We put Him on trial bring up accusations such as the commenter said “. They suffered due to the scripture regarding slavery in the Bible.” But it is just not true or founded when you really think and really want to see the truth. We want God to free us of what we see as the problem, like slavery, or bigotry, Roman occupation, or human violence and the suffering that comes with it. But God’s plan will free us of all of that and much more, in fact He will free us of SIN, PRIDE, FEAR, HATE, GUILT, SHAME, GREED, BITTERNESS, RESENTMENT, SUFFERING, SORROW, REBELLION, LIES, INJUSTICE, ARROGANCE, and so much more. And most importantly DEATH ! You see when God’s plan plays out it will ALL be resolved

Right now and to all eternity, those who choose to follow Christ become the slaves to righteousness, of Jehovah God and His Son Jesus, our Messiah. We serve with gladness selflessly, for God is the best master anyone could ever have. If you ask me, we would be crazy not to rejoice over this privilege we have! But God will not force you into being His servant, because He is not that kind of master.
In the end we all are slaves to something in our lives, some by choice, some not. I myself am a slave to my mortgage payment, and my other financial obligations. As Bob Dylan said “Your Gonna have to serve somebody.” “It may be the devil or it may be THE LORD, but you’re gonna have serve somebody”.
Me? Well I choose to serve the Lord because being a slave to Him allows the most freedom. And it is a lie from Satan the father of lies that tells you anything else.

Thanks again to the commenter who gave me something of value to write about even if it was not the intent, but God will always turn bad to good for those who follow Him.

Delirious? Derbey UK 3-11-2006

Delirious? Derbey UK 3-11-2006

A powerful show from the "Paint The Town" tour, promoting the album Mission Bell. The band playing with power and it appears this is a whole show. This recording has a live feel with lots of crowd involvement being up in the mix.

Delirious?

The Riverside Centre

Derby UK

3-11-2006

01 Rain Down

02 With You

03 Fires Burn

04 Solid Rock

05 Inside Outside

06 Majesty

07 History Maker

08 Paint The Town Red

09 Now Is The Time

10 Miracle Maker

11 Take Off My Shoes

12 Love Falls Down (new version)

13 Band Introduction

14 God in Heaven

Paint The Town Tour

Total time 92:09

Mp3/192k

http://www.mediafire.com/?261ayfmyy7811rm   part one

http://www.mediafire.com/?y90qd9sshzsk5fb   part two

Using what God has given you (The Drawing)

Using what God has given you (The Drawing)  Or. . . What is in your tool box?Many of you may not think that you can make a big impact in this world. You are poor, lack resources, or you feel you lack talent, or ability, or knowledge, but I am going to tell you that can make a huge impact and leave a lasting impression on this world. To do this I will show you how a little doodle or drawing I did made a difference.

My father had a very long battle with illness. In fact he was on oxygen for over 16 years. He was on Hospice care for more than three years and at the end never left bed or his room for the last 20 or more months of his life. One day while I was over at my parent’s house to help out I was passing time with my child. My daughter likes to draw and so do I, so we sat at the table together doodling. So as I sat there I drew this little rough drawing that said God So Loved The World. It was of course based on the Bible scripture from John 3:16.

As I was about done with the drawing my father called me into his room to ask me for a drink of water. I went in with the drawing in my hand. He said “what’s that in your hand?” I showed him the drawing and he said he liked it. I asked him if he wanted it and he said yes and told me to hang it on the wall where he could see it. Well this was real strange because my father was not a believer and really was turned off when I brought up Jesus. So I taped it to the wall so he could see it and then got him some water.

The next day I was over there again and out of my dad’s room I heard him say “What’s the rest of it?” I said “what is the rest of what?” And he said “what is the rest of the John 3:16 thing?” I was very surprised and went in and told him the whole scripture, “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life.” My dad said, “That Son, is that Jesus?” I told him that is was indeed Jesus, and he said “Oh” and that was the end of it.
     The next day I was helping my mom change sheets on my dad’s bed and I told my dad that to fully understand a scripture you need to know the context of it in the bible. I said I know you read the bible when you were young, but do you know the context of that John 3:16 scripture? He said he didn’t and asked me to tell him about it. I just about fainted. So I told my dad about a guy named Nicodemus who was one of the Pharisees in Israel, a supposed learned man, who came and said he thought Jesus was a “teacher sent by God”. Jesus replied that unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said “How can a man be born when he is old?” Jesus replied and told him of how we are to be re-born in the spirit, and then said this “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son Of man be lifted up. That whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” and then Jesus said the John 3:16 scripture.
So I said to my dad, you see the people in the wilderness were being bitten by poisonous snakes and Moses was told to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole. And whoever looked upon the serpent on the pole was healed from the poison of the snake. I said dad, what Jesus is saying that just like that serpent was lifted up on a pole that he would be lifted up on a pole (crucified) and looking upon it would heal us of the poison of sin that we received from that serpent in the Garden of Eden. My dad said he had never heard it put that way, and I said “well you have now”.
      So then I told my dad that the whole bible was about Jesus just like this serpent on the pole was. He said he did not see that the Old Testament was about Jesus. So I asked him if I could come over and read the bible with him to show him where Jesus was in the Old Testament, and he said he would like that. So the door was open and I was able to talk to my father about Jesus. Latter on as he was losing his ability to remember he would ask me if I knew about John 3:16, and he would tell me all about it.
    So here I was praying that I could share the Gospel message with my father and this little drawing I did opened the door, and in the end he shared it with me. I did not think that God would use that, but God takes what gifts, and talents, and unique properties, he has given us and can use them to change lives. You may not think that you can be an evangelist or that you have anything special but God made you and gave you just what is needed to reach the ones he has placed in your life to impact. Abraham and Sarah were unable to have children yet God made them the parents of a nation, Moses was slow of speech yet he was the mouthpiece of God, Gideon was a coward hiding in a wine press and he was raised up to be a courageous leader of a nation, and the apostles were a bunch of uneducated fishermen who were used to spread the message of Jesus and change the world.
In Col 3:17 it says we are to do ALL things in deed and word in the name of Jesus. 1Corinthians 10:31 says “whatever you do, do ALL for the glory of the Lord”. So whatever it is you do. A carpenter, teacher, janitor, artist, musician, car mechanic, clerk, accountant, athlete, or invalid, it can be put to use by God to make an impact on others. You never know what will impact others, but if you are not doing ALL things for Jesus then the everyday things you do will not have an impact. I could have drawn anything on that day but I chose to draw for Jesus. I chose to use that time and what little skill I had to glorify God. I had no intention, and no idea, that it could or would be used in the way it was. So today as you go about your day, in whatever you do, go about it with Jesus in mind. You may find that God places someone in your path that can be changed by just the thing you have in your tool box.

You were made for a unique purpose and the skills and talents, even lack of talent, ability and disability, and your personality, and you experiences, are a part of your special design. And these are the things God has placed in your individual tool box, so you can do His work. Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are His workmanship, created in Jesus Christ for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them”. You see we are not saved by our good works but instead are saved in order to do them. And when these works flow from your special design and calling then you have a great opportunity to impact the people you come in contact with. All work, no matter what it is, can be sacred and special if it is done as if you are doing it for God.

For more on this check out this teaching by Jesus on putting you talents to use, and a stern warning to those who don't.   Matthew 25:14-30

It All Goes Back In The Box

The death of my father made me think about how short life is and with that how do I make the most of that finite resource. The thought of time being limited tends to make you hurry up. In fact most people today are obsessed with hurry. That’s why so called “fast food” restaurants are on every corner. That’s why we all have cell phones, texting, and, e-mail, because we insist on instant communication. We can’t wait for anything anymore. We have invented these things to save us time, but it is never fast enough for us, and as it gets faster we just do it more and really have less time. So why are we in such a hurry?

Often we are in a hurry because we are working hard to get more or better things. We are consumed with getting the latest phone, computer, car, or a bigger house. We strive to get the better Internet service and the cable TV with 700 channels so we can have thousands of choices, yet we are too busy when the show we want to see is on so we record it and try to watch it when we have the time. And often we never have the time. And when we do get the next, better, or bigger thing it does not keep us content for long because there is always a newer, better, or bigger one. So because of this we continue to hurry and hurry to strive to get to the next goal, but never reach that place of contentment and many of us are too hurried and busy to do the things that are of true value. We make excuses like “once I get to a good place” or “when things slow down”. The problem is that all the stuff we are trying to obtain really has no lasting value. In fact when you are on you death bed, will it matter if it is in a big house or a little one? Will it matter what kind of car is out in the garage? Will it matter if you have 20 pairs of cool shoes in the closet? Will that so called standard of living really matter? And what happens is we just have to work harder and take more time to to maintain it. And all it does is put us in a chain gang of our own making. Volunteered Slavery

So what will matter in the end? I have never heard of a person on his death bed saying he wished he has spent LESS time with his children, spouse, or friends. But we as a society we get so busy that we don’t make these things a priority. If you wait to do what is important in life until you have the time, you will never have an important life.  Hurry is the great enemy of a spiritual life. You can’t love in a hurry. Jesus always had a lot of things to do but he was never in a hurry. In fact he always stopped and took the time to reach out with compassion for others. Jesus talked in Luke 12:13-21 about those who were busy in life trying to obtain abundant possessions. Jesus calls those types fools. FOOLS! The word Jesus uses to describe the people who forget that life could end tomorrow and that when it does those possessions will have no meaning or value.

When I was thinking of my dad’s life I thought what kind of lasting memorial is there for him, and what will there be for me. About 10 years ago a short little guy I called “Jesus Freak” named George stopped what he was doing and took the time to pray for a man who was depressed because it looked as if he and his wife would never be able to have children. He was in the middle of doing his work, but he noticed a man in sorrow, and stopped to ask what has got you down. And then he took the time to pray for that mans needs. That man was me, and a little latter my wife found she was pregnant and the conception date was when George prayed for me. Soon I was a father, and soon after that George died. George was a meek little man who drove a beat up van that said "Jesus Loves You" on it.  He wore old jeans some beat up boots and a bandanna around his head as he sweated installing wood floors (a carpenter). I went to George’s memorial thinking not many would show up for this little insignificant man. But when I got to the church on a Wednesday afternoon during work hours, the parking lot was full and cars were parked down the street. I found the church packed with standing room only, all to say goodbye to this meek poor little unassuming man. I thought that George and I had a special and rare relationship because of how he had cared for me, and changed my life forever. But what I found was it was only rare from my perspective, in fact it was an everyday thing for George. The pastor gave the microphone to people to let them express how George had impacted their lives and people lined up around the room, and for hours I heard the stories just like mine of how George took the time to love, care, and reach out. Many of the people had come to know Jesus and their lives were changed forever because of George’s acts of kindness, and I was one of them.

So how are you spending your time? Are you too busy to notice others who are in need? Are you focusing on that phone call, or that computer, and your work, while your child watches TV alone? Are you busy texting but rarely talk to the people you love face to face. Jesus says in Luke 12 that he is a FOOL who lays up treasures for himself and that where your treasure is there your heart will be also. And I think that your time is your greatest treasure, and how you spend it shows what you love. Nothing says love to a child louder than TIME.

So there is George’s lifeless body in a casket, and there is my dad’s ashes in a “box” so what is left? What is left is how they impacted those who continue on, but for them the game is over. So do you play the game forgetting the most important thing, that simple fact that for every person the game ends, and we never know when or how soon? John Ortberg a well known pastor once gave a sermon called “It All Goes Back In The Box” and in it he makes an analogy to life being like a Monopoly game. We strive to acquire to win the game but in the end acquiring has little value because “It All Goes Back In The Box”. Even the physical matter that makes up our bodies is just on loan to us and it too literally just goes back in the box. Here is a link to hear that great John Ortberg message that teaches this better than I ever could.
It All Goes Back In The Box
What is typical of God is that while I was pondering this my Pastor (Jeremy Peters) taught this message on Fathers day that deals with many of the same things, but just comes at it from a different angle. So if you have the time give this a listen to hear the 10 things that will make you a father that has a life that makes lasting impact. http://ccachurch.org/media.php?pageID=53

To show you more of how short this time can be.  As many of you know my father passed away on may 21st, since then my aunt (my mothers twin sister) has had a massive stroke leaving her paralyzed, and then my oldest sister has been diagnosed with an aggressive type of cancer.  For every one the game will end, we just don't know how long or shot a time we have.  Please be praying for my aunt, my sister, my mother, and my family as we go through these difficult times in our lives.  Thanks!

Oregon Bluegrass Assoc. Gospel Show, Three Bands, 1-20-2007 (SBD)

The Sonny Hammond Memorial Gospel Show is an annual event, and fundraiser for the Oregon Bluegrass Association. It appears it is held at a church and this version has three bluegrass bands all doing gospel bluegrass. The bands are Fiddlegrass, Lee Highway, and Prairie Flyer. It fits on two CDs with the first two bands on CD one and the third on CD two.  This has some nice picking and the quality is very good. The first two bands are members of the Oregon Bluegrass Association. The third band did not show up on their website but appears to be from Washington. My friend Iggy should like this one, because it is a local show for him, being up in Forest Grove near Portland.

Sonny Hammond Memorial

Oregon Bluegrass Assoc. Gospel Show

Central Bible Church

Fiddlegrass

Central Bible Church

Portland, OR

1-20-2007

Soundboard

Chuck Haynie - banjo and vocals

Donna Reuter - fiddle and vocals

Doug Ward - dobro, guitar, and vocals

Lorri Connolly - mandolin, fiddle, and vocals

Guest players -

Bob Connolly - guitar and vocals

Holly Wyman - bass

01- intro

02- Amazing Grace

03- I Saw The Light

04- Hallelujah, I'm Ready To Go

05- If You Don't Love Your Neighbor, Then You Don't Love God

06- Wayfaring Stranger

07- Mansion On A Hilltop

08- When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder

09- The Old Rugged Cross

10- Cryin' Holy Unto The Lord

Lee Highway

Central Bible Church

Portland, OR

1-20-2007

Soundboard

John Averill - mandolin and vocals

Rich Hoglen - guitar and vocals

Sue Averill - bass and vocals

Mike Eisler - fiddle and vocals

Mike Stahlman - banjo, guitar, and vocals

01- intro

02- Take Me In Your Lifeboat

03- The Little Community Church

04- I'm Using My Bible For A Roadmap

05- God Loves His Children

06- Give Mother My Crown

07- band intros

08- Let's Walk Along Together

09- The Stone The Builders Refused

10- Shine Hallelujah Shine

11- What A Friend We Have In Jesus

12- When He Reached Down His Hand For Me

13- So Happy I'll Be

14- Cryin' Holy Unto The Lord

Prairie Flyer

Central Bible Church

Portland, OR

1-20-2007

Soundboard

Jim Faddis - guitar and vocals

Andre Vachon - mandolin and vocals

Jason Stewart - banjo and vocals

Dave Hackwith - bass and vocals

Steve Blanchard - guitar

01- intro

02- The Old Crossroads

03- Calling My Children Home

04- I'll See You In Heaven (1st Time Played)

05- I Was There When It Happened (1)

06- Take Your Shoes Off Moses Your On Holy Ground

07- Who Will Sing One Song For Me

08- Be Assured

09- I Can't Feel At Home In This World Anymore

10- When I Get Home

11- I Saw The Light

12- band intros

13- House of Gold

14- Pilgrim

15- Travelin' The Highway Home (1)

Encore: (2)

16- I'll Fly Away

17- Will The Circle Be Unbroken

(1) = w/ Clyde Clevenger on mandolin and vocals

(2) = encore was various members of all 3 bands, plus Clyde Clevenger and

MC Mason Smith

Mp3/256k

http://www.mediafire.com/?wr34n3ai1u4079t 

http://www.mediafire.com/?3d4ids2omc34tmi

Fare you well, fare you well, I love you more than words can tell

My father was born in New York. He joined the Navy in World War Two as an electricians mate. He got a degree in electrical engineering and after the war moved to Arizona. He married my mother shortly after that. Dad's first job after the war was surveying for power lines for Arizona Public Service. He surveyed for the first power into Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon, and the first power in to Crown King as well as power coming off the rim into Sedona, and power lines across Mingus Mountain running from Prescott to Jerome. He saw every corner of this state, before much development happened.  He was on the first planing and zoning commission for Scottsdale Arizona. During this time in Scottsdale my mom and him were blessed with three children. My father latter got a job with General Electric where he got in on the ground floor of the computer industry and after a while was involved with projects including computer systems for the French government, Saudi Arabian government, as well as the IRS. Latter on we moved to New York and then to California where he worked for Xerox. This was how a kid who was born in Arizona went to high school in California.  Finally he cut ties with big cooperate work and bought a Delicatessen on the beach in Ventura California, and followed his passion for cooking and fine food and developed his business into two stores and a large catering business. Finally Dad sold the business and his house and bought a motor home and my mom and him traveled for several years. It was during this time he got involved in the tour guide business, working for Caravans De Mexico out of El Paso Texas, giving RV tours down to Mexico. He soon was also working for other tour companies doing western states National Park tours. during this time my mom was perfecting her skills doing fine art oil paintings. Eventually they decided to stop traveling and let my mother pursue her dream of being and artist. They picked Cottonwood Arizona as the place to settle. My mom and dad started an art supply store and studio and my mom sold paintings, did framing and matting, and taught painting, while my father ran the art supply store.  During this time my father got a job with an over seas tour company and got paid to give tours to Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and Fiji, he also gave 36 day tours to South America. About 16 years ago my father's earlier smoking habit caught up with him and he was diagnosed with emphysema.  It was around this time I moved here to Cottonwood with my wife to help out my parents.  From there on he had a slow decline until finally he was completely house bound and wheel chair bound about seven years ago. 20 months ago he was no longer even able to get out of bed, where he has been since.  My mom has been lovenly caring for him this whole time.  Finally at around 10:00 on May 21st 2011 dad passed away in his sleep at home. He was a great husband to my mom, and was a great father to me and my sisters giving us a jump start in life so we had great opportunities. He taught me a lot about many things, including cooking, working with my hands, but most of all how to love living. He love good food, drink, and music, but most of all he loved my mother.

Fare you well my honey
Fare you well my only true one
All the birds that were singing
Have flown except you alone

Goin to leave this Broke-down Palace
On my hands and my knees I will roll roll roll
Make myself a bed by the waterside
In my time - in my time - I will roll roll roll

In a bed, in a bed
by the waterside I will lay my head
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
to rock my soul

River gonna take me
Sing me sweet and sleepy
Sing me sweet and sleepy
all the way back back home
It's a far gone lullaby
sung many years ago
Mama, Mama, many worlds I've come
since I first left home

Goin home, goin home
by the waterside I will rest my bones
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
to rock my soul

Goin to plant a weeping willow
On the banks green edge it will grow grow grow
Sing a lullaby beside the water
Lovers come and go - the river roll roll roll

Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
to rock my soul

Brokedown Palace

Thanks to all those who have prayed and shown compasion. It means so much!

The Gospel Message Hidden in Genesis 5?

I have read through the bible now several times, and each time I see something else.  Most of the times through Genesis I just skim over Genesis 5 but even in this un assuming passage there is something very interesting hidden inside.  Genesis 5 is the written account of Adam’s family line leading up to Noah, and it goes like this
      When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth.  After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters.   Altogether, Adam lived a total of 930 years, and then he died.
   When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father  of Enosh.   After he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters.  Altogether, Seth lived a total of 912 years, and then he died.
   When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan.   After he became the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters.   Altogether, Enosh lived a total of 905 years, and then he died.   And so on until you get to Noah. 
 
So there are 10 names of guys that lived and died (except Enoch) who was raised up.  (That is another thing of interest in this simple chapter, that I already wrote about  http://arizjones.blogspot.com/2010/07/was-not-or-i-am.html )  So there are ten names rattled off like a list, kind of boring I always thought.   
But hidden in it is something interesting.  You see all the names have a meaning, like Adam means man.  So what happens when we put together the names meanings?
 
Adam = Man
Seth = Appointed
Enosh = Mortal
Kenan = Sorrow
Mahalalel = The Blessed God
Jared = Shall come down
Enoch = Teaching
Methuselah = His death shall bring
Lamech = The Despairing
Noah = Rest, or comfort.

Put it together and you have the Gospel Message. In a nice short compact version.
I think that's rather remarkable! 

Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow; (but) the Blessed God shall come down teaching (that) His death shall bring (the) despairing rest or comfort.

Here's the Gospel hidden within a genealogy only five short chapters into the first book of the bible. 

   You will never convince me that a group of Jewish rabbis conspired to hide the Christian Gospel right here in a genealogy within their venerated Torah.  Or that Moses somehow knew to do this before he even knew there would be messiah that would die for our sin.  It is just one more thing that shows an incredible interconnection and unity of this book that was written by forty different people in different languages and times.  over thousands of years.

He is Alive! Happy Easter

He is alive!  The tomb is empty.  Death could not hold Him!

Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed, for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. Then they went home.
Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her.
“Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”
She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?”
She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”
“Mary!” Jesus said.
She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).
“Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.
That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”
Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”
“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.
Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.

1 Corinthians 15 (writen by Paul): Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. . . . .It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message.
Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said would happen. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died (if you want to go check it out). Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. For I am the least of all the apostles, in fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.

I AZ feel like Paul.  I used to mock believers and read the bible to find fault to prove them wrong.  I did not come to belief until I was 42, when God did some miraculous and radical things in my life and got my attention.  Just like Paul sometimes I feel I am not worthy at all.  But Jesus has grace for even me!

Waterdeep, Lawrence Kansas, 12-04-1998

A real fine recording of Waterdeep.  This one is rockin' worship at the start and then becomes calmer acoustic at the end.  Great music to celebrate the good news that Jesus is alive!  Happy Easter

Waterdeep

12-04-1998

University of Lawrence, KS

Soundboard

setlist:

disc 1:

The Razor Light

Razor Reprise

Everybody's Guilty

Come To Me

I Know The Plans

Cowards Never Win

He Will Come

All Along The Watchtower

Go Find John

disc2:

Sink Or Swim

Sweet River Roll

Banter(sermon)

You Can't Hide

Lonely Sometimes-> Improv

Long On Diagnosis, Short On Cure

Hush

I Could Sing Of Your Love

Mp3/320k

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Forgiveness, The Purpose of Easter

Forgiveness, The Purpose of Easter

Jesus said in Matthew 20:28 "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many."  He also said this as the time for his death was approaching, John 12:27 "Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour."  So it appears that for this death, that forgives us of our mistakes (sin) was His purpose.   Even when being nailed to a cross he said “Forgive them Lord they know not what they do”.   When giving us what is now called by many The Lord’s Prayer we see forgiveness, “forgive us or debts, as we forgive our debtors”  and right after that Jesus said this (Matthew 6:14-15) For if you forgive men their trespasses’ your heavenly father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will you Father forgive your trespasses.”

Forgiveness is so important to keep our walk with God from being derailed.  In Hebrews 12 it says we should peruse peace with all men least a root of bitterness overtake us.  Bitterness can short circuit or lives by keeping us in a state of unhappiness and causes behavior that is unproductive and pushes people away.  Forgiveness is key in our walk and it one of the main purposes that Jesus came to die in our place so we would be forgiven, and in turn forgive. 

Latter when He came back to life He encountered Peter as Peter was fishing.  Peter had followed Jesus for three years and told Jesus he would die for Him, but when it came time to take a stand, he denied he even knew Jesus three times.  And then he returned to his old life of being a fisherman.  Jesus came and asked three times if Peter loved Him, giving him three chances to make up for his three denials, and after each gave him a purpose or task, saying feed my sheep.  This is how it works, forgiveness gives purpose to life.  This is how Jesus forgives, for each time we have failed he gives us a chance to make it right and in that continue our purpose and reason to be.   Have you followed Jesus but for some reason turned your back on him and returned to your old life, and old ways?  Well if you have He wants to say again, “Do you love me?”  and forgive you and give you another chance, and with it again fill your life with purpose and meaning.