Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Course 5 Week 7--Missionaries are on Their Way
We are on our last two weeks.
Rhonda and I saw Rusty, Brenda and Grace off this morning. They are on their way to Japan as I write this.
Pray for their ministry.
Here is a review of the posting requirements once again:
You have three assignments each week
(1) Make at least two initial posts in your posting area. The first one will be the name of the course, and the names (or numbers of the DVD's) of the chapters or lectures you will be covering during the week. The second one will be a comment on one of those chapters. You will receive one point for getting the first post in on Tuesday or Wednesday. You will also get a point for getting at least one more initial post in.
(2) Go to your fellow student's posting areas, and ask them a question or questions about their intial posts. You will recieve one point for completing this assignment before 6:00 a.m. on Friday morning.
(3) Answer the questions asked.
(4) On Fridays, I will also give directions for making remaining posts during the week. Be sure and read those, and take them into account when making at least one of your remaining posts.
(4) In all, we want to make at least nine posts during the week. You will receive points for that as follows:
9 or more posts - 12 points
6-8 posts - 10 points
3-5 posts - 6 points
1-2 posts - 3 points
You will have the extra points you had accumulated by getting things in on time. Those are bonus points that will be used only to move your grade closer to 100 if you need them. They will be awarded each week if needed to move your grade up to 12 for the week. If you do not need them for that week, they will be carried over to the next week(s). Remember the posts that count for points will be at least three sentences long.
Rhonda and I saw Rusty, Brenda and Grace off this morning. They are on their way to Japan as I write this.
Pray for their ministry.
Here is a review of the posting requirements once again:
You have three assignments each week
(1) Make at least two initial posts in your posting area. The first one will be the name of the course, and the names (or numbers of the DVD's) of the chapters or lectures you will be covering during the week. The second one will be a comment on one of those chapters. You will receive one point for getting the first post in on Tuesday or Wednesday. You will also get a point for getting at least one more initial post in.
(2) Go to your fellow student's posting areas, and ask them a question or questions about their intial posts. You will recieve one point for completing this assignment before 6:00 a.m. on Friday morning.
(3) Answer the questions asked.
(4) On Fridays, I will also give directions for making remaining posts during the week. Be sure and read those, and take them into account when making at least one of your remaining posts.
(4) In all, we want to make at least nine posts during the week. You will receive points for that as follows:
9 or more posts - 12 points
6-8 posts - 10 points
3-5 posts - 6 points
1-2 posts - 3 points
You will have the extra points you had accumulated by getting things in on time. Those are bonus points that will be used only to move your grade closer to 100 if you need them. They will be awarded each week if needed to move your grade up to 12 for the week. If you do not need them for that week, they will be carried over to the next week(s). Remember the posts that count for points will be at least three sentences long.
Monday, January 12, 2009
End of Course Five Week Six
By midnight tonight, we will have been three-fourths of the way through the course. Get in your remaining posts for week six today.
Good job on wrestling with the issues.
Good job on wrestling with the issues.
Forth-telling in a Different Culture
On Sunday, a few hours ago, we had our farewell service for Rusty and Brenda Carney. One of the jobs of the prophets was "foretelling." Another one was "forth-telling." That is what Rusty and Brenda will be doing (forth-telling, I mean) only in the country of Japan. May the Lord help us all to proclaim His Word!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
"Prophets" and Listener's Discernment!
I put the word, "prophets" in quotation marks because many times people think that loud preaching is often spirit-filled and God-led. While that may be true, sometimes it is just loud and not really spiritually powerful. Sometimes the Spirit moves in a service where the message is delivered in a quieter manner. One is not better than the other. Actually the best is to be able to both, and to match the manner of speaking with the content of the message, and where the message is thoroughly biblical in the principles that are proclaimed.
Lots of times, you think of someone "being like a prophet" when they preach boldly, strongly, and forcefully.
Of course, anytime we speak in such a manner, we should make sure what we are saying actually matches what the Bible has to say. Otherwise, no matter how forcefully we say it, the statement really doesn't have any godly power--even though it may be loud.
That is why people who watch preachers on TV (or listen to them on the radio, or even hear us in our churches) need to be equipped with biblical discernment and also need to know that they need to compare what they hear with Scripture.
May God give us wisdom in the preparation and delivery of messages, and may He grant all who listen to messages wisdom and biblical discernment!
Lots of times, you think of someone "being like a prophet" when they preach boldly, strongly, and forcefully.
Of course, anytime we speak in such a manner, we should make sure what we are saying actually matches what the Bible has to say. Otherwise, no matter how forcefully we say it, the statement really doesn't have any godly power--even though it may be loud.
That is why people who watch preachers on TV (or listen to them on the radio, or even hear us in our churches) need to be equipped with biblical discernment and also need to know that they need to compare what they hear with Scripture.
May God give us wisdom in the preparation and delivery of messages, and may He grant all who listen to messages wisdom and biblical discernment!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Prophets for Today
Don't get me wrong. I don't think we are prophets today in the sense of Old Testament prophets. Even the gift of prophecy as mentioned in the New Testament, I think, had a different emphasis and meaning than what we would think of today. (Some would think that the gift of prophecy is no longer given). My take on it is that God still gives a motivational gift that is similar to that of the New Testament, but He does not give the same kind of ministry gift. This could spark some argument. Some of my charismatic friends would say the same kind of gift is still being given.
Without getting into that debate, in some of your response postings to each other, or just to this post, what are some examples of good characteristics of Old and New Testament prophets that should challenge and/or motivate us? Another way of putting it would be to ask, "What examples of prophets should we follow?"
Also, if you haven't already asked your fellow student a question, please go to his posting area and do so. If your fellow student has asked you a question, please respond to it.
Without getting into that debate, in some of your response postings to each other, or just to this post, what are some examples of good characteristics of Old and New Testament prophets that should challenge and/or motivate us? Another way of putting it would be to ask, "What examples of prophets should we follow?"
Also, if you haven't already asked your fellow student a question, please go to his posting area and do so. If your fellow student has asked you a question, please respond to it.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
The Prophets
We are currently studying about the prophets. They are known most for there foretelling abilities, but at the time they spoke, they were currently aware of their "forthtelling" responsibilities.
We are to be involved in forthtelling. We are to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. Modern-day prophets may also be involved in exposing the sinfulness of society.
I have been preaching through the book of Isaiah (interspersed with messages on other chapters of Schripture) over the last few years. It is amazing, at times, how much the discription of their situation parallels our situation today.
Much of Old Testament prophecy has been fulfilled, but not all of it. It was predicted that Jesus (the Messiah) would come the first time. It is also predicted that He will come again. That has not happened yet. Any man that has this hope within him purifies himseld.
We should let prophecy do that purifying work in our lives.
We are to be involved in forthtelling. We are to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. Modern-day prophets may also be involved in exposing the sinfulness of society.
I have been preaching through the book of Isaiah (interspersed with messages on other chapters of Schripture) over the last few years. It is amazing, at times, how much the discription of their situation parallels our situation today.
Much of Old Testament prophecy has been fulfilled, but not all of it. It was predicted that Jesus (the Messiah) would come the first time. It is also predicted that He will come again. That has not happened yet. Any man that has this hope within him purifies himseld.
We should let prophecy do that purifying work in our lives.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Course 5 Week 6
Way to go, preachers,
By the end of this week, we will be 3/4 of the way through the course.
Sean, are your DVD's still working better than when you first started?
Here is a review of the posting requirements once again:
You have three assignments each week
(1) Make at least two initial posts in your posting area. The first one will be name of the course, and the names (or numbers of the DVD's) of the chapters or lectures you will be covering during the week. The second one will be a comment on one of those chapters. You will receive one point for getting the first post in on Tuesday or Wednesday. You will also get a point for getting at least one more initial post in.
(2) Go to your fellow student's posting areas, and ask them a question or questions about their intial posts. You will recieve one point for completing this assignment before 6:00 a.m. on Friday morning.
(3) Answer the questions asked.
(4) On Fridays, I will also give directions for making remaining posts during the week. Be sure and read those, and take them into account when making at least one of your remaining posts.
(4) In all, we want to make at least nine posts during the week. You will receive points for that as follows:
9 or more posts - 12 points
6-8 posts - 10 points
3-5 posts - 6 points
1-2 posts - 3 points
You will have the extra points you had accumulated by getting things in on time. Those are bonus points that will be used only to move your grade closer to 100 if you need them. They will be awarded each week if needed to move your grade up to 12 for the week. If you do not need them for that week, they will be carried over to the next week(s). Remember the posts that count for points will be at least three sentences long.
By the end of this week, we will be 3/4 of the way through the course.
Sean, are your DVD's still working better than when you first started?
Here is a review of the posting requirements once again:
You have three assignments each week
(1) Make at least two initial posts in your posting area. The first one will be name of the course, and the names (or numbers of the DVD's) of the chapters or lectures you will be covering during the week. The second one will be a comment on one of those chapters. You will receive one point for getting the first post in on Tuesday or Wednesday. You will also get a point for getting at least one more initial post in.
(2) Go to your fellow student's posting areas, and ask them a question or questions about their intial posts. You will recieve one point for completing this assignment before 6:00 a.m. on Friday morning.
(3) Answer the questions asked.
(4) On Fridays, I will also give directions for making remaining posts during the week. Be sure and read those, and take them into account when making at least one of your remaining posts.
(4) In all, we want to make at least nine posts during the week. You will receive points for that as follows:
9 or more posts - 12 points
6-8 posts - 10 points
3-5 posts - 6 points
1-2 posts - 3 points
You will have the extra points you had accumulated by getting things in on time. Those are bonus points that will be used only to move your grade closer to 100 if you need them. They will be awarded each week if needed to move your grade up to 12 for the week. If you do not need them for that week, they will be carried over to the next week(s). Remember the posts that count for points will be at least three sentences long.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Course 5 Week 6 Bonus Points
I will keep up with your bonus points here. Rembember to finish out Week 5 before using the next two topic areas. You can start using them tomorrow. (Tuesday at 12:01 a.m.)
Course 5 Week 6 Sean's Topics
Sean,
Please place your initial posts and answers to our questions here.
Tyler, please put one or more questions for Sean here.
Visitors, click on the word, "comments." to join our discussion.
Please place your initial posts and answers to our questions here.
Tyler, please put one or more questions for Sean here.
Visitors, click on the word, "comments." to join our discussion.
Course 5 Week 6 Tyler's Topics
Tyler,
Please place your initial posts and answers to our questions here.
Sean, please ask Tyler one or more queations here.
Visitors, click on the word, "comments," below to join the discussion.
Please place your initial posts and answers to our questions here.
Sean, please ask Tyler one or more queations here.
Visitors, click on the word, "comments," below to join the discussion.
End of Course Five Week Five--"Existential"
O.K.
Here was my guess about the meaning of the word "existential."
"Existential--Having to do with existence: looking for meaning only in what one can experience."
Here are definitions gleaned from three different dictionaries that come up when doing a search on Dictionary.com: "pertaining to existence; based on experience; derived from experience or the experience of existence."
Experience and existence did come up within the definitions--so I was close. In the 1970's, however, I was required to do reading that included the term quite a bit. I was curious as to whether my vague recollection would be even close.
Thanks for your insights this week.
You have until midnight tonight to get in your required posts for the week.
You both are doing a great job this term!
Here was my guess about the meaning of the word "existential."
"Existential--Having to do with existence: looking for meaning only in what one can experience."
Here are definitions gleaned from three different dictionaries that come up when doing a search on Dictionary.com: "pertaining to existence; based on experience; derived from experience or the experience of existence."
Experience and existence did come up within the definitions--so I was close. In the 1970's, however, I was required to do reading that included the term quite a bit. I was curious as to whether my vague recollection would be even close.
Thanks for your insights this week.
You have until midnight tonight to get in your required posts for the week.
You both are doing a great job this term!
Awesome Weekend
We had an absolutely awesome weekend! The commissioning service on Saturday was tremendous. James Forlines, the Director of Free Will Baptist International Missions came to be a part of the service. I really enjoyed talking with him as well as participating in the service with him.
Bro. Glenn Dryden, flew in from Dunn Loring, VA (Suburb of Wahington D.C.) to be the main speaker. The Lord really blessed, and he gave an outstanding, challenging message for all of us present.
The Fellowship afterward was great too.
Then we had responses to the invitation both times on Sunday.
God is good--all the time!
Bro. Glenn Dryden, flew in from Dunn Loring, VA (Suburb of Wahington D.C.) to be the main speaker. The Lord really blessed, and he gave an outstanding, challenging message for all of us present.
The Fellowship afterward was great too.
Then we had responses to the invitation both times on Sunday.
God is good--all the time!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Week 5 Response Postings--Existentialism
Sometimes, as a "teacher," in this type of virtual classroom, we are told to give a challenge to deepen the discussions toward the end of the week.
This week, we have already gone into "existensialism." That was pretty deep :) !
As you finish your comments this week, I would like for you to write a down a guess as to what the word, "existential" or "existentialism" means. Then look at the dictionary and see if you were close. Share the results. It doesn't matter if you were way off.
I will share my results on Monday.
This week, we have already gone into "existensialism." That was pretty deep :) !
As you finish your comments this week, I would like for you to write a down a guess as to what the word, "existential" or "existentialism" means. Then look at the dictionary and see if you were close. Share the results. It doesn't matter if you were way off.
I will share my results on Monday.
Missions Commissioning Service
Today, we are hosting a commissioning service for missionaries, Rusty and Brenda Carney. They, and their baby daughter, Grace, will be traveling to Japan to serve their first three-year term on the field as career missionaries.
We have been talking some about Ecclesiastes. I think one of the ways to view the book is to consider the chapters, except for the final one, as talking about how a person views life without God in the picture. Anyone reading Ecclesiastes for advice about life MUST read the last chapter to get a true picture of the value of life.
Ecclesiastes Goes from vanity and meaninglessness to fulfillment and meaning.
That is the job of a missionary. They find where people are in their views about life. Then they try to help them see that life is more than vanity. Ultimately, they hope that those who hear will believe and turn from themselves and their former philosophies to God. The challenge, sometimes, is to make sure that a person really makes a change, and doesn't just attempt to add "Christianity" to his list of philosophies that he or she already holds.
May the Lord impress all of us to attempt this, wherever we are!
God bless Rusty, Brenda and Grace as they embark on this new adventure in their lives.
We have been talking some about Ecclesiastes. I think one of the ways to view the book is to consider the chapters, except for the final one, as talking about how a person views life without God in the picture. Anyone reading Ecclesiastes for advice about life MUST read the last chapter to get a true picture of the value of life.
Ecclesiastes Goes from vanity and meaninglessness to fulfillment and meaning.
That is the job of a missionary. They find where people are in their views about life. Then they try to help them see that life is more than vanity. Ultimately, they hope that those who hear will believe and turn from themselves and their former philosophies to God. The challenge, sometimes, is to make sure that a person really makes a change, and doesn't just attempt to add "Christianity" to his list of philosophies that he or she already holds.
May the Lord impress all of us to attempt this, wherever we are!
God bless Rusty, Brenda and Grace as they embark on this new adventure in their lives.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!
I thought I posted early this morning, but I must have forgotten to submit. Look in Tyer and Sean's comments section to see some interesting discussion about existensialism and/or Christian Existensialism.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
The Lily of the Valley--Song of Solomon's Analogies
The song, "The Lily of the Valley" uses great imagery that describes Jesus. Another one, is "His Banner Over Me Is Love." Some of these images come from the Song of Solomon. I think these are proper uses of analogies. The Song of Solomon has also been used by marriage counselors over the years to help people improve their marriages. I think this is also proper because it primarily does describe love between a husband and wife.
I think the way to use what we call "spiritualizing" is to use other Scripture to back up the spiritual analogies we draw from a statement or event. Sometimes, we can say, "The primary historical meaning of this passage is . . . , but it reminds me of . . . . (something that is clearly taught in Scripture--we can even show where that support is). Then go on to talk about the possible allegorical, metaphorical, or spirualized message.
This is a way of using analogy where you compare one thing with another. Just make sure both ideas have biblical support even if they appear in different parts of Scripture. Also, be careful of saying that this is exactly what the original Scripture (the one you are making a comparison to) intended. I mean be careful of saying the original Scripture intended to produce the analogy you picked out.
The New Testament uses such comparisons also when it talks about marriage being a picture of the relationship of Christ with the Church.
There can be value in spiritualizing a passage of Scripture, but we need to be carful with its use--especially careful not to come up with something that Scripture does not teach.
In the closing chapters of the book of Acts, there is a description of Paul going through a storm. I often use that to talk about how we go through the storms of life, but I always say that what the passage actually describes is the fact that Paul went through a real (weather) storm. Then I draw the analogies about how God helps us through "storms" (which can be clearly identified in Scripture.)
So, use spiritualizing, but make sure the comparisons are clear and reasonalble and that the comparisons can be backed up with the Bible otherwise.
I think the way to use what we call "spiritualizing" is to use other Scripture to back up the spiritual analogies we draw from a statement or event. Sometimes, we can say, "The primary historical meaning of this passage is . . . , but it reminds me of . . . . (something that is clearly taught in Scripture--we can even show where that support is). Then go on to talk about the possible allegorical, metaphorical, or spirualized message.
This is a way of using analogy where you compare one thing with another. Just make sure both ideas have biblical support even if they appear in different parts of Scripture. Also, be careful of saying that this is exactly what the original Scripture (the one you are making a comparison to) intended. I mean be careful of saying the original Scripture intended to produce the analogy you picked out.
The New Testament uses such comparisons also when it talks about marriage being a picture of the relationship of Christ with the Church.
There can be value in spiritualizing a passage of Scripture, but we need to be carful with its use--especially careful not to come up with something that Scripture does not teach.
In the closing chapters of the book of Acts, there is a description of Paul going through a storm. I often use that to talk about how we go through the storms of life, but I always say that what the passage actually describes is the fact that Paul went through a real (weather) storm. Then I draw the analogies about how God helps us through "storms" (which can be clearly identified in Scripture.)
So, use spiritualizing, but make sure the comparisons are clear and reasonalble and that the comparisons can be backed up with the Bible otherwise.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Course 5 Week 5
We are now on the downhill slope. I hope your ride has been a good one so far.
Here is a review of the posting requirements once again:
You have three assignments each week
(1) Make at least two initial posts in your posting area. The first one will be name of the course, and the names (or numbers of the DVD's) of the chapters or lectures you will be covering during the week. The second one will be a comment on one of those chapters. You will receive one point for getting the first post in on Tuesday or Wednesday. You will also get a point for getting at least one more initial post in.
(2) Go to your fellow student's posting areas, and ask them a question or questions about their intial posts. You will recieve one point for completing this assignment before 6:00 a.m. on Friday morning.
(3) Answer the questions asked.
(4) On Fridays, I will also give directions for making remaining posts during the week. Be sure and read those, and take them into account when making at least one of your remaining posts.
(4) In all, we want to make at least nine posts during the week. You will receive points for that as follows:
9 or more posts - 12 points
6-8 posts - 10 points
3-5 posts - 6 points
1-2 posts - 3 points
You will have the extra points you had accumulated by getting things in on time. Those are bonus points that will be used only to move your grade closer to 100 if you need them. They will be awarded each week if needed to move your grade up to 12 for the week. If you do not need them for that week, they will be carried over to the next week(s). Remember the posts that count for points will be at least three sentences long.
Here is a review of the posting requirements once again:
You have three assignments each week
(1) Make at least two initial posts in your posting area. The first one will be name of the course, and the names (or numbers of the DVD's) of the chapters or lectures you will be covering during the week. The second one will be a comment on one of those chapters. You will receive one point for getting the first post in on Tuesday or Wednesday. You will also get a point for getting at least one more initial post in.
(2) Go to your fellow student's posting areas, and ask them a question or questions about their intial posts. You will recieve one point for completing this assignment before 6:00 a.m. on Friday morning.
(3) Answer the questions asked.
(4) On Fridays, I will also give directions for making remaining posts during the week. Be sure and read those, and take them into account when making at least one of your remaining posts.
(4) In all, we want to make at least nine posts during the week. You will receive points for that as follows:
9 or more posts - 12 points
6-8 posts - 10 points
3-5 posts - 6 points
1-2 posts - 3 points
You will have the extra points you had accumulated by getting things in on time. Those are bonus points that will be used only to move your grade closer to 100 if you need them. They will be awarded each week if needed to move your grade up to 12 for the week. If you do not need them for that week, they will be carried over to the next week(s). Remember the posts that count for points will be at least three sentences long.
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