Friday, February 20, 2009
Correlations
I noticed that in Roger's reading material, there was reference to both Hebrews and John 15. Then I noticed how Sean is studying Hebrews, and Tyler is studying the Gospels. There is a content link in our studies. Of course, The Lord is the common denominator of all of our studies. May He be glorified in it all.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
God's Promises
In your reading this week, list one or more of God's promises you come across along with the other items you wish to discuss.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Course 6 Week 3
We are a fourth of the way through the course beginning this week. We are dealing with topics as diverse as the four Gospels, the book of Revelation, and continued discussion of salvation by grace through faith, with faith being the important conditon of salvation.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Course 6 Week 3 Roger's Topics
Roger, you may place your initial comments and the answers to our questions in the comments section below.
Visitors may join our discussion by clicking on the word "comments" below any of these sections.
Visitors may join our discussion by clicking on the word "comments" below any of these sections.
Course 6 Week 3 Tyler's Topics
Tyler, you may place your initial posts and the answers to our questions in the comments section below.
Visitors may join us by clicking on the word, "comments below any of these sections.)
Visitors may join us by clicking on the word, "comments below any of these sections.)
Course 6 Week 3 Sean's Topics
Sean, you may place your initial posts and the answers to our questions in the comments section below.
Visitors may join us by clicking on the word, "comments below any of these sections.)
Visitors may join us by clicking on the word, "comments below any of these sections.)
End of Course Six Week Two
This week ends at midnight tonight. Thanks for a great discussion this week.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Tying Things Together
We have had discussions this week on Hebrews, Perseverance/preservation, Mark and canonization of Scripture.
While these are varied topics, we do see that Scripture is important, that it is the Word of God, that we may have our opinions, but what Scripture says is the most important, and that it is important to rightly use Scripture.
I have appreciated the dynamic of this class. Keep up the good work.
While these are varied topics, we do see that Scripture is important, that it is the Word of God, that we may have our opinions, but what Scripture says is the most important, and that it is important to rightly use Scripture.
I have appreciated the dynamic of this class. Keep up the good work.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Keep Going, Fellas
On Fridays, sometimes I give a suggestion as to how to deepen our discussion.
As we progress through the course, however, I think we will see the increased importance of the idea of conditional security (or at lest the condition of salvation).
So, I don't have any suggestions at this time, just keep posting on any of the topics we are covering this week until you get at least the required number of posts.
As we progress through the course, however, I think we will see the increased importance of the idea of conditional security (or at lest the condition of salvation).
So, I don't have any suggestions at this time, just keep posting on any of the topics we are covering this week until you get at least the required number of posts.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Biblical "Criticism"
We who hold the Scriptures dear to our heart sometimes flinch when we hear the words "Biblical Criticism."
We have come across the term in some of the books in this course. As was pointed out, "criticism", in ths context, does not mean to "talk down about." However, there were some Bible schlars, who talked about "Higher criticism." They were mostly not orthodox (what we would loosely call, "liberal.") They did seem to do a lot of harm because they did not accept things such as miracles, etc. It looks sort of like a bunch of "unbelievers" talking about the Bible.
Their is another type of criticism that is engaged in by Bible believing Christians. It is called textual criticism. It basically is involved in trying to discover the accurate words that were probably in the original manuscripts of Scripture. The oldest things we have are based on handwritten copies of the originals. So, that type of criticism does not destroy faith, nor does it attempt to tear down Scripture. Rather, it ia an attempt to delve into the Word of God. Textual criticism is also an attempt not to twist the words of Scripture, but to portray those words and their meanings accurately.
Summary: (In my mind, and a little oversimplified) "Higher Criticism" = "Bad."
"Textual Criticism" (Sometimes called "Lower Criticism) = "Good!"
We have come across the term in some of the books in this course. As was pointed out, "criticism", in ths context, does not mean to "talk down about." However, there were some Bible schlars, who talked about "Higher criticism." They were mostly not orthodox (what we would loosely call, "liberal.") They did seem to do a lot of harm because they did not accept things such as miracles, etc. It looks sort of like a bunch of "unbelievers" talking about the Bible.
Their is another type of criticism that is engaged in by Bible believing Christians. It is called textual criticism. It basically is involved in trying to discover the accurate words that were probably in the original manuscripts of Scripture. The oldest things we have are based on handwritten copies of the originals. So, that type of criticism does not destroy faith, nor does it attempt to tear down Scripture. Rather, it ia an attempt to delve into the Word of God. Textual criticism is also an attempt not to twist the words of Scripture, but to portray those words and their meanings accurately.
Summary: (In my mind, and a little oversimplified) "Higher Criticism" = "Bad."
"Textual Criticism" (Sometimes called "Lower Criticism) = "Good!"
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Course 6 Week 2
We will get into our academic discussions in earnest this week. The requirement of giving the titles of your chapters ealy in the week is very important. The DVD's are different because sometimes they don't give the titles, so you will just have to tell us the numbers of the ones you will be watching.
Social comments and prayer requests are very good and encouraged; however, the 9 or more posts will need to be on topic for the course. (Sometimes social comments do relate to the topic, so sometimes they will count. An example of last week's discussion of perseverance followed by personal testimonies were examples of social comments that related to the topic.)
Roger, you got in to this very well. You seemed like an old pro by the end of the week.
Here ia review of the general requirements for each week.
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.
The first week of any course is an introduction week.
Make one post telling us about yourself.
Ask each other questions.
Almost any post will count as a quality post this week if it is three sentences long. We always want to have fun, but this is a great week to do it.
If you choose to cover a chapter or chapters (or DVD's) this week, divide the number of chapters in the book by eight. That will tell you how many chapters you need to try to cover this week. That's what the first item in the requirements refers to. Then pick out important parts of the chapter or lecture and comment on them. This will be letting the rest of us know what you are studying, and it will give us the opportunity to get in a discussion on a certain topic if we wish.
Social comments and prayer requests are very good and encouraged; however, the 9 or more posts will need to be on topic for the course. (Sometimes social comments do relate to the topic, so sometimes they will count. An example of last week's discussion of perseverance followed by personal testimonies were examples of social comments that related to the topic.)
Roger, you got in to this very well. You seemed like an old pro by the end of the week.
Here ia review of the general requirements for each week.
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.
The first week of any course is an introduction week.
Make one post telling us about yourself.
Ask each other questions.
Almost any post will count as a quality post this week if it is three sentences long. We always want to have fun, but this is a great week to do it.
If you choose to cover a chapter or chapters (or DVD's) this week, divide the number of chapters in the book by eight. That will tell you how many chapters you need to try to cover this week. That's what the first item in the requirements refers to. Then pick out important parts of the chapter or lecture and comment on them. This will be letting the rest of us know what you are studying, and it will give us the opportunity to get in a discussion on a certain topic if we wish.
Course 6 Week 2 Sean's Topics
Sean, you may post your initial comments and answers to questions here.
Course 6 Week 2 Roger's Topics
Roger, you may post your initial comments and answers to questions here.
Course 6 Week 2 Tyler's Topics
Tyler, you may post your initial comments and answers to questions here.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Hard Day, But One of Great Relief
Hey Guys,
This was an eventful day in my life. Bro. Roger, being one of my deacons, knew this day would be coming at some point.
For over seven years, I have been pastor of Unity Free Will Baptist Church. Last Summer, the Lord began to get my attention, and I started to pray about how much longer I was supposed to be at the church. One of the things that has confirmed the Lord's will for our lives in the past has been the Lord's unusual provision to meet our needs. Last summer, that extra provision shut off, and we began struggling financially.
A few months later, I asked my wife about what she was getting during her prayer life. After I told her about my wondering what was going one, she said, "The other day I was praying and it was like the Lord said, 'It will be O.K. if you leave [the church].'" I did not expect that reply because she really likes the church and really likes serving in the church. She also likes stability.
Notice the Lord did not tell her to leave, just that it would be all right.
Then I talked with the deacons. Every Church should be blessed with deacons such as I have had the privilege of serving this church with. I thought maybe the Lord had been "speaking" to them. If either of them had received an indication that maybe my time might be drawing close, I would have accepted that confirmation from the Lord. Neither of them had any such indication, so we agreed to pray about the situation.
During that time of prayer, the Lord confirmed some things for me about my style of ministry. One is that I often am involved in "pioneering" new things. I was in on the founding of Camp Jericho at the beginning, and Unity was almost like a new church plant, but I was not there right at the very beginning. In the past, I had started a Christian school and a College ministry. Unity has moved from being a new work to an established church.
So, in evaluating my ministry, some things I would like to do in the next few years are to go on some mission trips to Mexico, Japan and Australia. In Australia, I would be teaching some classes for a Bible College (or Leadership Institute) that one of my former college students has established over there. I also have a book on Marriage a little over half written that I would like to finish. (Some of the articles on the left side of the screen will be put together to furnish a lot of content for the book.) I also would like to have a speaking ministry along that line.
In order to go on the mission trips, I will have to be able to go to some churches to present the mission opportunities for those trips.
I presently am defining my ministry as "strengthening churches, marriages and ministries."
Once I defined that aspect of ministry for my life, the unusual provisions of God have started up again. The church raised the pastor's salary, which needed to be done whether I was to continue or not. It had only been raised once, and that was a couple of months after I became pastor. But the main source of supply is always from the Lord. He began to provide again.
Bro. Roger and Bro. Mike graciously offered to allow me to be gone quite a bit to arrange for these mission trips, and I thought for a while that would be all that would be needed to take care of the situation. But, as Rhonda pointed out, I was becoming so "fragmented" it seemed like it would be hard. That was true to some extent. Then I had some health scares that possibly could relate to trouble with my heart, and that seemed perhaps to relate to frustration and stress. One test has ruled out the heart truoble, but it is not as accurate as a heart catheterization. At this point, my doctor and I are just continuing to watch the situation.
I thought about timing too. My son, Rusty, His wife, Brenda, and their two-year old daughter are missionaries to Japan, and they had a commissioning service at church a few weeks ago (January 3, 2009) shortly before leaving for Japan. Sometime in late December or early January, I was praying and it was like the Lord said, (not in an audible voice), "You don't have to continue." Then I waited a little, and the clear direction came "Don't [continue at the church]!"
I wanted to wait until Rusty and Brenda got gone before I told Rhonda about what updated direction I seemed to be getting, but a day or two before the commissioning service she asked me about what was going on, so I told her. She was not overly excited, but she said, "Well, O.K."
So, I met with the deacons again, and told them about the direction I seem to have. We talked about how they would go about getting a new pastor. We even have someone in mind who is praying about the situation. We are all praying. We also agreed that I could stay on as pastor until the Sunday after Easter unless the church were to call a new pastor before that time.
Today was the day I announced my resignation. It was hard because this has been my favorite church. There is no earthly explanation for such a decision to leave. I am not mad at anyone. I hope no one is mad at me. Things are going well, but I know if I don't follow this direction from the Lord, things WILL get worse. I certainly don't want that to happen.
When Jonah was running from the Lord, God sent some rough circumstances to him and those that were on his ship. He finally told them that if they would throw him overboard, the storm would stop. They didn't want to do that. The storm, however, finally got so bad that they did decide to throw him overboard.
I would rather leave now while things are going well than to wait until the Lord applied such pressure that people would want to "throw me overboard."
The Church is in pretty good shape (of course there is always room for improvement). Even better days are ahead! We don't know about tomorrow, but we know Who holds tomorrow! (Sombody ought to write a song about that, Ha!)
This is a little scary because it is a cut in income on our part. It is a step of faith, which we have done many times before, but we are a lot older now. I'm sure the security of the last few years has felt good to Rhonda. I often make the statement, "Get out on a limb for God. Then saw the limb off, and watch God work!" but I really thought maybe those days were over for us. Well, we are out on the limb, and today I sawed it off. (Excuse me, time for a quick prayer) Lord, we want to see You work!
I also have mentioned about our church starting a new church. I also thought that someone from our church would go and do that. I did not think it would be me! or rather, Rhonda and me! But, who knows? Since my gifts seem to be related to the areas of pioneering maybe that will happen.
I don't know the exact "flavor" of our new direction, but it is a great relief to have things out in the open. Rhonda, my family, and the deacons and I have had months to process all this information. Today, many from the church are just hit with it and are beginning to have to process it.
We had a wonderful church service tonight where we celebrated the Lord's Supper. Since I have a little over two months left, I would like to see us again see several decisions for Christ. This last Quarterly report is the first one in a long time where we had to put "none" down for the number of conversions. I would like to see that pick up again. Really, I would like to go out "in a blaze of glory!" :) I would like to hand the church over to the next pastor with things going great guns! We'll see.
One of our teenagers testified tonight, and he showed great wisdom. He reminded us all that I am not the captain of the ship, the Lord is. He said some glowing things about me, but he realizes that all our reliance is upon God, not us as individuals.
Thanks for listening guys. Pray for Unity in the search for their new pastor. Some of you may be asked to fill in some while we are waiting.
We have been talking about perseverance, and there are times to persevere. Bro. Roger knows that we have done that many times in the past. However, there are also times to move on. This, to the best of my discernment, is one of them. In it all, to God be the glory.
This was an eventful day in my life. Bro. Roger, being one of my deacons, knew this day would be coming at some point.
For over seven years, I have been pastor of Unity Free Will Baptist Church. Last Summer, the Lord began to get my attention, and I started to pray about how much longer I was supposed to be at the church. One of the things that has confirmed the Lord's will for our lives in the past has been the Lord's unusual provision to meet our needs. Last summer, that extra provision shut off, and we began struggling financially.
A few months later, I asked my wife about what she was getting during her prayer life. After I told her about my wondering what was going one, she said, "The other day I was praying and it was like the Lord said, 'It will be O.K. if you leave [the church].'" I did not expect that reply because she really likes the church and really likes serving in the church. She also likes stability.
Notice the Lord did not tell her to leave, just that it would be all right.
Then I talked with the deacons. Every Church should be blessed with deacons such as I have had the privilege of serving this church with. I thought maybe the Lord had been "speaking" to them. If either of them had received an indication that maybe my time might be drawing close, I would have accepted that confirmation from the Lord. Neither of them had any such indication, so we agreed to pray about the situation.
During that time of prayer, the Lord confirmed some things for me about my style of ministry. One is that I often am involved in "pioneering" new things. I was in on the founding of Camp Jericho at the beginning, and Unity was almost like a new church plant, but I was not there right at the very beginning. In the past, I had started a Christian school and a College ministry. Unity has moved from being a new work to an established church.
So, in evaluating my ministry, some things I would like to do in the next few years are to go on some mission trips to Mexico, Japan and Australia. In Australia, I would be teaching some classes for a Bible College (or Leadership Institute) that one of my former college students has established over there. I also have a book on Marriage a little over half written that I would like to finish. (Some of the articles on the left side of the screen will be put together to furnish a lot of content for the book.) I also would like to have a speaking ministry along that line.
In order to go on the mission trips, I will have to be able to go to some churches to present the mission opportunities for those trips.
I presently am defining my ministry as "strengthening churches, marriages and ministries."
Once I defined that aspect of ministry for my life, the unusual provisions of God have started up again. The church raised the pastor's salary, which needed to be done whether I was to continue or not. It had only been raised once, and that was a couple of months after I became pastor. But the main source of supply is always from the Lord. He began to provide again.
Bro. Roger and Bro. Mike graciously offered to allow me to be gone quite a bit to arrange for these mission trips, and I thought for a while that would be all that would be needed to take care of the situation. But, as Rhonda pointed out, I was becoming so "fragmented" it seemed like it would be hard. That was true to some extent. Then I had some health scares that possibly could relate to trouble with my heart, and that seemed perhaps to relate to frustration and stress. One test has ruled out the heart truoble, but it is not as accurate as a heart catheterization. At this point, my doctor and I are just continuing to watch the situation.
I thought about timing too. My son, Rusty, His wife, Brenda, and their two-year old daughter are missionaries to Japan, and they had a commissioning service at church a few weeks ago (January 3, 2009) shortly before leaving for Japan. Sometime in late December or early January, I was praying and it was like the Lord said, (not in an audible voice), "You don't have to continue." Then I waited a little, and the clear direction came "Don't [continue at the church]!"
I wanted to wait until Rusty and Brenda got gone before I told Rhonda about what updated direction I seemed to be getting, but a day or two before the commissioning service she asked me about what was going on, so I told her. She was not overly excited, but she said, "Well, O.K."
So, I met with the deacons again, and told them about the direction I seem to have. We talked about how they would go about getting a new pastor. We even have someone in mind who is praying about the situation. We are all praying. We also agreed that I could stay on as pastor until the Sunday after Easter unless the church were to call a new pastor before that time.
Today was the day I announced my resignation. It was hard because this has been my favorite church. There is no earthly explanation for such a decision to leave. I am not mad at anyone. I hope no one is mad at me. Things are going well, but I know if I don't follow this direction from the Lord, things WILL get worse. I certainly don't want that to happen.
When Jonah was running from the Lord, God sent some rough circumstances to him and those that were on his ship. He finally told them that if they would throw him overboard, the storm would stop. They didn't want to do that. The storm, however, finally got so bad that they did decide to throw him overboard.
I would rather leave now while things are going well than to wait until the Lord applied such pressure that people would want to "throw me overboard."
The Church is in pretty good shape (of course there is always room for improvement). Even better days are ahead! We don't know about tomorrow, but we know Who holds tomorrow! (Sombody ought to write a song about that, Ha!)
This is a little scary because it is a cut in income on our part. It is a step of faith, which we have done many times before, but we are a lot older now. I'm sure the security of the last few years has felt good to Rhonda. I often make the statement, "Get out on a limb for God. Then saw the limb off, and watch God work!" but I really thought maybe those days were over for us. Well, we are out on the limb, and today I sawed it off. (Excuse me, time for a quick prayer) Lord, we want to see You work!
I also have mentioned about our church starting a new church. I also thought that someone from our church would go and do that. I did not think it would be me! or rather, Rhonda and me! But, who knows? Since my gifts seem to be related to the areas of pioneering maybe that will happen.
I don't know the exact "flavor" of our new direction, but it is a great relief to have things out in the open. Rhonda, my family, and the deacons and I have had months to process all this information. Today, many from the church are just hit with it and are beginning to have to process it.
We had a wonderful church service tonight where we celebrated the Lord's Supper. Since I have a little over two months left, I would like to see us again see several decisions for Christ. This last Quarterly report is the first one in a long time where we had to put "none" down for the number of conversions. I would like to see that pick up again. Really, I would like to go out "in a blaze of glory!" :) I would like to hand the church over to the next pastor with things going great guns! We'll see.
One of our teenagers testified tonight, and he showed great wisdom. He reminded us all that I am not the captain of the ship, the Lord is. He said some glowing things about me, but he realizes that all our reliance is upon God, not us as individuals.
Thanks for listening guys. Pray for Unity in the search for their new pastor. Some of you may be asked to fill in some while we are waiting.
We have been talking about perseverance, and there are times to persevere. Bro. Roger knows that we have done that many times in the past. However, there are also times to move on. This, to the best of my discernment, is one of them. In it all, to God be the glory.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Course Six Week 1 Introductions
Sorry,
I wrote this earlier in the week, but it saved as a draft instead of publishing.
Tyler and Sean, you have introduced yourself on this forum so many times, you may be tired of it. You have two options: copy your earlier introductions, or tell us something about yourselves we haven't heard before. Roger, you could look through the archives to see some or our earlier introductions, and then you could give us some of your background. (You already did some when you gave the testimony about the church. You could tell about your salvation, family, etc. (marriage ministry?).
I wrote this earlier in the week, but it saved as a draft instead of publishing.
Tyler and Sean, you have introduced yourself on this forum so many times, you may be tired of it. You have two options: copy your earlier introductions, or tell us something about yourselves we haven't heard before. Roger, you could look through the archives to see some or our earlier introductions, and then you could give us some of your background. (You already did some when you gave the testimony about the church. You could tell about your salvation, family, etc. (marriage ministry?).
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