THE B.I.B.L.E
66 Books, written by approximately 40 different authors, Written over a period of approximately 1500+ years,, Many many rewrites and copies. Yes. Many times the scribe would add to it i'm sure, But I think the core of the bible remains strong. I find it Interesting that from 1611-1971 it was basically unchanged. this is the time between the KJV translation and the New American Standard Version, IT seems in the last 50 years there has been a movement for "less bible". So the question comes about, does the bible has integrity in 2016? I think so. I look at the History, The Scripture, defending scripture, the thread of continuity through the text , and the deeper meaning of the text.(the pepper). There are over 5,600 early Greek Manuscripts of the New Testament that are still in existence. We have plenty of History to back it up, ex: (pool of bethesda john 5:2)) Some thought john made this up, it was said to be destroyed 70AD.... In the 1900s, however, archaeologists at Bethesda unearthed two large water reservoirs separated by a broad rock dike. They were rectangular in shape, with four colonnaded portico around the sides. There is plenty of history to back the integrity of the scriptures. Sola Sctpture ( the thread of the bible), Genesis, to Revelation, its :Jesus. "made in our image" Who is our? "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.[f] Amen. (the ending rev 22:21) PSalm 22.:!8 is a detailed description of the crucifixion--1000 years before Jesus was born. There are Apppx 2,000 fulfilled prophecies in the bible. In approximately 700 BC, the prophet Micah named the tiny village of Bethlehem as the birthplace of Israel's Messiah (Micah 5:2). Plenty of history that can back the text, and prophecies that can connect the books. Someone said “The Hebrew language is not a precise mathematical language. It is alive. It desires to be known. HEb 4:12 For the word of God is living. The deeper meaning is through my studies, more than any other, this word, this bible has been placed in my heart. Jesus used scriptures to heal, to rebuke, to cast the devil off. Our God wasn't seen as an idol, or a figure. From the early days it was a story, and was eventually written down. So I believe that the Image of God, is brought through the language of God. I belive That the bible is the pepper, that it is the extra sauce in the soup. For me the scriptures breathe Abba. They Speak Grace and present the spirit to me. Its a feeling, its a knowing, its a faith that I cannot deny. For me its psalm 13. Its a song of David, crying to God saying "where are you" have you forgotten me (humans longing for the divine) then he said I will trust in you heart shall rejoice in your salvation.(God with us).. We can argue if a part is literal or symbolic, we can discuss if the bible is the "Word of God" or dos it contain "God word. But for me I start in a place knowing its has integrity, and I trust it as true.
Tuesday, August 02, 2016
Monday, April 18, 2016
This is my Bible..
"Can we change the bible"?
"Can we change the bible"?
I'd say for most of Christian History (Ad) 100-1960, A majority of christian thinkers were bible-based and followed a belief system based on the Bible.
2nd Timothy 3:16
"All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness,"
AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO
“If you believe what you like in the Gospel, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself.”
JOHN CALVIN
Since no daily responses are given from heaven, and the Scriptures are the only records in which God has been pleased to consign his truth to perpetual remembrance, the full authority which they ought to possess with the faithful is not recognized, unless they are believed to have come from heaven, as directly as if God had been heard giving utterance to them.[7]
Matthew Henry Commentary on the bible
Rev. 22:18, 19. He that adds to the word of God draws down upon himself all the plagues written in this book; and he who takes any thing away from it cuts himself off from all the promises and privileges of it. This sanction is like a flaming sword, to guard the canon of the scripture from profane hands. Such a fence as this God set about the law (Deut. 4:2), and the whole Old Testament (Mal. 4:4), and now in the most solemn manner about the whole Bible, assuring us that it is a book of the most sacred nature, divine authority, and of the last importance, and therefore the peculiar care of the great God.
The Revelation of John 22:18
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.
So I ask myself this.
Do I belive the bible as True... Yes
Is it the inspired word of God. Yes
Is it Literal: yes
Is it history: Yes
is it Symbolic : Yes
Is it a story: Yes
Is it present: yes
is it future: Yes
I am discouraged by a lack of scripture readings, and following by the modern church. I asked myself the other day when did Christians stop bringing the bible to church? I'd say when the 1st church hooked up a projector and displayed the scripture on a screen. We have in the modern church been given a fast food message. Easy to digest. I admire the liturgical church. Some of the passages are hard to read. some are easy. I like the fact that we study scriptures continually.
I feel as there is a departure from scriptures. Because of this I study more, I dig deeper. The further I go, the more i want to go. Its where I hang my hat.
This is my Bible.
I am what it says I am.
I can do what it says I can do.
I will never be the same.
I will never be the same .
Never, never, never. I will never be the same.
In Jesus name. Amen
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
April Showers
April Showers, Bring may flowers. Well it is raining. Not at the moment but in my life. I do not have a steady full time job, and I'm trying to figure out where to go from here. Last week I did some landscaping work, I enjoyed it. looking for work, feeling out of shape. Trying to get out of this slump....waiting for may flowers
Today.. Z posted a video about love. IT surprised me since its been at least 12 years since I've seen Z. She said you shouldn't get upset when people you were dating were happy with somebody else. She also talked about things happening for a reason. That was the basic of it. She looked good, even had earnings. She looked different, older, less shy, still curious and intriging.
The Story of Z
I guess its time to tell the story of Z. Its long and complicated. Its heartfelt, and tear-some. I don't even want to tell it, because its my story. Its the one story, that has impacted me most. So its time to tell some of it.
Strawberry Wine
Like strawberry wine and seventeen
The hot July moon saw everything
My first taste of love, oh bittersweet
The green on the vine
Like strawberry wine
Basically Me and Z met on an online chat room in a service called wow in 96 I thimk . Her in the West, I in GA, She was using her brothers username. I remember it but not mine. There was a connection there, we talked on the phone and began writing letters. We used to fall asleep on the phone, and get in trouble for long distance phone bills. We shared everything in the letters, the good, the bad and the ugly. We were very honest with each other. I began to fall in love with a girl I had never met. I wrote love songs about our distant love. Every sad song about far apart love was written for us. Z was with me daily.
Somehow, in the summer about a year later my parents drove the family out west, I met Z for the 1st time. I was very happy and we connected very well. A few days to museums, and zoos, and sneaking kisses and hand holdings. We listened to Jazz, talked about God. Went for walks. Tears were shed, songs were sung. I was in love and when I left Z. I cried, a lot.
Titanic
Years moved by and Z moved to my college, Daily life, in college, Was not as easy as it should have been. The love of my life was extremely difficult. I did not cope well. I was obsessed. I realize now I did not know how to be in a relationship. Z had problems, That I couldn't deal with. I tried to give everything. But It seemed it was never the right thing. Our love was sinking, like the titanic we loved. But I think mainly it was the college, we left for brunswick, tattered but comitted,
Goats,
Z moved into an apartment with a horse and some Goats. Daily life, came in. Things were not good. Not sure why, just not good. We fighted a lot. She was depressed, i wasn't who i needed to be. I couldn't let Go and Z was pushing me apart. When I tried to go, she held tight. It was a cycle of extreme mess. This is the time when she started to slip away. I figured it was better to be near her than away from her. I let her slip away, as I stood by.
Downtown.
The apartment downtown, i feel was a good time. But MK was in the picture. I was her ear, she complained to me about MK. I was in the friend zone with the love of my life. I kept thinking we would return, like every great love song We would sing songs, and cook meals and have a good time. But the love had slipped. Z decided to move to TN> She didn't like her place, and seemed much like a rambler wanting to move. I was happy staying around. Z moved to TN with MK. I cried as she left.
She was gone, and I was moved to SB b4 I knew it. I still talked to Z on the phone. She wold call me crying, lying, basically using me for attention and love. I still had love for her. She moved to Indiana. not too much longer. Somehow I felt the need to go see her. She wanted me to come. So I drove to Indiana. I wanted the love to return. It didn't She said no, I returned to GA in peace.
During that time I met HW. And our story began. I stopped talking to Z. She lives in texas now, again
Lessons of love:
You are important, love is sacred, if you love somebody and it doesn't return, than you have to decide not to pour your heart out. You can't be unequal. I can't love you totally and you ignore me. Lovers shouldn't have screaming matches. If your screaming, check yourself or both into counseling. I am lovable. I don't have to settle for anything that is harmful to me.
I loved Z. Very much, We have a strorybook past, I have scenes of Beaches, Caynons, Jazz, and moere. It ended badly. I'm ok with that. I have leaned from it. She was my 1 love and my music muse. HW gave me something amazingly awesome and we had a great journey together,,,Now me and becc are growing very close and I love her.
I pray for the loves lost and in the past. Each one I have learned and grown from.
peace JM
Today.. Z posted a video about love. IT surprised me since its been at least 12 years since I've seen Z. She said you shouldn't get upset when people you were dating were happy with somebody else. She also talked about things happening for a reason. That was the basic of it. She looked good, even had earnings. She looked different, older, less shy, still curious and intriging.
The Story of Z
I guess its time to tell the story of Z. Its long and complicated. Its heartfelt, and tear-some. I don't even want to tell it, because its my story. Its the one story, that has impacted me most. So its time to tell some of it.
Strawberry Wine
Like strawberry wine and seventeen
The hot July moon saw everything
My first taste of love, oh bittersweet
The green on the vine
Like strawberry wine
Basically Me and Z met on an online chat room in a service called wow in 96 I thimk . Her in the West, I in GA, She was using her brothers username. I remember it but not mine. There was a connection there, we talked on the phone and began writing letters. We used to fall asleep on the phone, and get in trouble for long distance phone bills. We shared everything in the letters, the good, the bad and the ugly. We were very honest with each other. I began to fall in love with a girl I had never met. I wrote love songs about our distant love. Every sad song about far apart love was written for us. Z was with me daily.
Somehow, in the summer about a year later my parents drove the family out west, I met Z for the 1st time. I was very happy and we connected very well. A few days to museums, and zoos, and sneaking kisses and hand holdings. We listened to Jazz, talked about God. Went for walks. Tears were shed, songs were sung. I was in love and when I left Z. I cried, a lot.
Titanic
Years moved by and Z moved to my college, Daily life, in college, Was not as easy as it should have been. The love of my life was extremely difficult. I did not cope well. I was obsessed. I realize now I did not know how to be in a relationship. Z had problems, That I couldn't deal with. I tried to give everything. But It seemed it was never the right thing. Our love was sinking, like the titanic we loved. But I think mainly it was the college, we left for brunswick, tattered but comitted,
Goats,
Z moved into an apartment with a horse and some Goats. Daily life, came in. Things were not good. Not sure why, just not good. We fighted a lot. She was depressed, i wasn't who i needed to be. I couldn't let Go and Z was pushing me apart. When I tried to go, she held tight. It was a cycle of extreme mess. This is the time when she started to slip away. I figured it was better to be near her than away from her. I let her slip away, as I stood by.
Downtown.
The apartment downtown, i feel was a good time. But MK was in the picture. I was her ear, she complained to me about MK. I was in the friend zone with the love of my life. I kept thinking we would return, like every great love song We would sing songs, and cook meals and have a good time. But the love had slipped. Z decided to move to TN> She didn't like her place, and seemed much like a rambler wanting to move. I was happy staying around. Z moved to TN with MK. I cried as she left.
She was gone, and I was moved to SB b4 I knew it. I still talked to Z on the phone. She wold call me crying, lying, basically using me for attention and love. I still had love for her. She moved to Indiana. not too much longer. Somehow I felt the need to go see her. She wanted me to come. So I drove to Indiana. I wanted the love to return. It didn't She said no, I returned to GA in peace.
During that time I met HW. And our story began. I stopped talking to Z. She lives in texas now, again
Lessons of love:
You are important, love is sacred, if you love somebody and it doesn't return, than you have to decide not to pour your heart out. You can't be unequal. I can't love you totally and you ignore me. Lovers shouldn't have screaming matches. If your screaming, check yourself or both into counseling. I am lovable. I don't have to settle for anything that is harmful to me.
I loved Z. Very much, We have a strorybook past, I have scenes of Beaches, Caynons, Jazz, and moere. It ended badly. I'm ok with that. I have leaned from it. She was my 1 love and my music muse. HW gave me something amazingly awesome and we had a great journey together,,,Now me and becc are growing very close and I love her.
I pray for the loves lost and in the past. Each one I have learned and grown from.
peace JM
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Dear friend...its over
Breaking Up is hard. Breaking a friendship is harder.
As a child it seems friends were always coming and going. Its something I had gotten used to. As an adult the leaving of a friend isn't so easy. When I was in relationship with my previous church fellowship was the mantra. I had the t-shirt and it was the hat I wore. The leaders of the "church" did not want to call themselves a church but a fellowship. When I decided to leave that place the people who I called "friends and family for the last year" drifted away.
Did I change?
Did I do something wrong?
I had to have a gut check. I was moments away from crying...i'll come back, please be my friend. 1st the The phone calls lessened, and people who you used to be closer to started doing things without you and posting them on face book, and before I knew time went buy with not seeing certain ppl.
Honestly my feelings were hurt. I reached out harder, i called, texted, even an unexpected drop by. But the relationship had changed, and I was no longer in the loop. As far as two of my friends goes, one is moving and the other is ignoring me. So its been hard to deal with. but I"m moving on.
"Oh sorry your not in fellowship anymore you can't participate". We are only going to ask out inner circle to the party, you didn't get the wedding invitation, ..., we had an awesome dinner, but didn't invite you. I was in your neighborhood but didn't call, REJECT,REJECT,REJECT. Have you been there? Have you felt this from "church family"? I have.
Do churches who are so "fellowship" centered exclude people not in their click? YES. What do we do about this? recognize and reform.
Leo the Levite was a follower in the crowd. The apostles knew his name, he was always there. Leo was always letting people get to Jesus before him. He was nice and unassuming. Leo the Levite always seemed to be excluded. When the "Apostles" had dinner with Jesus, he was left to tend the donkeys. I can see peter saying. Get him out, there is no room, he isn't with this party!
But then... we get a glimpse of Christ in a crowd, a woman beeding on her knees, in mark 5. Jesus noticed the power going out of him, and told the woman her faith had healed her. Al she wanted to do was see Jesus. Jesus wanted this woman because of her faith
I live in Leo the levities cloak. I feel on the outliers most of the time BUT... Jesus calls Leo "1st". BTW. He is an heir and is part of Christ. "let the last be first" Jesus is for the LEO in all of us..
Being excluded by Christian brothers and sisters, hits deep. It can be the catalyst that makes one say "i'm done with church". and "screw him i'm going home". I expect the world to spit on me, I expect those who i reveal my heart to to include and be a part of life with me. that always doesn't continue.
"I must tell Jesus all of my trials; I cannot bear these burdens alone; In my distress He kindly will help me; He ever loves and cares for His own"
So is this a post about friendship? fellowship? and the duties of community? YES.
I have felt for most of my life in church as a "Leo the Levite" person. I don't expect to be included in everything. But I also don't expect to be rejected/ Some of this is part of my stinking thinking / low self asteem that i'm working on. Some of this is also that churches especially "hipurches" can be clicky. We must fight against the urge to be Clicky and as Jesus did, care for all well.
Leadership sets the tone. How do you treat the rare visitor, the out-liar who only has his toe in the water? Do you bring him deep or keep him at the shore?
When Zacchaeus was in the tree, Jesus told him to get down. He could have left him up there. It was crowded, but he didn't. Jesus invited him in. Zacchaeus was a "leo the levite" who Jesus treated well.
As far as breaking friendships when somebody leaves the fellowship, idk...well it happens, It's easy to be friends with somebody in "your group" People get hurt after church transitions. We identify greatly with our church affiliation We should just take care of our own but also be willing to let somebody in a crowd come to us.
As far as the friends go, life changes. I had a mini crisis months ago thinking "i have nobody to talk to" well i do. I have people not in the "hipcurch" that I have started to have more fellowship with. So I move on and grow stronger in the Lord. thats all I can ever do.
Tips to being not a boring person
"talk to more people"
"try new things"
Tips to not feeling rejected
"talk to more people, try to meet new people" "sing everything is awesome"
peace
JM
As a child it seems friends were always coming and going. Its something I had gotten used to. As an adult the leaving of a friend isn't so easy. When I was in relationship with my previous church fellowship was the mantra. I had the t-shirt and it was the hat I wore. The leaders of the "church" did not want to call themselves a church but a fellowship. When I decided to leave that place the people who I called "friends and family for the last year" drifted away.
Did I change?
Did I do something wrong?
I had to have a gut check. I was moments away from crying...i'll come back, please be my friend. 1st the The phone calls lessened, and people who you used to be closer to started doing things without you and posting them on face book, and before I knew time went buy with not seeing certain ppl.
Honestly my feelings were hurt. I reached out harder, i called, texted, even an unexpected drop by. But the relationship had changed, and I was no longer in the loop. As far as two of my friends goes, one is moving and the other is ignoring me. So its been hard to deal with. but I"m moving on.
"Oh sorry your not in fellowship anymore you can't participate". We are only going to ask out inner circle to the party, you didn't get the wedding invitation, ..., we had an awesome dinner, but didn't invite you. I was in your neighborhood but didn't call, REJECT,REJECT,REJECT. Have you been there? Have you felt this from "church family"? I have.
Do churches who are so "fellowship" centered exclude people not in their click? YES. What do we do about this? recognize and reform.
Leo the Levite was a follower in the crowd. The apostles knew his name, he was always there. Leo was always letting people get to Jesus before him. He was nice and unassuming. Leo the Levite always seemed to be excluded. When the "Apostles" had dinner with Jesus, he was left to tend the donkeys. I can see peter saying. Get him out, there is no room, he isn't with this party!
But then... we get a glimpse of Christ in a crowd, a woman beeding on her knees, in mark 5. Jesus noticed the power going out of him, and told the woman her faith had healed her. Al she wanted to do was see Jesus. Jesus wanted this woman because of her faith
I live in Leo the levities cloak. I feel on the outliers most of the time BUT... Jesus calls Leo "1st". BTW. He is an heir and is part of Christ. "let the last be first" Jesus is for the LEO in all of us..
Being excluded by Christian brothers and sisters, hits deep. It can be the catalyst that makes one say "i'm done with church". and "screw him i'm going home". I expect the world to spit on me, I expect those who i reveal my heart to to include and be a part of life with me. that always doesn't continue.
"I must tell Jesus all of my trials; I cannot bear these burdens alone; In my distress He kindly will help me; He ever loves and cares for His own"
So is this a post about friendship? fellowship? and the duties of community? YES.
I have felt for most of my life in church as a "Leo the Levite" person. I don't expect to be included in everything. But I also don't expect to be rejected/ Some of this is part of my stinking thinking / low self asteem that i'm working on. Some of this is also that churches especially "hipurches" can be clicky. We must fight against the urge to be Clicky and as Jesus did, care for all well.
Leadership sets the tone. How do you treat the rare visitor, the out-liar who only has his toe in the water? Do you bring him deep or keep him at the shore?
When Zacchaeus was in the tree, Jesus told him to get down. He could have left him up there. It was crowded, but he didn't. Jesus invited him in. Zacchaeus was a "leo the levite" who Jesus treated well.
As far as breaking friendships when somebody leaves the fellowship, idk...well it happens, It's easy to be friends with somebody in "your group" People get hurt after church transitions. We identify greatly with our church affiliation We should just take care of our own but also be willing to let somebody in a crowd come to us.
As far as the friends go, life changes. I had a mini crisis months ago thinking "i have nobody to talk to" well i do. I have people not in the "hipcurch" that I have started to have more fellowship with. So I move on and grow stronger in the Lord. thats all I can ever do.
Tips to being not a boring person
"talk to more people"
"try new things"
Tips to not feeling rejected
"talk to more people, try to meet new people" "sing everything is awesome"
peace
JM
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