Oh and I think I forgot to mention (forgive me if I did) that last weekend while witnessing, a guy who joins us sometimes tells me my voice sounds like Keith Green. I never knew who he was referring to. He ended up giving me a CD he bought with Keith Green's (a musician apparently) greatest hits and a DVD documentary about him. Apparently he's a former hippie who got saved and started singing for Christ in the 70's. He and his family ended up using a good portion of their money from playing shows to buy or rent up a whole neighborhood nearly for those who had nowhere to live or were down and out. It became a kind of outreach center where they did Bible devotions and had cookouts and stuff. He died in a plane crash in the 80's. His music has been a blessing to me in the past week for sure. Here's a link to one of his songs...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0nUizWjaFM
Also, have you ever wondered about Titus 1:6...?
"An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient."
While there is a whole debate around the first part of the verse, my focus is on the second part. there is a debate about whether or not this is saying that to be qualified to be an Elder, a man's children must be saved first. My pastor (John watson) taught a short series on leadership a while back and I was encouraged by the support he gave on a particular view of this verse. Before that Sunday night, I taught a survey of Titus in the college ministry I was part of and spoke briefly on this verse. I just looked at it logically and didn't put nearly the study that my pastor and those he cites have. I asked him for his sermon notes and I wanted to pass them on to you...
"Children who Believe" in Titus 1:6
Pastors who have a high view of God’s Word take seriously the elder qualifications set forth in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.
Unfortunately, not all of these qualifications are easy to understand.
For example, in Titus 1:6b, the apostle Paul writes that elders must have tekna pista, which means either "children who believe" (NASB) or "faithful children" (NKJV), depending on how it is translated.
The disagreement concerns the adjective pistos and whether it should be rendered "believing" or "faithful."
In the end, the bottom line is this:
Is the requirement of Titus 1:6b that the children possess saving faith ("believing") or that they are obedient to their father ("faithful")?
· View 1— Meaning: believing, trusting; Translation: "children who believe [in Christ]"
· View 2— Meaning: faithful, trustworthy; Translation: "children who are faithful [to their father]"
When the adjective pistos is used in the New Testament to describe people rather than God, it means "believing" 12 times and "faithful" 36 times, so both possibilities are well attested.
In addition, we find that Paul uses pistos in both ways in the Pastoral Epistles: it clearly means "believing" in 1 Timothy 6:2 and "faithful" in 2 Timothy 2:2.
Therefore, either nuance of meaning is a distinct possibility in Titus 1:6.
For this reason, we must look to the context to determine which nuance is more likely Paul’s intended meaning.
In doing so, I would like to suggest five reasons why pistos should be translated "faithful" or "obedient" in Titus 1:6 rather than "believing" or "who believe."
First, the qualifying phrase "not accused of dissipation or rebellion" in Titus 1:6 emphasizes behavior and seems to explain or expand on what it means for children to be pistos (Knight, The Pastoral Epistles, 289).
In fact, there seems to be something of a pattern in Titus in which Paul states a generic, positive attribute, which is then followed by two or more specific, negative attributes which further explain the positive attribute by stating what it is not (Banker, A Semantic and Structural Analysis of Titus, 36).
This pattern can be seen in Titus 1:13-14 and Titus 2:3.
In Titus 1:13-14, Paul refers to being "sound in faith" (the one generic, positive attribute), which he further explains as "not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men" (the two specific, negative attributes).
In Titus 2:3, he refers to being "reverent in their behavior" (the one, generic positive attribute), which he further explains with the words "not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine" (the two specific, negative attributes).
If Titus 1:6 follows this same pattern, the idea would be that an elder must have "children who are pistos" (the one, generic positive attribute) in that they are "not accused of dissipation or rebellion" (the two specific, negative attributes).
Because the terms "dissipation" (wild living) and "rebellion" (disobedience) are more logically opposite of what it means to be "faithful" than what it means to be "believing," it would seem that "faithful" is the better translation (Barrick, "Titus 1:6").
Second, the parallel requirement in 1 Timothy 3:4 refers to an elder "keeping his children under control with all dignity."
As George Knight states, "In both cases the overseer is evaluated on the basis of his control of his children and their conduct" (Knight, The Pastoral Epistles, 290):
· Titus 1:6b: "having children who are faithful, not accused of dissipation or rebellion"
· 1 Timothy 3:4: "He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity"
In other words, the emphasis in both passages is on the behavior of the children, not on whether or not they possess saving faith.
Third, if pistos means "believing" in Titus 1:6, it is difficult to explain the absence of this qualification ("having children who believe") from Paul’s list in 1 Timothy 3:1-7.
Was this a requirement in Crete but not in Ephesus?
As Andreas Kostenberger writes, "In the larger context of the teaching of the Pastoral Epistles, it would be unusual if the author had two separate standards, a more lenient one in 1 Tim. 3:4 (obedient) and a more stringent one in Titus 1:6 (believing)" (Kostenberger, "Children of Elders: What are the Requirements?").
At least one commentator has responded to this by stating that Christianity was established more firmly in Ephesus at the time than in Crete, and therefore Paul did not think it necessary to include this requirement in 1 Timothy 3 (White, "The Epistle to Titus," 187).
Fourth, the translation "faithful" seems to be more consistent with the context, for every other qualification in Titus 1:5-9 involves an issue of the elder’s personal responsibility before God.
According to this passage, an elder has a responsibility to be a one-woman man, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, and self controlled.
But is he responsible before God to make sure his children are regenerate?
Put another way, it makes good sense that an elder is to be "above reproach" in these other areas of life, but how exactly is he to be above reproach in the area of making sure his children possess saving faith?
As Justin Taylor writes, "Requiring that his children have genuine saving faith is to require personal responsibility for the salvation of another, something I don’t see taught in Scripture" (Taylor, "Unbelief in an Elder’s Children").
First Timothy 3:4-5 indicates that the father’s faithfulness in the home is a testing ground for how faithful he will be in managing the flock at large.
Two fathers could be equally faithful in their parenting, and yet one might have a son who believes and the other a son who does not.
In this case, the second father would be disqualified even though he was no less faithful and capable than the first father.
According to Bill Barrick, parents do not have the ability to save their children or to guarantee their salvation.
There is, it is true, a certain amount of accountability in how a child is raised (cf. Prov 22:6).
However, nowhere does Scripture indicate that a father can determine the faith of his child.
Each person is individually and personally responsible for his or her acceptance or rejection of the Gospel.
Parents are not the Holy Spirit.
Godly, obedient, consistently faithful pastors leading their homes with the highest spiritual wisdom, character, and deeds can experience a child who does no believe in the Gospel.
Sometimes a child will not believe until much later in life.
Is that man to be excluded from eldership because of that? (Barrick, "Titus 1:6")
At the same time, it has been argued in response that God will be sure to save the children of those men He desires to serve as elders in the church.
If so, it seems that this would be the lone requirement in the lists of Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3 which reflects God’s sovereign choice of a given man rather than that man’s character and ministry qualifications.
This only serves to strengthen the argument that the meaning "faithful" is more consistent with the context.
Fifth, according to Barrick, when the adjective pistos is used to modify a noun (as it does in Titus 1:6), it always carries the meaning "faithful" or "trustworthy/credible."
In contrast, when the adjective is independent and functions as a substantive, it means "believing one" or "believer" (Barrick, "Titus 1:6").
Therefore, the meaning "faithful" in Titus 1:6 would be more consistent with the use of the word elsewhere in the New Testament.
Against this view, it has been argued that every time pistos is translated "faithful" in the New Testament, it refers to believers who are faithful, and never unbelievers.
Therefore, it is said, pistos must refer to children who believe regardless of the precise way it is translated.
In response, the fact that pistos is not used elsewhere in the New Testament in reference to unbelievers does not mean that the adjective cannot be used in reference to unbelievers (which is what this argument needs to show in order to be compelling).
To the best of my knowledge, there is nothing inherent in the word itself that precludes it from being used to describe an unbeliever.
Used in this way, it would describe an unbeliever who, though unregenerate, is faithful and obedient to the one in authority over him (e.g., the soldiers described in Matthew 8:9).
The view that pistos means "believing" raises some practical difficulties as well.
For example, if a man has a two-year-old daughter who has not repented of her sins and believed in Christ, is that man unqualified to serve as an elder?
Most interpreters who say that pistos means "believing" in Titus 1:6 would answer No, but on what basis?
If pistos means "believing," wouldn’t a child who has not exercised saving faith disqualify the father (since "believing" does mean "believing")?
Some would respond by saying that only an unbelieving child who has reached the age of accountability would disqualify the father.
Aside from the fact that Titus 1:6 says nothing about such an age, what exactly is that age?
Many believers give testimony to having believed at a very young age—even as young as five—so is five the age of accountability?
If not, why wouldn’t it be, since children seem capable of believing at such an early age?
In addition, it seems possible that identifying an age as the cutoff might establish something of a high-pressured countdown for an elder whose unbelieving child is approaching that age (i.e., "If my child doesn’t profess Christ by this March, I’ll need to step down from serving as an elder!").
These difficulties are only compounded by the fact that so many children profess faith but do not truly possess it.
It is often difficult to know for certain whether or not a child—especially one raised in a Christian home—is truly regenerate.
In many cases, elders would be deemed qualified because their children seem to be saved even though they are not regenerate.
On the other hand, it is much easier to observe whether or not a child is obedient to his or her father.
These kinds of practical considerations, of course, are secondary to the exegetical ones discussed above, but they are worthy of our consideration.
Overall, then, it seems to me that Paul’s intention in Titus 1:6 is to communicate not that an elder’s children must be saved for him to serve as an elder, but rather that his children must be faithful and obedient to their father, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.
Indeed, as Barrick notes, a believing child is far better dispositioned to be obedient and submissive to the authority of his parents than an unbelieving child—and in this way the two views may end up overlapping to a great extent—but saving faith per se is no more in view in Titus 1:6 than it is in 1 Timothy 3:4 (Barrick, "Titus 1:6").
Titus 1:6
Q: I am working through the Titus 1:6 issue (children who believe or faithful children). What support is there in this passage or elsewhere in Scripture for one view over the other? Do you have any good sources you could recommend for my own research/study?
A: One of the issues in this verse is whether it applies to only those children still under the authority of the home or whether it equally applies to those adult children who are outside the home. You'll note that John MacArthur (see the note on Titus 1:6 in the MacArthur Study Bible) distinguishes Titus 1:6 and 1 Timothy 3:4 by indicating that the former looks at older children while the latter focuses on young children in the home. It would seem preferable to see both passages identifying the same requisite rather than two different qualifications. If both are significant enough to include in the list of qualifications for elders, why is only one each listed in the two lists? The term translated "dissipation" in Titus 1:6 (NASB) certainly does appear to refer to older offspring, but that may be all that either passage intends. One could argue that "faithful" is a better translation because it is more logically the opposite of what is involved in "dissipation" than "believing" would be.The wording of Titus 1:6 is unique in that it uses the verb echo ("have" or "possess") in a phrase that is literally "children having faithfulness" or "children having faith." To the English Christian ear the latter translation sounds most familiar, so one is tempted to go with the sense that the children are to be "believers." However, the phraseology could equally well mean "keeping faith" or "staying loyal" or "maintaining obedience." The key exegetical issue is the meaning of pistos. Does it mean "believing," "faithful," or "obedient"? From the lexicons it is quite clear that the latter two are frequent occurrences in the Pauline epistles. Just look at the 17 uses of this adjective in the pastoral epistles alone: "faithful" (1 Tim 1:12; 3:11; 2 Tim 2:2, 13; Titus 1:6 [although some argue for "believing"]), "credible/trustworthy" (1 Tim 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim 2:11; Titus 1:9; 3:8), and "believing" (1 Tim 4:3, 10, 12 [which could equally be "faithful"]; 5:16; 6:2 [2x--but, the second time could be "faithful"]). In my mind, however, the parallelism of 1 Timothy 3:4 is the strongest argument for "faithful" or "loyal" as the meaning of pistos in Titus 1:6.The careful exegete must note, also, that when pistos modifies a noun like "children" (as in Titus 1:6) it is always "faithful" or "trustworthy/credible." When it is independent (an adjective employed as a substantive) it means "believing one" or "believer." Note this detail in 1 Timothy 4:3, 10, 12. Translating pistos as "faithful (to parents)" does not indicate whether the child is a believer. Obviously, a believing child is far better dispositioned to be obedient and submissive to parental authority than an unbelieving child, but salvation is no more in view than it is in 1 Timothy 3:4.Let's take another approach in attempting to understand Titus 1:6. Theologically (by which I mean the totality of the teachings of Scripture), parents do not have the ability to save their children or to guarantee their salvation. There is, it is true, a certain amount of accountability in how a child is raised (cf. Prov 22:6). However, nowhere does Scripture indicate that a father can determine the faith of his child. Each person is individually and personally responsible for his or her acceptance or rejection of the Gospel. Parents are not the Holy Spirit. Godly, obedient, consistently faithful pastors leading their homes with the highest spiritual wisdom, character, and deeds can experience a child who does not believe in the Gospel. Sometimes a child will not believe until much later in life. Is that man to be excluded from pastoring because of that? What about the pastor whose children make professions of faith and live their lives in submission to their parents in a model home, but one of those children later in life throws it away and becomes a profligate prodigal? Do we then strip that individual's father of his eldership and pastorate in his fortieth year of faithful and consistent service in the Word of God? If we insist that Titus 1:6 specifies that an elder or pastor must have believing children to be in office or to retain his office, we will end up throwing a godly elder out of office. And what would be the real reason?--because he is not God and cannot guarantee the salvation of every one of his children.Unfortunately, very few exegetical commentaries deal with the intricacies of Titus 1:6. Most just give their opinion without offering any technical support. The commentary with the fullest treatment of this verse is John MacArthur, Jr., Titus, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1996). A commentary I would highly recommend on just about every verse except Titus 1:6 is Homer A. Kent, The Pastoral Epistles (Chicago: Moody Press, 1969; Winona Lake, Ind.: BMH Books, 1982). This volume is one every pastor should have on his shelf.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Back To School!
I started the semester off and I'm excited. I'm only takiong 2 classes and as I survey the workload, I wish I'd have taken one more. I'm already finished with this week's work for one of my classes and it's due Monday night! It turns out the Spiritual Life and Community class is really a class on Discipleship. I'm required to lead a 12 week small group teaching the principles I learn in the class. For the past couple months I've been led to look more into discipleship because of all the witnessing I'm doing. There are those around me that I believe God is drawing and I want to be prepared to take it to the next level. I'm glad to have this class! My other one looks like it'll be pretty good too for a Bible Intro class. It will go over concepts like how the Bible was brought together/canonicity, and things like that. This class will also help if I meet people while witnessing who have sincere questions on the topic.
We got a manager now in my department! I'm excited that I can rest a bit easier now. He seems like a nice guy. I think he will be quite efficient and one who challenges his employees to work harder. That's such a good thing. Maybe I will find a better balance. Since I've come back to Produce, I notice that I seem not to work as hard as I used to remember working. It could just be my perception. However, when I work harder I notice that I'm hit with a wave of exhaustion about an hour after making it home. Maybe this manager will help push me to get to where I need to be.
I also found out that my dad's new girlfriend, her son, and their dog are now permenant residents in our home. That means more ministry opportunities for me. Her son is 16 and is attending the same high school I graduated from. Now I know I can't walk around the house wearing whatever I want to anymore!
Prayer:
-I'm planning a trip to Moody in Chicago on Sept. 13-15th. Please pray for inexpensive travel accommodations, plans following through, safety, and a pleasant experience.
-I called them yesterday and they have not received the female reference form. Please pray as I make that happen and that God would bless it.
-Witnessing to my new residents
We got a manager now in my department! I'm excited that I can rest a bit easier now. He seems like a nice guy. I think he will be quite efficient and one who challenges his employees to work harder. That's such a good thing. Maybe I will find a better balance. Since I've come back to Produce, I notice that I seem not to work as hard as I used to remember working. It could just be my perception. However, when I work harder I notice that I'm hit with a wave of exhaustion about an hour after making it home. Maybe this manager will help push me to get to where I need to be.
I also found out that my dad's new girlfriend, her son, and their dog are now permenant residents in our home. That means more ministry opportunities for me. Her son is 16 and is attending the same high school I graduated from. Now I know I can't walk around the house wearing whatever I want to anymore!
Prayer:
-I'm planning a trip to Moody in Chicago on Sept. 13-15th. Please pray for inexpensive travel accommodations, plans following through, safety, and a pleasant experience.
-I called them yesterday and they have not received the female reference form. Please pray as I make that happen and that God would bless it.
-Witnessing to my new residents
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Updates, Witnessing, and My Subtle Idolatry
In church this morning we sang the hymn by Robert Lowry titled, "Nothing But The Blood of Jesus." In all the recent encounters I and those I know have had with The Church of Christ, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Mormons lately... this song was such a faithful reminder of the purity of our Lord's gospel. Here's a link to it: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/n/b/nbtblood.htm
For those who believe baptism has a part in salvation, the opening lines of this hymn resonate soundly in Scripture... "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus." It's a beautiful song. Water can never wash away your sin, no matter how holy it may seem.
Good news at work... we got a Produce manager! Things should smooth out now. I also saved back all the money spent on classes for the coming semester and more! Praise God for His provision. I was even able to do a little shopping this weekend. This means everything I will save over this semester will be gravvvvvy that goes toward Spring! I'll be calling Moody Tuesday or Wednesday for a status update on my application for Spring. At work Friday there was a noise coming underneath the wet rack where all the vegetables are sitting in most stores (with the thing that sprays them with water to keep them fresh). The guy had to cut up the black matting to get to the problem. After he did that, I knew it wouldn't be sensible to leave it cut open, so I had to do half of the job we've needed to do for a while now. I took all the produce off that side, removed the plastic layers and the metal small rack portions, cleaned it out, put new black matting on, and the produce back on. It took about 2 and a half hours. I still ended the week with under 40 hours.
This weekend I decided to drag myself downtown for Friday and Saturday night. I wanted to take advantage of the Friday night opportunity before school began again. I'm glad I did and I soon regained the energy I needed for the night. We had a good group. Pastor Ted brought his youth group and about 5 other guys came out. I ended up preaching for about 45 minutes straight without thinking. I'm thankful the Lord shined through and gave me the passion to preach the gospel without nearly the amount of distractions I've had lately in mind. I had 2 first time experiences this weekend in evangelism... 1. Friday night after giving a group of guys tracts, one of them mooned us. 2. Saturday night an older Spanish gentleman was encouraged by the preaching and asked me if he could give me a break! The guy preached the Bible 3-4 times that night! We'd never met him before! His name was Willy. I praise God for brothers in Christ! I tried to add the photo I took of him in this post, but I'm new to Blogger so we'll see what happens.
Please pray for Kenneth who we also spoke with Friday night. He believed he was a Christian, but did not believe in hell or that "the Bible is the Word of God." He walked away with a gospel message and hopefully God makes the seed we planted grow inside of him. He was very willing to talk and very kind in his tone. I gave him my email. Saturday we had a good group come out as well... lots of preaching. I also got to see Domenic again. It's been months since I last saw him. We had a doctrinal disagreement a long time ago and it's been hit and miss ever since. He seemed happy to see us.
What I really wanted to talk about in this post is the full reality of something God's been teaching me over the last few years. As part of my testimony I would always share the quote from one of Joshua Harris' books. H e said he was "in love with being in love." That perfectly described me before I was saved. Infatuation was my obsession. Through my experiences in relationships after salvation, it's been quite a struggle still. This morning the pastor spoke about Idolatry. He preached from Exodus 32 and the story about the golden calf. It was a fitting picture of idolatry. As time passed it was as if it were standing still for me.
I was brought to the depth my own idolatry. Why is it that I say women and relationships are my Achille's heel? Why is it that near the end of my last relationship I more and more often found myself overanalyzing, fumbling words, missing the mark, falling down, falling into obligation, etc.? Why is it that my stress and neck pain have been so strong? It's because I hadn't grasped the magnitude of just how bad this idolatry was. God surely taught me and continues to teach me in His good timing and sanctification that I must trust only in Him and place no security in human beings... no matter how much I care for them. No relationship outside of biblical marriage has any gaurantees. I told my best friend that there were times I asked myself, "What Would ______ Do?" and "What Would ______ Think?" only to insert her name. It had no place in those blanks. Near the end of the sermon, I was nearly in tears. I held them until I got out on the road. She was the only person I made eye contact with as I left. I left quickly this morning too.
I've learned so much lately. God can pull out the rug from underneath you faster than you can blink. I pray that I never make another woman or relationship into a golden calf and may whoever she is be patient with me in this endeavor.
I praise God for his perfect sanctification!
Prayer:
-Kenneth (above)
-Application in the magnitude of what God has helped me to see in my life
For those who believe baptism has a part in salvation, the opening lines of this hymn resonate soundly in Scripture... "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus." It's a beautiful song. Water can never wash away your sin, no matter how holy it may seem.
Good news at work... we got a Produce manager! Things should smooth out now. I also saved back all the money spent on classes for the coming semester and more! Praise God for His provision. I was even able to do a little shopping this weekend. This means everything I will save over this semester will be gravvvvvy that goes toward Spring! I'll be calling Moody Tuesday or Wednesday for a status update on my application for Spring. At work Friday there was a noise coming underneath the wet rack where all the vegetables are sitting in most stores (with the thing that sprays them with water to keep them fresh). The guy had to cut up the black matting to get to the problem. After he did that, I knew it wouldn't be sensible to leave it cut open, so I had to do half of the job we've needed to do for a while now. I took all the produce off that side, removed the plastic layers and the metal small rack portions, cleaned it out, put new black matting on, and the produce back on. It took about 2 and a half hours. I still ended the week with under 40 hours.
This weekend I decided to drag myself downtown for Friday and Saturday night. I wanted to take advantage of the Friday night opportunity before school began again. I'm glad I did and I soon regained the energy I needed for the night. We had a good group. Pastor Ted brought his youth group and about 5 other guys came out. I ended up preaching for about 45 minutes straight without thinking. I'm thankful the Lord shined through and gave me the passion to preach the gospel without nearly the amount of distractions I've had lately in mind. I had 2 first time experiences this weekend in evangelism... 1. Friday night after giving a group of guys tracts, one of them mooned us. 2. Saturday night an older Spanish gentleman was encouraged by the preaching and asked me if he could give me a break! The guy preached the Bible 3-4 times that night! We'd never met him before! His name was Willy. I praise God for brothers in Christ! I tried to add the photo I took of him in this post, but I'm new to Blogger so we'll see what happens.
Please pray for Kenneth who we also spoke with Friday night. He believed he was a Christian, but did not believe in hell or that "the Bible is the Word of God." He walked away with a gospel message and hopefully God makes the seed we planted grow inside of him. He was very willing to talk and very kind in his tone. I gave him my email. Saturday we had a good group come out as well... lots of preaching. I also got to see Domenic again. It's been months since I last saw him. We had a doctrinal disagreement a long time ago and it's been hit and miss ever since. He seemed happy to see us.
What I really wanted to talk about in this post is the full reality of something God's been teaching me over the last few years. As part of my testimony I would always share the quote from one of Joshua Harris' books. H e said he was "in love with being in love." That perfectly described me before I was saved. Infatuation was my obsession. Through my experiences in relationships after salvation, it's been quite a struggle still. This morning the pastor spoke about Idolatry. He preached from Exodus 32 and the story about the golden calf. It was a fitting picture of idolatry. As time passed it was as if it were standing still for me.
I was brought to the depth my own idolatry. Why is it that I say women and relationships are my Achille's heel? Why is it that near the end of my last relationship I more and more often found myself overanalyzing, fumbling words, missing the mark, falling down, falling into obligation, etc.? Why is it that my stress and neck pain have been so strong? It's because I hadn't grasped the magnitude of just how bad this idolatry was. God surely taught me and continues to teach me in His good timing and sanctification that I must trust only in Him and place no security in human beings... no matter how much I care for them. No relationship outside of biblical marriage has any gaurantees. I told my best friend that there were times I asked myself, "What Would ______ Do?" and "What Would ______ Think?" only to insert her name. It had no place in those blanks. Near the end of the sermon, I was nearly in tears. I held them until I got out on the road. She was the only person I made eye contact with as I left. I left quickly this morning too.
I've learned so much lately. God can pull out the rug from underneath you faster than you can blink. I pray that I never make another woman or relationship into a golden calf and may whoever she is be patient with me in this endeavor.
I praise God for his perfect sanctification!
Prayer:
-Kenneth (above)
-Application in the magnitude of what God has helped me to see in my life
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Feeling a slight draft...
Tonight at work I was lifting a case of bananas.... We are supposed to squat and bend knees as we lift to save our back. I lifted the case and heard a rrriiiiiiiiip. I tore a gaping hole in the bottom end of my work pants! I tied another apron around the back for the remainder of the night. On the way home I had to stop in at Wal-Mart to buy more pants and pick up a few other items. I walked up to the register only to realize that I didn't take my wallet with me to work when I left this afternoon! Because I work at 5am tomorrow, I had little choice but to come home, change, and head back up there. What a night!
Things have been going alright lately. I decided not to commit to the church puppet evangelism team. I can't guarantee I'd be able to make meetigns and rehearsals once school starts. I've been doing a refresher study in the spiritual gifts in the mornings as I'm able, otherwise I just read a Psalm or another chapter elsewhere for my devotion. It's interesting how much ambiguity I'm finding in how Bible teachers interpret the gifts. Some suggest that we only have one gift, others that we can have many gifts, and still others that the gifts manifest themselves at different times in different ways. Some say the gift of prophecy is no longer for us, others say it was replaced by the gift of teaching, many say it includes foretelling and AND forthtelling and today takes the form of preaching. Very interesting.
I also had a very encouraging meeting with my accountability partner last night from like 7-11pm. he really does challenge my reasoning, thoughts, and opinions. I'm so thankful he isn't just a "'yes' man" that agrees with everything I say. That wouldn't be accountability. He brought some interesting perspectives for me to consider. I greatly appreciate his influence in my life.
School begins the 28th and I'm excited. These entry-level classes will really help tie up any loose ends of the foundations of my biblical knowledge and growth.
Prayer:
-A sound mind, clarity, and courage in all relevant areas of life lately
-A co-worker I've been witnessing to
-That God would speak through my co-laborer and I as we try for the first time to preach downtown during lunch hour this Thursday from 11am-12noon
-favor with Moody as the time to call them for an application status and planning to visit is quickly approaching
Things have been going alright lately. I decided not to commit to the church puppet evangelism team. I can't guarantee I'd be able to make meetigns and rehearsals once school starts. I've been doing a refresher study in the spiritual gifts in the mornings as I'm able, otherwise I just read a Psalm or another chapter elsewhere for my devotion. It's interesting how much ambiguity I'm finding in how Bible teachers interpret the gifts. Some suggest that we only have one gift, others that we can have many gifts, and still others that the gifts manifest themselves at different times in different ways. Some say the gift of prophecy is no longer for us, others say it was replaced by the gift of teaching, many say it includes foretelling and AND forthtelling and today takes the form of preaching. Very interesting.
I also had a very encouraging meeting with my accountability partner last night from like 7-11pm. he really does challenge my reasoning, thoughts, and opinions. I'm so thankful he isn't just a "'yes' man" that agrees with everything I say. That wouldn't be accountability. He brought some interesting perspectives for me to consider. I greatly appreciate his influence in my life.
School begins the 28th and I'm excited. These entry-level classes will really help tie up any loose ends of the foundations of my biblical knowledge and growth.
Prayer:
-A sound mind, clarity, and courage in all relevant areas of life lately
-A co-worker I've been witnessing to
-That God would speak through my co-laborer and I as we try for the first time to preach downtown during lunch hour this Thursday from 11am-12noon
-favor with Moody as the time to call them for an application status and planning to visit is quickly approaching
Friday, August 10, 2007
At the Carnival!
The work meeting went alright. It was mostly about how many hours and new employees each manager will get. I didn't benefit a whole lot other than just being in the loop. I thought the meeting would be about the visible changes to the store as well. I expected slides or something. Afterward I visited a nearby store I knew was a Lifestyle one already. It was apparently the first one. I checked out their produce department and most things had like a double spread on the product as if they sold double. The Asst. Grocery mgr. said they did about $1 million in sales their opening week. Construction begins September 23rd. Things will be interesting to say the least. Hopefully most of their construction happens overnight... ?
It was SO hot today. I'm debating whether or not to go to carnival tomorrow morning that work is providing. it's in some park in Fort Worth I think. We'll see. I'm already up late right now.
Went witnessing at a local carnival tonight. One of the police officers was a Christian, the people who owned the property were just concerned about the content of my tracts. They wanted to know what I was giving out... I suppose to make sure it wasn't porn or something. Talked with a few teens and an older couple. The man asked a lot skeptic questions that I didn't have time to answer. I was able to take him through the law, judgment, righteousness, and hell... he wasn't concerned about his eternity and then they walked into the carnival.
While I was so fearful, God will use every bit of it for His glory. Between Jacky and I we gave out about 100 tracts or more!
It was SO hot today. I'm debating whether or not to go to carnival tomorrow morning that work is providing. it's in some park in Fort Worth I think. We'll see. I'm already up late right now.
Went witnessing at a local carnival tonight. One of the police officers was a Christian, the people who owned the property were just concerned about the content of my tracts. They wanted to know what I was giving out... I suppose to make sure it wasn't porn or something. Talked with a few teens and an older couple. The man asked a lot skeptic questions that I didn't have time to answer. I was able to take him through the law, judgment, righteousness, and hell... he wasn't concerned about his eternity and then they walked into the carnival.
While I was so fearful, God will use every bit of it for His glory. Between Jacky and I we gave out about 100 tracts or more!
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Baptist Wednesdays
My church is not currently holding Wednesday night Bible Study and in fact is planning to change the dynamic of Wednesday nights in the Fall. I'm still thinking about what I will do with my schedule... work on the free Wednesday nights or visit another church for Wednesday service only?
I've currently decided to visit a small Baptist church on Wednesday nights near the former home of a woman I was courting. I gave the pastor a copy of Hell's Best Kept Secret over a year ago. As with many Baptist churches, they are zealous and evangelistic. This is why I go. It's encouraging. The preaching is topical and only goes so deep, but the passion for the lost is deeper than many I've met. The atmosphere actually reminds me of my old church in other ways (although they just might be Independent Baptist). The funny phenomenon is that I am picking up on the little theological differences now more easily. I need to keep a spirit of grace and patience so as to not join the "word police" and critique everything that's said (verbally OR mentally). I'm so thankful to God and select people He placed in my life to encourage and convict me in my speech. I was reading through Proverbs not long ago in the mornings and it's interesting how often they speak of our words, mouths, tongue, speech, lips, etc. God knows how powerful words are on both ends of the spectrum. In sanctification, He teaches me this on a more practical level. Here's a good lesson I've learned through some pain, heartache, reaping, and sowing... just shut up! That's today's lesson.
Work is going alright, except somehow we went from a -2% in sales to a -13%. It seems I can't win. There were some factors involved that contributed, but that's nuts! Well, hopefully we'll balance out soon. Tomorrow I get to be in the manager's meeting on the remodeling coming to our store. We're becoming a "Lifestyle" store. It will look quite snazzy, we'll carry more, we'll have more employees, and sales go up. I'm somewhat excited about the meeting and to see the changes.
I'm also finishing up a booklet full of written sermons on the topic of marriage from preachers in the 17 and 1800's. It's pretty good. I find it interesting that they use the term "religion" as a synonym for Christianity, unlike today's Christian culture that likes to say, "not a religion, a relationship." The Bible uses "religion" a few times in a positive sense as well... at least in the NIV. I'm not saying one way is better than the other, but it's interesting to note as you read further back into Christian history. My goal is to finish that and move on to the next batch of literature from www.mountzion.org.
Recent prayer items:
-Grandpa is in the hospital for breathing issues, not saved, 72 yrs. old
-What role should I play in the church puppet evangelism ministry? They're looking for a leader...?
-Work: The physical drain and burdens of mgmt. responsibility
-Application to Moody for Spring
I've currently decided to visit a small Baptist church on Wednesday nights near the former home of a woman I was courting. I gave the pastor a copy of Hell's Best Kept Secret over a year ago. As with many Baptist churches, they are zealous and evangelistic. This is why I go. It's encouraging. The preaching is topical and only goes so deep, but the passion for the lost is deeper than many I've met. The atmosphere actually reminds me of my old church in other ways (although they just might be Independent Baptist). The funny phenomenon is that I am picking up on the little theological differences now more easily. I need to keep a spirit of grace and patience so as to not join the "word police" and critique everything that's said (verbally OR mentally). I'm so thankful to God and select people He placed in my life to encourage and convict me in my speech. I was reading through Proverbs not long ago in the mornings and it's interesting how often they speak of our words, mouths, tongue, speech, lips, etc. God knows how powerful words are on both ends of the spectrum. In sanctification, He teaches me this on a more practical level. Here's a good lesson I've learned through some pain, heartache, reaping, and sowing... just shut up! That's today's lesson.
Work is going alright, except somehow we went from a -2% in sales to a -13%. It seems I can't win. There were some factors involved that contributed, but that's nuts! Well, hopefully we'll balance out soon. Tomorrow I get to be in the manager's meeting on the remodeling coming to our store. We're becoming a "Lifestyle" store. It will look quite snazzy, we'll carry more, we'll have more employees, and sales go up. I'm somewhat excited about the meeting and to see the changes.
I'm also finishing up a booklet full of written sermons on the topic of marriage from preachers in the 17 and 1800's. It's pretty good. I find it interesting that they use the term "religion" as a synonym for Christianity, unlike today's Christian culture that likes to say, "not a religion, a relationship." The Bible uses "religion" a few times in a positive sense as well... at least in the NIV. I'm not saying one way is better than the other, but it's interesting to note as you read further back into Christian history. My goal is to finish that and move on to the next batch of literature from www.mountzion.org.
Recent prayer items:
-Grandpa is in the hospital for breathing issues, not saved, 72 yrs. old
-What role should I play in the church puppet evangelism ministry? They're looking for a leader...?
-Work: The physical drain and burdens of mgmt. responsibility
-Application to Moody for Spring
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Witnessing To Witnesses... and the rest of life.
Friday was a tiring day at work and I planned on going to a pool party that night. I went, while I was dragging around and content to just sit on the couch with the A/C for about an hour (I got there really early because the time was changed and I didn't know). It was alright since I hadn't been in a swimming pool in over a year. I'm also kinda inclined to stay away from water parks and pools due to the stumble factor. Swimsuits don't have to be skimpy to catch the eye. There was some mild trouble with that, but it wasn't for the same reason. I enjoyed getting out and hanging out, but a few things I wasn't prepared for... lol. I assumed it would be a party of believers, when it was mostly not. That makes things awkward when you pray over the food for "a good time of fellowship."
I also wasn't prepared for something else. Typically when it comes to parties (of any kind) and if they are small with the right characteristics... an interesting phenomenon develops. When single people get together, some of them may tend to size up their potential compatibility with those of the opposite sex in the group and they will either choose to gravitate toward the one they are more attracted to or the ONLY candidate they are attracted to. At this party, I was 1 of 2 guys among 5 girls. In this case it was an old friend of person (whom I knew) that was hosting the party. She had an affinity or a pull to me and those eyes that were kinda waiting for you to show a sign of flirtation. Because I am not interested in pursuing a relationship, this made for an awkward evening. I began asking myself how I would act in my past or maybe even now if I was interested in someone and it all fit perfectly. She may have been physically attractive, but if you've made up your mind about something... at that time at least... it can prove to be a tough situation. I was thankful when I had to head home.
It was the mgr.'s last day of work yesterday and he called in, so I was called in. I expected it and it gave me more hours... which is always good! :) It was a good day overall too. It appears by the end of this month I will have saved back all the money I am spending on tuition for the Fall semester before it even starts! If I'm accepted to Moody for the Spring, this will give room for the funds to visit the school in September as I'd like to. It's also possible for me to transfer to a grocery store within the Safeway company right down the road from Moody. I called the manager there and gave him a time frame. It would be cool to have a secure job in place when I got there... even if I wanted to look for another one. So that's exciting!
I also wanted to talk about last night. Because Jon Speed felt like preaching longer, we were there until like 10pm. I was surprised to see that I was fully awake in church this morning without being sleepy in the least. It could be due to being so burnt out from working. I played dead under the sheet while Jon preached for 45 minutes! It was so humid I almost passed out. I'm thankful Travis came by to ask if I was alright. When we traded places and as I got up, I was dizzy. I hadn't even noticed it! I would have nodded right off to sleep without thinking twice.... untila group of medical personnel woke me up! But I gained my bearings and began handing out tracts. Jon got a good crowd though. That's why he kept going.
Before he got there, Travis and I had a long discussion with a pair of Jehovah's Witnesses. I can't do a full analysis of our discussion and what happened because I'd be writing all night, but a few points I can make that you may find helpful in your evangelistic efforts are as follows...
1. I brought up what I've found to be the #1 biblical support of the deity of Christ. This is the first time I've heard an argument against it. I mentioned it earlier in the blog, but if you compare Revelation 1:8 with 1:17-19, it's clearly a connection in context with Jehovah and Jesus Christ. You have to do some leaps to get another interpretation. Jesus died and rose again so the latter passage in chapter 1 is referring to Him. The connection comes in the simple parallel of "Alpha and Omega" with "First and Last." Alpha is the 1st letter of the Greek alphabet and Omega is the last letter. God is saying He is the beginning and the end of all things. He is over all things. This describes His awesomeness and His character. It is a clear connection and only 9-10 verses apart.
They told me it simply means Jesus was the "firstborn of all creation." They believe Jesus was the first created being. This is why I love Hermeneutics!! Context is SO important! Our presuppositions are crucial as well.
2. I also quoted John 8:58, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM." I've heard the argument that this also means Jesus was the firstborn of all creation, but that wouldn't be consistent with all else that He's said, done, and claimed and how those things made the religious leaders so angry. They wanted to STONE HIM because of these words. Strangely... that wasn't the argument I heard last night though. They said Jesus was using "I am" the common way we do today. We know God specifically identified Himself as I AM to Moses in the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14). This is an obvious parallel and makes sense as to why they would want to stone Him immediately after that! If it is like we use it today, would it offend any stranger if I made the same statement (even substituting Abraham for another name) enough for them to want to kill me? Surely not! They would think I was crazy. We don't talk like that today.
3. They also believe Jesus is a mighty god, but not almighty God. Questions... Is there only one true God? OK, is Jesus a true God or a false god? Also, if He is just another "god," are Jehovah's Witnesses polytheistic?
Overall it was an awesome night of ministry. Travis and I were itching to stay later but we both had commitments to get home for. While the 2 JW's could explain themselves rather well, I'm thankful we have the sound confidence in the Word of God in context! Praise Him for the power of His Word and pray for those two gentlemen. May God use the tracts they took to show them their need for the Savior, Messiah, and God Himself... Jesus Christ.
I also wasn't prepared for something else. Typically when it comes to parties (of any kind) and if they are small with the right characteristics... an interesting phenomenon develops. When single people get together, some of them may tend to size up their potential compatibility with those of the opposite sex in the group and they will either choose to gravitate toward the one they are more attracted to or the ONLY candidate they are attracted to. At this party, I was 1 of 2 guys among 5 girls. In this case it was an old friend of person (whom I knew) that was hosting the party. She had an affinity or a pull to me and those eyes that were kinda waiting for you to show a sign of flirtation. Because I am not interested in pursuing a relationship, this made for an awkward evening. I began asking myself how I would act in my past or maybe even now if I was interested in someone and it all fit perfectly. She may have been physically attractive, but if you've made up your mind about something... at that time at least... it can prove to be a tough situation. I was thankful when I had to head home.
It was the mgr.'s last day of work yesterday and he called in, so I was called in. I expected it and it gave me more hours... which is always good! :) It was a good day overall too. It appears by the end of this month I will have saved back all the money I am spending on tuition for the Fall semester before it even starts! If I'm accepted to Moody for the Spring, this will give room for the funds to visit the school in September as I'd like to. It's also possible for me to transfer to a grocery store within the Safeway company right down the road from Moody. I called the manager there and gave him a time frame. It would be cool to have a secure job in place when I got there... even if I wanted to look for another one. So that's exciting!
I also wanted to talk about last night. Because Jon Speed felt like preaching longer, we were there until like 10pm. I was surprised to see that I was fully awake in church this morning without being sleepy in the least. It could be due to being so burnt out from working. I played dead under the sheet while Jon preached for 45 minutes! It was so humid I almost passed out. I'm thankful Travis came by to ask if I was alright. When we traded places and as I got up, I was dizzy. I hadn't even noticed it! I would have nodded right off to sleep without thinking twice.... untila group of medical personnel woke me up! But I gained my bearings and began handing out tracts. Jon got a good crowd though. That's why he kept going.
Before he got there, Travis and I had a long discussion with a pair of Jehovah's Witnesses. I can't do a full analysis of our discussion and what happened because I'd be writing all night, but a few points I can make that you may find helpful in your evangelistic efforts are as follows...
1. I brought up what I've found to be the #1 biblical support of the deity of Christ. This is the first time I've heard an argument against it. I mentioned it earlier in the blog, but if you compare Revelation 1:8 with 1:17-19, it's clearly a connection in context with Jehovah and Jesus Christ. You have to do some leaps to get another interpretation. Jesus died and rose again so the latter passage in chapter 1 is referring to Him. The connection comes in the simple parallel of "Alpha and Omega" with "First and Last." Alpha is the 1st letter of the Greek alphabet and Omega is the last letter. God is saying He is the beginning and the end of all things. He is over all things. This describes His awesomeness and His character. It is a clear connection and only 9-10 verses apart.
They told me it simply means Jesus was the "firstborn of all creation." They believe Jesus was the first created being. This is why I love Hermeneutics!! Context is SO important! Our presuppositions are crucial as well.
2. I also quoted John 8:58, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM." I've heard the argument that this also means Jesus was the firstborn of all creation, but that wouldn't be consistent with all else that He's said, done, and claimed and how those things made the religious leaders so angry. They wanted to STONE HIM because of these words. Strangely... that wasn't the argument I heard last night though. They said Jesus was using "I am" the common way we do today. We know God specifically identified Himself as I AM to Moses in the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14). This is an obvious parallel and makes sense as to why they would want to stone Him immediately after that! If it is like we use it today, would it offend any stranger if I made the same statement (even substituting Abraham for another name) enough for them to want to kill me? Surely not! They would think I was crazy. We don't talk like that today.
3. They also believe Jesus is a mighty god, but not almighty God. Questions... Is there only one true God? OK, is Jesus a true God or a false god? Also, if He is just another "god," are Jehovah's Witnesses polytheistic?
Overall it was an awesome night of ministry. Travis and I were itching to stay later but we both had commitments to get home for. While the 2 JW's could explain themselves rather well, I'm thankful we have the sound confidence in the Word of God in context! Praise Him for the power of His Word and pray for those two gentlemen. May God use the tracts they took to show them their need for the Savior, Messiah, and God Himself... Jesus Christ.
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