Don't go to church!

The latest hype to get you to go to church!

Gentle reader,

I get more stuff across my email desk! This is the latest!

"Don't go to church! for the next 4 Sundays instead BE the Church!" What a bunch of stuff and nonsense The idea is over centuries old. That is go out amoung them and make adifference. But who thinks upp this stuff. So church marketing group to make money!!!   Well Isn't that what Jesus Christ said 2000+ years ago through the Apostle Paul? "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."

Pardon me Dear Reader, but people would rather watch Paris Hilton go to jail than really BE the church . I mean of over the 100+ churches that I have been in contact with there has not been one that wanted to search the Scriptures to get to know the reality of the risen Christ. Who is at fault? I blame the leadership  (yes, Pastors too) who are trying to fill buildings, budgets and have bloated body counts. Instead of filling Christians with the Word of God.

If you see someone on fire, if you don't watch, you might want to at least help them by putting out the fire! So Christians are so lukewarm that they don't have the desire to really BE THE CHURCH. No wonder Jesus wasn't welcomed by the Religious community. I think I might in good company. What about you? 

Love, Denis

Another Look at the Scripture:

The last chapter of the gospel of John (chapter 21) contains a fishing expedition of seven(vs. 2)disciples. In this connection there is an interesting Greek word, kalchaino,which means two things: (1) to search for the purple-fish, (2) to search in the depths of one's mind, or to ponder deeply. The Greek story behind this curious word is that there existed in ancient Greece a mollusk from which the Greeks made a special purple dye. Divers would descend to the bottom of the ocean floorin search of this shellfish that was highly prized. This became a metaphorical expression for plumbing the depths of one's own mind. Thus searching for the fish, exploring the depths of the sea, finding unconscious contents in oneself, and exploring the inner mind are all related images and ideas.
When the disciples reached the shore, they found Jesus cooking a fish. Perhaps the fish in this story, which is almost ready to eat, is the meaning of Christ Himself, which is now ready to be assimilated into human consciousness. More symbolism is used as the Lord asks Peter three times, "Do you love me? Feed my sheep." Then we come to valuable insight into eternal thinking. The question is, why are Jesus and Peter discussing the future of the unknown disciple (John)? Just as Mark 9:1 says, "I tell you solemnly, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power." That is, they would not die before the Second Advent of Christ. Again in John 9:1 we read, "Truly I say to you there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power." However, here in John 21, Jesus says to Peter, "If I want him to stay behind while I am coming." The Greek 'eos erchomai is translated "till I come." However in Greek grammatical construction the conjunction 'eos means "until" when it is combined with the particle an and with the verb in the subjunctive. When 'eos occurs without an and with the verb in the indicative it is translated "while." The grammatical distinction would appear to be quite clear, and in fact, in John 9:4, which has a construction similar to that of 21:22 ('eos without an and with the indicative) it is translated "while it is still day." It would seem, then, that the Greek does not have Jesus saying, "If I want him to stay behind till I come" but "If I want him to stay behind while I am coming."
It is my opinion that the Lordimplies a different mode of discipleship for the beloved disciple than for Peter. Peter is the activist minister. He is the one who is told to watch over and feed the flock of Christ. The beloved disciple is the one who is suggested to simplywait while Christ is coming. He is to abide (meno), doing "nothing" but being in a highly developed state of consciousness while Christ returns in judgment and in a mystical way, returning to the hearts and souls of people. The Lord was saying that there will be people who change the world by achieving a certain quality of consciousness and holding to it. Such a person does nothing, yet everything gets done. It is our greatest lesson to rest in the power of God and yield everything to Him. This is a more spiritual, mystical and effective way to serve our God.
Then comes the final stroke in John 21:25: "There were many other things which Jesus did; if all were written down, the world itself, I suppose, would not hold all the books that would have to be written." The fact is that the Divine Mind is so vast that our world and our worldly consciousness could not possibly hold the knowledge of it. The Word of God so far surpasses human understanding that if the whole world as we know it was filled with books about God's mind, there would still be an infinity of meaning not yet touched upon.

Matthew 25

“Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me” [Mat. 25:36].



Just in case there is any doubt, the word “naked” means “nude.” And it did not mean that Yahshua got that way on purpose. The idea is that outward circumstances caused Him to not have any clothes. Whether from being poor and not able to purchase any, or of being robbed of His clothes, or they were just plain worn out, or whatever the cause, He had no clothes.



The first part of the next compound Greek word is “peri” from which we get words in the English language, like “periscope,” which also is a compound English word. The ending part is “scope” which means “to see” and the first part, “peri” means “all around.”



The second part of the Greek word is “ballo,” which means “to throw,” like throwing a “ball.” So the whole word means “to throw (something) all around,” like throwing a blanket all around a person who is cold, wet, weak, hungry, shivering, etc. It does not necessarily mean what we would consider “clothing” in the 21st century. The faithful servant did something to cure the problem of being nude.



Another thing that He said was that “He was sick.” The original word for sick is “astheneo” and means “to be feeble (in any sense).” It is translated variously in the KJV as to “be diseased, impotent, sick and weak.”



I have no idea why the KJV translators used the word “visited.” It is so far off the tract. While it does carry the idea of “to inspect,” the idea, by extension, is to “relieve” one of whatever problem that the person had. It could have very easily and correctly been translated as “I was diseased, with no strength and you inspected to find out what the problem was and after making the diagnosis, you relieved me to where I no longer suffered from the problem.”



“I was in prison” (caged in, guarded) is a good translation. Was the condition reversed? It is not so stated. But the idea is that the faithful servant was not ashamed and went “near” to the Master while He was in prison and gave as much help and encouragement as possible. Compare what Paul said of Philemon and his slave, Onesimus, while Paul was in prison.



“I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 11. Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 12. Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: 13. Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 14. But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. 15. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16. Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 17. If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 19. I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. 20. Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. 21. Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say” [Philemon 10-21].



When Yahshua was actually “caged and guarded” was Peter ashamed of Him? Did Peter come “near” to Him? Did Peter do anything to help Him under that condition? There seems to be quite a difference in what Peter did under that circumstance and what Onesimus did for the apostle Paul. We know which action was pleasing to Yahweh

A Word from my sponsor

"I Guess I should warn you, if I turn out to be particularly clear, you've probably misunderstood what I've said"

Gentle Reader,

Thank God for a backup I found what I was looking for in my back up. But before I go on to talk about my favorite subject I want to mention one thing (Christians, and those who fear God if your not being feed in the church, synagogue or Bible fellowship run don’t walk to the nearest exit) as to what is happening is what you can read about in 1 Timothy Chapter 4.

Now on to the subject at hand That is Grace and

Perceptions and/or Misconceptions about Grace

Consider the following situations as they relate to Grace and its ramifications:

A driver commits a traffic violation by exceeding the speed limit, and is pulled over by a police officer. The driver is guilty, does not have a bona fide excuse, and is without a doubt "caught." Yet, the officer, for no particular reason, does not issue a citation. Is that Grace? Would it not be "unmerited favor," and therefore fit the common definition?

What if asking to not receive a citation was necessary. Would that be Grace? Then would it not be merited, if only slightly? What if the officer had a "reasonable" reason, such as the driver’s having no previous record of citations? Would that be Grace? What if the driver had a bona fide alibi, such as an emergency? Would that then not make it an example of Grace, since the driver, in fact, had a "right" to violate the law but, yet, the officer also had a "right" to issue the citation?

Is it Grace only if justice is withheld for no reason, but not if there is a valid reason? If Grace is favor, is withholding justice the only means of showing Grace? Do we most often think of Grace as not getting what we deserve, or do we think of it as receiving something we didn’t earn? Or are they the same?

A student may ask for "grace" regarding a grade. Perhaps he is lacking the few extra points to achieve an "A" and is effectively asking for those points to be added to his score. If the instructor simply added the necessary points, would that be Grace? Is not this "unmerited favor"? What if the instructor granted the points because the student had much "good effort," or because of outside family discord. Would it now not be Grace, because the points are now "merited"? What if the student were given the opportunity to "make up" the work, did so, and now the points are added. Would that be Grace, since, in a sense, he "earned" the points? Would it be the proper thing to do? What if you were the parent of the student? Would you encourage the grade increase, or would you discourage it? What if you were a fellow student, who worked hard and just barely, but honestly, earned your "A." Would you protest?

In the case of the traffic violation, the question is:

"Can we get the offense subtracted from our account, and can we somehow not receive what we really deserve?" In the case of the student, he did nothing wrong, and there was no violation. He just came up short. So the question is: "Can we get something added to our account; can we somehow receive what we do not really deserve?" Is not the general perception of salvation that Hell is subtracted from our account (which we really do deserve) and Heaven is added to our account (which we don’t really deserve)?

Can Grace in some way be earned? If it can be earned, even in the slightest manner, how can it still be Grace? Just how "pure" is the Grace of salvation? Do we not say that we are saved by pure Grace? Yet, if it is not earned or deserved, does it then become cheap, become taken for granted, become trampled on, become, in essence, worthless? After all, do we not cherish and protect more things that we have earned and worked for, rather than things that are freely given to us? It has been said: "That which we receive too easily, we esteem too lightly."

If we are late on a payment due, and are not charged a financial penalty, is that Grace? It is, after all, called a "grace period." Is it Grace if the delay is given only under "extenuating" circumstances?

Does Grace require a "line" to cross, or a "level" to achieve? What if neither existed? What if completely and unexpectedly, and for no reason other than you just happen to be there at the time, someone walks up and hands you fifty dollars. Is that Grace, or is it foolishness?

Does Grace require a law? If there is a law, must that law be broken for the exercise of Grace? Did the law set the stage for Grace to be expressed? Conversely, can Grace be given where there is no offense?

What if Adam had not sinned, if sin were not an issue? Would God be able to show Grace? Would He "need" to? Would He be confined to not being able to show Grace at all?

Is Grace Unmerited Favor ?

On a personal note, when growing up, I was taught that "Grace equals the unmerited favor of God." Of course, as is common-place, this definition was never really questioned. Now, given my understanding of this great theme, the author would not use it again. However, in some sense, it is right. Yet, in a very real sense it is at the least incomplete and, at the most, wrong. Consider yet more questions.

If Grace is indeed "unmerited," are there absolutely no conditions on the part of the recipient? Are there conditions to be met before Grace can be given? How about conditions/obligations that must be met after Grace is given, in order to maintain our "Grace status"? Is it truly and absolutely "unmerited"? Does that mean Grace is given purely randomly and without reason? Concomitantly, does that mean Grace is given despite the reaction of the recipient? If not, then it becomes merited, at least in some sense, does it not?

Can Grace be rejected, or is it extended regardless? If it is not merited, then how can it not be extended? Is it an action based solely on the giver, one that is determined within the giver’s own mind and counsel? Is it a gift? Must it be received? Does not even the necessary act of receiving it attach merit to it, even if so very minuscule? Must the receiver know he has received Grace? Must he be thankful? Acknowledgeable? Must he respond accordingly? If so, can it truthfully be called "Grace"?

If there is absolutely no merit, what does that make God? Does it not make Him irresponsible and reckless with His favor? Will He not be "taken advantage of"? Does it not cheapen His favor, make it perhaps even worthless? Yet, if there is merit in even the slightest degree, then can we really call it "Grace"?

Next time: Grace and Human Relations

Reasons or excuses

Top ten reasons for sleeping in Church

Good thing I'm a contemplative!

Whoa! The Third Heaven is so cool. There's—whoops, sorry. They told me not to tell.

Isn't this the healing service for narcolepsy?

I was testing to see if my new Bible cover is, uh, waterproof.

The church espresso machine is on the blink.

I wasn't really asleep—just blinded by the pastor's forehead.

I was entering into the Sabbath Rest.

Well, excuse me for staying up all night Saturday in prayer.

I was getting in touch with my inner Bible study.

I always snore when I'm slain in the Spirit.

"HETEROGENEOUS ADMIXTURE."

Much of the present day contribution from "pulpit and" and press which, to a large extent, is engaging the attention of the people reminds one of the novice who decided to cook a dish of food. He dumped into the dish most anything and everything in sight. Some of the material that went into the concoction was very good; some of it was very bad.

When the food was finally prepared and cooked, there were just two things to be said of it: it was nameless and useless. In the process of cooking it obnoxiously offended the nasal sensibilities of the countryside; and, when eaten it very thoroughly wrecked the cast iron stomach of the eater.

Here is how the proposition works as regards the many, so-called religious messages: the Scriptures are twisted, dwarfed, juggled, dissected, vivisected, criticized, opinionated, and confounded.

Then, to this ruthless treatment there is added. an abun-
dance of fanciful, frivolous, fictitious, factious, fatuous, man-created theological, theoretical, theosophical, and psychological ideas

As a result of all this what can be expected but a conclusion merging into utter exasperation ?

Thinking man thinks either in conformity with or contrary to the revealed Word of the living God. Cp. Isa. 55:8.

"My thoughts are not your thoughts, saith the Lord." Whenever man's message is made up of man's thoughts as" against the thoughts of God, then that message becomes misleading and destructive.

To be what God intends it, a message must contain and be in harmony with the Word of God. Then again, it must
contain and be in harmony with the Word of God RIGHTLY DIVIDED.

Note the following texts: Deut. 18:19", 20; 1 Cor. 2:13; Eph. 6:19; Col. 4:3; 1 Tim. 2:1; 2 Tim. 2:15, 16.

The further one is from rightly divided truth, the worse the mixture

It is indeed pathetic to find men in the pulpit plunging, grasping, gasping, struggling, staggering, slipping, sliding, stumbling, in an attempt to deliver a message that utterly disregards the Dispen-sational, Distinctions of The Holy Scriptures.

Many preachers take great pride in the number of books they have read or are reading. It is well to read books, but only to the extent that such reading does not deprive one of time and attention that ought to be given to The Book.

When the writings of man predominate in any message, then we may know that the Word of God has been neglected.

What do you know?

 

"All truth passes through three stages: 

First, it is ridiculed. 

Secondly, it is violently opposed. 

Thirdly, it is accepted as being self-evident." -- Schopenhauer

 

Gentle Reader,

Before you go back to watching Paris Hilton and the circus that people call "news" how about spending some time on a reality check. That is to say join with me in my secret place where I share some information that will enable you to get out of this world alive!

 Take some time to drink your favorite coffee and really get down! I want to teach you about the "ABC's" of life. What life? Why yours of course. So let me start from the beginning rather than the middle as some will wander in late rather like your first day in a new school. 

So if you come in the middle of this you'll just have to find the beginning but don't worry I knew you'll have a lot of company so don't all crowd to the front of your blog as it is top heavy and may tip over at the slightest wave.  We'll leave a trail of bread crumbs so you can catch up with those who got here on time.

 

Ready? Ok  

WHAT IS GRACE?

What exactly is Grace? Though Grace is unquestionably a foundational pillar of our faith (for how well we all know, "For by Grace you are saved...," Eph. 2:8-9), have we ever sincerely and honestly pondered this question and its ramifications? Generally, and really quite surprisingly, it seems we are not inclined to give such fundamental questions serious consideration.

It seems the common inclination is to treat the answer as something that we all somehow automatically agree with and answer to, and yet find ourselves never really defining or solidifying. We are prone to treat the issue as a "given," as if somehow everyone simply understands from the beginning what is meant. We don't ask of others, and others don't ask of us. This is an "unwritten rule" that we honor without even being aware of what we are doing. We are quite agreeable in moving on to other matters, those which seemingly have the "real significance" or more "immediacy" in our lives.

Perhaps, too, if we are honest with ourselves, we often feel inadequate with such issues, and therefore are inclined to leave the answer to "the pros." That is certainly the easy way out, is quite tempting, most assuredly is readily available, is certainly encouraged, and rarely are we encouraged to ponder such questions ourselves. This elevation of another, however, is exactly what Paul did not approve of, as when he said, "Get up, for we are men like yourselves."

Why not just look up "Grace" in a common dictionary and be done with it? Is not that, after all, what dictionaries are for? Would we then have the proper definition? Would that satisfy us? Is it, in fact, as is the common Christian definition, "unmerited favor"? 

"Wheeow (Denis says, wiping sweat from his brow) enough for today Sit down and give this some thought and we'll take up some common Perceptions and/or Misconceptions about Grace tommorow or whenever you show up!  

 Love , Denis

Where do you want to meet Jesus

Gentle Reader,

 I just read about  the "Grand opening" of a new facility, with seating for 2000, an room behind the "stage" called "the green room" where the visiting dignitaries can "hang out" until time for them to "perform" with cushy seats in the main auditorium and a giant television screen for those in the over flow which holds over 400 and a coffee bar in the lobby  (this really got me- you know how I love coffee) When I read about this new building I thought when will Madonna be coming to this grand show place with valet parking ?  Where is place you might ask? Disneyland? No Gentle Reader, but right here in Anderson Indiana!  It's a church ! Wow! Do you supose the they have room for God in this place? Any wonder that when I write to a church looking for a pastor I write this way :  

Dear saints of God,

God called me to teach and to preach . To that end I have tried to be faithful in that calling. To be a pastor is different that being a "preacher" A pastor is a teacher according to the Apostle Paul his charge to Timothy was to "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. [teaching]"

This is what I do verse by verse book by book teaching as Paul instructed in 2 Tim 2:2 " "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."

Not many churches or fellowships want Scripture taught any more they prefer to go in a "different directions" I do hope your fellowship is looking for a dedicated man who is not perfect but willing to strive to be the best one can be with God’s help and direction. I am just one beggar showing another where to find bread.

 Rev. Dr. Denis Callaghan

A Father's prayer

Dear Father,

 

Gentle Reader,

I interrupt this series on "Grace" to present to you a Father's Prayer.

 A Father's Prayer

This is the best dowry of hopes, wishes and prayers I would be able to offer:

May God give you the grace of wit and wisdom to understand that rainbows are only the result of showers, dust, and hope.

May you always have joy in the morning and trust in the evening and may your sorrows be short and without scars.

May your lives have a spirit neither bent by belligerence nor broken by failure; may you simply love each other.

May you share with each other spring flowers, dirty dishes, music, rain, death, mushrooms, a measure of boredom, strawberries, and God.

May that God never make you immune to the wonderful afflictions of real love, making you instead farsighted to each other's faults, tongue-tied to criticism, and short of memory to petty hurts and slights.

May God provide the confidence and serenity that comes only from the assurance of each other's fidelity and the tolerance, as years go by, of wrinkles and gray hairs, short tempers, curlers, and Monday mornings.

May no one steal from you laughter at the top of the stairs or giggles and whispers in a dark room.

May you keep a hunger for each other, the appetite to taste tomorrow, and deep knowledge of and devotion to your past, heritage and families.

May you perpetuate trust, the radiation of vitality, kind answers to sharp questions and sharp humor to unkind attitudes.

May your fights be fierce and short, and may each truce be warm and long and held in each other's arms before the sun comes up.

May you walk with wise men, sing loud songs at late hours, share secrets, have healthy children, and provide smiles for lonesome strangers and prayers for those without hope.

May you never forget small things; smiles, birthdays, holding hands, family, old friends, the neglected, and the simplicity of saying please and thank you.

May you keep a warm, generous, and happy house where love is the insulation and God is present. May your children be friends of God's child, Jesus.

May your union bring a smile to the face of the Holy Spirit and may he live in your pots and pans, in your hope and aspirations.

Love, Denis

Letters to the editor

Read... like your life depends on it

 

 Gentle Reader,

Why Go To Church?

A churchgoer wrote a letter to the editor of the newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me I can't remember a single one of them. So I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor.

It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: "I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this: They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me those meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"

When you are DOWN to nothing . . . God is UP to something!

Faith sees the invisible, Believes the incredible and Receives the impossible!

Thank God for our physical and our spiritual nourishment!

Will you find Him when your ready... or not?

Remember you are accepted, you are valued, you are loved by God and me!

 Denis

Who is Lost?

The Book of James

 

Gentle Reader,

 Somehow I got mixed up so here is something for you to think about while I find the "right stuff"

Can you Understand this?

Lest those, who having read this may feel that they have been robbed of so much that is precious in the Word - so much from which they derive comfort and help, It should be clear that while various books and parts of Scripture are definitely ADDRESSED TO different companies of people at different times we MUST distinguish between; the interpretation and application of the Word

As an example of what is meant by reading the address on the envelope turn to the Epistle of James:

"James, a servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad". (One hears about the ten tribes which were "lost" but here James sends a greeting to the whole twelve). The Epistle to the Hebrews was addressed to the Hebrews who are said to be "partakers of the heavenly calling" (Heb.3:1), unlike the Jewish Nation who have an earthly one.

To be continued....

 Denis

THE POWER OF A LETTER

Most of you know John Wayne as an actor. You may not
know what happened to him before he died. This is
that story! Robert Schuller's teenage daughter,
Cindy, was in a motorcycle accident and had to have
her leg amputated. John Wayne is a big fan of Robert
Schuller. He heard Dr. Schuller say on one of his
programs that his daughter had been in an accident and
had to have her leg amputated. John Wayne wrote a
note to her saying: Dear Cindy, Sorry to hear about
your accident. Hope you will be all right. Signed,
John Wayne The note was delivered to her and she
decided she wanted to write John Wayne a note in
reply. She wrote: Dear Mr. Wayne, I got your note.
Thanks for writing to me. I like you very much. I am
going to be all right because Jesus is going to help
me. Mr. Wayne, do you know Jesus? I sure hope you
know Jesus, Mr. Wayne, because I cannot imagine Heaven
being complete without John Wayne being there. I hope,
if you don't know Jesus, that you will give your heart
to Jesus right now. See you in Heaven. And she
signed her name. She had just put that letter in an
envelope, sealed it, and written across the front of
it "John Wayne" when a visitor came into her room to
see her. He said to her: What are you doing? She
said: I just wrote a letter to John Wayne, but I don't
know how to get it to him. He said:
That's funny, I am going to have dinner with John Wayne
tonight at theNewport Club down at Newport Beach.
Give it to me and I will give it to him.
She gave him the letter and he
put it in his coat pocket. There were twelve of them
that night sitting around the table for dinner. They
were laughing and cutting up and the guy happened to
reach in his pocket and felt that letter and
remembered. John Wayne was seated at the end of the
table and the guy took the letter out and said: Hey,
Duke, I was in Schuller's daughter's room today and
she wrote you a letter and wanted me to give it to
you. Here it is. They passed it down to John Wayne
and he opened it. They kept on laughing and cutting
up and someone happened to look down at John Wayne.
He was crying. One of them said: Hey, Duke, what is
the matter? He said (and can't you hear him saying
it), " I want to read you this letter." He read the
letter. Then he began to weep. He folded it, put it
in his pocket, and he pointed to the man who delivered
it to him and said: "You go tell that little girl that
right now, in this restaurant, right here, John Wayne
gives his heart to Jesus Christ and I will see her in
heaven." Three weeks later John Wayne died. You never
know how your witness to another will effect their eternity!

"you got mail!"

 

Gentle reader,

 From time to time I get e mails from those interested in what the Bible says (I mean really who on earth would be interested in a book some 2000+ years old that nobody reads and the author doesn't exist (according to many today))? Anyway here are some questions I found in my to be answered file.

Hi Denis: In the Bible study of January 16, 2007 in "Another Look at the Scripture" it says: "It would seem, then, that the Greek does not have Jesus saying, 'If I want him to stay behind till I come' but 'If I want him to stay behind while I am coming.'" This sounds good (doesn't it always when we use Greek) until we turn to another place in Scripture and read:"Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is"(1 John 3:2). The point being, Jesus returns in glory, and those whom He receives are received into glory. John knows this, of course, and testifies "when He is revealed we shall be like Him." Paul says the same thing to the Colossians:"When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory" (Colossians 3:4). It would not appear that the idea "I want him to stay behind while I am coming"garners much support from Scripture in any language. Thanks for your continued efforts to the Bible Study Group. We pray for you and yours in the spirit of Romans 1:9. In Christ, Arthur Melanson.

Denis says:

Arthur has a very good point. As I see it, the word, "glory" (Gr. doxan) actually means the true estimate of a thing. Whenever the first century believers were received up into "glory," they were manifested as who they really were. This is judgment is the Great White Throne or Judgment seat of Christ. John was saying that the Lord Jesus would be manifested or revealed as who He really was and that believers would be in that same light. They would appear with Him in "glory" or the manifestation of their true character. The judgment fires would burn away that which was surface (wood, hey and stubble). And for that which was valuable (gold, silver and precious stone), the person's work would be manifested for what it truly was. This was "glory." You may talk for hours about the light that comes from a light bulb and never truly understand the "glory" of it until someone places it in an electrical outlet and turns the current on. When the light bulb shines... you behold it's glory or the purpose for which it was designed. It was made for the glory. So are you.

Bonnie says:

Dear Doctor Denis, I would like to reply to the question and some of the comments in this weeks e-mail Bible Study. I have been raised to believe that if you haven't accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour before you leave this world that you will be eternally separated from the Father. I am not a Bible scholar by any means. I definitely am still "a work in progress." But the Word says, "Love NEVER fails." It also says, "ALL have sinned and fallen short..." That means that we and those before and after us enter this world through the way of the flesh covered by sin, in need of our redeemer to save us. Having said that, how could God who is "Love" create a world such as ours, who says that nothing is impossible with Him and that He makes a WAY where there seems to be NO WAY? How could He in anyway allow 3/4 of His creation to plunge into eternal doom if LOVE NEVER FAILS? Why would He send His ONLY SON to save the World if He couldn't save it from the start? He would have to be a liar. And the Word says that He is not a man that He should lie. I am still trying to get all this in my spirit and understand some new things for myself, but God is God and I believe that He can do anything, and I believe that if He says it He'll do it and no old or new doctrine can change who God is. We need saving everyday, satan receives way too much credit, if we look within ourselves we'll find that we cause most of our own problems. Satan is just not that clever.

Denis says:

Job also says to his skeptical and nagging wife, "Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?" God is not loosing the battle against "evil." It may seem that "evil" is the strongest and that "good" is left on the back burner for most of the inhabitants of the world. However, the last chapter will have all the corrections in it. Our responsibility is not to lean on our limited understanding of these hidden things. God knows the invisible end of things while we are looking at the very visible beginning. God's ultimate purpose is to be "all in all." That leaves no one out of the equation. You have presented so many questions that we must answer them one by one. I shall list the questions and maybe others will comment with me on them:

If you haven't accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour before you leave this world, will you be eternally separated from the Father?

How could God who is "Love" create a world such as ours, full of sinners? He says that nothing is impossible with Him and that He makes a WAY where there seems to be NO WAY? How could He in any way allow 3/4 of His creation to plunge into eternal doom if LOVE NEVER FAILS?

Why would He send His ONLY SON to save the World if He couldn't save it from the start? He would have to be a liar. And the Word says that He is not a man that He should lie.

Do we need saving everyday?

Do we cause most of our own problems or is Satan to blame?

Write your questions and get real answers from a real person in real time! Too many reals?

Love, Denis            

The Hebrew word

Gentle Reader,

"Amen is the Hebrew for God’s faith and His faithfulness

When you say Amen you are indicating that you believe that God is trustworthy.

The Word of GOD cannot be separated from the Will of God and...

The will of God is... Good and acceptable and perfect at all times and in all times..." Dr Denis O’Callaghan

Join me as I share with you The Word of God - That which we call the ...

Bible

Denis

A man dies and goes to heaven. Of course, St. Peter meets him at the pearly gates. St. Peter says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in."

"Okay," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."

"That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!"
"Three points?" he says. "Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithe and service."

"Terrific!" says St. Peter, "that's certainly worth a point." "One point? Golly. How about this: I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans."

"Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says. "TWO POINTS!!" the man cries, "At this rate the only way I get into heaven is by the grace of God!"  (read the book of Ephesians, its in your Bible, OK barrow one!, Chapter 2 verse 8 )

"That's right!, Now you have got it!" said St. Peter.

Tomorrow? Same time same blog Dr D_

 

Coffee, tea or...

Go dtuga Dia deoch duit as an tobar nach dtránn

"May God Give You a Drink from the Well That Never Dries"

 

 Gentle reader,

I am back sort of while not full time so you'll need to help yourself to God's Coffee!
 
A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.
 
Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some
expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.
 
When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said:
 
"If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.
 
Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.
 
What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups.
 
Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live.
 
Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us."
 
God brews the coffee, not the cups.......... Enjoy your coffee! 

 Denis