Eliot's Blogs

Inspirational Article (What????)

2008-06-23T06:06:00.000-07:00

I just clicked on MSN and the first thing that popped onto my screen was a very informative article. It was such a rich, inspiring read for me. I just love the fact that we live in such a good world. I have taken the liberty to post this article (along with my comments, of course) on this page for you to glean wisdom from it as I did. My comments are in italics.

"How to leave your husband"
Though the impulse to flee immediately may be strong, patience and quiet financial planning will pay in the long run.
Digg This By MP Dunleavey

Yes, this is seriously on the front page of MSN.

Your marriage is crumbling, and you know it. You dread staying another minute. How do you leave?
Slowly, carefully and counting every dime, says Violet Woodhouse, a divorce lawyer in Newport Beach, Calif.
"When the emotional drive to leave is so strong that you just want out, you need to step back," Woodhouse says. "You're not being rational at that point, and it can damage you financially." The financial damage is what you need to worry about... this is the most important thing.

Take the time -- two to six months -- to plan an exit strategy that will protect your financial security. Surviving divorce is misery enough; you don't want to suffer unnecessary financial hardship on top of it. I still can't believe I'm reading this.
Beat the odds Woodhouse remembers a client who came to her hoping to leave her husband immediately. "She wanted to file then and there," says Woodhouse, the author of "Divorce & Money: How to Make the Best Decisions During Divorce.""I told her that made no sense. She had two kids to think about. I said she had a lot more work to do." Best advice I ever heard - Ms. Client, you need to take a deep breath and step back a minute and stop thinking about yourself. Your kids are very vulnerable right now. They need love. They won't be able to understand what's happening between you and Daddy. You need at least 35% more money from Daddy to make this worthwile for your kids. After all, this is about their future, you know. They need Daddy's pocketbook.

Prepare quietly Here's what to do:
Keep it to yourself. In a pre-divorce situation, there is a fine line between deception and self-preservation. Though you may intend to leave, Woodhouse cautions against telling your spouse before you are prepared. "It would create a great deal of turmoil," she says.
That's sneaky.

Sneaky? Maybe, but the end of a marriage can easily turn into a financial and emotional train wreck if you're not careful. To leave on the best possible financial footing, with the lowest risk of sudden punitive action by your spouse, keep your plans to yourself until you are strong enough and secure enough to walk away.

If your decision is firm, your next step is to get the advice of a lawyer who specializes in divorce. A less expensive option: hiring a paralegal. (Also see divorce360.com's legal guide.)
When it's time, read "Asking for a divorce? What to say."

Open a separate bank account. You will need to start saving whatever you can, as soon as you can. Any funds you take from a joint account, Woodhouse says, you must disclose later during the divorce process. Tapping a joint account "should be a last resort," says Woodhouse -- one that you take just before you leave.
Copy documents. Before you leave, make copies of every document you can find, from account statements to tax returns to mortgage documents to certificates of ownership to warranties on your appliances. "Do not attempt to determine a document's relevance or importance," Woodhouse says. "You don't know what might come in handy later."

You may even want to hire a professional to make a copy of the hard drive of your home computer and photograph certain personal belongings or valuables. These steps can help protect you if money goes missing during the settlement process.
Figure out your future finances Karen Kerbaugh, an administrative assistant in Haltom City, Texas, got married in 1996, "and from almost the first month I realized I had made a grave mistake in marrying him," she says.
Although she wasn't deliberately planning to leave at first, in hindsight, she says, "I was subconsciously plotting my escape."
Here is Kerbaugh's hard-won advice, based on what she did and what she wishes she had done:
Create a detailed budget of your post-divorce life. What will your new expenses be? Where will you live, what will you drive, how much will child care cost? Where can you cut back? Although Kerbaugh made sure she could handle all the big expenses (rent, car payment, utilities), she says, "I didn't know the fine art of budgeting." If that's you, read "5 steps to total financial control" and see MSN Money's Learn to Budget Decision Center.
Know how you will earn the income you need (more on that below).
Establish a credit record apart from your spouse. If you don't have a credit card in your own name, now is the time to get one. Read "9 ways to build credit from scratch." Request a copy of your credit report; you are entitled to one free copy per year from each of the three credit bureaus at the government-run AnnualCreditReport.com. Review it carefully and fix any errors. If your score is below 620, read "Beef up your credit score in 5 steps."
Muster support on the side. "While I didn't talk openly about the troubles we were having, my close friends and family knew enough about what was going on to be there for me when I needed it," Kerbaugh says. She ended up staying with a friend for a month after she left her husband.

Make sure to budget for savings, retirement and possibly your child's college plan, says Galia Gichon, a financial planner in New York and the author of "My Money Matters."
"In a settlement, you're entitled to half the retirement accounts, but many women forget that they must continue saving -- or they don't realize that they aren't saving enough," Gichon says.
Aim for 10% or more of your gross pay. If that's too high, save whatever you can.

Where will your money come from? Try not to borrow. Divorce is expensive, not just because of lawyer fees and court costs but also because the price of starting a new life is often higher than you think.
"You have to think through where you're going to get the money," Woodhouse says.
Most women who leave a spouse or partner end up borrowing from friends or family, using credit cards or tapping into savings or some other asset.
Though borrowing from someone you know is probably cheaper than using a credit card, it's still debt. It's preferable to use savings, if you can -- again, your own, not joint assets. (Woodhouse says to avoid cashing in investments because of tax complications.)
Boost your income. Once you establish how much you need to live, decide whether you can earn enough to cover it. This is especially important if you've spent a year or more out of the work force, Woodhouse says, or if you have to find a new job.
Daphne, a reader on the Women in Red message boards, advises taking any classes you need, sprucing up your résumé and buying a new suit or briefcase before you leave so that you pay for these things from joint funds.

In other words, use as much of your husband's money as you can before you leave him.

Woodhouse recommends sending out feelers to see how much your skills fetch in the market today or at another company. "You have to be realistic," she says.
Don't count on alimony. Should you factor alimony or child support into your potential income stream? Going by the odds alone, that's a dicey proposition and may be more so given the economy.
"You have to assess your risk," Woodhouse says. "Look at who you're married to, how reliable they are, what their attitude is. Then decide whether you can count on them giving you any money."
If you're the primary breadwinner, you could be the one paying alimony.
Don't give up Last, as daunting, time-consuming, convoluted and unappealing this preparation may seem, it's worth it, Kerbaugh says.
"If you take the same determination that you were once willing to expend on your failed relationship and apply it to living by yourself," she says, "you will succeed."

God bless your kids, though.

Thy Will vs. My Will

2008-05-29T10:15:00.000-07:00

Am I living with God's will in mind, or my will in mind? I have a lot of desires, some of them from God, the rest I should purge because they are from the flesh. Here are the stories of some contrasting wills.

"My Will"

In Isaiah 14:12-15, the Scripture records the desires of Satan (I won't try to prove this is about Satan... that's another story). Notice how many "I wills" and "my" words you see here:

"How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.' But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit."

Number of "I wills": 5
Number of "my" words: 2
Result: He will be brough down to the grave, to the depths of the pit.

Another example is of a rich guy who had some plans for himself in Luke 12:16-20:

"And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' "Then he said, 'This is what I will do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "

Number of "I wills": 4
Number of other "he" "himself" or "my" words: 8
Result: God killed him

"Thy Will"

On a lighter note, this is what I should be doing, considering God's will. Jesus told us in Matthew 6 how to pray: "Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done..." Not "my" will, but "thy" will.

Then, in Matthew 26:39, Jesus showed us how it's done: "Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Jesus was about to be killed for my sins, and He still submitted to God's will. Not as "I" will, but as "you" will.

Result: Sins of the world atoned for and washed away. Now He is seated at the right hand of God... a better setting than the "depths of the pit".

James echoes to us this reminder in chapter 4 of his letter:

"Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'"

Not my will, but thy will.

Yoda Had It Right!!!!

2008-05-27T07:48:00.000-07:00

God is so gracious and merciful. I say that because when He spoke in the 4 gospels, He didn't mince words. He was so clear and precise in most of what He said. When Jesus spoke about people, they were either good or bad fish, wise or foolish virgins, wheat or tares, sheep or goats. So, either I am good or bad. There is no in between with God. On Judgment Day, I am either going to be on the right side of Him, or the left side.

So, why do people, myself included, often say when thinking of their own salvation, "I'm just doing the best I can" or "I'm trying to be a good person". Without getting too nit-picky, this language goes in the face of what Jesus said. Take this parable:

"I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." Luke 6:47-49

The nugget we take from this is what Jesus said before that: "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" Luke 6:46

If Jesus is my Lord, I do what He says. If not, I won't. It's wheat or tares, good or bad, black or white.

Master Yoda had it right all along. "Do or do not... there is no try."

Fear God Enough to Love Him

2008-05-27T06:58:00.000-07:00

"... by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil." Proverbs 16:6

If I truly fear God I will depart from evil. It is interesting that repentance (departing from evil) is the by-product of the fear of the Lord. Fearing God is commanded all throughout the Scriptures - Old and New Testaments - including Ecclesiastes 12:13, a verse that every God-fearing person on earth should know because of its bottom line, meat and potatoes, "net income" version of truth: "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." The whole duty of man - everything that God expects me to do on this earth - is to fear Him, departing from evil being the by-product, and to obey Him.

What about love? Shouldn't I love God, too? That seems pretty important, what with Him loving me enough to send His only Son to die for me and all. I found that love is actually included in the Ecclesiastes passage, but only after some digging. This is the gem of Bible study: letting the Bible interpret itself. For example, the book of Revelation can be interpreted (for the most part) by reading other Scriptures and gaining knowledge about who the "Lamb" is, who the "Bride" is and others. Then, using those definitions found elsewhere in the Bible, you can go back to Revelation and define the "lamb" as being Jesus, the "bride" as the church, etc.

In the same way, I can define love for God as obeying Him. How? 1 John 5:3 says, "Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome." Right here the definition of loving God is found: obedience to Him. So, apply this definition to the Ecclesiastes passage, and you get: "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and [love Him], for this is the whole duty of man."

So, to recap... From the fear of God, I will depart from evil. Departing from evil is a command from God. If I obey this command, it means I love Him (1 John 5:3). So, do I fear God enough to love Him?

Bible on Money part 3

2008-04-09T09:10:00.000-07:00

When Chuck Swindoll started his job at his church, he had a special sign made for his office that said, "What is your motive?". That sign helped him examine himself when things weren't so clear, even after searching the Scriptures.

Look at the two pictures of money. If I offered you a choice to pick whatever stack you wanted and you got to keep the money, no strings attached, which stack would you pick? The stack of $100 bills, or the small stack of coins? This is not a trick question. Obviously you would pick the stack of Benjamins. I think the question that God wants to ask is: Why? Deep down, what is your core reason for taking the bills? What is your heart saying? When visualizing yourself taking the bills, do you have eyes that are so wide they are bulging out of their sockets, flaring nostrils, arms so wide you could bear-hug Goliath, and a grip so strong not even Sylvester could conquer in "Over the Top"? Or are you gladly accepting it with humility, thanksgiving, and a loose grip? Strong grips on money tend to cause it to grow wings and fly away (Proverbs 23:5), but loose grips tend to cause it to grow (Luke 6:38). What do you plan on doing with it? Do you love money? Do you plan to spend every penny of it on yourself? Is it to invest in a get-rich-quick scheme? Is it to give away? Is it to set aside in a bank somewhere to grow moss and rust on it? Actions don't exactly tell us the whole picture - it's about the heart. That's what Jesus did when He came and preached the Sermon on the Mount; He talked about adultery and murder and peeled away the mere outward action of it to reveal that even lusting in the heart is adultery and hatred is murder, without any outward signs of the sin.

God asks us, "What is your motive? What is your heart like?"

So, if after searching the Scriptures and asking God to search your heart you are clean, go for it. Why not? Your heart is clean, your motives are pure. So, go for the stack. Go for the college degree that will enable you to make more money. Go for the master's degree, or the PhD, or the certification, or the continuing education that will make you more marketable. But, go for it secondarily. This should be secondary to your one main goal: "Seek first the kingdom". Be careful to stay pure in every step of the way, and the only way to do that is to have a close, intimate relationship with your Creator so He can guide you through it all.

Bible on Money cont'd

2008-04-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

Okay, I won't be posting the article because it's like a trillion pages long and I don't want it taking up my precious blog real estate. But, I will post a quote from the author which pretty much sums up what he's trying to say. Needless to say, there are many verses that say to save our money and prepare for rainy days and to support family: Proverbs 6:6-8, 21:20, Mark 7:9-13, 1 Timothy 5:8. But, Scripture has verses that seem to run counter to that idea: Matthew 6:19-26, Luke 12:33, 14:33.

The author makes his sharpest point here: "Most clearly, when sending out his disciples on their first missionary campaign, Jesus ordered his disciples to 'Take nothing for the journey - no staff, no bag, no bread, no extra tunic' (Luke 9:3); and yet, with the crucifixion looming, he gave precisely the opposite instruction (Luke 22:36). With the onset of persecution and hostility, a different attitude towards possessions was needed."

Jesus Himself gave conflicting orders to the same disciples in different circumstances. This is the biggest support, in my opinion, to examine our own circumstance and see where God has called us specifically. Has He called you to missions? Then, chances are you will not be managing your own personal portfolio of millions of dollars. You will be financed by someone else, who, in particular, has been called to make some money in order to finance your missions. A big cycle. The big question is: Does it matter to us which person we are - the poor missionary 'financee' or the wealthy CEO 'financer'? Both have it's ups and downs: the missionary will struggle with doubts on getting financing, he will battle demonic influence on his hearers, barring the gospel from being received, he will battle personal conflicts with other missionaries who want to do things their way, he will battle with language and cultural barriers. On the other hand, the CEO will battle long hours at the office away from his family, he will struggle with the immense responsibility of providing jobs for people and keeping people happy, and the responsibility he has to the missionary to fund his mission efforts, he will battle with workplace tensions, temptations, and taxes. Both have pros, both have cons. Each duty is to the Lord.

All the more reason to have a personal, daily relationship with Jesus Christ, so that He can direct you where you will be most utilized for His Kingdom, even when His own words in Scripture seem to be confusing sometimes.

Bible on Money

2008-04-09T08:39:00.000-07:00

I’ve been really struggling with this subject for several months now. I’ve prayed, searched the Scriptures, and Googled so many times on this subject, but nothing seemed to satisfy my curiosity.

Lately I’ve been trying to resolve what I thought was a contradiction in the bible on saving money, investing, insurance, etc.

Here’s the contradiction:

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth ... Look at the birds of the air: they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. " Matthew 6:19, 26

"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! ... it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest." Proverbs 6:6-8

So, here it seems like God is telling us to save money, but don’t save money! There are other verses that seem to say the exact opposite of each other: Luke 14:33 – “He who doesn’t give up all his possessions cannot be My disciple” versus the passage in Acts 5 where Ananias and Sapphira sell a piece of land to give to the church when Peter tells them they could’ve kept it. There is also the widow who gives her last two pennies to the treasury, and Jesus commends her for it – BUT, compare that verse to when Joseph saved 7 years worth of grain to feed people during the famine back in Genesis. Saving money vs. trusting in Providence – which one is it????? AHHHHHHHHH!!

Naturally, I struggled with it. I found an article that really helped me (after reading tons of other stuff) merge the two verses together. I hope it helps you find the balance, also. It will be the next post.

How to Win Souls Through Prayer

2008-04-09T07:56:00.000-07:00

I read an interesting article called "Praying Effectively for the Lost" by Lee Thomas (I think that's his name). It gave some very good precepts on how to pray for the lost. Like most things, it got me thinking, and like most things I write, I jotted down my thoughts in very simple fashion. The following is what I came up with in regards to praying for lost people in our lives.

First of all, we need to be clear on how a person finds salvation. Professing Christians sometimes are so divided on this one simple, infinitely important matter, it’s a wonder that anybody ever gets saved at all – which is exactly my point. Salvation has nothing to do with a person’s efforts, whether it be the evangelist, preacher, or the witnessing Christian; it is “of the Lord”. Water baptism can’t save you, good works can’t save you, circumcision can’t save you, the “sinner’s prayer” can’t save you. Only God can save us, and He chooses to do so through “repentance and faith”:

“You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.
Acts 20:20-21, 25-27

"... Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
Mark 1:14-15

Paul clearly explains here that the whole will of God – everything that “would be helpful” - is for us to repent and have faith in His Son. Jesus Himself said the proper and necessary response to the gospel is repentance and faith. So, repentance and faith (belief) are necessary for salvation. How do we get these two necessary components? Both are actually free gifts from God, as proved in the following two Bible verses:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast”
Ephesians 2:8-9

“Those who oppose him [a servant of God] he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth”
2 Timothy 2:25

Thus, the two conditions of salvation, repentance and faith, are both “gifts of God” that are “granted” to us. Therefore, salvation is really not conditional at all, since the conditions of salvation are given freely from the One who saves. Imagine yourself drowning in a lake and someone rescues you. You had nothing to do with your own rescue, right? It’s exactly the same when God saves you. This way, it is “not by works, so that no one can boast.” Nobody can ever brag about being a Christian, it is an oxymoron to say so. It’s like me bragging about my own good looks – I didn’t do anything to obtain them, they were merely given to me.

Now that we know that no one can save himself, and that even the faith and repentance that all Christians acquire are actually gifts, and that it is God who chooses who will be saved, then how can we see our friends and loved ones saved if it is not their choice to be? How can we get God to show mercy and save them? Well, why don’t we just ask Him to? 2 Samuel 21:14 says that God is “moved by prayer”. Here are some powerful verses on receiving answered prayer from God (I must admit I have not tapped into these promises nearly enough, but by God’s grace I will start):

“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.” Matt 18:19

“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matt 21:22

"Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.” Mark 11:24

"Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13

And there are many, many, many more verses on asking and receiving from God. Read carefully the things in prayer that God will give us: “anything you ask for”, “whatever you ask for”, “all things for which you pray and ask”, and “whatever you ask in My name”. Does that clear it up? EVERYTHING WE ASK FOR WE CAN GET FROM GOD IF IT IS ASKED IN HIS NAME. Is salvation for others included in “everything”? YES!!

Today's Praycation

2008-03-01T22:47:00.000-08:00

I took a praycation today, and it was very fulfilling. Jesus took praycations a lot. He used to go into secluded places to pray to the Father. At least one time, He prayed right through the whole night! I hope my prayer life will look like that soon. A couple of blogs ago I wrote about my frustration with my prayer life. I want to improve on that by the grace of God, so I took a praycation today.

I've been especially influenced lately by George Mueller - the man who, by prayer and simple, but systematic faith in God's promises, literally changed his country and later on countless individuals like myself who have read his stories. He also prayed for hours at a time, and sometimes for years before his prayers were answered. So I have at least 2 aforementioned role models to emulate. :)

By the way, I officially hold the patent on the term "praycation".

Showdown at B-A-M

2008-02-18T11:26:00.000-08:00

Okay, during my lunch break I headed to Books A Million to grab a book I was wanting. Before I even opened the front door to the store, I could see through the door to the main display. You know what they had on the front main 4-foot tall display? The 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue with the title in bold font: "Barely Bikinis". If you have not seen it yet (as I had not at the time), I WILL NOT post a link that shows it. It has a model with a bikini bottom on, but NECKLACES for her top. Necklaces. But, that is not the point.

As soon as I walked passed it, the Spirit prompted me and reminded me of what Ray Comfort had done in a similar situation. So, I walked down the aisle, collected my composure and thought about what I would say after I picked out my book. Believe me, I'm not the kind to stir things up.

So, I walked passed a person that had an ID tag that said "Manager". My Christian obligation was more than obvious to me at this point. So, I said with a shaking voice and a cherry red face, "Excuse me, are you the manager?" Without even looking up from her work, she said, "Yeah, one of them." I said, "Can I talk to you", moving down the aisle away from all the people (the last thing I wanted was a scene, and it seemed like she agreed with me as she followed me). I said:

"Look, I'm not a whistle-blower by any means, and in fact, if something's ever wrong with my food at a restaurant, I usually eat it anyway, not to cause a big stink. But, as I was walking in, I saw the new display of the swimsuit issue with the half-naked woman displayed for all the world to see, and frankly, I just think it's totally inappropriate to be displayed there. I don't have kids or anything, but if I did, I wouldn't want them seeing this, and I know you are a family bookstore, and you've got kids coming in and out at all times. Now, I know that you've got a section for that kind of stuff, and you could put it over there, but not as you walk in the store!!" She was a good sport and said, "Okay, I'll have to call corporate about it, because they made us do this, but I'll call and see what they say." I said, "Okay, I appreciate it. I know it's like a best seller and all that, but putting it in front of the store for little kids to see is a little too much for me."

I went to talk to the other manager about it in order to make sure they both knew, and she was understanding, too, saying that it probably wouldn't last long up there anyway. As I walked out, I was glad to see the first manager taking the display down. Score one for the Kingdom.

Why Can't I Pray Like I'm Supposed To?

2008-02-17T16:38:00.001-08:00

In Matthew 26 it says that Jesus took His disciples and went to the garden of Gethsemane. As we all know, many things happened, but lately I've been focusing on the length of Jesus' prayer. It says that He came back after praying and found them sleeping. Then He said, "Could you not keep watch with Me for one hour?" So, Jesus prayed for an hour. I don't know about you, but that is a long time for me. The text says that He went back and prayed two more times. Maybe those were an hour each, also. It is very plausible that He prayed for three hours or more here, seeing how He was under tremendous stress, knowing His immediate future (the cross). In other passages, Jesus is recorded as staying up all night in prayer, specifically before the selecting of the 12.

Why can't I pray like that? "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." I want to, but I can't make myself do it. In fact, I could be praying right now, but I'm writing a blog instead. Why????????????

I can't find the quote, but a godly man once said, "The extent of the power of prayer has never been fully realized." I agree. I've experienced some of it, but I can't stay with it.

I remember one Saturday I had made my mind up that I would go to my next door neighbor's house and witness to the family. I was terrified, seriously scared to death. So, I prayed. And I prayed, and I prayed, and I prayed some more. I quoted Scripture, especially Isaiah 41:10, and prayed some more. After praying for what seemed like the longest I had ever prayed, an amazing peace came over me. It was a powerful peace that definitely transcended my own understanding. I was truly strengthened by the Spirit, and I marched out the door towards my neighbor's driveway, with not one ounce of fear or hesitation, and knocked fearlessly on the door. She answered and I witnessed to her without turning red or stuttering at all, which is unusual for me :)

So, why can't I take that experience and trust in God to do the same now and in the future? I don't know, "the flesh is weak". I lack discipline. I'm going to go try now.

Lay people are the evangelists

2008-02-17T16:14:00.000-08:00

I just read something that was very profound. Guess what, it was in the Bible. I was reading a statement by Henry Blackaby that guided me to Acts chapter 8. Verse 1 says that after Stephen was killed, persecution arose and forced all Christians to scatter... "all except the apostles". In verse 4, it says that "Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word." Now, who went about preaching the word? "Those who had been scattered", which was everyone "except the apostles". What does this mean? It means that we "lay people" are the ones that should be going everywhere preaching the word, just like the early church did. It wasn't the church leaders that were doing that - no, they were devoting themselves to praying and teaching of the word (6:4). It was the normal, everyday people who were scattered about, preaching the word.

In chapter 11 verse 19 it says, "So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone." Again, these same people are referred to again as being evangelists, not the leaders of the church. It says "those who were scattered". Let's review - who were they that were scattered? Not Peter, not Paul, not James, not any of the apostles. It was lay people.

Think about Stephen himself, the one who got all this started in the first place. Who was he? At first glance, you might assume he was a preacher, or a leader in the church, because of his prominence and the fact that the religious leaders wanted to kill him. Who was he? He was a waiter (6:1-5). A waiter!! He served food! Why was this waiter stoned to death? What sort of fuss was he making? "And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people" (6:8). Verse 10 says he was "speaking" with "wisdom and the Spirit", so much so that the religious folk could not stump him (a la Jesus with the Pharisees).

Point: We, as lay people, have as much a sacred job as our spiritual shepherds do. We have just as much a privilege to share the gospel as any one does. We can't sit back and heave the job of preaching the gospel to our preachers. We must go out and do it ourselves, and then come back and be taught by our pastors. Let this be a Biblical precedent that we follow:

According to Acts chapter 6 (Stephen), chapter 8 and 11 (Christians who were scattered), lay people are the evangelists.

Does God So Love the World?

2008-02-16T14:55:00.000-08:00

I love Johnny Mac. Read his writing below.

Does God So Love the World?
John MacArthur

Love is the best known but least understood of all God's attributes. Almost everyone who believes in God these days sees Him as a God of love. I have even met agnostics who are quite certain that if God exists, He must be benevolent, compassionate, and loving.
All those things are infinitely true about God, of course, but not in the way most people think. Because of the influence of modern liberal theology, many suppose that God's love and goodness ultimately nullify His righteousness, justice, and holy wrath. They envision God as a benign heavenly grandfather-tolerant, affable, lenient, permissive, devoid of any real displeasure over sin, who without consideration of His holiness will benignly pass over sin and accept people as they are.
Liberal thinking about God's love also permeates much of evangelicalism today. We have lost the reality of God's wrath. We have disregarded His hatred for sin. The God most evangelicals now describe is all-loving and not at all angry. We have forgotten that "It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:31). We do not believe in that kind of God anymore.
We must recapture some of the holy terror that comes with a right understanding of God's righteous anger. We need to remember that God's wrath does burn against impenitent sinners (Psalm 38:1-3). That reality is the very thing that makes His love so amazing. Only those who see themselves as sinners in the hands of an angry God can fully appreciate the magnitude and wonder of His love.
In that regard, our generation is surely at a greater disadvantage than any previous age. We have been force-fed the doctrines of self-esteem for so long that most people don't really view themselves as sinners worthy of divine wrath. On top of that, religious liberalism, humanism, evangelical compromise, and ignorance of the Scriptures have all worked against a right understanding of who God is. Ironically, in an age that conceives of God as wholly loving, altogether devoid of wrath, few people really understand what God's love is all about.
God's love cannot be isolated from His wrath and vice versa. Nor are His love and wrath in opposition to each other like some mystical yin-yang principle. Both attributes are constant, perfect, without ebb or flow. His wrath coexists with His love; therefore, the two never contradict. Such are the perfections of God that we can never begin to comprehend these things. Above all, we must not set them against one another, as if there were somehow a discrepancy in God.
Both God's wrath and His love work to the same ultimate end-His glory. God is glorified in the condemnation of the wicked; He is glorified in every expression of love for all people without exception; and He is glorified in the particular love He manifests in saving His people.
Expressions of wrath and expressions of love-all are necessary to display God's full glory. We must never ignore any aspect of His character, nor magnify one to the exclusion of another. When we commit those errors, we throw off the biblical balance, distort the true nature of God, and diminish His real glory.
Does God so love the world? Emphatically-yes! Proclaim that truth far and wide, and do so against the backdrop of God's perfect wrath that awaits everyone who does not repent and turn to Christ.
Does the love of God differ in the breadth and depth and manner of its expression? Yes it does. Praise Him for the many manifestations of His love, especially toward the non-elect, and rejoice in the particular manifestation of His saving love for you who believe. God has chosen to display in you the glory of His redeeming grace.

The JW's don't like me anymore

2008-02-16T14:40:00.001-08:00

So, I backed out of my driveway today to see some Jehovah's Witnesses down the street making their way down our block. My heart raced and I accelerated the car in order to make my errand and get back in time to talk to them when they knocked on my door.

When I got back, I made a pass to see which door they were at, and... YES! They had not made it to mine yet! So, I ran inside and opened the window and waited. I watched the married couple and their son make their way toward our neighbors' houses, one at a time. Finally they left my next-door neighbor's house and started walking toward our house. I even grabbed Emmie and was prepared to put her up (because she barks and freaks out when someone rings the door bell), but to my consternation, there was no ring. No knock. 10 seconds went past, then 30, then 2 minutes. No Jehovah's Witnesses. I opened the door and walked to the mailbox to check the mail. They had straight passed my house!

The JW's don't like me anymore. We have a history. I have invited them into my home, and we have sat down at the table before and duked it out with our "swords" (my Bible and their "Watchtower improved" bible look-a-likes). Anyway, that incident ended well in my opinion, with me agreeing to study with them further. They never called back.

The next group came by and the lady gave me a pamphlet and I graciously took it. I said with a smile, "Oh great, here is something I would like to give you", and I offered her a gospel tract. Her expression changed and she said, "We don't accept anything people give us", to which I replied, "Okay then, I won't accept what you give me either", giving her pamphlet back. I thought it was only fair that we exchanged literature. She didn't agree. As I closed the door wishing them a good day, I said, "Make sure you've got the right Jesus!" I don't think she appreciated that.

Then there was the letter that I sent out to all my neighbors about the recent visits by the JW's. I quoted a lot of scripture that clearly portrays Jesus as God, a minor detail that the JW's don't happen to believe. Maybe that letter got around to them. I don't know. But I do know that I am "on their list" now. They don't visit anymore.

27 by 6

2008-02-16T14:36:00.000-08:00

I drove down Atlanta Highway the other day and was amazed and disgusted at the same time at the number of PayDay loan places, so I decided to count on the way back how many there were. On Atlanta Highway from Ann St. intersection to Taylor Rd. intersection there are 27 - yes 27 - payday advance places. That's only a 6 mile stretch of road.

I'm so proud to know that these places are servicing our hometown and helping people get the money they need for a fair, low rate of 300% interest on their own money.

So flippin proud.

Are you a Christian, or are you a good person?

2008-02-14T09:58:00.000-08:00

Because you can't be both! This is something we could say to reach those around us, especially in the bible belt. Everyone claims to be Christian, but I wonder how many would also claim to be a good person. The Bible says we can't be both. Jesus said He "came not to call the righteous, but sinners." I am a Christian because I realize that I am not a good person, that's why I need Jesus. I need Him to forgive me. I needed Someone to pay my fine so that I could go free and be justified. If the only way to heaven is through Jesus (John 14:6), and He only calls sinners and not good people, then that is a very narrow way to Heaven. Therefore, we must come up with a way to convince people that everyone is a sinner. God has already prepared a way, a "schoolmaster" or "tutor" to drive men to Christ (Galatians 3:24). It is God's Law (Romans 7:7, Romans 3:20).

So, next time I find myself in the conversation of spiritual things with a person that claims to be Christian, but doesn't back it up with their lifestyle, maybe I'll say, "Are you a Christian, or a good person, because, you know, you can't be both."

Your Own Backyard

2008-02-13T11:10:00.001-08:00

I'll never forget it. In fact, I had been asking God to give me something like this so I could write about it and tell others about it. We were in Florence visiting Ashley's family, and we were on our way to a restaurant after church on Sunday to eat lunch. As we rounded a corner, there it was, the perfect example of symbolism I had been asking for.

I saw what was left of a carpet store off to my right. It had been burned to ashes. The whole building looked like it had been bombed. Blackened siding and charred carpet remains were all that could be seen. Do you know what was next door? A fire station. Yep. I never researched the incident in the local papers or anything, but I've always wondered where the firemen were while the carpet store next door burned down into oblivion. I don't know the whole story, so I can't sit here and blame them for something they might not have done, but I can relate this to our life as Christians in America.

Any Biblical, Christ-driven church is going to have a heart for missions. In America, our churches are all about training up missionaries and sending them on their way into the deepest, darkest jungles of Africa, the desolate deserts of the Middle East, or any other foreign land. You know what I say? BRAVO. Seriously, bravo for taking the gospel to the uttermost parts of the world. In fact, Jesus both commanded it (Matthew 28) and prophesied it's commencement (Matthew 24:14). I am for foreign missions. But, did Jesus assume that we would forget about our own backyard, just like what happened with that carpet store right next store to the fire station?

We should be concerned for the lost in foreign countries, but not at the expense of the lost person next door. Folks, no matter how you twist it, America is post-Christianity. There is no denying it. Just turn on the TV. Read the newspaper. Talk to a co-worker. Yes, there is a "form of godliness" in America, but the majority is "denying its power" (2 Timothy 3:5). America needs full-time missionaries that will step up and preach God's righteousness and holiness just as much as Africa needs it. And I'm talking full-time. Yes, we should commission people and send them off, but why not send them off to Las Vegas or anywhere else? Commission them to go and preach repentance and Judgment Day on the steps of some of the mega-churches, whose preachers preach "peace, peace" when there is no peace.

We can not sit here and put out fires in foreign lands and watch our next door neighbor's place burn into ashes.

Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter

2006-09-06T09:14:00.000-07:00

For the few of you who dont know yet, Steve Irwin, the famous Crocodile Hunter who risked his life in the midst of crocodiles, snakes, and other creepy critters, died this past weekend. I have to admit, when I heard the news, it didnt surprise me, knowing of his frequent endeavors with man-eating animals. It didnt hit me just what had happened until I watched the news and saw the story of his life in detail. It is a terribly tragic story about a man who risked his life to save animals from inhumane treatment, and gave all he had for the furtherance of science. However, the most tragic thing about this story is that he was sucked into eternity in an instant. I dont want to make any judgments, but I dont know if he was a Christian or not. Nevertheless, he will face God before his holy judgment seat and give an account of himself. You see, we can get so caught up in doing good things in this lifetime, and believe me, what Steve Irwin committed his life to was an admirable thing, but if things like that distract you from pondering Judgment Day and fleeing the wrath to come (Gods wrath), it is all in vain! We all must give an account on Judgment Day of what weve done with our lives. Flirting with stingrays is risky business, and you could be stung, like Mr. Irwin unfortunately did. Sin is exactly the same. If we flirt with sin, we WILL get stung there is no could be about it. If youre flirting with sin, please consider that if you die in your sins, there will be no hope for you on Judgment Day when God sees you as a sinner. Take a look at Gods 10 Commandments and see if youve broken them. Believe me, you have. There is none that do good, no, not one. Your punishment for being a Lawbreaker is called Hell. Please, heed this warning and repent and put your trust in Jesus and you will be saved.

A Warning

2006-08-30T12:30:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the US dropped millions of little leaflets on Hiroshima and Nagasaki before they dropped the A-bombs? The leaflets warned the citizens of these cities of impending doom and destruction and that they needed to evacuate or surrender before the bombs would be dropped. Just like the leaflets, God has warned us in the pages of the Bible that a Day of Wrath will come that will make those A-bombs look like little firecrackers. It will be the worst thing the world has ever seen, and it's b/c we have rebelled against Him. It will be a great day for followers of Christ, but it will be a terrible day for unbelievers. It will be so terrorizing that "men's hearts will fail them" for fear and they will say "to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb". If you've sinned, you need to get right with God NOW. Take a look at the 10 commandments: have you lied? stolen? lusted (and therefore committed adultery)? have you used God's name in vain? That's called blasphemy, and God "will not hold him guiltless who takes the Lord's name in vain." Jesus suffered for those sins that we've committed. We broke the Law, and He paid the fine. All you need to do is repent (confess and FORSAKE your sins) and trust Jesus with your life. If you don't take hold of this wonderful gift, He will come in "flaming fire, taking vengeance on those who don't know Him, and on those who don't obey the gospel." http://www.youtube.com/v/SmLhyPjHVes

something I thought I'd jot down

2006-07-15T19:32:00.000-07:00

The Bible tells us that salvation is by grace through faith, and we hear it all the time, right?? We can't work our way to heaven. God is not impressed. I love the story I heard Adrian Rogers tell about a poor woman who set out to buy some food for her starving family. I don't know the whole story, but the woman ended up at a rich person's property where there was an abundance of grapes. She wanted the grapes and asked about them. The wealthy man said, "You can have them as a gift. Take them to your family, as many as you want." The woman couldn't just take them... she wanted to pay the man for the grapes. The man said, "Well, if you must pay for them, you can't have them, for they are too expensive for you to buy. You will never be able to afford those grapes. But, I would like to give them to you for free." That, my friend, is the Kingdom of God. God offers us the grapes of salvation, but we can never pay him for it. We must take it as a gift, which takes humility and repentance.

eVangelizing

2006-06-25T15:57:00.000-07:00

Another one. This one got cut off, but it picks up right after I've given him some Law.

what does that mean?
you are a Christian arent u
yes, I'm looking at the verse and wondering what it has to do with this.
nvm on that. maybe we're on different wave lengths
ok i guess you want me to answer guilty
ok guilty as can be
I don't want you to "play into my little game", I'm just asking you a question that you will be faced with on Judgment day. God is a just and holy God, and He will judge you on that day. So, if you're guilty, where will you go? heaven or hell?
hell
aren't you concerned about that?
i might be
what do you suggest
I would be, that is very serious. God has done something for you, so you wouldn't have to go.
if i'm going to hell, i'm going down with 20 other billion people
I agree with you, that alot of people will go
what has God done ?
something for me?
the Bible actually says that "none are righteous, no, not one"
which verse
pls quote
yes, something for you. If you are worried about going to hell, I can tell you
Romans 3:10
let me check
ok
continue
Johnny, the Law has convinced you of your sin, right? God says to humble yourself under his mighty hand.
Do you want to know what God did for you, so you wouldn't have to go to hell?
he sent his one and only Son, Jesus Christ
to die for our sins..
etc etc
yes ?
exactly. Do you know what you must do to receive this free gift?
and this is where john 10 : 25 comes in ?
it's where a lot of verses come in. The bible says you must do some things in order to receive this gift of salvation, you can't just "know" about it.
of course
Jesus said, that "unless a man repents, he will perish."
do you know what repent means?
but i have many christian peers around, who are not showing good examples themselves
yet they preach the word everyday
and it can be very pressurising for a non christian
yes i know what repent means
but then i think of repentence, i think of the other christians around who are youth leaders etc ..
who are commiting even more sins
Jesus warns against false converts, but nevertheless, He said that "I am the way, the truth, the life. No man comes to the Father but by me."
why ?
Don't focus on them right now. Focus on you and your sins. God will deal with them soon enough.
how will God deal with them?
"Vengeance is mine, says the Lord."
hypocrites are the worst
LUKEWARM.
you are right, and actually, the bible says the same thing.
so, what about you, Johnny?
what will you do with this information?
what will you do with Jesus?
Well Eliot, I'm more or less a confused person !
ok.
what are you confused about?
because no one really has shown me or immitate the live of Jesus Christ
that's unfortunate. it really is. I'm blessed to be around some who do exemplify Christ.
100 % ?
But, even though it's very unfortunate, you still have to answer for your sins on judgment day. Christians aren't perfect, they sin, but they don't DIVE INTO SIN. They fall, then they get back up.
I'm amazed. maybe one day if i come to america, you can show me. even the great mahatma gandhi said he knows no one like jesus christ
Well, there IS NO ONE like Christ. He was God incarnate. We are called to be like him, but we fall short.
ok
Nevertheless, Johnny, the bottom line is, you need forgiveness, or none of this will matter when God judges you.
thanks
one of the reasons why i left church was because of many unanswered questions
even the pastors couldnt answer
It will not matter that some people were hypocrites. God will know that you have heard His gospel. do you want to ask me?
dont ask me what were the questions
WHAT WERE THE QUESTIONS??? I would love to help.
Johnny, would you sell your eyes for a million dollars?
well elliot i would love to ask u. but i think i should not ! you're not the first who's asking me. many christian ppl have approached and tried to convince me to go back to church..i see their good intentions, but at the end of the day it all goes back to square 1
so i rather sit home, and read the bible on my own
and find answers
no, i wouldnt sell it
why do you ask
i'll reserve my questions for God when i die
well, actually, I'm not concerned with you going to church. I want you to be SAVED!! And, I think it's great that you're looking in the bible. It is FULL of truth. When you die, it will be too late. How about 50 million?
50 million dollars?
if I were to sell my eyes for 50 mil, yeah it would help me take care of my parents, and maybe make the lives of 100s of orphans way better
but at the end of the day, i cant see
so to sell or not to sell
you tell me, elliot
right, of course you wouldn't do it. They're your eyes, man!! and your eyes are the windows to your soul. Your soul is worth so much more. You don't want to risk your eternal soul on some people who are hypocrites, do you?
haha, good one
You must repent, Johnny, and trust in Jesus as your Savior. He has paid your fine, the fine YOU OWE. You must turn from your sin and put your faith in Him, like you would trust a parachute if you were jumping out of a plane.
Then, read the bible and answer some of your questions. Let God save you first. He wants to.
elliot thanks for being thoughtful. but i dont think by one person telling me this, it will make me wake up tomorrow morning and making a 360 degree change in my life
it will probably take some time
to realise it
and to make changes
and to finally read the 'innocent' status one day
i know you are going to tell me , ' but it might be too late '
well, I won't make that change, the Holy Spirit will make it within you. You will never be "innocent", never.
ie ' you never know when you are goin to die. a car might hit you tmw, a storm, a tornado whatnot'
ok great
Christians are not better than anyone else, they're just "better off."
so how long have you been a christian
Johnny, I've got to go. I've told you everything you must know to be saved. eliotmurray@hotmail.com if you want to talk some more. Thanks for listening, and please consider these things. God Bless
wait
so there wasnt really a survey
sure
lets definitely keep in touch. my email jlim2004@gmail.com
sorry if I mislead you. You did
take a survey, the lying stealing thing.
Keep in touch. Bye
haha
ok
what is your id
in hc
huh?
your nickname in hospitalityclub
I don't know what that is.
ok sorry
i think we logged in in diff servers
I've got your email. Please consider these things. God Bless
yes
god bless you too elliot !
have a great day
thanks for the chat

eVangelizing

2006-06-24T23:37:00.000-07:00

This was a pretty in-depth witnessing encounter I had with an "intellectual" I met on a chat room. I started off in the main room, just asking questions about spirituality and God, hoping to spur something. I caught the attention of this guy, who was surprisingly patient with what I had to say. Others would curse me into oblivion when I would mention anything about sin or judgment, but this guy would actually DEFEND ME, telling them to back off. Anyway, after giving him the Law and getting nowhere with him, he made a comment about how all Biblical prophecies are open-ended, and were made so that they could be fulfilled at any time, therefore "hedging the bets." I begged to differ, and told him that there were time-specific prophecies that were fulfilled, but that he probably wouldn't be interested, b/c he would have a presupposition to them, and discard them according to his underlying sinful agenda (most people will ignore prophecies, b/c if they paid attention to them, it would mean changing their life and their sinful ways), but not in those words (we need to be gentle when witnessing). To my utter surprise, he seemed VERY interested, so I took the time to look up the 70 sevens prophecy in Daniel. Then, I invited him to a private room, hoping to facilitate some humility. Here's where we pick up:

You are now talking with Humboldt
Humboldt, God says in the Bible that He "has chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise, and the weak things of this world to overcome the strong." That is why people read stories like Noah's Ark and scoff at it. So, which leads us to this prophecy. God has chosen to give it to us in this form, in order that the scoffers actually have to humble themselves and trust in the word of God.
If you will humble yourself under God, this prophecy will knock you flat.
You there?
Yes.
Daniel 9:24-27.
If you know a little history of that time period, it will shed light on the verses. But, I'll leave that to you. Just remember that God's Law is perfect, and you've broken it. Please humble yourself tonight.
Heh ... fraid not, eli. But alright .... now, in my last study of this passage, I found dozens upon dozens of valid interpretations.
I couldn't narrow them down, and they just kept on coming.
What do you believe the "sevens" are?
I'm sorry you feel that way. Read any commentary on the pasage and you'll find out. It takes humility, though, and God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. The sevens are weeks of years.
I'm saying that there are dozens of different commentaries.
Who do I choose?
are you saying that, or have you actuall yread them?
honestly.
I've not read all of them, no.
I had to give up after about 6 or 7.
I couldn't pick a single one.
okay. well, I've personally not seen 6 or 7 different interpretations of that passage, but that's just one prophecy out of hundreds. The evidence convinced me.
Now, have you confirmed that Jesus birth was 62 weeks after that passage was written?
I assume that's what you mean by 62 "sevens".
No, the annointing of Messiah, which is in those verses.
Jesus' triumphal entry.
I find it hard to believe Daniel was written only a year and a quarter before any time Jesus was alive.
huh? It was written hundreds of years before Jesus was alive.
Then, 62 "sevens" until what?
It certainly can't be referring to any Messiac foretelling if a "seven" is a week.
after the 62 weeks, messiah shall be cut off (killed)
I said weeks of years. They are years.
Then 62 years times 7?
yes
that would lead right up to the time of Christ
Okay ..... now, when you say "after the 62 weeks, messiah shall be cut off", do you mean 434 years until he's cut off? Or 62 weeks from some point in time *until* being cut off?
434 years.
Okay .... now, that's quite thin to me. The Hebrew "seven" is a round number in their numerical system, much like our "ten". There's a lot of things it could be referring to .... doesn't seem too convincing to me.
from the "going forth of the command to restore and build..."
that's the time frame.
verse 25.
Hold on ..... from then until what, what?
from the "going forth... until Messiah the Prince..."
And this is 434 years?
the 62 times 7 is 434. and additional seven times7 is 49 years. That totals 483 yers.
Alright.
1) 7 weeks or 49 years, in rebuilding of the "street and wall"
2) 62 weeks or 434 more years, to the first advent of the Messiah.
I'm afraid I don't see myself being too convinced here. It's not hard for me to read a passage like this, realize that it's 434 years past the time specified in the bible, and live my life like I'm the Messiah.
ok, how could you control where you're born?
Where and when, I can't.
there were explicit prophecies controlling that.
God made these prophecies to be impossible for human duplication. He wanted His Messiah to be unmistaken.
I'm just saying, there's sooo many angles to cover, that in order for one conclusion to be drawn and no other, would be an awfully erratic rationalization.
If science did this, we'd be in deep poo.
woah, let's not start jumping around here... what are you thinking about the prophecy about his birth? are you familiar with that one?
If the government did this ...... well, nevermind, because it already does this. =) And look at us.
Are you referring to the virgin birth prophecy?
no, the one foretelling his birth place.
you know the one?
The interesting thing is that when you put the virgin birth of the Old Testament in context, it's not a prophecy at all. =) It's for someone else, not the Messiah.
Anyway.....
let's address that in a minute. are you fam. with the other one?
Yes. Which book is that?
I think it's Hosea, but I'm probably wrong.
Micah 5:2.
Thanks.
proph. fulfillment is in Matthew 2:1.
I'd say that like any prophecy in the bible, anything is very very possible.
what do you mean, anything?
He could be the Messiah, the Catholic Church could have manipulated yet another verse ..... could just be coincidence, could be a lot of things.
that's a very valid concern. one that I had...
I could say the same for the Quran's prophecies.
If you'll notice, the foretellings of the Quran are pretty on the dot themselves. =)
Actually, no you couldn't. I politely challenge you to do that.
Well, to be fair, I guess I'll do that....hang on.
I've got all night. My wife's out of town, and this is very important to me.
(and to you, though you don't know it)
Alright....
The Qur'an says: "The Roman Empire has been defeated in a land close by; but they, even after this defeat, will gain victory in a few years. Allah's is the command, in the past and in the future. On that day shall the believers rejoice, with the help of Allah, He helps whom He wills. And He is the mighty and the most Merciful. It is the promise of Allah. Allah never departs from His promise: but most men understand not. They crave for the outer
That's Surah 30:1-7
Now, The Eastern Roman (i.e. Byzantine) Empire suffered a massive defeat at the hands of the Persians who captured Jerusalem in 614....
After that Egypt and Syria fell, and Constantinople was laid siege to
to a "land close by", by Surah's standards.
when was this prophecy written?
Err hang on...
Doesn't say.....actually, it doesn't matter. The passage is intended for a future coming.
Roman Empire gets defeated in a land close by, and then something happens in a few years which brings them to an inevitable defeat.
Anyway .... this actually does happen, word for word, even in the specified places.
It signaled to the Arabs the success of idolatry over the followers of revelation.
hang on...
Oh .... brings them to an inevitable victory** .... I meant to say. Not defeat.
Anyway .... it's nothing to really lay an egg over though .... it's not hard for a prophecy like this to be validated, no matter how exact it appears.
I vaguely remember something about how the prophecies were re-written, but I can't find it.
Well, I need to research that.
Oh lol .... well the same's been said for the bible and the Quran.
I found it...
But all I'm saying, back to the main point, is that so-called prophecies of any book hold a very relative magnitude. It's possible for anything to happen, even in specification, so long as the time is not specified.
And the Quran is very clever here .... it specifies a time *frame*, but not the exact *time*. Makes it very easily possible.
but, we just looked at a specific time from the bible prophecy.
The most serious problem may be that the statements in Sura 30 may merely be history, and not a prediction, because Mohammed was alive and still producing Koranic verses for several years after the time of the suggested Roman victory in history.
I'm afraid we didn't .... all we see is "sevens" .... sevens of what? Well, sevens of just about anything. The bible's clever too.
Ahhh .... no. This is roughly 500-600 years later.
We know this is the case, because Mohammed died in 632 A.D. at the age of 63. According to Al-Baizawi's commentary, the Byzantine Romans were evidently victorious over Persia in 628 A.D., and so, Mohammed was alive for four years after that victory ---therefore, Mohammed could easily have learned of the victory and then have dictated these verses of Sura 30. This would make Sura 30 history, not a prediction.
But it's comfy to assume seven "sevens of years".
look up above
Oh .... yes, he died in 632 A.D., that's very true.
It is a very safe bet that in "a few" years the Romans would be "victorious" in battle to some degree, since they were fighting various battles during every year. A victory would seem virtually 100% sure to happen within the space of nine years.
So, the problem is: the Sura 30 prediction is fairly vague and unspecific; it is much like saying that the British soccer team will win a game in "a few" years
Agreed
How about a little change... the Old Test. says to circumcise babies on the 8th day, but not until recently has science found that blod clotting hormones are at their peak on the 8th day.
coincidence?
Heh .... I think that is very very very much a coincidence, because not more than a century ago this wasn't the case.
what do you mean?
Hang on.
Playing Google tag...
I'm staying put.
Harumph.....can't find it on Google. Can you show me a reference saying that blood clotting hormones are at their peak on the 8th day, and what relevance this has? Honestly....I don't see what these hormones have to do with foreskin.
Well, obviously that area of the male body is very concentrated with blood. Any skin penetrating operation would cause blood loss, so God provided a way to counteract that.
The glans, yes, but not the foreskin.
Well, in a perfect world, I'd see that as valid, but
I have to go. =(
My mother's finished with dinner.
remember, we're talking thousands of years ago, when man's tools were not precise, and coudl be messy
please consider what I said. eliotmurray@hotmail.com
Thanks ..... alright, have a good one.
Humboldt has quit (Client exited)

eVangelizing

2006-06-20T19:21:00.000-07:00

Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
jooo
Eliot says:
what's up?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
well nothign much
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
how are u?
Eliot says:
where you from? I'm good.
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
netherlands
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
you?
Eliot says:
usa
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
ok cool
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
how old are u?
Eliot says:
24. you?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
im 21
Eliot says:
cool. hey, can I ask you a question?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
sure go ahead
Eliot says:
do you have any opinion on what happens after people die? I'm very curious...
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
ehhh dificult.... i believe there is more after you die.... but i also think that in a way youve gotto deserve it
Eliot says:
ok. cool. like more of what?? deserve what?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
`don;'t know what...... but it can't be just over i guess..... and i mean by deserve,,,,, i can't believe that a man like adolf hitler is now relaxing in heaven or something
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
i believe in heaven and hell
Eliot says:
ok. cool. I think we got cut off. So, you believe in divine justice, that Hitler is rotting somewhere?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
yes
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
i hope he is
Eliot says:
so, are you a good person?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
i try to be
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
i am no angel
Eliot says:
you wanna try a quick test to see if you're good?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
hahaha sure bring it on
Eliot says:
have you ever told a lie?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
yes
Eliot says:
ok
Eliot says:
what does that make you, if you've told a lie?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
i feel guilty
Eliot says:
you should be!! you admitted to lying! ok. what about...
Eliot says:
have you ever stolen something?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
yes
Eliot says:
ok. what does that make you, if you've stolen something?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
the same
Eliot says:
more specifically, though. what would you call me if I stole something?
Eliot says:
you there?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
a thief
Eliot says:
ok. 2 more questions, okay? have you ever taken God's name in vain?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
sure but i doint beleive in god
Eliot says:
ok, thank you for your honesty. That's called blasphemy, and it's very serious in God's eyes. one more question, and I'll stop, okay? Jesus said that to look upon a woman with lust, you've committed adultery with her in your heart. Have you ever looked with lust?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
hey i don't care what jesus says
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
so i don't have to answer
Eliot says:
ok. fair enough. but even if you don't care what He says, he still said it. So, Marcel, you've just told me that you're a lying, thieving, blasphemous person and you have to stand before God on Judgement Day, and we've only looked at 4 of the 10 commandments. How will He judge you on that day if He judges by this standard?
Eliot says:
innocent or guilty?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
ther is no HE ,,,,,, i try to live as good as i can and i try to learn from my faults
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
so time will tell
Eliot says:
well, the Bible says that you will face God. Don't you want to be sure of your salvation, and not leave it up to "time will tell?"
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
no i don't want to
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
carpe diem
Eliot says:
okay, IF God judged you... IF He did, how would you turn out? innocent or guilty?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
both.,..... i did bad things , but i learned from my falts,..... and i know (im katholic ) you can always ask forgiveness
Eliot says:
Right, but if a murderer came before a judge and told the judge,"I'm a murderer, but I've done other good things", then the judge wouldn't just let him go, would he?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
that's a strange example
Eliot says:
why?
Eliot says:
you've broken God's Laws, so if He is a Just and Good God, then he has to punish sin, doesn't he? I mean, He can't just let murderers go, can he?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
hey im sorry but i don't believe in him.... so there is no point
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
i believe in the goodness of people
Eliot says:
remember, I said IF.
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
bad people are sick.... but everyone is born good
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
that's what i think
Eliot says:
so, have you always done good?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
you know the anwer
Eliot says:
and, what makes a person turn into bad if he's born good?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
the society
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
and the law
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
but that's bullshit
Eliot says:
ok. you say the law makes a person bad. That sort of what God says: "Knowledge of sin comes from the Law." Your conscience "bears witness" that you know if you've done wrong or not.
Eliot says:
so, your conscience is now telling you that yes, you have broken God's Law. So, IF He judges you by those commandments, will you be innocent or guilty?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
innocent
Eliot says:
but you've just admitted to breaking His laws. You've already told me you have. That means you'll be guilty. God will have to punish you. So where will you go? Heaven or hell?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
heaven, because i learned from my faults
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
if you wanna do good, you need to know what's wrong
Eliot says:
We've already established that you've ALREADY BROKEN the laws. A judge has to punish law-breakers no matter if they've "learned from their faults" or not, right?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
yeah but HE is no judge
Eliot says:
"God has appointed a day in which he will JUDGE the world in righteousness."
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
taht's hat you think
Eliot says:
So, how will you turn out on that day? Aren't you concerned that you've broken Almighty God's laws?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
that's an opinion
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
no i don't care that ive broken the laws of somebody who doesnt excist
Eliot says:
Yeah, but doesn't it make sense to you? You admitted when we first started talking that you believe in divine justice... that murderers have to be punished somewhere, like Hitler.
Eliot says:
Look, how do you know there's a painter when you look at a painting?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
?
Eliot says:
B'c it exists. The painting didn't just happen. Someone painted it.
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
so?
Eliot says:
How do you know there is a Creator? B/c of creation. God has given us creation to
Eliot says:
prove His existence.
Eliot says:
How else can you explain how we got this earth?
Eliot says:
And please don't say evolution.
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
well there is a good scientific explination called..... evo......
Eliot says:
come on...
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
sooo you believe the human isnt evaluated from a monkey?
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
answr
Eliot says:
no, I don't. Look, we could go around in circles with this one. I'll ask you this... if evolution is true, where did the monkeys come from? You can't have something from nothing>
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
hey tgis is a interesting discusion.... and i want to finish it another time.... but right now it's 3.15 AM and i have to get up early
Eliot says:
fair enough. please consider the claims of the bible. thanks for talking. God bless.
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
yeah god bless
Marcel nieuw nr!!!! 0638441399 says:
good night

eVangelizing

2006-06-20T19:19:00.000-07:00

Some more witnessing...

Eliot says:
hi

云中鹤 just sent you a Nudge!

Eliot says:
what was that???!!!
云中鹤 says:
hi
Eliot says:
were you born in China?
云中鹤 says:
yes
云中鹤 says:
are you in east of usa or west of usa
Eliot says:
sorry. my computer locked up.
Eliot says:
southeast. alabama.
Eliot says:
hey, do you want to take my survey?
云中鹤 says:
take my survy
云中鹤 says:
what does it mean
Eliot says:
oh, it means I've got a question for you. okay??
云中鹤 says:
o i was born in china
Eliot says:
What is your opinion on what happens to someone after they die?
Eliot says:
are you there?
云中鹤 says:
they will disappear from the universe
Eliot says:
why do you think that?
Eliot says:
hello????
云中鹤 says:
yes
云中鹤 says:
i am thinking how to say
云中鹤 says:
man is a animal
Eliot says:
so, we have no soul? no heaven or hell?
云中鹤 says:
What is your opinion on what happens to animals after they die?
are you there?

云中鹤 says:
i think so
云中鹤 says:
no soul
Eliot says:
you don't believe in heaven?
云中鹤 says:
how do you think
云中鹤 says:
sometimes i believe
Eliot says:
ok. how will you get to heaven?
云中鹤 says:
hah be a better man
Eliot says:
so, do you consider yourself a good person?
云中鹤 says:
are you a student
云中鹤 says:
not a bad man
Eliot says:
yes, are you a good person?
Eliot says:
ok
云中鹤 says:
have you married
Eliot says:
can I ask you a few things to see if that's true?
云中鹤 says:
yeah
Eliot says:
ok...
Eliot says:
have you ever told a lie?
云中鹤 says:
of course
Eliot says:
ok. so, what does that make you, if you've told a lie?
云中鹤 says:
all of people tell lies
Eliot says:
I agree, but what does that make you?
云中鹤 says:
if it hurt somebody i fell sorry
云中鹤 says:
you looks like a priest
Eliot says:
ok. you should feel bad if you've lied, right? b/c it's the wrong thing to do. ok, let's move on. have you ever stolen something?
云中鹤 says:
yeah when i am young
Eliot says:
so what does that make you if you've stolen?
云中鹤 says:
fell sorry
云中鹤 says:
why do you ask these questions
云中鹤 says:
you look like a priest
Eliot says:
but, what are you called if you've stolen? If you've lied, you're called a liar. If you've stolen, you're called a ...
云中鹤 says:
anyone wil make mistake
云中鹤 says:
include god
Eliot says:
I agree with you. But, please answer the question. I will tell you in a minute why I'm doing this.
Eliot says:
How about this one: Jesus said that to look at another woman with lust, you've already committed adultery with her in your heart. Have you ever looked with lust? This one got me.
云中鹤 says:
i just can let god forgive me
Eliot says:
so, you've lusted before?
Eliot says:
are you there?
云中鹤 says:
yeah
云中鹤 says:
lust i am thinking what dose this word mean
云中鹤 says:
sometimes
Eliot says:
oh, I'm sorry. It means, have you ever had an impure sexual thought about another person besides your wife?
云中鹤 says:
o i have not married
云中鹤 says:
have you married
Eliot says:
I've just asked you a few of the 10 commandments, and you've admitted to breaking them. You've admitted to lying, stealing, and adultery in the heart. You have to face God on Judgment Day. If he judges you by the 10 commandments, how will you turn out? Guilty or innocent?
云中鹤 says:
i think if married you should not do like that
Eliot says:
Read my last comment.
云中鹤 says:
innocent if the mistake is not big
Eliot says:
How would you be innocent? You've already admitted to breaking His Laws. You've lied, stolen, and committed adultery of the heart. He will not see you as innocent, will He?
云中鹤 says:
this is a hard question
Eliot says:
I know, it's hard. But, be honest before God and answer it.
云中鹤 says:
u looks like a philosopher
Eliot says:
Please answer the question... it's very important for you.
云中鹤 says:
thinking
Eliot says:
take your time.
Eliot says:
It's not hard, though. You've broken God's Law, so He'll find you guilty, right?
Eliot says:
Let's go through a couple more: have you ever taken God's name in vain?
云中鹤 says:
no
Eliot says:
never?
云中鹤 says:
if you fell sorry with the mistakes and the mistakes is not very big ,god can let you be inocent
云中鹤 says:
in china we seldom say god
云中鹤 says:
are you married
Eliot says:
yeah, but try that in a court of law. The judge won't let you go, will He? If you've broken the law, he can't let you go if he's a good judge. God is the Almighty Judge, and He will not let you go free if you've broken His Laws. He will find you guilty on Judgment Day, for the things you've already admitted to doing.
云中鹤 says:
is there nba games in your state
Eliot says:
He has given you a conscience, and you know when you do wrong. Please, let's not talk about nba right now. This is very important.
Eliot says:
If God finds you guilty, He must sentence you to His prison, which is hell. I don't want you to go there, and neither does God.
云中鹤 says:
i think god will not do like that
Eliot says:
Hell is a terrible place. It is a place where "the worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched." It is in the Bible, I'm warning you that it will happen if you don't repent.
云中鹤 says:
that will no person who can go to heaven
Eliot says:
Do you know what God did for you, so you wouldn't have to go to hell for eternity? It's a very loving thing. Do you know?
云中鹤 says:
i fell like you are very afaid of death
云中鹤 says:
any questions
Eliot says:
Do you know what God did for you so you wouldn't have to go to hell?
云中鹤 says:
maybe
Eliot says:
Tell me what God did for you.
云中鹤 says:
he think i am not a bad man ,and he let me go to the heaven
Eliot says:
You're not a good person, you're just like everyone else, and God will punish you on Judgment day for breaking His law. The Bible says, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
Eliot says:
It is dangerous to play around like this. Please be honest with yourself and admit your guilt. God commands all men everywhere to repent.
云中鹤 says:
i accept the punishment
Eliot says:
Believe me, you don't want the punishment. It is hell for eternity. It is called the Lake of Fire in the Bible.
Eliot says:
God doesn't want you to go to hell. Do you have any questions?
云中鹤 says:
so terrble
Eliot says:
I know. Does that concern you?
云中鹤 says:
god is a good man
Eliot says:
He is good, that's why He must punish all sin. The Bible says, "the soul that sins will surely die."
云中鹤 says:
we do not know what the law is when you died
云中鹤 says:
let's talk something else
云中鹤 says:
that is too hard
云中鹤 says:
you have not tell me why you ask these questions
Eliot says:
you know the Law now. It has been presented to you. Plus, God has "written His law on your heart." You know that you've broken it. It is very important. Do you have any questions? God did something for you so you wouldn't have to go to hell, and I would like to share it with you. Do you want to know?
云中鹤 says:
o
Eliot says:
what?
云中鹤 says:
you make me tired
云中鹤 says:
in when people will die he will ask these questions
Eliot says:
prison break?
云中鹤 says:
film
云中鹤 says:
have not you seen
云中鹤 says:
you only can speak english?
云中鹤 says:
are u there
Eliot says:
No, look... I don't want you to go to hell, but we've established that. I'm not sure if you're concerned enough to hear the gospel, so you can email me if you have a question. Please consider your eternal destiny. God will punish you if you don't have Jesus Christ on Judgment Day. He made himself into the form of a man, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and came to earth 2000 years ago. He took your
Eliot says:
punishment for your sins when he died on the cross for you, so you wouldn't have to go to hell.
Eliot says:
Now, repent of your sinful ways, stop breaking the law, and trust in Jesus for your eternal life. Then, get a bible and start reading it, and obey it. Thanks for listening.

eVangelizing

2006-06-20T19:04:00.000-07:00

This is some "eVangelizing" I did (is that creative, or just stupid?) in a chat room. I used to just ask people to chat, but this time I asked if anyone wanted to take my "survey" and I feel I got more bites than normal. In a way, it is a survey, so I'm not being dishonest or anything. By the way, I learned this witnessing technique on Way of the Master.com- sharing your faith effectively and biblically, the way Jesus did. Check it out:

Eliot says:
hi
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
hi how r u
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
survey
Eliot says:
good. yeah, ok...
Eliot says:
What is your opinion on what happens to someone after they die?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
reancarnation....
Eliot says:
are you hindu?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
no
Eliot says:
ok. where did you get that info from?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
what info
Eliot says:
your opinion... reincarnation.
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
i believ in it and believe there is another life after ours i dont believe we just cark it and tharts it
Eliot says:
ok. fair enough. so, is there a heaven or hell, or do you just come back to earth in another life?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
heaven and if ur good enough they let u stayu if ur bad they send you back
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
here
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
u got a pic
Eliot says:
no, sorry, I don't. ok, a little more on the survey, ok?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) sends:

bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) would like to share this background with you.

bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
yep it doesnt matter
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
ok
Eliot says:
ok. so, are you good enough to stay in heaven when you get there, or will you get sent back?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
ill get to stay maybe
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
....lol
Eliot says:
ok, let's find out if you are good, okay? have you ever told a lie?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
yes millions of times
Eliot says:
wow, millions? lol. ok, so what does that make you, if you've lied?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
bad
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
i guess
Eliot says:
no, what would you call me if I lied? starts with L....
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
liar
Eliot says:
ever stolen anything?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
yes
Eliot says:
and what does that make you?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
a theif
Eliot says:
ok, last one...
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:

Eliot says:
have you ever taken the Lord's name in vain?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
wat u mean
Eliot says:
have you ever used God's name as a cuss word, to express disgust?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
yes
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
am i bad
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
?????]
Eliot says:
ok, that's called blasphemy, which is very serious, now, I will repeat back to you what you've told me, okay?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
ok
Eliot says:
by your own admission, you are a liar, a thief, and a blasphemer. Those are 3 of the 10 commandments, and you have to face God on Judgement Day. How will he judge you if He judges you by these commandments? innocent or guilty?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
guilty i guess
Eliot says:
ok. so, where will you go? heaven or hell, if you're guilty?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
hell
Eliot says:
does that concern you?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
yes alot
Eliot says:
it concerns me too, friend. so what are you going to do, on Judgement day? what will you say to God? He has "appointed a day in which he will judge the world...".
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
i have been a stupid person and i went a gaingst the 3 that are in the 10
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
r u religious
Eliot says:
well, yes you are guilty of those 3, but God can't just let you go, b'c you've admitted it. Think of a court of law... if you go to a judge and you're guilty of a crime, the judge can't just let you go. Do you know what God did for you so you won't have to go to hell?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
lie throught the teeth....?
Eliot says:
i don't understand???
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
lol
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
no hell put me in jail]
Eliot says:
yes, God is a just God and should punish all sin, including yours, but he did something for you so you could escape eternal punishment. do you know what he did for you?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
give me life
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
did he
Eliot says:
yes, he gave you life, but you've messed that up, right? You've broken God's Laws. The Bible says that "the soul that sins must surely die."
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
ok r u reljgous
Eliot says:
God will "judge the secrets of men." He sees everything you do, and even the hidden sins will be exposed on Judgement day. I'm a Christian, not religious. Aren't you concerned that you will go to hell when he judges you?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
let me ask u have u broken the gods rules
Eliot says:
we all have.
Eliot says:
but He has made a way out for us. Do you know what that is?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
well why am i any different 2 u
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
being baptisef
Eliot says:
You have sinned, just like me. We both deserve eternal punishment for what we've done. We've sinned against a holy, just, eternal God. The Bible says "It's a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." I don't want you to go to hell for breaking God's Law. Do you?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
no!
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
are u a really holy person]
Eliot says:
I'm telling you He has provided for us a way out. Do you know what he did for you?? Please answer the question, it's very important. I don't want you to be punished for your sins.
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
i dont no
Eliot says:
Do you want to be forgiven of your sins and have eternal life?
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
yeh
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
u there
Eliot says:
God has done something so wonderful for us, and it's so great that He says not to give this information to just anyone... the person must realize his situation, and that his sins have doomed him to hell. If you want to know what he did for you, just say yes.
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
yes
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) sends:

bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) would like to share this background with you.

Eliot says:
He made himself into the form of a man, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and came to earth 2000 years ago. He took your punishment for your sins when he died on the cross for you, so you wouldn't have to go to hell.
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
oh yeh
Eliot says:
But, to receive this gift, you must do some things. You've heard this gospel before, huh?

You have failed to receive a shared background from bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified).

You have failed to receive a shared background from bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified).

Eliot says:
The Bible says you must repent of your sins, that is, turn away from them and turn to God and ask for forgiveness. Then, you must trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior, and he will save you from hell. Trust in Him as you would trust in a parachute if you had to jump from a plane.
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
bugger of u bible kissn jahovas witness i dont care for bible shit
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
ur a wakjob go kiss gods assEliot says:
I'm not a Jehovah's Witness, I'm a Christian, and you've just heard the precious gospel. Today is the day of salvation for you.
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
good on ya you bible kissn wak job
Eliot says:
Ok, look, if you choose to reject Jesus Christ's gospel, you will be condemned on the day of Judgement. If you trample underfoot the blood of Jesus, you will be condemned.
Eliot says:
Please consider this information, it is very important for you.
bubbles_so_cool@hotmail.net.au (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
no its inportant to you i dont give a fuck
Eliot says:
And if our eyes meet on the Day of Judgement, and you don't have Jesus, your blood is not on my hands.
Eliot says:
God Bless.

Self Identity

2006-06-13T17:22:00.000-07:00

The person who opens the Bible and reads about other people is foolish; the person who opens the Bible and reads about himself is wise.

Any "Way of the Master" fans out there?

2006-06-01T17:33:00.000-07:00

I'm gonna start studying this stuff in depth, and I would love to have some buddies to study with. Anybody in Montgomery that watches or reads or listens to the show?? Maybe we could start a bible class or something...

How to Have a Successful Affair?!

2006-05-03T15:41:00.000-07:00

Yep, you're right. I just listened to "Way of the Master Radio" and Todd was playing clips of a woman being interviewed (by another woman) about her book on how to have a successful affair. Yes, that's right - an extra-marital affair... a love affair. She was saying things like, "If you're ever confronted, then just deny, deny, deny. Demand evidence, and if they give you evidence, deny that, too." Did I miss something here?????????

More Recycled J.M.

2006-05-02T18:10:00.000-07:00

"So many times we ask for what we already have! We pray for the Holy Spirit, and He is already here. Have you ever analyzed your prayers? You pray, 'God, give me more love for so-and-so.' The Bible says the 'love of God is shed abroad in our hearts' (Romans 5:5). You say, 'God, I need more grace.' God says that the grace He has already given you is sufficient (2 Chronicles 12:9). You cry, 'O Lord, I need more strength.' The Bible says you 'can do all things through Christ' who strengthens you (Phil. 4:13). 'O God, guide me,' you say. And He is thinking, 'I'm trying. Why don't you follow?' 'God, I need power,' you cry. In fact, you have had power since the Holy Spirit came upon you (Acts 1:8). When will Christians realize that they have everything?"
-- John MacArthur

Man, I needed this teaching.

Recycled J.M.

2006-05-01T19:08:00.000-07:00

A lot of what I'll be writing on here will simply be recycled words from someone else who can say it better than I can anyway. I just read a little book by John MacArthur called, "Found: God's Will." You know, it's amazing how wise an author/teacher can be simply by quoting from scripture. The books that make the most sense to me are the ones that have the most biblical references in them (coincidence??? nope). Here is a little quote that MacArthur writes:

"But God's will is that people be saved! And basic to salvation is the recognition of sin. This lays it right at your feet. Either you are not saved from your sin and you need to come to Christ because that is God's will, or you are saved and need to reach others with the message of salvation. There is a world out there that needs Jesus Christ. God wants them to be saved, and you and I are the vehicles for the transportation of the Gospel. That is God's will."

God wants people saved. It makes so much sense to me when you think about it on an eternal level. He wants people saved so they can go to heaven, then He can make their lives perfect. But not now!! Here's another tidbit J.M. writes:

"You say you do not know what God's will is, but I'll tell you what it is. First, that you know Christ and then that your neighbors hear about Christ. That is His will. So often we sit around twiddling our thumbs, dreaming about God's will in some far distant future when we are not even willing to stand up on our own two feet, walk down the street, and do God's will right now."

Ross' Sermon

2006-04-23T18:35:00.000-07:00

Our Involvement Mininster, Ross Mitchell gave a sermon today at church. It was about harboring bitterness in our hearts and what the Bible says about it. He had some very intriguing comments in his message. Among many, here are some:

"There are few things that will happen to us that will enable us to exemplify the cross of Christ more than being mistreated."

"Why would you make someone pay for what Christ has already paid for?"

Abraham Lincoln, when he was elected into office, appointed many of his political enemies to high places within in his cabinet. Someone confronted him about it and asked, "Why didn't you crush these people? This was your chance to destroy your enemies." To this, Honest Abe replied, "If I make my enemy my friend, have I not then destroyed my enemy?"

Amazon Book Review

2006-04-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

I just read a book review on Amazon, and it had some very insightful things, so I copied and pasted it! Here it is.

Bottom line: Biblical Evangelism is MESSAGE DELIVERY - Packaged in Genuine Love & Concern for the Whole Person Lost in Sin's Darkness. Deliverance. Search & Rescue. Proclaiming unpleasantries. Telling the whole truth. Confronting controversy. Risking offending the one we really care about, like compassionate intervention with an addict to stop her/him from ongoing harm to self & others. Call it CAREFRONTATION. Boldness, availability, genuine love, faithful obedience, courage, Biblical training, Spirit-filling are all we need to share Jesus in life and lips. Lips without life is hit-and-run hypocrisy. Life sans lips is sweet sentiment. Jesus requires BOTH life and lips of effective witnessers for Him. Picture true evangelism like being a cancer-survivor telling people who need to be diagnosed that they too have the deadly disease. They need immediate medical help. Urgent care. Befriending the person and being nice and all, while withholding the dire truth, is no love at all but callous disregard for God, His Message and the Cure of the Cross, Jesus' shed Blood as chemotherapy and miracle treatment of life.

"Well, I don't like to think about that stuff."

2006-04-20T07:04:00.000-07:00

I was listening to someone share their faith with an unbeliever the other day on "Way of the Master," and Ray asked this guy if he thought about death. He said, "Well I don't like to think about that stuff because it's kind of a bummer, you know?" I just don't understand people who say that. Death is eminent, obvious, eventual, and inevitable. It is the common denominator of the human race. EVERYONE WILL DIE!! Sorry...... But, seriously, shouldn't we at least ponder it sometime?? I think it would behoove us all to ask ourselves the question, "What if?". "What if what the Bible says is true? For that matter, what if Islam is true? Or Hinduism, or Judaism, or Scientology?" It will be a faith builder, for sure. I've delved in it (very shallowly, admittingly) and it does nothing but drive me back to the truth: Jesus Christ.
Back to the unbeliever - this guy's response is equivalent to saying, "Well, I don't like to think about my test tomorrow, because that's kind of a bummer." I say, think about it, and think about it some more (and study, of course). Another common response to the Christian faith is, "Well, I don't believe in that stuff." That's equivalent to saying, "Well, I don't believe in that mack truck that's coming straight toward me while I walk down the middle line on the interstate." What you believe doesn't matter. It's the truth that matters.

Everybody Steps On Raymond

2006-04-19T18:27:00.000-07:00

I'm watching "Everybody Loves Raymond" on TBS, and I can't help but see the subtle nuances of a society that has begun the spiral downward. In this sitcom, the man is no longer head of the household. In fact, the very term, "head of the household" almost has a stigma attached to it when you refer to a "man" being the head of the household. In today's politically correct world, you can't assume or expect the man to be the leader of the home. These days, the position is up for grabs - the wife can assume the position just as easily as man can. Ray's wife, Deborah, barks orders at Ray while he cowers in her presence. Even their kids are misbehaving, and instead of invoking their natural instinct to punish the child, Ray and Deborah enroll in classes that are supposedly suited to instruct the parent on how to "discipline" the child. However, their definition of "discipline" is not the same as mine, or the Bible's. They intend to "reason" with a 6 year old child - yes, I just said "reason with a 6 year-old child"- about why she should do her chores. Ok, ok, can I just say here that I'm glad my parents didn't try to "reason" with me and utilize "active listening" when I was a kid???? In fact, I probably could've used even more sessions with the belt or the yardstick-to-the-buttocks. The KJV Bible says in Proverbs 23:13, "Withhold not correction from the child: for [if] thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die." Umm, ok, a clearer translation would be, "Don't fail to correct your children. They won't die if you spank them." Spare the rod and spoil the child. I'll take it further and say that sometimes God causes something to happen in life that is a little bigger than "reasoning with a 6 year-old." We are all like 6 year-olds in God's eyes, and when He tries to reason with us, whether it be through His Spirit, or through His Word, we need to listen, but we don't always follow that formula. Thank God that He doesn't give up after that. He chastens us in order for us to turn around from what we're doing and follow Him again. Take that, "Everybody Loves Raymond."
P.S. I use this sitcom because I think everyone will agree with me when I say that "ELR" is probably the closest thing we have to a normal real-life scenario in the home today. It shows you that the world's plan for family and God's plan is for His children are totally at odds with each other.

Separation from God cont'd

2006-04-17T13:50:00.000-07:00

So, do we sin because we are separated from God, or are we separated from God because we sin? I think it's both.
We sin because we don't have the presence of God around us.
As a Christian, I know that God dwells within me (Romans 8:9-11; 1 John 4:13), which makes it very hard for me to willingly want to sin. In fact, we can't live in a continuous life of sin if we're Christians. As Christians, we are called to give our lives as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) and to die to ourselves. As Christians, we are brought back into the presence of God through Jesus Christ. Therefore, God's presence sustains us and allows us to do those things we long to do (Philippians 4:13) for His Kingdom. Without God, those things would be impossible.
When I think about it, that might explain some part of why people in hell have no hope - because hell is a place of eternal separation from God, where God will not go and where man can not escape. If God does not abide in hell, there is no hope of redemption, and no hope of earning your way out. God is the only source of anything good, and without Him, there is a void of good. What do you have when there is a void of good? Hell. Without His sustaining presence, hell is and will forever be an endless cycle of sin.
We don't have the presence of God around us because we sin.
God punishes sin. So, when Adam and Eve sinned, he banished them from the Garden of Eden and put Cherabims and a flaming sword at the entrance (Genesis 3:24). That was their punishment. There was still hope of reconciliation, though. God knows that His creation has an innate longing for the One who created it. God's presence is what will be so splendid and pleasurable in heaven. We will be with God!
Like I've said before, I have no problem with saying that I'm not God. Some people would have a problem with saying that - I've talked with those people. I'm not God, therefore I'm not good, therefore I'm a sinner. God made me with arms, but that doesn't give me license to blame Him if I beat up someone. God gave women everything they need to be prostitutes. That doesn't give them the right to go downtown and stand on a street corner, all the while saying, "We were created that way, so blame God." Yes, we did inherit sin, but we are also responsible for it. "But," you say, "that just doesn't seem fair." To this I answer you as I did earlier. What if it were you in that garden? What if the serpent were talking directly to you, tempting you? Would you persevere? I'll leave it to Paul to wrap it up: "Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous." Romans 5:18,19.

Separation from God

2006-04-16T19:33:00.000-07:00

I just finished a book in preparation for sharing and, more importantly, defending my faith in the face of questions and persecution with the coming attraction, "The DaVinci Code." The book is called "Cracking DaVinci's Code." Hopefully this will equip me with some more apologetic ammo. Anyway, in the book, the summary at the end brought up a very interesting notion about sin. We are separated from God by original sin, and not necessarily by our actions in the present. At first, I admit, it almost seemed heretical. Of course, we are to be responsible for our actions, and we can't blame Adam and Eve's original sin for what we do in the here and now. So how can we adopt that concept of sin- that it's not our sin that separates us from God, but the fact that humanity itself is and has been separated from the beginning of time, and is therefore continually apart from God? Well, when I got to thinking about it, it makes sense. I haven't thought it all out, but frankly, the fact that we start out without connection with God when we are born is matched with this concept. We are born into the world with sin in our genes. We start out separated from God, and we can only be reconciled to Him by being perfect, and as we all know, that has not been done (Romans 3:23). So, Jesus comes into the picture and puts His cross over the gap and asks us to "cross His cross" back to Him. Sounds theological to me, but many atheists (or unbelievers) would probably not be too comfortable with this teaching. They would say something like, "So it's Adam and Eve's fault for our being separated from God? That doesn't seem too "loving" to me. We have to pay for someone else's sinning." Well, my answer to that would be- if you were the first human created, would you be perfect? Is that what you are saying, that you would make no mistakes and do no selfish deeds? Hardly... none of us would. That's a big load to bear, being blamed for all humanity's sins. I'm glad Jesus bore it anyway. In my opinion, even if we are separated from God at the start, and continue to sin after that because we aren't close to Him, it seems a rather small price to pay just to admit one's selfish, depraved, sinful self and to cling to God for reconciliation. Let's let Jesus do the work. Then, let's praise Him forever for it.

So I finally gave in

2006-04-16T19:15:00.000-07:00

Ok, it was only inevitable that the next step in my cyberspace journey was to create my own blog. After all, I try to keep a personal journal at home, but pen and paper are just so inconvenient... I mean, first there was email, then came facebook after much pressure from my wife, who is a fanatic. Then, of course was myspace, which was more of an effort on my part to create something on my own that was not Ashley's idea (I'm an original, what can I say). So here we are: Eliot's Blogs. Ok, I will quite typing now and realize that I'm basically talking to myself. I'll see you back here soon, Eliot.