Cliff Note: This post was originally on WIXY's Gone Bananas October 12, 2006. This was the last of a three part series that I dealt with some spiritual issues, mainly music. The reaction from this led to this blog being started.
Two books of the Bible immediately come to mind when I think about arrogance. 1 Corinthians and James. I imagine that the apostle Paul probably had his fill of know-it-alls around during his time. And James was handling the holier than thou crowd.
We see the same problems today.
If you are expecting an expository message, don't. I'm just sharing my heart.
You have people nowadays who think that if they have been saved longer, go to the correct church, make more money than you or come from the right region, they are more spiritual than you.
Oh, and if you listen to the wrong music, you can't possibly be spiritual at all.
Some of the worst name calling comes from folks from different denominations. Baptists call Pentecostals a bunch of "snake handling holy rollers". Freewill Baptists tell Southern Baptists, who are Calvinistic that they believe they "are going to Heaven whether they want to or not." Southern Baptists tell Freewills that they can be "saved today and lost tomorrow"
I've heard that eternity is going to be so long because God has to straighten us all out.
I once took part in a discussion in Sunday School. A question was asked, and I volunteered an answer. I knew the split second the words got past my lips that I was wrong. An elderly saint in the back of the sanctuary proceeded to say that "that was the view of narrow minded people". Imagine that. I was rebuked and insulted at the same time. So much for a soft answer turning away wrath(no I didn't get revenge. But I don't attend that church anymore)
A poster on the listening party forum today, stated that "everybody he has known that's been saved, has been pretty screwed up." That's another arrogance problem I've ran into the past twenty-five or so years. We always wanted to hear the testimony of the drug dealer, prostitute, porn star, prison inmate, etc. who has gotten gloriously saved. Heck, I smoked a little dope, drank some, and did a few other things I'm not proud of before I accepted Christ as my personal savior. But who are you going to church to hear the testimony of? Nikki Cruz or Cliff Feightner? Thought so. I doubt if my story will be on "Unshackled" soon.
My point on the above paragraph is that any who read this who are saved, no matter what you did before accepted Christ, you are just as saved as me.
And another bit of good news is this: you have the same access to the throne of grace that I do. It's not what I've done but it's what Jesus did on the cross for me.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Repost-Holy War part 2
Cliff Note: I reposted the first part of what was originally a three part series over at WIXY's Gone Bananas. I thought I would at least repost this one here. It was the reaction from this three part series that got me to thinking about starting this blog.
Cliff Note part 2: Recently, Kathy's Klavier had a post titled "Music and Christianity." She has posted several scriptures to go with it. I think that would be a worthwhile read if you haven't already seen it.
I once heard an evangelist say that music is the most carnal part of worship, and in some ways I agree with him. As human beings we sometimes are too selfish to see ministry opportunities in front of us because we don't think God honors "their" style of music.
The church my wife grew up in split one time mainly because of musical preferences. Those who founded the church were southern of origin(the founding pastor of the church was from Georgia), so the members for the longest enjoyed four part harmony, quartet singing with just the piano. Well time marches on, people come, others move, some go on. The biggest struggle in life, it seems, is change. Well the pastor the church elected was NOT from the south. The people he reached out to also were not from the south. The music they liked was traditional. A house divided against itself shall not stand. That church to this day has not had a powerful influence on the community.
It's been said that "Christians are the only one that shoot their wounded." I feel that this is especially true when it comes to a singer or preacher who don't specifically ministers to our tastes. Some have fallen. I've heard some defended, and others condemned by some of one preference, and the other way around with those of the opposite preference.
The sad truth is this- Jesus told the disciples to go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature. It's easy to talk to those you like and whose tastes match yours. It's not as easy to go to those that you may not like, especially those who think that the music you listen to is "of the devil." Most of those people are our elders. We get past personal preferences, and maybe they have something for us that might help our personal walk with the Lord.
May God richly bless those who have read this message, and may we all have patience toward those we may meet.
The first part of this series, Can't We All Just Get Along? is reposted over at WIXY's Gone Bananas.
Cliff Note part 2: Recently, Kathy's Klavier had a post titled "Music and Christianity." She has posted several scriptures to go with it. I think that would be a worthwhile read if you haven't already seen it.
I once heard an evangelist say that music is the most carnal part of worship, and in some ways I agree with him. As human beings we sometimes are too selfish to see ministry opportunities in front of us because we don't think God honors "their" style of music.
The church my wife grew up in split one time mainly because of musical preferences. Those who founded the church were southern of origin(the founding pastor of the church was from Georgia), so the members for the longest enjoyed four part harmony, quartet singing with just the piano. Well time marches on, people come, others move, some go on. The biggest struggle in life, it seems, is change. Well the pastor the church elected was NOT from the south. The people he reached out to also were not from the south. The music they liked was traditional. A house divided against itself shall not stand. That church to this day has not had a powerful influence on the community.
It's been said that "Christians are the only one that shoot their wounded." I feel that this is especially true when it comes to a singer or preacher who don't specifically ministers to our tastes. Some have fallen. I've heard some defended, and others condemned by some of one preference, and the other way around with those of the opposite preference.
The sad truth is this- Jesus told the disciples to go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature. It's easy to talk to those you like and whose tastes match yours. It's not as easy to go to those that you may not like, especially those who think that the music you listen to is "of the devil." Most of those people are our elders. We get past personal preferences, and maybe they have something for us that might help our personal walk with the Lord.
May God richly bless those who have read this message, and may we all have patience toward those we may meet.
The first part of this series, Can't We All Just Get Along? is reposted over at WIXY's Gone Bananas.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Now I know!!
And Joseph said to them, Fear not; for am I in the place of God? [Vengeance is His, not mine.]
We spent the weekend very discouraged. Kathy was expressing many bad thoughts. We had other problems within our family and could not see the light at the end of the tunnel. And to top it off, Kathy had to take one of our cats to the vet this morning. It turned out the cat had feline lymphoma and had to be put down.
With all of what my family had gone through in the past couple of weeks, I was at wits end.
Meanwhile Liquid, who recently has gone through things I wouldn't want, to is flying high. Not drunk, not high on drugs, and not in an aircraft. Suzanne had taken all she could and yesterday left it at the altar, as she had rededicated her life to the Lord Jesus Christ. She couldn't wait to email me about it. PRAISE THE LORD!!!
We got to emailing each other and I told her about the cat and wondering on our keyboard why all his was happening, having a mini pity party for myself.
Suzanne's reply was that we all are making Satan angry. He's upset that several of us are using the internet, something he likes to claim as his playground, for witnessing and fellowship.
Believe me when I say I enjoy it when I hear someone has been blessed by something I post here. It is an awesome responsibility that we all have to uplift others while using our blogs as a witness to a hurting world.
As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are this day. Genesis 50:19-20 Amplified Bible
We spent the weekend very discouraged. Kathy was expressing many bad thoughts. We had other problems within our family and could not see the light at the end of the tunnel. And to top it off, Kathy had to take one of our cats to the vet this morning. It turned out the cat had feline lymphoma and had to be put down.
With all of what my family had gone through in the past couple of weeks, I was at wits end.
Meanwhile Liquid, who recently has gone through things I wouldn't want, to is flying high. Not drunk, not high on drugs, and not in an aircraft. Suzanne had taken all she could and yesterday left it at the altar, as she had rededicated her life to the Lord Jesus Christ. She couldn't wait to email me about it. PRAISE THE LORD!!!
We got to emailing each other and I told her about the cat and wondering on our keyboard why all his was happening, having a mini pity party for myself.
Suzanne's reply was that we all are making Satan angry. He's upset that several of us are using the internet, something he likes to claim as his playground, for witnessing and fellowship.
Believe me when I say I enjoy it when I hear someone has been blessed by something I post here. It is an awesome responsibility that we all have to uplift others while using our blogs as a witness to a hurting world.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Why do bad things keep happening to my family?
One thing I don't want my blogs to be about is my problems. Right now though, I feel like Job. Today, right before 11:00am I get this call from my wife. She had just gotten into an accident where she pulled out in front of this car. Fortunately the speed limit where she was at was 25MPH.I was an hour away, but I probably took the WIXYmobile faster than I should getting to Wooster Hospital. Thank God it wasn't anything more serious than a concussion.
The car is not drivable and the appraiser will be at the impound lot early next week.
These past couple of weeks have not been kind to us.
Early last week our son was hospitalized for a week.
I had to appear in court yesterday and even though the case was thrown out, I had to miss two hours of work.
And now this accident.
You know, I should be grateful that nothing more serious happened and I am.
But financially there have been many incidents that have set me back in the past couple of years. Why is it I see some people who live less than honorable lives and don't have these things happen to them? We had a president who committed an immoral act in the White House and his approval rating shot up after he admitted to it. Things happen to me and people tell me that it's my own fault. Why?
Yes this is on the right blog. I will add scripture to this after I am done feeling sorry for myself.
The car is not drivable and the appraiser will be at the impound lot early next week.
These past couple of weeks have not been kind to us.
Early last week our son was hospitalized for a week.
I had to appear in court yesterday and even though the case was thrown out, I had to miss two hours of work.
And now this accident.
You know, I should be grateful that nothing more serious happened and I am.
But financially there have been many incidents that have set me back in the past couple of years. Why is it I see some people who live less than honorable lives and don't have these things happen to them? We had a president who committed an immoral act in the White House and his approval rating shot up after he admitted to it. Things happen to me and people tell me that it's my own fault. Why?
Yes this is on the right blog. I will add scripture to this after I am done feeling sorry for myself.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Blessed are the poor in spirit...
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.-Matthew 5:3
With those words, Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount. It's interesting that the first words out of Jesus' mouth was encouragement towards the downtrodden. We sometimes try to make logic of these things, but that's when it happens to someone else. When it happens to them we say that they weren't in the will of God. When it happens to us it's "Why me God?" But Jesus says "Blessed are the poor in spirit." Why are we supposed to be happy? "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Better days are ahead. If not sooner it will be later.
After this past week the above verse had come to mind. Sometimes I have to look at the simple. God's Word isn't complicated and it shouldn't be made that way.
With those words, Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount. It's interesting that the first words out of Jesus' mouth was encouragement towards the downtrodden. We sometimes try to make logic of these things, but that's when it happens to someone else. When it happens to them we say that they weren't in the will of God. When it happens to us it's "Why me God?" But Jesus says "Blessed are the poor in spirit." Why are we supposed to be happy? "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Better days are ahead. If not sooner it will be later.
After this past week the above verse had come to mind. Sometimes I have to look at the simple. God's Word isn't complicated and it shouldn't be made that way.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Post to check out
New friend Kay, over at Loop De Loops in La La Land, yesterday wrote an excellent post titled "Without Him." She writes about the message at her church and gives her testimony. In the comment section, several, including myself, gave testimonies.
It's worth you going there and reading it.
It's worth you going there and reading it.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
First command with a promise
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
Ephesians 6:1-3 KJV
A post on another blog really broke my heart this week. Amias had posted about the way her adult children treated her. Times like this I am convinced that adult children is not an oxymoron. It infuriates me when I see how some treat their parents, especially when parents sacrifice much for their children.
This is not an isolated event. This attitude is rampant.
Now I also read such bloggers as Kathy's who sing the praises of her children. Jessica is another who can't wait to tell how proud she is of her son and daughter. I take pride in the good parents on my blog roll. I feel that they all set good examples for others to follow.
Unfortunately there are many children who believe that they deserve the latest and greatest, no matter what it does to the budget. If they don't get it, mom and dad are the bad guys.
But what gets me is those who reach their adult years and forget that mom and dad worked long and hard to clothe and feed them. Parents who took their children to the emergency room late into the night and went to work early the next day. Parents who sacrificed to give their children a good Christmas. Parents who were involved in their activities.
My father passed away in 2000. My mother in 2004. I wish they could be around to see their great grandchildren.
My mother called me about just about everything after my dad died. She suffered from COPD, her reward for being around smokers all her life as she didn't smoke. I went over 40 miles from my house to hers to take her to the emergency room. Why? Because she trusted me. I wouldn't have had it any other way. And the reason why I did that was because she changed my dirty diapers early in my life. I didn't need any other reason.
Funny though as much as modern medicine is extending peoples lives, some will negate that by the way they treat their parents. If you don't believe me reread the scripture.
Love them while you can!
Monday, February 4, 2008
If My People
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
Tomorrow is "Super Tuesday" where about 40% of the delegates for the political conventions here in the USA will be decided. Of course there is plenty of campaigning, and some mudslinging. Unfortunately some Christians place too much hope in their political parties and way too many put too much faith at the top.
Should we vote? Yes. We should also pray for our leaders whether we agree with them or not. We should also pray for wisdom as we prepare to make decisions at the ballot box.
Study the issues. If a candidate professes to be a Christian, pray that they "walk the walk" as well as "talking the talk."
But remember this-As Americans we should regard all elections, whether they be for school levies, or for President, as important.
Tomorrow is "Super Tuesday" where about 40% of the delegates for the political conventions here in the USA will be decided. Of course there is plenty of campaigning, and some mudslinging. Unfortunately some Christians place too much hope in their political parties and way too many put too much faith at the top.
Should we vote? Yes. We should also pray for our leaders whether we agree with them or not. We should also pray for wisdom as we prepare to make decisions at the ballot box.
Study the issues. If a candidate professes to be a Christian, pray that they "walk the walk" as well as "talking the talk."
But remember this-As Americans we should regard all elections, whether they be for school levies, or for President, as important.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
How much control does TV have in our lives?
In this morning's edition of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Terry Pluto gives his observation on how much television controls our lives.
It's something to think about as we are about to embark on Super Sunday, the day which has the most watched show of the year.
As he usually does, Terry gives many viewpoints and sites many several sources. It is definitely worth a read.
It's something to think about as we are about to embark on Super Sunday, the day which has the most watched show of the year.
As he usually does, Terry gives many viewpoints and sites many several sources. It is definitely worth a read.
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