Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Eloping
Life (and my engagement) would be much easier if the main thing was the main thing. No elaborate ceremonies, no cake that I can't eat, no extra expenses, NO WAITING. I would be eloping right now if that were the case. "Hello judge, sign this please, have a nice day." Now that's an idea.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Does "all" mean "all"?
Here is an interesting verse, that, taken word-by-word literally, would seem to contradict itself.
"For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." --Acts 2:39, enfasis mine
The context:
is the day of Pentecost. Peter is preaching Jesus to the Jews. They come under conviction, and ask Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" (v. 37)
Peter tells them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (v. 38)
Here is where v. 39 comes in. The promise he is speaking of is salvation. (repentance, baptism, forgiveness of sins, the Holy Spirit.)
Inference:
We know from context that in v.39, "you and your children" are the Jews, and that "all who are far off" are the Gentiles. But then Peter clarifies that the promise of salvation is for "as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself", not all.
So does "all" mean "all"?
In this passage we see it used in reference to the Gentiles, but not in reference to the recipients of the promise of salvation.
"For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." --Acts 2:39, enfasis mine
The context:
is the day of Pentecost. Peter is preaching Jesus to the Jews. They come under conviction, and ask Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" (v. 37)
Peter tells them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (v. 38)
Here is where v. 39 comes in. The promise he is speaking of is salvation. (repentance, baptism, forgiveness of sins, the Holy Spirit.)
Inference:
We know from context that in v.39, "you and your children" are the Jews, and that "all who are far off" are the Gentiles. But then Peter clarifies that the promise of salvation is for "as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself", not all.
So does "all" mean "all"?
In this passage we see it used in reference to the Gentiles, but not in reference to the recipients of the promise of salvation.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Edification
Once I was finished with my post for today, and quite proud of it, God called the verse to my mind that says to speak "only such a word as is good for edification", so I had to start over.
It is amazing to watch my future husband grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. I rest completely assured in his ability to lead, not as the world defines a leader or a man, but as Christ defines one. I am comforted about my future as I see him leading into God's calling and will, and I will joyfully follow.
As we are surrounded with failing and/or failed marriages, we are constantly confronted with what is a well-meaning forewarning, "don't worry, you won't want to be near each other once you are married", or, "see how you feel about one another after a few years of marriage", etc.
Well, I can say that they are accurate when defining the mainstream and worldly picture of marriage.
However, Christ is the center of the universe, and He is the reason why everything doesn't fall apart. He holds every atom within its boundaries, and if He were to remove His hand from sustaining the universe, all would cease to exist.
In the same way, if Christ is the center of your marriage, it will not and can not fall apart. Sure, everyone says, "that won't happen to us; we're different". But Jeff and I do not say this in vain. We will not fail as long as Christ is the center of our marriage. He is the center of our lives, and by default He will be the center of our marriage.
Praise Jesus, from whom no area of our existence escapes His lordship!
It is amazing to watch my future husband grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. I rest completely assured in his ability to lead, not as the world defines a leader or a man, but as Christ defines one. I am comforted about my future as I see him leading into God's calling and will, and I will joyfully follow.
As we are surrounded with failing and/or failed marriages, we are constantly confronted with what is a well-meaning forewarning, "don't worry, you won't want to be near each other once you are married", or, "see how you feel about one another after a few years of marriage", etc.
Well, I can say that they are accurate when defining the mainstream and worldly picture of marriage.
However, Christ is the center of the universe, and He is the reason why everything doesn't fall apart. He holds every atom within its boundaries, and if He were to remove His hand from sustaining the universe, all would cease to exist.
In the same way, if Christ is the center of your marriage, it will not and can not fall apart. Sure, everyone says, "that won't happen to us; we're different". But Jeff and I do not say this in vain. We will not fail as long as Christ is the center of our marriage. He is the center of our lives, and by default He will be the center of our marriage.
Praise Jesus, from whom no area of our existence escapes His lordship!
Thursday, March 29, 2007
ok, so I'm really bad at this...
Well, it seems that I am really bad at doing anything involving a computer, except for piling stuff in front of it, for longer that a few straight days. Email, myspace, facebook, blogging- there's just so much to do to maintain an internet social life- it's like having a part-time job that doesn't pay anything, but yet costs you just as much sleep.
4 lessons I've learned in the past few weeks:
1. Seeking and waiting on God means you have to SEEK, and WAIT.
Skipping out on a word from God and making a critical decision w/o His confirmation means you are making a MISTAKE. And it's definitely not fair to those whom your decision affects.
2. The professor has the floor in any classroom discussion, and you will never win.
So ask him questions that he cannot answer, and can provide no evidence for.
3. Being kind and intelligent when defending your faith gains more ground than being defensive and irrational.
4. People get angry when you say that if one does not believe and follow the teachings of Christ, then he is not a Christian.
Apparently the title "Christian" is available for any religion-inventing Joe, even if he doesn't adhere whatsoever to the teachings of Christ. I must have missed that memo on the change in definition.
4 lessons I've learned in the past few weeks:
1. Seeking and waiting on God means you have to SEEK, and WAIT.
Skipping out on a word from God and making a critical decision w/o His confirmation means you are making a MISTAKE. And it's definitely not fair to those whom your decision affects.
2. The professor has the floor in any classroom discussion, and you will never win.
So ask him questions that he cannot answer, and can provide no evidence for.
3. Being kind and intelligent when defending your faith gains more ground than being defensive and irrational.
4. People get angry when you say that if one does not believe and follow the teachings of Christ, then he is not a Christian.
Apparently the title "Christian" is available for any religion-inventing Joe, even if he doesn't adhere whatsoever to the teachings of Christ. I must have missed that memo on the change in definition.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Happy Valentine's Day, Jeff...
I really am thankful that we have such an amazing love to celebrate. Because of you, I better understand the selfless love of Christ. Thank you so much for allowing God's love to be " fleshed out" and demonstrated in my life through you. I'm so glad that, by God's perfect design, all that is beautiful in us is from God Himself. I'm also glad that I can say that I've experienced real love, which is not something most of the world can say.
" Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above" --James 1:17
I love you Jeff.
" Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above" --James 1:17
I love you Jeff.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
I'm glad Jesus loves stupid people.
God is so good! He continues to poor out blessing after blessing into my life-why? I don't know.
When I'm least expecting it, He reveals truth about Himself to me from His Word, and it is almost overwhelming. No wonder the very presence of God is enough to kill a man. When He speaks, it changes you. There's something about the Truth that is so powerful, it actually changes you from the inside.
This journey as a follower of Jesus Christ is so amazing! Learning the truth is so amazing, when the whole world is covered in lies and deceit. And being conformed to that truth through the power of Jesus Christ living in me is my life.
His grace overwhelms me if I stop to think about it for any longer than a few seconds.
When I'm the least interested in seeking Him, He brings me to my knees and reveals Himself to me in a way that I can hardly endure. And it's definitely not because of anything I've done. God is so good.
When I'm least expecting it, He reveals truth about Himself to me from His Word, and it is almost overwhelming. No wonder the very presence of God is enough to kill a man. When He speaks, it changes you. There's something about the Truth that is so powerful, it actually changes you from the inside.
This journey as a follower of Jesus Christ is so amazing! Learning the truth is so amazing, when the whole world is covered in lies and deceit. And being conformed to that truth through the power of Jesus Christ living in me is my life.
His grace overwhelms me if I stop to think about it for any longer than a few seconds.
When I'm the least interested in seeking Him, He brings me to my knees and reveals Himself to me in a way that I can hardly endure. And it's definitely not because of anything I've done. God is so good.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Very Sorry...
It has recently been brought to my attention that not everyone knew about my joining the blogging community. My deepest apologies to anyone crushed by my neglect, and who are apparently harboring some bitter resentment. If any of you are still unaware that I have a blog, you are welcome to visit my blog at www.carmenann.blogspot.com. Tell me how you like it...
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