The anatomy of a backslider by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/backslid.htm

Why do people fall away?  ... Gary

The center of the world

I have never seen this place and have no idea of where it is, but that it is "farm country" is obvious.  By the convergence of roads, I would say that it is DEEP in farm country.  And just seeing this picture brings a flood of memories from my childhood in upstate New York.  Somehow Melrose, New York seemed to be the center of the universe for me then and in May it was a wonderful place to live!!!  Both it and myself have changed over the past 50 years, but the memory of that pastoral beauty still remains.  No matter where I live, where I grew up will always be "home" and yet somehow different, but still HOME.  As you grow up, your world expands and for me that involved living in several states, in all kinds of communities, with a family of my own.  Time went by and each one of those new places feel like a "second home", so "home" has a much wider meaning now, but nothing can replace where I started, because it is my "first" home.  We all have starting places, somewhere we begin and for me, it was not just a place it was a person.  Living is more than just existing in space, it is conceptualizing life and no one has taught me more about living than Jesus.  The apostle Paul puts it this way...

 

WEB: Hebrews Chapter 1
[1] God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, [2] has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds. [3] His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

As I grew up, I began to understand right from wrong.  Good and bad became more than praise or punishment; they became concepts and I was their interpreter!!!  It was only when I began to know Jesus that I really started to understand these things.  He showed me truth by both concept and example and that was something I had never seen before.  After awhile, I realized that everything really did revolve around him and that is just as God intended it.  It took literally thousands of years to work out the details, but God has made himself known through Jesus in a way that I can understand.  Its like I lived in my little center of the world (the home in the picture) and saw someone standing at the four corners of everything, who knew everything.  All I had to do was go out and meet him and life would change.  I have; it did!!!  Perhaps, if you look closely at the picture, you might see someone too... and imagine the possibilities!!!

After baptism, what then? by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/after.htm

discipleship... Gary

Get your razor, NOT YOUR CHAINSAW!!!

Real men do NOT SHAVE WITH CHAINSAWS!!!  Those that do, only do it ONCE!!!  Which is to say... shaving with a chainsaw is STUPID!!!!!  However, the question as to what a "real man" is; that is NOT STUPID!!!  I wonder, is it about strength, intelligence, or courage?  Not at all, its about living life in a proper way with God.  The "real men" I have known were responsible, God-fearing, faithful men who led by example in loving their spouse and children.  Those who put their own desires second and sacrificed for the benefit of others. Some were strong, intelligent and brave, but others not so much.  Those that lived a long time endured growing old and for many, their strongest attributes faded with age, but they were distinguished by their faithfulness to the God of the Heavens.  Here are a few passages that mention some of the "strong men" of the Bible...

WEB: Joshua Chapter 1
[1] Now it happened after the death of Moses the servant of Yahweh, that Yahweh spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, [2] “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you, and all this people, to the land which I give to them, even to the children of Israel. [3] I have given you every place that the sole of your foot will tread on, as I told Moses. [4] From the wilderness, and this Lebanon, even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border. [5] No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you.

[6] “Be strong and courageous; for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. [7] Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. [8] This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. [9] Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed: for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”

WEB: I Kings Chapter 2
[1] Now the days of David drew near that he should die; and he commanded Solomon his son, saying, [2] “I am going the way of all the earth. You be strong therefore, and show yourself a man; [3] and keep the instruction of Yahweh your God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and his testimonies, according to that which is written in the law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do, and wherever you turn yourself. [4] That Yahweh may establish his word which he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you,’ he said, ‘a man on the throne of Israel.’

WEB: Haggai Chapter 2
[1] In the seventh month, in the twenty-first day of the month, the Word of Yahweh came by Haggai the prophet, saying, [2] “Speak now to Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying, [3] ‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Isn’t it in your eyes as nothing? [4] Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says Yahweh. ‘Be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ says Yahweh, ‘and work, for I am with you,’ says Yahweh of Armies. [5] This is the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit lived among you. ‘Don’t be afraid.’ [6] For this is what Yahweh of Armies says: ‘Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land; [7] and I will shake all nations. The precious things of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, says Yahweh of Armies. [8] The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,’ says Yahweh of Armies. [9] ‘The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,’ says Yahweh of Armies; ‘and in this place will I give peace,’ says Yahweh of Armies.”
 
WEB: Ephesians Chapter 6
[10] Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. [14] Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace; [16] above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; [18] with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints: [19] on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

How would have you liked to be Joshua trying to follow in the footsteps of Moses?  Or perhaps Solomon, taking over from David, your father?  What about those who rebuilt the temple or first century Christians facing opposition from a heathen society?  Each one of these had their own problems, but all overcame with God's help!!!  To try to live without God is foolish, for failure will be the ultimate result.  Real men live by the power of God. Truth, righteousness, The Word of God applied in your life through faith will result in a life led by God.  That is what true living is all about and has nothing to due with how much Testerone is in your system.  Want to be a "real man"?  Open your Bible and read... it will come to you... I promise!!!

5BX Spiritual fitness program by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/5bx.htm

a Spiritual fitness program... Gary

The welcome committee...

Immigration is a hot topic in the US today.  However, most people don't look at it from the Indian perspective.  They were here first; immigrants destroyed their way of life.  This happens.  When the Romans conquered and the Mongols migrated, things changed.  Empires come and go and blend together and that is NOT necessarily a bad thing.  People become absorbed by their new culture, but sometimes it just doesn't work.  Things happen, and they go "home".  The following story is one of those times...

World English Bible: Ruth Chapter 1
[1] It happened in the days when the judges judged, that there was a famine in the land. A certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. [2] The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. They came into the country of Moab, and continued there. [3] Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. [4] They took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they lived there about ten years. [5] Mahlon and Chilion both died, and the woman was bereaved of her two children and of her husband. [6] Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that Yahweh had visited his people in giving them bread. [7] She went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. [8] Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house: Yahweh deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead, and with me. [9] Yahweh grant you that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.”

Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voice, and wept. [10] They said to her, “No, but we will return with you to your people.”

[11] Naomi said, “Go back, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? [12] Go back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, ‘I have hope,’ if I should even have a husband tonight, and should also bear sons; [13] would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from having husbands? No, my daughters, for it grieves me much for your sakes, for the hand of Yahweh has gone out against me.”

[14] They lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth joined with her. [15] She said, “Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people, and to her god. Follow your sister-in-law.”

[16] Ruth said, “Don’t entreat me to leave you, and to return from following after you, for where you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God; [17] where you die, will I die, and there will I be buried. Yahweh do so to me, and more also, if anything but death part you and me.”

[18] When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, she left off speaking to her.

[19] So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. It happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they asked, “Is this Naomi?”

[20] She said to them, “Don’t call me Naomi. Call me Mara; for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. [21] I went out full, and Yahweh has brought me home again empty; why do you call me Naomi, since Yahweh has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” [22] So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

WEB: Ruth Chapter 4
[13] So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in to her, and Yahweh gave her conception, and she bore a son. [14] The women said to Naomi, “Blessed be Yahweh, who has not left you this day without a near kinsman; and let his name be famous in Israel. [15] He shall be to you a restorer of life, and sustain you in your old age, for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” [16] Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse to it. [17] The women, her neighbors, gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi;” and they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Naomi left Israel with her husband and sons and came home without them.  How bitter that return must have been!!!  Yet, God had a blessing in store for her and he was to be the grandfather of the great king David.  The lesson here is that people may move, but God changes the world.  So much for immigration!!!

The Heavenly City by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/re21_2.htm

Something to look forward to... Gary