http://executableoutlines.com/top/clarion.htm
How does God speak to us? ......... Gary
2/6/12
Removing all doubt
My oldest daughter would be glad to know that I am aware of what Schroedinger's cat is about. Glad because she gave me the DVDs of the Big Bang Theory and I have watched them. For those who don't watch the series, someone name Schroedinger put a cat in a box along with a lethal poison and closed the box. As long as no one opened the box, the cat could be said to be either alive or dead. And that was it, except that you could believe it to be alive or dead as you wished. Some experiment; heartless to say the least! I do not enjoy such ambiguity, which is why I admired Jesus so much; he said what he meant to say and that was the end of it, period. The following is a prime example...
WEB: Matthew Chapter 8
[5] When he came into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking him, [6] and saying, “Lord, my servant lies in the house paralyzed, grievously tormented.”
[7] Jesus said to him, "“I will come and heal him.”"
[8] The centurion answered, “Lord, I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. [9] For I am also a man under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and tell another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and tell my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
[10] When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to those who followed, "“Most certainly I tell you, I haven’t found so great a faith, not even in Israel. [11] I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven, [12] but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”" [13] Jesus said to the centurion, "“Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.”" His servant was healed in that hour.
The Jews were a special people; chosen by God to be his and to do his will. God taught them, cared for them and blessed them. They believed in God because he had proved himself to them over and over again. Not so with the Gentiles; and for Jesus to find one with such outstanding faith was truly amazing. Who really understands faith, anyway? Why does it reside so strongly in one heart and not at all in others? I wish I had a good answer; I do not. But, I do know that when Jesus spoke, people listened! They listened because he spoke like no one before him or after. As far as I am concerned, he left nothing to doubt and therefore you either believe or not and unlike the cat... no box is required.
church membership by Mark Copeland
http://executableoutlines.com/top/member.htm
Are you a member of... Gary
Are you a member of... Gary
2/5/12
Sideways faith
I wonder if this happens very often? I doubt it, because I have never seen horizontal lightening before! If you would have told me yesterday that such a thing existed, I might have been a little skeptical, but I may just have accepted it as fact. We accept many things that we don't understand on a daily basis, like how your TV, computer or automobile works. We take for granted that when we turn the key in the ignition of our car it won't explode, or when we step into an elevator it won't go directly to the basement at the speed of light. So, why is it so hard for people to believe in Jesus? Here is one example...
WEB: John Chapter 20
[26] After eight days again his disciples were inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the midst, and said, "“Peace be to you.”" [27] Then he said to Thomas, "“Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”"
[28] Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
[29] Jesus said to him, "“Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.”"
[30] Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; [31] but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
Thomas was with Jesus for two years; you think he would have been farther along in the faith department than he was at this point. But, obviously, he had some issues!!! Its easy for us to marvel at his unbelief, but I wonder how advanced we really are in this department? Can't answer that for you, but sometimes I am a little embarrassed to say I need a little work. But, as times goes on, God teaches me things through his word and I actually get it!!! And when I do; WOW!!! I hope that the next time you see something new, you will remember this passage from the book of John and not be too hard on yourself. God will understand; I know I do!!!!!
Challenges for a growing congregation by Mark Copeland
http://executableoutlines.com/top/challeng.htm
Life is full of challenges; why should the church be different? ... Gary
2/4/12
Stupidity: The sorry stepchild of invention.
Sounds like something similar to a warp field generator or perhaps a multi-phase transponder for a quadratic field inducer, doesn't it? Believe that and I'll tell you about the multi-dimensional transverse gravitonometer and the flux capacitor. Whoops, you probably already know about the flux capacitor. Then again, reality comes back and I am forced to actually make sense. Human beings have the capacity to rearrange their environment; create new inventions, postulate ideas to conceived problems. We are too smart for our own good! Think of just one area: food. Look at all the additives, preservatives and "extra" things we do with our sustenance! The result is a whole host of man-made diseases. Yet, how futile this all is...
WEB: Ecclesiastes 9:10. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.
Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived! But, for all his wisdom he was seduced by his "strange wives" to follow after other gods. But, he was right in this verse because we should try with our utmost to do all that we can do in this world. Solomon was limited in his knowledge of the afterlife, because there will be more for us in heaven than he could have possibly imagined. I know from the New Testament that we will have a "work" to do in heaven; namely praising God, but I wonder... will there be a flux capacitor there? Will have to ask at the gate...
The Celebration of Easter by Mark Copeland
http://executableoutlines.com/top/easter.htm
Should the church do this? ... Gary
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