Philosophers all...

Over the past few months I have been reading about Adolph Hitler, as I have been interested in "The Third Reich" and the causes of the second world war.  So, when I saw Nietzsche on this little sign it peaked my interest.  Then when I saw "Kant" and finally "Sinatra", I chucked.  I kept asking myself what Sinatra (the famous singer of the 40's and 50's etc.) had to do with these two famous philosophers..??  Then, I saw it and laughed out loud this time. Nietzsche emphasized man, his ascendancy, his superiority over everything (humm, remember "God is dead" and the "superman" of the National Socialist Party???).  Kant (if you can get by the complexity of his thought processes in the Metaphysics of Reason) emphasized the analytical characteristics of the mind.  And then we come to that great "philosopher" Frank Sinatra.  I was never fortunate enough to have met him, but he left his mark on society through the songs he sang.  His crooning affected millions upon millions of people and something inside all of us will never quite be the same again.  Michael Bluble' has recently done a lot to revitalize interest in the songs of that era, so once again the work of "old blue eyes" is current.  Right about now you are probably asking yourself:"what all this has to do with the Scriptures"? Consider, for a moment, all the religious error that has occurred because we do not understand God??? Humanists emphasize mankind, great theologians make complex analysis of God (using their great minds) and the world is just interested in what makes them happy.  Each is fine, but quite wrong.  And so, we come to the Scriptures...

WEB: I Thessalonians 5:23. 

May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

WEB: Genesis Chapter 1
[26] God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” [27] God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.

WEB: Jeremiah Chapter 31
[31] Behold, the days come, says Yahweh, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: [32] not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they broke, although I was a husband to them, says Yahweh. [33] But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says Yahweh: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people: [34] and they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know Yahweh; for they shall all know me, from their least to their greatest, says Yahweh: for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more.

Three seemingly unrelated scriptures, yet together, they form something very interesting.  Human beings are made in the image of God, in other words, they reflect his makeup.  They are body, soul and spirit.  And if we are to know God, we should look at ourselves.  Jeremiah says that "...they shall all know me".  I wonder, does this mean even someone who is very young or aged or how about the slow of mind???  Of course it does.  We know God through the complex nature of our makeup.  Our understanding of God should be balanced according to our design.  Mental, emotional and spiritual understand should be used together as a "composite" to achieve a true picture of God.  Therefore everyone has the capacity to "know" God.  God is available for us ALL!!!  You don't have to be a genius like Nietzsche or Kant to understand the almighty or to reason intelligently, you just need to be yourself and seek him.  Start with learning the Scriptures, applying them and letting Jesus mold your heart.  You will do just fine, remember, be yourself and let God do the rest.  So, we come to Frank Sinatra and the great wisdom of "do be do be do".  Anybody out there feel like singing...???

The Works of the Lord are Great by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/ps111_2.htm

Another view into the beauty that is the Psalms.... Gary

NOT FANTASY!!!

Is it me, or has Disney changed over the years?  Somehow, I have the idea that what they do now is different than it was thirty or forty years ago.  Then again, it could be me, for I have changed.  In times gone by I had young children and I can remember countless times seeing things anew threw their young eyes.  The comparisons in the pictures could be viewed as prophesies I suppose, but they are more likely just coincidences.  We may never know.  What we can know is that God wants everyone to be right with HIM and to know HIM.  This chapter expresses that thought and is worth reading (again and again).

World English Bible: Ephesians Chapter 3

[1] For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles, [2] if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you; [3] how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words, [4] by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; [5] which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; [6] that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News, [7] of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power. [8] To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, [9] and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ; [10] to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places, [11] according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord; [12] in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him. [13] Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.

[14] For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, [15] from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, [16] that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; [17] that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love, [18] may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, [19] and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. [20] Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, [21] to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

From my early childhood, I can't remember a time when there wasn't hatred in the world and a war somewhere.  This thought sickens me.  Think of all the evil that has occurred over the past one hundred years!!!  Just think for a moment about how many wounded vets you have seen or HAVE KNOWN PERSONALLY.  Yet, with all this, God has always been there, ready to fill our hearts with love.  Most all of us have known love in one form or another; whether it be from the family we grew up in, a sweetheart or children.  Imagine a love greater than any you have known and marvel at a love that would be 100,000 times greater.  The Christian life is wonderful because you have the privledge of knowing God and being changed by his love.  Even Disney could not truly represent the truth of the essence of the love of God.  But its right there for all to see and if you have never experienced it a good place to start is with an open Bible.  Life will never be the same again, I promise.  And that is NOT FANTASY!!!

They shall bear fruit in an old age by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/ps92_12.htm

Another valuable lesson from the Psalms... Gary

Double discovered check

I like this picture because it reminds me of one of my favorite chess moves; double discovered check.  You know, the one where you move one piece to take one of your opponents and by doing so, you not only place the other persons king in check, but also place another one in jeopardy.  So, one thing reveals something else; way cool!!! But, what do you expect from a game of war? Surprise is everything!!!  Christians are in a war too, as this passage from 1st Corinthians shows...

World English Bible: II Corinthians Chapter 10

[1] Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ; I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. [2] Yes, I beg you that I may not, when present, show courage with the confidence with which I intend to be bold against some, who consider us to be walking according to the flesh. [3] For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh; [4] for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, [5] throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; [6] and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience will be made full. [7] Do you look at things only as they appear in front of your face? If anyone trusts in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ’s, so also we are Christ’s. [8] For though I should boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down) I will not be disappointed, [9] that I may not seem as if I desire to terrify you by my letters. [10] For, “His letters,” they say, “are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised.” [11] Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present. [12] For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding. [13] But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you. [14] For we don’t stretch ourselves too much, as though we didn’t reach to you. For we came even as far as to you with the Good News of Christ, [15] not boasting beyond proper limits in other men’s labors, but having hope that as your faith grows, we will be abundantly enlarged by you in our sphere of influence, [16] so as to preach the Good News even to the parts beyond you, not to boast in what someone else has already done. [17] But “he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.” [18] For it isn’t he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

Chess is warfare and its Christian counterpart both begin with the mind. Analysis of situations, planning of strategies and execution of plans are involved in both, but one represents the use of death to win and the other life.  Both make you think as to what to do and this can be very tough, but remember, only ONE IS A GAME!!  In real life armies, when you destroy the enemy, its done and over with.  However, the Christian conflict involves defeating sin and victory means life beyond this life.  Its a "no brainer" as to which is more important, because eternal life is just that...eternal.  So, the next time you speak with someone about Spiritual things, remember how important what you are doing really is and be careful, their life may depend on it.  Checkmate and they win... forever!!!

The art of confessing our sins by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/ps51_1.htm

Another lesson from the Psalms... Gary

Too "smart" to be "skinny" or "believe it or not"

Interesting story; never heard that one before!!!  Garfield has quite a vivid imagination, but we all know the truth; either you have a medical condition that causes you to gain weight or face it, you just eat too much.  Sometimes truth is a hard thing to come to grips with and often people will do anything, say anything to avoid it.  Not only is this true today, but it was 2000 years ago when Jesus walked this Earth.  Here is a prime example from the book of Matthew...

WEB: Matthew Chapter 12

[22] Then one possessed by a demon, blind and mute, was brought to him and he healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. [23] All the multitudes were amazed, and said, “Can this be the son of David?” [24] But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This man does not cast out demons, except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons.”

[25] Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, "“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. [26] If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? [27] If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. [28] But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. [29] Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then he will plunder his house.

[30] “He who is not with me is against me, and he who doesn’t gather with me, scatters. [31] Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. [32] Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in that which is to come.

[33] “Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit. [34] You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. [35] The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things. [36] I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. [37] For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”"

Jesus did something the Pharisees could not accept; he healed someone.  So, because Jesus' power didn't fit in with their concept of what should be done (and they considered their understanding to be correct because THEY knew the Scriptures) they reasoned it must be of evil.  Jesus tore their reasoning apart and showed them the TRUTH.  They were committing an ETERNAL SIN!!!  Just goes to show you... no matter how smart you think are; God is always right!  Best thing to do is to just accept the TRUTH for what it is and go from there.  "Reasoning" from wrong motives is destructive; both Garfield and the Pharisees needed to learn that little lesson.  Still, the picture is cute... I especially like the slippers; they remind me of the bunny costume in "The Christmas Story".  Garfield being Garfield, I doubt if he gets beat up by his classmates, though.