If God would have wanted us to live in a permissive society
He would have given us Ten Suggestions
and not the Ten Commandments!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Noah's Ark Rebuilt
A Contribution by Suzette:
Man Builds Noah's Ark to the Exact Scale Given in the Bible
Huibers did the work mostly with his own hands, using modern tools and with occasional help from his son Roy. Construction began in May 2005. On the uncovered top deck - not quite ready in time for the opening - will come a petting zoo, with baby lambs and chickens, and goats, and one camel.
Visitors on the first day were stunned. 'It's past comprehension', said Mary Louise Starosciak, who happened to be bicycling by with her husband while on vacation when they saw the ark looming over the local landscape.
'I knew the story of Noah, but I had no idea the boat would have been so big ' There is enough space near the keel for a 50-seat film theater where kids can watch a video that tells the story of Noah and his ark. Huibers, a Christian man, said he hopes the project will renew interest in Christianity in the Netherlands, where church going has fallen dramatically in the past 50 years.
Now that I am old and gray...give me the time to tell this new generation (and their children too) about all your mighty miracles.
[Psalm 71:18]
Man Builds Noah's Ark to the Exact Scale Given in the Bible
The massive central door in the side of Noah's Ark was opened the first crowd of curious townsfolk to behold the wonder. This replica of the biblical Ark was built by Dutch Creationist Johan Huibers as a testament to his faith in the literal truth of the Bible.
The ark is 150 cubits long, 30 cubits high and 20 cubits wide. That's two-thirds the length of a football field and as high as a three-story house.
Life-sized models of giraffes, elephants, lions, crocodiles, zebras, bison and other animals greet visitors as they arrive in the main hold.
A contractor by trade, Huibers built the ark of cedar and pine. Biblical Scholars debate exactly what the wood used by Noah would have been
Huibers did the work mostly with his own hands, using modern tools and with occasional help from his son Roy. Construction began in May 2005. On the uncovered top deck - not quite ready in time for the opening - will come a petting zoo, with baby lambs and chickens, and goats, and one camel.
Visitors on the first day were stunned. 'It's past comprehension', said Mary Louise Starosciak, who happened to be bicycling by with her husband while on vacation when they saw the ark looming over the local landscape.
'I knew the story of Noah, but I had no idea the boat would have been so big ' There is enough space near the keel for a 50-seat film theater where kids can watch a video that tells the story of Noah and his ark. Huibers, a Christian man, said he hopes the project will renew interest in Christianity in the Netherlands, where church going has fallen dramatically in the past 50 years.
Now that I am old and gray...give me the time to tell this new generation (and their children too) about all your mighty miracles.
[Psalm 71:18]
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Be Born of the Water and of the Spirit
Especially for Natalie, Jonathan and Darren Chong:
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
It's time we get to "befriend" Jesus and take a closer walk with Him so that we be born of the water and of the Spirit.
What say you guys?
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
It's time we get to "befriend" Jesus and take a closer walk with Him so that we be born of the water and of the Spirit.
What say you guys?
Monday, May 10, 2010
I am the Way
Good read...
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"1
Stanley Jones tells of a missionary who got lost in an African jungle, nothing around him but bush and a few cleared places. He found a native hut and asked the native if he could get him out. The native said he could.
"All right," said the missionary, "show me the way."
The native said, "Walk," so they walked and hacked their way through unmarked jungle for more than an hour.
The missionary got worried. "Are you quite sure this is the way? Where is the path?"
The native said, "Bwana, in this place there is no path. I am the path."
When it comes to finding the way to God, there are various religions in the world today all claiming to have a corner on the truth and to be "the path" to God.
There are also vast numbers of people who believe that the way to God and the path to Heaven are through good works.
Or at least, they reason (as I did in youthful days).
"If I do more good things than I do bad things, my good deeds will outweigh my bad deeds, and that will get me into Heaven."
According to God's Word, the Bible, this belief is also doomed for failure.
As the Bible says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9
It is true that Christianity makes the claim that it is the ONLY path or way to God and to God's Heaven.
Again, the Bible says: "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name [other than Jesus Christ] under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Acts 4:12
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"1
Stanley Jones tells of a missionary who got lost in an African jungle, nothing around him but bush and a few cleared places. He found a native hut and asked the native if he could get him out. The native said he could.
"All right," said the missionary, "show me the way."
The native said, "Walk," so they walked and hacked their way through unmarked jungle for more than an hour.
The missionary got worried. "Are you quite sure this is the way? Where is the path?"
The native said, "Bwana, in this place there is no path. I am the path."
When it comes to finding the way to God, there are various religions in the world today all claiming to have a corner on the truth and to be "the path" to God.
There are also vast numbers of people who believe that the way to God and the path to Heaven are through good works.
Or at least, they reason (as I did in youthful days).
"If I do more good things than I do bad things, my good deeds will outweigh my bad deeds, and that will get me into Heaven."
According to God's Word, the Bible, this belief is also doomed for failure.
As the Bible says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9
It is true that Christianity makes the claim that it is the ONLY path or way to God and to God's Heaven.
Again, the Bible says: "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name [other than Jesus Christ] under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Acts 4:12
Dear God, in all the many voices claiming to have the way to you and that of eternal salvation, help me to know the truth so I can be absolutely certain that I am on the 'Truth Way' and on my way to Heaven when I die. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name. Amen
Sunday, May 9, 2010
The Fate of Flight 232
"And then Jesus told them,
'Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.'
Mark 16:15
In 1976, a daily flight which originated in Quito, Ecuador, and departed for the southern Ecuadorian city of Cuenca completely disappeared. Despite ongoing investigations, Saeta Flight 232, a 727 Boeing jet with 59 passengers, was never heard from again until recently. For over 25 years family members had no peace of mind regarding the plight of their loved ones.
But that changed a few short years ago as Chimborazo Mountain climbers discovered the jet imbedded in the snow and ice of one of the highest volcanic mountains in the world. The plane was almost intact and the bodies of the passengers were well preserved by the year-round icecap on top of the great mountain.
However, the story doesn't end there. Upon finding the wrecked plane and its preserved bodies, it was evident that others had already been there. The passengers had been stripped of their jewelry, wallets and other possessions. When, nobody really knows.
It's difficult to believe that those who found the wrecked airplane never bothered to inform any authorities so loved ones of those who perished on that fateful flight could be told of their whereabouts.
And how tragic that we know people who are lost without Christ and without hope, and we never bother to share with them the saving message of Jesus Christ.
As Mark Creech said, "Perhaps the greatest of all sins is to know the truth, to possess the knowledge that can free others, and then to conceal it for reasons that are essentially selfish."
Dear God, how can I ever thank you enough for those who told me about your marvelous plan of salvation—which includes your gift of forgiveness of sins and eternal life? Please use me to be 'as Christ' to every life I touch and therein communicate your love and salvation—and grant that others, seeing Jesus in me, will want you for themselves. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
'Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.'
Mark 16:15
In 1976, a daily flight which originated in Quito, Ecuador, and departed for the southern Ecuadorian city of Cuenca completely disappeared. Despite ongoing investigations, Saeta Flight 232, a 727 Boeing jet with 59 passengers, was never heard from again until recently. For over 25 years family members had no peace of mind regarding the plight of their loved ones.
But that changed a few short years ago as Chimborazo Mountain climbers discovered the jet imbedded in the snow and ice of one of the highest volcanic mountains in the world. The plane was almost intact and the bodies of the passengers were well preserved by the year-round icecap on top of the great mountain.
However, the story doesn't end there. Upon finding the wrecked plane and its preserved bodies, it was evident that others had already been there. The passengers had been stripped of their jewelry, wallets and other possessions. When, nobody really knows.
It's difficult to believe that those who found the wrecked airplane never bothered to inform any authorities so loved ones of those who perished on that fateful flight could be told of their whereabouts.
And how tragic that we know people who are lost without Christ and without hope, and we never bother to share with them the saving message of Jesus Christ.
As Mark Creech said, "Perhaps the greatest of all sins is to know the truth, to possess the knowledge that can free others, and then to conceal it for reasons that are essentially selfish."
Dear God, how can I ever thank you enough for those who told me about your marvelous plan of salvation—which includes your gift of forgiveness of sins and eternal life? Please use me to be 'as Christ' to every life I touch and therein communicate your love and salvation—and grant that others, seeing Jesus in me, will want you for themselves. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
Wishing all Mothers a
Very Happy Mother's Day
Very Happy Mother's Day
Lee Strobel tells about a mother from Costa Mesa, California who told about the day her three-year old son was on her heels wherever she went. She was having trouble doing her routine chores.
"Whenever I stopped to do something and turned back around I would trip over him," she said. "Several times I suggested fun activities to keep him occupied, but he would just smile and say, 'That's alright Mommy I'd rather be in here with you.' He continued to follow me and after the fifth trip, my patience wore thin and I asked him why he was following me constantly."
He said, "My Sunday school teacher told me to walk in Jesus' footsteps but I can't see him so I'm walking in yours."
The greatest way we can teach our children about and show our loved ones the love of Jesus is through the example of how we live, and how we model his love in our everyday life.
The Apostle Paul said, "Be followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."1
"Dear God, please help me to so live that people, especially my children (and loved ones), will see Jesus in me and will want to follow in my footsteps and have Jesus in their life too. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."
"Whenever I stopped to do something and turned back around I would trip over him," she said. "Several times I suggested fun activities to keep him occupied, but he would just smile and say, 'That's alright Mommy I'd rather be in here with you.' He continued to follow me and after the fifth trip, my patience wore thin and I asked him why he was following me constantly."
He said, "My Sunday school teacher told me to walk in Jesus' footsteps but I can't see him so I'm walking in yours."
The greatest way we can teach our children about and show our loved ones the love of Jesus is through the example of how we live, and how we model his love in our everyday life.
The Apostle Paul said, "Be followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."1
"Dear God, please help me to so live that people, especially my children (and loved ones), will see Jesus in me and will want to follow in my footsteps and have Jesus in their life too. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Is the Bible the Word of GOD? Part I
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness."1
Have you ever wondered why the Bible is one of the best-selling books of all time and why almost every home has a copy?
Some, I suppose, have a Bible as a sort of lucky charm. Others have a copy to maintain a form of religious acknowledgment. And many millions have a copy because they believe the Bible is God's Word.
But is the Bible God's Word and his special message to mankind, or is it simply a compilation of man-made messages? How can we know whether it is one or the other? What evidence is there to support the Bible's own claim that it is "inspired by God?"2 Let us examine the following evidence:
Support from Jesus Christ. The fact that Jesus accepted the Bible as God's Word is important to note. In his day, only the Old Testament section of the Bible had been written. It was then known as the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms, or simply as the Law. Referring to these writings Jesus said, "All things which are written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."3
He also said, "Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law [the Bible] until everything is accomplished."4
Peter's confirmation. The New Testament section of the Bible was written immediately following Christ's time on earth. A large part was written by the Apostle Paul. In speaking about Paul's writings, Peter—one of the better-known disciples of Jesus—equates what Paul wrote with the rest of the Bible.5
Evidence from fulfilled prophecy. The Bible boldly foretold events of major historical significance hundreds of years in advance—many of which have already been fulfilled.
For instance, at least fifteen hundred years B.C., God gave the first hope of a Savior (the Christ) who would come from Israel through the tribe of Judah.6 A thousand years B.C., the Bible said that Christ would come through the family of David.7 Seven hundred years B.C., Bethlehem was named by the prophet Micah as the birthplace of Christ.8 About the same time the prophet Isaiah wrote that Christ would be born of a virgin,9 and six hundred years B.C., the prophet Daniel predicted the time of Christ's coming.10 All of these predictions were fulfilled exactly as stated in the Bible.
Have you ever wondered why the Bible is one of the best-selling books of all time and why almost every home has a copy?
Some, I suppose, have a Bible as a sort of lucky charm. Others have a copy to maintain a form of religious acknowledgment. And many millions have a copy because they believe the Bible is God's Word.
But is the Bible God's Word and his special message to mankind, or is it simply a compilation of man-made messages? How can we know whether it is one or the other? What evidence is there to support the Bible's own claim that it is "inspired by God?"2 Let us examine the following evidence:
Support from Jesus Christ. The fact that Jesus accepted the Bible as God's Word is important to note. In his day, only the Old Testament section of the Bible had been written. It was then known as the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms, or simply as the Law. Referring to these writings Jesus said, "All things which are written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."3
He also said, "Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law [the Bible] until everything is accomplished."4
Peter's confirmation. The New Testament section of the Bible was written immediately following Christ's time on earth. A large part was written by the Apostle Paul. In speaking about Paul's writings, Peter—one of the better-known disciples of Jesus—equates what Paul wrote with the rest of the Bible.5
Evidence from fulfilled prophecy. The Bible boldly foretold events of major historical significance hundreds of years in advance—many of which have already been fulfilled.
For instance, at least fifteen hundred years B.C., God gave the first hope of a Savior (the Christ) who would come from Israel through the tribe of Judah.6 A thousand years B.C., the Bible said that Christ would come through the family of David.7 Seven hundred years B.C., Bethlehem was named by the prophet Micah as the birthplace of Christ.8 About the same time the prophet Isaiah wrote that Christ would be born of a virgin,9 and six hundred years B.C., the prophet Daniel predicted the time of Christ's coming.10 All of these predictions were fulfilled exactly as stated in the Bible.
Humility
True Humility
"A man's pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor."
"Tony Campolo tells of preaching a really good sermon in his preaching class in seminary. Campolo felt pretty proud of his outline, his arguments, and his delivery. He felt pretty proud of himself—until he read his professor's comments at the bottom of the page: 'You can't convince people that Jesus is wonderful and you're wonderful in the same sermon.'"
I recall hearing a somewhat heated discussion between a church member and his minister. I couldn't help but overhear the member all but shouting, "I tell you, I AM humble!" The trouble is if I have to tell you how humble I am, already I've lost it.
Humility, however, is not degrading or putting yourself down or hanging your head in a false kind of shame. That's insecurity. True humility is having a realistic evaluation of yourself, recognizing your gifts, abilities, and strengths and being grateful to God for them—and putting all these gifts to good use in serving God and others. Humility also recognizes and accepts one's weaknesses and, with God's help, does something about overcoming them.
"A man's pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor."
"Tony Campolo tells of preaching a really good sermon in his preaching class in seminary. Campolo felt pretty proud of his outline, his arguments, and his delivery. He felt pretty proud of himself—until he read his professor's comments at the bottom of the page: 'You can't convince people that Jesus is wonderful and you're wonderful in the same sermon.'"
I recall hearing a somewhat heated discussion between a church member and his minister. I couldn't help but overhear the member all but shouting, "I tell you, I AM humble!" The trouble is if I have to tell you how humble I am, already I've lost it.
Humility, however, is not degrading or putting yourself down or hanging your head in a false kind of shame. That's insecurity. True humility is having a realistic evaluation of yourself, recognizing your gifts, abilities, and strengths and being grateful to God for them—and putting all these gifts to good use in serving God and others. Humility also recognizes and accepts one's weaknesses and, with God's help, does something about overcoming them.
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