It's good stuff.
Currently starting Psalms in the Old Testament.
Very powerful and insightful.
The Jesus prophecies/references blow my mind. o.o
Actually, the Old Testament does that a lot. I'm like, 'read read read, bible is cool, read read, wait, is that? WHAT? JESUS? IN OLD TESTAMENT?!?!? BLEARGHGHALFBALEFFLASJFL!!!'
I know that it makes sense, as we'd be living and believing a lie if Jesus wasn't the one foretold in scriptures, yet each time, my mind is just BLOWN!
Also, Bible humor.
It exists, and it is humorous.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Plan1.0
- Read the Word daily.
- Start off my day with the Lord.
- Do and decide with the love of God in mind.
This is my starter plan. This is already in play and I hope for it to evolve as it continues.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Grace's Plan
Hello everyone! I hope you guys have a nice Thanksgiving with your families!
This is the guideline that I want to set for myself...
-to have expectations (e.g., when reading the bible, praying, or even for the day) and get something out of it
-manage my time wisely-be productive
-to come to God during good and bad times (not just when I need Him)
-to start and end the day with prayer, reading the bible, or both (I did this for a while, but I became inconsistent)
This is the guideline that I want to set for myself...
-to have expectations (e.g., when reading the bible, praying, or even for the day) and get something out of it
-manage my time wisely-be productive
-to come to God during good and bad times (not just when I need Him)
-to start and end the day with prayer, reading the bible, or both (I did this for a while, but I became inconsistent)
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
It's SHOW TIME!
I don't really have specifics for my gameplan, but I do have some general guidelines that I'm going to follow in preparation. :O
Gameplan
- to humble myself before people and before God
- prepare myself for the work ahead
- to not slack off
- to master balance
- to not be distracted
- to keep God first, always
100% until the day we see each other in Heaven. :3
Gameplan
- to humble myself before people and before God
- prepare myself for the work ahead
- to not slack off
- to master balance
- to not be distracted
- to keep God first, always
100% until the day we see each other in Heaven. :3
Monday, November 23, 2009
Game Plan
just wanted to notify: to encourage posting on the prayer request section, it will be refreshed weekly.
i also added a countdown to remind us to STAY STRONG and PREPARE for the upcoming year! :D
speaking of which, mike- where is your example game plan?! now i have no format to copy. XD kidding, kiding...
anyways... about my game plan.
for the remaining days i will, to the best of my ability:
fighting!
i also added a countdown to remind us to STAY STRONG and PREPARE for the upcoming year! :D
speaking of which, mike- where is your example game plan?! now i have no format to copy. XD kidding, kiding...
anyways... about my game plan.
for the remaining days i will, to the best of my ability:
- follow the schedule that i've set for my self
- never procrastinate (i realize that this is almost an impossibility for me.. and that the reason it's not completely impossible would only be the grace of God ^^;;)
- essentially, follow through.
fighting!
Monday, November 9, 2009
good gospel song!
UNEXPECTED FRIENDS : originally by Sandi Patti.
its kinda cheesy now when i listen to it but love their voice!
lyrics:
When the dark closes in so hard
I can hardly see
And the walls of my fortress of faith
Crumble in on me
when it seems like the end
not a measure of strength to spend
I feel the arms of a stranger rescue me
La, la, la...
La, la, la...
When it seems like the end
Not a measure of strength to spend
I feel the arms of a stranger rescue me
Chorus
With some unexpected friends
Never asking where I have been
Just a hand of mercy and words of love
Call me back again
Oh, it feels like home
With unexpected friends
A soothing balm for the wounds
I suffer along the way
A fervent prayer giving courage
And hope for another day
Through the help of my friends
Ones I may never see again
Seems like angels that were
sent by heaven for me
With some unexpected friends
never asking where I have been
Just a hand of mercy and words of love
call me back again
Oh, it feels like home
With unexpected friends
its kinda cheesy now when i listen to it but love their voice!
lyrics:
When the dark closes in so hard
I can hardly see
And the walls of my fortress of faith
Crumble in on me
when it seems like the end
not a measure of strength to spend
I feel the arms of a stranger rescue me
La, la, la...
La, la, la...
When it seems like the end
Not a measure of strength to spend
I feel the arms of a stranger rescue me
Chorus
With some unexpected friends
Never asking where I have been
Just a hand of mercy and words of love
Call me back again
Oh, it feels like home
With unexpected friends
A soothing balm for the wounds
I suffer along the way
A fervent prayer giving courage
And hope for another day
Through the help of my friends
Ones I may never see again
Seems like angels that were
sent by heaven for me
With some unexpected friends
never asking where I have been
Just a hand of mercy and words of love
call me back again
Oh, it feels like home
With unexpected friends
Monday, November 2, 2009
Prayer.
Hello everyone,
I know you guys may be busy but TOO BAD!
Take the time to pray for Ta Rissa. She is sick as we all know and I think it would be comforting for her to know that her fellow brothers and sisters are praying for her especially in times of a physical crisis. Keep her good health in your prayers.
Hope you get well soon Ta Rissa, we missed you on sunday.
VERY VERY VERY IMPORTANT READ BELOW!!!
Our fellow church goers, Grace's, Rebecca's, and Sarah's grandma has passed away today. If you guys could please take the time PLEASE take the time pray for all the family members. Every Prayer counts..
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Sermon Notes
Hi guys! :D
I'm church-hopping around in SD, looking for a place to settle while I'm at school [PMC is still my home church ;D]. I went to a church called Lighthouse today, and received what I though were really solid sermon notes on the Trinity that I wanted to share. If there is something that's wrong/off/against what PMC teaches, then I would like to ask for clarification on reconciling any differences.
Oh, warning ahead of time, it's LONG. If you plan on reading, make sure you have time. :P
God in Three Persons
Trinity - Triune God
Difficult subject - analogies fail us - can't understand/comprehend it
- shouldn't discourage us from studying it
- importance: remove trinity > Christianity shambles
.- if God decided to reveal Himself, shouldn't we then study what he reveals instead of just leaving it as something we don't understand?
Mini-history
Modalism - Sabellism: God's Father/Son/Spirit is in successive phases, not all three at once [these idea spread because it's difficult/impossible to truly grasp that God as trinity]
- this idea falls at Jesus' baptism [Jesus + God's voice + Holy Spirit Dove], also doesn't explain John 17 - if in successive phases, why does Jesus pray to God the Father?
Arius vs. Alexander: key debate in Christian history on the deity of Christ
Arius- Jesus is only a creation of God, like a glorified angel
Alexander- argues the gospel of John, that Jesus is God
-these debates got so big that the ruler, Constantine decided to host the debates by a large group of bishops to settle the matter.
.-led to: Nicene Creed: One God, Son [God from God, one substance] + Holy Spirit
..- homousias vs. homoiusias: same substance, vs. similar substance [Arius and followers argued/advocated homoiusias]
..- our faith rests on this iota
- eventually got rid of Arius+followers' ideas at Council of Constantinople
.- modern equivalent: Jehova's witnesses- still here in a different form, which argues that Jesus isn't God
Three aspects to Trinity
1) Bible clearly teaches monotheism
- Isaiah 45 - prophecying Babylonian captivity- so sure of it that it's written in past tense and calls out the one who will do it [Cyrus] by name, long before Cyrus even existed.
- when the bible repeats anything, you know there's importance/emphasis: use of 'I am the Lord, there is no other.'
- Shamah [one of the first/many things good Jewish boys will memorize; the passage is called this [sp?]] - Deuteronomy 6 [v. 4-5] - God is one
- John 17:3 - only true God and Jesus
- 1 Timothy 2:5 - one God, one mediator [note: Jesus already in heaven]
- Romans 3:29-30 - since only one God
2) Scripture represents Father, Son, Spirit - All God
- Malachi 2:10 - one Father, one God
- John 6:27 - God Father set His Seal
- John 1:1 - both [with and was] - distinction and unity; v14 - flesh
- John 8:56 - 'before Abraham was, I am'
.- Exodus - God says to Moses - tell the Israelites that 'I am' sent you
- John 10:30-31 - I and the Father are one
- Romans 9:5 - Christ who is over all
- Hebrews 1:1-12 - ties with Genesis 1 - through Jesus, God creates
.- H 1:8 - calling Jesus God
- New Testament shows Jesus as Son, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit all God
- Acts 5:3-4 - they lied to HS > lied to God
- 1 Corinthians 3:16 - church is the temple of HS > reflects Old Testament - God resided in the temple
.- All distinct but all equally God - none greater than the other
..- not example of Father, Son, Spirit as 1/3 of a whole pie, they are each fully God, each fully pie [same pie]
3) Triune God in Scripture
- Great Commission - how many noted this?: Matthew 28:19 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" - ONE name, singular, of Father, Son, Spirit
- 2 Corinthians 13:14
.- All three in creation [Genesis+John] - all are creator
- all eternal - all involved in our salvation [Father: called each of us before time, Son: sacrificed life for our sins, so that we may live, Spirit: convicted us, so that we would believed]
- this is distinct in our religion/faith
- we ought to worship appropriately - implications
- all true God - distinct
.- 1 corinth - 'worship in spirit and truth' - we have to know about the Trinity and about God/scripture and not just rely on emotions to worship
- shown in the Lord's Prayer Jesus revealed [example of knowing to properly worship/why we need to know about trinity, as shown by Jesus]: need to pray appropriately to the Father, in the name of the Son, by the power of the Spirit
- when reading scripture about this/shows this, give though and not just glass over it
God in Three Persons [Part II]
- God was very specific in creation, he could have made everything the same - instead, so many variety in species/types of creatures
- more we understand about God leads to deeper worship
.- also humbles us
- God can be in perfect fellowship with Himself for eternity [breaks argument that God created us because He was 'lonely,' etc]
.- God was fine without us, we're the one who brings sin into the picture
..- truly is it out of God's grace that He calls us; it may actually have been better for God without us and our sin
- each equally God- but distinct from each other
= KEY POINT: unlike how our culture/society is raised to think, submission doesn't mean inferior [ex, how when bible says wives should submit to husbands, doesn't mean that the wife is inferior to the husband in any way]; that there is authority in submission, there is equality. The bible/God teaches us otherwise about what we normally think about submission and equality
Plurality of God
1) Father's position in Godhead [Supreme]
- Psalm 2 - why people say what they do: they have a problem with God, they're bound by His sovereignty [don't people think this way? that becoming Christian means that they'll be limited by a whole bunch of do's and dont's, rules, etc]
.- God set His King > that we should kiss the Son > God put Jesus as King
..- Jesus - if God the Father says to be King, I will be King [just happens to be a nice position XD]
- John 6:35-38 - the will of Him who sent me > His will prevail
.- I will not lose those set for me, for God's will will prevail [Jesus confident in God's will]
- 1 Corinthians 11:3 - God [Father] is head of Christ
- Philippians 2:5 - Son's obedience > raised > not to the top position, but right hand instead, for top is the glory of God the Father, who put Jesus there
- Question: Then why send the son first> spirit second? Why not just the God the Father for his glory?
- accomplished through the Son and Spirit so that we would worship the Son; the Father takes pleasure in us glorifying the Son
- how much more supreme is God the Father, who Son+Spirit submit to Him, compared to us. How much more grace to trust us, we're only sinners, but by the grace to use us, if we submit to Him as head.
2) Even though the Son is co-equal to Father in being, His role is subordinate
- ex. Gethsemane, Matthew 29 - may this cup pass from me, not as I will, but as you will
.- before this event: John and Andrew [think it was these two stated] and their mother to Jesus ask to be put as his left/right hand, Jesus responds: can you drink the cup that I am going to drink? [Jesus Himself asks for the cup to be passed] they foolishly say yes, and they do, for they do suffer for His name, but it is all up to the Father to place anyone in any seat
- does nothing of His own desire, but does all for God's pleasure
.- Jesus, through this/actions, sets an example for man, for us
..- even Jesus had to retreat, away from disciples/etc, to have fellowship with Father
..- Jesus became man for our sin, now has to retreat to pray [compare to the eternity Son had in fellowship with Father, but now as man has to retreat to do so; Also pain on cross: for the Son, who had been in perfect communion with God the Father, now because he took on the sins of man, was separated from God/God turned His face away from His Son because of our sins]
- delighted to do the Father's will
- Jesus is God, but obeys God
- because of the joy set before Him, Jesus obeyed
- [forgot to list the verse] I have become man for you, and will be man for all eternity for you
- gave up perfect fellowship for us
- 1 Peter 1:18-21 - God raised, glorified, exalted Son, but knew before all time that the Son would submit to God
- 1 Peter 3:22 - all bow to Son, who is at right hand of God the Father > who is rightfully on the throne; through equal in every way/same God, Son still submits
- how much more should we submit to the will of the Father?
- Picture of who gets 'front seats' when Jesus arrives: those who get front seats won't be the Billy Grahams, other big name Christian leaders, but probably obscure and unknown people, who have served God faithfully
.- raise nothings to put the shame the somethings [first > last, last > first]
.- encouragement for us: just have to be faithful and humble
3) Although Holy Spirit co-equal to Father and Son as God, subordinate in role and relationship with both
- not a lot about HS in bible, even though He is God
- in humble submission, He directs the spotlight to Son, to whom Father is pleased to exalt
- in prophetic scripture [Revelations, Ezekiel, etc], read a lot about the Father and the Son, nothing about Holy Spirit then
.- He is guiding/strengthening/convicting us now
.- in heaven, there is no sin > so quietly sits down; we have no idea as to what He will do for all eternity. Holy Spirit submits, even though He is God.
- John 14:15 - Father sends spirit, spirit obeys
.- specifically, Jesus sends Spirit through Father
..- Holy Spirit submits to both Father and Son
- Holy Spirit came to glorify son and submit
- came to speak the word of the Son [truth], who speaks from the Father
- Isaiah 61:1-2 - Messaiah annointed by God's spirit; Father deems that Son will be my messaiah
.- Jesus submits to the will of the Holy Spirit
.- Jesus couldn't sin because He walked in the power of the Spirit [not just because He was God, HS played role]
- Son obeyed/humbled Himself/depended on Spirit as a man, over who He had authority over [Son over Spirit]
- to attack the trinity is to eliminate the gospel
- God revealed Himself so that we would know Him; worship and understand Him as He is
- Bible is written by the Holy Spirit - in New Testament studies: the word spirit is usually found near/proximity to bible/scripture/etc
- Also, God is more highly exalted when specifically thanked
.- ex. Painting a picture. To just say 'Thank you God' is to splash on color onto the canvas, but to be specific in who you thank for what God does is to paint within the lines to create a better painting.
Also, I would like to ask for how to reconcile spiritual gifts/expressions of the Holy Spirit, as is shown through PMC, vs. the sola-scriptura churches, which seem to disagree with what is practiced at PMC [or at least give the impression that it wouldn't quite be embraced there, I feel]. Just something that's been bugging me at times. They're like little flies of doubt, which I swat away, but they come back at times. :(
But otherwise, I'm doing well, back on track after a period of slipping [:/]. I hope that you can get the same out of the lecture as I did and appreciate it as I did as well?
I pray that you guys are doing well spiritually, are physically healthy, and mentally not at stress. :3
I'm church-hopping around in SD, looking for a place to settle while I'm at school [PMC is still my home church ;D]. I went to a church called Lighthouse today, and received what I though were really solid sermon notes on the Trinity that I wanted to share. If there is something that's wrong/off/against what PMC teaches, then I would like to ask for clarification on reconciling any differences.
Oh, warning ahead of time, it's LONG. If you plan on reading, make sure you have time. :P
God in Three Persons
Trinity - Triune God
Difficult subject - analogies fail us - can't understand/comprehend it
- shouldn't discourage us from studying it
- importance: remove trinity > Christianity shambles
.- if God decided to reveal Himself, shouldn't we then study what he reveals instead of just leaving it as something we don't understand?
Mini-history
Modalism - Sabellism: God's Father/Son/Spirit is in successive phases, not all three at once [these idea spread because it's difficult/impossible to truly grasp that God as trinity]
- this idea falls at Jesus' baptism [Jesus + God's voice + Holy Spirit Dove], also doesn't explain John 17 - if in successive phases, why does Jesus pray to God the Father?
Arius vs. Alexander: key debate in Christian history on the deity of Christ
Arius- Jesus is only a creation of God, like a glorified angel
Alexander- argues the gospel of John, that Jesus is God
-these debates got so big that the ruler, Constantine decided to host the debates by a large group of bishops to settle the matter.
.-led to: Nicene Creed: One God, Son [God from God, one substance] + Holy Spirit
..- homousias vs. homoiusias: same substance, vs. similar substance [Arius and followers argued/advocated homoiusias]
..- our faith rests on this iota
- eventually got rid of Arius+followers' ideas at Council of Constantinople
.- modern equivalent: Jehova's witnesses- still here in a different form, which argues that Jesus isn't God
Three aspects to Trinity
1) Bible clearly teaches monotheism
- Isaiah 45 - prophecying Babylonian captivity- so sure of it that it's written in past tense and calls out the one who will do it [Cyrus] by name, long before Cyrus even existed.
- when the bible repeats anything, you know there's importance/emphasis: use of 'I am the Lord, there is no other.'
- Shamah [one of the first/many things good Jewish boys will memorize; the passage is called this [sp?]] - Deuteronomy 6 [v. 4-5] - God is one
- John 17:3 - only true God and Jesus
- 1 Timothy 2:5 - one God, one mediator [note: Jesus already in heaven]
- Romans 3:29-30 - since only one God
2) Scripture represents Father, Son, Spirit - All God
- Malachi 2:10 - one Father, one God
- John 6:27 - God Father set His Seal
- John 1:1 - both [with and was] - distinction and unity; v14 - flesh
- John 8:56 - 'before Abraham was, I am'
.- Exodus - God says to Moses - tell the Israelites that 'I am' sent you
- John 10:30-31 - I and the Father are one
- Romans 9:5 - Christ who is over all
- Hebrews 1:1-12 - ties with Genesis 1 - through Jesus, God creates
.- H 1:8 - calling Jesus God
- New Testament shows Jesus as Son, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit all God
- Acts 5:3-4 - they lied to HS > lied to God
- 1 Corinthians 3:16 - church is the temple of HS > reflects Old Testament - God resided in the temple
.- All distinct but all equally God - none greater than the other
..- not example of Father, Son, Spirit as 1/3 of a whole pie, they are each fully God, each fully pie [same pie]
3) Triune God in Scripture
- Great Commission - how many noted this?: Matthew 28:19 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" - ONE name, singular, of Father, Son, Spirit
- 2 Corinthians 13:14
.- All three in creation [Genesis+John] - all are creator
- all eternal - all involved in our salvation [Father: called each of us before time, Son: sacrificed life for our sins, so that we may live, Spirit: convicted us, so that we would believed]
- this is distinct in our religion/faith
- we ought to worship appropriately - implications
- all true God - distinct
.- 1 corinth - 'worship in spirit and truth' - we have to know about the Trinity and about God/scripture and not just rely on emotions to worship
- shown in the Lord's Prayer Jesus revealed [example of knowing to properly worship/why we need to know about trinity, as shown by Jesus]: need to pray appropriately to the Father, in the name of the Son, by the power of the Spirit
- when reading scripture about this/shows this, give though and not just glass over it
God in Three Persons [Part II]
- God was very specific in creation, he could have made everything the same - instead, so many variety in species/types of creatures
- more we understand about God leads to deeper worship
.- also humbles us
- God can be in perfect fellowship with Himself for eternity [breaks argument that God created us because He was 'lonely,' etc]
.- God was fine without us, we're the one who brings sin into the picture
..- truly is it out of God's grace that He calls us; it may actually have been better for God without us and our sin
- each equally God- but distinct from each other
= KEY POINT: unlike how our culture/society is raised to think, submission doesn't mean inferior [ex, how when bible says wives should submit to husbands, doesn't mean that the wife is inferior to the husband in any way]; that there is authority in submission, there is equality. The bible/God teaches us otherwise about what we normally think about submission and equality
Plurality of God
1) Father's position in Godhead [Supreme]
- Psalm 2 - why people say what they do: they have a problem with God, they're bound by His sovereignty [don't people think this way? that becoming Christian means that they'll be limited by a whole bunch of do's and dont's, rules, etc]
.- God set His King > that we should kiss the Son > God put Jesus as King
..- Jesus - if God the Father says to be King, I will be King [just happens to be a nice position XD]
- John 6:35-38 - the will of Him who sent me > His will prevail
.- I will not lose those set for me, for God's will will prevail [Jesus confident in God's will]
- 1 Corinthians 11:3 - God [Father] is head of Christ
- Philippians 2:5 - Son's obedience > raised > not to the top position, but right hand instead, for top is the glory of God the Father, who put Jesus there
- Question: Then why send the son first> spirit second? Why not just the God the Father for his glory?
- accomplished through the Son and Spirit so that we would worship the Son; the Father takes pleasure in us glorifying the Son
- how much more supreme is God the Father, who Son+Spirit submit to Him, compared to us. How much more grace to trust us, we're only sinners, but by the grace to use us, if we submit to Him as head.
2) Even though the Son is co-equal to Father in being, His role is subordinate
- ex. Gethsemane, Matthew 29 - may this cup pass from me, not as I will, but as you will
.- before this event: John and Andrew [think it was these two stated] and their mother to Jesus ask to be put as his left/right hand, Jesus responds: can you drink the cup that I am going to drink? [Jesus Himself asks for the cup to be passed] they foolishly say yes, and they do, for they do suffer for His name, but it is all up to the Father to place anyone in any seat
- does nothing of His own desire, but does all for God's pleasure
.- Jesus, through this/actions, sets an example for man, for us
..- even Jesus had to retreat, away from disciples/etc, to have fellowship with Father
..- Jesus became man for our sin, now has to retreat to pray [compare to the eternity Son had in fellowship with Father, but now as man has to retreat to do so; Also pain on cross: for the Son, who had been in perfect communion with God the Father, now because he took on the sins of man, was separated from God/God turned His face away from His Son because of our sins]
- delighted to do the Father's will
- Jesus is God, but obeys God
- because of the joy set before Him, Jesus obeyed
- [forgot to list the verse] I have become man for you, and will be man for all eternity for you
- gave up perfect fellowship for us
- 1 Peter 1:18-21 - God raised, glorified, exalted Son, but knew before all time that the Son would submit to God
- 1 Peter 3:22 - all bow to Son, who is at right hand of God the Father > who is rightfully on the throne; through equal in every way/same God, Son still submits
- how much more should we submit to the will of the Father?
- Picture of who gets 'front seats' when Jesus arrives: those who get front seats won't be the Billy Grahams, other big name Christian leaders, but probably obscure and unknown people, who have served God faithfully
.- raise nothings to put the shame the somethings [first > last, last > first]
.- encouragement for us: just have to be faithful and humble
3) Although Holy Spirit co-equal to Father and Son as God, subordinate in role and relationship with both
- not a lot about HS in bible, even though He is God
- in humble submission, He directs the spotlight to Son, to whom Father is pleased to exalt
- in prophetic scripture [Revelations, Ezekiel, etc], read a lot about the Father and the Son, nothing about Holy Spirit then
.- He is guiding/strengthening/convicting us now
.- in heaven, there is no sin > so quietly sits down; we have no idea as to what He will do for all eternity. Holy Spirit submits, even though He is God.
- John 14:15 - Father sends spirit, spirit obeys
.- specifically, Jesus sends Spirit through Father
..- Holy Spirit submits to both Father and Son
- Holy Spirit came to glorify son and submit
- came to speak the word of the Son [truth], who speaks from the Father
- Isaiah 61:1-2 - Messaiah annointed by God's spirit; Father deems that Son will be my messaiah
.- Jesus submits to the will of the Holy Spirit
.- Jesus couldn't sin because He walked in the power of the Spirit [not just because He was God, HS played role]
- Son obeyed/humbled Himself/depended on Spirit as a man, over who He had authority over [Son over Spirit]
- to attack the trinity is to eliminate the gospel
- God revealed Himself so that we would know Him; worship and understand Him as He is
- Bible is written by the Holy Spirit - in New Testament studies: the word spirit is usually found near/proximity to bible/scripture/etc
- Also, God is more highly exalted when specifically thanked
.- ex. Painting a picture. To just say 'Thank you God' is to splash on color onto the canvas, but to be specific in who you thank for what God does is to paint within the lines to create a better painting.
Also, I would like to ask for how to reconcile spiritual gifts/expressions of the Holy Spirit, as is shown through PMC, vs. the sola-scriptura churches, which seem to disagree with what is practiced at PMC [or at least give the impression that it wouldn't quite be embraced there, I feel]. Just something that's been bugging me at times. They're like little flies of doubt, which I swat away, but they come back at times. :(
But otherwise, I'm doing well, back on track after a period of slipping [:/]. I hope that you can get the same out of the lecture as I did and appreciate it as I did as well?
I pray that you guys are doing well spiritually, are physically healthy, and mentally not at stress. :3
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Remember this week.
Remember what we talked about this Sunday.
Your relationship with God.
All that pain, suffering, worries, struggles, doubts, and hardships... Joy, Happiness, Peace, Hope..
Remember... God has always loved you, yesterday, today, and tomorrow..
Take the time to reflect on what I said... Ask God for you to be able to take the opportunity to take His shoes and put them on your feet... Then, I promise that we will be able to understand that God has been there since day 1... but through our own selfishness we have turned our backs on the LORD so many times. I hope you guys get the opportunity to experience that switching of places that I was so humbled by...
Have a blessing week. Update your prayer request. Because I will be praying for all of you. My prayer request is the same this week so don't think that I am being hypocritical.
Thank you guys for such a wonderful opportunity and for being such a great group. Please be safe and look to the little things in life that you can appreciate because God is there with you EVERY STEP of the way..
***** challenge of the week *****
-Read Sermon Notes EVERYDAY!!
try your best guys if you can just SKIM through it if you have too. thank you very much.
Friday, October 23, 2009
It is well with my soul
I just wanted to share this with you guys, a hymn I really like. :3
It is Well with my Soul
http://songsandhymns.org/hymns/detail/it-is-well-with-my-soul
[just click mp3, it'll pop up in a new window; no need to download]
I urge you to also check out the story behind this song, for I found it to be very encouraging as well. :3 [Though the story summary ends where it does, afterwords, the Spaffords moved to Jerusalem and helped found a group called the American Colony; its mission was to serve the poor. The society engaged in philanthropic work amongst the people of Jerusalem regardless of religious affiliation, gaining the trust of the local Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities.]
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
Refrain
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Refrain
[
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
Refrain
But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
Refrain
]
[These aren't in the version I'm sending, but are a part of the hymn.]
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Refrain
It is Well with my Soul
http://songsandhymns.org/hymns/detail/it-is-well-with-my-soul
[just click mp3, it'll pop up in a new window; no need to download]
I urge you to also check out the story behind this song, for I found it to be very encouraging as well. :3 [Though the story summary ends where it does, afterwords, the Spaffords moved to Jerusalem and helped found a group called the American Colony; its mission was to serve the poor. The society engaged in philanthropic work amongst the people of Jerusalem regardless of religious affiliation, gaining the trust of the local Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities.]
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
Refrain
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Refrain
[
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
Refrain
But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
Refrain
]
[These aren't in the version I'm sending, but are a part of the hymn.]
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Refrain
Monday, October 19, 2009
An eye opener
I was reminded this week of something serious in my life that may help some of you or may not but I thought I would share it. I have the complete music of hillsong and I was going through them to find one I would like to sing for offering. I am infatuated by the song 'Love Song' by Hillsong and I can not get enough of it. It expresses so much of what I want to say to Him as a confession. Today I sat down to read what Mike has posted to realize that what I wanted to proclaim to Him is how much I love Him.
And as i was reading I can say that I am guilty of putting other things higher than God sometimes, well most if the time. I used to think that singing not only praises to Him but making every song I sing a confession to Him that, that was enough and He would know how much I really love Him.
My awakening came like a slap in the face. It didn't matter how much I confessed to Him in song or how much passion I put into every song i sang if I did not read His word i would never understand.
He knows my life better than I do and He has told me that he knows I wake up before the sun does and most of the time I don't come home until the sun has already gone down. He knows that I am busy to the point of exhaustion every day. He even told me that he knows because He was with me and felt that same exhaustion as I went through it too.
He asked of me something simple, that in the morning to wake up a little earlier than I usually do and to read His words even if it was one passage, even if it was for 5 min to just read His word and I would receive my answer to the question I would be asking Him soon.
So I did it...and I received my answer about two months later. It was to a question that I was personally thinking about for a year before that but never really asked God for. I just had it in the back of my mind never really asking because I would be afraid of the answer. But I got the answer to the question.
Unfortunately I stopped reading His words in the morning and started falling in spiritual level and I can confess to all of you that I am at the lowest I have ever been since I started coming to this church about 6 years ago.
I am telling you this because through this last year all I did was drop and it happened without me even knowing it. It just happened, God longs for me to just read His words and I couldn't even do it longer than 4 months or even give Him 5 min of my time because I used the excuse that I was tired all the time. I still am tired all the time but I am asking all of you this day to please pray for me. With everything I have to deal with to finally give God everything I have not just in praise but to build the relationship by having a conversation with Him and to be healed and cleansed by His words.
I truly need Him in my life because I have been living without Him for too long that it is time to change for the better this time so I can truely sing this song with a clean heart and to bring Love to His ears once again. So he will know how much I really do Love Him, in action this time not just words.
Here is the song if you were interested.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRIP0t5Ypac
Here are the lyrics
Closer than my thoughts
Closer than a kiss
How could it be
More intimate than this?
More honest words than these I�ll never find.
With all my heart, my strength, my soul, my mind.
I love You, I love You, I�m Yours and You are mine.
I love You, I love You, I love You Jesus Christ.
Let me hear Your voice
Whisper Heaven�s song
Deeper into You
Is where I belong.
I hope that this helped one of you or maybe it just helped me to say it.
Have a great week everyone
And as i was reading I can say that I am guilty of putting other things higher than God sometimes, well most if the time. I used to think that singing not only praises to Him but making every song I sing a confession to Him that, that was enough and He would know how much I really love Him.
My awakening came like a slap in the face. It didn't matter how much I confessed to Him in song or how much passion I put into every song i sang if I did not read His word i would never understand.
He knows my life better than I do and He has told me that he knows I wake up before the sun does and most of the time I don't come home until the sun has already gone down. He knows that I am busy to the point of exhaustion every day. He even told me that he knows because He was with me and felt that same exhaustion as I went through it too.
He asked of me something simple, that in the morning to wake up a little earlier than I usually do and to read His words even if it was one passage, even if it was for 5 min to just read His word and I would receive my answer to the question I would be asking Him soon.
So I did it...and I received my answer about two months later. It was to a question that I was personally thinking about for a year before that but never really asked God for. I just had it in the back of my mind never really asking because I would be afraid of the answer. But I got the answer to the question.
Unfortunately I stopped reading His words in the morning and started falling in spiritual level and I can confess to all of you that I am at the lowest I have ever been since I started coming to this church about 6 years ago.
I am telling you this because through this last year all I did was drop and it happened without me even knowing it. It just happened, God longs for me to just read His words and I couldn't even do it longer than 4 months or even give Him 5 min of my time because I used the excuse that I was tired all the time. I still am tired all the time but I am asking all of you this day to please pray for me. With everything I have to deal with to finally give God everything I have not just in praise but to build the relationship by having a conversation with Him and to be healed and cleansed by His words.
I truly need Him in my life because I have been living without Him for too long that it is time to change for the better this time so I can truely sing this song with a clean heart and to bring Love to His ears once again. So he will know how much I really do Love Him, in action this time not just words.
Here is the song if you were interested.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRIP0t5Ypac
Here are the lyrics
Closer than my thoughts
Closer than a kiss
How could it be
More intimate than this?
More honest words than these I�ll never find.
With all my heart, my strength, my soul, my mind.
I love You, I love You, I�m Yours and You are mine.
I love You, I love You, I love You Jesus Christ.
Let me hear Your voice
Whisper Heaven�s song
Deeper into You
Is where I belong.
I hope that this helped one of you or maybe it just helped me to say it.
Have a great week everyone
Hm. No responses?
I guess I may have offended some of you. I apologize if so I hope you guys can forgive me. Remember to update your prayer request. Have a blessed week.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Reflect on This..
How is everyone doing?
****VERY IMPORTANT****
Please note that I am not directing this to any of of YOU but for ALL OF US to think about..
Sorry if i offend any of you.
>>>>ONLY READ THIS IF YOU HAVE ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO SPARE DONT COME BACK TO IT READ IT ALL AT ONE TIME AND REALLY TAKE TIME TO THINK ABOUT IT <<<<
I am actually feeling very blessed that although I am going through some difficult times that I am still able to find joy and praise God throughout the day. I am pleased to say that it is quite amazing how God opens our eyes to so many things and allows us to share these experiences with our fellow brothers and sister.
With what Young had said before, how we are so easily amused or attached to the things of the world however, when it comes to opening the bible and finding joy in that, or taking time to praise God by YOURSELF, or even simply just taking the time to have a conversation with our Lord and Savior. Interesting enough, God humbled me very deeply this week and opened my eyes to what it is to Love God. (Not completely but I am getting closer)
Like I had said on this past Sunday about how our relationship with Christ reflects whether or not we are confident in the decision we make in our lives. Its not about asking..."Lord, what do you want me to do now?" but more a sense of.."Lord, You have called me here and may I be used to fulfill YOUR purpose and for YOUR glory.
Now, all of you guys say that you guys are Christians and that you guys all want to be a great follower of Christ but lets take the time to reflect on our lives. That same joy that we were privileged to experience sometime in our past lives, is a gift from God that he has given to ALL THE PEOPLE OF THIS WORLD, to take part in and share. Now, just a question of thought, when was the last time you cried because you wanted to so desperately share this new Life with another?
With today's society it is so easy to call OURSELVES christians but when you look in the bible, the disciples were given the name "Christians"(Acts 11). Have you ever thought that when people look at you, that you can be given the privilege being called a Christian or are you out in the world proclaiming who you are for the rest of the world to know but not really see? When we are put to the test, it is so easy to see how harsh the times are and not realize how God feels. *Back to what Young pointed out*; Try to think what God is feeling when you are doing things of this world before trying to please God. We are called His children and we are called His sons and daughters. Can you imagine how jealous God is of our love of worldly things. God loved us first and I am almost 100% positive that every time we fall into our own desires how much God really is saddened. It really is funny how we look at our lives and are so quick to blame God, when God doesn't even think to blame us. Before you read on take a look on youtube for a song that really speaks out what God may feel when we turn our backs on Him.
Song name: How He Loves
Artist : David Crowder Band
Album : Church Music
Listen this a couple of things pull out the lyrics and really dissect the song, put it into perspective, think about your life, where you stand, how you have thought about God, and how we and Christians fail to love God, even when He loved us first.
>>Here are the Lyrics in case you couldn't find it..<<
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWgeUrD4MHI
He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.
And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all
He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
And we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If his grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…
He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
I will be posting another follow up on this.. But I want you guys to read this and take time to really think about this. The love that God so willingly gives us, the unfailing, unending, so merciful, graceful, humble, never envying, unconditional, self-sacrificing love..
How have you/we showed God, your/our Lord and Savior, that you/we love Him?
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Another Thought
I was thinking about how excited we get for things like games, activities, friends, TV shows [I'm liking/watching Glee recently], and the like, yet it's always more difficult to get that same excitement for God as often as we have for things of this world. At least for me sometimes.
That's really saddening. :(
At least for me, because that kinda gives insight into how spiritually close to God I am [not very, it seems]. :<
I guess that ties with how we're supposed to remember our first love, to keep working on staying in love.
Also, I think being more of an ascetic is what I should go for, as if I open myself up for moderation, I open myself up for compromise. Moderation and Priority, for everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Especially with my own personal goal with my relationship with God, I need to continue going on strong, continue to grow, and not waver or look away from the path God wants me to walk.
Just wanted to share my thoughts on myself, I guess. o.o
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with [us] all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
That's really saddening. :(
At least for me, because that kinda gives insight into how spiritually close to God I am [not very, it seems]. :<
I guess that ties with how we're supposed to remember our first love, to keep working on staying in love.
Also, I think being more of an ascetic is what I should go for, as if I open myself up for moderation, I open myself up for compromise. Moderation and Priority, for everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Especially with my own personal goal with my relationship with God, I need to continue going on strong, continue to grow, and not waver or look away from the path God wants me to walk.
Just wanted to share my thoughts on myself, I guess. o.o
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with [us] all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
Food for Thought.
Thank you Linda for making this blog! :D
So, KCCC [Korea Christian Campus Crusade] has morning prayer every weekday at 7am, which means I usually don't get up on time due to having to wake up at 6am, BUT I woke up and went today! :D
An interesting thought that struck me the most there was this:
The difference between doing 'Godly work' and doing God's will.
Just something I wanted to share. :O
[Also, reading Revelation really motivates me to strive at being worthy of God :O]
Also, agreeing with Mike, the prayer request box is super cool! XD
Now Young goes back to the annotated bibliography he doesn't want to do. ;-;
So, KCCC [Korea Christian Campus Crusade] has morning prayer every weekday at 7am, which means I usually don't get up on time due to having to wake up at 6am, BUT I woke up and went today! :D
An interesting thought that struck me the most there was this:
The difference between doing 'Godly work' and doing God's will.
Just something I wanted to share. :O
[Also, reading Revelation really motivates me to strive at being worthy of God :O]
Also, agreeing with Mike, the prayer request box is super cool! XD
Now Young goes back to the annotated bibliography he doesn't want to do. ;-;
Thanks to LINduh!
Hello fellow GROUP members!
What a great way for us to share our week struggles, and hardships and testimonies, but most importantly having an easy access way to share the wonders and JOY that Christ demonstrates through our daily walks with him.
Thanks to Linda for putting in your efforts and contributing your expertise in helping the group to become something greater in fellowship and aiding us becoming closer to each other. I hope that you all take the time to thank Linda, and hope to see you guys posting on this throughout the week. I will be checking it up on a daily basis.
Got Questions? post here Got something to share GOOD or BAD? post it here and maybe we can discuss it on sunday together as a group.
Young, this is your opportunity to share with us your experiences up in SD with being a new Christian again. Please keep us posted and we will be all glad to hear from you I am sure.
Hope everyone is having a great week and thanks again to Linda, I owe you.
ISNT THE PRAYER REQUEST THING COOL! hahah I LOVE THIS THING!!! IM GOING TO SPAM SPM SPAM! okay..back to school. Have a blessing week. remember..
SEEK for guidance. God bless.
-Mike
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
TUTORIAL: how this thing works.
First of all, i would like to say that this layout is tentative- and will be changed according to what you guys want
i really couldn't find any pictures of PMC.. i'll consider taking something weekend though.. and post it.
i chose monochrome(black&white) because.. well, it's simple/elegant + i didn't want to put bias on any other colors.. and the plaid is mainly because i like plaid. :D
also, i really like the bible picture- it's hard to find not-ghetto religious pictures!
basically, any suggestions will be welcomed!
#1) the URL
is: http://pmcbiblestudy.blogspot.com/
we can change this if we change the blog name.
-----------------------------------------------------------
#2) title
you will see at the top, the title of our blog: "Bible Study".. we can change this.
-----------------------------------------------------------
#3) the 4 links on the menu bar:
Home- the front page, so to speak. if you are on a different page, you can get to it by either typing in the URL, clicking the 'Bible Study" title at the top, or pressing 'Home.
Post- will directly take you to a page where you can post an entry.
Current Members- leads you to an entry with information about the members of this blog.
Blogger.com- leads you to www.blogger.com (this is highly useful, really. especially for editing.)
-----------------------------------------------------------
#4) how to post:
click to view in original size:
-----------------------------------------------------------
#5) how to edit your entries:
made a mistake on your entry? not a problem!
<-- this 'edit' button at the bottom of your entry takes you to the edit post page.
*careful, as you can edit other people's entries accidentally as well~
-----------------------------------------------------------
#6) Making comments:
to leave comments on people's (or your own) entries..
-----------------------------------------------------------
#7) To edit prayer requests:
if you really want to edit, press
<-- this button to the bottom right corner of it. it's also pretty self explanatory..
-----------------------------------------------------------
#8) Labels
like i briefly mentioned before, they're like tags.. so if you have a bible verse that you would like to share along with a testimonial, then you can tag it with 'bible verse, testimony' and it will be highlighted beneath your post. anyone else can reuse these labels. so if i click on 'bible verse', then it will lead me to all of the entries that had been tagged 'bible verse'. it's great for convenience / organization..
i can't think of anything right now to add..
so if you have any further questions.. feel free to ask..
and again, any suggestions are welcomed with open arms!
i really couldn't find any pictures of PMC.. i'll consider taking something weekend though.. and post it.
i chose monochrome(black&white) because.. well, it's simple/elegant + i didn't want to put bias on any other colors.. and the plaid is mainly because i like plaid. :D
also, i really like the bible picture- it's hard to find not-ghetto religious pictures!
basically, any suggestions will be welcomed!
#1) the URL
is: http://pmcbiblestudy.blogspot.com/
we can change this if we change the blog name.
-----------------------------------------------------------
#2) title
you will see at the top, the title of our blog: "Bible Study".. we can change this.
-----------------------------------------------------------
#3) the 4 links on the menu bar:
Home- the front page, so to speak. if you are on a different page, you can get to it by either typing in the URL, clicking the 'Bible Study" title at the top, or pressing 'Home.
Post- will directly take you to a page where you can post an entry.
Current Members- leads you to an entry with information about the members of this blog.
Blogger.com- leads you to www.blogger.com (this is highly useful, really. especially for editing.)
-----------------------------------------------------------
#4) how to post:
click to view in original size:
-----------------------------------------------------------
#5) how to edit your entries:
made a mistake on your entry? not a problem!
<-- this 'edit' button at the bottom of your entry takes you to the edit post page.
*careful, as you can edit other people's entries accidentally as well~
-----------------------------------------------------------
#6) Making comments:
to leave comments on people's (or your own) entries..
-----------------------------------------------------------
#7) To edit prayer requests:
if you really want to edit, press
<-- this button to the bottom right corner of it. it's also pretty self explanatory..
-----------------------------------------------------------
#8) Labels
like i briefly mentioned before, they're like tags.. so if you have a bible verse that you would like to share along with a testimonial, then you can tag it with 'bible verse, testimony' and it will be highlighted beneath your post. anyone else can reuse these labels. so if i click on 'bible verse', then it will lead me to all of the entries that had been tagged 'bible verse'. it's great for convenience / organization..
i can't think of anything right now to add..
so if you have any further questions.. feel free to ask..
and again, any suggestions are welcomed with open arms!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Members
just post the information as a comment on the bottom and i'll edit it
(send me a picture that you would like to use :3)
if you want to edit it yourself, i'll give you admin privileges :D
if you have more to add, then please do so!
Grace
grace_km03@yahoo.com
Facebook
Aim:
Phone #:(too risky?)
Jose
Josemgarciahernandez@gmail.com
Linda
(send me a picture that you would like to use :3)
if you want to edit it yourself, i'll give you admin privileges :D
if you have more to add, then please do so!
grace_km03@yahoo.com
Aim:
Phone #:(too risky?)
Jose
Josemgarciahernandez@gmail.com
dragondame57@hotmail.com
Michael
yongsoolee89@gmail.com
Sharon
Kcinamint@yahoo.com
TaRissa
Tarissam19@gmail.com
Young
shadowashura@yahoo.com
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