Then and now… May 12, 2013
Posted by JP in Absolute Favorites, Parenting, Uncategorized.add a comment
My kids then (2004)
and now (2013)
The Potters House Christian Fellowship Church May 7, 2013
Posted by JP in Discussion, Good Sites, Churches, and Stuff.add a comment
I need to give a shout out to The Potters House Christian Fellowship Church at 2800 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
This is the ‘church’ my oldest brother and his family attend. If you look at their website you will see that they are NOT affiliated with the T.D. Jake’s Potter’s House in Texas, which is rather important I think.
There are a few reasons why I felt a need to write about my brother’s congregation. First is because I was struck by the disparity of denominational leanings between him and I. My brothers and I were raised Southern Baptist, but after growing up and following our individual paths we ended up in different areas of the denominational circle. He gravitated toward a Pentecostal disposition and I slid the other way – towards a mix of Presbyterian and Christian Reformed inclination.
I do have to say that our differences are not rooted in doctrine but more so in “worship philosophy” (it could be that I tend to be less emotive and feel a certain lack of comfort in more demonstrable worship environments).
However, the main reason I wanted to give his church a shout out was because of what I saw on You Tube while goggling them. I was struck by videos of my nephew playing, singing, and ministering. I was impressed and touched that he appears to have grown into a fine young man of God.
The balanced Christian life… May 3, 2013
Posted by JP in Bible Study, Discussion, Faith, Scripture.add a comment
The Christian life is much like a wheel; with a hub and four spokes. The hub, and each spoke, are essential foundations to maintain spiritual balance, allowing the faithful to travel the road to continual sanctification – the wheel functions smoothly only when all the spokes are present and in proper balance. The wheel is dynamic and represents a spiritual synergism (the sum of the parts is greater than the whole) that cannot be attained otherwise.
A wheel gets its driving force from the hub. In the Christian life, Christ is the hub – the source of power and motivation for living a Christian life. He lives within us in the person of the Holy Spirit, whose expressed purpose is to glorify Christ.
John 14:20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
John 15:4-5 Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. (5) I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.
John 16:13-14 But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]. (14) He will honor and glorify Me, because He will take of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you.
Making Christ central in your life; giving Him the place of true lordship is really a decision of your will. Lordship is totally voluntary, based on your own choices, and yet is completely necessary for continual sanctification.
Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
The rim of the wheel represents you, the Christian, responding to Christ’s lordship through your wholehearted obedience to Him. This obedience involves your faithfulness in basic principles of Christian living.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
John 14:21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
1Jn 2:3-6 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. (4) Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, (5) but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: (6) whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
The spokes of the wheel represent the means by which Christ’s power reaches our lives:
The Word:
When Christians have a vital, studious, personal intake of the Word of God, they are usually spiritually healthy and growing. In practice, this spoke is crucial to a balanced Christian life. As God speaks to you through His Word, you will be sensitized to important issues, see how to put His Word into practice, and recognize Christ as worthy of your love and allegiance.
Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Matthew 4:4 But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. [Deut. 8:3.] 1. The vertical spokes concern our relationship to God through the Scriptures and prayer.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), (17) So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.
Prayer:
As you pray, and as others pray for you, God creates within you a desire to choose His way which expresses His lordship in our life.
John 15:7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
Ephesians 3:12 In Whom, because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear).
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. (7) And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].
Prayer is our communication channel with God. Through prayer we seek His will in our lives, share our hopes, fears, joys, needs, and seek His counsel; through prayer we open ourselves to the ministering of the Holy Spirit. According to Scripture, the Holy Spirit knows the mind of God (11), which He reveals (10) and teaches (13) to those whom He indwells. This activity of the Holy Spirit is called illumination, and this illumination comes through prayerful mediation upon His Word.
1 Corinthians 2:10-11 Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the [Holy] Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God [the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man's scrutiny]. (11) For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man’s thoughts except the man’s own spirit within him? Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehend) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
The Hub and these first two spokes (the Word and Prayer) represent our relationship to God. The other two spokes represent our relationships to other people, both believers and unbelievers, through fellowship and witnessing. When you purposefully choose to walk in God’s way, it shows in your outward lifestyle. People can see that Jesus is in you. Although obeying God starts internally and has to do with attitudes, habits, motives, values and day to day thoughts, it will eventually surface in our relationships with other people. The proof of our love for God is our obedience to Him especially in relationships.
Fellowship:
The idea of fellowship has many nuances, many ‘definitions’, and comes in many forms. For the sake of time I will try to capture the ‘essence’ and leave the exposition for another time. In essence, fellowship is the idea of believers meeting together to commune, teaching, learn, worship together, share something with someone, and esteeming others higher than ourselves (accepting each other with our faults, problems and failures)
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good [more satisfying] reward for their labor; (10) For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
Matthew 18:20 For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I AM in the midst of them. [Exod. 3:14.]
Hebrews 3:13 But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamor of his sin may play on him].
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, (25) Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.
If we look at the book of Acts we see an example for us today:
Act 2:44-47 And all who believed (who adhered to and trusted in and relied on Jesus Christ) were united and [together] they had everything in common; (45) And they sold their possessions (both their landed property and their movable goods) and distributed the price among all, according as any had need. (46) And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord's Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts, (47) Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people; and the Lord kept adding [to their number] daily those who were being saved [from spiritual death].
This is an excellent treatise on Fellowship by Cooper P Abrams III, please read.
Witnessing:
The natural overflow of a rich and vibrant life in Christ should be sharing with others how they too can have this life. Effective sharing requires skills that can be learned and sharpened. God will use you in the lives of others as you gain experience and improve your skills in witnessing.
Matthew 4:19 And He said to them, Come after Me [as disciples--letting Me be your Guide], follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men!
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God’s power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek,
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully. [Isa. 8:12, 13.]
When all is said and done, balanced wheel of the Christian life can be viewed in terms a healthy, vibrant, physical life: a strong heart at our center (the ‘hub’ of Christ Jesus), we must eat healthily (the Word), we must breath (Prayer), rest and restore (Fellowship) and we must exercise (Witnessing).
Just because He lives! April 25, 2013
Posted by JP in songs.add a comment
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!
Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!
Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
And then one day, I’ll cross the river,
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to vict’ry,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives!
Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
The garden has begun… April 24, 2013
Posted by JP in Uncategorized.Tags: Garden
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Vegetable gardening is something I look forward to every year. Last October as I cleaned up the remnants of the summer garden I began longing to plant again. I made changes this year by consolidating and planting less (last year we realized that 12 tomato plants were just too many!).
This year I have modified the garden boxes; made some deeper (for carrots and tomatoes), left out some things we didn’t enjoy so much last year (namely all types of lettuce as it is not conducive to the heat in my backyard), and I had to put fencing up because we have the addition of the puppies who seem to want to eat anything they can get their mouths on and made it known that they wanted to romp and dig in the boxes. I also transplanted more this year – last year I planted 95% of the stuff as seed which took everything longer to grow and produce.
So here we are, beginning of the growing season and everything is either sprouting or growing well:
- 3 different types of carrots, turnips, parsnips, chives, purple potatoes and shallots – all from seed
- Tomatoes: Yellow, Big Boy, Better Boy, Roma, and Cherry
- About 6 different types of peppers (all colors of bell and some hot, and sweet chilies
- Crenshaw melons, cantaloupe, burp-less and lemon cucumbers
- Walla Walla onions, yellow and green zucchini, spaghetti squash, and 2 other types of squash that I don’t remember
- 3 Types of beans (yellow, green, and “Kentucky Wonder”
Oh yeah, don’t let me forget the herbs; Basil, Oregano, Rosemary, and Thyme – and the fruit; Limons (a Lime/Lemon hybrid), Blood Oranges, and 2 types of strawberries)
The Cross Made the Difference April 10, 2013
Posted by JP in songs.add a comment
‘Twas a life filled with aimless desperation
Without hope walked the shell of a man;
Then a hand with a nailprint stretched downward,
Just one touch then a new life began.
And the old rugged cross made the difference
In a life bound for heartache and defeat;
I will praise Him forever and ever
For the cross made the difference for me.
Barren walls echoed harshness and anger
Little feet run in terror to hide;
Now those walls ring with love, warmth and laughter,
Since the giver of life moved inside.
There’s a room filled with sad, ashen faces
Without hope death has wrapped them in gloom;
But at the side of a saint there’s rejoicing,
For life can’t be sealed in a tomb.
And the old rugged cross made the difference
In a life bound for heartache and defeat;
I will praise Him forever and ever
For the cross made the difference for me.
if I have all faith, but have not love, I am nothing. April 10, 2013
Posted by JP in Bible Study, Discussion, Scripture.add a comment
If I make use of the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am like sounding brass, or a loud-tongued bell. And if I have a prophet’s power, and have knowledge of all secret things; and if I have all faith, by which mountains may be moved from their place, but have not love, I am nothing. And if I give all my goods to the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it is of no profit to me. Love is never tired of waiting; love is kind; love has no envy; love has no high opinion of itself, love has no pride; Love’s ways are ever fair, it takes no thought for itself; it is not quickly made angry, it takes no account of evil; It takes no pleasure in wrongdoing, but has joy in what is true; Love has the power of undergoing all things, having faith in all things, hoping all things. Though the prophet’s word may come to an end, tongues come to nothing, and knowledge have no more value, love has no end. For our knowledge is only in part, and the prophet’s word gives only a part of what is true: But when that which is complete is come, then that which is in part will be no longer necessary. When I was a child, I made use of a child’s language, I had a child’s feelings and a child’s thoughts: now that I am a man, I have put away the things of a child. For now we see things in a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now my knowledge is in part; then it will be complete, even as God’s knowledge of me. But now we still have faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
(1Co 13:1-13)
Nevertheless there was something more excellent than all gifts. They were the manifestations of the power of God and of the mysteries of His wisdom; love, that of His nature itself.
They might speak with all tongues; they might have prophecy, the knowledge of mysteries, the faith which can remove mountains; they might give all their possessions to feed the poor, and their bodies to be tortured: if they had not love, it was nothing. Love was conformity to the nature of God, the living expression of what He was, the manifestation of having been made partakers of His nature: it was the acting and feeling according to His likeness. This love is developed in reference to others; but others are not the motive, although they are the object. It has its source within; its strength is independent of the objects with which it is occupied. Thus it can act where circumstances might produce irritation or jealousy in the human heart. It acts according to its own nature in the circumstances; and by judging them according to that nature, they do not act upon the man who is full of love, except so far as they supply occasion for its activity, and direct its form. Love is its own motive. In us participation in the divine nature is its only source. Communion with God Himself alone sustains it through all the difficulties it has to surmount in its path. This love is the opposite of selfishness and of self-seeking, and shuts it out, seeking the good of others, even (as to its principle) as God has sought us in grace (see Eph_4:32; Eph_5:1-2). What a power to avoid evil in oneself, to forget all in order to do good!
It is worthy of note that the qualities of divine love are almost entirely of a passive character.
The first eight qualities pointed out by the Spirit are the expression of this renunciation of self. The three that follow, mark that joy in good which sets the heart free also from that readiness to suppose evil, which is so natural to human nature, on account of its own depth of evil, and that which it also experiences in the world. The last four shew its positive energy, which — the source of every kind thought — by the powerful spring of its divine nature, presumes good when it does not see it, and bears with evil when it sees it, covering it by longsuffering and patience; not bringing it to light, but burying it in its own depth — a depth which is unfathomable, because love never changes. One finds nothing but love where it is real; for circumstances are but an occasion for it to act and shew itself. Love is always itself, and it is love which is exercised and displayed. It is that which fills the mind: everything else is but a means of awakening the soul that dwells in love to its exercise. This is the divine character. No doubt the time of judgment will come; but our relationships with God are in grace. Love is His nature. It is now the time of its exercise. We represent Him on earth in testimony.
In that which is said of love in this Chapter we find the reproduction of the divine nature, except that what is said is but the negative of the selfishness of the flesh in us. Now the divine nature changes not and never ceases; love therefore abides ever. Communications from God; the means by which they are made; knowledge, as attained here below, according to which we apprehend the truth in part only, although the whole truth is revealed to us (for we apprehend it in detail, so that we have never the whole at once, the character of our knowledge being to lay hold of different truths singly); all that is characterised by being in part — passes away. Love will not pass away. A child learns; he rejoices too in things that amuse him; when he becomes a man, he requires things in accordance with his intelligence as a man. It was thus with tongues and the edification of the assembly. The time however was coming when they should know even as they were known, not by communications of truths to a capacity that apprehended the truth in its different parts, but they should understand it as a whole in its unity.
Now love subsists already; there are faith and hope also. Not only shall these pass away, but even now, here below, that which is of the nature of God is more excellent than that which is connected with the capacity of human nature, even though enlightened by God, and having for its object the revealed glory of God.
Believers therefore were to follow after and seek for love, while desiring gifts, especially that they might prophesy, because thus they would edify the assembly, and that was the thing to aim at; it was that which love desired and sought, it was that which intelligence required, the two marks of a man in Christ, of one to whom Christ is all.
John Darby
Angel with an M16 March 12, 2013
Posted by JP in Poetry.add a comment
Angel with an M16
Desert sand
billowing incessantly
coating sweaty skin
in gritty irritation.
Heated air
tinged with smoke
from spent rounds
and rocket’s tail.
Months spent
endlessly training
focusing on this day
this horrible day.
Duty done
honor is satisfied
country is served
freedom now reigns.
Desert sand
billowing incessantly
covering cooling skin
of our hallowed dead.
80 miles per hour March 4, 2013
Posted by JP in Stupidity.add a comment
I can’t say anything very nice….
maybe a village missing its idiot, or too much peroxide, or cliches about blondes…..
