tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.comments2015-01-30T14:22:02.682-08:00The Verse Of the WeekSchwartz 4http://www.blogger.com/profile/11076365660092022394noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-46928266135569784942015-01-30T14:22:02.682-08:002015-01-30T14:22:02.682-08:00I believe.I believe.Mary Enoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-74973527860247563382015-01-02T08:33:29.281-08:002015-01-02T08:33:29.281-08:00That's much easier said than done for most of ...That's much easier said than done for most of us isn't it? Thank you for sharing.Schwartz 4https://www.blogger.com/profile/11076365660092022394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-56083006235114040022014-12-29T10:34:38.121-08:002014-12-29T10:34:38.121-08:00a suggestion... the Spirit IN us, Christ IN us, Go...a suggestion... the Spirit IN us, Christ IN us, God IN us<br /><br />What does that look like in an ordinary life, in an ordinary place in 2015? <br />M.E.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-25098105565759151102014-12-27T08:23:31.201-08:002014-12-27T08:23:31.201-08:00I pray for the courage to be the person God create...I pray for the courage to be the person God created me to be.Mary Enoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-10889237157771982062014-11-12T09:51:15.449-08:002014-11-12T09:51:15.449-08:00This kind of courage today will impact so many tom...This kind of courage today will impact so many tomorrow. I believe this scripture.Mary Ellen Knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-42580512579341878502014-09-30T20:18:27.543-07:002014-09-30T20:18:27.543-07:00Great point. I think more and more that the entire...Great point. I think more and more that the entire Bible really just keeps circling around that one theme summed up so well in Phil 2. Thanks as always for your thoughts and comments. I always look forward to them and am challenged and encouraged by them.Schwartz 4https://www.blogger.com/profile/11076365660092022394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-40765140148970357802014-09-29T10:33:05.871-07:002014-09-29T10:33:05.871-07:00"Is there anything that is worth maintaining ..."Is there anything that is worth maintaining comfort and self over accommodating someone's limited perception of me so they can quit seeing the differences between us and start seeing Christ?"<br /><br />Wondering if this is the essence of Christ's purpose in coming to earth as a poor man who didn't meet all the social norms of that time. <br />Mary Ellen Knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-26309360425119795312014-09-23T10:26:37.547-07:002014-09-23T10:26:37.547-07:00This is a GEM of a lesson! This is a GEM of a lesson! Mary Ellen Knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-66557633690005101642014-07-17T09:26:44.645-07:002014-07-17T09:26:44.645-07:00"Who in your life is so lost that they are be..."Who in your life is so lost that they are beyond the point of coming back...whose face comes to your mind?"<br />Paul's life as a terrorist, before he believed Christ, is what has brought hope to so many people whose lives had been defined by their past. THAT's the good news. And that's the mystery and beauty of the gospel, that we could sit down and enjoy the peace and blessings of fellowship with even a former terrorist, because of Christ.Mary Enoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-7627853681263924152014-02-06T20:23:02.897-08:002014-02-06T20:23:02.897-08:00Thanks for your thoughts:) I'm looking forward...Thanks for your thoughts:) I'm looking forward to your suggestions!Schwartz 4https://www.blogger.com/profile/11076365660092022394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-19043923676937575762014-02-06T08:14:38.963-08:002014-02-06T08:14:38.963-08:00Amen X 7 !!!Amen X 7 !!!Mary Ellen Knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-52153555344394052692014-01-30T20:56:50.282-08:002014-01-30T20:56:50.282-08:00Ooh this is a good thing, Josh - good in that it i...Ooh this is a good thing, Josh - good in that it is addressing something - the Holy Spirit - that has been neglected, for lack of a better term, in at least my experience as a growing Christian (and I know others of all ages feel the same way because they have said so).<br /><br />Something that's really been sticking with me about the Holy Spirit is the Greek term used in John 14: Parakletos (literally, "called to one's side"). It is usually translated into "helper," but it also means "comforter," "advocate," "counselor"...and my personal favorite "encourager" (literally, "one who puts the courage into us").<br /><br />And I think one of the most crucial elements of the Holy Spirit is that He puts the courage in us to be witnesses for Jesus.<br /><br />Of course, that assumes that a big reason why people don't share their faith is because they're afraid of something (like that's ever the reason, right?).<br /><br />PS. I'm still thinking about possible VOWs from Acts, so hang tight.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04851460623120781688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-63175871549229846792014-01-30T20:56:16.603-08:002014-01-30T20:56:16.603-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04851460623120781688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-9615031362191420252014-01-22T19:02:55.253-08:002014-01-22T19:02:55.253-08:00The ladies in the jail class have just read and st...The ladies in the jail class have just read and studied the book of Matthew and we got to know a lot about Jesus' personality. We've moved to Acts and we're looking for him in that book too… sometimes we notice him making a real visit and other times we see how he is serving within individuals through his Spirit. <br />I love that we're still getting to know him through the book of Acts.Mary Ellen Knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-31021315849978793332013-12-04T11:44:01.988-08:002013-12-04T11:44:01.988-08:00I was glad to have found this perspective on it as...I was glad to have found this perspective on it as well when studying for the post. Thanks for your encouragement:)Schwartz 4https://www.blogger.com/profile/11076365660092022394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-36147504446702652013-12-04T11:43:09.394-08:002013-12-04T11:43:09.394-08:00Those are great personal illustrations. I've a...Those are great personal illustrations. I've always appreciated the way you apply the truth you write about in real like. Thank you for your comments.Schwartz 4https://www.blogger.com/profile/11076365660092022394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-40947560640425156662013-12-04T11:41:48.737-08:002013-12-04T11:41:48.737-08:00That's an interesting connection. I've nev...That's an interesting connection. I've never heard the connection between the name "father" to this passage. As for welcoming "pigs into the righteous family of Jesus' kingdom, though, how are we to determine who is and is not a pig in order to protect the "pearl?" I'm not sure I follow the specific connections between the parables as closely as you do at this point, but I definitely appreciate the fresh perspective and agree with the general truth of the application. Thank you for your insights and thoughts. I always look forward to reading your thoughtful and comments.Schwartz 4https://www.blogger.com/profile/11076365660092022394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-84574518485802181912013-12-04T11:33:43.975-08:002013-12-04T11:33:43.975-08:00Thanks for your thoughts. I've heard a lot of ...Thanks for your thoughts. I've heard a lot of great things about that book. I'm gonna have to check it out when I get a minute to read!Schwartz 4https://www.blogger.com/profile/11076365660092022394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-33149395387966957122013-11-29T13:33:52.159-08:002013-11-29T13:33:52.159-08:00I had a black Labrador retriever that chewed every...I had a black Labrador retriever that chewed everything that could be chewed. He just destroyed a lot of good stuff. if I had given him a "Holy Bible", or a tract, he would have spread paper all over the back yard. Years ago it was my lot to help raise pigs. My dad had around 200 at one time. If there had been a particularly fine sow, and I decided to give her a string of pearls, she would have had no appreciation for them and might have been angry at me for not giving her some SLOP. Dogs and pigs need what is appropriate -- perhaps a chew toy and a pail of leftovers. To me the parable says that we should always try to give what is appropriate. I don't take an atheist to Acts 2:38. In fact, some people are so far from God, and so hardened toward holy things, that they just simply need to be loved. Start with people where they are and give them what is appropriate at that stage in their lives. Buddy at mckoonce@charter.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-41646624849291263762013-11-28T09:13:43.956-08:002013-11-28T09:13:43.956-08:00A little later in Mt. 7:15 Jesus will portray fals...A little later in Mt. 7:15 Jesus will portray false prophets as "wolves" (in sheep's clothing), and warns his disciples to beware of them. Since the scribes and Pharisees have been the main antagonists so far, they are probably especially in mind here. And throughout the Gospel, Jesus will often encounter and debate with these "dogs." So what is the "holy" that disciples should not give to such wolves?<br />Holy relates to reverence, to what is revered. In 6:9 Jesus said only the name of the heavenly Father was to be revered (hallowed); in 23:8-10 Jesus says the scribes and Pharisees love to be called father (and master), but disciples should not use such names, for they have only one Father, the one in the heavens. If certain disciples start calling scribes or Pharisees "father," they are giving that revered (holy) name to "dogs" (and submitting to their authority).<br />As for pearls and swine, in 13:45-46 Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a pearl of great value. Throwing such pearls to "pigs" would mean not valuing this kingdom (of disciples) and its righteousness; they throw (give) it to "unclean" pigs like it was garbage. That is, to welcome such "pigs" into the righteous family of Jesus' kingdom is to welcome them domineering and trampling on what true disciples value--and attacking disciples who remain true to Jesus' righteousness. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-14925863776996028932013-11-28T08:13:00.777-08:002013-11-28T08:13:00.777-08:00"But perhaps Jesus would have us point out th..."But perhaps Jesus would have us point out that God to the world and work to convert them to His love before we work to point out their sin and convert their actions."<br /><br />This reminds me of a point James MacDonald makes in "Lord, Change My Attitude." <br /><br />Speaking on the technique of replacing a critical attitude with a loving one, he extracts a fundamental truth: "All truth and no love is brutality."<br /><br />He sets up "criticism" and "love" as opposites by saying that the latter should replace the former.<br /><br />This is strange because we often think of "loving" someone as "helping them become better by pointing out their mistakes." I know I used to.<br /><br />But that goes against what you, MacDonald, and ultimately Jesus are saying.<br /><br />I, too, also used to think that this verse meant to be selective when choosing who to share the Good News with, and I often thought that such understanding fueled an aura of exclusivity - which isn't inviting at all.<br /><br />And people won't go where they aren't invited.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04851460623120781688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-36009733118119825442013-11-27T22:51:20.035-08:002013-11-27T22:51:20.035-08:00I love this view on the verse. It makes way more ...I love this view on the verse. It makes way more sense in light of other verses just as you point out. Thanks for your well presented thoughts.....great for meditation . Natalie Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-53393915840757307962013-08-30T06:42:04.997-07:002013-08-30T06:42:04.997-07:00During our recent selection of elders, a group of ...During our recent selection of elders, a group of us decided we would fast and pray for 24 hours. Before starting this, I did some research about fasting. I decided for myself that I would abstain from food and only have liquids for the 24 hour period. In researching fasting, I found that in the opinion of some, you do not have to abstain from food. You abstain from anything that is consuming your time and keeping you from God such as TV, electronic media of any kind, sports, phones, etc.<br /><br />I turned off my TV for 24 hours. I spent my time in prayer, reading God's Word, reading Christian books, listening to hymns and praise songs. Everything was focused on Him. I felt closer to Him. I hope to do this again.<br /><br />I truly think we have missed the boat on this. I was always told, "we'll, fasting was just a custom in Jesus' day." It is not a command. It helps clear our minds and focus them in the right direction. Well, this is just my opinion for what it is worth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-48601127046303207382013-08-26T12:31:31.664-07:002013-08-26T12:31:31.664-07:00I love hearing the apostle John's perspective ...I love hearing the apostle John's perspective on things. He seemed to "get" Jesus in a different way from the other writers. If the John letters (1-3) were written when he was older, it seems his perspective got more clear and simple after years of serving his Friend... love, forgive, and be truthful.<br />He says something interesting that I've thought about quite a bit.... (1 John 5)<br /><br />14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.<br /><br />16 If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.<br /><br />This suggests our role as forgivers is pretty important. Assuming this 'sin that leads to death' is unforgivable so it's not even a part of the conversation. I guess that unforgivable condition is the one that Jesus addressed when he was accused of doing his beautiful work by the power of satan?<br /><br />Unconditional forgiveness releases me from the unnecessary burden of hauling all of that stuff around all the time. A backpack full of big rocks does nothing to make my trip lighter or make me more joyful as I serve.<br />God's final judgment is his, and it will be right.<br /><br />*disclaimer: I am probably still in the process of getting rid of rocks.<br /><br />I love these conversations you share with us, Josh. And I love you.<br /><br />Mary EAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653459417439562275.post-20443698363404091152013-08-21T08:40:28.210-07:002013-08-21T08:40:28.210-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com