Smokie the “Jackhuahua” stands his ground.

It is 4:00 A.M. and the Chihuahua “Mr. Smokie” just cornered three raccoons on the back deck. Even the smallest raccoon was 300% larger than Mr. Smokie was, yet he stayed his ground and defended his home from the masked invaders to the disgruntlement of the sleepy neighborhood 4:00 A. M. braking alarm clock. He earned a early morning doggy treat for saving the home because the doggy door was open and the coons could have wandered into the house while the I slept. Good boy Mr. Smokie for a job well done.

Study Of The Greek Words For Prophets: Prophecy: Prophetic: Teachers: False: As Used By Peter in 2 Peter 1:19 to 2:3

This study will attempt to answer the question:

 “Was Peter saying that people today have the ability to speak prophesy when teaching about Jesus when using the Bible?”

The Text

 2 Peter 1:19-2:3

 “And we have the word of prophecy made more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation.  For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.  But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.  And many shall follow their lascivious doings; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of.  And in covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose sentence now from of old lingereth not, and their destruction slumbereth not.” (ASV)

2 Peter 1:19-2:3

 “So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.  But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.  But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who tought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.  Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” (NASV 95)

(This study will use; W. E. Vine, Alfred Marshall, Strong’s, & Joseph Thayer to define understanding of the lesson by Peter for modern application.)

Prophecy:  Noun = Greek = 4394 = (2 Peter 1:20 & 21) = Propheteia = (derived from 4395 Propheteuo meaning to foretell) = the speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God. Used here for the instructions, teaching or utterances of the Old Testament prophets.

Prophetic:  Adjective = Greek = 4397 = (2 Peter 1:19) = Prophetikos = (derived from 4396 Prophetes meaning to interpret the divine will) =  relating to prophecy, or proceeding from a prophet, prophetic, as to the word of prophecy made more sure; i.e. confirmed by the Person and work of Christ.  Used here for the instructions, teaching or utterances of any prophet concerning the truth about Jesus.

Prophets:  Noun = Greek = 5578 = (2 Peter 2:1) = Pseudoprophetes = (derived from 4396 Prophetes meaning to interpret the divine will and from 5571 Pseudes meaning lying) = relating to a false prophet. Used here for anyone acting the part of a divinely inspired prophet or teacher who speaks falsehoods under the name of divine prophecy.

Teachers:  Noun = Greek = 5572 = (2 Peter 2:1) = Pseudodidas = (derived from 1320 Didaskalos meaning an instructor and from 5571 Pseudes meaning lying) = relating to a false teacher.  Used here for anyone teaches false.

False:

a.     Noun = Greek = 5578 = (2 Peter 2:1) = Pseudoprophetes = (derived from 4396 Prophetes meaning to interpret the divine will and from 5571 Pseudes meaning lying) = relating to a false prophet.  Used here for anyone acting the part of a divinely inspired prophet or teacher who speaks falsehoods under the name of divine prophecy.

b.     Noun = Greek = 5572 = (2 Peter 2:1) = Pseudodidas = (derived from 1320 Didaskalos meaning an instructor and from 5571 Pseudes meaning lying) = relating to a false teacher.  Used here for anyone teaches false.

c.      Noun = Greek = 4112 = (2 Peter 2:3) = Plastos = (derived from 4111 Didaskalos meaning to construct and from and 5571 Pseudes meaning lying) = meaning false.  Used here to describe a person who willfully and knowingly tells a falsehood having knowledge that what they say is a lie.

2 Peter 1:19-2:3 with word meanings inserted

“So we have the instructions, teaching or utterances of any prophet concerning the truth about Jesus word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.  But know this first of all, that no instructions, teaching or utterances of the Old Testament prophets of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no instructions, teaching or utterances of the Old Testament prophets was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.  But anyone acting the part of a divinely inspired prophet or teacher who speaks falsehoods under the name of divine prophecy also arose among the people, just as there will also be anyone teaches false among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.  Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with willfully and knowingly tells a falsehood having knowledge that what they say is a lie words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” (NASV 95)

In conclusion:  Yes Peter was saying that people today have the ability to speak prophecy when teaching about Jesus when using the Bible as their text because their instruction is about Jesus as written in the inspired Bible which either is divine or all religious people today are following a lie. 

By Guy Lewis, Payson, Arizona

Started = Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Completed = Sunday, October 18, 2009

My nerves are shot

My nerves are shot right now.  My anxiety is off the chart causing very sever nervous distress and acid build up in my gut.  I got a call today and the VA is sending an evaluator to my house next Monday; October 19, 2009, to conduct a 2 to 3 hour interview concerning the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Independent Living Program I applied to. 

The interview is to determine if I am physically and physiologically suitable for the program.

So far the VA counselor at the Voc. Rehab. Office in Phoenix has kept me in complete darkness concerning every step of this path.  I still do not know much about the program or what it really does offer in assistance to improve my quality of life as a disabled veteran. 

Please keep me in your thoughts as this event in my life with the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Independent Living Program is really stressing me out.

Sincerely, Guy

Thoughts on MDR

I have rarely commented on the topic of MDR because it is a topic of tradition based opinion hot bed of controversy. 

It has been brought to my attention that some preachers, therefore, some church members, in the church today feel that Jesus decreed a universal law that is forever in His statements of Matthew 19 and the corresponding passages in the other Gospels.

The present idea of MDR that the church holds came from Catholicism.  From what I have read, the church (universal) was not worried about MDR until around the 600’s when the Roman Church decreed the marriage was a sacrament of God.  Up until then, divorce and remarriage was not an issue.

I often wonder why on the day of Pentecost, when Peter preached the 1^st recorded gospel sermon, that the 3000 that believed and were baptized were not required to pass the present day MDR salvation test that some in the church requires? 

The reason we do not see a requirement in scripture baring divorce people to remarry is that God never made one.  The rules we try to force everyone to follow concerning the issue of MDR; all came from the Roman Catholic Church in the 600’s AD.  It is a false study when based our doctrine upon just Matt. 19:9 and not the complete picture of biblical facts presented by scripture.  Therefore, the conclusions we have reached within the church are false.  This is what the church of today has done for the past 150 or so years concerning MDR:  Followed a false doctrine of man and not what God said.

The Bible does not lie and it does not contradict its self.  Jesus did not make a universal forever law in Matt. 19 because if He did then Paul is a liar and a false teacher in his letters to the Corinthians and to Timothy.

The Bible is not in conflict between Jesus and Paul as they both are guided by the Holy Spirit of God in what they said.  So with this understanding, the teachings of the church since about 600 AD must be wrong and therefore false.

What I do know is simple: 

A.   The gospel is a simple path to follow and leads to salvation. 

B.   God is NOT looking for away to send me to hell as the fear preachers seem to think. 

C.   If salvation were a “restitution” system and not a grace system, none of us could ever be saved. 

D.   If God was looking for away to send me to hell, He would not have sent Jesus as a sin payment for me and everyone who believes and is baptized. 

Further more:  My only hope and prayer is that other’s will study what I have posted and see that the things that have been taught by the church are not correct because they would make Paul out to be a liar and would place most of the New Testament in doubt because most is written by Paul and therefore, it would make our faith void because it would be based on lies.

However, to really and truthfully understand the topic of MDR in light of working out your own salvation; I humble submit the following unbiased study I conducted on this topic considering all relevant passages of the Bible I could think of at the time.

                        ******************************************

If salvation is based on a “restitution” system then none could be saved – My study of MDR = Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage
By Guy Lewis

My premise concerning my study of this topic is that all of the scripture covering divorce and remarriage in the New Testament must agree with each other and that if any passage of scripture does not seem to agree with another then it is mankind’s opinion that is wrong and not scripture.  I will take a simple look at each of the passages of scripture that is concerned with the issue of divorce in the New Testament and look at the simple language of what it has to say and see if we can not see the simple message offered and if it in fact agrees with all other passages of New Testament scripture.  Therefore, I hope to show that there is no prohibition on remarriage of divorced person and that Paul was not contradicting Jesus in 1 Cor. 7 when he said that divorced person’s do not sin if they marry.

De 24:1-4

1 When a man taketh a wife, and marrieth her, then it shall be, if she find no favor in his eyes, because he hath found some unseemly thing in her, that he shall write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.
2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife.
3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, who took her to be his wife;
4 her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before Jehovah: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance. (ASV)

First off we must understand what the Law of Moses had to say about divorce and see if we can understand why this Law was given. 

In verse 1 the Hebrew word for “unseemly thing” is “ervah” which means indecency or nakedness or shame, that the husband shall give her (the wife) a bill or certificate of divorcement or divorce and send her out of the house.  This verse implies that there was a need of the Hebrew nation to protect the wives from just being sent out or being put out of a house by the husband and being discarded and destitute with no way to provide for themselves.

Verse 2 provides the remedy of the destitution indicated in verse 1.  That she may be the “wife” of another man.  This is a legal wife before God and before man.

Verses 3 and 4 says that if the second husband finds some “ervah” with her and divorces her or he dies, the first husband is bared from taking her as his wife again.   This is said to be an abomination before God and therefore a sin.  This may have been done to protect the woman from a wicked ex husband as or an effort to keep the nation pour in their bloodlines, but I am not sure but might be indicated by the use of the term “cause the land to sin” in verse 4.

Now this was the Law of God handed down through Moses to the people of Israel, concerning divorce and remarriage.

Mt 5:17-20

17 Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. (ASV)

Jesus did not come to destroy the Law of Moses.  Jesus did not come to change the Law of Moses.  Jesus says in verses 17 to 19 that He did not come to do away with the Law of Moses and that whoever keeps and teaches the Law will be great in the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus did not come to change but to keep the Law.  In verse 20 Jesus says that keeping the commandments is not an outward show it is a matter of ones heart that matters most.

Mt 5:31-32

31 It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32 but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery. (ASV)

These two verses must be read in the same context as the rest of the verses in this section of the Sermon on the Mount such as Matt. 5: 17-20, Matt. 5:21-22 and Matt 5:27-28.  Verse 31 says simply that the Law of Moses says to give a certificate of divorce (i.e. divorce your wife not just send her out or put her away).  Jesus was saying in verse 32 that to (apoluo) send her away or put her out would make her an adulteress because to survive she would have to join with another man who could support her or become a prostitute.  The only way she could be an adulteress was if she was still married.  So the word (apoluo) in this text can not mean divorce or she would not be an adulteress.  Because to divorce according to Deuteronomy 24 would have ended the marriage in the eyes of God and man and she would have been free to remarry whom ever she desired because that was the Law and Jesus did not come to change the Law.  Therefore the correct translation of (apoluo) in verse 32 is send out or put away and not to divorce.  This translation is in keeping with and fits with all other passages in the New Testament concerning MDR.

Mt 19:9

9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery.  (ASV)

Once again in verse 9 Jesus was saying that to (apoluo) send away a wife or put a wife out and marry another would cause adultery because of being still married.  So the word (apoluo) in this text can not mean divorce or there would be no adultery.  Because to divorce according to Deuteronomy 24 would have ended the marriage in the eyes of God and man and both the man and woman would have been free to remarry whom ever they desired because that was the Law and Jesus did not come to change the Law.  Therefore the correct translation of (apoluo) in verse 9 is send out or put away and not to divorce.  This translation is in keeping with and fits with all other passages in the New Testament concerning MDR.

Mr 10:11

11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her: (ASV)

Again the word (apoluo) in verse 11 does not mean divorce in this passage either but to put away without divorce thus causing the adultery because the two are still married.  Because to divorce according to Deuteronomy 24 would have ended the marriage in the eyes of God and man and both the man and woman would have been free to remarry whom ever they desired because that was the Law and Jesus did not come to change the Law.  It is interesting to note that here Mark also tell us to whom any adultery is committed against and that is the wife who is put away and not the new person married.  This is the only passage that specifically tells us this information.

Lu 16:18

18 Every one that putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth one that is put away from a husband committeth adultery. (ASV)

Once again the word (apoluo) used in verse 18 does not mean divorce in this passage either but to put away without divorce thus causing the adultery because the two are still married.  Because to divorce according to Deuteronomy 24 would have ended the marriage in the eyes of God and man and both the man and woman would have been free to remarry whom ever they desired because that was the Law and Jesus did not come to change the Law.

Mt 16:18-19

18 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
19 “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (ASV)

What does Jesus mean when He tells the apostles that what they “DO” require on earth will be required in heaven and what they ‘do not” require will not be required in heaven?  Jesus is speaking directly to Peter in this passage but He was also talking to the other eleven by the context.  See the context of the nature of the conversation in:

Mt 16:13-16

13 “When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (ASV)

Jesus started the conversation out by addressing all the disciples not just Peter.  Peter just happens to be the one who answered for the group. (Also see John 20:23 where Jesus tells the disciples that whom ever they forgive on earth will also be forgiven in heaven.)

Jesus was talking about the new kingdom or church once it was established in Act’s chapter two.  Jesus was not addressing the apostles concerning events prior to the establishment of the church in this conversation because they were still under the Law of Moses.

Now the question is “Which of the apostles”, if any, established rules concerning marriage, divorce and remarriage after the church was established in Acts chapter two.

Ro 7:2-3

2 For the woman that hath a husband is bound by law to the husband while he liveth; but if the husband die, she is discharged from the law of the husband.
3 So then if, while the husband liveth, she be joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if the husband die, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she be joined to another man.  (ASV)

This passage is talking about a MARRIED couple not a DIVORCED couple.  So if she is still a married wife to the husband and she joins with another man then yes she become an adulteress because she was never given a divorce according to the Law because to divorce according to (Deuteronomy 24 which Jesus did not change) would have ended the marriage in the eyes of God and man and woman would have been free to remarry whom ever she desired.

1Cor 6:9-11

9 Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men,
10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God. (ASV)

This passage is important because it says that no matter what your sin, verses 9 and 10 the blood of Jesus and the Spirit of God washes you clean; sanctifying you and justifying you.  This means you are made new again.  Made whole again.  Your prior sins are washed away as if they never happened.  In the book of Hebrew it says that God remembers your sins no more.  This is what verse 11 is also saying.  What ever the sin, including adultery according to verse 9, it is wiped away and remembered no more by the blood of Jesus.

1Cor 7:27-28

27 Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife.
28 But shouldest thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you. (ASV)

Paul in verses 27 and 28 is clearly saying that if you are divorced and you remarry you have not sinned.  In verse 27 the word loosed (which is released in the NASB) indicates that one was married or attached to another (wife by the passage) so that they could not be released from her.  In the Greek it is number 3080 is translated “seek release or to be loosed.”  Whereas in the Greek number 3089 is also translated “Are you released or loosed?” within the same verse.  Two different Greek words have been translated into the same English word release in the NASB or loosed in the ASV in verse 27.  Also in the KJV and the NKJV this word is “loosed”.  In the NIV this word is “divorced” and “unmarried” respectfully.  In the RSV and NRSV the word is “free.”

The Greek word with the number 3080 = lusis meaning a loosing (by divorce) or released.

The Greek word with the number 3089 = luo meaning to loose, to release, to dissolve: – annuls, break, breaking, broke down, broken, destroy, destroyed, loose, loosed, putting an end to, released, removed, take off, unbind, untie, untied, untying.

Therefore, with this in mind, Paul, the inspired writer, by the power of the Holy Spirit of God, said in verse 28 that divorce person’s, who choice to, have not sinned if they remarry. 

This does not violate Matt. 19:9 because Jesus never changed or altered the Law of Moses.  Divorce according to Deuteronomy 24 would have ended the marriage in the eyes of God and man and both the man and woman would have been free to remarry whom ever they desired because that was the Law and Jesus did not come to change the Law

1Tim 4:1-5

1 But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;
3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5 for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.  (ASV)

In this passage, Paul tells Timothy that a time will come where people, false teachers, will tell other people they can not marry.  In verses 1 through 3 we see this clearly.  And as we have seen, if we apply usage of “put away” for the Greek word (apoluo) and not divorce, then all of the passages commonly referred to marriage and divorce fit together without any problem.  Also when we use “put away” for the word (apoluo) we have not reason to refuse anyone the right to remarry provided they were legally divorced from their prior spouse.  We will not be one of the people Paul warns Timothy about in verse 3 when we use the proper meaning for the Greek work (apoluo) in our translations.

Summary:  The Bible does not prohibit remarriage, but wants people to remain as they are or marry. 

The over all context of 1 Corinthians 7 is to remain in what ever state you are in but that you have not sinned if you can not stay unmarried or if you decide to seek marriage.  Jesus did not change or alter the Law of His time; he explained it in simple understanding to get it back to its simple meaning.  No where in the Old Testament Law or the New Testament is the Bible saying an unmarried person (never married, widowed, or divorced) can’t marry. 

By the direct authority of Jesus to the apostles:  Jesus leaves it up to them to set policy on this matter.

Yes God’s plan from the beginning was that it was “not good for man to be alone.”  Yes God hate’s divorce but that does not negate the fact that God Himself said that it was not good for man to be alone. 

As I have shown, all the New Testament passages agree and none are in conflict with each other with this translation.  The apostle Paul established the rules of the new church or kingdom concerning marriage, divorce and remarriage by the authority of Jesus Himself and Paul said that “if you are divorced and remarry you have not sinned.”

Who are we to continue to rule where God has already ruled in this matter?

Original study was completed on 5/26/2007
(Updated to this study was completed on 6/27/09)

Help Is Needed In Payson, Arizona

The Rim Country Alano Club

What we do: We are a non-profit organization dedicated to helping all people who are in 12 Step Recovery to have an alternative safe place to come and fellowship (hang out) for coffee, conversation, special events, etc… instead of bars, drug houses, casino’s or places that influence or jeopardize their addiction.

What we offer: The club has a snack bar, comfortable couches, TV with DVR/CD player, games, books, wireless internet, monthly potluck, monthly recovery speaker meeting, weekly 12 Step Recovery meetings, monthly fun night (bingo or karaoke with prizes), space for recovery meetings, holiday parties, semiannual yard sale, etc.

We are funded by: Membership dues, Voluntary donations, Counter sales of packaged refreshments.

We are all facing hard financial times in the Rim Country right now. The Alano Club is a self-help (501 c 3) organization that helps make Payson a better place for all of us to live.

We are asking for any charitable donation to help keep the doors open in order to help all the Rim Country people (adult and youth) maintain their recovery from addictions, live fuller lives, and rejoin society as upstanding individuals.

All donated financial help is greatly appreciated and is tax deductible.

WE NEED YOUR HELP !!

RIM COUNTRY ALANO CLUB
434 S. Beeline Hwy, Suite A • Payson, AZ 85541• 928-468-8535

Is Getting To heaven really God’s Main Goal For Christians

My question is offered for thoughtful banter and not for all out warfare.

“Was getting us to heaven really the goal of Jesus coming to earth or was there another reason according to scripture as to why Jesus came and heaven is only a by-product of His coming?”

I call into question the following passages of scripture for thought on this topic…

Gen. 3:22-24

Matt. 22:37-40

John 6:44

2 Cor. 5:12-21

“Have you (we) ever stopped to consider that question?

Our impulse might be to blurt out “HEAVEN! I wanna go to heaven!” But, should that really be our motivation?

2 Cor 5:17-21 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Eph 2:10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Does God want each soul to be saved (2 Pet 3:9) simply so that they can go to heaven? Or, is there something more?

Certainly we all want to go to heaven! But why? Is it because of selfish reasons (i.e. I want to be free from pain, sorrow, hardships, and trials) or is it out of a sincere desire to be with God and sing songs of praise to His name for all eternity?

Rev 7:13-15 – Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15″Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.

As the passages from 2 Cor 5 and Eph 2 above bear out, we are, through Christ, meant to be instruments of righteousness for the glory and praise of God.

God wants to have a relationship with us and has made such possible through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Heb 9:13-14 – For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Any relationship will ultimately fail if love is not present. And what do we mean when we say “love?”

A sincere interest in the welfare of others.

God certainly has manifested His love towards us (John 3:16), but are you manifesting your love towards God by selflessly serving Him and seeking to live a life that will bring Him joy (John 14:15)?

And so we come back to our original question…why are you a Christian?

Are you in it for you? Or are you in it for God?

Are you selfish? Or are you truly selfless?

May we all begin this week with the attitude of humble servants whose aim is to, in good and honest hearts, bear fruit with patience.”

These thoughts in the “” are offered from another blog website poster for consideration.

As my friend Edwin wrote to me concerning this thought:

“I think this is a great question. It is actually one I’ve considered for a few weeks now. Certainly, Paul in Philippians 3:11 spoke of doing all things so he could attain the resurrection. However, as far as I know, this is the only passage that actually makes heaven our goal. I think Paul’s letter to Titus gives some interesting insight. “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great god and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14). Notice that we are waiting for the return of Jesus and the glory that will be revealed. However, Jesus didn’t give Himself just so we could be part of that glorious appearing. Jesus gave Himself so we could be His possession zealous for good works in this present age. In other words, Jesus didn’t die just to save us. Jesus died in order to save us in order that we might be free to do good works.

Consider also Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Why have we been recreated in Christ Jesus? Not so we can go to heaven, but so we can walk in the good works God prepared beforehand.

Note I Timothy 1:5, “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” Some translations say the “goal of our instruction.” Interestingly, the aim or goal is not to get us to heaven. Rather, it is for us to love based on a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Love who? God and others.

Here is where I am. I don’t want to totally discount heaven as a proper goal (I can’t deny the existence of Philippians 3:11). However, the New Testament gives far more air time to the goal of simply wanting to do God’s will because we love Him. I think this is a better goal because when I’m working on trying to attain heaven, I start thinking in checklists and limits. I ask stupid questions like, “Exactly how much do I have to do to go to heaven? Do I really have to do this to go to heaven? Do I really have to avoid this to go to heaven?” I find that for me a better question is, “Am I doing this because I love God?” I’m trying very hard each day to quit thinking in terms of “I’m going to do this so God will bless me” whether the blessing I’m looking for is heaven, victory over some sin, a material blessing, or anything else. I want to act based out of love for God. I’m not fully there yet, but right now I’m more aware of this and working on it.”

Again this is posted for thought and not angry banter.

I am in need of your help

I am in need of letters of reference and support concerning my photography skills to take to the Veterans Administration in support of my desire to qualify for Vocational Rehabilitation training and schooling so that I might one day be employable again. Ask me and I will give my mailing address.

All help and support in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Info concerning the requested letter;

A.        The letter of reference for photography I would need should cover things like:

 1.         What relationship we have:  a friend, family member or business. 

 2.         Whether or not you think I have the ability to be a good photographer.

 3.         Whether or not you think I have natural talent and eye to be a photographer.

 4.         Whether or not you think I have natural artistic ability for photography.

 5.         Your impression of my photography work over the last year and a half.

 B.        The letter should come from your business if possible and reference my full name (Guy W. Lewis) of Payson, Arizona.

 C.        The letter should be a formal letter; showing your full name and follow-up contact information.

 D.        I do not know who to address the letters to as I am just following the advice according to the Veterans Affairs Vocation Rehabilitation (VA Voc. Rehab).  So I am guessing that a “To whom it may concern” type letter.

 E.         The letter is for the use of thee VA Voc. Rehab. To determine if I can be retrained in this area for a ground floor level start as a photographer and if not then would I be amenable to training in this area that will help improve my quality of life as a 100% disabled veteran but not employed in this area.

 F.         So I would say, write the letter with your personal views and support concerning this request and send them to me to hand carry to the VA Voc. Rehab. Counselor in Phoenix during my next appointment.

 Sincerely, Guy Lewis

Water Wheel Fire Up-date:

From the Payson Roundup News

Residents of Beaver Valley cheered at a Forest Service briefing in the high school gym Monday night when they learned that no only did their homes survive a fierce, wind-whipped fire on Sunday, but they could all go home as of 9 p.m. August 31.

Residents of Whispering Pines will have to wait until Tuesday for word on their return, but at least they should have homes to return to, said Tony Sciacca, commander of some 450 firefighters gathered to contain the 771-acre blaze that came within a quarter mile of consuming both Whispering Pines and Beaver Valley Sunday.

The fire that had rampaged out of control on Sunday behaved itself on Monday, having effectively trapped itself by burning upslope on three sides of the steep slopes of Diamond Point, which looms between the two forest communities. The predicted surge in winds that had alarmed firefighters Monday morning, instead delivered mostly rain on Monday night.

Throughout the day Monday, the fire mostly smoldered, spotted and fumed largely within the limits it had created on Sunday, when it had lunged first north towards Whispering Pines then south towards Beaver Valley. It eventually chased up the sides of Diamond Point, with flames leaping 50 feet above the treetops and creating a mushroom cloud visible across Rim Country.

http://www.paysonroundup.com/news/2009/aug/31/water_wheel_fire_causes_evacuations/

My Back Yard is on Fire

These are pictures from my back deck of the Water Wheel Fire in Payson, Arizona from yesterday afternoon about 2:30 PM Arizona time.  The fire is surrounding Beaver Valley where I live and moving away from Payson towards the Northeast.  It is over 500 acres as of last night and is zero percent contained as of 9 AM. 

As of the up date at 6:30 PM tonight, the fire is 20 percent contained, has burned 771 acres and the people who live in Beaver Valley can return home at 9 PM.  The fire continues to move in a Northeasterly direction.

 

A Friendship Lost

We arrive here at about the same time

Both traveling long distances

Yours physical mine emotional

To arrive here.

We agreed to be there for each other

We agreed to be friends at this here

We laughed and shared

We were friends at a new here.

At least that is what I thought.I wonder why friendships end
Why ties of life sever
How someone once so close
Just drifts away without a good bye.
Was I mistaken?
Was I dreaming?
Wasn’t I devoted?
Wasn’t I steadfast?

All that is left here is a friendship lost.

 

Saturday, August 22, 2009

8:20:45 PM

Guy Lewis