Kip McKean's Response to LA

"When [Paul] came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles... so Paul stayed with them… Acts 9:26-28

Acts 9:26-28
26When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

The Seattle Leadership Conference is only a few days away! God must be planning "something in [those] days that [we] would never believe, even if someone told [us], (Acts 13:41) because Satan is furiously attacking so many of us. Sadly in this "age of letters" a new memo, bulletin article or "open letter" often comes up on our various websites seemingly attacking brothers instead of exposing Satan's schemes. Most agree that our fellowship's disunity has caused each of us many sleepless nights.

Acts 13:41
41" 'Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.'"

Let me begin by praising the LA Elders and Evangelists for their recent letter to all the churches entitled, "Call To Brotherhood Unity And Revival." (August 28, 2005) This letter is a humble call for discipling congregations around the world to join together in a worldwide revival. The Portland Church has gladly joined the LA Church because we fully agree with the accompanying "Statement of Unified Brotherhood." At our Jubilee in Portland just two weeks ago, I was very moved and honored to be invited to a Saturday afternoon meeting with Al Baird, Bruce Williams, Steve Johnson, Doug Arthur, John Louis, and Mike Fontenot (all speakers at Portland) to "as a team" discuss how this "Statement" of "core beliefs," all of us have held so dear for many years, might be worded. I so appreciate their incorporating my suggestion made in my Friday night speech for a Brotherhood Day of Prayer and Fasting for Unity. The LA leaders are suggesting Friday, October 7, 2005.

I fully realize that much of the turmoil of the past years was caused by my leadership sins and shortcomings, or a bitter reaction to them. I hope and pray that brothers will extend forgiveness for my sins that hurt them and mercy so I may be a part of a rebuilding team to gather the churches into a brotherhood that could evangelize the world in the 21st century. I fully understand that Biblically to receive forgiveness, I must extend to those that hurt me this unique Christian grace. These past few years have been extremely difficult. Through Christ, I too must conquer my "bruised ego," "my over-defensiveness for my ministry" and then extend respect and forgiveness to those with whom I presently have disagreements.

Last week I received a phone call from my friend Mike Taliaferro. He asked several pointed questions concerning my article "The Portland Story." I realize from that conversation what I wrote could be misunderstood by even my friends. To give Mike a background for my thoughts, I shared with Mike about all the calls from weak, hurting disciples received weekly. We simply want to help these wounded souls as well as to be arm-in-arm with all who desire revival in our churches and to see the world evangelized. I then shared with him my admiration for his "faith and guts" in God's work in San Antonio as well as his life-long work in Africa. I felt much closer to Mike after our conversation. How awesome it will be for us all to be in Seattle to talk face to face! These heartfelt interactions are such a "balm" for hurting relationships. Tragically, many of us leaders have some relationships still strained or separated by "fear" with other leaders. Therefore, let me suggest the need of the hour are "Barnabases" who are willing to be bridges between brothers to override fear thus reconciling a "Paul to the apostles." (Acts 9:26-28)

Let us not forget the angel's words to "General Joshua" when Joshua asked "Are you for us or for our enemies?" The angel answered, "Neither, but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come." Then Joshua humbly fell on his face in reverence and said, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?" If all of us in Seattle "sign-up" to be "on the Lord’s side" and ask "what message does God have for me his servant?" then God may well do the humanly impossible and unify all discipling ministries through His atoning blood shed on the cross! Then the Scriptures will prove true, "God grants sleep to those He loves." (Psalm 127:2)
Kip McKean

Spiritual Goals for 2005: as of 9/30/05

Spiritual Goals for 2005

Read 12 Books

• Already accomplished

Baptize Someone

• Hasn’t happened yet.

Memorize 12 Scriptures

• I did memorize more than 12, but I have forgotten most of them.

Get 12 Visitors to Church

• 3 visitors - family

Get out of Debt

• This isn’t foreseeable right now.

Develop Great Friendships

• I feel I have accomplished this goal.

Be gut-wrenchingly open with others in my life

• I also feel I have accomplished this goal as well.

Other Goals

Get a 2nd Car

• We now have a second car.

Loose Weight (down to 175lbs.)

• I weighed in at 170lbs. earlier this year!

Friday, September 30th

Friday, September 30th

This marks the 34th Edition of my pride study.

Ezekiel 32:11-15
11 " 'For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "'The sword of the king of Babylon will come against you. 12 I will cause your hordes to fall by the swords of mighty men - the most ruthless of all nations. They will shatter the pride of Egypt, and all her hordes will be overthrown. 13 I will destroy all her cattle from beside abundant waters no longer to be stirred by the foot of man or muddied by the hoofs of cattle. 14 Then I will let her waters settle and make her streams flow like oil, declares the Sovereign LORD. 15 When I make Egypt desolate and strip the land of everything in it, when I strike down all who live there, then they will know that I am the LORD.'

God lets the bad humble the bad. God uses really whomever he pleases to do his will. When it comes to pride, God doesn’t let something good happen to you to let you know that he is there. To humble someone, it always comes with a price. Generally it will cost the blessings he gave before. In Kenny Rogers’ anger, in his pride, he struck down a cameraman. His boastful pride came at a cost. He hasn’t been the same pitcher since. His ERA has gone up and his win percentage has gone down. Unrepentant pride comes at a cost. Even if you repent, it may still have a cost. Did Johnny Ray Conner repent? Maybe, but does that exclude him from the law by doing so? I don’t think so. If I were to do something so horrible, like Johnny Ray Conner, and rob a convenience store, killing everyone in my path including men, women, and children, and when it is all said and done, repent, does that exclude me from capital punishment? I would say no. David lusted after Bathsheba, had sex with her, killed her husband when he found her pregnant, and married her. When confronted by Nathan, punishment is brought to David. David repents, but his son is still lost. If I do the crime, I do the time. But will I still be responsible enough to repent or will I be too prideful? Johnny Out.

Johnny Ray Conner

Court of Appeals: In May 1998, the victim, Kathyanna Nguyen, lived with Tony Tostado behind her grocery store in north Houston. Tostado owned a restaurant located next door to the grocery. On the afternoon of May 17, 1998, Tostado ate lunch with Nguyen and then went over to his restaurant to clean up. Shortly thereafter, Julian Gutierrez stopped by the grocery to get some gas. After pumping the gas, Gutierrez entered the store to pay and heard someone say, "Give me all your money." Gutierrez looked up from counting his own money, to see a man pointing a gun at Nguyen's chest. When the robber saw Gutierrez, he turned and pointed the gun at him. Gutierrez dropped the money he was holding and ran from the store. As Gutierrez ran, the robber fired the gun at him, hitting him in the shoulder. Hearing several more gunshots, Gutierrez turned to see the robber shooting at Nguyen. Gutierrez later identified appellant as the robber.

Hearing gunshots, Tostado locked the doors to his restaurant and hurried over to the grocery. Upon entering the store, Tostado saw a man with a gun. Although Tostado attempted to grab the assailant, the man was able to get out of the store and run away. Tostado then saw Nguyen on the floor behind the counter bleeding profusely. He immediately called "911." Other individuals who were outside nearby businesses saw the assailant as he fled the grocery, and several noted that the man was holding his hand underneath his shirt as he ran. Agnes Hernandez, who was stopped at a nearby intersection in her vehicle, decided to follow the robber to see where he went.

Christine Flores was also driving in the area when she saw a man running down the street and had to slow down in order to avoid hitting him. The man looked directly at Flores as he ran. Flores later identified the man as appellant. Finally, Michael Hamilton was driving with his wife, Martha Meyers, near the scene when they saw a man running from the grocery. As the man crossed the road in front of them, he turned to look back towards the grocery store at which time Meyers was able to see his face. Hamilton and Meyers followed Hernandez as she followed the fleeing suspect. The assailant ran for some distance before he reached a vehicle, got inside, and drove away. Hernandez continued to follow the assailant, seeing him almost run over a man and child as he sped away. Eventually, the suspect made his way to a freeway feeder road where he drove over the grass median to enter the freeway. Hernandez did not follow the vehicle onto the freeway, but returned to the scene and told Tostado the direction in which the vehicle had fled.

At the scene, Tostado and several others entered the grocery to help Nguyen. Several witnesses noted that there was money scattered and a great deal of blood on the floor around Nguyen's body. The cash register was open and there was blood inside the drawer. The police also discovered a juice bottle on the floor near the counter from which they recovered appellant's fingerprint.

When the investigation of the crime narrowed to focus on appellant, appellant's photograph was included in a photo spread of suspects for witnesses. Three separate witnesses identified appellant from the photo spread. Appellant turned himself in to the Harris County Jail on June 17, 1998.

At the punishment phase of trial, the State proved up appellant's commission of various prior offenses including possessing cocaine in January, 1991; breaking into a school in June, 1991; attempting to rob an individual in July, 1994; and committing several instances of domestic abuse involving two separate women in 1995 through 1997.

Contact Information:

Mr. Johnny Ray Conner #999324
Polunsky Unit D.R.
12002 FM 350 South
Livingston, Texas 77351 USA

 

Texans Guns for Safety: Kathyanna Nguyen, 49, the longtime owner of a northeast Houston convenience store, was fatally shot in the head during an attempted robbery. Julian Gutierrez, a customer, was shot in the shoulder.

 

HOUSTON (AP) - A 24-year-old Houston man is headed to death row for the murder of a convenience store owner who was shot three times in the head during a robbery last year.

 

Jurors deliberated about five hours Wednesday before deciding Johnny Ray Conner should receive lethal injection for the May 17, 1998, slaying of Kathyanna Nguyen, 49.

 

According to testimony, Conner entered the northeast Houston store and brought a drink to the counter as if to buy it. Then he pointed a .32-caliber revolver at Nguyen's chest through the window in her glass booth.

 

A customer, Julian Gutierrez, entered the store to pay for gasoline he just pumped and saw the gunman pointing his weapon at the clerk, who was shaking and holding cash in both hands.

 

When Gutierrez turned to flee, Conner shot him in the chest and then turned and shot Nguyen. Conner ran off and later turned himself in to authorities.

 

Conner was identified by Gutierrez, who recovered from his wound. His fingerprint was found on the drink he left on the counter.

 

Conner's lawyers Ricardo Rodriguez and Jon Munier argued jurors should give him a life sentence because he was a troubled drug user who had been neglected by a drug-addicted mother.

 

Harris County assistant prosecutor Lyn McClellan countered that Conner was a dangerous person with a record of assaulting women.

 

Houston Chronicle: Johnny Ray Conner must receive the new trial within 120 days, said U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore, who ruled that his trial attorneys failed to pursue medical evidence showing he had a severe limp that witnesses would have noticed as he ran from the store.

 

Jonathon "Johnny" Ray
jonathonray201@hotmail.com

 

Quiet Times Blog: http://quitetimes4me.blogspotcom/

Thursday, September 29th

Thursday, September 29th

Ezekiel 28:1-19
1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 "Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "'In the pride of your heart you say, "I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas." But you are a man and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god. 3 Are you wiser than Daniel? Is no secret hidden from you? 4 By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries. 5 By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud. 6 " 'Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: " 'Because you think you are wise, as wise as a god, 7 I am going to bring foreigners against you, the most ruthless of nations; they will draw their swords against your beauty and wisdom and pierce your shining splendor. 8 They will bring you down to the pit, and you will die a violent death in the heart of the seas. 9 Will you then say, "I am a god," in the presence of those who kill you? You will be but a man, not a god, in the hands of those who slay you. 10 You will die the death of the uncircumcised at the hands of foreigners. I have spoken, declares the Sovereign LORD.'" 11 The word of the LORD came to me: 12 "Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "'You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. 14 You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. 15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. 16 Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. 17 Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. 18 By your many sins and dishonest trade you have desecrated your sanctuaries. So I made a fire come out from you, and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching. 19 All the nations who knew you are appalled at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.'"

My notes: Do I loose sight of where I am at? I think it is beyond pride to say that I am a God, but am I excluded from the thought? These people were living the good life and with the blessings, they grew pride up in their heart. They felt they were above everyone else. Above the law, above the lesser fortunates, and the result was a death, a violent death. A death by the hands of violence scares me. I grew up with some pretty violent nightmares that still haunt me today. I can’t seem to shake them. I have a good dream, and it is forgotten by the afternoon (if I remember it that long). I guess keeping the nightmares close to my heart is somewhat good, in that it keeps me fearful of my God. I didn’t dream last night, I didn’t even hit the bed until 1 o’clock this morning, due to school work. I didn’t even finish my homework. Much to do today, I guess. Right now, I may not be living the “good life,” but I still feel blessed. Maybe if I had a balance in the bank, it could spurn some pride, but we have money for gas and some money for food. That’s all we need. Anything more could bring about an attitude. Maybe not, but it encourages me to have a thought that life is good and we have what we need. God promises that he will take care of me, and he has. He doesn’t promise that I will have what I want, but what I need. Sometimes I can get the two mixed up. Johnny Out.

Wednesday, September 28th

Wednesday, September 28th

Ezekiel 24:15-27
15 The word of the LORD came to me: 16 "Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears. 17 Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Keep your turban fastened and your sandals on your feet; do not cover the lower part of your face or eat the customary food of mourners."

18 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I had been commanded.

19 Then the people asked me, "Won't you tell us what these things have to do with us?"

20 So I said to them, "The word of the LORD came to me: 21 Say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am about to desecrate my sanctuary - the stronghold in which you take pride, the delight of your eyes, the object of your affection. The sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword. 22 And you will do as I have done. You will not cover the lower part of your face or eat the customary food of mourners . 23 You will keep your turbans on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not mourn or weep but will waste away because of your sins and groan among yourselves. 24 Ezekiel will be a sign to you; you will do just as he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD.'

25 "And you, son of man, on the day I take away their stronghold, their joy and glory, the delight of their eyes, their heart's desire, and their sons and daughters as well - 26 on that day a fugitive will come to tell you the news. 27 At that time your mouth will be opened; you will speak with him and will no longer be silent. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the LORD."

Desecrate (verb):

1. Violate the sacred character of a place or language.


2. The consecration from a person or an object.

Consecration (noun):

1. A solemn commitment of your life or your time to some cherished purpose (to a service or a goal).


2. Sanctification of something by setting it apart (usually with religious rites) as dedicated to God.

Wow, this makes me think. God gives me so much. But what he can give, he can take away. So many times, I forget the gift. I forget to count my blessings. Something so simple yet so difficult to give myself to someone or something so much better than I. Am I setting myself apart? Am I consecrating myself for God or am I desecrating my God? I have said it before: relationships do not stand still, they either grow closer together or further apart. A common thought, really. I have heard other people say the same thing. I can say with all my heart I am drawing closer to God. That’s a good thing. It hasn’t been that way ever since I became a Christian, but that is where I am at right now. I am going through some tough challenges, but I think that tomorrow is another day. I won’t bother worrying about it, I don’t know what will happen. God does and I trust in him. Johnny Out.

Ephesians Study: My Answers

Ephesians Exegesis Study

Questions:

Make a list of “every spiritual blessing we have in Christ” (1:3).

• Breath


• Forgiveness of sins


• Spouse


• Children


• Friends


• Family


• Church


• Christ


• God


• Bible


• House/Apartment


• Car/Cars


• Money


• Food


• Entertainment


• Government


• Jobs


• Prayer

Do a word search on “Peace” and “Grace”, how many times are these mentioned and why?

• Peace is used within 231 Verses in the NIV Bible.


• Grace is used within 124 Verses in the NIV Bible.


• I think they are mentioned because of importance to God. With God, a disciple has peace of mind. Sometimes the pressures of the world bog us down and we loose sight of that. Those who escaped Egypt, lost sight of it while in the desert. I think that even though it’s been thousands of years later, we still loose sight from time to time. I think that is why we have to continually focus on the race. And when we do not focus on the race, when something hinders, per se, then Grace comes into play. God wants us to understand that Grace is there for us when we fail in an attempt to do what God wants for us to do.


• Hebrews 12:1 therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Memorize Eph 1:13b-14.

13b. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.

Do a word search on “Mystery” and “Fullness” in Colossians and Ephesians, write down your findings.

• Ephesians1:7-10 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment - to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.


• Ephesians 3:2-12 Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.


• Ephesians 5:31-32 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery - but I am talking about Christ and the church.


• Ephesians 6:19-20 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.


• Colossians 1:25-29 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness - the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.


• Colossians 2:1-5 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.


• Colossians 4:2-6 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.


• 1st Timothy 3:16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

I guess I broke the rules, but the Timothy scripture wraps up what I was thinking. Without a doubt, Christ is a mystery. As it is my nature, I tend to want to find answers to the unknown. I think others do to, simply because of the websites dedicated to the end of the world, the supernatural, and the paranormal. Science is a subject in school devoted to figuring out how things work. Math is too. People seek to figure out things they don’t know and want to be the first to do it. Companies build on that. I bet if a question was thrown out on the internet begging the question of what is the answer to the mystery of God, someone who be as to so bold to say they know the exact answer. 1st Timothy leads to an answer, but I feel it explains the mystery in detail, explains the question. Maybe I am wrong, but I tend to be more wrong than right these days. Look at my sports blog, that will verify that…

In Ephesians 2:8-10, refute the argument that Baptism is a work!

• Ephesians 2:8-10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.


• Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.


• Acts 8:20 Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!


• Romans 5:15-17 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.


• Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.


• Acts 19:2-5 "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied. Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.


• Ephesians 4:3-6 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Starting with Ephesians 2, it tells me that I have been saved by faith and grace which is a gift from God. Acts 2 then tells me that to receive this gift, I have to repent and be baptized to get the Holy Spirit. James tells me that faith without deeds is useless, but I bring that up to only say that baptism is something done by love, not by necessity. But the only way to be saved is by baptism. You can’t buy salvation (Acts 8), it is given to you (Revelation 22). Ephesians 4 also tells me that there is only one baptism, and if we are not baptized right, we should do it right away (Acts 19). These are my thoughts thus far.

Ephesians Study Questions

Ephesians Study: Questions

Class One: Homework Assignment

1. Read Chapters 1-2


2. Answer Questions from Chapter 1-2


3. Start an historical and cultural background on Ephesus try Biblegateway.com, Ask Jeeves.com, Bible.org, BibleAndReference.com, Christianitytoday.com, Studylight.org, Historychannel.com, and newadvent.org

Questions:

1. Make a list of “every spiritual blessing we have in Christ” (1:3).


2. Do a word search on “Peace” and “Grace”, how many times are these mentioned and why?


3. Memorize Eph 1:13b-14.

13b. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.

1. Do a word search on “Mystery” and “Fullness” in Colossians and Ephesians, write down your findings.


2. In Ephesians 2:8-10, refute the argument that Baptism is a work!

Tuesday, September 27th

Tuesday, September 27th

Ezekiel 16:49-58
49 " 'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. 50 They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen. 51 Samaria did not commit half the sins you did. You have done more detestable things than they, and have made your sisters seem righteous by all these things you have done. 52 Bear your disgrace, for you have furnished some justification for your sisters. Because your sins were more vile than theirs, they appear more righteous than you. So then, be ashamed and bear your disgrace, for you have made your sisters appear righteous.

53 " 'However, I will restore the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters and of Samaria and her daughters, and your fortunes along with them, 54 so that you may bear your disgrace and be ashamed of all you have done in giving them comfort. 55 And your sisters, Sodom with her daughters and Samaria with her daughters, will return to what they were before; and you and your daughters will return to what you were before. 56 You would not even mention your sister Sodom in the day of your pride, 57 before your wickedness was uncovered. Even so, you are now scorned by the daughters of Edom and all her neighbors and the daughters of the Philistines - all those around you who despise you. 58 You will bear the consequences of your lewdness and your detestable practices, declares the LORD.

I don’t know, for whatever reason I am feeling a little down in the mouth today. But despite it all, I got a little nugget. How bad can I get to make someone else appear better than me? Well, in my world, everyone really is better. I truly feel that I am squat. I don’t always feel that way, but today I do. Most of the time, I do feel worthless. But I guess it is better to feel that way, and somehow feel great about it. I guess my fear would be this: Do I appear righteous or am I righteous rightfully? (Say that 5 times fast). Would I be prideful to call myself righteous? And if I am not righteous, does my sin cause someone else to look righteous even though they are not? I am boggled down by these questions. God does away with Sodom, and then Samaria does more than twice as much “evil” than Sodom. Is God patient? I think so, simply because Samaria crosses over and “takes the record” for being the worst and continues on to do more than twice as much. That to me is patient. God was patient with me and my friend. We worked it out. The Pharisee’s believed they were righteous rightfully. I personally don’t think I can be the one to call myself that. If I am righteous, someone would have to tell me so. If I were to call myself righteous, wouldn’t that be self-righteousness? I don’t know. I think so. 10 scriptures from Ezekiel and I focus on two words. How weird am I? Why am I feeling so down right now, I wonder. I guess it is being all bi-polar. Oh well, even with the sad days, God blesses me with some insight that I can use in the days to come, God willing. Johnny Out.

Questions from Steven

Question: Hello all! How would you respond to the argument that there is an "evolution" in the gospel accounts? Many people believe Mark to be the first written, and they "argue" that what happened is that the later gospel writers (Matthew, Luke, & John) embellished certain aspects of the previous gospel accounts. An example I heard was that in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, you have them saying that Simon of Cyrene had to help Jesus carry his cross because he was in such a weakened condition, however, John, which many believe to have been written much later, for whatever reason, felt that a weakened Jesus who was not able to carry his own cross was not "Kosher" so, John writes that Jesus carried His own cross and was crucified… with no mention of any assistance as the other gospel accounts state. Anyhow, I would be interested in hearing some comments on how you would answer this. Thanks, Steven.

Now this would be my opinion, but what I think is this: Different accounts are given to show us a sliver of what happened to inspire deeper reading. It is to inspire curiosity. As a scholar of the word, and all Christians should be scholars, Jesus wants us all to carry the cross. However, there are times when we become weak and need assistance in carrying our cross. The story about Legion has some interesting accounts through the “gospels.” The woman with the perfume is an even better example. Check this out.

Matthew 26:6-13
6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. 9 "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."

10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

Mark 14:1-11
1Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. 2"But not during the Feast," they said, "or the people may riot."

3While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

4Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, "Why this waste of perfume? 5It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor." And they rebuked her harshly.

6"Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

10Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Luke 7:36-50
36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."

40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.

41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.

44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

49The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

50Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

John 12:1-11
1Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." 6He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. " It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."

9Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.

These accounts, although the same account tell a different part of the story. Each has a sliver of something different. It is like a wonderful puzzle that God has given us to help our hearts. All we have to do is take the time to put it together. I hope this helps.

Question: Hello all, I have a question that I hope you can help me with. I am discussing Christianity with a coworker who is Catholic. He believes that Catholicism is just another FORM of Christianity. How would you discuss this with him? Can you think of any Scriptures to refute the notion that Christianity has different "forms"? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks, Steven.

Ephesians 4:4-6
4 There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called – 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Monday, September 26th

Monday, September 26th

Ezekiel 7:1-27
1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 "Son of man, this is what the Sovereign LORD says to the land of Israel: The end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land. 3 The end is now upon you and I will unleash my anger against you. I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices. 4 I will not look on you with pity or spare you; I will surely repay you for your conduct and the detestable practices among you. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

5 "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Disaster! An unheard-of disaster is coming. 6 The end has come! The end has come! It has roused itself against you. It has come! 7 Doom has come upon you - you who dwell in the land. The time has come, the day is near; there is panic, not joy, upon the mountains. 8 I am about to pour out my wrath on you and spend my anger against you; I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices. 9 I will not look on you with pity or spare you; I will repay you in accordance with your conduct and the detestable practices among you. Then you will know that it is I the LORD who strikes the blow.

10 "The day is here! It has come! Doom has burst forth, the rod has budded, arrogance has blossomed! 11 Violence has grown into a rod to punish wickedness; none of the people will be left, none of that crowd - no wealth, nothing of value. 12 The time has come, the day has arrived. Let not the buyer rejoice nor the seller grieve, for wrath is upon the whole crowd. 13 The seller will not recover the land he has sold as long as both of them live, for the vision concerning the whole crowd will not be reversed. Because of their sins, not one of them will preserve his life. 14 Though they blow the trumpet and get everything ready, no one will go into battle, for my wrath is upon the whole crowd.

15 "Outside is the sword, inside are plague and famine; those in the country will die by the sword, and those in the city will be devoured by famine and plague. 16 All who survive and escape will be in the mountains, moaning like doves of the valleys, each because of his sins. 17 Every hand will go limp, and every knee will become as weak as water. 18 They will put on sackcloth and be clothed with terror. Their faces will be covered with shame and their heads will be shaved. 19 They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be an unclean thing. Their silver and gold will not be able to save them in the day of the LORD's wrath. They will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it, for it has made them stumble into sin. 20 They were proud of their beautiful jewelry and used it to make their detestable idols and vile images. Therefore I will turn these into an unclean thing for them. 21 I will hand it all over as plunder to foreigners and as loot to the wicked of the earth, and they will defile it. 22 I will turn my face away from them, and they will desecrate my treasured place; robbers will enter it and desecrate it.

23 "Prepare chains, because the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of violence. 24 I will bring the most wicked of the nations to take possession of their houses; I will put an end to the pride of the mighty, and their sanctuaries will be desecrated. 25 When terror comes, they will seek peace, but there will be none. 26 Calamity upon calamity will come, and rumor upon rumor. They will try to get a vision from the prophet; the teaching of the law by the priest will be lost, as will the counsel of the elders. 27 The king will mourn, the prince will be clothed with despair, and the hands of the people of the land will tremble. I will deal with them according to their conduct, and by their own standards I will judge them. Then they will know that I am the LORD."

Conduct (noun):

1. The way a person acts, especially from the standpoint of morality and ethics.


2. The act of directing or controlling; management.

Calamity (noun):

1. An event that brings terrible loss, lasting distress, or severe affliction; a disaster.


2. Dire distress resulting from loss or tragedy.

“By their own standards I will judge them.” I can only imagine what it would be like to be judged by how I judge others. If I were to have an attitude towards someone (and I did have a bad attitude up until yesterday), and go to judgment day with it, God would have the same attitude towards me. How scary is that? How easy is it to have an attitude towards someone? Fairly easy. There are about 6,446,131,400 people on this Earth. We see but just a small miniscule of those each day. For argument sake, let’s say we come across about 2,000 a day (I use this figure basing it off those we come across in traffic, talk to on the phone at work and home, grocery stores, etc.). Would it be safe to say that we have a minor, almost insignificant attitude towards someone we see. It is probably the easiest thing to judge someone by their appearance. They are not dressed as good as we are, they are not cheerful, they are not like me. If they are not like me, then they must be bad. Therefore I judge them as being less than a person. Just because they do not have the same life experiences, doesn’t mean God loves them any less. Honestly, my heart tends to go out to the less fortunates. But when I see someone who is just so successful, they can buy a car with cash every year, have a refrigerator full of food, donate tons of money to whatever charity just because it will be a tax write-off, and finally go on a month long vacation to some exotic land, I get envious. I judge them as some horrible person and think less of them as a person because obviously they are doing wrong due to their blessings of abundance. And that is just one of the 2,000 people I would see each day. God will judge me on how I judge others. Being self-righteous, I judge others, thinking I am Mr. Humility. I need to wear my hat of true humility and not have an attitude of thinking others as better than myself, right? Why do I make it so much harder than it really should be. I don’t know. Still, it is very enlightening. A self proclamation, if you will. Very well, everyone have a great day and rejoice in the Lord and what he has given you. As for me, I will play with this wonderful boy and eat the best PB and J in the world! Johnny Out.

Sunday, September 25th

Sunday, September 25th

Jeremiah 49:12-22
12 This is what the LORD says: "If those who do not deserve to drink the cup must drink it, why should you go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, but must drink it. 13 I swear by myself," declares the LORD, "that Bozrah will become a ruin and an object of horror, of reproach and of cursing; and all its towns will be in ruins forever." 14 I have heard a message from the LORD : An envoy was sent to the nations to say, "Assemble yourselves to attack it! Rise up for battle!" 15 "Now I will make you small among the nations, despised among men. 16 The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks, who occupy the heights of the hill. Though you build your nest as high as the eagle's, from there I will bring you down," declares the LORD. 17 "Edom will become an object of horror; all who pass by will be appalled and will scoff because of all its wounds. 18 As Sodom and Gomorrah were overthrown, along with their neighboring towns," says the LORD, "so no one will live there; no man will dwell in it. 19 "Like a lion coming up from Jordan's thickets to a rich pastureland, I will chase Edom from its land in an instant. Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this? Who is like me and who can challenge me? And what shepherd can stand against me?" 20 Therefore, hear what the LORD has planned against Edom, what he has purposed against those who live in Teman: The young of the flock will be dragged away; he will completely destroy their pasture because of them. 21 At the sound of their fall the earth will tremble; their cry will resound to the Red Sea. 22 Look! An eagle will soar and swoop down, spreading its wings over Bozrah. In that day the hearts of Edom's warriors will be like the heart of a woman in labor.

Today is a great day. I had issues with a great friend and today we can to a resolution, peaceful at that. I was a walking jungle gym to family. I love kids and until my health gives way, I will continue to do so. I guess I am just a big kid at heart. Something I have thought about since speaking with my friend is that forgiving and being forgiven is such a healing thing. I don’t know about him, but for me, I feel rejuvenated and my zeal is refreshed. It is great, to say the least. Could that be why so many in our society walk around with so much luggage? I know for me, it was extremely hard to forgive him, due to my past and how I had been treated by so many “friends.” It is unfortunate I placed him in with those people, but it happens. Sometime or another the past will come up and we have to deal with it. I wanted to share that before I dig into the scripture and my quiet time.

The pride of my heart will deceive me. You know that is what happened. My pride deceived me. I was wounded with an all to familiar sting, my pride crept up and told me that he was like the others before him. It wasn’t true, but I for whatever reason, believed it. Bitterness then pitched a tent in my heart and was started on plans of a very big house with many rooms, good to host a grand pity party. I preached to my wife about the angers I felt. She was very righteous, I am proud to say. She kept me in prayer and wanted me to seek counsel. Oh, the biggest thing was that when I told her I didn’t want to go to church, she suggested us going to the elders house church. I was like, “see the elder when I am in sin? You want me to be righteous?” I laughed it off, because I just wanted to run from the solution. I wanted to hold the sin over my friends head. “A guilty man flees though no one pursues…” it says that in Proverbs somewhere. Today, I felt much rejoicing in my heart. It was a good day. I think I am going to buy candy bars for my friends soon, when the money hits the bank. No money right now for gas. We have less than half a tank in one car and the other is riding on fumes. Guess what? We just got paid! And it is all gone. One way or another, things will work out. I did make a covenant today. Not with my eyes, I already did that and am doing very well with it. Today, I made a covenant with my heart to stay focused on my God. I made a covenant that I would let nothing stand in the way of my salvation, and that I would be devoted to studying the word. I do want to look at one definition, just because I am curious to see what the true meaning of deceive.

Deceive (verb):

1. To cause to believe what is not true; mislead.

I was so caught up in being right, that I caused myself to miss the true call of what I needed to do. I should have gone after my salvation, but instead I turned to the bitterness of my pride, returned to my vomit and my old ways. I missed the proverbial buss of salvation and took the taxi instead. You pay more with a taxi. But at least I got there and joyfully I might add. The trip, however, was a little bumpy and the air conditioner was out, but hey, an important lesson was learned and a deeper friendship resulted. Amen. God works in spite of myself. “Rejoice in the law of the Lord,” goes a song. Today, my quiet time, I simply lift praise to my Lord and rejoice. And the lesson I learned?

Tank of gas to church: $40.00
Breakfast at local donut shop: $5.00
Bible: $12.00
Songbooks: $12.00
Fellowship: $0.00
Repentance: Priceless

Thanks all for being patient with me. Johnny Out.

Saturday, September 24th

Saturday, September 24th

Jeremiah 48:26-31
26 "Make her drunk, for she has defied the LORD. Let Moab wallow in her vomit; let her be an object of ridicule. 27 Was not Israel the object of your ridicule? Was she caught among thieves, that you shake your head in scorn whenever you speak of her? 28 Abandon your towns and dwell among the rocks, you who live in Moab. Be like a dove that makes its nest at the mouth of a cave. 29 "We have heard of Moab's pride - her overweening pride and conceit, her pride and arrogance and the haughtiness of her heart. 30 I know her insolence but it is futile," declares the LORD, "and her boasts accomplish nothing. 31 Therefore I wail over Moab, for all Moab I cry out, I moan for the men of Kir Hareseth.

Wallow (verb):

1. To roll the body about indolently or clumsily in or as if in water, snow, vomit, or mud.


2. To luxuriate; revel.


3. To move with difficulty in a clumsy or rolling manner; flounder.

Haughtiness (noun):

1. Overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors.

Futile (adj.):

1. Having no useful result.


2. Trifling and frivolous; idle.

Proverbs 23:6-8
6 Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies; 7 for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you. 8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.

Proverbs 25:16-17
16 If you find honey, eat just enough - too much of it, and you will vomit. 17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house - too much of you, and he will hate you.

Proverbs 26:11
11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

2 Peter 2:21-22
21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22 Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and, "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud."

Romans 1:18-23
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature -have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Excuse (verb):

1. To explain (a fault or an offense) in the hope of being forgiven or understood.

Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

I have so many thoughts today. You know how we can all make excuses about this or that. I couldn’t give a dollar to a beggar because I could’ve held up traffic (one I actually used last night), I couldn’t go to church because I am mad at someone, or I couldn’t call someone and take 2 minutes out of my oh so busy day because I am so busy at work. An excuse is just self-justification to make myself feel better for hurting someone else. In a perfect world, we would take responsibility for our sins. The good old USA isn’t a society to do that. It is so much easier to blame someone else for our shortcomings. Right now I am wallowing in my sin. I am wallowing in my vomit. I feel my thinking is becoming futile. Normally with time, my anger subsides. For whatever reason, it did, but it is resurfacing with even more strength than a category 5 hurricane. How long will my anger dwell in the past? Why do I have such a strong hang-up over this issue in my heart? Why won’t my friends let their yes be yes and no be no? Right now, my thoughts truly have no useful result for me. They are without a doubt futile. I included the scripture from Romans 2 simply because I do not know if I am passing judgment on these people. I don’t know.

Condemn (verb):

1. Express strong disapproval of.


2. Declare or judge unfit.


3. Compel or force into a particular state or activity.


4. Demonstrate the guilt (of someone).


5. Pronounce a sentence (on somebody).

Looking at the definition of condemn, I would say that I have, in a way, condemned by expressing a strong disapproval of their actions. But, if I don’t disapprove, who are they going to change? How are they going to repent? If they don’t understand how it hurts others, then they would just continue to walk on everyone in their path, not understanding that what they are doing is walking themselves to a place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. On top of that, they could also take others down with them by their ignorance. Am I making an excuse for my anger here by justifying my actions? In a sense, Yes. But is it a righteous anger now? I honestly don’t know. It could be. I want to be resolved. I guess time will tell in what happens. Johnny Out.

Friday, September 23rd

Friday, September 23rd

Jeremiah 13:15-27
15 Hear and pay attention, do not be arrogant, for the LORD has spoken. 16 Give glory to the LORD your God before he brings the darkness, before your feet stumble on the darkening hills. You hope for light, but he will turn it to thick darkness and change it to deep gloom. 17 But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears, because the LORD's flock will be taken captive. 18 Say to the king and to the queen mother, "Come down from your thrones, for your glorious crowns will fall from your heads." 19 The cities in the Negev will be shut up, and there will be no one to open them. All Judah will be carried into exile, carried completely away. 20 Lift up your eyes and see those who are coming from the north. Where is the flock that was entrusted to you, the sheep of which you boasted? 21 What will you say when the LORD sets over you those you cultivated as your special allies? Will not pain grip you like that of a woman in labor? 22 And if you ask yourself, Why has this happened to me?" - it is because of your many sins that your skirts have been torn off and your body mistreated. 23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil. 24 "I will scatter you like chaff driven by the desert wind. 25 This is your lot, the portion I have decreed for you," declares the LORD, "because you have forgotten me and trusted in false gods. 26 I will pull up your skirts over your face that your shame may be seen - 27 your adulteries and lustful neighings, your shameless prostitution! I have seen your detestable acts on the hills and in the fields. Woe to you, O Jerusalem! How long will you be unclean?"

Chaff (noun):

1. Trivial or worthless matter.


2. The destruction of the wicked and their powerlessness.


3. Abortive wickedness.

Weep (verb):

1. To express emotion, such as grief or sadness, by shedding tears.


2. To mourn or grieve.

Accustomed (verb):

1. To familiarize, as by constant practice, use, or habit.

Lot (noun):

1. Something that befalls one because of or as if because of determination by lot.


2. One's fortune in life; fate.

John 11:35 Jesus wept.

I wanted to include this scripture as well, because I see how Jesus’ heart was, so soft, so open, and so humble. The response when those who saw him crying was this:

36Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"

My love for others can have an impact. What impact will it be? I guess it begs the question of what am I accustomed to? Because whatever it is that is my habit, so will be my lot. Now that I am a Christian, my habits of old need to be behind me. So what is a habit?

Habit (noun):

1. A recurrent, often unconscious pattern of behavior that is acquired through frequent repetition.


2. An established disposition of the mind or character.


3. Customary manner or practice.


4. An addiction.

Well, I am in the practice of having my quiet times. That is good. “Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.” It just sounds like a doomed statement. But I have hope.

Acts 2:38
38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Repent (verb):

1. To feel remorse, contrition, or self-reproach for what one has done or failed to do; be contrite.


2. To feel such regret for past conduct as to change one's mind regarding it.


3. To make a change for the better as a result of remorse or contrition for one's sins.

Repenting gives me a clean slate. I change the practice of evil and customize myself with doing good. If I continue to practice evil, I cannot do good. Those in the scripture above were doing evil and being prideful about it. They weren’t repenting. And so God was set about to humble them. What am I accustomed to? What habits to I have that do not please my Lord? Good questions I need to ask myself on a routine basis. Johnny Out.

Hurricane Rita and Texas

Here is my house in reference to Texas.


Here is the path of the Hurricane.

Come Sunday, there should be a Hurricane touching base with the Dallas area. How weird is that?

The Rita Storm

(from a friend of mine):

 

Hey all,

 

My father in law has been called out of retirement for FEMA. He told us to prepare for the coming storm, just in case.

 

You should have water and food that does not need to be cooked for 3 days. FEMA has stated that 50 miles within Houston area will be hardest hit but Dallas may very well have severe storms as a result of the storm. We should be prepared for up to 3 days of no power.

 

God willing it will not come to that but FEMA is preparing the area through Dallas just in case the storm doesn't weaken.

Thursday, September 22nd

Thursday, September 22nd

Jeremiah 13:1-11
1 This is what the LORD said to me: "Go and buy a linen belt and put it around your waist, but do not let it touch water." 2 So I bought a belt, as the LORD directed, and put it around my waist. 3 Then the word of the LORD came to me a second time: 4 "Take the belt you bought and are wearing around your waist, and go now to Perath and hide it there in a crevice in the rocks." 5 So I went and hid it at Perath, as the LORD told me. 6 Many days later the LORD said to me, "Go now to Perath and get the belt I told you to hide there." 7 So I went to Perath and dug up the belt and took it from the place where I had hidden it, but now it was ruined and completely useless. 8 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 9 "This is what the LORD says: 'In the same way I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. 10 These wicked people, who refuse to listen to my words, who follow the stubbornness of their hearts and go after other gods to serve and worship them, will be like this belt - completely useless! 11 For as a belt is bound around a man's waist, so I bound the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to me,' declares the LORD, 'to be my people for my renown and praise and honor. But they have not listened.'

Wicked (adj.):

1. Evil by nature and in practice.


2. Having committed unrighteous acts.


3. Intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality.


4. Morally bad or wrong.


5. Highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust.

Ruin (noun):

1. Total destruction or disintegration, either physical, moral, social, or economic.


2. A cause of total destruction.


3. The act of destroying totally.


4. A destroyed person, object, or building.


5. The remains of something destroyed, disintegrated, or decayed.

If I were to go after pride, if I were to do the morally wrong things… I will be brought to total destruction. God has done it before. Pride is wicked.

Genesis 6:5-7
5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth - men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air - for I am grieved that I have made them."

Something that caught my eye is how God wiped out animals with man. He was grieved so much to the point that he didn’t want the other creatures outside of man. A complete start over of the world.

Genesis 38:10 What he did was wicked in the LORD's sight; so he put him to death also.

Matthew 13:47-50
47 "Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 24:10-14
10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Luke 11:37-41
37 When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. 38 But the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised.

39 Then the Lord said to him, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.

If those in the society of the day where highly respected for their religiosity and knowledge of the word, and God saw them as full of greed and wickedness, how much more do I have to be concerned about my own heart? I could try to list every scripture that talks about wickedness in the bible, but being that there are over 450 scriptures that contain the root word of “wicked,” I would be here a while. Pharisee’s liked to look good to those around them. I like to look good. Am I Pharisee? That is a good question. I like to tell myself that I am not, but really… think about it. It is a question that should be asked on a continual basis, simply because there is not all that much different righteous and wicked, at least on the surface. Johnny Out.

Wisdom Quote of the Day - Thursday, September 22, 2005

Quote of the Day Thursday, September 22, 2005 You can always tell who's weak by who has the biggest reputation. - me (not Johnny) but i'll dedicate it to kelley who is completely confusing me now

Wednesday, September 21st

Wednesday, September 21st

Isaiah 43:14-28
14 This is what the LORD says - your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "For your sake I will send to Babylon and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians, in the ships in which they took pride. 15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel's Creator, your King." 16 This is what the LORD says - he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, 17 who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: 18 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. 20 The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, 21 the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise. 22 "Yet you have not called upon me, O Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for me, O Israel. 23 You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with grain offerings nor wearied you with demands for incense. 24 You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses. 25 "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. 26 Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence. 27 Your first father sinned; your spokesmen rebelled against me. 28 So I will disgrace the dignitaries of your temple, and I will consign Jacob to destruction and Israel to scorn.

Dwell (verb):

1. To live as a resident; reside.


2. To exist in a given place or state.

Weary (adj.):

1. Physically or mentally fatigued.


2. Expressive of or prompted by fatigue.


3. Having one's interest, forbearance, or indulgence worn out.


4. Causing fatigue; tiresome.

Burden (verb):

1. To weigh down; oppress.


2. To load or overload.

Blot (verb):

1. To bring moral disgrace to.


2. To obliterate.


3. To make obscure; hide.


4. To destroy utterly; annihilate

Transgression (noun):

1. A violation of a law, command, or duty.


2. The exceeding of due bounds or limits.

Relooking at verses 24 & 25, I see a bigger picture here. 24 You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have “weighed me down” with your sins and made me “physically fatigued” with your offenses. 25 "I, even I, am he who “annihilates” your “violations of the law,” for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.

Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

I thought of this scripture when I saw the word dwell.

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

So, Isaiah tells me to not live in the past and Matthew tells me to not worry about tomorrow. What about today?

Matthew 6:11 Give us today our daily bread.

Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Hebrews 4:7 Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." (A great scripture… I suggest reading the entire chapter. It is really great for the heart.)

After reading all these things, I think that a cause of pride is not being focused on real time. For those who don’t know, real time is right now. Not a minute from now, not a minute ago, but the present and current second of time. If I were to dwell in the past, I would see how things were “better,” and grumble like the ones in the desert, wanting to go back to Egypt and slavery. If I think about the future, I think of how hard things might be, what bills I may not be able to pay, the struggles I may have. It is my nature to want to see the glass “half-empty.” I force myself to be optimistic. To cover up my insecurities, I kid around a lot. God wants me to focus on today only to benefit me. God wouldn’t give me a snake instead of bread. Why would he not want me to dwell in the past or look to the future? Because he wants to give me bread. Johnny Out.

Wisdom Quote of the Day - Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Quote of the Day Wednesday, September 21, 2005 "There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance. That principle is contempt prior to investigation." - Herbert Spencer

Tuesday, September 20th

Tuesday, September 20th

Isaiah 37:21-35
21 Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Because you have prayed to me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria, 22 this is the word the LORD has spoken against him: "The Virgin Daughter of Zion despises and mocks you. The Daughter of Jerusalem tosses her head as you flee. 23 Who is it you have insulted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! 24 By your messengers you have heaped insults on the Lord. And you have said, 'With my many chariots I have ascended the heights of the mountains, the utmost heights of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the choicest of its pines. I have reached its remotest heights, the finest of its forests. 25 I have dug wells in foreign lands and drunk the water there. With the soles of my feet I have dried up all the streams of Egypt.' 26 "Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it. In days of old I planned it; now I have brought it to pass, that you have turned fortified cities into piles of stone. 27 Their people, drained of power, are dismayed and put to shame. They are like plants in the field, like tender green shoots, like grass sprouting on the roof, scorched before it grows up. 28 "But I know where you stay and when you come and go and how you rage against me. 29 Because you rage against me and because your insolence has reached my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will make you return by the way you came. 30 "This will be the sign for you, O Hezekiah: "This year you will eat what grows by itself, and the second year what springs from that. But in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 31 Once more a remnant of the house of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above. 32 For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. 33 "Therefore this is what the LORD says concerning the king of Assyria: "He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here. He will not come before it with shield or build a siege ramp against it. 34 By the way that he came he will return; he will not enter this city," declares the LORD. 35 "I will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David my servant!"

Parent (noun):

1. One who begets, gives birth to, or nurtures and raises a child; a father or mother.


2. A guardian; a protector.


3. A source or cause; an origin.


4. The material or source from which something is derived.

Parent (verb):

1. To act as a parent to; raise and nurture.


2. To cause to come into existence; originate.

Father (noun):

1. God; The first person of the Christian Trinity.


2. A man who begets or raises or nurtures a child.


3. A man who creates, originates, or founds something

Make (verb):

1. To cause to exist or happen; bring about.


2. To cause to be or become.


3. To begin or appear to begin an action.

When I read this scripture through, verse 29 really stood out to me. God says he is going to “make” them do something. I then thought about how, as a parent, when we discipline our children, we “make” them do what needs to be done. We call God our heavenly father. That makes him my heavenly parent. God nurtures me, he protects me, he is the source of me cause, my origin. Without him, I was nothing and would be nothing. That is because without him, I would be without a father and without a father I would not exist.


Rage (noun):

1. Violent, explosive anger.


2. A fit of anger.


3. Furious intensity, as of a storm or disease.

Blasphemy (noun):

1. A contemptuous or profane act, utterance, or writing concerning God or a sacred entity.


2. The act of claiming for oneself the attributes and rights of God.


3. An irreverent or impious act, attitude, or utterance in regard to something considered inviolable or sacrosanct.

Sacrosanct (adj.):

1. Regarded as sacred and inviolable.

Inviolable (adj.):

1. That cannot be transgressed or dishonored.


2. Cannot be violated.

Insult (verb):

1. To treat with gross insensitivity, insolence, or contemptuous rudeness.


2. To affront or demean

Heap (verb):

1. To put or throw in a pile.


2. To fill completely or to overflowing.


3. To bestow in abundance or lavishly

Despise (verb):

1. To regard with contempt or scorn.


2. To dislike intensely; loathe; abhor.


3. To regard as unworthy of one's interest or concern.

Abhor (verb):

1. To regard with horror or loathing; detest.

I like to do this sometimes. Take a sentence from the bible, dissect it through the dictionary to get a better picture to get the real horror of what God is saying. Verse 22-23:

"The Virgin Daughter of Zion despises (loathes with horror and deems you unworthy of concern) and mocks you. The Daughter of Jerusalem tosses her head as you flee. 23 Who is it you have insulted (treated with gross insensitivity and rudeness) and blasphemed (claimed for yourself the attributes and rights of God)? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!

I like doing this. It really shows me just how rotten I can be, and also shows me what I have been saved from. Sorry for all the definitions today. It is a little more than what I am used to doing. Johnny Out.

Wisdom Quote of the Day - Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Quote of the Day Tuesday, September 20, 2005 Let your mind be the lawn and your revelations be the mower. Every time the lawn is mowed it may seem smaller, but it has more opportunity for growth. - Ret

Chain Letter (edited)

Johnny’s Note: This is a chain letter I received, I edited it some, corrected grammar things somewhat (pretty hard to do sometimes). I took out the forward to everyone and your momma because I personally don’t believe my salvation and my love for God is based on how many people I forward an email to. Good stuff, though. Enjoy.

Read only if you have time for God. Let me tell you, make sure you read all the way to the bottom. I almost deleted this email but I was blessed when I got to the end.

God, when I received this e-mail, I thought...

I don't have time for this... And, this is really inappropriate during work.

Then, I realized that this kind of thinking is... Exactly, what has caused lot of the problems in our world today?

We try to keep God in church on Sunday morning... maybe, Sunday night... and, the unlikely event of a midweek service.

We do like to have Him around during sickness... and, of course, at funerals.

However, we don't have time, or room, for Him during work or play... Because.. That's the part of our lives we think... We can, and should, handle on our own.

May God forgive me for ever thinking that there is a time or place where he is not to be first in my life.

We should always have time to remember all HE has done for us.

If you aren't ashamed to do this then please follow the directions.

Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father."

Not ashamed?

Yes, I do Love God.

HE is my source of existence and Savior.

He keeps me functioning each and every day. Without Him, I will be nothing. But, with Christ, HE strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)

This is the simplest test.

If You Love God... And, are not ashamed of all the marvelous things HE has done for you...

THE POEM

I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.
So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,  
And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer.
No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.
I went before the Lord, I came,
I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands
God held a book; it was the book of life.
God looked into his book and said
"Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time"

Easy vs. Hard
Why is it so hard to tell the truth but yet so easy to tell a lie?

Why are we so sleepy in church but Right when the sermon is over we suddenly wake up?

Why is it so hard to talk about God but yet so easy to talk about nasty stuff?

Why is it so boring to look at a Christian magazine, but yet so easy to look at a nasty one?

Why is it so easy to delete a Godly e-mail, but yet we forward all of the nasty ones?

Why are the churches getting smaller but yet the bars and dance clubs are getting larger?

There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak..."I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the lad and asked, "What you got there, son?"

"Just some old birds," the boy replied.

"What are you going to do with them?" I asked.

"Take them home and have fun with them," he answered. "I'm going to tease them and pull out their feathers to make them fight. I'm going to have a real good time"

"But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do?"

"Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy. "They like birds. I'll take the birds to them."

The pastor was silent for a moment. "How much do you want for those birds, son?"

"What? Why, you don't want those birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They’re not even pretty!"

"How much?" the pastor asked again.

The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?"

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone.

The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free.

Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.

One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. "Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. I set a trap, and I used bait I knew they couldn't resist. I have them all!"

"What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked.

Satan replied, "Oh, I'm going to have fun! I'm going to teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm going to teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really going to have fun!"

"And what will you do when you get done with them?" Jesus asked.

"Oh, I'll kill them," Satan glared proudly.

"How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked.

"Oh, you don't want those people. They’re not good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!"

"How much?" He asked again.

Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood, tears and your life."

Jesus said, "DONE!"

Then He paid the price.

The pastor picked up the cage he opened the door and he walked from the pulpit.