An E-Mail in Search of Wisdom

October 30th, 2006

An E-Mail in Search of Wisdom

This e-mail was actually sent to me on 10/8/06 and I’ve been sitting on it, pondering it, letting it swirl around in my head for quite a time. The opening sentence is what gets me the most… I don’t believe I’m a wise person, but evidently Susan does, since she sent this directly to me, so she values my thoughts on the matter. I would appreciate it for those who I send this to, to read it over, and if you have any thoughts, to maybe send her an e-mail as well. You don’t have to, that’s your decision. After reading this over about a good two dozen times and praying about this, whether this is spam or not, I think it will still make for a great quiet time all the same.

Dear Church of Christ men,

If you believe you are a wise person, can you please help me with this scenario of conflict?

John owned a new house worth $200,000.00 and he was renting it to a friend (Doug) in the church.

One day Doug asked John if he could buy the house and so John agreed.

Because Doug was new to the country John decided to give him $30,000.00 off of the appraised value.

So the price was set at $170,000.00 and they agreed to the deal.

Because they were friends, John and Doug did not set a specific date for when Doug would need to obtain financing but John was expecting it to be 3 to 6 months at most.

However as time went on, Doug was unable to get financing but John was not concerned because they were good friends and he assumed that Doug would respect that properties do appreciate in value.

But then 1 and ½ years later, (when John and Doug were not as good friends anymore) Doug obtained adequate financing.

However, now the house had been appraised at $270,000.00.

Doug then went to John and insisted that he sell the house to him for $170,000.00.

John felt that the $30,000.00 that he had already given him was a very generous gift, and that Doug should really take into consideration that houses and land appreciate in value.

Doug strongly felt John was in the wrong.

Here are my questions:

1. Is greed involved here?
2. Could they both be greedy?
3. In your opinion which one more, Doug or John?
4. Is it possible for a person to be greedy and not know it?
5. If so, how can God condemn the greedy?
6. In short, how could this situation be resolved?

If you feel you have a clear answer to this situation, could you please email me, but please if possible, don’t email me without first sending this to someone else who you feel is wise - you must know someone. I would really like as many replies as possible to obtain a “FAIR” evaluation.

Please reply in the 1. 2. 3. Format

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your help.

Susan.
wisdomplease@shaw.ca
(All names assumed for privacy)

I personally feel there is way more to this story than what is given. I am not a lawyer or a judge, so I don’t know what an official would say. But I do know a little scripture, and that’s what I will address this with…

“If you believe you are a wise person…”

Isaiah 5:21
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.

Proverbs 28:11
A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.

“…when John and Doug were not as good friends anymore…”
This is a curious statement. Why are they not good friends anymore? Doug is still renting from John, so they still have monthly contact with each other, at least for rent. Hopefully, John and Doug are both faithfully going to church, so they have that contact as well. Something doesn’t seem right… there’s some information that is missing here.

1. Is greed involved here?
Maybe. Then again, maybe not. It could be a problem with undisclosed assumptions. John assumed but didn’t tell Doug things. Doug assumed but didn’t tell John things. As a result, feathers became ruffled, and what was already a failing friendship just became a bit tougher. Which of the two is going to be the bigger person?
2. Could they both be greedy?
Maybe. Then again, maybe not.
3. In your opinion which one more, Doug or John?
If greed is involved, which I can’t say that it was based on the information given (it’s a pretty short synopsis), I would say it was even-steven. But I don’t think greed was the real issue. I think it boils down to expectations not being lined out or voiced and a friendship that has grown distant and maybe hard feelings by a lack of love by one or both parties.
4. Is it possible for a person to be greedy and not know it?
Yes. Ignorance is not necessarily bliss.
5. If so, how can God condemn the greedy?
That’s a strange question. Matthew 19, Mark 10 and Luke 18 all discuss how greed can make it hard for a person who has wealth to make it to heaven. Mark 7:20-22 says, “He went on: What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’” And then there is Luke 12. And in that chapter one verse really sums up everything: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
6. In short, how could this situation be resolved?
Matthew 5:21-26
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”

This is good, but the real issue is the two greatest commands. John and Doug need to be resolved with each other, I am sure anger has settled in between the two.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Matthew 22:36-40
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

So how can this situation be resolved? How can many situations be prevented/resolved? Love God with every ounce of my being, or in this case, John and Doug love God with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their mind. And then, to love each other as they would love themselves. Hypothetical or not, they come to talk to each other with a humble heart, a loving heart for God and each other, then it should be resolved fairly quickly.

And then, there is also Matthew 18.

I think this was fun. I don’t know if I did all that good a job with addressing the questions, but I did enjoy studying the scriptures. It was nice to break away from crushing my brain into commentaries and M’s, L’s, J’s and Q’s… it’s just a great feeling. And now, I have to go back to squishing my brain into these things. I will say this, I am learning a lot, but I really miss doing my Quiet Times the way that I was doing them before. Hopefully, soon, I can get back to doing them that way. Johnny Out.

Wisdom Please

Dear Church of Christ men,

If you believe you are a wise person, can you please help me with this scenario of conflict?

John owned a new house worth $200,000.00 and he was renting it to a friend (Doug) in the church.

One day Doug asked John if he could buy the house and so John agreed.

Because Doug was new to the country John decided to give him $30,000.00 off of the appraised value.

So the price was set at $170,000.00 and they agreed to the deal.

Because they were friends, John and Doug did not set a specific date for when Doug would need to obtain financing but John was expecting it to be 3 to 6 months at most.

However as time went on, Doug was unable to get financing but John was not concerned because they were good friends and he assumed that Doug would respect that properties do appreciate in value.

But then 1 and ½ years later, (when John and Doug were not as good friends anymore) Doug obtained adequate financing.

However, now the house had been appraised at $270,000.00.

Doug then went to John and insisted that he sell the house to him for $170,000.00.

John felt that the $30,000.00 that he had already given him was a very generous gift, and that Doug should really take into consideration that houses and land appreciate in value.

Doug strongly felt John was in the wrong.

Here are my questions;

1. Is greed involved here?
2. Could they both be greedy?
3. In your opinion which one more, Doug or John?
4. Is it possible for a person to be greedy and not know it?
5. If so, how can God condemn the greedy?
6. In short, how could this situation be resolved?

If you feel you have a clear answer to this situation, could you please email me, but please if possible, don't email me without first sending this to someone else who you feel is wise - you must know someone. I would really like as many replies as possible to obtain a "FAIR" evaluation.

Please reply in the 1. 2. 3. Format

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your help.

Susan.
wisdomplease@shaw.ca
(All names assumed for privacy)

Essay Paper: Due 11/3/06

Write a six page double-spaced paper on a passage you learned from the New Testament that is most meaningful to you. You may include information about the book in which the passage is found such as its’ background, context, etc. Discuss the reason you selected the particular passage. What is the application of the passage to life? The paper will be graded on content (accuracy of information, relevance) and style (grammar, spelling, arrangement, and interaction with material). Please include a Bibliography, Table of Contents, and a Cover Page.

Scripture Focus:

James 1:12-15
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Sources: (NEED 5)
[1] Title: James: Wisdom of James, Disciple of Jesus the Sage (eBook), New Testament Readings by Bauckham, Richard. Publication: London; New York Routledge, 1999.

[2] Title: Hebrews and James (eBook), Westminster Bible Companion by Gench, Frances Taylor. Publication: Louisville, KY. Westminster John Knox Press, 1996.

[3] Title: First and Second Peter, James, and Jude (eBook), Interpretation, A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching by Perkins, Pheme. Publication: Louisville, KY. Westminster John Knox Press, 1995.

Notes:
Source of James’ writings would be that of Q [1].
Aphorism in synonymous couplets – used mostly in the Old Testament, like in Proverbs and the Psalms; James tends to make use of them in his book, although more of a minor factor compared to the books previously mentioned [1]. He does use it in the verse that we are looking at in this essay.
Step-Sayings (sorites) – found in 1:15, also in 1:3-4 – these are A leads to B which leads to C follows by D… and then all of a sudden, you end up at H and you don’t know how you got there. [1] pg. 44-45
Debate-Sayings – found in 1:13 – echoed in Ecclesiastes 7:10, Proverbs 20:22 and 24:29
Trials and Temptation – trials are a joy, due to the growth from which they bring about in a person [2] (pg 91). In hardship, one is to draw closer to God for strength, love, peace, and understanding.
God’s Role in Trials and Temptations – peirasmos is a Greek word that means both trials and temptations. It is used in the chosen study verse and also shows that God does not lead me into sin, but my own sinful desire to do so [2] (pg 94).
Verse 12 is considered to be that of a beatitude and it reflects back to verses 2 thru 4 [3] (pg 100).
Evil lies completely in the hand man, from where the origin of sin lies. Trials shift from a suffering of a community or personal standpoint to that of an internal battle and also echoes with that of Romans 7 [3] (pg 101).

Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down

October 19th, 2006

A Smoking Study: Edition III – Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down

(Notes from friends)
#1: Great Study Jon. I think you have hit the nail on the head so to speak. Getting the heart to respond to knowledge takes conviction. If you think about what builds up your convictions to not smoke, that may help as well. A brother did a study recently and shared with me the differences and nuances between commands, convictions and mere preferences, and how we move back and forth in our actions these and where we get our convictions and preferences, and how we choose them. If I can get it from him, I will forward it to you. It really made me think.

I am sorry you are struggling with cigarettes, and I know how addictive they are. I also know you can beat them with God’s help. Let’s talk soon. I know having someone to share and get hope from is vital too.

Remember and read Psalm 32, Ephesians 3:17-21, and Ephesians 5:8-18.

God loves you, we love you, and I love you.

Take heart, Jesus has paid the price for us to receive this love and be blameless in God’s sight. Let this grace guide your actions.

#2: I commend you all for stopping such a horrible habit. I can not say that I understand where you are coming from. I am one of the few who never picked up that habit. My mother smoked, A LOT, our clothes smelled, our home smelled and her relentless coughing. Both my sister and I never once thought about starting. My mom succumbed to cancer March of 2005, she was 54.

I never thought of it that way, about loving your neighbor and all. If one really cares about others, they would not subject them to a carcinogen.

I just wanted to lift you up! Well, continued luck in your fight with this addiction. Always remember that God can cure you, if you let him.

-

Again, this is great feedback. I really appreciate it, the encouragement, the sharing, and the scripture. Keep them it coming.

Capsicum Oleoresin: Is commonly used as an Elephant Repellent in Zimbabwe; used in cigarettes.

Jack wakes up with a huge hangover after attending his company’s Christmas Party. Jack is not normally a drinker, but the drinks didn't taste like alcohol at all. He didn’t even remember how he got home from the party. As bad as he was feeling, he wondered if he did something wrong.

Jack had to force himself to open his eyes, and the first thing he sees is a couple of aspirins next to a glass of water on the side table. And, next to them, a single red rose! Jack sits up and sees his clothing in front of him, all clean and pressed. He looks around the room and sees that it is in perfect order, spotlessly clean. So is the rest of the house.

He takes the aspirins, cringes when he sees a huge black eye staring back at Him in the bathroom mirror. Then he notices a note hanging on the corner of the mirror written in red with little hearts on it and a kiss mark from his wife in lipstick: “Honey, breakfast is on the stove, I left early to get groceries to make you your favorite dinner tonight. I love you, darling! Love, Jillian”

He stumbles to the kitchen and sure enough, there is hot breakfast, steaming hot coffee and the morning newspaper. His son is also at the table, eating. Jack asks, “Son… what happened last night?”

“Well, you came home after 3 A.M., drunk and out of your mind. You fell over the coffee table and broke it, and then you puked in the hallway, and got that black eye when you ran into the door.”

Confused, he asked his son, “So, why is everything in such perfect order and so clean? I have a rose, and breakfast is on the table waiting for me?”

His son replies, “Oh THAT! Mom dragged you to the bedroom, and when she tried to take your pants off, you screamed, ‘Leave me alone, I’m married!!’”

Broken Coffee Table $239.99
Hot Breakfast $4.20
Two Aspirins $.38
Saying the right thing, at the right time… PRICELESS

Yeah, there’s some humor here, but the dude doesn’t even remember how he got home. SCARY! And he broke the coffee table and puked on the floor. NICE! Ah, the glories of binge drinking, whether it tastes like alcohol or not, if it has alcohol in it, its still alcohol. And the same goes for smoking cigarettes, if it has nicotine in it, whether a patch, cigar, pipe, or cigarette, whatever form you take it in and whatever taste it has, good taste or bad, it isn’t good for the body.

Psalm 32
Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD” - and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah. Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 5:8-21
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is good stuff! I will look at these scriptures in more detail, especially the parts that are in bold… I need to get back to my homework, but GREAT STUFF.

The Book of James

This is what I will be studying for a paper that I will hopefully turn in by Friday.

The Book of James

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all he created.

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does.

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder.

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

Medications and Such

Now these things change over time. Like the CFS and Bio E are currently on hold due to complications, I may be able to go back on them at a later date, but then I may not and be given a substitute. If the tests come back positive for Mercury Poisoning, when I start the MAJOR detox program, I will drop several of my medications completely, maybe all of them. I'm not sure how that will work. It's definitely interesting to say the least.

Smoke Signals

October 16th, 2006

A Smoking Study: Edition II – Smoke Signals

(Notes from friends)
#1: I just wanted to mention a couple of things about when I quit smoking 11 years ago. I remember those anxious feelings and crabby attitudes I had that controlled my thoughts whenever I craved a cigarette I really turned that anger towards the companies that made money off of an addiction that their products caused (I hope you take that in context, because I do take responsibility for my own addiction and sin.). I couldn’t even bare the thought of giving them another dime by buying a pack from them. Think about all of the people that have flat out died because of them. All the people that are going through the same thing you are because of them. I will not support an industry that hurts so many people and all for a few dollars in their pockets. Another thing has been brought to my attention recently and that is “Love is not rude” smoking is just rude to all those who com in contact with you. “Love your neighbor” how can you say you love your neighbor and support all the above mentioned things. I don’t know if this will help but it sure helped me in a time when I needed it.

#2: Personally, what helped me stop to smoking before and even after I became a disciple (and I struggled like a mad woman trying to stop), I want to share the scripture where God plain and simple spoke to me that night I said “good bye” forever to cigarettes.

The cost of following Jesus is not easy, but is a commitment that I made and honor. I can’t have the bible in one hand and a cigarette in the other. It's just not right.

Luke 9:62
Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow (bible) and looks back (old way of life) is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

That alone did what I couldn’t do by myself.

-

Thanks, I always appreciate feedback. And I appreciate the anger check on the cigarette companies, but I’m not angry at them. What I am trying to build is a case of “why do I ever want to even remotely consider letting one brain cell buy a pack of cigarettes again”. And the way I am doing that is by showing my self the dangers of cigarettes and their contents and also with scripture. And I’m going to beat this dead horse into the ground until I feel my heart has really grasped it and embraced it. That, to me, is the point of a quiet time. I really want to learn something here. And if someone wants to pop in with “helpin’ a brotha’ out”, well, I most certainly encourage that.

6-Acetoxydihydrotheaspirane: Industry claims used in: baked goods, instant coffee/tea, snacks, soups, seasonings, meat products Properties: industry claims FEMA GRAS; used in cigarettes.

Romans 7:7-25
What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead. Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.

For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Proverbs 26:1-12 (the fool verses)
Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool. Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. A whip for the horse, a halter for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools! Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. Like cutting off one’s feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool. Like a lame man’s legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. Like a thorn-bush in a drunkard’s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or any passer-by. As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Luke 9:57-62
As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good bye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

This is good stuff to think about. How many “buts” are there? Of course, with cigarettes, there is always a butt with each cigarette, and that means there is always a look back. And in that day, when you plowed with an ox, you had to have both hands on the thingamajig (steering wheel, for lack of a better phrase), and if you took one hand off and turned to one side or the other, well, the ox also turned in that direction due to the thingamajig turning. That was the technology of the day. I guess to modernize it in my mind… anyone who listens to a CD and stops half-way through is not fit for the kingdom of God. God doesn’t want someone to come in and give a half-hearted effort. He wants the whole deal or no deal. I guess it’s like that game – DEAL or NO DEAL. God doesn’t care how much he ends up with, so long as it is a complete effort, whether $1 or $1 million… God is willing to make the deal, so long as I am.

Up in Smoke

October 14th, 2006

A Smoking Study – Up in Smoke

I’ve done the Smoking Study over and over again… and it just doesn’t do anything for me, honestly. And I don’t know why that is, but I do know that if it doesn’t do it for me, I have the resources here to maybe create something to where a new study, made especially for me heart to be convicted about this subject. I still have struggles with smoking, and have been on-and-off-and-on-and-off for quite a while. I had talked to the guys in CR about “Billboards” a good long time ago, and I recently had a thought about that and just the importance of doing something when the initial struggle comes along. When temptation comes knocking in whatever form it so chooses, the choice is to go it alone or to call someone. If one goes alone, failure normally awaits, either in an empty victory filled with pride of “I did it” or the more normal failure of simply giving into temptation. The other option of calling someone, introduces accountability and prayer. So in that case, a friend knows and when two are gathered, God is with you. And that means God is there to give strength. I’ve been suffering from both of the failure options and none of the successes. And I have no one to blame but myself.

Acetanisole, Acetic Acid, Acetoin, Acetophenone, 6-Acetoxydihydrotheaspirane, 2-Acetyl-3- Ethylpyrazine, 2-Acetyl-5-Methylfuran, Acetylpyrazine, 2-Acetylpyridine, 3-Acetylpyridine, 2-Acetylthiazole, Aconitic Acid, dl-Alanine, Alfalfa Extract, Allspice Extract,Oleoresin, and Oil, Allyl Hexanoate, Allyl Ionone, Almond Bitter Oil, Ambergris Tincture, Ammonia, Ammonium Bicarbonate, Ammonium Hydroxide, Ammonium Phosphate Dibasic, Ammonium Sulfide, Amyl Alcohol, Amyl Butyrate, Amyl Format, Amyl Octanoate, alpha-Amylcinnamaldehyde, Amyris Oil, trans-Anethole, Angelica Root Extract, Oil and Seed Oil, Anise, Anise Star, Extract and Oils, Anisyl Acetate, Anisyl Alcohol, Anisyl Formate, Anisyl Phenylacetate, Apple Juice Concentrate, Extract, and Skins, Apricot Extract and Juice Concentrate, 1-Arginine, Asafetida Fluid Extract And Oil, Ascorbic Acid, 1-Asparagine Monohydrate, 1-Aspartic Acid, Balsam Peru and Oil, Basil Oil, Bay Leaf, Oil and Sweet Oil, Beeswax White, Beet Juice Concentrate, Benzaldehyde, Benzaldehyde Glyceryl Acetal, Benzoic Acid, Benzoin, Benzoin Resin, Benzophenone, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Butyrate, Benzyl Cinnamate, Benzyl Propionate, Benzyl Salicylate, Bergamot Oil, Bisabolene, Black Currant Buds Absolute, Borneol, Bornyl Acetate, Buchu Leaf Oil, 1,3-Butanediol, 2,3-Butanedione, 1-Butanol, 2-Butanone, 4(2-Butenylidene)-3,5,5-Trimethyl-2-Cyclohexen-1-One, Butter, Butter Esters, and Butter Oil, Butyl Acetate, Butyl Butyrate, Butyl Butyryl Lactate, Butyl Isovalerate, Butyl Phenylacetate, Butyl Undecylenate, 3-Butylidenephthalide, Butyric Acid, Cadinene, Caffeine, Calcium Carbonate, Camphene, Cananga Oil, Capsicum Oleoresin, Caramel Color, Caraway Oil, Carbon Dioxide, Cardamom Oleoresin, Extract, Seed Oil, and Powder, Carob Bean and Extract, beta-Carotene, Carrot Oil, Carvacrol, 4-Carvomenthenol, 1-Carvone, beta-Caryophyllene, beta-Caryophyllene Oxide, Cascarilla Oil and Bark Extract, Cassia Bark Oil, Cassie Absolute and Oil, Castoreum Extract, Tincture and Absolute, Cedar Leaf Oil, Cedarwood Oil Terpenes and Virginiana, Cedrol, Celery Seed Extract, Solid, Oil, And Oleoresin, Cellulose Fiber, Chamomile Flower Oil And Extract, Chicory Extract, Chocolate, Cinnamaldehyde, Cinnamic Acid, Cinnamon Leaf Oil, Bark Oil, and Extract, Cinnamyl Acetate, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Cinnamyl Cinnamate, Cinnamyl Isovalerate, Cinnamyl Propionate, Citral, Citric Acid, Citronella Oil, dl-Citronellol, Citronellyl Butyrate, itronellyl Isobutyrate, Civet Absolute, Clary Oil, Clover Tops, Red Solid Extract, Cocoa, Cocoa Shells, Extract, Distillate And Powder, Coconut Oil, Coffee, Cognac White and Green Oil, Copaiba Oil, Coriander Extract and Oil, Corn Oil, Corn Silk, Costus Root Oil, Cubeb Oil, Cuminaldehyde, para-Cymene, 1-Cysteine, Dandelion Root Solid Extract, Davana Oil, 2-trans, 4-trans-Decadienal, delta-Decalactone, gamma-Decalactone, Decanal, Decanoic Acid, 1-Decanol, 2-Decenal, Dehydromenthofurolactone, Diethyl Malonate, Diethyl Sebacate, 2,3-Diethylpyrazine, Dihydro Anethole, 5,7-Dihydro-2-Methylthieno(3,4-D) Pyrimidine, Dill Seed Oil and Extract, meta-Dimethoxybenzene, para-Dimethoxybenzene, 2,6-Dimethoxyphenol, Dimethyl Succinate, 3,4-Dimethyl-1,2 Cyclopentanedione, 3,5- Dimethyl-1,2-Cyclopentanedione, 3,7-Dimethyl-1,3,6-Octatriene, 4,5-Dimethyl-3-Hydroxy-2,5-Dihydrofuran-2-One, 6,10-Dimethyl-5,9-Undecadien-2-One, 3,7-Dimethyl-6-Octenoic Acid, 2,4 Dimethylacetophenone, alpha,para-Dimethylbenzyl Alcohol, alpha,alpha-Dimethylphenethyl Acetate, alpha,alpha Dimethylphenethyl Butyrate, 2,3-Dimethylpyrazine, 2,5-Dimethylpyrazine, 2,6-Dimethylpyrazine, Dimethyltetrahydrobenzofuranone, delta-Dodecalactone, gamma-Dodecalactone, para-Ethoxybenzaldehyde, Ethyl 10-Undecenoate, Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate, Ethyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetoacetate, Ethyl Alcohol, Ethyl Benzoate, Ethyl Butyrate, Ethyl Cinnamate, Ethyl Decanoate, Ethyl Fenchol, Ethyl Furoate, Ethyl Heptanoate, Ethyl Hexanoate, Ethyl Isovalerate, Ethyl Lactate, Ethyl Laurate, Ethyl Levulinate, Ethyl Maltol, Ethyl Methyl Phenylglycidate, Ethyl Myristate, Ethyl Nonanoate, Ethyl Octadecanoate, Ethyl Octanoate, Ethyl Oleate, Ethyl Palmitate, Ethyl Phenylacetate, Ethyl Propionate, Ethyl Salicylate, Ethyl trans-2-Butenoate, Ethyl Valerate, Ethyl Vanillin, 2-Ethyl (or Methyl)-(3,5 and 6)-Methoxypyrazine, 2-Ethyl-1-Hexanol, 3-Ethyl -2 -Hydroxy-2-Cyclopenten-1-One, 2-Ethyl-3, (5 or 6)-Dimethylpyrazine, 5-Ethyl-3-Hydroxy-4-Methyl-2(5H)-Furanone, 2-Ethyl-3-Methylpyrazine, 4-Ethylbenzaldehyde, 4-Ethylguaiacol, para-Ethylphenol, 3-Ethylpyridine, Eucalyptol, Farnesol, D-Fenchone, Fennel Sweet Oil, Fenugreek, Extract, Resin, and Absolute, Fig Juice Concentrate, Food Starch Modified, Furfuryl Mercaptan, 4-(2-Furyl)-3-Buten-2-One, Galbanum Oil, Genet Absolute, Gentian Root Extract, Geraniol, Geranium Rose Oil, Geranyl Acetate, Geranyl Butyrate, Geranyl Formate, Geranyl Isovalerate, Geranyl Phenylacetate, Ginger Oil and Oleoresin, 1-Glutamic Acid, 1-Glutamine, Glycerol, Glycyrrhizin Ammoniated, Grape Juice Concentrate, Guaiac Wood Oil, Guaiacol, Guar Gum, 2,4-Heptadienal, gamma-Heptalactone, Heptanoic Acid, 2-Heptanone, 3-Hepten-2-One, 2-Hepten-4-One, 4-Heptenal, trans -2-Heptenal, Heptyl Acetate, omega-6-Hexadecenlactone, gamma-Hexalactone, Hexanal, Hexanoic Acid, 2-Hexen-1-Ol, 3-Hexen-1-Ol, cis-3-Hexen-1-Yl Acetate, 2-Hexenal, 3-Hexenoic Acid, trans-2-Hexenoic Acid, cis-3-Hexenyl Formate, Hexyl 2-Methylbutyrate, Hexyl Acetate, Hexyl Alcohol, Hexyl Phenylacetate, 1-Histidine, Honey, Hops Oil, Hydrolyzed Milk Solids, Hydrolyzed Plant Proteins, 5-Hydroxy-2,4-Decadienoic Acid delta- Lactone, 4-Hydroxy-2,5-Dimethyl-3(2H)-Furanone, 2-Hydroxy-3,5,5-Trimethyl-2-Cyclohexen-1-One, 4-Hydroxy -3-Pentenoic Acid Lactone, 2-Hydroxy-4-Methylbenzaldehyde, 4-Hydroxybutanoic Acid Lactone, Hydroxycitronellal, 6-Hydroxydihydrotheaspirane, 4-(para-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-Butanone, Hyssop Oil, Immortelle Absolute and Extract, alpha-Ionone, beta-Ionone, alpha-Irone, Isoamyl Acetate, Isoamyl Benzoate, Isoamyl Butyrate, Isoamyl Cinnamate, Isoamyl Formate, Isoamyl Hexanoate, Isoamyl Isovalerate, Isoamyl Octanoate, Isoamyl Phenylacetate, Isobornyl Acetate, Isobutyl Acetate, Isobutyl Alcohol, Isobutyl Cinnamate, Isobutyl Phenylacetate, Isobutyl Salicylate, 2-Isobutyl-3-Methoxypyrazine, alpha-Isobutylphenethyl Alcohol, Isobutyraldehyde, Isobutyric Acid, d,l-Isoleucine, alpha-Isomethylionone, 2-Isopropylphenol, Isovaleric Acid, Jasmine Absolute, Concrete and Oil, Kola Nut Extract, Labdanum Absolute and Oleoresin, Lactic Acid, Lauric Acid, Lauric Aldehyde, Lavandin Oil, Lavender Oil, Lemon Oil and Extract, Lemongrass Oil, 1-Leucine, Levulinic Acid, Licorice Root, Fluid, Extract and Powder, Lime Oil, Linalool, Linalool Oxide, Linalyl Acetate, Linden Flowers, Lovage Oil And Extract, 1-Lysine, Mace Powder, Extract and Oil, Magnesium Carbonate, Malic Acid, Malt and Malt Extract, Maltodextrin, Maltol, Maltyl Isobutyrate, Mandarin Oil, Maple Syrup and Concentrate, Mate Leaf, Absolute and Oil, para-Mentha-8-Thiol-3-One, Menthol, Menthone, Menthyl Acetate, dl-Methionine, Methoprene, 2-Methoxy-4-Methylphenol, 2-Methoxy-4-Vinylphenol, para-Methoxybenzaldehyde, 1-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-1-Penten-3-One, 4-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-2-Butanone, 1-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-2-Propanone, Methoxypyrazine, Methyl 2-Furoate, Methyl 2-Octynoate, Methyl 2-Pyrrolyl Ketone, Methyl Anisate, Methyl Anthranilate, Methyl Benzoate, Methyl Cinnamate, Methyl Dihydrojasmonate, Methyl Ester of Rosin, Partially Hydrogenated, Methyl Isovalerate, Methyl Linoleate (48%), Methyl Linolenate (52%) Mixture, Methyl Naphthyl Ketone, Methyl Nicotinate, Methyl Phenylacetate, Methyl Salicylate, Methyl Sulfide, 3-Methyl-1-Cyclopentadecanone, 4-Methyl-1-Phenyl-2-Pentanone, 5-Methyl-2-Phenyl-2-Hexenal, 5-Methyl-2-Thiophenecarboxaldehyde, 6-Methyl-3,-5-Heptadien-2-One, 2-Methyl-3-(para-Isopropylphenyl) Propionaldehyde, 5-Methyl-3-Hexen-2-One, 1-Methyl-3Methoxy-4-Isopropylbenzene, 4-Methyl-3-Pentene-2-One, 2-Methyl-4-Phenylbutyraldehyde, 6-Methyl-5-Hepten-2-One, 4-Methyl-5-Thiazoleethanol, 4-Methyl-5-Vinylthiazole, Methyl-alpha-Ionone, Methyl-trans-2-Butenoic Acid, 4-Methylacetophenone, para-Methylanisole, alpha-Methylbenzyl Acetate, alpha-Methylbenzyl Alcohol, 2-Methylbutyraldehyde, 3-Methylbutyraldehyde, 2-Methylbutyric Acid, alpha-Methylcinnamaldehyde, Methylcyclopentenolone, 2-Methylheptanoic Acid, 2-Methylhexanoic Acid, 3-Methylpentanoic Acid, 4-Methylpentanoic Acid, 2-Methylpyrazine, 5-Methylquinoxaline, 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran-3-One, (Methylthio)Methylpyrazine (Mixture Of Isomers), 3-Methylthiopropionaldehyde, Methyl 3-Methylthiopropionate, 2-Methylvaleric Acid, Mimosa Absolute and Extract, Molasses Extract and Tincture, Mountain Maple Solid Extract, Mullein Flowers, Myristaldehyde, Myristic Acid, Myrrh Oil, beta-Napthyl Ethyl Ether, Nerol, Neroli Bigarde Oil, Nerolidol, Nona-2-trans,6-cis-Dienal, 2,6-Nonadien-1-Ol, gamma-Nonalactone, Nonanal, Nonanoic Acid, Nonanone, trans-2-Nonen-1-Ol, 2-Nonenal, Nonyl Acetate, Nutmeg Powder and Oil, Oak Chips Extract and Oil, Oak Moss Absolute, 9,12-Octadecadienoic Acid (48%) And 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic Acid (52%), delta-Octalactone, gamma-Octalactone, Octanal, Octanoic Acid, 1-Octanol, 2-Octanone, 3-Octen-2-One, 1-Octen-3-Ol, 1-Octen-3-Yl Acetate, 2-Octenal, Octyl Isobutyrate, Oleic Acid, Olibanum Oil, Opoponax Oil And Gum, Orange Blossoms Water, Absolute, and Leaf Absolute, Orange Oil and Extract, Origanum Oil, Orris Concrete Oil and Root Extract, Palmarosa Oil, Palmitic Acid, Parsley Seed Oil, Patchouli Oil, omega-Pentadecalactone, 2,3-Pentanedione, 2-Pentanone, 4-Pentenoic Acid, 2-Pentylpyridine, Pepper Oil, Black And White, Peppermint Oil, Peruvian (Bois De Rose) Oil, Petitgrain Absolute, Mandarin Oil and Terpeneless Oil, alpha-Phellandrene, 2-Phenenthyl Acetate, Phenenthyl Alcohol, Phenethyl Butyrate, Phenethyl Cinnamate, Phenethyl Isobutyrate, Phenethyl Isovalerate, Phenethyl Phenylacetate, Phenethyl Salicylate, 1-Phenyl-1-Propanol, 3-Phenyl-1-Propanol, 2-Phenyl-2-Butenal, 4-Phenyl-3-Buten-2-Ol, 4-Phenyl-3-Buten-2-One, Phenylacetaldehyde, Phenylacetic Acid, 1-Phenylalanine, 3-Phenylpropionaldehyde, 3-Phenylpropionic Acid, 3-Phenylpropyl Acetate, 3-Phenylpropyl Cinnamate, 2-(3-Phenylpropyl)Tetrahydrofuran, Phosphoric Acid, Pimenta Leaf Oil, Pine Needle Oil, Pine Oil, Scotch, Pineapple Juice Concentrate, alpha-Pinene, beta-Pinene, D-Piperitone, Piperonal, Pipsissewa Leaf Extract, Plum Juice, Potassium Sorbate, 1-Proline, Propenylguaethol, Propionic Acid, Propyl Acetate, Propyl para-Hydroxybenzoate, Propylene Glycol, 3-Propylidenephthalide, Prune Juice and Concentrate, Pyridine, Pyroligneous Acid And Extract, Pyrrole, Pyruvic Acid, Raisin Juice Concentrate, Rhodinol, Rose Absolute and Oil, Rosemary Oil, Rum, Rum Ether, Rye Extract, Sage, Sage Oil, and Sage Oleoresin, Salicylaldehyde, Sandalwood Oil, Yellow, Sclareolide, Skatole, Smoke Flavor, Snakeroot Oil, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Solanone, Spearmint Oil, Styrax Extract, Gum and Oil, Sucrose Octaacetate, Sugar Alcohols, Sugars, Tagetes Oil, Tannic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Tea Leaf and Absolute, alpha-Terpineol, Terpinolene, Terpinyl Acetate, 5,6,7,8-Tetrahydroquinoxaline, 1,5,5,9-Tetramethyl-13-Oxatricyclo(8.3.0.0(4,9))Tridecane, 2,3,4,5, and 3,4,5,6-Tetramethylethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Thiazole, 1-Threonine, Thyme Oil, White and Red, Thymol, Tobacco Extracts, Tochopherols (mixed), Tolu Balsam Gum and Extract, Tolualdehydes, para-Tolyl 3-Methylbutyrate, para-Tolyl Acetaldehyde, para-Tolyl Acetate, para-Tolyl Isobutyrate, para-Tolyl Phenylacetate, Triacetin, 2-Tridecanone, 2-Tridecenal, Triethyl Citrate, 3,5,5-Trimethyl -1-Hexanol, para,alpha,alpha-Trimethylbenzyl Alcohol, 4-(2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohex-1-Enyl)But-2-En-4-One, 2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohex-2-Ene-1,4-Dione, 2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohexa-1,3-Dienyl Methan, 4-(2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohexa-1,3-Dienyl)But-2-En-4-One, 2,2,6-Trimethylcyclohexanone, 2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine, 1-Tyrosine, delta-Undercalactone, gamma-Undecalactone, Undecanal, 2-Undecanone, 1, 0-Undecenal, Urea, Valencene, Valeraldehyde, Valerian Root Extract, Oil and Powder, Valeric Acid, gamma-Valerolactone, Valine, Vanilla Extract And Oleoresin, Vanillin, Veratraldehyde, Vetiver Oil, Vinegar, Violet Leaf Absolute, Walnut Hull Extract, Water, Wheat Extract And Flour, Wild Cherry Bark Extract, Wine and Wine Sherry, Xanthan Gum, 3,4-Xylenol, Yeast

These are the ingredients to make the best cake in the whole wide world. OK, not true, these are the additives to a cigarette that is approved by the US government. And the total for the additives is 599 according to the site “quit smoking” (http://quitsmoking.about.com/). There are four words associated with a cigarette: Toxic, Ciliotoxic, Carcinogenic, and Co-carcinogenic/Promoter. Before I hit scripture, I think it is important to define these four and give an example of one that is in a cigarette.

Toxic (adjective):

• Capable of causing injury or death, especially by chemical means; poisonous.


• Acting as or having the effect of a poison; poisonous.

Ammonia (noun): -a toxin-

• A colorless, pungent, suffocating, highly water-soluble, gaseous compound, NH3, usually produced by the direct combination of nitrogen and hydrogen gases: used chiefly for refrigeration and in the manufacture of commercial chemicals and laboratory reagents.

Ciliotoxic (noun):

• (To be clear, this is a definition of my own, due to none available in any dictionary that I could find) Ciliotoxic deals with the slowing down and death of cilia type tissue within the body by slowing down the beats of the cilia. If frequently repeated, the tissue would eventually die and need to be replaced with new cells. Permanent damage results in throat cancer and damaged voice. Short term problems would be laryngitis and constant coughing.

Formaldehyde (noun): -a Ciliotoxin- (also a Carcinogenic)

• A colorless, toxic, potentially carcinogenic, water-soluble gas, CH2O, having a suffocating odor, usually derived from methyl alcohol by oxidation: used chiefly in aqueous solution, as a disinfectant and preservative, and in the manufacture of various resins and plastics.

Cigarette smoke consists of a gas phase and particulate phase, both of which are potentially ciliotoxic. Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke impairs mucociliary clearance in asymptomatic smokers, smokers with productive cough or airflow limitation.

Carcinogenic (noun):

• Any substance or agent that tends to produce a cancer.


• A cancer-causing substance or agent.

Arsenic (noun): -Carcinogenic-

• A poisonous metallic element having three allotropes, of which the gray form is the most common. Arsenic compounds are used in insecticides and solid-state doping agents.


• A very poisonous metallic element that has three allotropic forms; arsenic and arsenic compounds are used as herbicides and insecticides and various alloys.

Co-carcinogenic (noun):

• A substance or factor that will not promote cancer by itself but can potentiate cancer when acting with carcinogenic agents.

Catechol (also known as Pyrocatechol is noun) –a Co-carcinogenic-

• A biologically important organic phenol, having two hydroxyl groups attached to the benzene ring; used as a topical antiseptic.


• A colorless, crystalline, dihydroxyl derivative of benzene, the ortho isomer, used chiefly in photography, for dyeing, and as a reagent.

OK, so we have these things (Toxic, Ciliotoxic, Carcinogenic, and Co-carcinogenic/Promoter), that are contained in cigarettes. And the question I have to ask myself, and not just leaving it to the four defined, but I can throw in some of the 595 others should I feel the need, do I want to contaminate my body with a chemical used for photography? Well, what about a poisonous insecticide? Is there a disinfectant on the menu, because that sounds like that could round out this meal… and is any of these things refrigerated, because if they are, I could did some ammonia to go on the side. I don’t think I would sit around and pop up and say… let’s smoke apple juice or grape juice… but those are in cigarettes.

1st Corinthians 3:16-17
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

1st Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

OK, so the body of a disciple of Christ is a temple of God. And that is important to know, because much is said in the Old Testament about the temple and what God feels about it. And that is really special when you think about it. Only pure things could enter the temple and the purest of the pure can enter the holiest of holies. Run that through my head… it’s like, only clean stuff should enter into my body and only the purest things should enter my heart.

I feel there should be SSSOOO much more to this. I kept thinking of scriptures left and right while I’ve been thinking of doing this the last several days… they’ll come back to me, and I will repost with the additions. Goodnight… Johnny Out.

Buddy Turned 40!

I went to a birthday party today and was able to get to see friends from long ago. GREAT TIMES. Jeremy, Michael, Steve, Eric, and Eric Jr.... of course, friends I get to see on a somewhat regular basis, CC and Kashara... it made for a wonderful evening.

Here is the card I got for him for his birthday (The Front): And then you open it up and it says - God Replied: "FORGET IT!"

Have a Happy Birthday Anyway!

This was the last thing I picked out before heading to the case register... and I literally laughed all the way there... it hit my funny bone.

I've Been Working on the Sabbath...

October 5th, 2006

This is an assignment I did for my class, to turn in tomorrow, actually. It doesn’t have to be all that… perfect, I guess. It’s just a page long, double spaced, at that. But I just wanted to post it up here. I have much to share, thoughts and so on, after this week is over.

First, I want to start and say that I could have pulled answers “right out of the book”, but I wanted to try something a little eccentric and dig a little different and on my own. First let me share in what I have learned from some Hebrew definitions I found. The Hebrew for “labor” is âbad which during the six days, that is what God wants us to do, basically serve, earn wages, whether as a slave or not. It is a “work” of working in any sense and being a servant. Now the word “work” in Hebrew is melâ'kâh which means, in a general sense, employment. It also means that of occupation.

Now the question I am faced with is this: Were Jesus’ activities on the Sabbath a violation of divine law? NO. And the reason is this. Jesus first did not do the things he did as an “occupation,” per se. And when Christ was telling someone to pick up their mat after they had been crippled for years on end, time aside, picking up a mat alone isn’t breaking the Mosaic Law (which is below, and Hebrew definitions above), which Christ was under. He wasn’t earning wages. The Pharisee’s had, and it is understandable why they originally did these things, stretched out the law so that God wouldn’t become displeased with them in breaking the law and placing them back into exile. But by doing so, they lost the heart of what the law was originally about, it became rules to follow, rules made up by men. The Pharisee’s “created” a definition of their own of what “work” was to them, and enforced it upon other Jews. When Christ came, he simply went back to the original meaning (being the Messiah made it pretty easy).

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” (Exodus 20:8-11)

What is faith?

October 1st, 2006

What is faith?

Hebrews 11:1-12:14
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

By faith Abraham, even though he was past age - and Sarah herself was barren - was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country - a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.

By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.

By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated - the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

I can’t say that I have ever run these chapters together before, but what Chapter 11 does for Chapter 12 is very enlightening.

Hope (11:1):
elpizō (verb):

• To hope, in a religious sense, to wait for salvation with joy and full confidence


• Hopefully to trust in


• To expect or confide: (have, thing) hope (for), trust.

By Faith (Chapter 11)
pistis (noun):

• Conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it


• Relating to God: the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ


• Relating to Christ: a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God


• The religious beliefs of Christians


• Belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same


• Fidelity, faithfulness


• The character of one who can be relied on


• Persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

I can’t look at the “running the race” scripture the same. I don’t know, it just has way more depth to it. But the deepest part about all this is who the witnesses are. This is interesting:

Witnesses (12:1):
martus (noun):

• A witness (legal sense), (historical sense), one who is a spectator of anything, e.g. of a contest, (ethical sense)


• Those who after his example have proved the strength and genuineness of their faith in Christ by undergoing a violent death


• A witness (literally, judicially, or figuratively); by analogy a “martyr”: martyr, record, witness.

I have these witnesses, historically speaking and martyr-lee speaking. And what does that mean for me? Well, it shows that before Jesus died, people died for God. God’s son came down and died for me, and then more people died, but not only for God, but for Christ, and me. And then we can go back to the people before Jesus’ time and then say, well, since they were preparing the way for Christ, what does that say about their death? It says a lot more than what I typed just a minute ago. I see it that they were dying for Christ and they were dying for me. That’s what a martyr does.

Martyr (noun):

• A person who willingly suffers death rather than renounce his or her religion.


• A person who is put to death or endures great suffering on behalf of any belief, principle, or cause.

Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Hope (Romans 5:2, 4, & 5):
elpis (noun):

• Expectation of evil, fear


• Expectation of good, hope


• In the Christian sense: joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation


• On hope, in hope, having hope: the author of hope, or he who is its foundation and the thing hoped for


• To anticipate, usually with pleasure; expectation (abstract or concrete) or confidence: faith, hope.

Ah – the puzzle. Or, I guess it is more the dominos falling in order. The 1st domino is suffering. The 2nd domino is perseverance. The 3rd domino is character and the last domino is hope. You can’t get to the last domino without first knocking down the first domino. That’s the way this thing works. You line them up and then knock them down. But also notice that hope and faith are interchangeable in this verse. Interesting…

U2: YAHWEH
Take these shoes
Click clacking down some dead end street
Take these shoes
And make them fit
Take this shirt
Polyester white trash made in nowhere
Take this shirt
And make it clean, clean
Take this soul
Stranded in some skin and bones
Take this soul
And make it sing
Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, Yahweh
Still I'm waiting for the dawn
Take these hands
Teach them what to carry
Take these hands
Don't make a fist
Take this mouth
So quick to criticize
Take this mouth
Give it a kiss
Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, Yahweh
Still I'm waiting for the dawn
Still waiting for the dawn, the sun is coming up
The sun is coming up on the ocean
This love is like a drop in the ocean
This love is like a drop in the ocean
Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, tell me now
Why the dark before the dawn?
Take this city
A city should be shining on a hill
Take this city
If it be your will
What no man can own, no man can take
Take this heart
Take this heart
Take this heart
And make it great

Marvin’s message made me think of this song. And then I heard it on a CD I made up with songs that encourage me. I can’t get it out of my head. Na-Na-Na… Anyway, the last time I sent out a post, I did a math problem that didn’t really make any sense. And the reason is because I did it wrong. So, to readdress that, I thought about it, and wanted to just address here at the end of this post.
#1: The problem is a problem dealing with two speeds, fast and slow – do not know the speeds of either set. I do know there are three speeds.
#2: Speed: Fast – 3
Speed: Normal – 2
Speed: Slow – 1
#3: The problem:
(2 x 1) + (1 x 3) and then divide the whole sum by three to get answer
#4: Answer: 1.67

Anyway, to answer the question: “did I loose sleep over this problem?” That answer would be YES. But that’s OK. I do love math. I love Jenny. I love Mackenzie. I love the LORD. Johnny Out.