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.