Monday, September 06, 2004
Sunday, September 05, 2004
How Much is that Doggie's Haircut?
Whyzer's new haircut! 
Trying out the new Bloggerbot thingy with Hello that lets me post and send images quickly and securly. I don't send too many pics just yet...but someday when I purchase a high tech digital camera, I just may.
Trying out the new Bloggerbot thingy with Hello that lets me post and send images quickly and securly. I don't send too many pics just yet...but someday when I purchase a high tech digital camera, I just may.
Picture Fun
I told Katie I wanted to take pictures of her so I could play with my pocket digital camera. She was embarrassed that I had her out in the backyard "striking poses"...(but secretly I think she was having fun) ... until she realized the neighbor lady was observing our photo shoot.
Go here to see some of what I was able to capture. I posted them at Yahoo. Not sure, you may need to register/login to see.
Preview:
Go here to see some of what I was able to capture. I posted them at Yahoo. Not sure, you may need to register/login to see.
Preview:
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Too Much 9/11 @ the RNC?
There was a post yesterday on the forums at the Jackson Sun, Jackson, TN's local newspaper online. The poster asked the question if there was Too Much 9/11 @ the RNC? after the opening night of the convention.
I replied that I thought that there wasn't too much at all. He didn't answer his own question either way, but after some people respond, he said he would add his two cents.
So, what do you think? You can join the discussion here. I do believe it is possible to post as a guest there so registration shouldn't be a factor, but, I'm not sure.
I replied that I thought that there wasn't too much at all. He didn't answer his own question either way, but after some people respond, he said he would add his two cents.
So, what do you think? You can join the discussion here. I do believe it is possible to post as a guest there so registration shouldn't be a factor, but, I'm not sure.
Shoutfest 2004
Shoutfest 2004 is coming to Jackson, TN! YAY!
Featuring:Tait, Jump5, Rachael Lampa, Petra, Seventh Day Slumber, Overflow, Olivia, Circleslide, One Friday, and evangelist Jarrod Jones!
Too bad that is the same Saturday of my church's Women's Retreat. Drat! I'd love to see Tait and Seventh Day Slumber. Rachael Lampa could be interesting, I really enjoyed her first album, but everything since then has pandered to the "pop" crowd. I hate that.
I hope Jackson supports this one! It will be at the Casey Jones Village Ampitheater which is a decent venue and I am glad to see it being used. Turns out that the weekend after that, some up and coming country music artists will be there: Brad Cotter, Billy Currington and Joe Nichols for the Country Fan Fest.
Maybe there is hope for Western TN culturally? I sure hope so!
Featuring:Tait, Jump5, Rachael Lampa, Petra, Seventh Day Slumber, Overflow, Olivia, Circleslide, One Friday, and evangelist Jarrod Jones!
Too bad that is the same Saturday of my church's Women's Retreat. Drat! I'd love to see Tait and Seventh Day Slumber. Rachael Lampa could be interesting, I really enjoyed her first album, but everything since then has pandered to the "pop" crowd. I hate that.
I hope Jackson supports this one! It will be at the Casey Jones Village Ampitheater which is a decent venue and I am glad to see it being used. Turns out that the weekend after that, some up and coming country music artists will be there: Brad Cotter, Billy Currington and Joe Nichols for the Country Fan Fest.
Maybe there is hope for Western TN culturally? I sure hope so!
Friends
In Jennifer's post I'm Reaching For The Stars she closes by pondering her relationship with some of her friends, "sometimes we get people in our lives who drag us down and we have to close doors with those kinds of people or, at least, not be so close as to fall with them."
She posted this a few months back and I commented on that post with regards to her thought on friends. This started up a discussion and Jennifer eventually asked for some biblical support to what I was saying. I obliged and have been wanting to post it here. I worked hard on it! :-)
My original comment can be found here.
Joe challenged my comment by asking questions like "where do you draw the line with friends in need?" and "if Christians aren't helping these people, who will?". He also observes that "half of the Christian people i know are into risk-free, no-work friendships; many non-Christians are just as bad if not worse with the company they keep."
Here was my well thought out response with biblical references:
Please note: My original statements are italicized. Biblical references are bold. My additional comments are normal font.
---
I have always been very selective about my friends. When some people may say that they have five or more "good" friends, I say I have one or two.
It is important to surround oneself with people who edify, not those who tear down. I read a book called "Safe People" once that talked about people who drag others down. It shares interesting insights about these people and helps one to identify relationships that might be "unsafe".
Unsafe people aren't all "toxic", but if being around a person causes a Christian to compromise Godly principles, that person is not safe to spend a lot of time with. You are right to say that we are responsible for our own behavior, that we can't blame another person for what we ourselves do, but why put ourselves into a situation that may lead us to compromise our principles? We are to "flee from temptation".
It calls some people "toxic", meaning that they are not necessarily the safest, or the most edifying people to be in a relationship with.
It is good to help friends in need, but you can't allow that to be to the detriment to oneself.
Proverbs 22
24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man,
do not associate with one easily angered,
25 or you may learn his ways
and get yourself ensnared.
Exodus 23
32 Do not make a covenant with them or with their gods. 33 Do not let them live in your land, or they will cause you to sin against me, because the worship of their gods will certainly be a snare to you."
Mark 9
42"And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck. 43If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.[1]
2 Corinthians 6
14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[1] ? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
The Bible is filled with warnings like those above, teaching us to be selective about with whom to associate. It doesn't say avoid them completely, but warns that close ties with those who can "drag us" down will lead to trouble. The yoking verse applies to close relationships, as in covenantal relationships like marriage, but the principle is consistent. "What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?"
It is difficult to help another person in need if one is not at a healthy place spiritually, physically, or emotionally.
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
If we are not healthy spiritually, we must discern why and remove that which is keeping us unhealthy.
I agree that Christians should help others in need even if there is much to sacrifice. The greater the sacrifice, the greater the blessing.
Acts 2
45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
1 Timothy 5
7Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. 8If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Proverbs 11
25 A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
26 People curse the man who hoards grain,
but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell.
A Christian will not be of help to anyone if his walk with the Lord is suffering. God works through Christians to accomplish His work, and if we aren't a vessel fit for His presence, we are not usable.
Christians can read the accounts of Abraham, Moses, David and Solomon to know that at times these men were not usable. Abraham and Moses required years and years of character development before they were ready to be used by God. David, the King with the "Heart of God", fell into sin and suffered many consequences for it. Solomon, as wise as he was made grave errors in judgement and that cost him much as well as the people he was leading. While God makes "all things good for those who love Him", we often times delay* the outpouring of His blessing because of disobedience.
Hebrews 13
15Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Romans 15
26For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.
Christians must seek fellowship with other Christians for the purpose of building one another up and for encouragement. We need to support one another. I would agree that it is dangerous to retreat from the world, which is what I see happening with the "Mega Church" trend when actual communities are being built that are exclusive to church members. This is scary to me. If we retreat from the world, we can not be salt and light in it.
Hebrews 10
24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
There are, however, people who do not want help. There are people who accept help, but continue in their patterns of behavior that are detrimental to themselves and those around them. A Christian needs to be discerning. We need to understand that there is a difference between sacrificing oneself to help another get on their feet, or enabling another to continue in destructive behaviors.
Matthew 10:14
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.
If people are offered help, in this case the gospel, and reject it, move on!
I Thessolonians 4
6and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him.
Leviticus 25:17
Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God. I am the LORD your God.
Also, we are commanded to not take advantage of one another, nor should we allow others to take advantage of us. I see this in Jesus' teaching to "turn the other cheek". This doesn't mean to lie down and "take it" or to be a "doormat", this teaching is about taking control of a situation, actually it is about giving it to God. If a person demands that you walk a mile, you walk two. That person then has lost their "control" over you and is not able to take you for advantage. It is a spiritual discipline.
Matthew 5:39
But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Luke 6:29
If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.
One thing that a Christian can NEVER sacrifice, is his relationship with the Lord.
We can do nothing without the Lord!
John 5:30
By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
John 15:5
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
I provided biblical references in previous statements that show how Scripture warns us to be discerning about those we choose to associate with. The Matthew verse below explains some consequences of behaving as a "pagan" or a non-believer.
Matthew 18
17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
This verse speaks volumes to me about a believer who is behaving as a non-believer. We are instructed to do what we can to bring a believer back into fellowship, but if the efforts fail, we are to treat that person as a pagan...a non-believer. This doesn’t mean shun, this means treat with mercy, compassion and love, but the brother/sister relationship is invalid until that person is restored to fellowship, by recommitting to his/her relationship with the Lord.
---
Any additional thoughts or comments? Please feel free to add them!
*the word delay replaces the word prolong that I used in the original post. Thanks to Oddy Crist for pointing out my error, which helps to make my point clearer.
She posted this a few months back and I commented on that post with regards to her thought on friends. This started up a discussion and Jennifer eventually asked for some biblical support to what I was saying. I obliged and have been wanting to post it here. I worked hard on it! :-)
My original comment can be found here.
Joe challenged my comment by asking questions like "where do you draw the line with friends in need?" and "if Christians aren't helping these people, who will?". He also observes that "half of the Christian people i know are into risk-free, no-work friendships; many non-Christians are just as bad if not worse with the company they keep."
Here was my well thought out response with biblical references:
Please note: My original statements are italicized. Biblical references are bold. My additional comments are normal font.
---
I have always been very selective about my friends. When some people may say that they have five or more "good" friends, I say I have one or two.
It is important to surround oneself with people who edify, not those who tear down. I read a book called "Safe People" once that talked about people who drag others down. It shares interesting insights about these people and helps one to identify relationships that might be "unsafe".
Unsafe people aren't all "toxic", but if being around a person causes a Christian to compromise Godly principles, that person is not safe to spend a lot of time with. You are right to say that we are responsible for our own behavior, that we can't blame another person for what we ourselves do, but why put ourselves into a situation that may lead us to compromise our principles? We are to "flee from temptation".
It calls some people "toxic", meaning that they are not necessarily the safest, or the most edifying people to be in a relationship with.
It is good to help friends in need, but you can't allow that to be to the detriment to oneself.
Proverbs 22
24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man,
do not associate with one easily angered,
25 or you may learn his ways
and get yourself ensnared.
Exodus 23
32 Do not make a covenant with them or with their gods. 33 Do not let them live in your land, or they will cause you to sin against me, because the worship of their gods will certainly be a snare to you."
Mark 9
42"And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck. 43If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.[1]
2 Corinthians 6
14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[1] ? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
The Bible is filled with warnings like those above, teaching us to be selective about with whom to associate. It doesn't say avoid them completely, but warns that close ties with those who can "drag us" down will lead to trouble. The yoking verse applies to close relationships, as in covenantal relationships like marriage, but the principle is consistent. "What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?"
It is difficult to help another person in need if one is not at a healthy place spiritually, physically, or emotionally.
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
If we are not healthy spiritually, we must discern why and remove that which is keeping us unhealthy.
I agree that Christians should help others in need even if there is much to sacrifice. The greater the sacrifice, the greater the blessing.
Acts 2
45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
1 Timothy 5
7Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. 8If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Proverbs 11
25 A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
26 People curse the man who hoards grain,
but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell.
A Christian will not be of help to anyone if his walk with the Lord is suffering. God works through Christians to accomplish His work, and if we aren't a vessel fit for His presence, we are not usable.
Christians can read the accounts of Abraham, Moses, David and Solomon to know that at times these men were not usable. Abraham and Moses required years and years of character development before they were ready to be used by God. David, the King with the "Heart of God", fell into sin and suffered many consequences for it. Solomon, as wise as he was made grave errors in judgement and that cost him much as well as the people he was leading. While God makes "all things good for those who love Him", we often times delay* the outpouring of His blessing because of disobedience.
Hebrews 13
15Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Romans 15
26For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.
Christians must seek fellowship with other Christians for the purpose of building one another up and for encouragement. We need to support one another. I would agree that it is dangerous to retreat from the world, which is what I see happening with the "Mega Church" trend when actual communities are being built that are exclusive to church members. This is scary to me. If we retreat from the world, we can not be salt and light in it.
Hebrews 10
24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
There are, however, people who do not want help. There are people who accept help, but continue in their patterns of behavior that are detrimental to themselves and those around them. A Christian needs to be discerning. We need to understand that there is a difference between sacrificing oneself to help another get on their feet, or enabling another to continue in destructive behaviors.
Matthew 10:14
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.
If people are offered help, in this case the gospel, and reject it, move on!
I Thessolonians 4
6and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him.
Leviticus 25:17
Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God. I am the LORD your God.
Also, we are commanded to not take advantage of one another, nor should we allow others to take advantage of us. I see this in Jesus' teaching to "turn the other cheek". This doesn't mean to lie down and "take it" or to be a "doormat", this teaching is about taking control of a situation, actually it is about giving it to God. If a person demands that you walk a mile, you walk two. That person then has lost their "control" over you and is not able to take you for advantage. It is a spiritual discipline.
Matthew 5:39
But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Luke 6:29
If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.
One thing that a Christian can NEVER sacrifice, is his relationship with the Lord.
We can do nothing without the Lord!
John 5:30
By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
John 15:5
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
I provided biblical references in previous statements that show how Scripture warns us to be discerning about those we choose to associate with. The Matthew verse below explains some consequences of behaving as a "pagan" or a non-believer.
Matthew 18
17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
This verse speaks volumes to me about a believer who is behaving as a non-believer. We are instructed to do what we can to bring a believer back into fellowship, but if the efforts fail, we are to treat that person as a pagan...a non-believer. This doesn’t mean shun, this means treat with mercy, compassion and love, but the brother/sister relationship is invalid until that person is restored to fellowship, by recommitting to his/her relationship with the Lord.
---
Any additional thoughts or comments? Please feel free to add them!
*the word delay replaces the word prolong that I used in the original post. Thanks to Oddy Crist for pointing out my error, which helps to make my point clearer.
Bible Knowledge
I received an email one day from a young gentlemen who was browsing the Internet and happened upon the Northbrook Church website. In his email he was asking a question and I replied with my short answer and also asked if I could post his question online at the Sisters' Weblog. With permission I post:
The topic is "Biblical values and not biblical knowledge is important in a believers life". The topic is put up on debate and any infromation for or against the topic will be recived with gratitude.
Please help me out here.
Hoping to get a reply I remain.
With prayers and christian love,
Fred Jackson.
This was my reply:
Off the top of my head I would say that biblical values are important, if not more important than biblical knowledge. I would have to say that knowing and understanding the facts of the Bible would only enhance ones ability to understand biblical values and apply them to everyday living. Kingdom living. Also, biblical knowlege is something that anyone can "learn". Satan "knows" the bible, yet obviously he takes issue with the values presented in it. Spouting facts and figures, while it can make one a "scholar", does not make one follower of Christ.
What do you have to add to this discussion? Please post in comments.
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