James1:20 for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness.
The New Revised Standard Version, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1989.
Mark3:5 He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
The New Revised Standard Version, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1989.
John2:13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15 Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.
The New Revised Standard Version, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1989.
Matt 21:12 Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.
The New Revised Standard Version, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1989.
(Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48)
It is somewhat confusing when we read on the topic of anger in the bible. The bible seems to be confused in whether we are to be angry or not be angry.
Listing out some of the verses above make it more baffling. James tells us the anger that we conjure does not conjure up God's righteousness. So at a glance we are put up with a reference that tells us our anger leads to the wrong way. Other verses also calls us to put it off 2 Cor 12:20; Gal 5:20; Eph 4:31; Col 3:8; 1 Tim 2:8.
Looking at the verses above they all are pointing to our own anger.The type of anger that is motivated by self, by us. An anger that is motivated solely by our own self agenda. By reading the verses in the paragraph above this is what i believe the type of anger that the the bible teaches us, because this type of anger deals solely with our own self interest alone.
There are some verses that talks about anger also, that is the reality of it. In a world like our anger exists and will not leave us. So the bible tells us:
26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not make room for the devil.
The New Revised Standard Version, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1989.
We can get angry, it is a reality but don't let it swell on to bitterness. That is what this verse basically means. Another on in James also tell us the reality of anger and that its existence:
19 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger
The New Revised Standard Version, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1989.
It simply tells us anger exists but make a proper assessment before it is manifested. This is being angry with a good reason.
So if i would weigh whether we can get angry or not the bible gives us a realistic look on anger.
1. Anger that is motivated by us is what the bible speaks against.
2. Anger exists and will not go away.
3. We deal with anger, by not welling it and let it lead to bitterness.
4. We do well to assess situations throughly before we jump into conclusions on being angry.
Jesus is a good example of what good anger looks like. We do good to reflect his actions and how he went about it.
Jn 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. Jn 13:35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Jn 17:22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: Jn 17:23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.This is my own reflection of a preaching I heard last Sunday. Coming out of the service it made me wonder what is a greater witness that the church can show or make to the society that it is living in?
Can we say a greater witness is through the music that we 'present' during our worship services? It can be a witness with the way the music is played and the way the musicians are very skillful with their instruments. It can be a witness when we have singers with really good voices, who know the timings of the songs and people who sing in key. Sure, these are important considerations for witness but i have to disagree because what will make us different that what we already see and hear in the open?
Can we say a greater witness is through the programs we create? Programs are an important aspect of what we have as a church, and we do need these sort of events for some degree of where we are heading. These programs can harness vision, educate, equip, renew, rejuvenate and help the progress a sense community. But yet again other organizations also have these kind of things and they too have the same distinctions that I mentioned above. We still hit the same brick wall.
Can we say that a greater witness is the church building that we have? It can be but are we not competing with the world on this? What good is another building in the same nature of massiveness as shopping complexes or offices? If you say that the church is contributing to something important because of it's spiritual nature (in a sense it is) but still the other buildings, although they are not spiritual in nature contribute an important aspect on human life. Just think economy. So i would not agree that a building will harness a greater witness for God, that God and his church exist and are real.
To me I think a potent and real witness is one of love-how we love our brothers. Love is a mixture of baggage-I mean the word. We get so caught up in how it is understood in the world that we loose some real sense of what it means to God. Love in how we show our brothers is in the sense of family. Bearing burdens, being with each other in tough times, having a really bad argument, being happy when your family is happy (sharing happiness) and all that sense of what we go through family. Love is the thing that works around these situations and always works to bring us together. I don't really see it as minimizing all the problems but a sense of working through the ugly and helping beauty to reveal itself.
Another potent witness for the church is unity. Unity is not what we hear on TV where our politicians are telling us to be united. Unity is almost always connected with uniformity. Unity is diversity, that is together in diversity. This is something very profound but the church has yet to archive this state. But will it ever? I believe it will if we stick with that Jesus told us.
So a potent witness for the church is more of how we show how we are as community. If we have a building and a cool service, these are added stuff, not the core. If we build or work out on the core the added stuff will come.
(Another greater witness is this post here. Read and be encouraged to act.)
I have to still clarify that this is the author's (Jonathan's) own reflection. It has nothing to do with saying that the sermon was not good. Read the post again. A reflection is simply an idea that i get from a given passage or page of writing or what i have heard people say, and with that idea I simply build on my own ideas which my thinking brain thinks through. If there is anyone offended about the post, what can i do about that. Just comment. It is as easy as that. Please know that this is a discussion Hubble and not a conspiracy act. I guess I am tired of sensitive people hounding me. pant pant.
It takes 6 from 1st to 10th minus the 72, so that equals 66, for monkeys to scatter.
The pearl was given to her but she turned into a swine, not literally but like one. Swines are also known as pigs to put it in more understandable terms. In Bahasa pigs are called babi or khinzir; in my native tongue it's simply called berek. So like a swine, berek, babi, khinzir, jani', (hahaha) they dont know the value of the pearl. Pearls are taken from oysters. I think from the sea and you have to pry their shells to get the pearl.I have not seen this in reality but I saw it on TV. Interesting. Pearls are expensive and hard to get. And from what I know pearls take a considerable ammount of time to form in the oyster. It does not happen over night. And people have to look for them in the sea.
So now you know that why pearls are expensive. But to simply give them out to someone who becomes a swine is just plain wasting. But that is if you know that they turned into swines. So if you don't know prepare to see your pearl be trampled underfoot by the clueless swine. So it takes 6 from 1st to 10th minus the 72, so that equals 66, for monkeys to scatter.
I love the stroy of the reformation where Martin Luther posted the 95. A small monk thrumping the Goliath and thus we have our Protestant movement.
Deitrich Bonhoffer is one of those people I admire. He wrote the book 'Cost of Discipleship' and was tru to its core. His conviction led him to the intention to topple Hitler but the plan bit and he was put in prison and later on hanged. He took the cost of discipleship.
So it takes 6 from 1st to 10th minus the 72, so that equals 66, for monkeys to scatter.Jesus the ultimate mentor, also opposed the Jews of his day and led the 'rebellion' and the pharisees say it. They were so agitated that they stripped him and crucified him. But his story none the less ende with death but justice. Instead of dying he Rose up. Justice was being presented. So it takes 6 from 1st to 10th minus the 72, so that equals 66, for monkeys to scatter.
1Co 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
1Co 13:5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
1Co 13:6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
1Co 13:7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Sometimes WE read only verse 4,5,7. And forget verse 6. Man don't we know how to count. Just follow the numbers. We read in progression. We read verse 4 then 5 then 6 and only then 7. Read all and don't skip.
"Just because a parishioner opposes a pastor on something, does not mean that he or she is unspiritual and lacking in commitment to Christ. Just as parishioners are not always right, so pastors get it wrong as well. The important thing in the midst of disagreement is to work through it in a healthy way and, then at some point, make a decision on what must be done. The purpose of disagreement is to come to a better solution, not to keep anything from happening at all." Matt18:15"If your brother sins against you,[b] go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'[c] 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. NIV
Matt18:15-17"If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you've made a friend. If he won't listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won't listen, tell the church. If he won't listen to the church, you'll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God's forgiving love. Message
How would you understand this word: Resurrection?
Do we think of it as our spirit only resurrecting? or Our whole body being resurrected.
It is normal for us to hear that our bodies are just a temporary home in which we live in at the time we are on earth. And when we die our bodies go back to dust and our real being is taken up with God. And we go to a place called heaven.
But this is not what resurrection means. What we understand reading the line above is what we might understand as after life. There is nothing wrong with after life as far as i am concerned. I believe that when we die our soul/spirit goes to God. But that is not what resurrection means.
The implication of resurrection is that our bodies will rise up again also. This is something that i learned from N.T Wright. So if i might rephrase after life, in N.T Wright's words, the Christian position is 'Life, after life'. It basically means after the after life, there is still another life. Where our bodies will be resurrected again.
If death is to loose it's sting, victorious over body and spirit, it looses its sting via the resurrection! Did you not wonder why Jesus, when he met the disciples, he is always depicted as eating. He even let them touch his hands and side. It also says that we are to receive a resurrection just like that of Jesus. If that is the case be glad that we will not just be resurrected just spirit only but in body too.
Powerful!
Today there are preachers who are afraid to preach truth for fear people will react and leave the church. The end result is a church of easily offended people who cannot grow beyond their inability to accept correction.—Francis Frangipane, A House United, page 119
I came across this in a blog. You can see it here also. I just found it interesting that's all. It makes me reflect on what is truth, how should it be presented?
Is there any possibility to relay truth without any offense?
How should we work on correction?
How should we respond to offense?
I would like to hear your views.
I was watching MTV the other day and they had 'Boiling Point' on. I like the show because it shows people looking really weird when they are angry. It's just utterly hilarious and stupid at the same time.
Well they had this Chinese guy as the actor (the one instigating a boiling reaction of people) working at a salad bar. They had vegetables, or whatever you put in a salad (you name it). So this guy is having problems with his English. So when a guy asked for tomatoes he went we don't have potatoes. So you can spell the irony here as the customer had a hard time communicating to this Chinese guy who was actually acting.
Make me wonder sometime. Do people interpret us right? I do hope so because like the guy on boiling point, he really had a hard time telling the Chinese guy! Hilarious.
If I was Yoda, this would be my advise to Luke regarding blogging. 'Listen, you must, or pain you feel.'
Just to let you all know...some things i learned in my short experience while blogging...
1. Church, blog you don't.
Beats me. But that is the advise I hear from others whom have been approached. But why shouldn't we blog about the church? I guess there is a reference in the bible about blogging about the church. Let me see Revelation 23, Matt 29? Oh that must be extra biblical content. But anyway if you don't want to get the black list keep off the church subject. Talk about other stuff then like dating, cool rock music, goth clothing, anything but church or Christianity (I'm talking in a sarcastic tone).
2. Feelings, blog you don't
This will definitely get you in trouble. Feelings should be kept at bay because when people who cant handle the truth in you (this means how you really feel) people will think you are weird or sick or crazy. So be careful how you present it. Maybe what you can do is for example if you feel rotten (i think we will always feel rotten) we should not write 'Man i just feel really sick, pathetic, or shitty' (if that is how you feel). Instead write I feel so pleasantly good, I simply feel perfect every day and not a hint of bad vibe. I am always ok and will always be. See, with all the pleasent things like that you will ward off suspicion. But if you ask me I will be more suspicious if people are feeling this 24/7. Sicko!
3. BLOG, blog you don't!
Simply, if you want to ward off people reading about what you blog about the most simplest of ways is DON't BLOG! Simply by doing this you will ward off unnecessary criticism just because you wanted to post how you feel or what you are going through.
Well just three points that i could mention. Mind the sarcasm. What i am really implying is just to spell it out...if you don't mind your blog being found out continue blogging. If you are living in fear and still want to blog make it private. But if you are simply like me, just let it be read by anyone. That's if anyone is reading my blog. Hahaha. I'd like to think i do have some readers out there.
The force, be with you it will!
(oh and another thing if you read, try to impersonate Yoda whenever you read the green colored sentences.)
Have you watched movies where the hero of the movie is caught by the villain and he is sort of held at bay or something like that.
And because this hero seems to be a menace to the villains plan there seems to be only one option to stop the on sloth of the hero; hit him where he is weak (i.e. find his weak spot). If you are already familiar with hero villain feuds you will know the hero's weakest point: those people who are close to him/ her.
So in situation like this the hero might utter some very vicious words to his/her loved ones like 'I dont care for you', 'i hate you', 'i don't want to see your face again' or something like that. This is because the hero want to ward off those whom he/she loves from being harmed.
Of course the loved ones would feel really offended or baffled and walk off. Still suffering of the aftermath of the harsh words spoken. But what they don't know is it was for their own safety.
But as any hero movies go, the loved one will always be reunited with the hero and explanation will always be given. And because of that the loved ones will appreciate the hard gesture of the hero though the words were harsh there was in them love and protection.
Hey, if there are any blog readers out there (if i have any blog followers) I think this is somewhat a turning point in my life, and i need your prayers.I might make a decision to move to West Malaysia. I got phone call just now about an 'offer' somewhere in Johor whether i was interested to start a church in Johor or somewhere near there. Something about being a full time worker under the Presbyterian Church there. They are also supportive of me going to further my studies also (which I am planning to do). This sounds good. I want to make the right decision but I know i need direction to get the right direction. So if you do stumble upon this please pray with me. I appreciate your prayers. And another thing is when should i tie the knot. When eh???
This is quite an interesting Video by David Fitch. Listen and learn, converse, critique (not Critic!) and if possible respond).
1 Cor 4:18-21
1 Cor 5:1-13 (especially vs.5,13)
2 Cor 13:2
Gal 1:8-9
Gal 2:11
Gal 3:1
Gal 4:20
Phil 3:2
2 Thess 3:14
3 John 9
Acts 15:36-41
John 2:12-25
John 2: 4 (he call his mom woman, so much for being an example)
Matt 23:1-39
Matt 16:23
Matt 3:7
Sometimes we have such a narrow understanding of being Christ-like that we make being a christian more like being wimps. These verses or passages paint another dimension for us to think about. Are Christians just nice or Like Jesus? Jesus was not nice. He was good. Jesus sometimes gave really strong rebuke, he made sarcastic stories, called people names, spit on the ground and used saliva and mud to heal, and to top it off really blew his head off throwing tables and livestock and money plus whipping the sellers in the temple! So much for example eh. So much for Jesus being meek eh.
The point is don't just settle for what we think Jesus has been in peoples mouths or tradition. Find out for yourselves. You could end up being offended by Jesus. But then again he is loving and all that. Try picturing how Jesus, his disciples, Paul and the other believers would look like with some of these passages.
I believe the bible, warts and all. Even the difficult passages. But sometimes they make me shudder and rethink a lot of things. Lets make God in his words teach us.
