Who is reading this Blog?

I was going over some stats of the visitors to this blog... I was a bit overwhelmed as to how many different states let alone countries that have not only visited but returned to read this blog.

I do recognize a few of you from your locations.

I am greatly humbled and want say thank you.

If you see you state and/or country, say hello.



Blessings,
iggy

United States

Arizona, Glendale
Arkansas, Biggers
California, Lake Isabella
California, Los Angeles
California, Pleasanton
California, Redding
California, San Jose
California, San Mateo,
District of Columbia, Washington
Georgia, Atlanta
Idaho, Idaho Falls
Idaho, Ucon
Kentucky, Burlington
Massachusetts, Lowell
Minnesota, Minneapolis
Minnesota, Saint Paul
Montana, Billings
Montana, Bozeman
Nebraska, Kearney South Dakota, Watertown
New Jersey, Williamstown

New York, Buffalo
New York, Islip
New York, New York
New York, Palisades
North Carolina, Etowah
Ohio, Canton
Ohio, Cleveland
Oregon, Beaverton,
South Carolina, West Columbia
Texas, Austin
Texas, Edinburg
Virginia, Norfolk,
Virginia, Portsmouth

Australia
Sydney

Melbourne

Austria
Vienna, Wien

Argentina
Florida, Buenos Aires

Canada
Toronto, Ontario

Chile
Santiago, Region Metropolitana

Finland
Ruohonp, Western Finland

India
Delhi

Lithuania
Siauliai, Siauliu Apskritis

Mexico
Mexico, Distrito Federal

Norway
Fornebu, Akershus

Singapore

United Kingdom
Blaydon, Newcastle upon Tyne
Saint Mary Bourne, Wiltshire


Venezuela
Caracas, Distrito Federal

Katrina - the fist fo God? Jerusalem Newswire

This is really something to think about. I found it very interesting.
Any thoughts?

Blessings,
iggy
Jerusalem Newswire
Katrina - The fist of God?
By Stan Goodenough
August 29th, 2005
Today is going to be a terrible day for millions of people in the United States as Hurricane Katrina comes roaring ashore on the northern Gulf Coast of the country.
Hopefully, prayerfully, despite the worst-case scenarios being predicted by many weather experts and others in the media, there will not be an enormous loss of life.
But even if no one dies, the thought of hundreds of thousands of people having to leave their homes in the last 48 hours to stream out of the hurricane’s path, not knowing what they will come back to – what will happen to their neighborhoods, their houses, their possessions, almost everything they hold dear – is a terrifying thought indeed.
Untold numbers of people are about to be made refugees. Life, as many in the south-eastern USA have known it for generations, is about to change, painfully and dramatically.
For millions more citizens in the “greatest nation on earth” – those who are not physically near the advancing storm – their existence is also about to take a turn for the worse.
Katrina has forced oil workers to evacuate rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, stopping the production of 600,000 barrels of oil a day. Seven oil refineries and a major oil import terminal have been closed.
Oil prices have already gone through the roof, soaring to a record high of $70.80 a barrel of crude since last Friday. Things could get much worse.
The US is particularly sensitive to oil price hikes. While comprising just five percent of the world population, Americans daily consume 20 million barrels of oil – 25 percent of the world’s total.
Two weeks ago, the monster Katrina was not on any radar screen, although the 2005 hurricane season, which began in July and will not peak until September, had already seen a record number of hurricanes.
On August 14, citizens in the United States, like people around the world, heard about the issuing of an order for the forced evacuation of Jews from parts of Israel’s biblical land.
For six days they watched as thousands of weeping people were pulled and carried from their homes, forced to leave their gardens, parks, communities, schools, towns and synagogues, everything they had spent decades building; banned from ever returning again. Those scenes were soon followed by pictures of bulldozers and other earth-moving machinery pulverizing the just-vacated homes into heaps of dust.
While this was taking place, a small tropical depression was forming near the Bahamas in the Atlantic Ocean. Slowly, as the air began to revolve, the nonthreatening weather system began moving in the direction of Florida.
Yesterday, we in Israel watched as American officials, including President George W. Bush, ordered the mandatory evacuation of New Orleans and its surrounds. That small depression had turned into a frightening fiend. Now we are seeing on our television screens up to a million people being forced to leave their homes. People are weeping on camera, mourning that they are going to lose “everything we own; everything we have worked for.”
As today unfolds we are bracing to see wind and water pounding homes, whole communities, into the ground.
Is this some sort of bizarre coincidence? Not for those who believe in the God of the Bible and the immutability of His Word.
What America is about to experience is the lifting of God’s hand of protection; the implementation of His judgment on the nation most responsible for endangering the land and people of Israel.
The Bible talks about Him shaking His fist over bodies of water, and striking them.
While the “disengagement” plan was purportedly the brainchild of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the United States of America has for more than a decade been the chief sponsor and propeller of a diplomatic process that has dangerously weakened Israel in the face of an overwhelming, growing threat to annihilate her.
In the context of the last 12 years of peace-process history and not withstanding the desire of many on Israel’s left to go ahead with this process, the Sharon disengagement plan was something that was forced on Israel, primarily by the United States.
“It is a fact that Israel’s very existence is in grave danger, because of our nation’s sponsorship of 'land for peace' plans, which have led her to the brink of war,” writes US author William R. Koenig, in his 2004 book Eye to Eye– Facing the consequences of dividing Israel. (21st Century Press, Springfield MO, ISBN 0-9728899-9-X).
On the cover, a grim-faced President Bush is shown looking warily at a massive hurricane threatening his country.
Koenig writes, in a book listing major natural and man-made disasters experienced by the USA during its peace-process efforts in the Middle East:
“America is now experiencing the consequences (curses) of Middle East policies, which have been opposed to God’s Word and to the preservation of His covenant land.”
As this “storm of a lifetime” wreaks its rage on the southern United States today, non-believers may be tempted to shake their fists at God. Others will cry out for mercy. Will God hear them?
Our prayer is that He will.
“Pray for us. Pray for all of New Orleans,” a weeping woman resident of the city pleaded on an international television network Sunday evening as Katrina barreled its way towards her.
Many in America couldn’t have cared less about Jews being forced out of their homes and losing everything they have built. Here in Israel, many Jews will be feeling for the Americans who are now facing similar tragedies, tragedies brought about by the forces of heaven rather than through the political power of men.
Can’t you see the link, America? Won’t you see the link?
Copyright 2002-2004 Jerusalem Newswire

From unadoptable to God's child

For some reason I can’t get past this ugly dog story. I was thinking about how we often have such ugliness in our own life, and how we often are quick to judge others who we deem, “different”.

Here is the story as I understand it, taken from Sam”s (the ugly dog name) website.


"Sam is a purebred, yes that's right, a purebred Chinese Crested Hairless. He's almost 15 years old and was taken in as a rescue over five years ago by Susie Lockheed. He was considered "un-adoptable" by local shelters. Susie took him in on a 48-hour trial period. During that time he lived in a cage because he acted like "Cujo" the rabid dog. Susie had to shove food and water into the cage and run. The 48-hour trial became several days, and then Sam just walked out of the cage and became one of the pack (other hairless dogs who found harbor in Susie's domain)."

Susie Lockheed loves animals. She was willing to take into her house a dog all others considered “unadoptable”. Even she was a bit afraid it seems and took care to not take chances that this dog could be dangerous.

What was the redeeming Grace that saved Sam? Susie’s love. Sam responded to Susies love and and soon entered into a new family. Can you see the parallel I am getting at?

God loves you. He is willing to take time to give us mercy and suffer our behavior to show us His love. When all others see you as un-adopotable, God through Jesus, calls you his child. As we respond to God’s love His love enters us and we begin to love others. Soon we find our self in God’s family of other redeemed un-adopotables. Then God adopts us out of His love for us.

We become God’s child, enter His family by His love and now can return love to Him and others.

We come from this.

To this.

Then even better, we are clothed in God righteousness and will be alive Eternally with God
and be in the presence of His Love forever.

Blessings,
iggy

Do you thirst?

Hugo has an interesting post about water. So go there and read it then come back.


OK, so your back.

What I found interesting was that water seems to be, alive. It seems to interact with sound and to pick up the "vibes" around it. Being that humans are about 90% water, I wonder at the effect of our environment has on us. I also began to think and wonder about what Jesus meant about being "Living Water".Water or H2o comes in 3 forms, liquid, solid and gas. If on takes an ice cube and puts it into a pot and brings it to a boil there is a point called flash point that all three exists together as one. I think that is in a way a simplified explanation of the Trinity.

Water is essential to this planet as it sustains life that exist here on planet earth. Earth is unique as it seem to be the only planet that has it in liquid form. One would say it is the lifeblood of the planet. In the body it is essential for it to function properly. It aids in everything from digestion to reproduction to respiration. Without it one will die in a short time.

Jesus said in John 6:63, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink." The pharisees were all in a hubbub about whether Jesus had authority and where that authority came from. Jesus was stating that water is Life and He was Life. That as water is such and intrical part of our being and existence so Jesus must be in our life. Remember, water touches and take part in every thing in our physical body, without it we die.

Without water one dies. Without Christ Jesus we will remain dead in our sins and trespasses.

Let Jesus be Living Water in your life, and let Him flow over your whole existence.

Blessings,

iggy

I love Brother Elson

I have been so blessed by this brother in Singapore. His insights give me real pause to wonder at the story of Christ as He is revealed throughout the OT.

If you haven't you should check him out. I will admit that I would have found Him way toooooo positive in the past, yet I guess I find myself seeking more positive things for my mind and Spirit. When i need a little ice chipped of my cold heart I find peace and joy at Elson's blog.



Blessings,
iggy

Pat Robertson apologized

Pat Robertson did apologize... So let's get on with more important issues.

So, did you see the picture of the ugly dog?

blessings,
iggy

I saw this dog on TV

I saw this dog on TV the other day… All I could think was, “Did The Guys from iron Maiden breed Eddie?”

You may need to get prayed up before you go and look.

This is one ugly Dog.

A picture of Eddie the mascot of iron Maiden.


Blessing,
iggy

Now you decide.

If on takes some time to really look at This Hugo Chavez, I would agree that he is dangerous.

He does seem to be aligning himself with Cuba, and Islamic leaders. In a time when Russia and China are doing joint military training, "to send a message to the USA" I think we "United States" do need to act in some way.

Does Pat Robertson have freedom to say what he wants. Yes! Should he "think" before he speaks? Yes, as we all should. Believe me I am not a 700 club fan. I can't get past that plastic appearance. Yet, I do believe in Grace, Mercy and forgiveness.

Pat, if you read this, apologize and let's all move on.

But keep your eyes open on Venezuela!
blessings,
iggy

Venezuelas break with DEA (the other side)

Venezuela's break with the DEA: a dangerous game
By Veneconomy
23.08.05 Originally posted 18.08.05 Ten days ago the government of Hugo Chávez ended the cooperation agreement between the Venezuelan authorities and the DEA for fighting drug trafficking. With this decision, the government merely acknowledged something that had been brewing for quite some time. The only unexpected part was that the government apparently speeded up the break, in anticipation of the U.S. government’s announcement that it intended to ban six members of the National Guard’s Drug Enforcement Command from entering the United States, arguing their “little collaboration, complicity or obstruction” during joint operations.
If this is the case, the Venezuelan government came up with a way to counteract the blow from Washington and try to bend international opinion in its favor, by staging a theatrical break with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Some analysts say that the government had been looking for a way to get rid of the DEA for quite some time. There had been several warning signs that the Venezuelan government’s interest in cooperating with the U.S. in the drug war was waning. Among others, frequent breaches of agreements for fighting narcoterrorism and the split, since early this year, between the National Guard (NG) and the DEA. Then there was the mutual dislike and lack of trust between the DEA and General Frank Morgado, head of the NG’s Anti-drug Command and one of the officers who is barred from the United States.
Ever since the beginning of this year, there has been an increase in “moves” of officials who were diligent in backing the war on drugs. Among the most notorious we have: the sudden dismissal, without notice, of the President of the National Commission to Fight the Unlawful Use of Drugs (Conacuid), Mildred Camero; the splitting up of the team of professionals who worked at that agency; and the decapitation of the only operating unit that was still working in close collaboration with the DEA, when head CICPC inspector Juan de Castro was given his retirement orders.
This is what has led some people to believe that, when Chávez found out several weeks ago that the U.S. was planning on revoking the visas of senior NG officers, he saw his chance. The Venezuelan government set in motion an investigation of charges made in June, before the Fundamental Rights Department of the Prosecutor General’s Office, by two “informers” for the DEA, the NG and the CICPC, concerning irregularities, ranging from “illegal actions during raids to alleged disappearance of drugs.” For Venezuela the corollary to this investigation was President Chávez’s announcement of the termination of cooperation with the DEA, an agency he accused of being a façade for "intelligence work against the government" and a collaborator in drug trafficking, in an effort to turn the table on the U.S.
Now we can expect a counterpunch from the U.S., which has been handed concrete facts to work with, not just words and ideology. Expectations are that Venezuela will not be among those “certified” by the U.S. government as a country that cooperates in the war on drugs, when the list is published on September 15. This could be a harsh blow for President Chávez’s expansionist plans. It is not at all the same for other countries and governments to show their sympathies and liking for a revolutionary as for a friend of narcoterrorism.
In the meantime, Venezuela will continue its onward rush to become a bridge for drug trafficking, as a first step towards becoming a no-man’s land where drug traffickers will do as they please.

A tale of two preachers (one side of the story)

A tale of two preachers: Pat Robertson and Chavez
By Daniel Duquenal Venezuela News and Views
23.08.05 Normally I would not bother writing about this type of story but I have received so many mails on that that I feel obliged to post a note.Evangelical preacher Pat Robertson, of the 700 Club fame, of the 1988 presidential run adventure, has asked for someone to shoot Chavez. I read somewhere else that one of his arguments is that since Chavez claims everywhere that the US is trying to take him down, well, "we" might as well do it.This is in a way hysterical. After all, Chavez who has become a preacher himself, spitting as much fire and brimstone as Pat Robertson in his younger days is just collecting his verbal due from another preacher who apparently takes all of Chavez speeches against the US as true. Some of his very own medicine?The vice, Jose Vicente Rangel, of course jumped on the issue making a fool of himself claiming that Robertson, a has-been, is direct evidence of US terrorism, or some such nonsense. Well, Mr. Vice, Robertson might be to Bush what the Tupamaros are to Chavez when they shout agaisnt the US. Should Bush demand that the Tupamaros be arrested for terrorism? Or that the "youth" that put the US on trial a few dasy ago should be called upon for their terrorist words? Gimme a break!Should we give any importance to Pat Robertson words? None at all. He already got too much exposure, and he is embarrassing greatly the White House who had to come out quickly to dismiss his words. After all he is the man that called for hurricanes to hit Florida when Disney granted equal partner benefits to its homosexual employees . In my book, Chavez, Jose Vicente and Pat are birds of a feather. When you keep shouting the extremist line all the time, well, you are bound to get an echo.'nuf written!
PS: just for the record. I do not want Chavez dead. I want him alive and put on trial for all the hurt he has done to Venezuela since 1992, for all the people that died due to his reckless actions, for all the sick people that did not get good health care because of all the money he squandered around the world and at home, for all the corruption that he has ignored, if not blessed, past and present regimes included.
Editor's note: I must stress that I couldn't agree more with Daniel's post script. Actually I would even venture into saying that Chavez be jailed, after that trial suggested by Daniel, in an ADMAX type of facility a la John Gotti.

What is your Dream Church?

I was just checking out some different blogs and found a link to this church.
I found this list of what is a dream church.
DREAMS
Here is a list of what some of our folks said would describe their "Dream Church:"

• a place to reveal your true life - your sins and secrets


• more crazy people


• passionate people


• casual dress


• church where things change


• food


• where my friends can feel comfortable


• where the focus is on Jesus


• everyone participates


• a place of laughter


• relationship focused


• ministries for the needy


• artistic


• scripturally based

Now here is the challenge, you can’t reuse these, but may rephrase these….
What is your “dream Church?”

Blessings,
iggy

A Car Wreck

LOL! You gotta hear this to believe it.

Blessings,
iggy

Tagged!

Rick tagged me... I think, as I have never been tagged before.
The question is:

List ten songs that you are currently digging. It does not matter what genre they are from, whether they have words, or even if they are no good, but they must be songs you are really enjoying right now. Post these instructions, the artists, and the ten songs in your blog. Then tag five other people to see what they are listening to.

And yes Rick. Some of us still "dig it". I still have some 8 tracks somewhere in storage. Ha ha.
Yet, this is my greatest fear. To tell what is in my CD player. I run an online radio station so I play a lot of inde stuff. I am sure most have nt heard of some of these. I have mixed it all together for the list.
1. Alter Bridge - Find the Real
2. Audio Slave - I am the Highway
3. Global Warning - Solace
4. Brave saint Saturn - Under Bridges
5. Casting Crowns - If We Are The Body
6. Gipsy Carnes - Wailin' Wall
7. Jeremy Camp - Trust In You
8. Pillar - Bring me Down
9. The Wiggles - big red car
10. Vega Tales - The Dance Of The Cucumber

Now I guess I tag someone...
how about Levi, Elson, Russ, and Hugo... What's in your CD changer?

blessings,
iggy

Jesus said to Paul Tillich

Jesus said to Paul Tillich, "Who do you say that I am?"
Paul Tillich replied, "You are the eschatological manifestation of the ground of our being, the kerygma of which we find the ultimate meaning in our interpersonal relationships."




And Jesus said, "What?"



Blessings,
iggy

Peter and the Keys

Matthew 16:13. When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"
14. They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15. "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
16. Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17. Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
18. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
19. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
20. Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

Did Jesus start the institution of Church, or was Jesus responding to Peter’s faith?

Let’s break this passage down.

Verse 1:
Jesus has just finished feeding the 4000 in chapter 15. Then in the beginning of chapter 16 the Pharisees and Sadducees ask Jesus for a sign…. Isn’t that a bit funny. Here Jesus just did a miracle, and religious leaders want a “sign”?

They are still questioning who He is. They were so wicked they could not see the sign before them. Jesus warns His disciples against the yeast of the Pharisees. That they must guard their hearts against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Now with that we enter the passage above.

Jesus then asks who the Son of Man is…. They reply what others say He was…. interesting how even now we look to what others say. We are quick to trust others word and not seek and see what God reveals in our own heart.

They respond with, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

I think Jesus just smiled and then asked,” But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Jesus is much more interested in our heart than what we think others “think”.
He wants us to be responsible for ourselves. Remember Adam in the garden? Instead of accepting responsibility for his actions he said, “that woman you gave me… she did it.”
We are accountable for our own hearts, not others.

Simon of course is the first to chime in with, “16. Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus blesses him. Why? Because Peter had tapped into something…. The Father in Heaven. Peter had opened his heart to the Father though Jesus.

Jesus then goes on in verse 18. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Let’s break this down as this is the verse many teach that the church is an instutution…. I already mentioned how the church is not an institution in another post. You can read it here.

First off Jesus does seem to have renamed Simon to Peter. Peter of course means “rock”. I like to think of Peter being a bit like Rocky Balboa. So, Jesus was calling Simon His Rocky. The one of solid rock like faith.

Now how do I get “faith” out of this statement?

First, it was the Father who revealed who Jesus was… to have the Father reveal anything to anyone, takes faith.
Second, if one looks at the literal translation, it reads more like this.

18. 2504 I also 1161 And 4671 to you 3004 say, 3754 - 4771 You 1487 are 4074 Peter, 2532 and 1909 upon 5026 this 4073 bedrock 9999 {statement} 3618 I will build 3450 of me 3588 the 1577 community 2532 and 9999 {the} 4439 gates 0086 of Hades 3756 not 2729 will prevail against 0846 her.

Reorganized a bit it reads like this:
And I also say to you, you are Peter, and upon this bedrock (statement) I will build the community of me, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against her.

I think one can now see a couple of things here.

It is on Peter’s statement, which is the foundation. The statement of faith revealed by the Father that Jesus would build His community. The gates of Hades, or Hell will not prevail against Jesus’ community of faith.

I see nowhere this is an institution. I see a relational community of believers united in Faith.

Now in verse 19. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Here is does seem that the keys of the kingdom of heaven are being given to Peter. This key is the relational faith that Peter has acknowledged. For Peter is now commissioned to share the gospel with the Jews. Peter’s faith in Christ Jesus opened the heavens. Whatever Peter did in this new found faith, would be the things already done in the heavens by the Father… I know some say that Peter was given authority, in a way, but more his decision were now based on his relationship with the Father.

This was not as some teach just authority that whatever Peter’s decisions where, they were already done in heaven. I think this is a bit backwards, especially as Peter was often on the wrong side until the Father revealed things to him of how things where in heaven.
Remember the sheet lowered down from heaven and how Peter argued against eating the “unclean animals” in Acts? Peter fought God as He revealed the truth. Peter finally caught on and then went and taught the truth to the Jews. This was only because of his relationship in faith with the Father through Jesus

To say Peter was now somehow made some perfect mouthpiece or given some type of super ordained knowledge at this point of the Keys given to him is a bit of a stretch. Also, though this word “you” is singular, it seems that he is speaking to more than just Peter for the next statement is to all the disciples to not let anyone know Who He is.


I think it is safe to say that though there is some authority teaching in this passage, it is only because of the relational aspects. Without this relational revelation, Peter would not have revealed his faith. I think also an interesting thing about this passage is that the Father must reveal who Jesus is. He must give revelation, and as he does we must choose.

To me that is the most important part, the choice.
If you are unsure Who Jesus is, pray that God will reveal Who Jesus is to you.

Blessings,
iggy

Jailed Pakistani Christian Released On Bail

I was not going to comment on Guantanamo Bay, or the Amnesty International statement, but after reading this and several other account in Islam countries my blood began to boil.


Jailed Pakistani Christian Released On Bail
Jeremy Reynalds, Assist News Service
A Christian believer who ran afoul of Pakistan's strict blasphemy law has just been released on a bond of $4200. Yousaf Masih, 60, was arrested on June 28 from the Lalkurti area in Nowshera following an allegation that he had deliberately burnt pages of the Koran. After Masih's arrest, a news release from the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) stated that he was brutally tortured in a police station and later moved to the Central Jail in Peshawar, where he was kept in a special cell. There was serious concern beginning to emerge about Masih's health. Masih was released from jail on Aug. 6. The news release from APMA stated that when Masih was informed about his impending freedom, "he fell down on his knees and loudly said, 'Hallelujah.'. We took him from Central Jail in Peshawar to a location where his family was waiting for him." Speaking in the news release, an APMA official called Masih's release on bail "a great miracle." He added, "It is for the first time in Pakistan that (someone accused of blasphemy) is released from jail on bail in a very short span ... Such type of blasphemy cases take years for any kind of outcome."


I have a big beef with Amnesty International...

How can they say the things about Guantanamo Bay, which I agree was a human rights scandal..When this sort of stuff is a daily event in any Muslim country?

I am not anti Muslim, just curious as to why those of the Islam faith do not stand against this sort of abuse? I do applaud the London Muslim community for finally saying that anyone who kills themselves and takes innocent lives is going straight to hell....That was very late in coming. Yet, even in that, the radicals definition of "innocent" is very tainted.

Amnesty International was a great organization..At least I thought. Now, I wonder...Are they really out for human rights? Or are they just like so many, out for the money....

At this time I withhold any support for Amnesty International.
Pray for those persecuted Christians in Arab and other nations.

Blessed?
iggy

Redefining church

Redefining thoughts on "Church".

I do not know Greek or Hebrew, yet I have a trusty Strong’s concordance and a basic understanding on how words are constructed. With these tools, God has shown me much.

I have been having some radical thoughts about this whole "Church" idea. As I do more study I find that somehow maybe the idea of “church” was lost in the translation. Literally.

The first time the word appears is in Matthew16: 18:

18. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

The first thing about this is that Jesus would never had used the word church…. Synagogue, maybe, religion…. That is what some seem to think. Institution? That is what it has been interpreted as.

But……

In the literal translation they use the word “community” instead of “Church”. Now, that sounds more like Jesus to me.


18. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my community, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Now if one goes deeper here into the Greek we see something even more interesting.

Strong's Ref. # 1577
Romanized ekklesia
Pronounced ek-klay-see'-ah
from a compound of GSN1537 and a derivative of GSN2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):
KJV--assembly, church.

Notice it says it comes from two words… this is a compound word…. So what are the two words? Roughly in English they are, in a few more words

Strong's Number: 1537
Transliterated: ek
Phonetic: ek
Text: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote): --after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.

Strong's Number: 2564
Transliterated: kaleo
Phonetic: kal-eh'-o
Text: akin to the base of 2753; to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, dir. or otherwise): --bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was [called]).


Breaking this down a bit one might say “called out from”. I like to say, “called out ones.”
Or “those called to completion”….

Put together it gives a connotation of a group or community of people called out to completion. Now, I like that better than “church”.

We are called out ones who gather together as a community. What a blessing that is. With this I see the “church” not as an institution of cold bricks and mortar that needs to
Have air conditioning in the summer, (except in them fire and brimstone churches) and heaters in the winter. It suddenly has a rush of blood to it face, color and vibrance courses through it veins and blood pumps in its heart. It suddenly begins to realize it is alive and in amazement, finds out it is loved. Then to be told that she is a beloved Bride
Betrothed to a Bridegroom, who loves her so much that He is making her perfect in every way, for His Names sake, but also because of His great Love for her.

That is church. It is not that the people make up the church or as some say the people are the Church. No. The church is the body of Christ, this body He loves as His own. We are loved as a husband loves his wife… for that is what we are… His Bride!

One of the called out ones who gather in Billings MT,

Blessings,
iggy

Pray for Jordon Cooper

Jordon needs our prayers.

blessings,
iggy

A Liberal and a conservation

A Liberal and a Conservative

Q: How do you tell the difference between a liberal and a conservative?

A: Easy. Watch a man drowning fifty feet offshore. The conservative will throw out 25 feet of rope and shout "swim for it!"The liberal will toss out 50 feet of rope, drop his own end, and go off to do another good deed.

Blessings,
iggy

ETERNAL LIFE IS CHRIST

I wanted to share this quote with you from one of my favorite teachers Maj. Ian Thomas.This has blessed me. I hope it does the same for you.

Blessings

iggy

ETERNAL LIFE IS CHRIST

By: Major W. Ian Thomas

What is eternal life? Is it a place that you are going to when you are dead? Is it a peculiar feeling inside? If you were to ask a normal congregation, or any sort of Bible class or Sunday school in an evangelical church to define eternal life, you would be amazed at the strange answers you would get!

What is eternal life? When does it begin? I noticed just the other day, in a hospital chapel where I was speaking, a tablet on the wall in memory of one of the previous chaplains, and in giving the date of his death it said, "He entered into eternal life." Is that true if he was a Christian? Is it right to imply, as did that tablet on the wall, that eternal life begins when a man is physically dead? No, indeed!

"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life" (I John 5:11,12)
Jesus Christ and eternal life are synonymous terms, and eternal life is none other than Jesus Christ Himself, of whom it is written in John 1:4 ­ "In Him was life; and this life was the light of men." "If you have eternal life at all, it simply means that you have the Son, Jesus Christ ­ now!

Jesus said, "I am the Way, I am the Truth, I am the Life" (John 14:6)
Eternal life is not a peculiar feeling inside! It is not your ultimate destination, to which you will go when you are dead. If you are born again, eternal life is that quality of life that you possess right now, at this very moment, in your own physical body, with your own two feet on the ground, and in the world TODAYI And where does this life come from? Of Him! He is that Life!
So if you have eternal life, it means that you have Somebody, Jesus Christ, and the life that you possess is of Him.

From: The Saving Life of Christ. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House. ©1961