A Planned day of prayer and fasting for Ken Silva... yep I'm serious agian!

As most of you know, last year I called for a day of prayer and fasting for Ken Silva.

Here are some related links.

Link One.

Link Two.

Link Three.

Link Four.

Link Five.

That should give you the background as to why and what is needed to be prayed about.

It is my hope that we bless Ken Silva and call him to true integrity and honesty. I pray also that he and his church grow in the Grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus.

Last year it was on August 28th so let's do it that day again this year. Place it on your calendar. Monday, August 28th 2008. Also pray for Ingrid Schuelter of Slice of Laodicea

The idea is that whether one is for him or sees that what he is doing is harming the Body of Christ, that we all pray a prayer of blessing.

The reasoning is that Jesus taught us to do so.

Luke 6: 27-31"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 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. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Please join me. God can make a difference.

iggy

The News is the Bomb!

I received a call about 11:30 Sunday stating that some had vandalized a news rack. I was a bit annoyed as I was up all night and was trying to get some sleep. I called the police who connected me to the officer on the scene.

“It looks like it was pried open and then set on fire.” The officer said.

I laughed.

He took more info from me like the value of the rack and then stated, “It looks as if it was a victim of a hate crime.”

I had to laugh again as that was about as funny thing I have heard in a long time.

Yet as it turns out, the business where the rack was, had been vandalized before.

Here are a couple of articles the first one is from a local T.V. station the second one from the Gazette where I work.

Now, when I arrived to pick it up, it looked to me like someone had placed a small explosive in it that blew out the bottom and the door the fell off. Inside you can see the burned papers.

It was funny yet also a bit unsettling to think someone would blow up a news rack because he or she hated the owner of the business because he is black. Billings had something like this happen a few years ago and the city stood up against it. I hope Billings will do that again.

Enjoy the pics though…


Blessings,
iggy

A Highway will Be there

Isaiah 35
1. The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, 2. it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. 3. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; 4. say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you." 5. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. 7. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. 8. And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. 9. No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, 10. and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

The Highway will be there. What a promise from God that is! In a land of parched earth and jackals, the land will become a pool giving life giving water to all. This Highway is Jesus.

I think it strange that many will quote that the the road is narrow. It is. Yet, it is a road that is set in safety to those on it. As with Highways now, this Highway gives one great speed to God. It is clear of all debris and obstacles.

Jesus is the Way, the Truth and The Life. He is the narrow Way. Do not think this Highway is anything else but the Living Savior Jesus. There is no other road. There is no other God that makes a path such as this to salvation.

Blessings,

iggy

It's too quiet here

I admit it has been silent around these parts for a time. Don’t worry or cheer too quickly as I am just taking a bit of a break. It has been hectic with work and starting the Kinship Groups at our church, yet, if that was not enough I have started or rather restarted my goal to get my Associates Degree in psychology through the University of Phoenix. They have an online department that I am taking two classes.

The classes are not that hard, though they are very much alike. I am often wondering which class the assignment is for! LOL!
I stated I started a kinship group in our church yet find that I am not that comfortable with the “group”. Don’t get me wrong it is not the people, but there are some interesting dynamic in this group that just do not seem a right fit for me and my wife. I see that with small children we are more in tune with the “family” crowd. What we are in now is a group that is quite interesting, yet comprises mostly of women, most of which are highly educated and hold multiple degrees. None of that bothers me, yet, I feel rather estrogen challenged.

As I was leading last Wednesday, I truly felt the Lord stating that one of the women there should be leading this particular group and I may need to move on to start another.

This is not a bad thing, as that is what we as leaders are to be doing. We are to keep our eyes open for someone else to be a leader, help, and encourage them to step up. It just seems this is on the accelerated course.

I do appreciate your prayers on the group and on my restarting education. Work will always be work and at times I am just ready to hand in my resignation yet know that the job is better paying than most out there. Mostly I pray that the job will change in areas it needs to change.

Be blessed,
iggy

The Practical Princes

When I was a young child my mother bought this book for me. Since it was about a princess, I was not that interested in it. I found the book on the floor as it has now been passed on to my own children.

Note that this book is more than a story about a Princess but it is a story of the gift of common sense. I read it and thought that this is a wonderful book. I now realize it was not just for me, but also for my own princes Ciana.

As I look at it now I wonder at how small of world that I had lived in as a child. My son seems to like as it has dragons and many other things to keep a boy interested.

A book and its cover. A book about a princess?

I see this as something I learned much later that just because something looks effeminate, it might not be. Later I came to realize Jesus was not that effeminate weakling He was often presented as being... yet I also learned that grace is not about being able to carry a book on one’s head without dropping it. Grace may seem effeminate and weak, yet exceptional strength is required in order to walk in it. This strength is far beyond our own abilities, and can only come from God who enables and gives us the strength to walk in His Grace.

Be blessed,
iggy

Here is some new music for you...

As you know (or maybe you don't) I have an online radio station. With that comes free music. Sometimes it is good and sometimes bad, yet sometimes it is very good!

Here are some artists I am playing or will be heard soon on iggyROCKS!

Blushing Well
This flesh I'm In

The first cut alone is worth the album. They sound a bit like Soundgarden meets Tool but less polished. Yet, even without the gloss of a high studio production Blushing Well stands on its own as a unique sound in Christian music. It is one I highly recommend.

Saint
Crime Scene Earth

Some of you might remember them from the eighties and nineties. They were best know for their darker presentation of the Bible. This has that Judas Priest feel and vocally Josh Kramer still seems in Metal form. It is petal to the metal from start to finish. The Judas in Me is one that I liked.

Scelerata
darkness and light

Brazil is bringing out the metal. Scelerata is bring the truth. They are hard hitting. Think Yngve Malmsteen meets Iron Maiden in high gear! Guitar playing on this effort is top notch and the drums are merciless.

Sandalinas
Living on the edge

This is one of my favorite listens right now. Rocking metal reminiscent of the nineties yet fresh. I believe this band is from Sweden and it is restoring metal to it former glory. The guitar playing is melodic and vocals are powerful.

And now for the softer side.

Carrie Newcomer
The Geography of Light

This is not just great music but great story telling. Every song on this CD brings some great imagery. The sound is folksy but don't let that stop you from checking this CD out. She is writing from the emerging church viewpoint and there is a depth that one will explore deeper and deeper with each song.

.5% Cuss Free!

Created by OnePlusYou - a Free Dating Site

65% Good

Updates and other things...

I have signed up to continue (feeling more like just starting) my psychology degree. It will only be my associates degree.

I am doing it online through University if Phoenix... at least until I get the associates.

It has been one of those weeks. TES, my wife was laid off her job at the Newspaper. They offered her severance pay or that she could take a different opening at the paper... They thought she would take the other position and pretty much planned it that way, but God had other ideas! LOL!

Just a couple of days before this TES went to an interview at St Vincent's Hospital and they offered her the job the day she was given the choice at the newspaper... when she told them she already had another job and would take the severance pay, they were shocked. I think they thought she would be desperate and take the other position and they could also have her still around to train her "boss". He seemed to freak out a bit that day.

I am still there (for now) so it will be interesting who it all plays out.

It all sort of reminded me of Survivor in how one person is so confident they are in control and then find they are voted off the island! God is good. TES will have about the same benefits but better pay. = )

All this though made me realize that I need to do something more. With that I decided to go back to college.

If you are squeamish you may not want to read further.

The other thing that happened this week was that as I was showering I found a golf ball sized bump under my left arm! FREAKED ME OUT!!!!

It seems it was a cyst as there was drained a whole bunch of yucky pus and stuff out. It seemed to drain for two days! As i was working I just felt gross... nauseous and some muscle pains in my left arm and across my chest...

Yes it sounds like a heart attack but I didn't seem to be hurting or having trouble thinking or any other symptoms. Yet, it was enough to get me to see a Dr.

Introducing Dr. Doom....

I went to Same Day Care where I go for things like colds and such. (Really I don't know where the St. V's equivalent is so I just go where I know.) Dr. Doom entered and as I told him my story, in a straight faced and most unemotional way, stated, "I should have you go in to get an EKG and other tests." I stated that I just thought it was more likely it was that the "junk" from the cyst was just getting into my system and that I probably need antibiotics.

He then stated "Have you ever had a heart attack before? So, how would you know if you were having one?" I wished now I thought to ask him if he had one before so he could tell me what it was like or not!... but I was so shocked at this doom and gloom Dr statements to me, as he went on to say, "Most people do not survive their first heart attack, and becuase of you high cholesterol, uncontrolled diabetes and... you are a perfect candidate for a heart attack." Mind you no emotion, compassion, just dead pan straight faced as he looked at me.

He preceded to them prescribe antibiotics because I am diabetic.

Now, mind you he is right. I have some serious health issues that need addressed, but this reminded me of when I am dialoguing with some Discern-mentalist who seems more concerned about being "right" than for me as a person. I honestly felt like if I did die, he would just go, "See, I was right, I told him so..." as if being right was the most important thing.

I will be contacting my Dr to do some heart checks. He has not seemed worried in that department, but I think it may be a good thing to do anyway... for my kids and wife cuz I love them...

iggy

A funny and strange dream...

Just woke from a funny and strange dream.

I was on a tour bus with Doug Pagitt, Tony Jones, Andrew Jones and a couple of other guys going to a conference of some sort. I realized I was the only one that did not have a laptop! I was very concerned over this so called Bob Hyatt for advise. He told me to just buy a pen and paper notebook. Bob is very smart! LOL!

I just woke up laughing over it! It was pretty absurd.

iggy

Ingrid's Hidden Contemplative Agenda

"Music Till Dawn will provide a relaxing contemplative atmosphere, where the Holy Spirit can speak to quieted hearts."

See their original version here.

For more humor try this!

Pray for Steven Curtis Chapman

Steven Curtis Chapman and family lost their five year old daughter Wednesday in a tragic accident. Please pray for the Chapman family, especially the teenage son.

2 Cor 4:4 Who Is The God of This World?

I have been in a discussion with someone on Twitter discussing 2 Cor 4:4 and that it seemed inconsistent with Paul's theology to state this commonly quoted verse.

2 Cor 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

For some reason that verse had always bothered me as I saw it did not fit with other verses that Paul wrote.

Like.

Romans 1: 25. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen. 26. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. 28. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

Notice it is God doing the deluding? Not Satan. Though I do think Satan plays a part in the turning from the knowledge of God, and adding to the “depraved mind”.

I also noted Paul stating things like:

Romans 3: 30. “since there is only one God,” I wondered why then Paul referred to Satan as the “god of this world”… it seemed that it was a bit of an exaggeration at best! LOL!

But the verses that made me wonder the most was in 1 Cor 8: 4. So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. 5. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), 6. yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

If Paul was stating that there is only One God over and over here… and stating that “even if there are so-called gods”, then making a slighted reference to all the many “gods” and “lords” (possibly a reference to Caesar worship?) I just could not see him referring to Satan as a god, even in small letters. It seemed out of character for Paul… though he may at times go to extreme rhetoric as in the “height, width, depth of God’s love”…

Anyway I left it alone for quite a few years, but it still bothered me. Then about a year ago (maybe 3) I was reading Irenaeus and found that he was correcting how this passage should be read. Sorry for all the upcoming cut an past

Against Heresies
Chapter VII.—Reply to an objection founded on the words of St. Paul (2 Cor. iv. 4). St. Paul occasionally uses words not in their grammatical sequence.
1. As to their affirming that Paul said plainly in the Second [Epistle] to the Corinthians, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not,”3358 and maintaining that there is indeed one god of this world, but another who is beyond all principality, and beginning, and power, we are not to blame if they, who give out that they do themselves know mysteries beyond God, know not how to read Paul. For if any one read the passage thus—according to Paul’s custom, as I show elsewhere, and by many examples, that he uses transposition of words—“In whom God,” then pointing it off, and making a slight interval, and at the same time read also the rest [of the sentence] in one [clause], “hath blinded the minds of them of this world that believe not,” he shall find out the true [sense]; that it is contained in the expression, “God hath blinded the minds of the unbelievers of this world.” And this is shown by means of the little interval [between the clause]. For Paul does not say, “the God of this world,” as if recognising any other beyond Him; but he confessed God as indeed God. And he says, “the unbelievers of this world,” because they shall not inherit the future age of incorruption. I shall show from Paul himself, how it is that God has blinded the minds of them that believe not, in the course of this work, that we may not just at present distract our mind from the matter in hand, [by wandering] at large.

2. From many other instances also, we may discover that the apostle frequently uses a transposed order in his sentences, due to the rapidity of his discourses, and the impetus of the Spirit which is in him. An example occurs in the [Epistle] to the Galatians, where he expresses himself as follows:
“Wherefore then the law of works?3359 It was added, until the seed should come to whom the promise was made; [and it was] ordained by angels in the hand of a Mediator.”3360 For the order of the words runs thus: “Wherefore then the law of works? Ordained by angels in the hand of a Mediator, it was added until the seed should come to whom the promise was made,”— man thus asking the question, and the Spirit making answer. And again, in the Second to the Thessalonians, speaking of Antichrist, he says, “And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus Christ3361 shall slay with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy him3362 with the presence of his coming; [even him] whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders.”3363 Now in these [sentences] the order of the words is this: “And then shall be revealed that wicked, whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the presence of His coming.”
For he does not mean that the coming of the Lord is after the working of Satan; but the coming of the wicked one, whom we also call Antichrist. If, then, one does not attend to the [proper] reading [of the passage], and if he do not exhibit the intervals of breathing as they occur, there shall be not only incongruities, but also, when reading, he will utter blasphemy, as if the advent of the Lord could take place according to the working of Satan. So therefore, in such passages, the hyperbaton must be exhibited by the reading, and the apostle’s meaning following on, preserved; and thus we do not read in that passage, “the god of this world,” but, “God,” whom we do truly call God; and we hear [it declared of] the unbelieving and the blinded of this world, that they shall not inherit the world of life which is to come.


It really made me start thinking again on all this…

I started to look at the verse again so see what it might really be saying.

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Who veiled the gospel? It is our own unbelief. How is the veil removed, by believing in Jesus. We learned all this in 2 Cor 3
The Gospel is veiled to those who are perishing.

I see it should read:

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The God Eternal has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

It then flows so that we now (again as we learned in 2 Cor 3: 16. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.)

Verse 5. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

It is God who blinds the unbeliever so that they cannot see Christ. They can see Christ when God reveals Jesus to them as Paul teaches in 1 Cor 1: 18. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Now here is my theory, call it conspiracy if you will. LOL!

Most of us are from the Protestant/reformed view. We spend our time in Calvin and Augustine and other 16th century guys who are well worth the read. I think many manuscripts are mostly from Alexandria which took a Platonist/ Gnostic view point of scripture. Somewhere I think we tossed the baby out with the bathwater in our zeal to attack the Roman Catholic Church. I had not read Irenaeus and when I did it was in my search to follow the disciples of John the Apostle. You might know Irenaeus was a disciple of Polycarp who was a disciple of Ignatius and. So the linage is pretty straight forward as to what was taught from John. I see that maybe we just took to our own traditions instead of looking at our historians of past. Note many are pretty far out there, yet, some that we can see come from apostolic line of teaching, should be considered in their interpretations.


iggy

The New Christians Webisode 5

Tony Jones and pastorboy... the finished product. This is part of Tony Jones' “On the Road with Trucker Frank” series today, webisode 5 that promotes Tony's book "The New Christians".

These have been really good.




Be sure to watch them all.

To find the interview between Tony and John (pastorboy) you can see it here in it's unedited form.

Update: You can read a little more at CRN.info

Be blessed,
iggy

What day is it anyway?

I am a bit in a tizzy as all the things happening in the last few weeks.

1. Mom went in for routine knee replacement and did both knees. One became infected so they needed to open it up again and remove the infection. They placed antibiotic "pearls" in for couple of days and then went in and removed them. Apparently someone neglected to tell me that these "pearls" were so potent that if one broke and got into her blood stream she would die instantly.... maybe it was good I did not know! She is doing better though it sound like she will need antibiotics for the rest of her life. She is doing well so far and has been up walking a bit.

2. Work has been hard. I was informed that there was a hire freeze. That pretty much cheesed me off... (Oh Brother Lawrence where are you!) They held a meeting and then let me know I could hire people after all. I have been working 6 -7 days a week and it is getting old as it has gone on since November.

3. I did a test where they hooked up a meter to me for 72 hours to track my blood sugars. I lasted 48 and just could not handle having a needle in my side. It was most likely bad placement as when I sat in a car seat the concave of the seat would, the seat would hit it. As I jumped in and out of the truck at work I would feel like I was going to pass out as the pain shot across my back. After about 48 hours I told TES to get it out of me as I was in tears from the pain. I felt sooooooooooo much better after it was out. They want me to try it again next week! LOL!

4. I thought I was going to get a 4 day week... not consequetively but at least on paper I saw I had 3 days off... well someone told me they were not able to help as they were already scheduled and a driver lost a relative in a car accident last night so I went in. Please prayer for her. I am not sure how this week will go now so also please pray for me.

5. I am also trying to get ready for the start of Kinship Groups (Vineyard's name for small groups). I am going to go through the book by Brother Lawrence called Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life. I already had someone on the leadership team comment (jokingly) about me teaching RCC stuff. Yet, I see that John Wesley and A. W. Tozer both recommended him. Yet, Lighthouse Trails who thinks everyone is a heretic/apostate thinks that he is just a dangerous contemplative mystic. (Funny that they have no issue with quoting Tozer (PDF) yet still condemns who Tozer recommended! Really makes me wonder....) = )

Penthouse now into Christian Dating...

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

"Worship in spirit and in truth"

Working Hands John Crosley

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. ~ John 4:23

Just a thought. We worship in spirit and in Truth. but does that mean disembodiment? Is "spirit" detached? For that matter, is Truth only mental assent to doctrine? Especially if Jesus is Truth incarnate? If we detach the spiritual union of Christ in us an we in Him, and also detach truth from Christ in only a abstraction of thought... are we still connected to the Head which is Christ?

Interestingly that the word "Spirit" in John 4:24 means also "wind" or "breath" or "life"... while the word "Truth" means truth, but also "truly".

If we look closely at this verse I wonder if instead of disembodied abstraction of thought sort of worship, which seems to be what I learned or have caught from others, we are to live our in our life our very true worship unto God. It is interactive and not something that is so out there in the "heavens" as not to be obtained. I think that Jesus was stating that instead of temple made of stone we are to worship God in our truly living Life...

I just wonder if true worship is not in our church buildings, but in the build up of dirt under our fingers as we work out our salvation by the Power of the Holy Spirit and God working His perfect will and purpose in and through us.

I Like Steve Brown.

Some N. T. Wright...

N. T. Wright

1. On Heaven.

2. On Worship:


3. On the Sacraments:

Happy Birthday!

We all know Brian McLaren reads my blog for inspiration.... (J/k)

So... HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAN!

iggy

Things to do this week

Things to do this week.

1. Romans 14

2. Update blog roll links (does yours work?)

3. Find some strange but interesting links.

4. St John of the Cross divine ladder post.

5. The next "Sola".

More to come?

I know... it is pretty sad when I have to post a "to do" list for my blog. But I sort of need to be held accountable for this week. I have been working nights and so sleeping days. Then the kids get home... then on my one day off I just want to veg... So Thursday should be the day most of this gets done.

Jack Chick... now in animation

I was a huge Jack Chick fan years ago, but as I grew I did not see things quite like Jack. This was pointed out by a new friend Michael Krahn. I found it compelling on many different levels. Watch it, read the write up on it then let's talk!

Talk points.

1. Do you think the polarization of the opposing men is fair?
2. Is the Fatherhood of God brotherhood of man not in the Bible as claimed?
3. Could the presentation have been more balanced?
4. When they are in hell, what do you think of Jack Chick stating it is only "temporary?"
5. Is "judgment" only bad?


Be blessed,
iggy

Please pray for Jon Cardwell

I have been coresponding with Jon Cardwell over the past year. He is a missionary in Alaska yet has found out he has ALS otherwise know as "Lou Gehrig's disease". I was saddened to hear this. ALS is a slow degenerative muscle disease so it will take some time for it to have it's full effect on Jon. He still has needs as making a living.

I have asked people to pray over the internet a few times and have seen miracles. From the miracle of my son who was rapidly losing weight from birth and not eathing to see him begin to eat and gain strength and weight the very day many prayed, to the recent fires in Molt/Park City area in which none of my relatives property was damaged by fire. In fact one relative had the fire stop right at her property line and there seems no reason other than divine intervention.

I know God can heal people and I ask that you pray for Jon. He is currently in the lower states looking for places to preach and possibly to be the full time pastor.

Please Bless Jon and his family,

iggy

Tony Jones On Steve Brown Etc...

Tony Jones interview on Steve Brown Etc. Great show... great interview.

Download MP3 Play in Popup or you can listen to his show at 1PM mst on iggyRocks!

Blessings,

iggy

Please pray

There is a fire in Molt Montana and my cousins farm is right in the line of the fire. They could lose everything including livestock and home.

This is also the family Ranch and has a rich family history so much will be lost.

Thanks.

iggy

Update: I want to thank everyone that is praying. I had received a frantic call from my cousins wife that the fire was very close to the farm house. She was in a panic. It seems that the fire was close but not as close as she thought. My cousin was at the farm taking care of his grandchildren and grand niece all very little babies. He decided to leave the area as the smoke was too bad. I have not heard anything since as they seem to not be at the farm and reception for cell phone in that area is very touch and go. The winds are a huge problem here as anywhere else so there may be still an issue.

Again thanks for your prayers I will give updates as I hear anything.

Update 2: The fire was contained and it is raining a bit. The fire stopped outside of Park City I have a relative that has been developing some housing and the fire stopped one mile from there. It also burned around one of my cousins buildings and missed the house and structures completely. Strangely it burned up to another relatives fence line and stopped.

Again, thanks for all the prayers!

Blessings,
iggy

The New Christians: the video

Just added Twitter...

I am not sure why I just added Twitter... but I did.

Just to be super clear ... YES! I believe in life after death!

Just to be super clear ... YES! I believe in life after death!


I have not read the book "Everything Must Change", so I will not be so foolish as some to comment on a book I have nto read. Yet I have read many of Brian’s other books and listen to hours of lectures and on and on. Much I hear critics say about Brian I have not seen or heard from him. Recently a friend pointed to an article that was a bit disturbing as it was hard to understand what Brian was stating.

The first link was one I was glad to read as it seemed to clear up some things people have said against Brian. I think that most the critics of McLaren do not understand that other views and interpretations are out there about books like The Revelation. It seems that if one cannot grasp that even some interpretations that are considered the “most biblical” (as well as some doctrines” are relatively new in their development and often are based on summations of creeds and commentaries as well as traditions passed on by men. (Not to be confused with the traditions and teachings passed on by the Apostles.)

I do not recommend blindly trusting or believing anyone. Personally there are some political views I may differ from Brian and even some theological views. I hold that though the Revelation is apocalyptical it is also prophetic as it states it is.(“Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy,” Rev 1:3) I also read it as it states, “v19. "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.” I see that though as some see all has already happened, one thing remains, the Return of Jesus as the book states He will. (I do not see the day of Pentecost as the return of Jesus as it is evident in scripture that even after that day the Apostles looked forward to a literal day of Jesus’ return). I see that as in the OT at times there is a “Near/Far” theme. The example is that of the young girl (virgin) who is prophesied to give birth Isaiah (7:14) which is fulfilled in (2 Kings 16:9.) (I will not indulge in the “virgin” debate that claims that Matt was wrong and misused this “prophecy” I simply see that Matthew knew as most do, that a young girl most likely is a virgin…)

Being that Isaiah 7:14 is fulfilled, yet seems to still give more of a promise to be fully fulfilled later I see that this near far theme is carried out through out the bible. Though I see that almost every thing was fulfilled as Jesus stated it would be in that “generation” by 70AD, (Matthew 24:34) definitely gives a problem to those who only hold to the “future” view of Revelation as it then would make Jesus a liar!

Again, use wisdom and trust in the leading of the Holy Spirit. I found more just reading Revelation that lead me out of the “rapture” view. The deeper I looked at the scriptures that supposedly taught this view the less I saw it. (Though if pressed to have to believe the Rapture, I would be mid trib).

I see that we have a continuation of now until the New Creation comes. This earth and heaven are of the fallen creation. I do not subscribe to the “burn it all” idea, though I see that there will be a major meltdown to come… I see that as a purification of sin. The way I explain it is that God is not destroying this creation in the sense of annihilation as some teach. I see that as I will die and be raised again at the resurrection of the dead I will then be clothed in the imperishable and clothed in immortality. I will still be me. Likewise I see that this creation will rise as such and also be restored but even better… or as Jesus stated, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) I see that the Life is in the Son and in that we will rise to New Life in the New Creation as New created beings. The New Heavens and New Earth will be this one but in a much greater Glory. This is not denying that God will do some major things in the end of days rather it is fully acknowledging that there may be some terrible days ahead as God brings the two sided sword of justice. One side to set things right the other to punish those who have done wrong.

We must trust God first and foremost. Especially in that He knows His Word better than anyone. He promises to direct our path which to me means that as we read, there may be paths in the scripture we will never understand. It may be that we are not ready. Believe that God will teach you what He wants you to know. Often I have found God has different priorities than I do in what I think needs to be fixed in me. One point was that I was frustrated with a bad habit of swearing. I could control it most the time, yet I was shocked at times of what would flow out of my mouth! I would further feel condemned by it as I would read that fresh and salt water cannot flow from the same well… Yet, God dealt with me over my angry spirit. In that I found more control as he released me from the things that I would be angry about. (Rather God gave me tools to release anger before it worked its way in me too deeply).

Trust in Gods priorities.

Be blessed,
iggy

Scot McKnight gets asked this a lot!

Scot McKnight gets asked this a lot... here.
How do you handle critics in general, let alone ones of a very aggressive nature?

Personally I have found humor to help greatly. Praying for them is also highly suggested. Mostly realizing they are just as screwed up as you are helps... (By that I mean I am!) = )
Mostly do not let their bitterness and anger infect you.

Oh, and for those who are critical of contextualization of the gospel in our culture I had this quote for you... LOL!

“Culture is only true when implicitly critical, and the mind which forgets this revenges itself in the critics it breeds. Criticism is an indispensable element of culture.” Theodor W. Adorno
(German philosopher, 1903-1969)

Here are a couple of posts I did on the topic of handling criticism.
What I learned from my critics (Sort of a bitter one)
Some Advise for Handling Critics and False Accusers (A much better way to go!) = )


Be blessed,
iggy

MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST: April 21, 2008

I was taken a bit by today's devotions. I undertook this year to go through MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST though it has not been as "enlightening" as I had hoped. Maybe it is that I am not putting into it as much as I could or that I am not ready for it or maybe have passed it by (I say that with much humor!) Yet, as in the past I do not get too much out of daily devotions.

Saying that though today I read and was fascinated by it as I stated as it spoke to my heart. I hope it blesses you today as it blessed me.

NOW DON'T HURT THE LORD!
Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not
known Me, Philip?
John 14:9

Our Lord must be repeatedly astounded at us - astounded at how un-simple we are. It is opinions of our own which make us stupid, when we are simple we are never stupid, we discern all the time.

Philip expected the revelation of a tremendous mystery, but not in the One Whom he knew. The mystery of God is not in what is going to be, it is now; we look for it presently, in some cataclysmic event.

We have no reluctance in obeying Jesus, but it is probable that we are hurting Him by the questions we ask. "Lord, show us the Father."

His answer comes straight back - "There He is, always here or nowhere." We look for God to manifest Himself to His children: God only manifests Himself in His children. Other people see the manifestation, the child of God does not. We want to be conscious of God; we cannot be conscious of our consciousness and remain sane. If we are asking God to give us experiences, or if conscious experience is in the road, we hurt the Lord. The very questions we ask hurt Jesus because they are not the questions of a child.

"Let not your heart be troubled" - then am I hurting Jesus by allowing my heart to be troubled? If I believe the character of Jesus, am I living up to my belief? Am I allowing anything to perturb my heart, any morbid questions to come in? I have to get to the implicit relationship that takes everything as it comes from Him. God never guides presently, but always now. Realize that the Lord is here now, and the emancipation is immediate.

Guess the quote...

"The Bible is not only man’s word, but God’s also; not merely a record of revelation, but a written revelation in its own right, God’s own witness to Himself in the form of human witness to Him. Accordingly, the authority of the Scriptures rests, not simply on their worth as an historical source, a testament of religion, and a means of uplift, real though this is, but primarily and essentially on the fact that they come to us from the mouth of God. Therefore the real task for reason in this connection is not to try to censure and correct the Scriptures, but rather, with God’s help, to try to understand and apply them, so that God may effectively censure and correct us."

So who stated this? Guess first then go here to see if you are right...

Modern church news, from an old church perspective

UPDATE: As I stated when I posted this, Jim does things like re-route people he does not like... Well with unfailing predictability, Jim Bublitz showed his true nature by redirecting links to him back here which just proved my point... but what's new! Thanks Jim! LOL! Oh btw if you are so inclined to go to Oldtruth.com... use the "snap shot" link. If Jim bans or re-routes that he will loose anyone that uses "snap-shot". ; ) just like he has just banned anyone who uses my ISP in Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota...

Modern church news, from an old church perspective is a title of a certain blog that claims not only to be holding the the "truth" but to also have high integrity... yet if you know that blog you will agree somehow it seems to all fit that blog really good!

This article just reminded me of an Old friend and his tactics.

(I can't wait to see where he sends you! LOL!)

I saw this picture and just went down memory lane as I thought about how "certain" all the ODM's are.

iggy

Remember to also keep praying for the fire victims.

UPDATE:

Jim States:

"Another blogger notified me of your mention of my SeekerSensitive.com site today, and I must say - I agree with you on the false advertising appearance that you pointed out, as it relates to posting links on pro-seeker listings.

I was given the website domain that you mentioned, by a previous owner who apparently set up whatever it is that you saw. If I find my site falsely listed under wrong directory categories in the future I will pursue having the link delisted."

Please pray for the fire victims here in Billings

Last Sunday 25 people become homeless and lost everything due to a fire at an apartment here in Billings. One person died. This is tragic enough yet there is even greater sadness...

In an attempt to help and show support a local motel with a water slide opened its pool to the families so that their children could have some fun. One of the children drowned to death last night.

Please pray for these families, especially the one's that lost their loved ones.

If you want to help please contact the Red Cross here is Billings.

iggy

For the full story

Miracles

Also check this one out.

'God Himself Could Not Sink This Ship' and other stuff

It was April 15th 1912...

"Titanic was built with a double bottom but not a double hull. It had watertight bulkheads, but they didn't all go all the way to the top of the hull. These omissions doomed the ship after a 200-foot gash was torn in its starboard side below the waterline by a spur projecting from the iceberg. Or perhaps, new research suggests, the gash was not that big, but substandard rivets caused the Titanic's hull plates to buckle."

To read more

It is a beautiful planet...

Lifeboat Theology vs. Ark Theology (Part 3 of 5 by Rich Nathan)

"D.L. Moody, the great 19th-century evangelist, described his calling and said that he essentially understood the world as being like an ocean liner that hit an iceberg. God had said to him, "Moody, it is your job to pull as many drowning people out of the water into lifeboats as you can."

Happy April 15th!

Dear Internal Revenue Service:

Enclosed you will find my 2007 tax return showing that I owe
$3,407.00 in taxes. Please note the attached article from the USA Today
newspaper; dated 12 November, wherein you will see the Pentagon (Department of Defense) is paying $171.50 per hammer and NASA has paid $600.00 per toilet seat. I am enclosing four (4) toilet seats (valued @ $2,400) and six (6) hammers valued @ $1,029), which I secured at Home Depot, bringing my total remittance to $3,429.00. Please apply the overpayment of $22.00 to the "Presidential Election Fund," as noted on my return. You can do this inexpensively by sending them one (1) 1.5" Phillips Head screw (see aforementioned article from USA Today newspaper detailing how H.U.D. pays $22.00 each for 1.5" Phillips Head Screws). One screw is enclosed for your convenience.

It has been a pleasure to pay my tax bill this year, and I look forward
to paying it again next year.

Sincerely,

A. Satisfied Taxpayer

The mystic ladder of Divine love, according to Saint Bernard and Saint Thomas Step six

The mystic ladder of Divine love, according to Saint Bernard and Saint Thomas Step six

ON the sixth step the soul runs swiftly to God and touches Him again and again; and it runs without fainting by reason of its hope. For here the love that has made it strong makes it to fly swiftly. Of this step the prophet Isaias speaks thus: ’ The saints that hope in God shall renew their strength; they shall take wings as the eagle; they shall fly and shall not faint,’Isaias xl, 31.
as they did at the fifth step. To this step likewise alludes that verse of the Psalm: ’ As the hart desires the waters, my soul desires Thee, O God.’Psalm xli, 2 [A.V., xlii, 1].

For the hart, in its thirst, runs to the waters with great swiftness. The cause of this swiftness in love which the soul has on this step is that its charity is greatly enlarged within it, since the soul is here almost wholly purified, as is said likewise in the Psalm, namely: Sine iniquitate cucurri.Psalm lviii, 5 [A.V., lix, 4].



And in another Psalm: ‘I ran the way of Thy commandments when Thou didst enlarge my heart’;Psalm cxviii, 32 [A.V., cxix, 32].



and thus from this sixth step the soul at once mounts to the seventh, which is that which follows.

Walking through Romans: pt 14 Romans 13

Walking through Romans: pt 14 Romans 13

Romans 13

1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet,"[a] and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."[b] 10Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
11And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.[c]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I looked over this chapter I it is hard to think I could ever do any better job than Paul did himself. I almost just posted this chapter without any thoughts added. Yet, as I thought more I realized that in the past I did not understand or follow this at all. Submission to authority is not optional. God ordains it and it is. Many skirt around this with rationalizations like “If the governing body is unjust and ungodly we do not need follow them.” In some sense that is justified as we have cases in scripture like Daniel who did not compromise who he was. Now I hope you caught that last bit as it is of most importance. God’s ordained authority should not change who we are in Christ. It should not compromise who we are even when it goes against God. Yet, mostly we are to live in peace and under the obedient submission to the laws of the land and governors. We in the USA seem to miss that most people do not share our ideals or even understandings of freedom and choice and many other things we just take for granted. In Jesus day there was abortion, but it was often against children who were already born… in fact Herod murdered all the males under two years old at at whim to get the rumored new born King of the Jews.

I am not saying that we need lie down and allow unjust men to rule, yet we also must realize what we do will gain ramifications. I we live at peace and know that God is a God of order and governments are given for that purpose and in fact the taxes we pay help protect us, we need be thankful to God for protecting us in this fashion. Yet we must understand to go against those in power and to purposely break law as to steal from our neighbors, we will reap the punishment we out to. For justice goes two ways.


Debt is another area that is great in our nation. I heard one person proclaim that if we all just never paid back our credit card debts all will be on a level economic field. The issue though is of fraud. If we choose not to pay back those we owe we are committing fraud against them as we promised in good faith to pay our debts. Now, as one that has had much financial issues myself I am not condemning anyone for mistakes. Yet, we need to learn from mistakes and choose not to commit them again. We need to strive to not owe anyone anything but the debt of Love we owe God. As Paul states, “love is the fulfillment of the law.” In that we fulfill the Law by loving others. In loving others we show our own gratitude for our forgiveness and in this worship God as we Love others as we have been loved.

All this is because the time of the Lord is at hand. We need live accordingly and not speak of our faith then for all outward appearances look and live like we have not changed. I am not stating some sort of Puritan lifestyle, but that we strive to find God’s best for us and not live as those still caught in the bondage of sin live. We no longer need to seek sex in place of love for we now know love. We no longer need to drink our problems away as we have One that is on our side and will work all things out for our good and His glory. The Christian life is not about stopping “sinning” but it is not about satisfying our sinful desires. It is to live in a way that glorifies God as He lives in us.



For more on the topic of the Higher Law of Love

Great Quotes: Spurgeon

Like the fascination which attracts the gnat to the candle, though it burns its wings, men by nature fly to the law for salvation, and cannot be kept from seeking life by it. The law can do nothing else but reveal sin and pronounce condemnation upon the sinner, and yet we cannot get men away from it, even though we show them how sweetly Jesus stands between them and it.

~ Charles Spurgeon, Christ’s Glorious Achievements

HT: RI

Emails from TES

TES is my lovely and wonderful life... and she cracks me up at times.

Here is an email she sent out today... (FYI my given name is Carlos)

Today I said crap and Fischer was repeating it over and over. Carlos had to have a little sit down with him.

TES


I guess it could be worse...

(warning the other form of "donkey" is used in this clip so don't tell me how offended you are because you were warned!)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EgTjAbzU1c

One reason not to be quick to judge...

Letters from Camp Krusty...

This article on heretics set me straight...

be blessed,

iggy

Todd Friel: Is He For Real?

Now, it is long, but the highlights are...

1. Did he read the book... does not sound like it at all!
2. Tells us piety is wrong, then tells us that the problem is the "hypocrites" in the church.
3. Does not grasp that we are in the world and not of it...
4. Agrees then builds about 20 different straw men to make it wrong...
5. States over and over "WE need to change the people" ummm God changes people! ARRRRGH!

When he states two types of Christians... your type and our type don't miss the irony in all that as Todd's picture comes up... and then he begings to promote exactly what he is speaking against! LOL!

It goes on.. He talks of being anti "hypocrites" then states "WE" must change people and does not even care to see the others perspective. IF HE ACTUALLY READ THE BOOK he would have noticed the message is not changed... believe me I have read the book.

I see he is misdiagnosing the problem and then ignoring any solution except his OWN WAY... and that is that instead of trusting the Holy Spirit to change people... "WE" must change them.

Good grief... once again I understand why I do not listen to these guys. There is so much doublespeak and misinformation and... well intellectual dishonesty...

Well I did laugh a bit... And Todd, get out of that bubble. Denny's is not all there is in culture.

Oh contrast Todd's rant with this video...



or this one...



Blessed?

iggy

A Great Way of Reading Your Bible...

I want someone to tell me how this is wrong to do...

• READ: Read deeply - read fully - let your imagination wrap around the words. read for insight and discovery. pay attention to what grabs you.
• THINK: Seriously - give it time to soak into your head… meditate on what you’ve read. think through it. let your mind consider the ins and outs of the passage. again, pay attention to what sticks out to you.
• PRAY: talk to God about what He’s saying to you through this reading. tell Him what grabbed your attention. ask Him how you should apply it to your life.
• LIVE: don’t just be a hearer, be a DOER. apply the truths and revelations of the passage to your life.

Now go here and find out if you still think it is a good thing... as many people seem to be critiquing this method as evil and bad... yet I bet that they also practice this without realizing it!

be blessed,

iggy

Click here or more info on this method

Spiritual side of discernment

I personally do not know who Patrick Ersig is, yet I will say that this post at Sermonindex.net is spot on. My prayer is and has always been for those who claim to be "discerning" yet seem more intent on judging and condemning that they learn true discernment.

Please read it prayerfully and as the author desires.

Be blessed,

iggy