The Christianity Today article is out...
"The angriest websites are those belonging to small, but disturbingly visible, fundamentalist Protestant groups outraged that fellow Protestants appear to be holding out a welcoming hand to Catholics or Orthodox Christians.
Leading the charge against alleged ecumenists is Apprising Ministries (AM), a New Hampshire-based group whose leader is Southern Baptist pastor Ken Silva. Rick Warren, according to AM, is a "milquetoast." Schuller and the late Norman Vincent Peale are "the devil's duo." Richard Foster (a leading Quaker writer on Christian spirituality), Brian McLaren (a leader in the emerging church movement), and Joel Osteen (pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston) are "vipers of new evangelicalism" and "whitewashed tombs." Through the Web, such commentary gains a global audience—Christian and non-Christian."
Again, Ken's reply was:
"Since Christ gave it to me, then I say, the Lord be praised…. Have these people ever considered that the anger coming through me as a pastor-teacher sent by the Lord just might not actually be my own?" ~ Ken Silva
Also Ken response to me about this day of prayer and fasting was this mocking response:
Ken Silva Will Be Blessed Next Week!
So, again join me in prayer and fasting to bless Ken Silva.
Blessings,
iggy
Monday, August 27, 2007
Saturday, August 25, 2007
The Truth Wars... a reflection
I saw this and thought of the "Truth Wars" and thought...
If we are saved by Grace through Faith can one Christian be a "better" Christian than another?
It seems that scirpture teaches all are now equal first that all men sin and will die... and be judged. Then that if you be in Christ that there is no longer Jew of Gentile (which was a form of elitism in the scirpture as some Jews thought a person need convert to Judaism to be truly saved) and no male or female...
Yet, some think their Grace is of higher purity than others... I am not sure how they come to this heretical thought, but if one thinks they have all the truth... they seem to no longer have need for Jesus Who is Truth.
Truth is taught as an "absolute" it is taught as an "unchanging object". Truth is taught to be a higher reality as if there are two worlds... (dualism as taught by Plato) We are taught that we need to live by "principles" and that Truth is "propositional".
Yet, the bible elevates truth beyond these things... Truth is no longer an "object" but a Person... Truth is no longer an impersonal abstract absolute or an unchanging principle, as Truth became a man and dwelt amongst us.
The Bible teaches that Jesus is the Truth... and from Him all truth comes. It flows from Jesus as streams of living water. Yet, many hold to the idea that Truth is less than that and deny the revelation that Truth is now a Person and is now relational.
If truth is a higher reality, then we miss this personal aspect.
The bible teaches that the festivals and traditions of the Old Testament were truths in abstract and shadow form... and the reality is the Person of Jesus Christ. (Colossians 2:17) Even the principles and truth of the Law was only a shadow of what is to come... and not the reality. (Hebrews 10:1) Again this reality is now the Person of Jesus Christ.
We are to move from mental assent (simple belief) to a deeper belief called faith. Faith is the acknowledgment that is relational. When a spouse is faithful, they are staying true to their marriage vows... yet even more are staying true to their relationship with their husband or wife. So, as we experience the faithfulness of God in our salvation, we live by faith and interact in a Personal relationship.
As we walk and learn from Jesus, we come to realize that He is Truth and we learn to listen and follow His voice... that take trust. We are designed for relationship with God through Jesus.
Again, Jesus does teach truth (be it propositional) yet we must not reduce Jesus to a mere proposition or principal. In Christ we have life. We are to live by His Life... in that the truths we learn of and from Jesus, becomes our life and our New Reality... For now we are New Creations and in us God starts the beginnings of the New Creation.
Blessings,
iggy
The Jewish Dog...
My friend Eric who is a fulfilled Jew/Messianic Jew and heads up Tree of Life Ministries sends me some funny jokes now and then.
Here is the latest:
Shalom,
Canine Bar Mitzvah
There was once a man who wanted to make a bar mitzvah for his dog. He decided that he would consult his Orthodox Rabbi and seek his advice.
The Rabbi said "Are you crazy!!! a Bar Mitzvah for a dog."
The man replied, "Yes, Rabbi. He has been part of my family for thirteen years"
The rabbi said, "I'm sorry. I can't do this for you"
The man continued and went along to a conservative rabbi and the rabbi responded in the same way "I can't do a Bar Mitzvah for a dog".
The man went ahead and asked his local Reform Rabbi if he would do the Bar Mitzvah for him. The Rabbi said, "Listen, we do a lot of crazy things around here but a Bar Mitzvah for a dog is absurd."
The frustrated man responded, "Rabbi, I'll give you $18,000 to do this for me......Please..!!!" The Rabbi quickly shot his head around and said "You never told me the dog was Jewish."
Canine Bar Mitzvah
There was once a man who wanted to make a bar mitzvah for his dog. He decided that he would consult his Orthodox Rabbi and seek his advice.
The Rabbi said "Are you crazy!!! a Bar Mitzvah for a dog."
The man replied, "Yes, Rabbi. He has been part of my family for thirteen years"
The rabbi said, "I'm sorry. I can't do this for you"
The man continued and went along to a conservative rabbi and the rabbi responded in the same way "I can't do a Bar Mitzvah for a dog".
The man went ahead and asked his local Reform Rabbi if he would do the Bar Mitzvah for him. The Rabbi said, "Listen, we do a lot of crazy things around here but a Bar Mitzvah for a dog is absurd."
The frustrated man responded, "Rabbi, I'll give you $18,000 to do this for me......Please..!!!" The Rabbi quickly shot his head around and said "You never told me the dog was Jewish."
Blessings,
iggy
Forgiveness
Luke 5:17-26
One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."
The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, `Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, `Get up and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . ."
He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.
Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."
In my reading and prayer today I wanted to share something that would bless my readers. In that I read this passage which always amazes me as Jesus forgives some one's sin and is rebuked for it. Jesus knows the heart of man and the darkness that dwells there. He asks a question which in all honesty I am not sure of the answer... "Which is easier: to say, `Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, `Get up and walk'?"
The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, `Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, `Get up and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . ."
He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.
Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."
In my reading and prayer today I wanted to share something that would bless my readers. In that I read this passage which always amazes me as Jesus forgives some one's sin and is rebuked for it. Jesus knows the heart of man and the darkness that dwells there. He asks a question which in all honesty I am not sure of the answer... "Which is easier: to say, `Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, `Get up and walk'?"
Maybe it is the translation from Greek to English and in that we lose something.
I rarely read commentaries... I may read a theological book yet unlike in my younger days when I would pour hours into commentaries I found most the time they really give me much insight... That is not bragging, but more that often I find that the commentary may point somethings out yet the "thing" I am looking for they do not touch.
For some reason I turned to Henry's Concise Commentary which stated:
17-26 How many are there in our assemblies, where the gospel is preached, who do not sit under the word, but sit by! It is to them as a tale that is told them, not as a message that is sent to them. Observe the duties taught and recommended to us by the history of the paralytic. In applying to Christ, we must be very pressing and urgent; that is an evidence of faith, and is very pleasing to Christ, and prevailing with him. Give us, Lord, the same kind of faith with respect to thy ability and willingness to heal our souls. Give us to desire the pardon of sin more than any earthly blessing, or life itself. Enable us to believe thy power to forgive sins; then will our souls cheerfully arise and go where thou pleasest.
I do like what Henry has to say, yet I still felt unsatisfied. I see that we are to press in to Jesus who will give us favor and will heal our souls... and sometimes our bodies. Yet, the point I see missed is that Jesus want us to live in a way that enacts forgiveness on others. The teachers and religious leaders of the taught that only God can forgive sins... and Jesus shows them that He the man, (yes God in flesh, but still a man) can and will forgive the sins of others. The title "Son of Man was the human title of Jesus... it was not a reference to His deity... He does show that He is as able as God to forgive others.
In that I see we need to beseech God for the forgiveness of others also.
Later in Luke 4:36-37 Jesus teaches more on the topic of forgiveness...
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Part of our salvation is giving away the forgiveness we have been given.
Jesus gives grave warning in a parable to those who choose not to live a life of active forgiveness...
Matthew 18:21-35
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
"The servant fell on his knees before him. `Be patient with me,' he begged, `and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. "But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. `Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, `Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' "But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.
When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. "Then the master called the servant in. `You wicked servant,' he said, `I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
My prayer is that one will seek and find the forgiveness God offers at the Cross of Jesus... and in that find a new life of walking in that forgiveness by the Power of the Resurrection... that you the reader be brought and immersed into a deep understanding of the forgiveness of God.
I pray this also for myself for I know I fall short in giving away the forgiveness God gave me. I have come to learn that I cannot forgive others in my own strength. In these short comings one must fall on the merciful grace of God and by Him and through Him in the person of Faith in Christ, walk out our salvation... Trusting God to be the One who forgives others in and through you.
Blessings
iggy
Friday, August 24, 2007
John MacArthur teaches(?) us who killed Jesus...
Interesting to me that the plan of salvation was of the Father and did not originate in the hearts and minds of men... but in the heart and mind of the Father!
John asserts that the Crucifixion was a "man" thing... that Jesus died because the Jews felt threatened as He taught against their "religion"... that is furthest from the truth... it was because he taught with authority and challenged them to return TO THEIR RELIGION and why it was given for. The issue was that they kept the legalities and missed the Spirit behind the Law. (Matt 23:23) The Jewish leaders hated Jesus, yes, not because He taught against their religion, but because Jesus taught with authority. (Mark 1:22)
John negates that it was the Father gave His Son... it was that Jesus gave His own life willingly! It was that Jesus died because of His obedience to the Father.
John distorts the true gospel with antisemitic teachings... and that is truly sad.
Scriptures to back my points.
Matt 20:28 "...the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Matt 27: 50. And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
John 3:16-18 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
John 19: 10-11 "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"
Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."
Again, Jesus states this pretty clearly...
This was the plan from the Father as I stated...
Romans 14:9. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
MacArthur denied in this interview that the Father had this planned and foretold in scripture...
1 Cor 15: 3-6. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers.
Hebrews 5:7-10. During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Romans 5:19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Notice that it was Christs own obedience to the Father's plan that killed Jesus... and it was for our sake...
Romans 6:10-11 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Romans 4: 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Here is the last verse as to why and who killed Jesus... as I stated, it was the plan of the Father from the begining and Jesus laid His own life down... willingly out of obedience to the Father and to fulfill scripture.
Philippians 2: 5-11 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
If this is the type of teaching one gets out of Johnny Mac... I would stay far away from him.
Blessings,
iggy
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Newest MacArthurite Value! War!
Disclaimer: This is meant in good humor as the same with the "emerging posters" at team pyro by Phil Johnson. Any resemblance to them is truly not my fault.
John MacArthur Claims Jesus was pro war...
Man, you gotta hear this.... here are some things to look for.
1. Johnny Mac claims Jesus was pro war.
2. Johnny Mac flounders around in his answers or sounds like some sort of drone.
3. Ironically a charismatic (Bob Jones) comes to Johnny Mac's defense! (UPDATE Oct 17/o7: oops! Wrong Bob Jones, this one is the Founder of BJU and is not a Charismatic)
4. This is the worst exegeses of scripture I have ever heard... from Johnny Mac.
5. Johnny Mac claims again that Kingdom of God is only spiritual...
6. When another pastor brings up that Jesus, teaching on the Kingdom taught "blessed are the peacemakers" Johnny refutes him!
It seems that Johnny really can justify and claim the bible teaches anything... he does it right there on Larry King.
Just in case the player does not work here... here is the link to see it on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS3F2YHU7Yc
For a transcript of this conversation click here.
Blessings,
iggy
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Prayer and Fasting for Ken... while he mocks me over it!
It is so strange that "war" is at the heart of those in Ken Silva's camp... to the point that even when I state I and others will pray for Ken that God blesses him, Ken uses this as a point and issue to mock me! LOL! You can read it here at CRN. Ken Silva Will Be Blessed Next Week!
I will continue to seek Jesus' way and pray for my enemies...
I will continue to seek Jesus' way and pray for my enemies...
"An emerging church nemesis of mine named Carlos Shelton (aka "iggy") has called for a day of prayer and fasting for me in order that God might set me free from…ah, well–whatever it is that he personally dislikes about me."
(Note: Ken is not my declared enemy or nemesis, as I have never declared him an enemy... maybe a confused brother in Christ who sees he speaks in the "anger of the Lord"... IOW he has declared he is my enemy. Ken has judged and condemned me as not saved and an apostate false teacher. The only Nemesis Ken has is in his own fantasies.)
I will also state that it is interesting to me that Ken declares condemnation on me and others in the Name of Jesus, while the Bible states clearly:
Romans 8: 1-2
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2. because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."
Note also that on my discussion forum there are many different people in which the "emerging group" is minority. It seems that there though we all get along (for the most part). Also, iggyROCKS! plays much of the artists that CRN, Slice of Laodicea and such are against... and some that they also endorse! It seems again that it is not doctrine but style that is the issue...
I will still pray for Ken and if you are for him or against him please join in our prayer and fasting for Ken to be blessed... the only catch is... either way Ken will be humbled by God to receive it. Humility is a good thing in the Kingdom of God so that is not a threat at all... unless Ken decided to continue in his pride and forsake the blessings of God for his own way.
Remember Ken has declared to be the mouth piece of God... he claims he speaks for God as God is angry with us all that do not agree with Ken.
"Since Christ gave it to me, then I say, the Lord be praised…. Have these people ever considered that the anger coming through me as a pastor-teacher sent by the Lord just might not actually be my own?"
I still wonder at that comment as I see in Hebrews God's word states:
Hebrews 1: 1-2
"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe."
I do not see Ken's name in that verse, do you?
Note also Ken by stating what he has negates "cessasionism" which is what is taught in the "team pyro" so it would seem that Ken being a modern day prophet runs against the teachings of Frank Turk.
If you think that you want to join me in this time of prayer and fasting on Tuesday the 28th of August, email me. iggy@wwdb.org
I will declare peace in the Name of the Prince of Peace, in this so called "truth war". I am standing on the Word of God as our Lord taught:
Luke 6:
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If 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. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you. "
Ken can call me whatever he wants... I still intend to pray ony for God to truly bless Ken in His full abundance.
BTW I actually do like Ken... no matter what he states otherwise... I mean... I am setting side a day to pray for him...
Blessings,
iggy
Blessings,
iggy
Related links:
~ emerging thought in Montana ~: Ken Silva will be blessed next week!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
How crazy this has gotten...
Here is a link to Bob Hyatt, who is one of my favorite Calvinists... and of the emerging conversation...
Rick (another one of my favorite Calvinists though is not "emerging" at this point) and Bob go head to head with Frank Turk of Team Pyro over the posters they created...
Interesting to me is that Frank, Bob and Rick... are all on the same team and yet, Frank sees that he is not hurting anyone and wants someone to stand up to them... meaning the Pryoteam of "bullies". (Hey Frank admitted he was! LOL!)
I did make a few but I guess I have not been noticed... (BTW: my posters are not meant to be mean spirited, they come out of my experience in dealing with those in that crowd... if they resemble them... well that is not my fault is it?)
Blessed?
iggy
Ken Silva will be blessed next week!
I've decided that Tuesday the 28th of August will be the day.
Please join us to pray and fast for Ken Silva to be blessed of God and in the greater hope to end this so called Truth War...
"Blessed are the peace makers." ~ Jesus The Messiah
Blessings,
iggy
Please join us to pray and fast for Ken Silva to be blessed of God and in the greater hope to end this so called Truth War...
"Blessed are the peace makers." ~ Jesus The Messiah
Blessings,
iggy
Monday, August 20, 2007
More on a day or prayer and fasting for ken Silva
This last week I have been praying about how to do the day of prayer and fasting for Ken Silva.
Originally 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.”
Ken has decided to hate others and curse them… and in that mistreat them. I intend that Ken be blessed…
Here is the kicker on all this. If you agree with Ken then you have nothing to lose! In fact pray for him to be blessed immensely! I am in full agreement as for one to be blessed, from God they must be humbles by God to receive the blessings.
I am sincere in that I want Ken to be blessed… and I pray in all earnest that he receives the fullness of God’s best for him.
As far as a date to do this. I have not decided on one. In fact I sense that if I did pick one, someone will say I am being a hypocrite and showy in that I am letting everyone know I am doing this, yet I see a good thing in our uniting in this.
So, I am still praying on that note… yet I think at least this far I see next week that maybe we all can set aside a day and fast and pray for God to bless Ken Silva who has declared that many of us are his enemy and also that he is at war against our God… (Ken has stated that I am not saved and serve a different god… I may agree in the last part of that as I think I serve a different God from the one of wrath, war and hate that Ken seems to declare is sovereign.)
If you think that you want to join me in this and want to pick a specific date, email me. iggy@wwdb.org
Blessings,
iggy
Originally 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.”
Ken has decided to hate others and curse them… and in that mistreat them. I intend that Ken be blessed…
Here is the kicker on all this. If you agree with Ken then you have nothing to lose! In fact pray for him to be blessed immensely! I am in full agreement as for one to be blessed, from God they must be humbles by God to receive the blessings.
I am sincere in that I want Ken to be blessed… and I pray in all earnest that he receives the fullness of God’s best for him.
As far as a date to do this. I have not decided on one. In fact I sense that if I did pick one, someone will say I am being a hypocrite and showy in that I am letting everyone know I am doing this, yet I see a good thing in our uniting in this.
So, I am still praying on that note… yet I think at least this far I see next week that maybe we all can set aside a day and fast and pray for God to bless Ken Silva who has declared that many of us are his enemy and also that he is at war against our God… (Ken has stated that I am not saved and serve a different god… I may agree in the last part of that as I think I serve a different God from the one of wrath, war and hate that Ken seems to declare is sovereign.)
If you think that you want to join me in this and want to pick a specific date, email me. iggy@wwdb.org
Blessings,
iggy
Back from the Smoking Section...
I am back!
It was smoking up there at Flathead Lake... as there were quite a few fires up in that area that were burning. Seely Lake was probably the worst hit. (We did not go there).
I had hoped to get much more fishing in yet, we had some relatives up from California that were staying with us so did a bit more sightseeing than we would have... and the guy who ran the Lodge seemed to not want to let us out on the boat... he kept saying a storm was coming and then the lake would be smooth as glass... then when we were able to go, I think the waves were at their biggest and it was too wavy to fish. In fact we had only a short time to run out on the lake then come back as our relatives wanted to go out also! When they came back, the lake seemed calmer and others wanted to use the boat... so though I heard the guy who ran the lodge caught around 30 fish in one day, I caught a measly little perch that was not even big enough to keep... so... as far as a "fishing trip" it was a bust for me. (Though it seems most fishing trips with rare exception are a bust for me LOL!)
The cabin was great, plenty of room for 7 people and two kids. I did get a little writing done, but found no Internet cafe's
I did have a few thoughts about the Ken Silva day of prayer and fasting. I will comment on that in another post either today of tomorrow... right now, I need to muster up the strength and desire to go in to work... which is a bit hard after a week off!
Blessings,
iggy
It was smoking up there at Flathead Lake... as there were quite a few fires up in that area that were burning. Seely Lake was probably the worst hit. (We did not go there).
I had hoped to get much more fishing in yet, we had some relatives up from California that were staying with us so did a bit more sightseeing than we would have... and the guy who ran the Lodge seemed to not want to let us out on the boat... he kept saying a storm was coming and then the lake would be smooth as glass... then when we were able to go, I think the waves were at their biggest and it was too wavy to fish. In fact we had only a short time to run out on the lake then come back as our relatives wanted to go out also! When they came back, the lake seemed calmer and others wanted to use the boat... so though I heard the guy who ran the lodge caught around 30 fish in one day, I caught a measly little perch that was not even big enough to keep... so... as far as a "fishing trip" it was a bust for me. (Though it seems most fishing trips with rare exception are a bust for me LOL!)
The cabin was great, plenty of room for 7 people and two kids. I did get a little writing done, but found no Internet cafe's
I did have a few thoughts about the Ken Silva day of prayer and fasting. I will comment on that in another post either today of tomorrow... right now, I need to muster up the strength and desire to go in to work... which is a bit hard after a week off!
Blessings,
iggy
Friday, August 10, 2007
A Planned day of prayer and fasting for Ken Silva... yep I'm serious!
A planned day of prayer and fasting for Ken Silva... yep I'm serious!
Ken was recently written about in Christianity today... CRN.info got the scoop. Which with Ken's comment...
"Since Christ gave it to me, then I say, the Lord be praised…. Have these people ever considered that the anger coming through me as a pastor-teacher sent by the Lord just might not actually be my own?"
It got me thinking... I am convinced that Ken has gone off the deep end. He needs serious prayer. I am asking that you take this week to pray about it (as I will be gone fishing!) then contact me and let's get a day set up to set it aside for prayer and fasting for Ken Silva.
Blessings,
iggy
Ken was recently written about in Christianity today... CRN.info got the scoop. Which with Ken's comment...
"Since Christ gave it to me, then I say, the Lord be praised…. Have these people ever considered that the anger coming through me as a pastor-teacher sent by the Lord just might not actually be my own?"
It got me thinking... I am convinced that Ken has gone off the deep end. He needs serious prayer. I am asking that you take this week to pray about it (as I will be gone fishing!) then contact me and let's get a day set up to set it aside for prayer and fasting for Ken Silva.
Blessings,
iggy
Gone Fishing... be back in a week...
I have gone fishing up at Flathead lake... I will be back in a week... but may drop in if I find an Internet cafe' or something.
Be Blessed,
iggy
Be Blessed,
iggy
MacArthurite Values: More Fun!
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Dan Kimball responds to his critics
At CRNinfo Dan Kimball responded to his critics... again...
Read it hear.
Note in the comments the ever gracious Ken Silva states:
"So it’s all quite vague to me when there are no clear answers forthcoming as to how this fits into what Dr. Walter Martin so often called the historic orthodox Christian Church."
It seems no matter what or how detailed the "orthodox"definition an emerging person is... it never satisfied "the Ken".
Blessings,
iggy
Read it hear.
Note in the comments the ever gracious Ken Silva states:
"So it’s all quite vague to me when there are no clear answers forthcoming as to how this fits into what Dr. Walter Martin so often called the historic orthodox Christian Church."
It seems no matter what or how detailed the "orthodox"definition an emerging person is... it never satisfied "the Ken".
Blessings,
iggy
Monday, August 06, 2007
SOLA FIDE (Faith Alone) pt 2
SOLA FIDE (Faith Alone)
Justification is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. In justification Christ's righteousness is imputed to us as the only possible satisfaction of God's perfect justice.
We deny that justification rests on any merit to be found in us, or upon the grounds of an infusion of Christ's righteousness in us, or that an institution claiming to be a church that denies or condemns sola fide can be recognized as a legitimate church.
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Of all the topics say that of the Person of Jesus Christ Grace is by far my favorite. Yet, within that very statement I cannot escape that Jesus Christ is the embodiment of Grace itself if not the very Personification of Grace manifest. (That sounds rather pious and highfalutin yet I am a bit without vocabulary to unpack that as I desire).
Grace is taught by some to be in types… Common and special Grace. They claim that there is one grace that God has for creation that basically cares for it… and the other is the Grace that saves… To that I say bull-pucky!
There is but one Grace, and that Grace is Our Lord and Savior. It was through Him that all creation came. Jesus being full of Grace and truth was the very filter through all creation passed that made all things “good”. Grace abounded in all things as God was to be known in the very creation itself as the first chapter of Romans tells us. But it was man who choosing to worship creation instead of the Creator that we see that even in this perversion, Grace abounded as God, who is Holy and Just, showed mercy instead and let these fallen creatures live though they deserved swift punishment.
God is perfectly Just and in that could have uncreated all things as easy as He spoke it all into existence.
Grace was there before creation for Jesus being full of grace and truth was in the Father before all creation and Grace will be forever as God is eternal.
To divide Grace into “parts” misses that there is a flow and unity that comes from the very first spoken words of God, which were the first “words” of the conversation that would begin full of grace and truth as God spoke the things of creation into existence, and it is even now that Grace holds back the wrath of God for it is by Christ we are saved.
As we come to Jesus and are placed into His Body, we are then immersed in His Grace and Truth and in that are filled and overflowing with His Grace. We define mercy as not getting what we deserve and Grace as getting what we do not deserve, yet that is just a thimble of the reality that grace is. It is a great place to start, yet in its fullness Grace is yet to be realized until the Resurrection and all are set to right, and then Jesus hands all things back to the Father, and God is all in all…
The Bible teaches us that it is by Grace through faith that we are saved not of works that any man should boast. It is that we realize that we are beyond the scope to be so filled with the rightness of God, that we too flow with Grace and truth and need to be rescued from our very selves.
We must see that without God’s grace we are unable to satisfy our own desires, let alone satisfy all the holiness needed to be accepted by God as His equal, for that is the desire of the fallen man, that he be equal with the One who created him. A man must find that he is bankrupt of all hope in himself to save himself, and now, put all hope into One who has fulfilled all that God required to please Him… His Son, Jesus Christ. We have but one faith, and that is in the Hope Who is Jesus Christ who died, was buried, rose again and ascended to the Father and now sits in Glory and mediates all things on our behalf.
May the Grace of God overflow and overwhelm you today!
iggy
Justification is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. In justification Christ's righteousness is imputed to us as the only possible satisfaction of God's perfect justice.
We deny that justification rests on any merit to be found in us, or upon the grounds of an infusion of Christ's righteousness in us, or that an institution claiming to be a church that denies or condemns sola fide can be recognized as a legitimate church.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Of all the topics say that of the Person of Jesus Christ Grace is by far my favorite. Yet, within that very statement I cannot escape that Jesus Christ is the embodiment of Grace itself if not the very Personification of Grace manifest. (That sounds rather pious and highfalutin yet I am a bit without vocabulary to unpack that as I desire).
Grace is taught by some to be in types… Common and special Grace. They claim that there is one grace that God has for creation that basically cares for it… and the other is the Grace that saves… To that I say bull-pucky!
There is but one Grace, and that Grace is Our Lord and Savior. It was through Him that all creation came. Jesus being full of Grace and truth was the very filter through all creation passed that made all things “good”. Grace abounded in all things as God was to be known in the very creation itself as the first chapter of Romans tells us. But it was man who choosing to worship creation instead of the Creator that we see that even in this perversion, Grace abounded as God, who is Holy and Just, showed mercy instead and let these fallen creatures live though they deserved swift punishment.
God is perfectly Just and in that could have uncreated all things as easy as He spoke it all into existence.
Grace was there before creation for Jesus being full of grace and truth was in the Father before all creation and Grace will be forever as God is eternal.
To divide Grace into “parts” misses that there is a flow and unity that comes from the very first spoken words of God, which were the first “words” of the conversation that would begin full of grace and truth as God spoke the things of creation into existence, and it is even now that Grace holds back the wrath of God for it is by Christ we are saved.
As we come to Jesus and are placed into His Body, we are then immersed in His Grace and Truth and in that are filled and overflowing with His Grace. We define mercy as not getting what we deserve and Grace as getting what we do not deserve, yet that is just a thimble of the reality that grace is. It is a great place to start, yet in its fullness Grace is yet to be realized until the Resurrection and all are set to right, and then Jesus hands all things back to the Father, and God is all in all…
The Bible teaches us that it is by Grace through faith that we are saved not of works that any man should boast. It is that we realize that we are beyond the scope to be so filled with the rightness of God, that we too flow with Grace and truth and need to be rescued from our very selves.
We must see that without God’s grace we are unable to satisfy our own desires, let alone satisfy all the holiness needed to be accepted by God as His equal, for that is the desire of the fallen man, that he be equal with the One who created him. A man must find that he is bankrupt of all hope in himself to save himself, and now, put all hope into One who has fulfilled all that God required to please Him… His Son, Jesus Christ. We have but one faith, and that is in the Hope Who is Jesus Christ who died, was buried, rose again and ascended to the Father and now sits in Glory and mediates all things on our behalf.
May the Grace of God overflow and overwhelm you today!
iggy
The mystic ladder of Divine love, according to Saint Bernard and Saint Thomas Step three
3. The third step of the ladder of love is that which causes the soul to work and gives it fervour so that it fails not. Concerning this the royal Prophet says: ’ Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, for in His commandments he is eager to labour greatly.’ Wherefore if fear, being the son of love, causes within him this eagerness to labour,[Lit., ‘makes in him this labour of eagerness.’]
what will be done by love itself? On this step the soul considers great works undertaken for the Beloved as small; many things as few; and the long time for which it serves Him as short, by reason of the fire of love wherein it is now burning. Even so to Jacob, though after seven years he had been made to serve seven more, they seemed few because of the greatness of his love.
Now if the love of a mere creature could accomplish so much in Jacob, what will love of the Creator be able to do when on this third step it takes possession of the soul? Here, for the great love which the soul bears to God, it suffers great pains and afflictions because of the little that it does for God; and if it were lawful for it to be destroyed a thousand times for Him it would be comforted. Wherefore it considers itself useless in all that it does and thinks itself to be living in vain. Another wondrous effect produced here in the soul is that it considers itself as being, most certainly, worse than all other souls: first, because love is continually teaching it how much is due to God;[Lit., ‘how much God merits.’] and second, because, as the works which it here does for God are many and it knows them all to be faulty and imperfect, they all bring it confusion and affliction, for it realizes in how lowly a manner it is working for God, Who is so high. On this third step, the soul is very far from vainglory or presumption, and from condemning others. These anxious effects, with many others like them, are produced in the soul by this third step; wherefore it gains courage and strength from them in order to mount to the fourth step, which is that that follows.
what will be done by love itself? On this step the soul considers great works undertaken for the Beloved as small; many things as few; and the long time for which it serves Him as short, by reason of the fire of love wherein it is now burning. Even so to Jacob, though after seven years he had been made to serve seven more, they seemed few because of the greatness of his love.
Now if the love of a mere creature could accomplish so much in Jacob, what will love of the Creator be able to do when on this third step it takes possession of the soul? Here, for the great love which the soul bears to God, it suffers great pains and afflictions because of the little that it does for God; and if it were lawful for it to be destroyed a thousand times for Him it would be comforted. Wherefore it considers itself useless in all that it does and thinks itself to be living in vain. Another wondrous effect produced here in the soul is that it considers itself as being, most certainly, worse than all other souls: first, because love is continually teaching it how much is due to God;[Lit., ‘how much God merits.’] and second, because, as the works which it here does for God are many and it knows them all to be faulty and imperfect, they all bring it confusion and affliction, for it realizes in how lowly a manner it is working for God, Who is so high. On this third step, the soul is very far from vainglory or presumption, and from condemning others. These anxious effects, with many others like them, are produced in the soul by this third step; wherefore it gains courage and strength from them in order to mount to the fourth step, which is that that follows.
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