Are Christians subject to different political standards ? June 18, 2008
Posted by reformedville in : culture, Government, Theology , add a commentShould Christians give politicians the benefit of the doubt when it comes to their truthfulness or should they test the veracity of their statements?
Are Christians subject to different standards than others when supporting a particular candidate?
Why or why not?
RadioGrace™ and other home school resources May 19, 2008
Posted by reformedville in : culture, Theology , add a comment
Carried to the table May 19, 2008
Posted by reformedville in : Theology , add a commentIt has been a while since I have taught on a Sunday Morning. Here was my outline–as my outlines normally go, there are many points in the outline but I focus on the theme and have them there in case I blank.
Outline 2 Samuel 9~~ 5.18
In Bible Study the past month we have been discussing how
· Many Christians either don’t realize who they are in Christ, or
· They just don’t live like they believe it
· Pastor asked a few weeks ago do you think people really believe it?
In discussion we talked about how American society and democracy actually make these concepts more difficult to understand
· Kings · A Sovereign · Lordship · And to a lesser extent Covenants
Let’s take a look back into the day of the Kings for a minute to puit them in perspective:
In 2 Samuel 9 verse 1 David asked,
”Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
6 When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David,he bowed down to pay him honor.
David said, “Mephibosheth!”
”Your servant,” he replied.
7 “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”
9 Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. 10 You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.”
13 And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table, and he was crippled in both feet.
Now unless we understand what it was like to live under a king we may miss what was going on.
· First, David did this because he was honoring his covenant with Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:14-15). His actions were not only based on feelings, but also on the promise of a covenant.
His covenant took precedence over tradition (and cultural practice). It was customary in those days for the king of a new dynasty to completely massacre anyone connected with the prior dynasty. David goes against the principle of revenge and against the principle of self-preservation and asks what he can do for the family of his enemy. You must remember that Mephibosheth was the next living heir to the throne since Jonathon was dead, so it would have been doubly so for him.
In going beyond the covenant he not only restored what would have been his inheritance, he also provided servants to tend the land so they could provide for his family
When we begin to understand the importance of covenants and living under a Sovereign we can begin to see how you could replace your name with Mephibosheth ‘s
. Jesus told the disciples that they would eat and drink at His table in heaven (Luke 22:30)
David’s grace to Mephibosheth is a wonderful picture of God’s grace to us.
We are Mephibosheth.
· We are hiding, poor, weak, lame, and fearful before our King comes to us
·
We are separated from our King because of our wicked ancestors
·
We are separated from our King because of our deliberate actions
·
We separated ourselves from the King because we didn’t know him or His love for us
·
Our King sought us out before we sought Him
·
The King’s kindness is extended to us for the sake of another
·
The King’s kindness is based on covenant
·
We must receive the King’s kindness in humility
·
The King returns to us what we lost in hiding from Him
·
The King returns to us more than what we lost in hiding from Him
·
We have the privilege of provision at the King’s table
·
We are received as sons at the King’s table, with access to the King and fellowship with Him
· We receive servants from the King
·
The King’s honor does not immediately take away all our weakness and lameness, but it gives us a favor and standing that overcomes its sting and changes the way we think about ourselves
Many times we hear people say they don’t want to helpo someone because they really don’t deserve it, but is that what God is teaching us here?
ii. David’s grace to Mephibosheth is also a pattern for us in serving and ministering to others. We are David.
We should minister to our enemies and seek to bless them
·
We should minister r the poor, weak, lame, and hidden to bless them
·
We should bless others when they don’t deserve it, and bless them more than they deserve
· We should bless others for the sake of someone else
· W must show the kindness of God to others
In March ,I took Amanda and Emily to see Casting Crowns at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College and a band that opened up for them was Leeland.
Lead into song- Amanda leads congregation in singing-lyrics on back of bulletin
Lyrics
Carried to the table- Leeland
Wounded and forsaken
I was shattered by the fall
Broken and forgotten
Feeling lost and all alone
Summoned by the King
Into the Master’s courts
Lifted by the Savior
And cradled in His arms
I was carried to the table
Seated where I don’t belong
Carried to the table
Swept away by His love
And I don’t see my brokenness anymore
When I’m seated at the table of the Lord
I’m carried to the table
The table of the Lord
Fighting thoughts of fear
And wondering why He called my name
Am I good enough to share this cup
This world has left me lame
Even in my weakness
The Savior called my name
In His Holy presence
I’m healed and unashamed
As I’m carried to the table
Seated where I don’t belong
Carried to the table
Swept away by His love
And I don’t see my brokenness anymore
When I’m seated at the table of the Lord
I’m carried to the table
The table of the Lord
I’m carried to the table
Seated where I don’t belong
I’m Carried to the table
Swept away by His love
And I don’t see my brokenness anymore
When I’m seated at the table of the Lord
I’m carried to the table
The table of the Lord
Barack’s Cross May 16, 2008
Posted by reformedville in : Theology , add a comment“Barack Obama has a flier out in Kentucky that addresses his faith and his attempts to fulfill “God’s will” — and it could be a sign that the Illinois senator is returning to his religious roots as he gears up for a general election battle.”
I can not help but wonder, will this be Obama’s Cross that he gets caught in ???
After yesterday’s California homosexual marriage ruling Joan Walsh asks the question :
Will homosexual marriage doom the Democrats?
I disagree with her conclusion. I believe it is the thing that breaks the camels back and gets people really to consider just how much and what type of change they are looking for. Don’t get me wrong, I am not even for a federal marriage amendment, I believe it is a states rights issue and a state decision.(The state can’t really redefine marriage they can only skew the lexicon. )
I see the Kentucky decision as the worst possible card the Obama campaign could play. Why? Because while homosexual marriage alone is not enough to bring Obama and the democrats down, start coupling this with Obama posting on his own website: AP:NARAL Pro-Choice backs Obama, and Obama starts to get caught in the cross of fence straddling; one of his own creation.
He has stated before he is for strong civil unions. In fact, During the electoral special, one of the West Chester University students asked Obama about his homosexual marriage stance.Obama reiterated that he supports “strong” civil unions, leading Matthews to wonder whether that counts as discrimination. Obama went onto iron out the details: (more at link below) Also on a personal level Obama believes in abortion, not just as a right you have but he couldn’t’t consider, no he believes it is valid birth control for his own daughters, “I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”.
Add in Dr. Jeremiah Wright and then Oprah’s denial of Christ on national TV and the ties between the three of them and this whole new kind of politician aura comes crashing in on him, and he is exposed as willing to exploit faith for political gain, and that his relationship with Wright was political and not religious, bringing all of Wrights past political statements , Wright being a former Muslim and Obama being a former Indonesian school enrolled as a Muslim all comes into reconsideration.
It seems he may get caught in the cross he is trying to use. What say you?
Forget what I think- it doesn’t matter. Forget what you feel. The question really is, How do you think this is going to play with the average voter? What impact if any will this have on Obama in the general election?
Links
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/05/15/obama-faith-flier-hints-at-general-election-strategy/
http://race42008.com/2008/05/12/barack-obamas-pitch-in-kentucky/
http://www.slate.com/id/2191500/
http://www.salon.com/opinion/walsh/?last_story=/opinion/walsh/san_francisco/2008/05/16/gay_marriage/
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/gGBlqR
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/obamawatch/2007/03/barack_obama_on.html
http://www.queerty.com/obama-on-hardball-on-gay-marriage-20080403/
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/15074.html
http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=a74fca23-f6ac-4736-9c78-f4163d4f25c7&p=8
Our God Reigns May 7, 2008
Posted by reformedville in : culture, Theology , add a commentWhat if we changed the title of this film to I am God and you are not? Would it bring about a humble admission that we have acted as our own gods and rebelled against his authority and his Lordship? Or, would it strike up the same resentment?
How many times when we discuss God’s attributes do we create a American God instead of the Biblical One? Do you feel it may actually be tougher to grasp the concept of God, His Sovereignity, His Divine rights of the Creator over the created, His Rule, King, Kingdom, Kingdom Authority, being a subject, the power of the King’s Word and His commands under an american style of governance?
What say you?
____________________
The only freedom we have is in a man nailed to a tree. Check out this video
In defense of his position May 1, 2008
Posted by reformedville in : culture, Ethnicity, Media, Theology , add a comment|
Dr. Manning defends his position distorted by soundbites. Notice a pattern? |
http://nofishleftbehind.blogspot.com/2008/05/pastor-manning-explains-his-position.html
Ben Stein interview with R C Sproul April 26, 2008
Posted by reformedville in : Church/State, culture, Theology , add a comment
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4609561480192587449&hl=en |
Speeches that inspire you April 4, 2008
Posted by reformedville in : Theology , add a commentI had just finished reading a post about Dr, KIng’s infamous speech when I started to reflect on a speech that had impacted me.
In 1981 we were invited up to see my sister-in-laws husband graduate from West Point. Upon arriving for the graduation we saw there was Secret Service there and that peoples bags were being searched. It was because the President of the United States was giving the commencement speech.
You have to remember the climate in 1981 also. Being newly married , and first level management, the 18% mortgage interest rate was making home-ownership seem like a thing of the past and unemployment was up, so employment security was down. We were in a post-Viet Nam era, the military had been downsized and the hostages had just been released from Iran, the Soviet Union was still a threat and they were uncertain times.
I was shocked when I found these videos on You Tube.
The Silver Ring Thing March 25, 2008
Posted by reformedville in : culture, Theology , add a commentWHAT IS THE SILVER RING THING? (In a nutshell)
The Silver Ring Thing is a unique para-church youth ministry that promotes the message of abstinence until marriage using two avenues- an intense Live Event and the packaged SRT 434 Program.
LIVE EVENT- SRT’s 2.5 hour stage performance incorporates high energy music, special effects, fast-paced video, personal testimonies, and comedy all delivered in a concert-style approach with which teenagers can respond and relate. The program also presents an evangelistic message focused on forgiveness and new beginnings with an opportunity to embrace a “second virginity.” Students who make a commitment to abstinence may purchase a silver ring as a symbol and reminder of their decision. After each event, students who make this commitment are followed-up by SRT staff with 40 e-mails over the next 4 months that encourage and equip these students in their commitment. This event is targeted at middle/high school students (ages 12-18) but is also relevant to college and young adult ages. A parent’s seminar is also held at each event to educate parents about what is happening in today’s youth culture and how they can encourage and support their child’s abstinence commitment. To view the Live Event Schedule- click here
To view photos from past Live Events- click here
To watch the promotional videos- click here
To contact us about bringing a live event to your community, please fill out our online booking inquiry form- click here
SRT 434 PROGRAM- The SRT 434 Program offers four DVD-enhanced Bible study sessions on sexual decision-making facilitated by a youth pastor or leader in a small group or youth group setting. The program is shaped after the energy and excitement of the Live Event and challenges teenagers to make and keep a commitment of abstinence until marriage. For more information about the SRT 434 Program- click here
+++++++++++++++++
Free event
or:
DuBois, PA |
|
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 |
è Parents Session starting at 7:00PM (What’s this?)
- DuBois Area Middle School
- 404 Liberty Blvd.
DuBois, PA 15801
Maps/Directions -
$5 Online Tickets or $8 at the door*
Online tickets starting 4/1/08
BRING $15 FOR THE RING!!Event Poster
(Coming soon)
Purchase tickets online and save at least $3 on entry!!
marie@silverringthing.com 412.424.2418
*Click here to review the SRT Ticketing Policy
Maundy Thursday Resources March 20, 2008
Posted by reformedville in : Theology , add a commentMaundy Thursday
What Everybody Knows Before the Gospel Comes
Maundy Thursday Communion Meditation
April 5, 2007
Maundy Thursday
Hebrews 1:1-4
April 4, 1996
Download: 
Audio
The Dangers of Following Jesus
Maundy Thursday Communion Meditation
Matthew 10:24-25
March 23, 1989
Download:
The Holiness of God, Our Sin, and the Love of Jesus
Maundy Thursday
April 16, 1981