Tag Jesus

Reference Points

Allen Frederick 5 Comments

Random Ramblings from the Resident Raptor
Insight from the Journey across the Sky
By Allen Scott
looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2Open Link in New Window
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Orchestra’s use them, choirs and choruses use them, professional and amateur musicians use them, sailors, travelers, navigators and builders use them. What are they? Reference points.

For the orchestra A 440 is the reference tone the entire orchestra tunes to, the benchmark for any fine musical performance. To a chorus it is a pitch pipe and to the musician an electronic tuner. Sailors looked toward the heavens and by using a sextant, sailed by starlight. Hikers utilize the compass. Builders would use a level and a plumb line. All are acting as reference points.

Without these reference points orchestras and choirs would be out of tune. Professional musicians would sound like beginners. Travelers would get hopelessly lost, and buildings would have crooked walls.

Slaves, hoping for freedom from a life of slavery in the south, were taught, from a young age, how to follow the North Star, to the place where that freedom lay. To think, in the vastness of space, God placed a steady reference point for all eternity. It is not surprising then that the wise men followed a star to the place where Jesus was born.

Our lives need reference points as well in order to navigate safely through this journey called life. Without a guiding light, a plumb line, or some other measuring device we really would not know how straight or crooked our journey was.

Without a point of reference we would be like a sailor lost at sea, or an orchestra out of tune. Without some sort of compass we would never know in which direction we were actually heading. Today GPS units, utilizing satellite coordinates, guide us safely throughout the country. These electronic marvels communicate constantly with orbiting satellites and recalculate our route as we travel the highway.

To the Christian what is our reference point? Is it a compass, sextant, plumb line, tuning fork, pitch pipe, a star? No it’s a cross outside Jerusalem. Without the death of Jesus on that cross, our sins would not be atoned for, and had Jesus not risen, we would be hopeless. The Bible, God’s word, becomes our road map and the Holy Spirit our GPS (God’s Positioning Spirit).

The church calendar acts as a point of reference as well helping to keep us centered on the reason for our hope, Jesus. Each season helps us to refocus on the life of Christ. We are currently entering into the season of Lent, the time of year were we focus on the death and resurrection of our Lord. It’s life from death, hope from despair, light in the darkness, and joy unspeakable and full of glory. From Ash Wednesday, through Good Friday, into Resurrection Sunday we journey again to the cross, the grave, and finally to resurrection.

The cross is the reference point to remind us of the great price God paid for our sins, and the love God has for us. For the lost, the cross stands as a beacon of hope, a compass pointing heavenward, a steady reference point for all eternity. Without the cross, I would be lost. Thank God for the cross, our reference point, and Jesus our guide.

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)
Along for the journey
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January 2009 Edition of “Pop Goes the Gospel”

Allen Frederick 3 Comments

Welcome to the January 31, 2009 edition of “Pop Goes the Gospel”. To think another year has already started. We have completed our first full month of the new year and a lot is happening in our nation. We inaugurated our 44th President a mere 11 days ago and to say things have been stirred up may just be an understatement. In the midst of all the turmoil in our economy it is good to know that one thing still remains, the faithfulness of God. Through it all He remains faithful. No matter what we may face the Lord is always ready and able to lend a helping hand. Take some time out from the regular day to day activities and check out this month’s “Pop Goes the Gospel” blog carnival. Perhaps you will be able to gain a new perspective on your life from one of the articles shared here.

'Pop Goes the Gospel'

'Pop Goes the Gospel'

In Culture

Rich presents Counterfeit Values posted at Blogger For Christ . com. Rich offers a contrast between God and Satan his post tackles several ‘hot button’ topics like same sex marriage, ‘hooking up’ and satanic worship. Now that ought to make you want to read this post.

Astrid Lee presents Got Jesus? posted at World Healing, Astrid Lee shares several short stories about people who met Jesus. Those who have had an EPIPHANY. Have you had an encounter with Jesus? Tell us about it.

Theresa L. Twogood presents Why So Sad? and Bad Times 101 posted at OLIN e-Book e-Publishing. Theresa takes us on a journey back to paradise to uncover why things may seem so bad today. A primer on the “Fall of Man“. Some might say it is a “Paradise Lost“. Theresa simply calls it Bad Times 101 a primer on pain and suffering.

In Church Life

ChristianPF presents Short Prayers week posted at Money in the Bible | Christian Personal Finance Blog, ChristianPF a regular submitter to this Blog Carnival offers up some thoughts on ‘praying continually’. He challenged himself to offer consistent short prayers in an effort to pray more throughout the day. Here are the results of his effort. Might I suggest we all try to offer up continual prayers even if they are only a sentence prayer.

Heather Johnson presents Top 100 Theology Blogs posted at Christian Colleges. Heather gives us a list of Theology Blogs and she failed to list mine. Oh well I shall forgive her. Although not a complete list there are enough links there to keep you busy for many a late night.

andriel presents An Emerging Relativism posted at ReturningKing.com. Jeff submitted several articles for inclusion in this month’s blog however my policy allows only one post per blog per issue so I picked the best one to include this month. I am sure Jeff will submit another article or two for our next issue. Jeff asserts that certain truths are self-evident while dispelling the error of Religious Relativism, And here I thought he was going to write about his family. Just kidding. Take the time needed to read this post it will be well worth your time. There is a lot of meat on this bone to gnaw off.

In Media

Sarah Scrafford presents 50 Awe-inspiring, Free, High-Res Collections of Religious Imagery posted at Christian Colleges. Here is another list of sites to go along with the Theology Blogs list previously listed. Although this is a SECOND POST for this blog I thought many of you could benefit from this list of Religious Imagery so I left it in.

In Family

Yvette Nietzen presents Conducting a Virus Scan posted at Fresh Wind Ministries. Yvette comes through with a short but insightful post about conducting a Spiritual virus scan.

Doug Boude presents My Yoke is Easy and My Burden is Light posted at Doug Boude (rhymes with ‘loud’). Doug offers a fresh new look at the Burden of the Lord. Although his first encounter seemed oh so burdensome he later learned that doing right is not really all that hard. See what you think, Great post Doug.

In Education

Joe Hayes presents Teaching Intelligent Design posted at Teaching Intelligent Design, Joe tackles the idea of teaching Intelligent design. Although a contentious topic Joe’s article sets forth a reasoned response to radical opposition to the idea that Intelligent design could actually be taught in an educational setting.

In Politics

My own submission is Give me, Give me, and then give me some more a reflection of the evil root of the financial mess our nation is currently in the midst of. Our nation’s debt  problem is not  financial, but one of righteousness. Tell me what you think.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of pop goes the gospel using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Until next time carpe diem.

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THE MANY NAMES OF CHRIST

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

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"If then you were raised with Christ,
seek those things which are above,
where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on things above,
not on things on the earth." (Colossians 3:1-2)

To the ARTIST, He is the One Altogether Lovely.

To the ARCHITECT, He is the Chief Corner Stone.

To the BAKER, He is the Living Bread.

To the BANKER, He is the Hidden Treasure.

To the BIOLOGIST, He is the Life.

To the BUILDER, He is the Sure Foundation.

To the CARPENTER, He is the Door.

To the DOCTOR, He is the Great Physician.

To the EDUCATOR, He is the Great Teacher.

To the ENGINEER, He is the New and Living Way.

To the FLORIST, He is the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley.

To the GEOLOGIST, He is the Rock of Ages.

To the HORTICULTURIST He is the True Vine.

To the JUDGE, He is the Righteous Judge, Judge of All Men.

To the JEWELER, He is the Pearl of Great Price.

To the LAWYER, He is the Counselor, the Lawgiver, the Advocate.

To the NEWSPAPER, He is the Good Tidings of Great Joy.

To the OCULIST, He is the Light of the Eyes.

To the PHILANTHROPIST, He is the Unspeakable Gift.

To the PHILOSOPHER, He is the Wisdom of God.

To the PREACHER, He is the Word of God.

To the SCULPTOR, He is the Living Stone.

To the SERVANT, He is the Good Master.

To the STATESMAN, He is the Desire of All Nations.

To the STUDENT, He is the Incarnate Truth.

To the THEOLOGIAN, He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith.

To the TOILER, He is the Giver of Rest.

To the SINNER, He is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the World.

To the CHRISTIAN, He is the Son of the Living God, the Savior, the Redeemer
and the Lord.

— Author Unknown

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Godly Persistance Produces Plenty

Allen Frederick 1 Comment

Keep Pushing Tender Sprout

Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out if they’ve got a second. Give your dreams all you’ve got and you’ll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you.

William James

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 (NKJV)

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Moderates: Unable to Stand for Anything

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

Insight for your “Journey across the Sky”
A View from the Nest www.eagleviews.org
Random Ramblings from the Resident Raptor

“`I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth. Rev 3:15-16 (RSV)

And Eli’jah came near to all the people, and said, “How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Ba’al, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. 1 Kings 18:21 (RSV)

Hot and Cold
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A lukewarm individual is always torn between two opinions and unable to come to a conclusive decision on anything. They have to wait until the consensus comes in. Poll takers form their decisions and opinions for them based upon the popular opinions and beliefs of the day. They are ever changing, never able to come to a solid conviction. They do not stand for anything and are easily led astray. A lukewarm individual will usually follow after the path of least resistance which eventually leads to their downfall and destruction.

For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]. James 1:6-8 (AMP)

When confronted to take a stand for what they believe the lukewarm quickly acquiesce and change their minds and positions so as not to appear inflexible. In doing so they loose themselves in the process, no longer an individual with individual thought, they become assimilated to the crowd. Like the name suggests lukewarm water is a mixture of hot and cold and once mixed you can no longer differentiate between the two sources.

 

Jesus does not want us to be lukewarm individuals for his desire for us is to follow in paths of His righteousness. We are not merely mindless sheep just going in whatever direction we are pushed. That was our state before we had an encounter with Jesus the Great Shepherd.

Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you men of double mind. James 4:8 (RSV)

He now dwells with us and has given to us His Spirit wherewith we are able to stand against great opposition. When we take a stand for the Lord He takes a stand for us. We can not afford to be lukewarm in our walk with the Lord. He prefers we were either on fire for Him or totally cold toward Him, the Lord takes no delight in those who can not seem to make up their minds one way or the other.

And if you be unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Josh 24:15 (RSV)

Hot or cold it’s your choice! Take a stand! Choose a side! Make a decision!

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)

Along for the journey

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