tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post640626680565567498..comments2024-03-24T23:41:23.944-07:00Comments on Talk Wisdom: Atheists Tree of Knowledge?Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-34761660465020838652007-12-04T06:46:00.000-08:002007-12-04T06:46:00.000-08:00Hello Orchard Christian Church,Good points! It is...Hello Orchard Christian Church,<BR/><BR/>Good points! <BR/><BR/>It is true that the Bible tells us "the hearts of men will grow cold" the closer we get to the end times. Sometimes, Christians can be guilty of that as well.<BR/><BR/>However, the good news is that the Bible informs us that the Gospel will be preached to all nations - before the end comes.<BR/><BR/>Personally, I think that the internet plays a significant role in the accomplishment of this. People who would ordinarily never walk into a church (either alone or even with a friend) are willing to read a blog, or listen to a sermon online.<BR/><BR/>As far as TV goes - yes - there are charlatans out there. But I think that many of the good preachers (like Charles Stanley and Dr. David Jeremiah) do quite well in their efforts at reaching the unsaved.<BR/><BR/>My dad is just one example. You can read that story <A HREF="http://talkwisdom.blogspot.com/2005/08/true-ministry.html" REL="nofollow">here</A>.<BR/><BR/>My mom is Catholic. My brother, sister and I (now, a born again Christian) were brought up in the Catholic church. My dad was raised Methodist. He hardly ever attended church with us. I always worried about him for that reason; especially when I turned 7 years old and made my "first Holy Communion." It was only many years later that I discovered the fact that while we were at church, he was watching Charles Stanley on TV during the baseball/football commercials!! <BR/><BR/>I truly believe that a seed for Christ was planted in his heart through Stanley's preaching.<BR/><BR/>Little did I know that 34 years after my first urgent prayer to God to help my dad know Jesus Christ, he did just that three months before his death from lung cancer. Little did I know that He would use me as a vehicle to share Christ with my own dad! Most Christians know that our own relatives are oftentimes the hardest to reach with the Gospel message. <BR/><BR/>God's timing is always perfect.<BR/><BR/>We may not think so because we only see part of the picture at any given time in our lives. But God's perspective is the entire picture. We see "as through a glass, darkly."<BR/><BR/>I once heard the culmination of history being described as seeing the underside of a tapestry. From our vantage point, it's just a bunch of threads that appear to have no pattern or beauty. But when it's turned over into full view - God's vantage point - it is then that a beautiful tapestry is revealed.<BR/><BR/>This may be a weak analogy, but it reminds me of the fact that God turns all things for good. <BR/><BR/>Sometimes we concentrate too much on the bad stuff here. I know that sometimes I let it get to me. But knowing that God can turn the ugliest, terrible, most evil thing towards good snaps me out of my negative feelings about this fallen world we live in.<BR/><BR/>The cross of Christ is the greatest example of God turning the evil of sin and death into good...the redemption of our souls.<BR/><BR/>You wrote, "The Great Commission is to "Make Disciples" in the context of relationship."<BR/><BR/>This is very true and an important point to remember and follow!<BR/><BR/>However, we must also remember the two thieves on either side of Jesus at the cross. Both originally mocked Christ. Then, one had a change of heart. He repented for his sins; realizing that he was guilty and "this man (Christ) had done nothing wrong." That thief then asked Christ, "remember me when you enter into your kingdom." Christ replied, "this day, you will be with me in paradise."<BR/><BR/>There wasn't much time to build discipleship there. But what was important was <B>relationship</B> (as you also had stated) and that thief, in the 11th hour of his life turned to Jesus for salvation.<BR/><BR/>We can only hope and pray for the lost to turn to Christ. Once the gospel is preached to them, they need to repent and accept that gift of salvation.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for coming by and posting your excellent comment! I hope you will continue to visit here!<BR/><BR/>In Christ,<BR/>ChristineChristinewjchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-38796149279432717892007-12-03T23:18:00.000-08:002007-12-03T23:18:00.000-08:00Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.Andrew is getting fithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12509663563205981548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-16148977260652260002007-12-03T21:52:00.000-08:002007-12-03T21:52:00.000-08:00Clearly there is a rising tide of godlessness in t...Clearly there is a rising tide of godlessness in the world, but what else should we expect from unbelievers? It seems to me that many people have heard the Gospel, but they haven't seen it or felt it from a local church. I think that the love of many, including Christians, is growing cold. Maybe people aren't looking so much for an explanation of the Body of Christ, they are looking or a demonstration. <BR/><BR/>I think there is a lot of solid impersonal biblical teaching around for those who are seeking- Megachurches with famous pastors, Christian blogs, TV, radio, bookstores, etc. But the great commission is not just "get decisions for Christ", although He is the only way to be saved. The Great Commission is to "Make Disciples" in the contect of relationship.The Orchard Christian Churchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14875455974482350229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-74108203115993521562007-12-03T14:29:00.000-08:002007-12-03T14:29:00.000-08:00Andrew,Nice try. But...ummm...you were just kiddi...Andrew,<BR/><BR/>Nice try. <BR/><BR/>But...ummm...you were just kidding...right?<BR/><BR/>If you were serious, then I must ask - do you even own a Bible?<BR/><BR/>If not, next time you wish to quote Scripture (and, unfortunately, take it out of context) perhaps you might want to see what <A HREF="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/comm_read.pl?book=Jer&chapter=10&verse=3&Comm=Comm%2Fmhc%2FJer%2FJer010.html%231%26Matthew%26Henry&Select.x=28&Select.y=11" REL="nofollow">Biblical scholars</A> have said about the passage.<BR/><BR/>Henry's commentary is long, but it is good and thorough. If you don't want to take the time to read it all, allow me to summarize.<BR/><BR/>The passage is talking about God and idols. Those who put their trust in a chunk of wood, even though it is carved well and clothed beautifully (i.e. with gold and silver), are foolish.<BR/><BR/>The simplest person who worships God is wiser than the wisest person who worships a worthless substitute, because believers in Christ have discerned who God really is.<BR/><BR/>Moral of the story: No matter how well made or how beautiful idols are, they can <B><I>never</I></B> have the power and life of the true and living God.<BR/><BR/>Merry Christmas!Christinewjchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-82080413483634100052007-12-03T13:33:00.000-08:002007-12-03T13:33:00.000-08:00Heh...in the words of God:Jeremiah 10" 1Hear ye th...Heh...in the words of God:<BR/><BR/>Jeremiah 10<BR/><BR/>" 1Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:<BR/><BR/> 2Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.<BR/><BR/> 3For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.<BR/><BR/> 4They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.<BR/><BR/> 5They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good."<BR/><BR/>Soundslike Christmas trees are the way of the heathen.Andrew is getting fithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12509663563205981548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-89927413911003381172007-12-03T12:29:00.000-08:002007-12-03T12:29:00.000-08:00I was just correcting a misspelled word in the fol...I was just correcting a misspelled word in the following paragraph and noticed something:<BR/><BR/><I>In a sidebar, Muncaster shares that Quantum Physics finds "extra-dimensions." The latest breakthroughs in quantum physics indicate <B>at least seven dimensions beyond time and space. Scholars also calculate at least seven extra dimensions in the Bible.</B> Source: Ross, Hugh Ph.D., Beyond the Cosmos, Colorado Springs, CO: Navpress, 1996</I><BR/><BR/>Hmmm...seven represents the number of perfection in the Bible!Christinewjchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-64764332480387297642007-12-03T12:15:00.000-08:002007-12-03T12:15:00.000-08:00P.S. You might need to click on the Dion music vi...P.S. You might need to click on the Dion music video first, then click on the "menu" tab. There are several different artist's renditions on the menu, including Mariah Carey's. To get to more versions (including Josh Groban's), click on the small arrow on the right to find it!Christinewjchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-53711925858468502832007-12-03T12:11:00.000-08:002007-12-03T12:11:00.000-08:00Awww...Mark! Not a fan of Celine's I take it.Well...Awww...Mark! Not a fan of Celine's I take it.<BR/><BR/>Well, <B><I>you</I></B> can make her go away...<BR/><BR/>Just click on "menu" on the bottom right and select Josh Groban's version of "O Holy Night!"<BR/><BR/>:-)Christinewjchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-70359638510026435532007-12-03T11:10:00.000-08:002007-12-03T11:10:00.000-08:00loving this post Christine....until Celine Dion. ...loving this post Christine....until Celine Dion. Make <I>her</I> go away please! ;)Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10281126424462398813noreply@blogger.com