Just say one to God real quick...it's like a breath of fresh air, or a second wind...or a first wind, for that matter. I've heard it said that how much we pray is a witness of how much we rely on God with our lives. At least, God has been hammering that into me lately, and, I figured, possibly someone else can relate, ehhh?
Much love,
Mark
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Thursday, September 4, 2008
goofup
Yeah, so, although I thought that I had taken care of the whole Southern Baptist Theological Seminary thing over the summer (this is the Louisville, KY school), it turns out that they did not drop my classes, which I found out about over the last few days. So, after a few class days at Southwestern, walking through the prayer garden thing on SWBTS's campus, I get a phone call telling me that I owed Southern tuition money! Over the next few days, up to today, I have made phone calls and got on the internet to alleviate the situation, including writing apology emails to my "would-be" professors who must have wondered why some student was signed up for the class but never showed...they didn't know if I was just being a louse, or if I was in trouble, or what! Absent-minded me. I am glad that His strength is made perfect in our weakness, because I know I could not shine the light in dark places otherwise. May God bless y'all...we'll speak soon.
Much love,
Mark
P.S. I got a job at FedEx Ground and am pounding the ground (as Adam Barby would call it...man, I need to call that guy) up there Mon-Fri, from 5:45PM to around 10:15PM
Much love,
Mark
P.S. I got a job at FedEx Ground and am pounding the ground (as Adam Barby would call it...man, I need to call that guy) up there Mon-Fri, from 5:45PM to around 10:15PM
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Ladder of Jacob's Dream and an encouraging youtube w/ John MacArthur
Jacob's vision is kind of perplexing. As a lover of a good story (and since it's in the Bible, this would be a true story), I love the imagery here used in Jacob's dreams, but I am still wondering what God is really trying to say. I asked the Lord to reveal the Truth to me more and more as I attempt to read the Bible in a year (my first time to read every book!), and I am seeking the council of Godly men like the Reformers who made the Geneva Study Bible, and John Wesley, founder of the Methodist church. I would read Genesis 28 first to see what ya'll think first.
Here's what they had to say on the ladder:
First, the 1599 Geneva Study Bible:
28:12 And he dreamed, and behold a d ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
Next, Wesley includes two possible interpretations in his mind, seeming to accept the Geneva SB's claim as being the possible meaning behind it.:
I'm still searching for answers, so if the Holy Spirit spoke something to you as you were reading the chapter feel free to add that in. Like I said, I would like some input :D.
In the mean time, you can also watch this encouraging message about having zeal for the Truth of God's Word being unadulterately communicated.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW56H0hseho&NR=1
Much love,
Mark
Here's what they had to say on the ladder:
First, the 1599 Geneva Study Bible:
28:12 And he dreamed, and behold a d ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
(d) Christ is the ladder by which God and man are joined together, and by whom the angels minister to us: all graces are given to us by him, and we ascend to heaven by him.
Next, Wesley includes two possible interpretations in his mind, seeming to accept the Geneva SB's claim as being the possible meaning behind it.:
| 28:12 | Behold a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached heaven, the angels ascending and descending on it, and the Lord stood above it - This might represent
|
I'm still searching for answers, so if the Holy Spirit spoke something to you as you were reading the chapter feel free to add that in. Like I said, I would like some input :D.
In the mean time, you can also watch this encouraging message about having zeal for the Truth of God's Word being unadulterately communicated.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW56H0hseho&NR=1
Much love,
Mark
Friday, August 15, 2008
Pulling a Joel
Here's an article ya'll should read :D
It's short, sweet, and genuine:
http://www.crcna.org/pages/family_altar.cfm?year=2008&month=08&day=15
Much love,
Mark
It's short, sweet, and genuine:
http://www.crcna.org/pages/family_altar.cfm?year=2008&month=08&day=15
Much love,
Mark
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Somewhere Down in Texas
Hey y'all! It has been a long time since I have had reliable internet, and now that I am all moved in to Grand Prairie, Texas, and it is great. I feel this surreal sensation...I am on an adventure, and I have set up base camp. God told me to look at this place as my missionary field...in a sense, that's how we should always be--this is wartime lifestyle we are called to, to deny ourselves, and take up our crosses daily until the return of the King (que the LOTR music...jk). This life is a tent, and we're all nomads...Heaven is the promised land and we are in a desert, with patches of Oasis. I think this is my oasis. I will rejoice in this season, treating this time of testing like listening to sermons from the apostles in Solomon's Portico. Can you hear it, brethren? Can you feel it? Can you imagine what it must have been like, watching these men, so baptised of the Holy Spirit that as Peter or Paul or some apostles' shadow passed over people, healing would take place! May the Holy Spirit so come now. The cool thing is that God is teaching me to just enjoy the movement of His Spirit and not to care whether or not I was the vessel of God's working. Haha, when we see ourselves as the big dogs, sometimes we become small as ants, like Nebuchadnezzar, so that we will know that the power belongs to God and not to us (we "hold these treasures in jars of clay," after all).
It's surreal being in this old frontier country that was once unexplored, and knowing that for me, it is frontier, and in a since, it's not, because I've lived in Texas before, but, it is because this is just so new. At the same time, I do miss my fellow workers that I'm leaving behind. I miss beloved brethren who are working for the Kingdom, rough edge and smooth stone alike. But, like the apostle Paul, I know that when I return, it will be in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
In response to the comment to Jesus, "Blessed is the woman who gave you birth," Jesus responded, "Blessed rather, is he who hears the Word of God, and does it" (paraphrase from memory). I'm glad that I submitted to go to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary instead of Southern BTS. There's probably multitudinous reasons why God chose this institution for me, in His Sovereign Plan. I think that one might be diversity of thought (within the context that the Bible is the innerant infallible Truth from God's lips), and another is the kindred spirit bond that I feel with my housemates, who, differ than me on some things theologically, are also very much alike to myself.
On a lighter note, I might be the cook of the bunch (be very afraid). I haven't tasted their cooking, but I've been told that they haven't cooked very much either. Hobbs is a trained carpenter and is trying to get an internet website business that makes websites for small businesses off the ground, and Brent is a fellow incoming seminary student with...a passion for keeping things spotless--for now, these are the crazy housemates to help keep my life sane. Lol, I almost hope that I am the only one that turns into an alright cook...so they still need me! bwahahaha, jk, my housemates are really strong in the Lord, and a blessing to be around.
Aight, I gotta get to bed, don't want to miss my first Church service in Grand Prairie, Texas!
All my love,
Mark
P.S. ohh, and feel free to comment this time--seeing as that it has been awhile, I won't know that you are still reading this dusty blog (*Brent proceeds to "judo chop!" me in the back of the head, and then wipe the blog off with Pledge and a paper towel*)
P.P.S. Caroline, this isn't the church I thought I would be going to here, but I have a good feeling about it. In regards to the teaching, the secretaries told me that he spends around 1 hour of study for every minute of preaching...so if he preaches 27 minutes, that's 27 hours in his study with a sign that says, "In Study" on the front of the door, in which he's not to be disturbed unless it's a big deal. I hope that you are blessed through your church in Spain. Remember...hehe, sometimes it's the rough edges that go against the grain that polish us the most.
Joel, I hope that all is well with you...I'd hate to know what a bad day at work would look like for you.
Adam, Chicago, great stuff man! Try and track down A.W. Tozer's church for me and see if it's still going strong :). I also can't wait to hear the great stories about the marvelous things you learn in class!
Kinzie--YAY Blueberry cobbler! Can you send some to me...lol by the way I've kept that blue plate that you gave cookies to me on after I helped you move out that one time. Silly I know.
Anyone else I didn't mention that actually reads this, cheers!
It's surreal being in this old frontier country that was once unexplored, and knowing that for me, it is frontier, and in a since, it's not, because I've lived in Texas before, but, it is because this is just so new. At the same time, I do miss my fellow workers that I'm leaving behind. I miss beloved brethren who are working for the Kingdom, rough edge and smooth stone alike. But, like the apostle Paul, I know that when I return, it will be in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
In response to the comment to Jesus, "Blessed is the woman who gave you birth," Jesus responded, "Blessed rather, is he who hears the Word of God, and does it" (paraphrase from memory). I'm glad that I submitted to go to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary instead of Southern BTS. There's probably multitudinous reasons why God chose this institution for me, in His Sovereign Plan. I think that one might be diversity of thought (within the context that the Bible is the innerant infallible Truth from God's lips), and another is the kindred spirit bond that I feel with my housemates, who, differ than me on some things theologically, are also very much alike to myself.
On a lighter note, I might be the cook of the bunch (be very afraid). I haven't tasted their cooking, but I've been told that they haven't cooked very much either. Hobbs is a trained carpenter and is trying to get an internet website business that makes websites for small businesses off the ground, and Brent is a fellow incoming seminary student with...a passion for keeping things spotless--for now, these are the crazy housemates to help keep my life sane. Lol, I almost hope that I am the only one that turns into an alright cook...so they still need me! bwahahaha, jk, my housemates are really strong in the Lord, and a blessing to be around.
Aight, I gotta get to bed, don't want to miss my first Church service in Grand Prairie, Texas!
All my love,
Mark
P.S. ohh, and feel free to comment this time--seeing as that it has been awhile, I won't know that you are still reading this dusty blog (*Brent proceeds to "judo chop!" me in the back of the head, and then wipe the blog off with Pledge and a paper towel*)
P.P.S. Caroline, this isn't the church I thought I would be going to here, but I have a good feeling about it. In regards to the teaching, the secretaries told me that he spends around 1 hour of study for every minute of preaching...so if he preaches 27 minutes, that's 27 hours in his study with a sign that says, "In Study" on the front of the door, in which he's not to be disturbed unless it's a big deal. I hope that you are blessed through your church in Spain. Remember...hehe, sometimes it's the rough edges that go against the grain that polish us the most.
Joel, I hope that all is well with you...I'd hate to know what a bad day at work would look like for you.
Adam, Chicago, great stuff man! Try and track down A.W. Tozer's church for me and see if it's still going strong :). I also can't wait to hear the great stories about the marvelous things you learn in class!
Kinzie--YAY Blueberry cobbler! Can you send some to me...lol by the way I've kept that blue plate that you gave cookies to me on after I helped you move out that one time. Silly I know.
Anyone else I didn't mention that actually reads this, cheers!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
The Great Commission, a thought
Just a thought, the "great commission," as Christians have dubbed it, reads:
18 And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:18-20
It's interesting that this creates a "disciple cycle." Lecrae raps a lot about the Great Commission, and he spoke of creating disciples who make disciples, "disciple cycles."
It's cool, isn't it? One of the first things we ought to learn after coming into faith in Jesus and receiving God's Holy Spirit, is that we should go and make more disciples--"teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you"...including that thing that Jesus told them one verse before, right? :D
Of course, a lot of times, you won't have to tell them to, because the new converts will be so excited that their names are written in Heaven that they can't help but speak about it, evangelizing even if they don't know what "evangelism" means...they just love the Lord and since love finds it's consummation (oftentimes) in praising the object of one's affection, they can't help but giddily, excitedly speak about what has happened to them:
18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard. 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
Acts 4: 18-22
Much love,
Mark
P.S. always feel free to post thoughts, opinions, rebukes, rebuttals, etc.
18 And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:18-20
It's interesting that this creates a "disciple cycle." Lecrae raps a lot about the Great Commission, and he spoke of creating disciples who make disciples, "disciple cycles."
It's cool, isn't it? One of the first things we ought to learn after coming into faith in Jesus and receiving God's Holy Spirit, is that we should go and make more disciples--"teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you"...including that thing that Jesus told them one verse before, right? :D
Of course, a lot of times, you won't have to tell them to, because the new converts will be so excited that their names are written in Heaven that they can't help but speak about it, evangelizing even if they don't know what "evangelism" means...they just love the Lord and since love finds it's consummation (oftentimes) in praising the object of one's affection, they can't help but giddily, excitedly speak about what has happened to them:
18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard. 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
Acts 4: 18-22
Much love,
Mark
P.S. always feel free to post thoughts, opinions, rebukes, rebuttals, etc.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
My evaluation of Lecrae: After the Music Stops
A rapper who quotes John Piper...that's almost enough said, isn't it...haha, so "what does he quote J.P. on?" I know you're dying to know. Well, if it's not a direct quote, it's definately a paraphrase:
In his song, "Send Me", Lecrae says
"...Come on Christians, Missions exist because worship doesn't. People don't worship the God that made'um. We ambassadors--let's Go!"
Lecrae is a Christian rap artist who is totally consumed with zeal for God's house (Psalm 69:9), as best as my ascertainment of the fruit of his work can tell. I feel free to say and type this over him, that Lecrae is fulfilling the Great and Second great Commandment in his life, if his life is reflective of his music, and the Great Commission is being helped because of the rhymes he's throwing down.
Listen, this is a rapper who is God-centered, and is noooooot out there for his own glory or fame, but for the glory of the one who is worthy of it...Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords, the King of kings.
My review of his latest (I think) album, entitled After the Music Stops:
This CD is thick with theology, and listening, and singing/rapping along with it is like...drinking a slushie or a chocolate shake. And like a shake, if you let it sit for a minute, it becomes easier to swallow. However, you need to have a quick-listening ear to listen to him as a lot of his rhymes are quick, both physically and quick in the sense that it's witty. I know that even a lot of Christian rap artists can really struggle in the midst of their music to not just be a party CD sanitizing the glorification of self by labeling the CD "Gospel Rap" and using "churchanese" language to rhyme with, but Lecrae's latest CD is on the level. It is a must buy for all those who do not despise rap...well nevermind, it's just a must-buy for everyone who wants to feast on some music meat in their off time. Aesthetically, it's pretty cool--the music itself gets you jumping, and spurring on: the joy of the Lord, the love of Christ in us, and good deeds. He isn't an ear-tickler either...he's out to give the glory to God and convict hearts of the need to get the Word out, and roll the red carpet for our returning King!
Finally!! I've been waiting for a rap CD like this! I thank God for Lauren Tidwell who recommended the CD to me.
An example of his lyrics (paraphrase):
"He is the beginning, everything came into being by his Being--The Being who created all of the beings..."
"I know some of you dudes may cruise a forerunner, but Christ had a dude he used as a forerunner! The promoter don't cut it like John the Baptist--You need publicity stunts so you dating an actress! A real king got somebody bringin' the news, that his Kingdom's at hand and they 'aint fit to lace up his shoes. So tell me who's anointing all these so-called Kings, they all self proclaimed, and man...that's a dangerous thing."
ok, lol, it is so hard to do this word for word because of the fact that he doesn't put the lyrics inside the CD :/. However, he put something MUCH BETTER on the inside of the cover instead...scriptures, specifically:
Romans 8:13
Isaiah 26:8-9
1 Samuel 15:22
Matthew 28:19-20
II Corinthians 5:20
Romans 1:16
I Corinthians 9:27
Proverbs 27:17
Philippians 2:3-4
I Thessalonians 4:3-6
Be blessed, beloved brethren! As well, feel free to drop some comments :D
P.S. Caroline, at least you have to try out this CD :D
In his song, "Send Me", Lecrae says
"...Come on Christians, Missions exist because worship doesn't. People don't worship the God that made'um. We ambassadors--let's Go!"
Lecrae is a Christian rap artist who is totally consumed with zeal for God's house (Psalm 69:9), as best as my ascertainment of the fruit of his work can tell. I feel free to say and type this over him, that Lecrae is fulfilling the Great and Second great Commandment in his life, if his life is reflective of his music, and the Great Commission is being helped because of the rhymes he's throwing down.
Listen, this is a rapper who is God-centered, and is noooooot out there for his own glory or fame, but for the glory of the one who is worthy of it...Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords, the King of kings.
My review of his latest (I think) album, entitled After the Music Stops:
This CD is thick with theology, and listening, and singing/rapping along with it is like...drinking a slushie or a chocolate shake. And like a shake, if you let it sit for a minute, it becomes easier to swallow. However, you need to have a quick-listening ear to listen to him as a lot of his rhymes are quick, both physically and quick in the sense that it's witty. I know that even a lot of Christian rap artists can really struggle in the midst of their music to not just be a party CD sanitizing the glorification of self by labeling the CD "Gospel Rap" and using "churchanese" language to rhyme with, but Lecrae's latest CD is on the level. It is a must buy for all those who do not despise rap...well nevermind, it's just a must-buy for everyone who wants to feast on some music meat in their off time. Aesthetically, it's pretty cool--the music itself gets you jumping, and spurring on: the joy of the Lord, the love of Christ in us, and good deeds. He isn't an ear-tickler either...he's out to give the glory to God and convict hearts of the need to get the Word out, and roll the red carpet for our returning King!
Finally!! I've been waiting for a rap CD like this! I thank God for Lauren Tidwell who recommended the CD to me.
An example of his lyrics (paraphrase):
"He is the beginning, everything came into being by his Being--The Being who created all of the beings..."
"I know some of you dudes may cruise a forerunner, but Christ had a dude he used as a forerunner! The promoter don't cut it like John the Baptist--You need publicity stunts so you dating an actress! A real king got somebody bringin' the news, that his Kingdom's at hand and they 'aint fit to lace up his shoes. So tell me who's anointing all these so-called Kings, they all self proclaimed, and man...that's a dangerous thing."
ok, lol, it is so hard to do this word for word because of the fact that he doesn't put the lyrics inside the CD :/. However, he put something MUCH BETTER on the inside of the cover instead...scriptures, specifically:
Romans 8:13
Isaiah 26:8-9
1 Samuel 15:22
Matthew 28:19-20
II Corinthians 5:20
Romans 1:16
I Corinthians 9:27
Proverbs 27:17
Philippians 2:3-4
I Thessalonians 4:3-6
Be blessed, beloved brethren! As well, feel free to drop some comments :D
P.S. Caroline, at least you have to try out this CD :D
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