3D PHOTOS
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Butt Woopin'
The Packers handed it to the Bears on Sunday. And yes, I was there. Angelo (Brittney's Dad) and I went to Green Bay to sit in our seats that were 18 rows off of the field behind Packers sideline. Brittney and I got him the ticket for his 50th Birthday. It was a ton of fun hanging out with him and watching Bears fan put there heads down in disappointment.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Finished 1st Thessalonians
A few things:
1) "labor prompted by love." The love the church sees they work and labor for. This is a great reminder that we need to be willing to work hard for the things we love. Whether it is physical or emotional.
2) "not looking for praise from men" I certainly struggle with looking for the approval of those around me. It has got me into trouble and even caused me to place my convictions aside and take on the convictions of someone else all because I wanted approval.
3) Lead a quite life, work with your hands, and don't be dependent on anybody. That is pretty much what chapter 4 verses 11-12 say. Don't be dependent on anybody. Are we dependent on people and things. FOR SURE. I can't turn on the news without hearing how dependent on oil we are. I am dependent on money. I don't know about you, but I have bills. How can we be less dependent on others and more dependent on God? Sure we can be dependent on God to provide us with money, but I think Paul is preaching this idea of freedom from bondage to others.
4) "Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong." How do Christians argue wars like Iraq? I have really come to an understanding that the New Testament might very well be the most passive and peaceful collection of books ever written. This is a mandate from Paul. When someone hurts you, you don't hurt them back. We hear this as small children growing up. Our parents teach us not to hit someone just because they hit us. Then somewhere we forget it. Somewhere we loose faith in love. We think that violence will accomplish more than love and our motto becomes, "peace through war" much like the Roman empires motto, "peace through victory." It is sad that the Christian community does not take passages like this seriously. It is sad that I have become so desensitized to redemptive violence that it's a struggle for me to take it seriously.
5) "Test Everything." We don't. We don't truly test everything. I don't. I know there are many Christians who never open their Bibles. They don't test what they hear on Sunday morning, partially because it takes work to test something. Paul understood the importance of testing things. I think we grow when we test things.
1) "labor prompted by love." The love the church sees they work and labor for. This is a great reminder that we need to be willing to work hard for the things we love. Whether it is physical or emotional.
2) "not looking for praise from men" I certainly struggle with looking for the approval of those around me. It has got me into trouble and even caused me to place my convictions aside and take on the convictions of someone else all because I wanted approval.
3) Lead a quite life, work with your hands, and don't be dependent on anybody. That is pretty much what chapter 4 verses 11-12 say. Don't be dependent on anybody. Are we dependent on people and things. FOR SURE. I can't turn on the news without hearing how dependent on oil we are. I am dependent on money. I don't know about you, but I have bills. How can we be less dependent on others and more dependent on God? Sure we can be dependent on God to provide us with money, but I think Paul is preaching this idea of freedom from bondage to others.
4) "Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong." How do Christians argue wars like Iraq? I have really come to an understanding that the New Testament might very well be the most passive and peaceful collection of books ever written. This is a mandate from Paul. When someone hurts you, you don't hurt them back. We hear this as small children growing up. Our parents teach us not to hit someone just because they hit us. Then somewhere we forget it. Somewhere we loose faith in love. We think that violence will accomplish more than love and our motto becomes, "peace through war" much like the Roman empires motto, "peace through victory." It is sad that the Christian community does not take passages like this seriously. It is sad that I have become so desensitized to redemptive violence that it's a struggle for me to take it seriously.
5) "Test Everything." We don't. We don't truly test everything. I don't. I know there are many Christians who never open their Bibles. They don't test what they hear on Sunday morning, partially because it takes work to test something. Paul understood the importance of testing things. I think we grow when we test things.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Finished Colossians
A ton of things. What a great letter. I love how it ends, "Remember my chains. Grace be with you."
1) Just simply this passage, "Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things."
2) "Wrestling in prayer." This is a weird term to use for prayer. I have heard wrestling with your faith or working out your salvation, but wrestling in prayer is new. The full verse reads, "Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, send greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured." Wrestling in prayer for a church. Wow. How many of us can say we wrestle in prayer, i mean, what does that even mean? How do you even wrestle in prayer? Anyway, this is one that will stick with me for a while.
1) Just simply this passage, "Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things."
2) "Wrestling in prayer." This is a weird term to use for prayer. I have heard wrestling with your faith or working out your salvation, but wrestling in prayer is new. The full verse reads, "Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, send greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured." Wrestling in prayer for a church. Wow. How many of us can say we wrestle in prayer, i mean, what does that even mean? How do you even wrestle in prayer? Anyway, this is one that will stick with me for a while.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Finished Leviticus
Boring at times, but there was a lot of stuff that hit me.
1) In Chapter 4, they sprinkled blood 7 times for the sin offering. I am sure you could argue this is somewhat intertwined with Peter asking Jesus in Matthew 18:21-22 about how many times we should forgive.
2) In Chapter 13-15, God gave specific medical advice to the people. It was kind of weird to hear God talk about rashes for what seemed to be a whole chapter, but it shows that he cared about the people enough to give them medical advice.
3) Chapter 19:33-34, "When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt, I am the LORD your God." I was talking with my mom a couple of days ago and she was telling me about the growing bigotry toward Hispanics in Indiana. This is a problem that I have seen in every part of the country I have lived. The political problem is complex and there surely needs to be some changes made on that front, but how does this verse influence how we are suppose to view immigrants (aliens)? I don't think every command in chapter 19 is something we must follow, such as: no shaving of the beard, no tattoos, and not to wear clothes woven of two kinds of material. Times have changed. What I will argue is that we are mandated to love our neighbors as ourselves. Could it be argued that our neighbors might be those who enter our communities as aliens? If so, I think God is laying the foundation for how you and I should handle those aliens.
1) In Chapter 4, they sprinkled blood 7 times for the sin offering. I am sure you could argue this is somewhat intertwined with Peter asking Jesus in Matthew 18:21-22 about how many times we should forgive.
2) In Chapter 13-15, God gave specific medical advice to the people. It was kind of weird to hear God talk about rashes for what seemed to be a whole chapter, but it shows that he cared about the people enough to give them medical advice.
3) Chapter 19:33-34, "When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt, I am the LORD your God." I was talking with my mom a couple of days ago and she was telling me about the growing bigotry toward Hispanics in Indiana. This is a problem that I have seen in every part of the country I have lived. The political problem is complex and there surely needs to be some changes made on that front, but how does this verse influence how we are suppose to view immigrants (aliens)? I don't think every command in chapter 19 is something we must follow, such as: no shaving of the beard, no tattoos, and not to wear clothes woven of two kinds of material. Times have changed. What I will argue is that we are mandated to love our neighbors as ourselves. Could it be argued that our neighbors might be those who enter our communities as aliens? If so, I think God is laying the foundation for how you and I should handle those aliens.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Fans of The Shack
Check this blog out. It is from the writer of The Shack and it is much like an extra chapter to the book.
THE SHACK EXTENDED
THE SHACK EXTENDED
Monday, November 3, 2008
FOCUS ON THE BULL!!!
Wow, just when I thought it couldn't get any worse. I heard on the radio about Focus on the Family coming out with what some are calling "The Obama Apocalypse." Pretty much a letter from a Christian in 2012 looking back at the absolute destruction and terror caused by voting Obama into the Presidency. The letter shows how the world has changed and we as a country have changed. Many of these changes are values based but the letter holds back no punches when it says the US had 4 terrorist attacks in Obamas first 4 years and the people live in fear. It also shares how Israel suffered a severe nuclear attack.
I don't know whether to be pissed or in tears over this. It is so frustrating to see this continued hatred toward one candidate from the Christian community. I don't understand why I even want to be labeled a Christian when I am immediately going to have my name attached to James Dobson of Focus on the Family.
To look into the future and give such a bold possibility of what things could become, does focus on the family consider this ministry?
I just find it hard to believe that these are the same people who support the President in office right now, not that I don't. Let's be honest though. I could've wrote a prophesy about 2008 and what it would look like after 8 years of Bush and it would look pretty terrible with 9/11, a war, the economy, and so on. I mean a Presidents responsibilities are hard and the circumstances surround every decision are enormous. Do we think the world will be perfect if Obama isn't elected?
To me this is unfortunate and it is not bring light into a dark world but instead it is bringing more darkness into a dark world. If you dare I have attached a link to the pdf file that is the letter. Be warned it is 16 pages of painful reading.
The Obama Apocalypse
I don't know whether to be pissed or in tears over this. It is so frustrating to see this continued hatred toward one candidate from the Christian community. I don't understand why I even want to be labeled a Christian when I am immediately going to have my name attached to James Dobson of Focus on the Family.
To look into the future and give such a bold possibility of what things could become, does focus on the family consider this ministry?
I just find it hard to believe that these are the same people who support the President in office right now, not that I don't. Let's be honest though. I could've wrote a prophesy about 2008 and what it would look like after 8 years of Bush and it would look pretty terrible with 9/11, a war, the economy, and so on. I mean a Presidents responsibilities are hard and the circumstances surround every decision are enormous. Do we think the world will be perfect if Obama isn't elected?
To me this is unfortunate and it is not bring light into a dark world but instead it is bringing more darkness into a dark world. If you dare I have attached a link to the pdf file that is the letter. Be warned it is 16 pages of painful reading.
The Obama Apocalypse
Finished Philippians
Great Book. What stood out to me was in Chapter 4, Verse 12, where Paul says, "I have learned the secret of being content." I hear how he explains being content and I remember going to Nicaragua and seeing kids who have nothing that are much more content then I. Is it really a secret? Because that is how Paul explains being content. If it is, then how do we find it? Could it be that we must have needs to be content? Is it possible for you and I to have needs and be content? I think it is our view of the needs that surround us everyday. The way we perceive needs. I think we feel we have earned the right to need more and this has influenced are ability to be content.
Finished Exodus
Wow, Exodus is an awesome book. I am not gonna lie, the end was a bit boring with all the tabernacle furnishings, but the book was pretty sweet overall. Obviously there are many famous stories in this book. There are two big things I got out of this book.
One: The Sabbath is very important. It is mentioned over and over again. You can tell God is reminding the people they are no longer slaves and they have the privilege to rest. This lead me to question whether or not I am a slave. I know that having a Sabbath is important, but I am often too busy to really take a day and enter into turbo chill mode. I now understand that this pattern will remove my humanity and make me a slave, even if it is church work that I am a slave too. I am reminded that God made this amazing earth in 6 days and rested on the 7th day. I am sure the earth could have been cooler if God took the extra day to continue creating, but he didn't. For that reason I need to realize that Church things could always be better with more time, but not at the expense of taking a day to chill.
Two: Delegation. I know it sounds weird to read through Exodus and come out with a story about delegation hitting you when the book is loaded with so much more. In Chapter 18 Jethro visits Moses and tells him that what he is doing is not good and that he will wear himself out if he doesn't start to delegate. The scripture says, "The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone." So Moses chose capable men and made them leaders and judges. The easier cases were brought to the new judges and the more complex brought to Moses. This is a Biblical foundation for the need to delegate. I think this principal goes hand in hand with having a Sabbath. We cannot take things on by ourselves and neglect the gifting of the people around us and expect to have time for a Sabbath. We must use the resources God has given us. Often times I want things done a certain way, so I do them. This scripture has shown me that I must identify what is important and needs to be done a certain way (difficult cases in Moses story) and take care of those tasks. I must be willing to delegate the rest of the tasks to my leaders and let them do it. It is important that I don't feel the need to be involved every step of the way. If I follow them every step of the way then is it really delegation?
There were many other things about this book that hit me, but those were the main two things I got out of the book.
One: The Sabbath is very important. It is mentioned over and over again. You can tell God is reminding the people they are no longer slaves and they have the privilege to rest. This lead me to question whether or not I am a slave. I know that having a Sabbath is important, but I am often too busy to really take a day and enter into turbo chill mode. I now understand that this pattern will remove my humanity and make me a slave, even if it is church work that I am a slave too. I am reminded that God made this amazing earth in 6 days and rested on the 7th day. I am sure the earth could have been cooler if God took the extra day to continue creating, but he didn't. For that reason I need to realize that Church things could always be better with more time, but not at the expense of taking a day to chill.
Two: Delegation. I know it sounds weird to read through Exodus and come out with a story about delegation hitting you when the book is loaded with so much more. In Chapter 18 Jethro visits Moses and tells him that what he is doing is not good and that he will wear himself out if he doesn't start to delegate. The scripture says, "The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone." So Moses chose capable men and made them leaders and judges. The easier cases were brought to the new judges and the more complex brought to Moses. This is a Biblical foundation for the need to delegate. I think this principal goes hand in hand with having a Sabbath. We cannot take things on by ourselves and neglect the gifting of the people around us and expect to have time for a Sabbath. We must use the resources God has given us. Often times I want things done a certain way, so I do them. This scripture has shown me that I must identify what is important and needs to be done a certain way (difficult cases in Moses story) and take care of those tasks. I must be willing to delegate the rest of the tasks to my leaders and let them do it. It is important that I don't feel the need to be involved every step of the way. If I follow them every step of the way then is it really delegation?
There were many other things about this book that hit me, but those were the main two things I got out of the book.
Threatened Miscarriage
Well yesterday God tested Brittney and I. We had to go to the Emergency Room and found out that Brittney had a threatened miscarriage. It was pretty scary for her and I. We are so excited to be parents in July. Yesterday's event felt like going over the middle for a catch and getting drilled by the defender and not being able to breath, move, or think. But we got up and it is looking positive for Brittney and the baby. Thank you for your prayers. She has a follow up on Wednesday and we will know more after that, but for now it is looking positive. Thanks, we love you guys.
Friday, October 31, 2008
NO SHAVE NOVEMBER
Join me and others as we take the month of November to remember how God has richly graced us with facial hair. Sorry if His rich blessing of facial hair was not given to you, I am sure you have some other great and amazing gift or ability. You can still participate even if you cannot grow hair or even if it grows in patches all over your face.
The Rules Are Simply
1) Start fresh shaven or slight 5 o'clock shadow. But nothing crazy to start with.
2) Don't shave for the month of November.
3) Participants should post pictures as often as possible for the month of November.
4) Neck shaving is aloud if it is necessary, necessary means work or your wife require it. If it is just annoying then suck it up.
Let me know if you are going to join me in this epic adventure to show off the masculinity that God has blessed us with!!!
If you are still wondering why you should take part in such a barbaric thing as not shaving just remember the words of the poet Bradley Hathaway, "BEARDS ARE TOUGH!!!"
Just look at Matthew from the Band Blessed Is He. He hasn't shaved since 04 and he looks pretty tough.
The Rules Are Simply
1) Start fresh shaven or slight 5 o'clock shadow. But nothing crazy to start with.
2) Don't shave for the month of November.
3) Participants should post pictures as often as possible for the month of November.
4) Neck shaving is aloud if it is necessary, necessary means work or your wife require it. If it is just annoying then suck it up.
Let me know if you are going to join me in this epic adventure to show off the masculinity that God has blessed us with!!!
If you are still wondering why you should take part in such a barbaric thing as not shaving just remember the words of the poet Bradley Hathaway, "BEARDS ARE TOUGH!!!"
Just look at Matthew from the Band Blessed Is He. He hasn't shaved since 04 and he looks pretty tough.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
"This Pistol Is My Ministry!"
The title of the track handed to me by a young lady in a dress at the farmers market in Madison, Wisconsin read, "Are You Good Enough To Go To Heaven?" I looked at it and shoved it in my pocket. Then I walked passed the singing choir and continued shopping with my lovely, pregnant wife Brittney. Three days later I put the same pair of jeans on that I was wearing at the farmers market (yes I wear my jeans more then once before washing them) and found the track still inside my pocket. Bored and some what curious I began to read. I quickly realized this track repeatedly used words like "judgment", "judgment day", "Hell", and "Eternal Punishment". Gods love for us was not mentioned. This scared me. I wanted to know the reason why the author would leave Christ's love out of this evangelistic tool (if you dare to call tracks an evangelistic tool).
So I contacted the author Ray Comfort about my issue with the track. I explained that I was curious and wanted to hear his response on why Christ's love would be left out?
Shortly after I was contacted by Mark Spence. Mark Spence is a evangelist who is also the Dean of Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort's School of Biblical Evangelism. I was excited that there was going to be some dialogue. Unfortunately it seemed as if the dialogue only lasted till I made a logical argument about why love should be included in this track. Let me know what you think. Here is the conversation.
Me to Ray Comfort:
I was in Madison, Wisconsin and I was walking down the street and someone handed me a track that said "Are You Good Enough to Go to Heaven?" I am a youth pastor and I can honestly say that your track was quite disturbing. I am not trying to criticize, I am trying to understand. I don't get why there is very little in this track about God's love, but it is filled with hell, judgment, and death. I am not one who shies away from talking about hell, but I don't think our evangelism should double as fire insurance. I think the first thing that should be conveyed to an unbeliever is the hope in Christ's love. Why isn't this explained in the track? I really want an answer. My email is jdouglas@lvnghp.org or make a post on my blog @ justindouglasblog.blogspot.com
Thanks for your time,
Justin Douglas
Response from Mark Spence:
So I contacted the author Ray Comfort about my issue with the track. I explained that I was curious and wanted to hear his response on why Christ's love would be left out?
Shortly after I was contacted by Mark Spence. Mark Spence is a evangelist who is also the Dean of Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort's School of Biblical Evangelism. I was excited that there was going to be some dialogue. Unfortunately it seemed as if the dialogue only lasted till I made a logical argument about why love should be included in this track. Let me know what you think. Here is the conversation.
Me to Ray Comfort:
I was in Madison, Wisconsin and I was walking down the street and someone handed me a track that said "Are You Good Enough to Go to Heaven?" I am a youth pastor and I can honestly say that your track was quite disturbing. I am not trying to criticize, I am trying to understand. I don't get why there is very little in this track about God's love, but it is filled with hell, judgment, and death. I am not one who shies away from talking about hell, but I don't think our evangelism should double as fire insurance. I think the first thing that should be conveyed to an unbeliever is the hope in Christ's love. Why isn't this explained in the track? I really want an answer. My email is jdouglas@lvnghp.org or make a post on my blog @ justindouglasblog.blogspot.com
Thanks for your time,
Justin Douglas
Response from Mark Spence:
Justin,
How good of you to take the time to write and ask for an explanation, and not just get upset.
There is a very good biblical answer to your question. Here are some commendations on the teaching that I would love you to hear (about the subject you raised):
"The Way of the Master will rank in the top most important books ever written on evangelism. It ranks with and in my opinion is better than Spurgeon's, Soul Winner which I must say has been one of my all time favorites." Ron Begin (FL)
"I am at a loss for words. Overwhelming, distressing, and enlightening. I feel as if I have just taken a drink of water from a fire hydrant!"--Jason Stewart (CA)
"I have over one thousand books on evangelism, soul-winning, and revival in my personal library, and none of them are worthy to be compared to this book." --Pastor R. W. Jones (TX)
"Hell's Best Kept Secret has completely destroyed my theology. What was first anger toward you, caused me to search the scripture, and has now turned to a sincere thank you." Pastor Jerod McPherson
"I have served as a pastor, Teen Challenge Director, Crusade Director for David Wilkerson, and missionary, but never during those years did I encounter an evangelist with a more life-changing message." -- Pastor Bob Rogers, Dallas, TX
"After a thousand revivals and area crusades I have used a lot of soul-winning materials. 'Hell's Best Kept Secret' is the greatest single tool I have ever found." Evangelist Larry Taylor
Go to www.LivingWaters.com/learn and listen to "Hell's Best Kept Secret" on line (free of charge).
I would love to hear your thoughts.
Blessings,
Ray
My Response Back:
Thanks for the response, but I am not sure if it really got to my question.
These quotes look like reviews on a book. And I am sorry, but reading the track that was handed to me was painful enough, I am not sure I am going to take the time to read a book. The question I had was why this track had little to nothing to say about Christ's love, but instead talked continuously about hell and judgment. I am not saying that it is wrong, I am simply asking why the author felt the need to leave Christ's love out of it? The quotes don't really help me on that question.
Thanks,
Justin Douglas
Youth Pastor
Living Hope Community Church
Fox Lake, Wisconsin
Marks Response Back:
My Response Back:
It is not really about the Book or the CD or the DVD. It is about the track "Are You Good Enough To Go To Heaven?" This is the track I received in Madison. I felt it was a misrepresentation of the gospel. Not because it was false, but because it was missing a key part of the gospel, that is Christ's love for us. There were many people receiving these tracks, many of them have no idea who Ray Comfort is, about his book, his DVD or CD, so therefore I don't think they are relevant to me. I am just trying to get some answers on why this track is so judgmental and lacks that even of John 3:16, "God so LOVED the world." I am more interested on hearing a belief system that supports this track or an apology for depicting God as a judge alone. I do believe judgment day will come, but I also believe that God loves this world so much that he is looking for every chance to be reconciled to His people. There will be many that are judged and go to hell. My personal belief is that being scared of hell is not a reason to accept the gospel. The Love of God and the sacrifice of His only son is the reason we should accept the gospel. My overall problem with this track is that it does not talk about that, but instead the track is making an attempt to scare people into believing the gospel. I would like to hear a comment on why you think this is a good tactic or why you no longer support that view, the latter is what I am hoping for.
Thanks,
Justin Douglas
Youth Pastor
Living Hope Community Church
Fox Lake, Wisconsin
Marks Response Back:
My Response Back:
Thanks for the response, but I am not sure if it really got to my question.
These quotes look like reviews on a book. And I am sorry, but reading the track that was handed to me was painful enough, I am not sure I am going to take the time to read a book. The question I had was why this track had little to nothing to say about Christ's love, but instead talked continuously about hell and judgment. I am not saying that it is wrong, I am simply asking why the author felt the need to leave Christ's love out of it? The quotes don't really help me on that question.
Thanks,
Justin Douglas
Youth Pastor
Living Hope Community Church
Fox Lake, Wisconsin
Marks Response Back:
Christ's love was demonstrated on the cross. The book gets into the proper way to witness.
Since you don't have time to read a book, do you have time to listen to a CD or watch a DVD?
God Bless you friend.
My Response Back:
It is not really about the Book or the CD or the DVD. It is about the track "Are You Good Enough To Go To Heaven?" This is the track I received in Madison. I felt it was a misrepresentation of the gospel. Not because it was false, but because it was missing a key part of the gospel, that is Christ's love for us. There were many people receiving these tracks, many of them have no idea who Ray Comfort is, about his book, his DVD or CD, so therefore I don't think they are relevant to me. I am just trying to get some answers on why this track is so judgmental and lacks that even of John 3:16, "God so LOVED the world." I am more interested on hearing a belief system that supports this track or an apology for depicting God as a judge alone. I do believe judgment day will come, but I also believe that God loves this world so much that he is looking for every chance to be reconciled to His people. There will be many that are judged and go to hell. My personal belief is that being scared of hell is not a reason to accept the gospel. The Love of God and the sacrifice of His only son is the reason we should accept the gospel. My overall problem with this track is that it does not talk about that, but instead the track is making an attempt to scare people into believing the gospel. I would like to hear a comment on why you think this is a good tactic or why you no longer support that view, the latter is what I am hoping for.
Thanks,
Justin Douglas
Youth Pastor
Living Hope Community Church
Fox Lake, Wisconsin
Marks Response Back:
Justin,
I realized I didn't answer your question.
The answer to the tract's methodology is because it is biblical. No where in Scripture do you see somone witnessing saying, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life."
The CD, DVD, and books we offer go into great detail explaining it.
I'm curious who some of your favorite authors and speakers are?
My Response Back:
I don't believe my favorite authors have anything to do with this discussion.
I am simply attempting to wrap my head around your statement. "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life." Are you implying that this is not true???
In 1 John chapter 4 we understand that God is Love. But I think it goes further when it is written, "Whoever lives in Love lives in God, and God in him." I think many people are searching for love in all the wrong places; Sex, drugs, money, fame, and many many other things. The love of Christ is authentic. His love is the greatest. His love lead him to die on a cross for our sins, "greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
After all Jesus explained to the expert in the law that what he must do to inherit eternal life was to, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10:25)
I would argue that Love is a central piece of Evangelism. In Luke 10:25-37 Christ is ministering to the teachers of the law. And he is explaining to them Love. And the importance of Loving God and Loving each other.
So to your statement, "No where in Scripture do you see someone witnessing saying, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.'" I would argue that Christ himself ministered to the disciples with a plan for their lives that was centered around love. I am not sure how you meant the use of the word "wonderful," but I am guessing it is there to point a finger at those who preach the love of Christ and act like life is going to be peachy once the person they are ministering to accepts Christ. I would disagree with this idea. I think there is a sugar coated version out their that preaches life will be without trial once you accept Jesus. That view is false. Many followers of Christ were murdered for their beliefs and persecution is something we will most likely face as followers of Christ. My argument for the word "wonderful" is that we can find joy in our trials because of our purpose. Even the Acts church rejoiced when they were flogged for what they believed. (Acts 5:40-42) So in short, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life."
I will close with Paul's prayer to the church is Ephesus.
"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Justin Douglas
Youth Pastor
Living Hope Community Church
Fox Lake, Wisconsin
Marks Response Back to me:
My Response Back:
It was not meant to be rude.
I just wanted it to be clear that my thoughts were not coming from a book or a sermon, but from my experience after receiving this track and from the Bible. Therefore I thought the authors I appreciate had little to do with the conversation. It was not meant to be rude and I apologize if that is how it was received.
If you want to send me something I will take the time to watch it and/or listen to it. I have a long line of books that I am trying to read before the new year and I am not sure a book would be something I could do.
I would still like to know what you think about the rest of my email. I feel as if I gave a strong case for love in evangelism. I understand if you are too busy to dialogue any further.
Thanks for your time,
Justin Douglas
Youth Pastor
Living Hope Community Church
Fox Lake, Wisconsin
If you actually took the time to read down this far I want to let you know that this theology is what sometimes makes me uncomfortable to call myself a Christian. A theology that actually argues against the love of Christ. And argues against using love in evangelism.
My Response Back:
I don't believe my favorite authors have anything to do with this discussion.
I am simply attempting to wrap my head around your statement. "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life." Are you implying that this is not true???
In 1 John chapter 4 we understand that God is Love. But I think it goes further when it is written, "Whoever lives in Love lives in God, and God in him." I think many people are searching for love in all the wrong places; Sex, drugs, money, fame, and many many other things. The love of Christ is authentic. His love is the greatest. His love lead him to die on a cross for our sins, "greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
After all Jesus explained to the expert in the law that what he must do to inherit eternal life was to, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10:25)
I would argue that Love is a central piece of Evangelism. In Luke 10:25-37 Christ is ministering to the teachers of the law. And he is explaining to them Love. And the importance of Loving God and Loving each other.
So to your statement, "No where in Scripture do you see someone witnessing saying, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.'" I would argue that Christ himself ministered to the disciples with a plan for their lives that was centered around love. I am not sure how you meant the use of the word "wonderful," but I am guessing it is there to point a finger at those who preach the love of Christ and act like life is going to be peachy once the person they are ministering to accepts Christ. I would disagree with this idea. I think there is a sugar coated version out their that preaches life will be without trial once you accept Jesus. That view is false. Many followers of Christ were murdered for their beliefs and persecution is something we will most likely face as followers of Christ. My argument for the word "wonderful" is that we can find joy in our trials because of our purpose. Even the Acts church rejoiced when they were flogged for what they believed. (Acts 5:40-42) So in short, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life."
I will close with Paul's prayer to the church is Ephesus.
"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Justin Douglas
Youth Pastor
Living Hope Community Church
Fox Lake, Wisconsin
Marks Response Back to me:
<<I don't believe my favorite authors have anything to do with this discussion. >>
It's hard to get past the rudeness of this to see what else you had to say.
My point is the message you read is endorsed by people like John Piper, John MacArthur, CJ Maheny, James White, Phil Johnson, Josh McDowell, Lee Stobel, Ravi Zacharias, and many others. I was hoping you would take it down a notch in your criticism and be open to listening to a message endorsed by these men. The message you refuse to read and listen to covers all your objections and I was willing to pay for it myself. I get hundreds of emails daily and I simply don't have time to dialogue with all of them.
Thank you for understanding.
I sincerely wish you and your ministry well.
God Bless.
My Response Back:
It was not meant to be rude.
I just wanted it to be clear that my thoughts were not coming from a book or a sermon, but from my experience after receiving this track and from the Bible. Therefore I thought the authors I appreciate had little to do with the conversation. It was not meant to be rude and I apologize if that is how it was received.
If you want to send me something I will take the time to watch it and/or listen to it. I have a long line of books that I am trying to read before the new year and I am not sure a book would be something I could do.
I would still like to know what you think about the rest of my email. I feel as if I gave a strong case for love in evangelism. I understand if you are too busy to dialogue any further.
Thanks for your time,
Justin Douglas
Living Hope Community Church
Fox Lake, Wisconsin
If you actually took the time to read down this far I want to let you know that this theology is what sometimes makes me uncomfortable to call myself a Christian. A theology that actually argues against the love of Christ. And argues against using love in evangelism.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Finished Ephesians
Wow, pretty packed book for only 6 chapters. What stood out to me the most was how Paul kept using the word "mystery" to explain the gospel. He even asked for prayer toward the end of chapter 6, and he asked for prayer that he would, "fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel." I know that many people are scared when people start using words like "mystery" and "the gospel" in the same sentence. Paul uses the word mystery 7 times in Ephesians alone. I think it is safe to say that the gospel is a mystery and as we strive to grow closer to Christ He unveils more of the mystery. At least that is how I understand the mystery now.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Finished Galatians
Wow. Awesome Book. What stood out to me the most was Galatians 2:10, where Paul reveals that he is eager to care for the poor, then he encourages the churches of Galatia to do the same. This letter is to churches and it is packed with commands, but Paul takes to time to tell Galatia to remember the poor. I wonder if the American church remembers the poor as much as Paul and the churches in Galatia did.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Finished Genesis
I am currently trying to read through the entire Bible. I just finished Genesis and it was great. Josephs story really stood out to me. His ability to forgive the brothers that wanted him dead and how God gave him a spirit of patience while he was in prison. It was a pretty awesome book overall. I knew all the stories, but it was good to read them in a consecutive manner.
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