1) What historic event happened in Wittenburg on this date in 1517?
2) True or False: Ghosts are mentioned in the Bible.
3) True or False: A king of Israel went to a witch to speak with the spirit of a dead person.
- - Bonus Marks name the King, the dead person, and the witch
4) Name people who the Bible records God used to raise others from the dead?
5) The man possessed by so many demons that they called themselves Legion, where did he live?
6) True or False: Jesus tells a parable about a haunted house?
Come to the Swift Current Corps Sunday and find the answers to these and more...
Michael
---
Captain Michael Ramsay
Swift Current, Saskatchewan
and the world for Jesus!
Michael's new book - 'Praise The Lord For Covenants: Old Testament wisdom for our world today' is now available from http://www.sheepspeak.com/ and at the Swift Current Thrift Store.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
A Canadian Revolutionary
Some friends of mine, whom I have been honoured an blessed to serve God alongside in the Downtown eastside wrote a book on REVOLUTION. Among other things, It looks at people the LORD has used in revolutionary ways to further HIS Kingdom. Using the criteria set forward in that book, I thought I would highlight a Canadian revolutionary (this rest of this blog is a re-run)...
Kairos. I mean (C)airos?: After previously approaching the nomadic Montagnais and Algonquians, the missionaries noticed the Huron villages on the Georgian Bay. Being settled, there was an opportunity to disciple the faithful once they had committed their lives to the LORD. It was also a gateway to the vast untouched mission fields of the west. Further, they had already been exposed to Christianity through the Recollets when our hero, Father Brebeuf, with Fathers Daniel and Davost, in 1634, "took up again the challenge of the Cross and re-established the Huron mission near the shores of the Georgian Bay."*1
Charisma: The personality and perseverance of Father Brebeuf conquered the smell, dirt and blinding smoke that typified the homes in these villages. These inconveniences were nothing, however, if souls could be won! The main challenge to be faced was the mind of the Huron whose notion of a spirit was entirely different from that of the Christian God. As the LORD raised Brebeuf to this challenge, he was greeted by a powerful adversary: the medicine-man
Conviction: The salvation of Souls, and the Great commission*2 was the motivating factor for the perseverance of this Jesuit Priest: "Don't paddle unless you intend to always paddle"*3 was his motto.
There were people out there who did not know Jesus and he would sacrifice everything to win the continent for Christ starting with Heronia! The adversary knew the role of medicine-man was a key part of Heron society and there was no place for that office in Christendom. This was a challenge that only the LORD and a strong conviction would overcome. Storms, disease and all kinds of mishaps plagued the community and they were attributed to the people holding the office of medicine-man. The unselfishness, devotion, and perseverance of the Jesuit Priest in the face of such adversity began to make an impression on the people's hearts and minds
By 1648, eleven mission posts had been set up among the Heron AND their neighbours! No less than 18 priests and four lay ministers were involved in this ministry.
Then the Iroquois attacked: "When the assault began, the two Jesuits raced among the men, shouting encouragement, urging them to pray, tending the wounded, baptizing the dying. The Iroquois prevailed. Brebeuf, Lalemant and sixty Huron warriors were captured, beaten and herded to St. Ignace. Brebeuf called on the Huron warriors to stay true to Christ to death. Stripped naked, the Jesuits were tied to stakes and tortured with fire. Brebeuf suffered from noon until four p.m. on this day, March 16, 1649. When he would not scream out, but continued to pray for the salvation of his tormentors, the Iroquois heated cauldrons of boiling water and poured it over him in mockery of baptism. They cut and hacked his body, and gouged out his eyes. Before he died, they scalped him and cut out his heart, which they ate. Lalemant died of similar tortures early the next morning."*4
Cadre: The Huron nation was now a memory. Only a remnant survived and they sought refuge on the island of St. Joseph where they were pursued by famine and pestilence. The mission, however, was not a failure: the three hundred survivors then made their way to Quebec City and later the village of Lorette. They rest were scattered (with there Christian message) throughout the nations
Father Joges, who was captured and cruelly tortured deep in Mohawk territory after the 1642 attack, escaped to France only to return four years later to try to save his former captors; he earned a martyr's crown. Eventually, however, many Iroquois souls were saved and today saints and churches are no longer foreign to the Iroquois people.
---
*1 MacArthur, Duncan. History of Canada for High Schools. WJ Gage and Company. Toronto,1927.
*2 (Matthew 28:18-20) 18, NIV -Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
*3 Ferguson, Will. Canadian History for Dummies. CDG Books Canada. Toronto,2000.
*4 http://iroquoisindians.freeweb-hosting.com/index.htm (captured May 25,2005)
-
Captain Michael Ramsay
www.sheepspeak.com
Kairos. I mean (C)airos?: After previously approaching the nomadic Montagnais and Algonquians, the missionaries noticed the Huron villages on the Georgian Bay. Being settled, there was an opportunity to disciple the faithful once they had committed their lives to the LORD. It was also a gateway to the vast untouched mission fields of the west. Further, they had already been exposed to Christianity through the Recollets when our hero, Father Brebeuf, with Fathers Daniel and Davost, in 1634, "took up again the challenge of the Cross and re-established the Huron mission near the shores of the Georgian Bay."*1
Charisma: The personality and perseverance of Father Brebeuf conquered the smell, dirt and blinding smoke that typified the homes in these villages. These inconveniences were nothing, however, if souls could be won! The main challenge to be faced was the mind of the Huron whose notion of a spirit was entirely different from that of the Christian God. As the LORD raised Brebeuf to this challenge, he was greeted by a powerful adversary: the medicine-man
Conviction: The salvation of Souls, and the Great commission*2 was the motivating factor for the perseverance of this Jesuit Priest: "Don't paddle unless you intend to always paddle"*3 was his motto.
There were people out there who did not know Jesus and he would sacrifice everything to win the continent for Christ starting with Heronia! The adversary knew the role of medicine-man was a key part of Heron society and there was no place for that office in Christendom. This was a challenge that only the LORD and a strong conviction would overcome. Storms, disease and all kinds of mishaps plagued the community and they were attributed to the people holding the office of medicine-man. The unselfishness, devotion, and perseverance of the Jesuit Priest in the face of such adversity began to make an impression on the people's hearts and minds
By 1648, eleven mission posts had been set up among the Heron AND their neighbours! No less than 18 priests and four lay ministers were involved in this ministry.
Then the Iroquois attacked: "When the assault began, the two Jesuits raced among the men, shouting encouragement, urging them to pray, tending the wounded, baptizing the dying. The Iroquois prevailed. Brebeuf, Lalemant and sixty Huron warriors were captured, beaten and herded to St. Ignace. Brebeuf called on the Huron warriors to stay true to Christ to death. Stripped naked, the Jesuits were tied to stakes and tortured with fire. Brebeuf suffered from noon until four p.m. on this day, March 16, 1649. When he would not scream out, but continued to pray for the salvation of his tormentors, the Iroquois heated cauldrons of boiling water and poured it over him in mockery of baptism. They cut and hacked his body, and gouged out his eyes. Before he died, they scalped him and cut out his heart, which they ate. Lalemant died of similar tortures early the next morning."*4
Cadre: The Huron nation was now a memory. Only a remnant survived and they sought refuge on the island of St. Joseph where they were pursued by famine and pestilence. The mission, however, was not a failure: the three hundred survivors then made their way to Quebec City and later the village of Lorette. They rest were scattered (with there Christian message) throughout the nations
Father Joges, who was captured and cruelly tortured deep in Mohawk territory after the 1642 attack, escaped to France only to return four years later to try to save his former captors; he earned a martyr's crown. Eventually, however, many Iroquois souls were saved and today saints and churches are no longer foreign to the Iroquois people.
---
*1 MacArthur, Duncan. History of Canada for High Schools. WJ Gage and Company. Toronto,1927.
*2 (Matthew 28:18-20) 18, NIV -Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
*3 Ferguson, Will. Canadian History for Dummies. CDG Books Canada. Toronto,2000.
*4 http://iroquoisindians.freeweb-hosting.com/index.htm (captured May 25,2005)
-
Captain Michael Ramsay
www.sheepspeak.com
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Berit[h] : Covenant
Journal of Aggressive Christianity, Issue 40, December 2005 – January 2006
Pages 16 - 17, http://www.armybarmy.com/pdf/JAC_Issue_040.pdf
Covenant is obviously an important concept in Salvation Army with full membership requiring a signing of the Soldier’s Covenant. It is also a very important idea in the Old Testament. The word 'testament' itself can be translated as covenant! berit[h] is the most common term translated as ’covenant’ in the Hebrew Bible: it appears 286 times thus proving it an extremely important word.[1]
The origin of this word is not entirely conclusive. It is a form of the word brh, which refers to the meal that accompanies the covenantal ceremony [2].brh, however, is not the usual verb to indicate eating so this origin is not the most likely [3]. berith is identical to the Akkadian word birit which means "between" or "among" so that is a possible origin.[4] Most probably though, berith comes from the Akkadian word biritu, which means "to fetter". This term designates the establishment or breach of a contract.[5]
As this root, biritu, suggests the original Hebrew meaning of the word would imply more of an "imposition" of terms rather than an "agreement or settlement between two parties"[6]. Covenants are commanded (Ps. 111:9; Jgs. 2:20) and can be seen as the same as a law or commandment (cf.; e.g., Dt. 4:13; 33:9; Isa. 24:5; Ps. 50:16;103:18).[7] The "covenant at Sinai in Ex. 24 is in its essence an imposition of laws and obligations upon the people (vv. 3-8)"[8].
There are a number of classifications of the various types of OT covenants that can be made: secular (where God is not one of the parties involved), covenants in which God IS bound, and covenants in which Israel is bound.
Covenants where God is not one of the parties involved can be further classified as suzerainty, where a superior binds an inferior to terms the superior sets (I Sam 11:1; Hos. 12:1; Job 41:4, 5:23.)[9]; parity, where each party is bound by oath (Gen 21:25-32, 26:27-31, 31:44-50; Josh. 9:3-27; I Kings 5:12, 20:34)[10]; patron, where a superior binds himself for the benefit of an inferior (Isa.: 28:15); promissory, which guarantees future performance of stipulated obligations (II Kings 11:4-12,17; II Kings 23:3; Jeremiah 34:8; Ezra 10:3; Nehemiah 5:11-13, 9:38, 10:28-29)[11].
Covenants where God, himself, is bound include the covenant with Noah (Gen. 17, Num. 25:12), the Abrahamic covenant (Gen. 15, 17:1-14), and the Davidic covenant (II Sam. 23:5, Pss. 89:3, 28-29; 110:4).[12]
The covenants where Israel is bound include the Mosaic covenant (cf.; e.g., the ten commandments, Deut 27-28), the covenant of Joshua (Jos. 24), the reform of Josiah (II Kings 23), and the covenant of Ezra (Neh. 9-10).[13]
Covenants then can be made voluntarily or involuntarily, with or without obligation, and between equals, or superiors and inferiors; berith’s origin is uncertain but it is probably derived from biritu, which means "to fetter". (17)
So, who cares? Well, the Salvationist, I suppose, or more importantly the person contemplating a ’covenant’ relationship with God. When you sign your covenant, you are fettered, shackled, and bound. This chain cannot easily be broken. If it is, there are repercussions. So for potential Salvationists, they should ask, "Is this the star to which God has asked me to hitch my wagon?" and for the Salvationist who tends to take the terms of the covenant lightly, remember that it is difficult to move when the one you are yoked together with is going in the other direction...BUT when you are following in a proper covenant, His yoke is easy! And really what could you accomplish on your own that wouldn’t be accomplished much more easily and effectively if you were shackled to the LORD!
http://www.armybarmy.com/pdf/JAC_Issue_040.pdf
Michael Ramsay
www.sheepspeak.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] G.E. Mendenhall. "Covenant." In The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, edited by George Arthur Buttrick.
(Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 1962), 715.
[2] M. Weinfeld. "berith." In Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament, edited by G. Johannes Botterweck.
(Stuttgart, W.Germany: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1975), 253.
[3] M. Weinfeld, P. 254.
[4] M. Weinfeld, P. 254.
[5] G.E. Mendenhall, P. 715.
[6] M. Weinfeld, P. 255
[7] M. Weinfeld, P. 255
[8] M. Weinfeld, P. 255
[9] G.E. Mendenhall, P. 716.
[10] G.E. Mendenhall, P. 717.
[11] G.E. Mendenhall, P. 717.
[12] G.E. Mendenhall, P. 718.
[13] G.E. Mendenhall, P. 721.
Pages 16 - 17, http://www.armybarmy.com/pdf/JAC_Issue_040.pdf
Covenant is obviously an important concept in Salvation Army with full membership requiring a signing of the Soldier’s Covenant. It is also a very important idea in the Old Testament. The word 'testament' itself can be translated as covenant! berit[h] is the most common term translated as ’covenant’ in the Hebrew Bible: it appears 286 times thus proving it an extremely important word.[1]
The origin of this word is not entirely conclusive. It is a form of the word brh, which refers to the meal that accompanies the covenantal ceremony [2].brh, however, is not the usual verb to indicate eating so this origin is not the most likely [3]. berith is identical to the Akkadian word birit which means "between" or "among" so that is a possible origin.[4] Most probably though, berith comes from the Akkadian word biritu, which means "to fetter". This term designates the establishment or breach of a contract.[5]
As this root, biritu, suggests the original Hebrew meaning of the word would imply more of an "imposition" of terms rather than an "agreement or settlement between two parties"[6]. Covenants are commanded (Ps. 111:9; Jgs. 2:20) and can be seen as the same as a law or commandment (cf.; e.g., Dt. 4:13; 33:9; Isa. 24:5; Ps. 50:16;103:18).[7] The "covenant at Sinai in Ex. 24 is in its essence an imposition of laws and obligations upon the people (vv. 3-8)"[8].
There are a number of classifications of the various types of OT covenants that can be made: secular (where God is not one of the parties involved), covenants in which God IS bound, and covenants in which Israel is bound.
Covenants where God is not one of the parties involved can be further classified as suzerainty, where a superior binds an inferior to terms the superior sets (I Sam 11:1; Hos. 12:1; Job 41:4, 5:23.)[9]; parity, where each party is bound by oath (Gen 21:25-32, 26:27-31, 31:44-50; Josh. 9:3-27; I Kings 5:12, 20:34)[10]; patron, where a superior binds himself for the benefit of an inferior (Isa.: 28:15); promissory, which guarantees future performance of stipulated obligations (II Kings 11:4-12,17; II Kings 23:3; Jeremiah 34:8; Ezra 10:3; Nehemiah 5:11-13, 9:38, 10:28-29)[11].
Covenants where God, himself, is bound include the covenant with Noah (Gen. 17, Num. 25:12), the Abrahamic covenant (Gen. 15, 17:1-14), and the Davidic covenant (II Sam. 23:5, Pss. 89:3, 28-29; 110:4).[12]
The covenants where Israel is bound include the Mosaic covenant (cf.; e.g., the ten commandments, Deut 27-28), the covenant of Joshua (Jos. 24), the reform of Josiah (II Kings 23), and the covenant of Ezra (Neh. 9-10).[13]
Covenants then can be made voluntarily or involuntarily, with or without obligation, and between equals, or superiors and inferiors; berith’s origin is uncertain but it is probably derived from biritu, which means "to fetter". (17)
So, who cares? Well, the Salvationist, I suppose, or more importantly the person contemplating a ’covenant’ relationship with God. When you sign your covenant, you are fettered, shackled, and bound. This chain cannot easily be broken. If it is, there are repercussions. So for potential Salvationists, they should ask, "Is this the star to which God has asked me to hitch my wagon?" and for the Salvationist who tends to take the terms of the covenant lightly, remember that it is difficult to move when the one you are yoked together with is going in the other direction...BUT when you are following in a proper covenant, His yoke is easy! And really what could you accomplish on your own that wouldn’t be accomplished much more easily and effectively if you were shackled to the LORD!
http://www.armybarmy.com/pdf/JAC_Issue_040.pdf
Michael Ramsay
www.sheepspeak.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] G.E. Mendenhall. "Covenant." In The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, edited by George Arthur Buttrick.
(Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 1962), 715.
[2] M. Weinfeld. "berith." In Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament, edited by G. Johannes Botterweck.
(Stuttgart, W.Germany: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1975), 253.
[3] M. Weinfeld, P. 254.
[4] M. Weinfeld, P. 254.
[5] G.E. Mendenhall, P. 715.
[6] M. Weinfeld, P. 255
[7] M. Weinfeld, P. 255
[8] M. Weinfeld, P. 255
[9] G.E. Mendenhall, P. 716.
[10] G.E. Mendenhall, P. 717.
[11] G.E. Mendenhall, P. 717.
[12] G.E. Mendenhall, P. 718.
[13] G.E. Mendenhall, P. 721.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Captain Mark Braye's Review in The Rubicon
Book Review - Praise The Lord For Covenants: Old Testament wisdom for our world today By Captain Michael Ramsay
Covenant seems to be a word shied away from in 21st century society and culture. Contract disputes in sports, mortgage foreclosures, criminal and civil suites, and broken trust between employees and employers and among family and friends have left most people disillusioned about special agreements. Well, praise the Lord for Captain Michael Ramsay’s book Praise The Lord For Covenants: Old Testament wisdom for our world today.
In Covenants, Ramsay has defined and declared the importance of covenant(s) to our spiritual lives and journeys as Salvationists. His goal for the book is that it will “remind us that as we are bound to the Lord in a Salvific covenant that indeed we can be holy as the Lord is holy.” He hopes “the Lord will use this book to encourage us all to take advantage of that both for eternity and for here and now as well.” (Praise The Lord For Covenants, page 98). Mission accomplished.
The word “covenant” carries significant theological and spiritual weight. Ramsay’s book and exposition of relevant passages of Scripture from the Old Testament is a helping hand in the lifting of reflection and study. Among the texts explored are Genesis 15, Numbers 6, Judges 2, and the story of Samson. Chapter seven is particularly helpful. It is a study of the word “berit[h]“; the most common word translated as covenant in the Bible.
Praise The Lord For Covenants is well written and very readable. Captain Ramsay’s depth of knowledge and care for the subject matter is evident. This book is another great theological and spiritual volume in Salvation Army literature.
General Eva Burrows contributed the foreword and describes Captain Michael Ramsay as “a passionate student both of Biblical covenants and Salvationist covenants, and we should be grateful to him for bringing us a 21st century view with thought-provoking insights.” (Praise The Lord For Covenants, page 11). General Burrows admonishes the reader to read Covenants “with your Bible in hand, and make some inspiring and challenging discoveries.” (Covenants, page 14).
Read it for theological reflection and study. Read it as a part of spiritual direction. Read it to be inspired and edified.
Praise The Lord For Covenants: Old Testament wisdom for our world today was published by credo Press out of Vancouver, BC, Canada. It is a Salvation Army approved book and is available for order through email at covenant@sheepspeak.com or through snail mail…
The Salvation Army- Swift Current Corps
P.O. Box 2061
Swift Current, SK
S9H 4M7
http://therubicon.org/2010/10/review-praise-the-lord-for-covenants/
---
www.sheepspeak.com
Covenant seems to be a word shied away from in 21st century society and culture. Contract disputes in sports, mortgage foreclosures, criminal and civil suites, and broken trust between employees and employers and among family and friends have left most people disillusioned about special agreements. Well, praise the Lord for Captain Michael Ramsay’s book Praise The Lord For Covenants: Old Testament wisdom for our world today.
In Covenants, Ramsay has defined and declared the importance of covenant(s) to our spiritual lives and journeys as Salvationists. His goal for the book is that it will “remind us that as we are bound to the Lord in a Salvific covenant that indeed we can be holy as the Lord is holy.” He hopes “the Lord will use this book to encourage us all to take advantage of that both for eternity and for here and now as well.” (Praise The Lord For Covenants, page 98). Mission accomplished.
The word “covenant” carries significant theological and spiritual weight. Ramsay’s book and exposition of relevant passages of Scripture from the Old Testament is a helping hand in the lifting of reflection and study. Among the texts explored are Genesis 15, Numbers 6, Judges 2, and the story of Samson. Chapter seven is particularly helpful. It is a study of the word “berit[h]“; the most common word translated as covenant in the Bible.
Praise The Lord For Covenants is well written and very readable. Captain Ramsay’s depth of knowledge and care for the subject matter is evident. This book is another great theological and spiritual volume in Salvation Army literature.
General Eva Burrows contributed the foreword and describes Captain Michael Ramsay as “a passionate student both of Biblical covenants and Salvationist covenants, and we should be grateful to him for bringing us a 21st century view with thought-provoking insights.” (Praise The Lord For Covenants, page 11). General Burrows admonishes the reader to read Covenants “with your Bible in hand, and make some inspiring and challenging discoveries.” (Covenants, page 14).
Read it for theological reflection and study. Read it as a part of spiritual direction. Read it to be inspired and edified.
Praise The Lord For Covenants: Old Testament wisdom for our world today was published by credo Press out of Vancouver, BC, Canada. It is a Salvation Army approved book and is available for order through email at covenant@sheepspeak.com or through snail mail…
The Salvation Army- Swift Current Corps
P.O. Box 2061
Swift Current, SK
S9H 4M7
http://therubicon.org/2010/10/review-praise-the-lord-for-covenants/
---
www.sheepspeak.com
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Philippians 1: Be Bold!
Exerpt from Philippians 1: Be Bold! Be Prepared! Are you Ready? Presented to Nipawin and Tisdale Corps on January 6, 2008 by Captain Michael Ramsay
We had a dog. His name was Tuffy. Tuffy was a little border collie/sheltie cross and he was a smart dog but every once in a while, of course, he would get into one of these scraps himself.
I remember more than once, Tuffy would see some dog on our block that doesn’t belong there. He would charge them. It wouldn’t matter how big is the dog. It doesn’t matter how fierce is the dog; Tuffy runs at them. He’s not afraid of them. He growls at them. He, completely without any fear, engages the intruder.
Now sometimes, like I said, the dogs are a lot bigger than Tuffy. Still Tuffy charges, teeth bared- no fear – he charges the giant intruder with full confidence and then when the large dog strikes back…He runs away.
The other dog inevitably chases him and Tuffy runs right toward home. Tuffy runs faster and faster. As the dog gets closer, Tuffy – never afraid – runs to our next door neighbour’s house. He bounds up the stairs to his deck. The dog comes flying after Tuffy and arrives on the deck where he is seemingly trapped and … there is Goldie.[3] Goldie is by far the biggest dog you have ever seen and Goldie and Tuffy are quite a pair. They really are the best of friends.
So now the pursuing dog, the dog chasing Tuffy – which until this moment seemed quite large - is all of a sudden dwarfed by the giant Goldie, surrounded, and trapped on our neighbour’s deck.
So after a couple of very noisy minutes, the intruding dog finds a way out and runs away as fast as it can never to come back again, and there is little Tuffy standing at the top of the stairs –(if dogs could smile)- this little collie-sheltie cross was telling the much bigger dog, I’m sure, never to come back!
When Tuffy saw the intruder, he wasn’t worried, he engaged him; he did not avoid a conflict. He was prepared; he was not afraid. He didn’t worry about what could happen to him. His goal was to encourage his opposition toward Goldie and have Goldie take care of the rest.
This is actually the same sort of thing that is happening in Paul’s life as he writes this letter to the Christians in Philippi.
Paul has been openly engaging the non- and pre-Christian world. He has met with some strong resistance and it is just as if he is Tuffy up against a bigger dog.
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2008/01/philippians-1-be-bold-be-prepared-are.html
We had a dog. His name was Tuffy. Tuffy was a little border collie/sheltie cross and he was a smart dog but every once in a while, of course, he would get into one of these scraps himself.
I remember more than once, Tuffy would see some dog on our block that doesn’t belong there. He would charge them. It wouldn’t matter how big is the dog. It doesn’t matter how fierce is the dog; Tuffy runs at them. He’s not afraid of them. He growls at them. He, completely without any fear, engages the intruder.
Now sometimes, like I said, the dogs are a lot bigger than Tuffy. Still Tuffy charges, teeth bared- no fear – he charges the giant intruder with full confidence and then when the large dog strikes back…He runs away.
The other dog inevitably chases him and Tuffy runs right toward home. Tuffy runs faster and faster. As the dog gets closer, Tuffy – never afraid – runs to our next door neighbour’s house. He bounds up the stairs to his deck. The dog comes flying after Tuffy and arrives on the deck where he is seemingly trapped and … there is Goldie.[3] Goldie is by far the biggest dog you have ever seen and Goldie and Tuffy are quite a pair. They really are the best of friends.
So now the pursuing dog, the dog chasing Tuffy – which until this moment seemed quite large - is all of a sudden dwarfed by the giant Goldie, surrounded, and trapped on our neighbour’s deck.
So after a couple of very noisy minutes, the intruding dog finds a way out and runs away as fast as it can never to come back again, and there is little Tuffy standing at the top of the stairs –(if dogs could smile)- this little collie-sheltie cross was telling the much bigger dog, I’m sure, never to come back!
When Tuffy saw the intruder, he wasn’t worried, he engaged him; he did not avoid a conflict. He was prepared; he was not afraid. He didn’t worry about what could happen to him. His goal was to encourage his opposition toward Goldie and have Goldie take care of the rest.
This is actually the same sort of thing that is happening in Paul’s life as he writes this letter to the Christians in Philippi.
Paul has been openly engaging the non- and pre-Christian world. He has met with some strong resistance and it is just as if he is Tuffy up against a bigger dog.
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2008/01/philippians-1-be-bold-be-prepared-are.html
Sunday, October 17, 2010
God and Chilean Miner Rescue: Miracle Stories
October 13, 2010
The entire Chilean trapped miner episode and their rescue is filled with stories of their faith and God working miracles.
One of the trapped miners of the Copiapo Chile mining accident has been Jose Henriquez who is an evangelical Christian. He used his phone call time to request a pastor. That pastor request fell upon Marcelo Leiva, of Vallenar Baptist Church in Vallenar, Chile who has become a spiritual representative for the whole family camp during the ordeal. Pastor Leiva had only 10 minutes on the phone and he used that time to pray with Henriquez and provide words of inspiration. It seems like their prayers were answered as all the miners came out safely...
read more: http://oregonfaithreport.com/2010/10/god-and-chilean-miner-rescue-miracle-stories/
The entire Chilean trapped miner episode and their rescue is filled with stories of their faith and God working miracles.
One of the trapped miners of the Copiapo Chile mining accident has been Jose Henriquez who is an evangelical Christian. He used his phone call time to request a pastor. That pastor request fell upon Marcelo Leiva, of Vallenar Baptist Church in Vallenar, Chile who has become a spiritual representative for the whole family camp during the ordeal. Pastor Leiva had only 10 minutes on the phone and he used that time to pray with Henriquez and provide words of inspiration. It seems like their prayers were answered as all the miners came out safely...
read more: http://oregonfaithreport.com/2010/10/god-and-chilean-miner-rescue-miracle-stories/
Proof is in: God really is good for us
By Rev. Rod Barks, Special to The StarPhoenix July 17, 2010
Science is finally discovering what Scripture has declared for centuries: Loving God is good for us.
It seems Karl Marx earmarked the wrong drug when he declared religion to be the opiate of the masses. Rather than "religion," it is God that is addictive. However, our reliance on God is far from detrimental. In fact, health-conscious individuals may want to add Vitamin "G" to their list of daily supplements.
Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/health/Proof+really+good/3290566/story.html#ixzz12f47aSxl
Science is finally discovering what Scripture has declared for centuries: Loving God is good for us.
It seems Karl Marx earmarked the wrong drug when he declared religion to be the opiate of the masses. Rather than "religion," it is God that is addictive. However, our reliance on God is far from detrimental. In fact, health-conscious individuals may want to add Vitamin "G" to their list of daily supplements.
Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/health/Proof+really+good/3290566/story.html#ixzz12f47aSxl
Christians executed in North Korea
Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 10:31PM
Three leaders of an underground house church in North Korea have been executed and 20 of their Christian associates jailed. North Korean police raided a house in Kuwal-dong in Pyungsung county, Pyongan province, and arrested all 23 believers who had gathered for a "religious function."
Three "ringleaders" were tried, sentenced to death, and executed soon afterwards. The other 20 were reportedly sent to prison camp No. 15 in Yodok. The arrests and executions happened in mid-May. The news, however, only recently emerged from the so-called "hermit kingdom." The events have also been confirmed by North Korea Intellectual Solidarity, a group of North Korean defectors based in Seoul committed to raising awareness of injustice and promoting reform in their homeland. The 23 Christians had reportedly come to faith after some of them travelled to mainland China on business and came into contact with the church there.
--
Voice of the Martyrs. See: www.persecution.net
read more: http://www.anglicanplanet.net/international-news/2010/10/9/christians-executed-in-north-korea.html
Three leaders of an underground house church in North Korea have been executed and 20 of their Christian associates jailed. North Korean police raided a house in Kuwal-dong in Pyungsung county, Pyongan province, and arrested all 23 believers who had gathered for a "religious function."
Three "ringleaders" were tried, sentenced to death, and executed soon afterwards. The other 20 were reportedly sent to prison camp No. 15 in Yodok. The arrests and executions happened in mid-May. The news, however, only recently emerged from the so-called "hermit kingdom." The events have also been confirmed by North Korea Intellectual Solidarity, a group of North Korean defectors based in Seoul committed to raising awareness of injustice and promoting reform in their homeland. The 23 Christians had reportedly come to faith after some of them travelled to mainland China on business and came into contact with the church there.
--
Voice of the Martyrs. See: www.persecution.net
read more: http://www.anglicanplanet.net/international-news/2010/10/9/christians-executed-in-north-korea.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
