I wish all a very happy new year.
-God bless,
Brian
Monday, December 31, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Christian Complacency
For Christmas, I received the book Being the Body, by Charles Colson. While reading the first chapter, I noticed that Colson discussed the complacency of Americans before September 11th. This made me think of the complacency of not just Americans, but of Christians as a whole. Maybe we have become too comfortable with our lives. Maybe we do take our faith and our purpose for this life for granted.
As usual, my brother and I were discussing a similar topic just today. Have we reached the point in today's society that we take God for granted? Do people truly believe that they can make it with Him? I believe so. Technology is beginning to replace the need for God in today's society. Every time the television is turned on, we become indoctrinated into the grand scheme of the world. Arrogance is abundant. No one has time for God anymore. Well, that is until a cataclysmic event happens in their lives.
This reminds me of a story. Several years ago when I was attending OU, there was a gentleman standing outside of Dale Hall handing out free copies of the New Testament. You know, those small versions that easily fit into your back pocket. I remember seeing this man try to hand one to a student passing by. The student informed him that, "I don't believe in that stuff." The man with the Word quipped, "There are a lot of people in Hell right now who believed the same thing."
I think often of those who do not believe. I wonder how many on their death beds repent and come to the Lord. Most I would assume. Then I wonder if they are allowed to enter the Kingdom. I would bet the answer would be yes. They may not have had a long standing relationship with Christ, but they did receive him nonetheless. This proves that the Lord is more loving than I, because I can honestly say that I would struggle to find love for a person who has undermined me their whole life then only accept my ways in the face of condemnation. But I guess that is another example of my humanity.
As for complacent Christians, well now, where do I begin? It is probably easy to become complacent in faith these days. We are told on a daily basis that every sin we commit is okay. It's just a mistake. And that being sinful is okay. Just let everyone be to do as they wish. Do not impose your views....especially if you are Christian. When did we all become so narcissistic?
When my brother and I spoke today, he said something that I have often thought myself. Have you ever had something bad happen to you and then have someone say, "It's okay, everything happens for a reason" or "God has other plans for you." This drives me insane as well. For one thing, if I, for example, jump out in front of a moving car and get hit, don't tell me that everything happens for a reason and wonder why God let something like this happen. This is about free will. He allowed me to make a dumb decision and I have to pay the consequences.
I am a prime example of the God has other plans for you theory. Last summer I had tried to obtain a goal I felt the Lord wanted me to acheive. I prayed about it, my wife and children prayed about it, and I knew this was what I was meant to do. After I was denied the path in which was intended for me, I had several people tell me that God must have other plans for me. I believe that He had plans for me, but those who had control of the situation did not ask Him what He had planned for me. Maybe I'm wrong. Who knows?
My point is that sometimes we may believe that we are being good Christians, without praying and asking if we are correct in this assumption. I wonder if we pray too little and think too much. I know this is one of my many faults. I make too many decisions without getting guidance. No matter how sure I am of a decision, I should still take the matter up with the Lord.
God Bless,
Brian
As usual, my brother and I were discussing a similar topic just today. Have we reached the point in today's society that we take God for granted? Do people truly believe that they can make it with Him? I believe so. Technology is beginning to replace the need for God in today's society. Every time the television is turned on, we become indoctrinated into the grand scheme of the world. Arrogance is abundant. No one has time for God anymore. Well, that is until a cataclysmic event happens in their lives.
This reminds me of a story. Several years ago when I was attending OU, there was a gentleman standing outside of Dale Hall handing out free copies of the New Testament. You know, those small versions that easily fit into your back pocket. I remember seeing this man try to hand one to a student passing by. The student informed him that, "I don't believe in that stuff." The man with the Word quipped, "There are a lot of people in Hell right now who believed the same thing."
I think often of those who do not believe. I wonder how many on their death beds repent and come to the Lord. Most I would assume. Then I wonder if they are allowed to enter the Kingdom. I would bet the answer would be yes. They may not have had a long standing relationship with Christ, but they did receive him nonetheless. This proves that the Lord is more loving than I, because I can honestly say that I would struggle to find love for a person who has undermined me their whole life then only accept my ways in the face of condemnation. But I guess that is another example of my humanity.
As for complacent Christians, well now, where do I begin? It is probably easy to become complacent in faith these days. We are told on a daily basis that every sin we commit is okay. It's just a mistake. And that being sinful is okay. Just let everyone be to do as they wish. Do not impose your views....especially if you are Christian. When did we all become so narcissistic?
When my brother and I spoke today, he said something that I have often thought myself. Have you ever had something bad happen to you and then have someone say, "It's okay, everything happens for a reason" or "God has other plans for you." This drives me insane as well. For one thing, if I, for example, jump out in front of a moving car and get hit, don't tell me that everything happens for a reason and wonder why God let something like this happen. This is about free will. He allowed me to make a dumb decision and I have to pay the consequences.
I am a prime example of the God has other plans for you theory. Last summer I had tried to obtain a goal I felt the Lord wanted me to acheive. I prayed about it, my wife and children prayed about it, and I knew this was what I was meant to do. After I was denied the path in which was intended for me, I had several people tell me that God must have other plans for me. I believe that He had plans for me, but those who had control of the situation did not ask Him what He had planned for me. Maybe I'm wrong. Who knows?
My point is that sometimes we may believe that we are being good Christians, without praying and asking if we are correct in this assumption. I wonder if we pray too little and think too much. I know this is one of my many faults. I make too many decisions without getting guidance. No matter how sure I am of a decision, I should still take the matter up with the Lord.
God Bless,
Brian
The Sociological Psychosis of Religion
A few years ago, when still working on my bachelor's degree, I enrolled in a class called Religion in Society. I believed this class would give me insight to the interrelation between society and religion. I cannot say that I learned little from the class, but I will say that not all which was taught I agree with.
Religion in reference to socio-economics, according to this class, measured how devout a class was by income. Meaning, that lower-income classes tended to be more devout and dedicated to their religion. While at the same time, the upper-class spent less time devoted to spiritual growth. We were instructed that the poor embraced religion simply as crutch. They needed their faith for hope alone. Without hope, they had no or little value to their lives. Whereas the upper-class do not have the same void in their lives. Instead, their lives are filled with the natural wants as lower-classes, but instead of merely having wants, they also had the means to fill those wants.
An example used was that of slaves and slaveholders. The slaves, who had no rights to property, and who were considered property themselves, had no hope and no sense of importance. Therefore, they readily embraced Christianity to give their lives purpose. Whereas the slaveholders were content in their lives and had a sense of value and purpose to theirs.
To me, this makes little sense when incompassing the bigger picture. Jesus said in Matthew 19:23, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." I believe the word of Jesus over an atheist professor. What my dear old instructor failed to see is that he is only partly correct. Yes, it may be true that the rich are less devout and the poor more so, but not for the reasons he believed.
Wealth is simply an obstacle. When a person has wealth, he is more apt to fill prideful urges and push aside righteous intentions for selfish ones. Wealth becomes blinders. Money and means replaces faith and logic. It will make a person greedy and blind to the plights of others. If God blesses a person with wealth, that person should be obligated to use the influence in a manner which it should. God will always show us the way. It is up to us to listen and obey.
A person of fewer means, on the other hand, is not blinded by wealth. Therefore, they have may not have the same moral delimmas as the wealthy. However, both the haves and the have-nots do have one great obstacle to overcome...ambition. Prideful ambition is an obstacle we all face. It is another way in which wealth influences us. Whether we are wealthy or not, we all have ambitions which drive us. We must attempt to analyze our ambitions and ask ourselves who will benefit most from them. As always, prayer is the answer. Pray, listen, and act.
-Brian
Religion in reference to socio-economics, according to this class, measured how devout a class was by income. Meaning, that lower-income classes tended to be more devout and dedicated to their religion. While at the same time, the upper-class spent less time devoted to spiritual growth. We were instructed that the poor embraced religion simply as crutch. They needed their faith for hope alone. Without hope, they had no or little value to their lives. Whereas the upper-class do not have the same void in their lives. Instead, their lives are filled with the natural wants as lower-classes, but instead of merely having wants, they also had the means to fill those wants.
An example used was that of slaves and slaveholders. The slaves, who had no rights to property, and who were considered property themselves, had no hope and no sense of importance. Therefore, they readily embraced Christianity to give their lives purpose. Whereas the slaveholders were content in their lives and had a sense of value and purpose to theirs.
To me, this makes little sense when incompassing the bigger picture. Jesus said in Matthew 19:23, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." I believe the word of Jesus over an atheist professor. What my dear old instructor failed to see is that he is only partly correct. Yes, it may be true that the rich are less devout and the poor more so, but not for the reasons he believed.
Wealth is simply an obstacle. When a person has wealth, he is more apt to fill prideful urges and push aside righteous intentions for selfish ones. Wealth becomes blinders. Money and means replaces faith and logic. It will make a person greedy and blind to the plights of others. If God blesses a person with wealth, that person should be obligated to use the influence in a manner which it should. God will always show us the way. It is up to us to listen and obey.
A person of fewer means, on the other hand, is not blinded by wealth. Therefore, they have may not have the same moral delimmas as the wealthy. However, both the haves and the have-nots do have one great obstacle to overcome...ambition. Prideful ambition is an obstacle we all face. It is another way in which wealth influences us. Whether we are wealthy or not, we all have ambitions which drive us. We must attempt to analyze our ambitions and ask ourselves who will benefit most from them. As always, prayer is the answer. Pray, listen, and act.
-Brian
Thursday, December 27, 2007
What Have You Done for Him Lately?
If you are as I am, then you are always ready to proclaim your faith and willing to discuss it with others. Although this fact may be true with most of us, I know we should do more. I love discussing faith and learning from others while expressing my own, but in truth, I do little to evangelize the Word. I am not the steward I should be or the fisher of men as wish. Nevertheless, I often fall into the false reasoning that I am merely doing all I can, when in fact, I can and should do more to bring those who have strayed back to the light.
To be honest, I feel that I am too hypocritical to evangelize and that I am not educated enough in the Word to assist in leading others to a place I feel I have not arrived myself. I do see the flaws of my reasoning, but it is how I feel nonetheless. I know that none of us, or rather, few of us are truly secure in our faith. Jesus said, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge...?" I am not as faithful as I should be, nor wise for that matter, but it is a Christian duty to do bring the blind to the Light.
I look at it this way, in my case, it may simply be the blind leading the blind, but in the end, I am still doing the Lord's work. While doing so, I am not only helping lost sheep, but helping myself as well. While helping others, I am learning by doing, making it a win-win situation for all who may be involved.
If you are having the same doubts about your ability to evangelize and spread the Word as I do, you may try reading William Fay's 1999 book, Share Jesus Without Fear. I have read it twice, and am going to read it again this weekend. It will help motivate you in this endeavor.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.
God Bless,
Brian
To be honest, I feel that I am too hypocritical to evangelize and that I am not educated enough in the Word to assist in leading others to a place I feel I have not arrived myself. I do see the flaws of my reasoning, but it is how I feel nonetheless. I know that none of us, or rather, few of us are truly secure in our faith. Jesus said, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge...?" I am not as faithful as I should be, nor wise for that matter, but it is a Christian duty to do bring the blind to the Light.
I look at it this way, in my case, it may simply be the blind leading the blind, but in the end, I am still doing the Lord's work. While doing so, I am not only helping lost sheep, but helping myself as well. While helping others, I am learning by doing, making it a win-win situation for all who may be involved.
If you are having the same doubts about your ability to evangelize and spread the Word as I do, you may try reading William Fay's 1999 book, Share Jesus Without Fear. I have read it twice, and am going to read it again this weekend. It will help motivate you in this endeavor.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.
God Bless,
Brian
Friday, December 21, 2007
My Brother's Logic
One of the primary factors for starting this blog was to use it as a learning tool. I love to read as well as write, but where I truly find understanding in whichever topic may be at hand, is from the people whom I associate myself. Lately, I have been picking random topics to dive into. While doing so, I do as much research as possible. I am learning, but I feel that at times I may be looking too much into what is meant rather than what is said.
Of late, I find myself calling my brother for advice or to simply ask questions. I turn to him for one simple reason. He always seems to have the answers. No matter what the subject entails, he never fails to point me to the correct scripture and give me his opinion on the matter while explaining why he has come to that particular conclusion. For him and his advice, I am thankful.
A few days ago, he and I were discussing this blog. I explained to him what I have just explained here, that I wanted to use this blog as a learning tool. A few minutes into the conversation, he told me that I should consider reading the Bible before studying it. To be honest, when he first said this, I dismissed the idea. But he relentlessly repeated himself...okay, maybe not relentlessly, but he did say it a few times. He advised me to simply sit and read the Bible. Not to study it right now, but enjoy it instead. You know, as silly as it sounds, he is right. I feel like I have spent a lot of time only studying it, without truly enjoying it. To go further, this reminded me of my wife. You see, my wife loves Godiva truffles. On occasion, I will pop one in my mouth and unceremoniously gobble it down and wonder why I just spent $2 on such a small bit of chocolate. This always irritates my wife. She never tires to tell me to eat it slow and enjoy it as it should be enjoyed. I guess I never stop long enough to smell the roses.
Back to the topic of my brother. He is only eight years my senior, but wiser by hundreds. I think God gave my brother to me to keep me grounded. As I get older, I have learned to listen to him, understand him, and appreciate him. I am happy to say he is my friend and mentor, but must of all, I am happy just calling him brother.
I wish everyone a very merry Christmas. Keep in mind the true reason for the season as you are enjoying the company of friends and relatives.
God bless you and yours,
Brian
Of late, I find myself calling my brother for advice or to simply ask questions. I turn to him for one simple reason. He always seems to have the answers. No matter what the subject entails, he never fails to point me to the correct scripture and give me his opinion on the matter while explaining why he has come to that particular conclusion. For him and his advice, I am thankful.
A few days ago, he and I were discussing this blog. I explained to him what I have just explained here, that I wanted to use this blog as a learning tool. A few minutes into the conversation, he told me that I should consider reading the Bible before studying it. To be honest, when he first said this, I dismissed the idea. But he relentlessly repeated himself...okay, maybe not relentlessly, but he did say it a few times. He advised me to simply sit and read the Bible. Not to study it right now, but enjoy it instead. You know, as silly as it sounds, he is right. I feel like I have spent a lot of time only studying it, without truly enjoying it. To go further, this reminded me of my wife. You see, my wife loves Godiva truffles. On occasion, I will pop one in my mouth and unceremoniously gobble it down and wonder why I just spent $2 on such a small bit of chocolate. This always irritates my wife. She never tires to tell me to eat it slow and enjoy it as it should be enjoyed. I guess I never stop long enough to smell the roses.
Back to the topic of my brother. He is only eight years my senior, but wiser by hundreds. I think God gave my brother to me to keep me grounded. As I get older, I have learned to listen to him, understand him, and appreciate him. I am happy to say he is my friend and mentor, but must of all, I am happy just calling him brother.
I wish everyone a very merry Christmas. Keep in mind the true reason for the season as you are enjoying the company of friends and relatives.
God bless you and yours,
Brian
Sunday, December 16, 2007
What We Believe
I can assume that we all believe in the Father, Ghost, and Holy Spirit. I will assume that we all accept Christ as our savior. Further, I can assume we all agree that we as individuals will be judged fairly for our sins, and will be welcomed into heaven. We all want in and we all believe we will be allowed in and not be condemned to hell. We can agree that our commonality lies within our belief and faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ. Agreeing that we all believe in and have faith in our Savior, we must find the method in which we use to find our salvation.
For the simple fact that I belong to a Weslian Methodist congregation, I follow in Wesley's view of predestination. If an unclear understanding of these views need to be clearified, then a brief examination of them should be explained.
John Wesley did not follow Calvin's doctrine of predistination which believed that humans, because they are sinners, could not control their destiny. Only God could control an idividuals salvation. Wesley instead followed the Arminiastic view that God made the decision that all who have faith and are saved would enter his kingdom, but it was up to the individual to come to faith and be saved. Essentially, Wesley said that predestination was an idea or a decision God made over individuals salvation, but left the individual the decision of faith.
How does this vary from other Protestant faith's? To look into the Lutheran doctrine, we can see clearly the difference between the views of methodologies in salvation. Martin Luther believed the only requirement for permission into heaven is faith. He believed that God shields us and protects us from our own sins...including the consequences thereof. Luther believed justification occured through faith, meaning sins are automatically forgiven in death through faith alone.
Which is the right doctrine? Wesley, Luther, Calvin, all of the above, or none of them? I must say that my inclination in this discussion is quite clearly leaning to the wesleyian opproach. I feel that I am correct, but truth be told, I will only know when I am judged by the Almighty. The Lutheran doctrine, to me, seems too simple and somewhat contradictory of what Jesus himself preached. I have written in this blog many times about faith alone not being enough. I will allow the readers to come their own conclusions.
God Bless,
Brian
For the simple fact that I belong to a Weslian Methodist congregation, I follow in Wesley's view of predestination. If an unclear understanding of these views need to be clearified, then a brief examination of them should be explained.
John Wesley did not follow Calvin's doctrine of predistination which believed that humans, because they are sinners, could not control their destiny. Only God could control an idividuals salvation. Wesley instead followed the Arminiastic view that God made the decision that all who have faith and are saved would enter his kingdom, but it was up to the individual to come to faith and be saved. Essentially, Wesley said that predestination was an idea or a decision God made over individuals salvation, but left the individual the decision of faith.
How does this vary from other Protestant faith's? To look into the Lutheran doctrine, we can see clearly the difference between the views of methodologies in salvation. Martin Luther believed the only requirement for permission into heaven is faith. He believed that God shields us and protects us from our own sins...including the consequences thereof. Luther believed justification occured through faith, meaning sins are automatically forgiven in death through faith alone.
Which is the right doctrine? Wesley, Luther, Calvin, all of the above, or none of them? I must say that my inclination in this discussion is quite clearly leaning to the wesleyian opproach. I feel that I am correct, but truth be told, I will only know when I am judged by the Almighty. The Lutheran doctrine, to me, seems too simple and somewhat contradictory of what Jesus himself preached. I have written in this blog many times about faith alone not being enough. I will allow the readers to come their own conclusions.
God Bless,
Brian
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Confessions & Pardons
During our Sunday morning service today, we recited our confessions and pardons, which was as follows:
All Pray: Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Leader: Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God's love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
People: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
All: Glory to God. Amen.
After reciting these statements, I began wondering how much good this reciting has done us. I began to wonder if these were mere words dribbling from our mouths without much meaning or was this more of a proclamation than a statement. To come to a conclusion of such wonderment, I would have to turn to the individuals who partook in this part of our service.
We are told in Romans 10:9,"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with our heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." What I personally have taken from this scripture is the conclusion that confessing is simply not enough.
This scripture uses the conjunction and. This conjunction, which simply means, together with or along, implies that the mere confession of sins and proclamation of faith is not enough. According to this passage in Romans, you must also believe in your heart Jesus is Lord.
To me, it makes sense that if you plan and plot or for that matter, do not fight the temptations of sin, then you are simply using Christianity as a crutch to make you feel good about yourself. In the end, you are living for yourselves rather than living for Christ.
If you truly have Christ in your heart, resisting the temptations of sin is not all that hard. Will you be perfect? Of course not, but when you have Jesus in your heart, deciphering morality from immorality becomes less of a problem. We may still fight sin and lose, but when we do find ourselves in times of weakness, we have an overwhelming sense of guilt. We know when we do wrong and we sincerely ask for forgiveness and try to avoid repeating the sin. It is when we do not even realize the depth of our sins that we really need to re-evaluate our faith.
God bless you,
Brian Moore
All Pray: Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Leader: Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God's love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
People: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
All: Glory to God. Amen.
After reciting these statements, I began wondering how much good this reciting has done us. I began to wonder if these were mere words dribbling from our mouths without much meaning or was this more of a proclamation than a statement. To come to a conclusion of such wonderment, I would have to turn to the individuals who partook in this part of our service.
We are told in Romans 10:9,"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with our heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." What I personally have taken from this scripture is the conclusion that confessing is simply not enough.
This scripture uses the conjunction and. This conjunction, which simply means, together with or along, implies that the mere confession of sins and proclamation of faith is not enough. According to this passage in Romans, you must also believe in your heart Jesus is Lord.
To me, it makes sense that if you plan and plot or for that matter, do not fight the temptations of sin, then you are simply using Christianity as a crutch to make you feel good about yourself. In the end, you are living for yourselves rather than living for Christ.
If you truly have Christ in your heart, resisting the temptations of sin is not all that hard. Will you be perfect? Of course not, but when you have Jesus in your heart, deciphering morality from immorality becomes less of a problem. We may still fight sin and lose, but when we do find ourselves in times of weakness, we have an overwhelming sense of guilt. We know when we do wrong and we sincerely ask for forgiveness and try to avoid repeating the sin. It is when we do not even realize the depth of our sins that we really need to re-evaluate our faith.
God bless you,
Brian Moore
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