Why Not People?

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Anyone who actually knows me, even just a little, knows that my wife and I are active in dog rescue work. We are a foster home for dogs from our local rescue. We work with these dogs to improve behavior so they will be more attractive to potential adopters, and we nurse many of them through the treatment for heartworms: which would otherwise be a death sentence. Our foster care efforts cost us some money too, as we provide the pens, dog houses, crates, bedding, dishes, treats, and fencing to see to their needs and keep them safe. We are supportive of several organizations and conversant with scores of other like-minded people via social media. We have helped some with medical expenses for their foster dogs, and some of them helped us with a major fencing project. It’s a good group of people with a passion for what we’re doing.

Occasionally, someone outside this group will point out that if we directed these resources and energies into doing good for people instead of dogs, we could improve many lives. Aren’t people more important than dogs? My response to them is simply, “What makes you think we don’t?”

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Faith and Healing

healingAbout two months ago my left shoulder started hurting. I have no idea what I did to it.  About the time I started thinking that it wasn’t getting better on its own and I might need to see a medical professional, Marie got sick.  I spent a few weeks carting Marie around because she could not stand upright.  We used a wheeled hassock as transport, but I had to push or pull and lift the little caster wheels over the strips that join carpeting to tile or tile to wood.  That didn’t help any.  By the time Marie was better my arm was a wreck.  We again thought about seeing a doctor, but finances were a problem.

This morning it hurt so bad I almost didn’t go to church.  The pain ran from my left ear to my left elbow to my left shoulder blade.  It was not a sharp pain or a burning, but a battered, bruised feeling like some invisible possum-devil has been beating me with a ball bat.  But it would hurt just as much at home as it will at church, so I decided to go to church.  If I didn’t I’d miss out on something because every lesson Pastor Dan gives teaches me something wonderful.

I sat in the pew fidgeting and shifting because I hurt.   This morning our Pastor led us in a prayer for healing.  Several people are dealing with major problems.   Continue reading “Faith and Healing”

Rebellion

rebellionWhen God created mankind (Adam and Eve) he gave them dominion over all the earth, (Genesis 1:26). Satan and his minions were already here, having been expelled from the abode of God: the spiritual or high heaven, for rebelling against God (Isaiah 14:12-15). These roamed the lower heaven: our physical universe including the earth. In their innocent state, Adam and Eve had dominion over everything except Satan. Satan enticed them into rebelling against God by breaking the one rule God had set for them, “do not eat of the fruit of this tree”. In so doing, mankind relinquished dominion over the earth to Satan and brought upon themselves death.

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The Dispensation of Grace

GraceThe Word of God is divided into two major sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The major difference between them is the way God approaches His people.

In the Old Testament, God singles out a family and builds it into a nation that is to be devoted to Him. In the New Testament, God offers a relationship with Him to everyone.

In the Old Testament, God’s favor was earned through obedience to The Law: a complex system of 613 rules. In the New Testament God’s favor is granted through accepting one condition.

In the Old Testament, keeping God’s favor was done by earning it: obeying the rules and making sacrifices as prescribed. In the New Testament, God’s favor cannot be earned, it is a free gift given to those who will believe.

In the Old Testament, the reward of God’s favor was an abundant life on Earth, in the New Testament the reward of God’s favor is eternal life with God.

In the Old Testament God’s people were (primarily) born into this standing. In the New Testament God’s people become such by seeking God regardless of their birthplace.

The Old Testament is all about The Law, the New Testament is all about grace. Continue reading “The Dispensation of Grace”

Feelings and Faith

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.I once worked with a young woman who was a member of an emotional church. They did a lot of shouting affirmations at the preacher as he spoke and hooting and yelling “as the spirit moved them”. As they left the service, they often spoke of how they “really felt the spirit today”.

I found such experiences unsettling. They obviously enjoyed it, and so that’s fine for them. But there is a danger here.

This young woman once said to me “I need to be saved again.”

You need to be saved a second time? Why?”

“Oh, no; this will be the fourth time.”

Her explanation was that she no longer felt The Spirit working in her life, so she must have lost it and needs to be saved again to get it back. I tried to explain that this is not how it works, but she was adamant. “I need that feeling again!”

Continue reading “Feelings and Faith”

James and the Unbridled Tongue

the gossiping tongue
Via greggfetter.blogspot.com

A good portion of the book of James is devoted to the damage (to others and to ourselves) that can be done by an unbridled tongue. Let’s look as these.

But first, what exactly do we mean by “unbridled”? A bridle is a device that is placed over the face of an animal in order to steer the animal while we ride either the animal or a conveyance being pulled by the animal. In general, an unbridled horse, camel, llama, ox, dog, etcetera cannot be steered and will therefore wander about as it pleases. Rarely will that in in the direction we want to go. In like manner, an unbridled tongue is one over which you have little or no conscious control: it (you) will blurt out all manner of hurtful, insulting things with very little thought of the harm it may do to others, or the impact it has on the opinion others hold of you. In all cases this lesson is referring to believers, and especially believers talking about other believers – although some is about our speech in general.

26 If anyone among you[b] thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. James 1:26
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Spiritual Conflict

spiritual conflictWe, my friends, are in the middle of a war: a spiritual conflict. Humanity is accustomed to war because for most of our history we have waged war amongst ourselves. This conflict is not one where we are civilians caught between armies fighting over some prize; in this battle we (humanity) are the prize.

Who are the Combatants?

In this spiritual conflict we have two sides: God the Creator and his Heavenly legions fighting against Satan and his fallen angels. Humanity is the prize, and Christians are involved in the form of a resistance movement.

Long ago Satan, then known as Lucifer, was the greatest of all angels. But he grew proud, vain, and ambitious: he desired to make himself equal with God, and led a revolt: the original spiritual conflict. As a result, Lucifer and 1/3 of the angels in heaven: those who had followed him, were cast out of Heaven. They inhabit Earth and the lower heaven, but cannot pass through the barrier into the Abode of God.

We are among them. We don’t normally see them because they are spirit, we are flesh. But they are here, and they mean us harm because we are God’s pride and joy.   Continue reading “Spiritual Conflict”

Let the Redeemed Say So

The redeemed seek knowledge for wisdomIn a world that is rapidly becoming anti-Christian, it is more and more tempting to keep our faith to ourselves. Some say, “I don’t want to offend anyone.” and try to blend in with the world. Is that what God told us to do? A part of the problem is the message that has been put out by some as Christianity.

What is a Christian?

Did you know that the term “Christian” appears only 3 times in the New Testament? You will find it in Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, and I Peter 4:16. The Greek word Χριστιανός (Christianos), meaning “follower of Christ” was first used by Romans occupying Antioch, Greece as a derogatory term for those who were teaching about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Originally these people called themselves “followers of The Way” (because Jesus said, “I am the way…” – John 14:6). Later, those who sought to model their lives on Jesus adopted the derogatory term and wore it proudly. Continue reading “Let the Redeemed Say So”

Lessons Learned the Hard Way

pulpit, lessonsAs a young man, shortly after having given my life to Jesus, I was worshiping at a church pastored by a dynamic young man. He was probably in his late 30’s or early 40’s: older than I was but he seemed young to me – for a pastor — because the pastors I’d known before were in their 60’s or 70’s. He was also the first pastor I’d encountered as an adult who was formally educated: he could research and relate the meaning of words and phrases in their original Hebrew or Greek. He knew the context behind the words and the social settings and customs that gave deeper meaning to the thou-shalts and thou-shalt-nots. These details really got me fired up and thirsting to know more.

I began attending Sunday School, Sunday morning worship, Sunday evening worship, Wednesday evening worship and a Thursday morning Young Men’s Prayer Breakfast. I learned so much that I began looking forward to those times when the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses canvassed the neighborhood: I was eager to discuss the Bible with them. I can’t claim to have converted any, but a one or two did leave questioning their rote presentation. I began the process of enrolling in a nearby Seminary College. I knew I could not be a preacher: I don’t have the personality for that, but thought I might make an effective missionary.

One Sunday morning we assembled for worship. The deacons were in their places, but Pastor Dennis was missing. As the service began, a Deacon took the lectern and announced that Pastor Dennis – the man who had so often stood in that pulpit denouncing sin and encouraging righteous behavior, a married man with children, had been discovered having an affair with the church secretary. Both had been fired and were gone. Continue reading “Lessons Learned the Hard Way”

THE FUTURE IN PERSPECTIVE

Calvin S. Metcalf on the future     Someone has said, “The future is not what it used to be.”  Although filled with fertile thought the author of this statement is unknown.  Perhaps we could speculate as to the disposition of the person who would make such a comment.
     Maybe it was a pessimist who had a dismal attitude toward the future.  It may reflect someone’s inability to express hope.  In this person’s mind the negative may dominate the positive always creating a bleak outlook.  He or she may have become so disillusioned with life there is little for which to look forward.  It is an unsettling way to live for those who feel the best is behind them and the future can never be what it used to be.
     On the other hand, however, the comment may have come from an optimist.  The statement could express great hope in the future.  This person may sense that the greatest days are ahead.  In this person’s mind the positive always prevails over the negative creating a sense of hopeful anticipation.  If the future is not what it used to be, it could be better.  It is a beautiful way to live and has the backing of the scriptures which point to an end time of joy and celebration.  It is a matter of faith that we trust the processes of life to lead us to God’s special future.
     It may be possible that the statement was made by an older person who is trying to adjust to change.  The kinds of things he or she anticipated early in life are no longer a reality.  The years have taken their toll and the future looks different through aging eyes.  It is not a matter of the future being better or worse.  It is simply different.  Changing times give an older perspective a new vision.  The future is not what it used to be because nothing is what it used to be.
     Furthermore, the statement could have been made by a young person.  It may be that young eyes do not see a future as bright as their predecessors.  Youth have a way of questioning and challenging a system they feel has jeopardized their future.  They also have a capacity to dream the impossible dream.  They have time and health on their side.  For them the future can be what they make it.
     Whether optimist or pessimist, young or old, the words of a gospel song may speak best to us about the future.  “Many things about tomorrow, I do not seem to understand, but I know Who holds the future and I know Who holds my hand.”

Note from Doug

Calvin ended this post with “I know Who holds the future and I know Who holds my hand.” and I’m glad he knew these things because on September 10th, 2014 Calvin Metcalf took the hand of Jesus and went home.  He has been a pastor, teacher, mentor and friend, and I shall miss him.  But I know his soul is safe in heaven, probably playing golf with his grandson, Jonathan.