All for His Glory

2006-06-11T11:35:00.000-07:00

2006-04-20T20:52:00.000-07:00

To my faithful readers, this should explain why I've not been blogging, this is my Fiancee's hand. :)

Three!

2006-03-18T07:20:00.000-08:00

Four!

2006-03-17T10:52:00.000-08:00

Five!

2006-03-16T18:30:00.000-08:00

Six!

2006-03-15T15:39:00.000-08:00

Seven!

2006-03-14T17:07:00.000-08:00

Who's the fish?

Eight days!

2006-03-13T16:35:00.000-08:00

The Count Down Begins 9

2006-03-12T20:54:00.000-08:00

The local trash crew!

Only 10 More Days!

2006-03-11T13:10:00.000-08:00

2006-03-03T23:47:00.000-08:00

Only 17 days til I'll be on my way to Brazil!

4 of my favorite things

2006-02-28T18:48:00.000-08:00

The 4 things list

4 Jobs I've had in My Life

R.A.Murphy Construction
Church soundman
Intern at church
H2 Construction

4 Movies I Could Watch Many Times in a Row

The Bourne Identity
The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy
Batman Begins
Braveheart

4 Places I Have Lived

Kona, HI
Keeseville, NY
Meeker, Co
Central Point, OR

4 TV Show I Like to Watch

NA

4 Places I've Been on Vacation (Mission Trips)

Priena, Brazil
Ensanada, Mexico
Philippi, South Africa
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

4 Websites I Visit Daily

www.my.yahoo.com
www.sempersolideogloria.blogspot.com
www.pygmychimps.blogspot.com
www.mtashland.com

4 of My Favorite Foods

Mexican (Si Casa Flores)
Kolbi Ribs
Fish
Mongolian BBQ

4 Singers/Singing-Groups I Can't Live Without

Jeremy Camp
Todd Agnew
Matt Redmen
Caedmon's Call

4 Places I'd Rather be than Here

Priena, Brazil
Jul’s
Scuba Diving (any ware)
Portador Da Luz, Amazon

4 People I'm Tagging to post pictures of the four places they've lived

Julianne
Nate
Stephen
Ana

Update

2006-02-20T12:13:00.000-08:00

I misscalculated by 2 days on my last post, it should have said 33 days.

Now there's only 29 days until take-off!

Brazil

2006-02-16T06:33:00.000-08:00

I'm going to Brazil again! Leaving in 35 days!

Ouch

2006-01-23T16:35:00.000-08:00

Check this out!

This is a tree we saw while we were walking aimlessly around down town Pasadina. It's a full size tree, about 16 inches in diameter with those 3/4" spikes all over it, all the way out to the smallest of branches. Amazing, not a tree you would want to tangle with!

I've dubed it: evolutions answer to tree huggers.

The Prodigal Son

2006-01-20T15:41:00.000-08:00

Pastor John Macarthur spoke on Luke 15 the parable of the prodigal son. He explained the story as the Pharisees would have seen it. He said that honor and shame were a big part of the culture back then, they were like gods to the hypocrites. So the Pharisees would have seen a lot of shame in this story displayed by all the parties involved.

Verse 11 And He said, "There was a man who had two sons.

Shameful Request

Verse 12a: And the younger of them said to his father, "Father give me the share of property that is coming to me."
In Jewish tradition the second born son would get one third of the father's estate after his father had died. For the son to request… no rather demand (“Father give me”) his inheritance before it was time would have been very disrespectful, selfish, and dishonoring, thus shameful.

Shameful Response

Verse 12b: And he divided his property between them.
Rather then scold and punish his son’s selfish request, the father fulfills it.

Shameful Rebellion

Verse 13: Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.
The son acted quickly, he was in a hurry to be away from his father's house. He cashed in his portion of the estate and ran as far and as fast as he could into a sinful lifestyle. There he wastes his money, his honor, and his future.

Shameful Occupation

Verses 14-15: And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
Because of his recklessness the son now becomes a beggar, and someone with the lowest of jobs a swine feeder.

Shameful Survival

Verse 16: And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
In order to survive he was humiliated by eating out of the same trough as the pigs.

All of this disobedience and shameful activity by the son is because he doesn't have a good and honoring relationship with his father.

Shameful Repentance

Verses 17-19: But when he came to himself, he said, "How many of my fathers hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, father and I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."
He "came to himself" he realizes the wrong he’s done that he has dishonored and broken off the father-son relationship with his father, so he can’t just go back and ask or demand more money. He remembers that even those who are servants in his father’s house have more than enough to eat. This tells us that his father was a generous man, he wouldn’t just give those working for him enough to survive, he would give them "more than enough." The son figures that he can trust in this generosity to at least be able to serve his father in exchange for food. The Pharisees would have seen this as shameful because they would have seen the son as officially cut off from any ties with the father, he should stay in that far country and work out his own survival.

Shameful Reconciliation

Verses 20-21: And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you I am no longer worthy to be called your son."
Not only did the father not punish the son for the wrongs he had done him, but while he was a long way off (implying that the father was probably watching anxiously for his son wondering if he would return) he Ran to greet him, in the Jewish culture of the day up standing and respectable men did not Run, it simply wasn't done. They wore long robes and it would've been considered very shameful to show one's legs by hiking this robe up so as to be able to run. The Pharisees would have seen this as very shameful, a gentlemen running down the center of town to embrace his disobedient son.

Shameful Rejoicing

Verses 22- 24 But the father said to his servants, "Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." And they began to celebrate.
The son gets lavished upon by his father who tells his servants to bring his robe and ring and put them on the son. The robe would have been a sign of great honor this garment was reserved for the father to wear to important events. The ring was most likely the signet ring the family seal that was used to authorize letters and documents of importance, this would've been essentially giving the son back full authority over the father's household and estate. And if that wasn't enough he also requested that they kill the fattened calf for a celebratory feast. This calf would've been one that was raised and nurtured and saved for a special party, most likely the first born son's wedding feast. The son does not get what he deserves, instead of a life of service to his father in an attempt to reconcile his wrongdoings, he immediately receives grace and mercy from his father.

Shameful Reaction

Verses 25-30 Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, "Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound." But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, "Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!"
Now we see the Pharisees those to whom Jesus is talking, enter the story. The older son responds very disrespectful towards his father, if he truly had his father's best interests at heart he would have been involved in the story from the beginning, encouraging and challenging his younger brother to be obedient and stick around. Instead he comes to his father (actually he stood outside impatiently while his father came out to him) and doesn't ask a polite question about what is going on, but demand's by saying "Look" "See Here" I have been faithful and obedient. Then he goes on by whining about the fact that he has never received even a goat that he might celebrate with his friends (notice he doesn't care about his family, their out of the picture he would rather be with his friends). The rightful place of this oldest son should have been by his father's side helping his father make plans and arrangements for the feast, as well as celebrating and rejoicing along side him. But he gave that up being more concerned with what he does and doesn't have and what is and isn't fair.

Honorable Response

Verses 31-32 And he said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found."
This was indeed an honorable response as was everything that the father did, and it would have been a great ending to the story if the Pharisees would have finally "got it" but they didn't. The party, though it appears to be for the son, is really a party to display the fathers glory because it shows his grace on somebody undeserving.

The Players

Us, the elect, previously lost Gentile sinners: Played by the younger son

God: Played by the father

The Jews, but specifically at this point the Pharisees: Played by the older son

This is taken mostly from notes that I took while listening to John Macarthur at Resolved.
But I added some of my thoughts and ideas as well.

Another quote from Steve Saint

2006-01-19T21:29:00.000-08:00

Steve speaking of his aunt Rachel shortly after her death. She had spent 30 years living with and helping the Waodani.

"She knew what I have just recently begun to realize: God doesn't need us to do His work, or He wouldn't be omnipotent. He wants our love and a relationship with us. It is about "being," not "doing."

Resolved: Rick Holland

2006-01-17T16:50:00.000-08:00

I just got back from a great weekend down in Pasadena at the Resolved conference. We heard from a number of great speakers, I think that I will post a few of there outlines over the next few days.

Let’s start with Rick Holland, the college pastor at Grace Community Church. He preached on Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:6 challenging us to resolve to redeem the prime of life, to enjoy our youth 11:9, to resolve to recognize the giver life to remember our Creator in the days of our youth 12:1.
But we will be judged for what we do 11:9b, so we need to enjoy life but that doesn’t mean that we should go out and sin in order to have fun.

He also encouraged us to look at life from the prospective of just before death. What would you wish you had done? We’ll be dead a lot longer than we’re alive, so let’s live like we are dieing, and invest in eternal things not earthly things.

A great quote from Rick was "Life is like JuiceFruit sweet but it doesn’t last long."

Do Not Be Anxious

2006-01-09T21:03:00.000-08:00

And He said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you then the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you or to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need then. Instead, seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Luke 12:22-34

Being anxious is something that I struggle with. I’m a do-it-now, make-it-happen, kind of guy. So I often find myself being anxious about things that I should be being patient and resting in the Lord's timing for. Instead of being anxious, I need to seek HIS kingdom and the things that I need, will be added to me.

Where is your treasure?

Stupid Video

2006-01-07T17:19:00.000-08:00

Recently I've been wasting some of my time on stupid videos.com, but at least now we know what happened to Barney.

More from the End of the Spear

2006-01-06T06:12:00.000-08:00

I wanted to post one of my favorite sections from the book thus far. This is from Steve Saint right after he had been told in detail how and why his father and four other men had been killed, and he knows it is a true account because those that did the killing 40 years ago were now the ones telling him how it happened.

"One of the men could have climbed up into the tree house and called from there on the extra radio to let the world know what was happening. Dad could have gotten into the plane and taken off. Kimo, Dyuwi, and Mincaye could have run away like they started to do. What if the only beach in all six thousand square miles of Waodani territory had not been near a Waodani village and right on a commonly used hunting trail? The Waodani probably would never have found dad and his friends. What if Nenkiwi and Nampa had not been feuding? What if it had not been January when Gikita was expecting a rate from the downriver part of tribe? It is unlikely he would have been willing to risk their once-in-a-lifetime no there once in all-time chance for friendly contact with the outside world, just to keep Nampa and Nenkiwi from spearing the other one.
There are too many factors that all had to work together to have allowed the events to happen as they did. Too many for me to believe it was just chance. I have come to the conclusion that God did not look away. He did not simply allow this to happen. I think he planned it. Though this has not been an easy conclusion to come to, I believe it is the right one.
I have personally paid a high price for what happened on Palm Beach. But I have also had a front row seat as the rest of the story has been unfolding for half a century I have seen firsthand that much good has come from it. I believe only God could have fashioned such an incredible story from such a tragic event.
I could not begin to record of the thousands of people who have told me that God used what happened on Palm Beach to change the course of their lives for good. Besides, it is enough for me that because Mincaye killed my father, my family now has the privilege of loving him and being loved by him. And because my dad and Jim and Ed and Pete and Roger were willing to die, Kimo and Dyuwi and Gikita and Wmpodae and Tementa and Gaba and Odae and Tidi and Dawa and Cawaena and Coba and Gaacamo and their children and their grandchildren and their great grandchildren and many others will have a chance to live. If I could go back now and we rewrite the script, I would not change a single scene. I have come to understand that life is too complex and much too short to let amateurs direct the story. I would rather let the Master Storyteller do the writing. I don't say that casually. What happened to dad was extremely traumatic for me, but even so it has not been the most difficult a event in my life."

End of the Spear

2005-12-27T07:23:00.000-08:00

This is a great book! Got it for Christmas and just started it but so far it is awsome.

In this heartfelt memoir, Saint writes about growing up with the Ecuadoran tribe whose members killed his father in 1956, and about taking his wife and teenage children back to Ecuador in the 1990s to live among them again. Many of Saint's readers will be familiar with the spearing deaths of five American missionaries by Auca Indians a half-century ago, a story recounted by Elisabeth Elliot in Through Gates of Splendor (1996 revised edition). Saint, who was four years old at the time of the murders, adds to that familiarity with this account of his deep, familial bond with his father's assassin. Specifically, Saint debunks myths about the tribe. He explains that Auca, which means naked savage, is a derogatory name given to the tribe by outsiders, and that they are actually called the Waodani. While he does not dispute that they were vicious killers before they converted to Christianity soon after they murdered Saint's father, he takes pains to help his readers understand what led the Waodani to their murderous worldview. In a long passage, he tells the story of the 1956 murders from the Waodani perspective. Most of the book is devoted to his latest experiences with his Waodani family.

There is also a movie comeing January 20 with the same title END of the SPEAR check it out.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2005-12-25T07:55:00.000-08:00

An International Christmas Tree in 20 Languages:

"X"

"XXX"

"XXXXX"

"GOD JUL"

"BUON ANNO"

"FELIZ NATAL"

"JOYEUX NOEL"

"VESELE VANOCE"

"MELE KALIKIMAKA"

"NODLAG SONA DHUIT"

"BLWYDDYN NEWYDD DDA"

""""""" BOAS FESTAS """""""

"FELIZ NAVIDAD"

"MERRY CHRISTMAS"

"KALA CHRISTOUGENA"

"VROLIJK KERSTFEEST"

"FROHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN"

"BUON NATALE-GODT NYTAR"

"HUAN YING SHENG TAN CHIEH"

"WESOLYCH SWIAT-SRETAN BOZIC"

"MOADIM LESIMHA-LINKSMU KALEDU"

"HAUSKAA JOULUA-AID SAID MOUBARK"

"""""""' N PRETTIG KERSTMIS """""""

"ONNZLLISTA UUTTA VUOTTA"

"Z ROZHDESTYOM KHRYSTOVYM"

"NADOLIG LLAWEN-GOTT NYTTSAR"

"FELIC NADAL-GOJAN KRISTNASKON"

"S NOVYM GODOM-FELIZ ANO NUEVO"

"GLEDILEG JOL-NOELINIZ KUTLU OLSUM"

"EEN GELUKKIG NIEUWJAAR-SRETAN BOSIC"

"KRIHSTLINDJA GEZUAR-KALA CHRISTOUGENA"

"SELAMAT HARI NATAL - LAHNINGU NAJU METU"

""""""" SARBATORI FERICITE-BUON ANNO """""""

"ZORIONEKO GABON-HRISTOS SE RODI"

"BOLDOG KARACSONNY-VESELE VIANOCE "

"MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR"

"ROOMSAID JOULU PUHI -KUNG HO SHENG TEN"

"FELICES PASCUAS - EIN GLUCKICHES NEUJAHR"

"PRIECIGUS ZIEMAN SVETKUS SARBATORI VESLLE"

"BONNE ANNEBLWYDDYN NEWYDD DDADRFELIZ NATAL"

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

XXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Don't Forget to Celebrate CHRIST Today

Thoughts for Discussion

2005-12-23T09:47:00.000-08:00

This is something I've been thinking about recently.

Who did Christ died for?

1. All the sins of all men.

2. All the sins of some men, or

3. Some of the sins of all men.

Another question:

Did Christ die for the sin of unbelief?

I could write out a detailed thesis here of what I believe on this subject. But I won't for two reasons one I don't have the time at the moment, and two and I would like that to be worked out in the form of comments and discussion relating to this. So let me know what you think and we'll see if this sparks any interesting discussion.

How about This Question

2005-12-18T16:37:00.000-08:00

Has it ever occured to you, that nothing ever occurred to God?

Jesus=Joy Self=Depression

2005-12-14T19:57:00.000-08:00

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

These are two of my favorite verses, especially when I'm struggling with something, stressed out, or just not having much fun with life at the moment. Very encouraging words, I can do All things through Christ, Count it All joy. All is all everything all the time, not only when I feel good, not only when I remember. Whatever I'm facing whatever's in front of me I can do it all through Christ who gives me the strength.
Good times or struggles count it all Joy, and I can when I keep my eyes focused on Christ.

Focusing on Self = Depression. Focusing on Jesus = Joy.

Reading and Understanding the Word

2005-12-11T19:11:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 4:12-13

For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

The Bible is a living document, evident in the fact that one cannot tire in reading it. No matter how many times I read a passage, I can still gather something new from it. So though it is certainly important to look at who the author's original audience was, and to dissect and define the text. As long as our goal in that in-depth study is to draw closer to the Lord, and to put the focus on Him and what he wants, and less on us and our ideas. The Bible is God's Word and He is teaching us something new every time we pick it up. I think too often we break up the text, so as to make it say something that we want it to. (Please help me to see if you think I'm guilty of that in using this text, in making this point.) God is not a God of confusion, He has preserved His Word throughout History so that we can still read and understand it. Often the most plain and obvious interpretation of a passage is the most accurate.

The word is piercing our soul and spirit, causing division between things of the Lord and sin in our lives. We are but clay in our Father's hands, He is working us over so that we might further glorify Him.

We cannot hide from Him, so let us continually read his Word and seek the truth.

Fly like Eagles

2005-12-02T10:40:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 40:30-31

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

I've heard this verse, many times before, but this morning it was a big encouragement me. That even with all the strength and vigor of youth, we will grow weary and exhausted. But if we wait for the Lord and rest in Him, He will renew our strength. Then we can soar like eagles over our difficulties and troubles, we can press on, run and not become tired.

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

There are many people looking at us. Let us lay down our burdens and sin's like Christian in the Book Pilgrims Progress, at the foot of the cross. And run with endurance the race that is this life of following Christ.

The Three Steps.

2005-11-27T17:45:00.000-08:00

1: Deny ourselves.

2: Take up our cross.

3: Follow Christ

Step number 1 Deny our self. That seems pretty strait forword, put off our old self, be humble, be selfless. I got it.

Now for step number 2 Take up our cross. Here it gets a little unclear. What does it mean to take up our cross daily? Are we supost to bend over and sholder a big hunk of wood every day?

Step number 3 follow Christ. This is nice and clear. All we have to do is strive to be perfect, be humble and gentle. Spred the Gospel to all we meet. Be patient and content in the face of persecution. And be willing to die for our Father. At least if we look at the lives of the disiples as an example.

Luke 9:23 And He said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and tade up his cross daily and follow me."

The Mirror of Selfishness

2005-11-26T14:56:00.000-08:00

Selfishness is like a mirror. When you’re involved in selfishness, only looking out for your self, doing what you want. That’s like trying to look through a mirror, go ahead try it, try and see through a mirror. The closer you look to try and see through the more you see of your self.

When you’re looking at your self you can’t see past the mirrors you have put around yourself. You won’t be able to see others, so you won’t be able to help any one. To help someone you must first see their needs. More importantly you won’t be following Christ, in order to follow someone you need to be able to see them. And you can’t see Christ if you’re blinding your self with your selfishness.

So push away the mirrors from in front of your eyes. Deny yourself put away your selfishness and pride. Look out for the needs of others and put them before your own.

Although even before that, it’s more important that you look to Christ. Keep your eyes on Jesus that you might follow Him, and not yourself.

Luke 9:23 And He said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and tade up his cross daily and follow me."

This is the first

2005-11-25T11:47:00.000-08:00

Here it is my first post. I finaly found some time to set up a Blog. We shall see if I will have time to keep it updated.