dW 10.10.08

 

scripture

 

2 Corinthians 13:12-14

Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints send their greetings.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

 

En Espanol

 

thought

 

A recipient yesterday made a valid point that in other cultures outside of western society male friends hold hands as do female friends hold hands in western society. Could it be that this person did not intend for their comment to be taken as I understood it? Another question which this recipient raised was, why isn’t it just as revolting to see violence? Why do we crave seeing fights in sports or in our movies?

 

funny

 

While on a trip in the Middle East I was walking with my wife, an American, and an Arab. As we walked I felt a hand slide into mine and turned, knowing that it wasn’t my wife, and saw my Arab friend next to me. I was initially puzzled and turned to my American friend who had seen what happened and was laughing at us. My wife too joined in the laughter while my Arab friend, still holding my hand, asked what the funny was. Then he realized what it was about and said, “Oh, you don’t hold hands in America but we’re not in America and you are my friend”. All the way to our destination we walked and talked while holding hands.

 

dW 10.09.08 clarification

 

The thought was meant to stir the emotions of the readers and force them to reflect and ask questions.

 

The way the paper read to me was “war/violence is bad” but “homosexuality is fine”. The hand written part below it saw nothing wrong with either scenario.  I am not pacifist yet I do think that violence should be avoided and that peace should be pursued. I agree with Augustine of Hippo that we should hate the sin but love the sinner. I understand through Scripture that the homosexual lifestyle is contrary to God’s will. As Christians we should lament when we see that which is contrary to God’s will. In seeking Truth we must challenge all truth claims by holding it up the Bible, which is God’s standard.

dW 10.09.08

 

scripture

 

Romans 12:2

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 

En Espanol

 

thought

 

On campus we have a Wittenberg door on which people can post articles or papers which address issues of the day. Today I walked by and noticed a paper on which was an image and a quote. The image was of two soldiers with machine guns. The quote read, “Why is it that as Christians we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns then seeing two men holding hands?". Beneath that was hand written – “If either of those were sins then you’d have a point”. Wow. Often lately I have been grieved with the condition of the church. Where are we getting our truth? Is it from the Word of God or is it from the world?

dW 10.08.08

 

scripture

 

John 8:42-47

Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."

 

En Espanol

 

quote

 

Be ever engaged, so that whenever the devil calls he may find you occupied.
St. Jerome

dW 10.14.08

 

scripture

 

Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

 

En Espanol

 

quote

 

Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are.

- Augustine of Hippo

dW 10.06.08

 

scripture

 

Luke 17:1-3

Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come.  It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.  So watch yourselves.”

 

En Espanol

 

thought

 

Today we face the same trouble, “Did God really say, ‘<blank>’?” (Gen. 3:1).  It should not surprise us when the world acts in contrast to God’s Word.  However, it should surprise us when the church follows suit.