3. How do the biblical writers know what happened when they are writing 200 years later?
You may have heard from some biblical scholars that the books of the New Testament were written hundreds of years after the fact, but to be honest, these scholars have an agenda* to discredit the supernatural nature of the Scriptures and the God who gave them to us. The truth is, the Bible was written by eye-witnesses or those very close to the “action.” Not only that, but the authors were under the direction of God Himself (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21). The Bible is completely true and trustworthy.
*This agenda comes from mankind’s natural desire to run their own lives rather than submitting to God’s will. This desire leads to two false views. The first is “There is no God” so there is no one above me to tell me what to do. The second is “I am god” as in New Age beliefs or “I can control God” in which Bible readers pick and choose which scriptures are “true” thus making themselves the authority for truth rather than the Bible itself. So, even if you are an “educated Bible scholar,” if you want to remain in charge of your life you will find ways to discredit what the Bible is telling you to do!
4. Why confess my sin? What sin?
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Question #2: Why can the priests hear God, but no one else can?
2. Why can the priests hear God, but no one else can?
In the Old Testament times the priests acted as sort of a go-between. They represented the people to God and God to the people. But this is one of the reasons Christ’s coming to earth was so pivotal. After Jesus returned to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to actually indwell all who are saved! This doctrine is called the “priesthood of all believers,” and it basically means we have direct access to God through Jesus. While the Catholic Church considers priests to be a kind of go-between (e.g. in the confession booth), I believe the Bible clearly tells us we don’t need a priest to interact with God (Eph. 3:12; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:16; 10:19; 1 Pet. 2:9). God also speaks to all of us, so we can hear God…but He does it through the Bible. The Bible is His Words to us, and it’s all we need! (2 Pet. 1:3-4).
Tomorrow's question: How do the biblical writers know what happened when they are writing 200 years later?
In the Old Testament times the priests acted as sort of a go-between. They represented the people to God and God to the people. But this is one of the reasons Christ’s coming to earth was so pivotal. After Jesus returned to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to actually indwell all who are saved! This doctrine is called the “priesthood of all believers,” and it basically means we have direct access to God through Jesus. While the Catholic Church considers priests to be a kind of go-between (e.g. in the confession booth), I believe the Bible clearly tells us we don’t need a priest to interact with God (Eph. 3:12; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:16; 10:19; 1 Pet. 2:9). God also speaks to all of us, so we can hear God…but He does it through the Bible. The Bible is His Words to us, and it’s all we need! (2 Pet. 1:3-4).
Tomorrow's question: How do the biblical writers know what happened when they are writing 200 years later?
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Question #1: How can Jesus and God be the same?
1. How can Jesus and God be the same?
The Trinity is one of the great mysteries of God! It’s a paradox that reminds us that He is great beyond our comprehension, and it’s also just one of those things we won’t fully understand until we are in heaven. However, the Bible clearly teaches that there is only one God (Deut. 6:4; 2 Sam. 7:22; Is. 43:10; 44:8; Rom. 3:30; 1 Cor. 8:4), yet He reveals Himself in three co-equal Persons (Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Pet. 1:2). Jesus is indeed God because there are traits attributed to Him that are only true of God (John 8:58; 1 Cor. 8:6; Phil. 2:10-11; Col. 1:13-20). (For a good sermon on the Trinity, see Dewey’s message from July 13, 2008).
Tomorrow's question: Why can the priests hear God, but no one else can?
The Trinity is one of the great mysteries of God! It’s a paradox that reminds us that He is great beyond our comprehension, and it’s also just one of those things we won’t fully understand until we are in heaven. However, the Bible clearly teaches that there is only one God (Deut. 6:4; 2 Sam. 7:22; Is. 43:10; 44:8; Rom. 3:30; 1 Cor. 8:4), yet He reveals Himself in three co-equal Persons (Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Pet. 1:2). Jesus is indeed God because there are traits attributed to Him that are only true of God (John 8:58; 1 Cor. 8:6; Phil. 2:10-11; Col. 1:13-20). (For a good sermon on the Trinity, see Dewey’s message from July 13, 2008).
Tomorrow's question: Why can the priests hear God, but no one else can?
Monday, March 2, 2009
Questions about Christianity
First of all, if you're a regular reader, sorry I haven't posted in a week (especially since you've had to keep seeing a strange picture of an elf on the president's shoulder)! This week will be different, I promise!
A few days ago, a lady in our church dropped by my office. She has an out-of-state family member for whom she's been praying for a long time, and she recently had a good phone conversation with him. He asked her several questions about Christianity, and she came to me asking if I had any suggestions of scriptures to help her answer him. I thought they were good questions, and I think they reflect that the Holy Spirit is really working on his heart. Yesterday I took some time to write out some brief answers with some Scripture references, which will hopefully help my friend as she responds.
But what would you say if this same lady came to you asking for answers? I thought it might be fun to pose these questions to you and let you think about what your responses might be if you were in my position. Each day for the next week I'll give you one of the questions, along with the brief answer I gave. Feel free to respond with the "comments" link at the bottom of each post, if you'd like. But hopefully this will stimulate your mind and spirit a little this week!
Okay, there are eight questions, and here's the first--he starts with a toughy:
1. How can Jesus and God be the same?
Tune in tomorrow to see how I responded--what would you say?
A few days ago, a lady in our church dropped by my office. She has an out-of-state family member for whom she's been praying for a long time, and she recently had a good phone conversation with him. He asked her several questions about Christianity, and she came to me asking if I had any suggestions of scriptures to help her answer him. I thought they were good questions, and I think they reflect that the Holy Spirit is really working on his heart. Yesterday I took some time to write out some brief answers with some Scripture references, which will hopefully help my friend as she responds.
But what would you say if this same lady came to you asking for answers? I thought it might be fun to pose these questions to you and let you think about what your responses might be if you were in my position. Each day for the next week I'll give you one of the questions, along with the brief answer I gave. Feel free to respond with the "comments" link at the bottom of each post, if you'd like. But hopefully this will stimulate your mind and spirit a little this week!
Okay, there are eight questions, and here's the first--he starts with a toughy:
1. How can Jesus and God be the same?
Tune in tomorrow to see how I responded--what would you say?
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Molly's Butterfly
Weeks and weeks ago, my daughter Molly found an interesting green caterpillar by Grandma and Grandpa's RV, and since she was studying butterflies in school, she kept it. She took it to school to display it next to the Monarch caterpillars they had in their class room. It predictably turned into a chrysalis, and then nothing happened! The butterflies in Molly's class room all emerged and were released, and I figured this one had just gone on to caterpillar heaven somewhere.
My dad, a bug expert, was still in town, and he said to hang onto it, that sometimes these can stay unhatched for quite a while. So, our little cage has been sitting in our laundry room for weeks, and I sort of forgot about it, until on Monday night when I was doing laundry and looked down to find a butterfly sitting in there!
Kelly woke Molly up (it was about 1:00 a.m. when we discovered it) and she was very excited! The next morning Molly and I looked up "Oregon butterflies" on Google to try to figure out what it was, and it turns out the Oregon Swallowtail is the Official Insect of our fair state. She then took it to school, and Mrs. Bierly lent us her butterfly "cage" so it would have some space to move.
That evening Molly called Grandpa to tell him all about it. They decided Molly should try to keep it alive in captivity until it warms up outside in the spring. 
So there you go. This little butterfly has brought our home some excitement and joy this week, and I can think of three times (at least) that I suggested we just chuck the "dead" cocoon!
Maybe I should reconsider some other things that I've long considered dead and hopeless...God may have some surprising plans...
My dad, a bug expert, was still in town, and he said to hang onto it, that sometimes these can stay unhatched for quite a while. So, our little cage has been sitting in our laundry room for weeks, and I sort of forgot about it, until on Monday night when I was doing laundry and looked down to find a butterfly sitting in there!
Kelly woke Molly up (it was about 1:00 a.m. when we discovered it) and she was very excited! The next morning Molly and I looked up "Oregon butterflies" on Google to try to figure out what it was, and it turns out the Oregon Swallowtail is the Official Insect of our fair state. She then took it to school, and Mrs. Bierly lent us her butterfly "cage" so it would have some space to move.
That evening Molly called Grandpa to tell him all about it. They decided Molly should try to keep it alive in captivity until it warms up outside in the spring. 
So there you go. This little butterfly has brought our home some excitement and joy this week, and I can think of three times (at least) that I suggested we just chuck the "dead" cocoon!Maybe I should reconsider some other things that I've long considered dead and hopeless...God may have some surprising plans...
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Airplane Night at Awana
It was Paper Airplane Night at Awana last night! The kids were asked to bring a paper airplane to club, and there were prizes for most creative design and furthest flight. Of course, there were the regular lessons and songs and games, too--Wednesdays are fun nights!There are some pictures below, and I've posted more in a gallery on our web site's Photos Page. Enjoy!
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