tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7331675537764760292024-03-07T21:19:22.767-06:00Old Man's WonderingsThese are the wonderings that come to this old man as he wanders and sometimes even as he sits!Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-56263106652120060362018-03-18T20:23:00.000-05:002018-10-30T20:06:32.254-05:00I'm Back!! My feet were again stepped on by God's Word!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Eph-4-25" id="en-ICB-29156" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">25 </span>So you must stop telling lies. Tell each other the truth because we all belong to each other in the same body.<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ICB-29156a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ICB-29156a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4&version=ICB#fen-ICB-29156a" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span> </span><span class="text Eph-4-26" id="en-ICB-29157" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">26 </span>When you are angry, do not sin. And do not go on being angry all day. </span><span class="text Eph-4-27" id="en-ICB-29158" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">27 </span>Do not give the devil a way to defeat you. </span><span class="text Eph-4-28" id="en-ICB-29159" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">28 </span>If a person is stealing, he must stop stealing and start working. He must use his hands for doing something good. Then he will have something to share with those who are poor.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-ICB-29160" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">29 </span>When you talk, do not say harmful things. But say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will help those who listen to you. </span><span class="text Eph-4-30" id="en-ICB-29161" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">30 </span>And do not make the Holy Spirit sad. The Spirit is God’s proof that you belong to him. God gave you the Spirit to show that God will make you free when the time comes. </span><span class="text Eph-4-31" id="en-ICB-29162" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">31 </span>Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. </span><span class="text Eph-4-32" id="en-ICB-29163" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">32 </span>Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: right;"> Ephesians 4:25-32 </span><span style="font-size: 14px;">International Children’s Bible</span></span></div>
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<span class="text Eph-4-32" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, I am back!</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Still not doing much wandering, that will have to change but that is another blogg for another time!! The above passage was a devotion from the other day. As I read it I thought of my own reactions to things that happen in my day and week, well OK life!! I thought about how we tell each other the truth as we see it (aka lie to one another). How we let anger eat us up by which we give the devil, Satan, a foothold with which he can defeat us. How we steal, not from each other as much as as we steal from the poor by not giving to them as we see a need. How when we talk we tend to say harmful things more than we say things that will make other stronger. I thought about how we are bitter or angry or mad and how we shout and say things that hurt people, sometimes with intent and other times when it just happen but would not have if we would have just thought or just kept our mouths shut. These last few are hard to miss in the passage!! I also thought about how this makes the Holy Spirit, and God, sad. The above is not just in the world but it is as much, if not more, within the Body of Christ!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Eph-4-32" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">There are two other things I noticed and they are at the end of the passage; things which we do but do less that the other things this old man has seen within us as Christians. The first we need to do anytime we are thinking about doing that which we do so well that I have spoken of above. Instead of all the evil we do so easily we need to: "</span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Be kind and loving to each other". We need to think before we act. We need to engage our spiritual life and be kind and loving; showing grace to those we interact with in the church building and those we interact with outside the church building. Yes, I know! MUCH EASIER SAID THAN DONE!! Then again the passage also says "Forgive each other </span><span style="font-size: large;">just as God forgave you in Christ! </span>If I remember that would be anytime and every time!! In the Lord's Prayer we ask God to forgive us our sins <span style="font-size: large;">as we forgive those who sin against us.</span> By which would you like to be forgiven by God. As God forgave you or how you forgive others? If you forgive like God does then you are in the clear; aren't you!?!</span></span></div>
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Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-63294394402836847002015-08-21T20:10:00.001-05:002015-08-21T20:10:42.757-05:00David's Prayer Psalm 86 The Message<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="chapter-2"><span class="text Ps-86-1-Ps-86-7"><sup class="versenum mid-line">1-7 </sup>Bend an ear, <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>; answer me.</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-1-Ps-86-7">I’m one miserable wretch!</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-86-1-Ps-86-7">Keep me safe—haven’t I lived a good life?</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-1-Ps-86-7">Help your servant—I’m depending on you!</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-86-1-Ps-86-7">You’re my God; have mercy on me.</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-1-Ps-86-7">I count on you from morning to night.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-86-1-Ps-86-7">Give your servant a happy life;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-1-Ps-86-7">I put myself in your hands!</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-86-1-Ps-86-7">You’re well-known as good and forgiving,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-1-Ps-86-7">bighearted to all who ask for help.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-86-1-Ps-86-7">Pay attention, <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>, to my prayer;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-1-Ps-86-7">bend down and listen to my cry for help.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-86-1-Ps-86-7">Every time I’m in trouble I call on you,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-1-Ps-86-7">confident that you’ll answer.</span></span> <br />
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<span class="text Ps-86-8-Ps-86-10" id="en-MSG-6554"><sup class="versenum">8-10 </sup>There’s no one quite like you among the gods, O Lord,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-8-Ps-86-10">and nothing to compare with your works.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-86-8-Ps-86-10">All the nations you made are on their way,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-8-Ps-86-10">ready to give honor to you, O Lord,</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-86-8-Ps-86-10">Ready to put your beauty on display,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-8-Ps-86-10">parading your greatness,</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-86-8-Ps-86-10">And the great things you do—</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-8-Ps-86-10">God, you’re the one, there’s no one but you!</span></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17" id="en-MSG-6555"><sup class="versenum">11-17 </sup>Train me, <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>, to walk straight;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">then I’ll follow your true path.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">Put me together, one heart and mind;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">then, undivided, I’ll worship in joyful fear.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">From the bottom of my heart I thank you, dear Lord;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">I’ve never kept secret what you’re up to.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">You’ve always been great toward me—what love!</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">You snatched me from the brink of disaster!</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">God, these bullies have reared their heads!</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">A gang of thugs is after me—</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">and they don’t care a thing about you.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">But you, O God, are both tender and kind,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">not easily angered, immense in love,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">and you never, never quit.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">So look me in the eye and show kindness,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">give your servant the strength to go on,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">save your dear, dear child!</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">Make a show of how much you love me</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">so the bullies who hate me will stand there slack-jawed,</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">As you, <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>, gently and powerfully</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">put me back on my feet.</span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-86-11-Ps-86-17">As I read this I thought just how it should be; no NEEDS to be our prayer. </span></span></div>
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Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-41351751140897565632014-06-04T11:42:00.000-05:002015-08-21T20:05:03.880-05:00More Thoughts From the Old Man<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask G*d to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 1 Timothy 2:1<br />
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There is something this old man has learned over his years; that is it is hard to hate, dislike or do harm in any way some one for whom I am praying. I would suggest that this is true for anyone who begins to pray for those around them. Then add to that the fact that the next instruction is "ASK G*D TO HELP THEM" we are going to G*d asking G*d to help people; does it matter what activities they are involved? Whether they are in our opinion sinning or not WE are asking for our Daddy to help them. <br />
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We are also to intercede for them. This means we have to have deeper knowledge of them than just a two ships passing in the night; WE must get to know a person to intercede for them. According to Merriam-Webster intercede means "to try to help settle an argument or disagreement between two or more people or groups : to speak to someone in order to defend or help another person". Does this sound like a passive thing?<br />
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Now "Give thanks for ALL PEOPLE" I do not know about you but there are some people for whom I am not all that thankful! Yet G*d tells me I have to give thanks for them. I wonder if that is as I give thanks for them as instructed, I WILL TRULY BECOME THANKFUL?<br />
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Just a few thoughts for you to ponder as you wander!<br />
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Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-41342684768455036602014-05-09T11:37:00.000-05:002014-05-09T11:42:00.676-05:00Here's a thought!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Romans 12:9 (NLT)</div>
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How often do we pretend we love those around us? Whether that be part of the Body of Christ we live in or be it the followers of Jesus we see daily or the Not-Yet-Christians G*d puts in our path; how do they know that we truly love them?</div>
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Let us seek our Father so the Abba can teach us to love others as our Heavenly Father loves us!</div>
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Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-56011159722003155532014-03-07T13:44:00.001-06:002018-10-30T20:06:00.838-05:00More wondering by this Old Man<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Publish [G*d's] glorious deeds among the nations. Tell
everyone about the amazing things [G*d] does. ~ 1 Chronicles 16:24, NLT</div>
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This was today's K-Love radio verse of the day. It made me wonder if we are good at "publishing the glorious deeds of G*d" in our own community, let alone among the nations! I have to ask myself, as well as you good readers, what we are doing to get out to the people we know what G*d is doing in our life? How much as we talking (publishing) what amazing things G*d is doing in our day to day life?</div>
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Let us make an effort to publish (talk about) G*d's deed in our life and tell about the amazing things G*d does for us.</div>
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Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-16875413558731834572013-04-02T09:11:00.000-05:002013-04-02T09:15:18.975-05:00Love for one another by loving God<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jesus told us this in John 13:35; "By this all men will know that you are my
disciples, if you love one another." (NLT) I wonder if "all [humanity] know we are Jesus disciples? Do we love one another? Within the local and/or national denominational group; I have spent time in both the Southern Baptist family and I am currently part of the American Baptist family. If one attends a Region or National (Bi-annual) gathering, at least a few years back, does it show our love of one another?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus also said in Matthew 22:37, "You must love the Lord your God will
all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind." (NLT) I wonder if this is not the way to do John 13:35? If we truly love God, would we not develop a love one another? Maybe not immediately but soon after we, by God's grace, developed a love for God. Which I wonder if would not develop into a love for the not-yet-christians in our lives</span>.</span> </span></div>
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Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-64364929174044099082013-03-27T16:12:00.001-05:002013-03-27T16:12:53.146-05:00A Reminder<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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For our present troubles are small and won't last
very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will
last forever! ~ 2 Corinthians 4:17, NLT </div>
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Every little bit we need reminded that this world is only for a short while and the problems are short term as well; when compared to the retirement plan we have in Glory!</div>
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Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-33975968936518030522013-01-07T20:26:00.006-06:002013-03-25T11:43:22.716-05:00Jesus on giving and prayer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="text Matt-6-1"><span class="chapternum">Matthew 6:1-18 </span>“Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding. </span><span class="text Matt-6-2-Matt-6-4" id="en-MSG-9948"><sup class="versenum">2-4 </sup>“When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. You’ve seen them in action, I’m sure—‘playactors’ I call them—treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that’s all they get. When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out. </span><span class="text Matt-6-5"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>“And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? </span><span class="text Matt-6-6" id="en-MSG-9950"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. </span> <span class="text Matt-6-7-Matt-6-13" id="en-MSG-9951"><sup class="versenum">7-13 </sup>“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:</span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-6-7-Matt-6-13">Our Father in heaven,</span><br />
<span class="text Matt-6-7-Matt-6-13">Reveal who you are.</span><br />
<span class="text Matt-6-7-Matt-6-13">Set the world right;</span><br />
<span class="text Matt-6-7-Matt-6-13">Do what’s best—</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Matt-6-7-Matt-6-13">as above, so below.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-6-7-Matt-6-13">Keep us alive with three square meals.</span><br />
<span class="text Matt-6-7-Matt-6-13">Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.</span><br />
<span class="text Matt-6-7-Matt-6-13">Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.</span><br />
<span class="text Matt-6-7-Matt-6-13">You’re in charge!</span><br />
<span class="text Matt-6-7-Matt-6-13">You can do anything you want!</span><br />
<span class="text Matt-6-7-Matt-6-13">You’re ablaze in beauty!</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Matt-6-7-Matt-6-13">Yes. Yes. Yes.</span></span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-6-14-Matt-6-15" id="en-MSG-9952"><sup class="versenum">14-15 </sup>“In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part. </span><br />
<span class="text Matt-6-16-Matt-6-18" id="en-MSG-9953"><sup class="versenum">16-18 </sup>“When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don’t make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won’t make you a saint. If you ‘go into training’ inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn’t require attention-getting devices. He won’t overlook what you are doing; he’ll reward you well.</span><br />
<span class="text Matt-6-16-Matt-6-18">(The Message)</span><br />
<span class="text Matt-6-16-Matt-6-18"></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-6-16-Matt-6-18">Just got to love how this Bible puts this passage! I wonder if Jesus did not say it in a like way? I wonder; and in this case wandering not required.</span></div>
Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-3821531352713069312012-11-27T08:32:00.001-06:002012-11-27T08:32:10.938-06:00Hope<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
“So, Lord, what hope do I have? <span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-39-7">You are my hope. </span></span>Psalm 39:7 (NCV)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
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Do you need HOPE? Hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ!</div>
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Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-65333886327784268782012-11-26T17:51:00.000-06:002012-11-26T17:53:53.152-06:00More Wandering of an Old Man<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7 (NLT)</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When this verse came to my inbox the other day I thought; "Well here may be the Body of Christ's problem!" Do we let our roots grow deep into Christ? Are we doing what it takes to get rooted in Christ? Are we seeking that deep water source which is in Christ? I know in the real world that when the heat hits plants, even mature trees that are not rooted into a DEEP SOURCE of water will die. I wonder about us as the Body of Christ? Do we let our lives be built on him? Do we look for that good foundation that is Christ? Again, as we are have temperatures in the mid low thirties I have heard of our local community college's contractor continuing to pour the foundation for a new building on campus; I am not sure this is good planning but I am not in the concrete business nor the building business. I am in the building the Family of God business and I wonder about our foundations? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Doing these two things, rooting him Christ and Building on Christ, will allow our faith to grow strong in the truth we were taught, this leads to another question, which is "What truths have we been taught." Have we been taught G*D'S TRUTH or have we been taught some one's interpretation of G*d's Truth? Personally, I think it is likely a 50/50 thing. Half of what we were taught is G*D'S TRUTH and the other half is interpretation of G*d's Truth. I know that from time to time as a pastor I will have to plead Guilty to the latter and be held accountable for not doing the former. Again, I wonder. I wonder if we need to do a better job of having a mindset like the people of Berea (Acts 17:11)? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The last thing the verse says is "we will overflow with thanksgiving" if we are rooted and built. So; I wonder are we overflowing with thanksgiving? If not we need to work on our rooting and building site!</div>
</div>
Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-67368284091395738962012-11-22T07:52:00.004-06:002012-11-22T07:55:37.393-06:00Happy Thanksgiving<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="txt-sm">
<span class="text Ps-105-1">Give thanks to the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> and proclaim his greatness.</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-105-1">Let the whole world know what he has done.</span></span></div>
<div class="passage version-NLT result-text-style-normal text-html ">
<div class="poetry">
<div class="txt-sm">
New Living Translation (NLT<span class="text Ps-105-1" id="en-NLT-15584">Psalm 105 (NLT)</span></div>
<div class="passage version-NLT result-text-style-normal text-html ">
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Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-73939287900598482362012-11-07T19:42:00.000-06:002012-11-20T18:57:23.500-06:00God gives insight on how to RUN OFF THE DEVIL!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Gal 5:16 So I say, let the Spirit tell you what you should do. Then you will not do the wrong things you yourselves want to do. Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)<br />
<br />
James 4:7 So let God control you. Fight the devil and he will run away from you. Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)<br />
<br />
These are a couple (part of ) versewe looked at in Men's group. If I am reding them right; if we let the Spirit of God tellus what to do and do what the Spirit tells us then we will not do the wrong we would like to do and in doing so we would resist the Devil thus making the devil run away!<br />
<br />
So start listening and doing andsee the devil run!!!!</div>
Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-39404742924833206612012-11-07T13:23:00.000-06:002012-11-07T18:06:32.902-06:00The election; What does the Bible say?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="heading">
<h3>
Romans 13:1</h3>
</div>
<div class="passage version-NLT result-text-style-normal text-html">
<div class="first-line-none chapter-2">
<span class="text Rom-13-1"><span class="chapternum">13 </span>Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. (NLT)</span></div>
<div class="heading">
</div>
<div class="heading">
<div class="heading">
<h3>
Romans 13:1 & 2</h3>
</div>
<div class="passage version-PHILLIPS result-text-style-normal text-html">
<div class="chapter-2">
<span class="text Rom-13-1-Rom-13-2">Every Christian ought to obey the civil authorities, for all legitimate authority is derived from God’s authority, and the existing authority is appointed under God. To oppose authority then is to oppose God, and such opposition is bound to be punished.</span></div>
<div class="chapter-2">
<span class="text Rom-13-1-Rom-13-2"></span> </div>
<div class="chapter-2">
<span class="text Rom-13-1-Rom-13-2">What do this passage say to us after the election? What if the authority ask us (tell us we must) do something that is anti-christian? What if like Hitler; the governing authority/civil authority begins to kill Jews (other group) and asks/tells us that it is our civil duty to support them in that killing? What if there is some "Chicago" system voting? Do we still "obey the civil authorities"? Is obedience to the civil authorities what God calls us to when the civil authorities are, in our opinion out side of God's will? If out side the will of God are those civil authorities "legitimate authority"?</span></div>
<div class="chapter-2">
<span class="text Rom-13-1-Rom-13-2"></span> </div>
<div class="chapter-2">
<span class="text Rom-13-1-Rom-13-2">The other question would be is Paul making a statement for all time "the existing authority is appointed under God" or just for his own? </span><br />
<br />
In any case we need to we need to follow the idea of Timothy in <br />
1 Timothy 2:1-4 <span class="text 1Tim-2-1"><span class="chapternum"> </span>I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.</span> <span class="text 1Tim-2-2" id="en-NLT-29679"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.</span> <span class="text 1Tim-2-3" id="en-NLT-29680"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>This is good and pleases God our Savior,</span> <span class="text 1Tim-2-4" id="en-NLT-29681"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.</span> <span class="text 1Tim-2-5" id="en-NLT-29682"><sup class="versenum"></sup></span></div>
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Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-79783431049699059642012-09-26T20:22:00.000-05:002012-09-26T20:22:17.628-05:00Who's language do we speak?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="text Acts-2-8" id="en-NLV-26958">Act 2:5-8 New Life Version (NLV) <span class="text Acts-2-5" id="en-NLV-26955"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>There were many religious Jews staying in Jerusalem. They were from every country of the world. </span> <span class="text Acts-2-6" id="en-NLV-26956"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>When they heard this strange sound, they gathered together. They all listened! It was hard for them to believe they were hearing words in their own language. </span> <span class="text Acts-2-7" id="en-NLV-26957"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>They were surprised and wondered about it. They said to each other, “Are not these Galileans who are speaking? </span> <span class="text Acts-2-8" id="en-NLV-26958"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup><span style="font-size: large;">How is it that each one of us can hear his own language?</span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Acts-2-8"><span class="text Acts-2-8"></span></span><br />
<span class="text Acts-2-8"><span class="text Acts-2-8">These verses were part of Men's Group this evening. The one I have made larger is one that hit me in the face as it was read. It caused me to wonder if we as the Church are speaking in "the language" of those we are trying to meet.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Acts-2-8"><span class="text Acts-2-8"></span></span><br />
<span class="text Acts-2-8"><span class="text Acts-2-8">I wonder if we use words that are a code for us insiders. Not always as an attempt to keep the not-yet-christians or any other new comer in the dark but simply cause we have always used the terms; "born-again, second blessing, save, washed in the blood" to name a few.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Acts-2-8"><span class="text Acts-2-8"></span></span><br />
<span class="text Acts-2-8"><span class="text Acts-2-8">I also wonder if we need to reach those that are not-yet-christians that are say under 45 years old and younger if we need to change our language? How we present the gospel; both in words and also in other ways; which I, as a 50 something former pastor turned hamburger flipper, am not sure I can innumerate. Change our time frame; both hour and day? What makes Sunday between 9 a.m. and Noon the time for church? Why not Friday at 7:52p.m. or Saturday afternoon or Tuesday evening? Change our method of presentation? Is there a way to do the sermon as a text or email that then can be discussed at the "worship time" (even that phrase "WORSHIP TIME" is our/my language.) These and many other thoughts go wandering through my wondering mind this Wednesday evening between 6:00 p.m. and 7:29p.m. followed by Choir practice.</span></span><span class="text Acts-2-8"></span></div>
Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-58573618275786230522012-09-06T21:46:00.000-05:002012-09-26T20:26:10.500-05:00More wondering of this Old Man<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="text Deut-6-9" id="en-NIRV-5096">Deuteronomy 6:1-8 </span><br />
<div class="chapter-1">
<span class="text Deut-6-1"><span class="chapternum">6 </span>The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God has directed me to teach you his commands, rules and laws. Obey them in the land you will take over when you go across the Jordan River. </span> <span class="text Deut-6-2" id="en-NIRV-5089"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>Then you, your children and their children after them will have respect for the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God as long as you live. Keep all of his rules and commands I’m giving you. If you do, you will enjoy long life.</span></div>
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<span class="text Deut-6-3" id="en-NIRV-5090"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>Israel, listen to me. Make sure you obey me. Then things will go well with you. Your numbers will increase greatly in a land that has plenty of milk and honey. That’s what the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord,</span> the God of your parents, promised you.</span><br />
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<span class="text Deut-6-4" id="en-NIRV-5091"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>Israel, listen to me. The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is our God. The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is the one and only God.</span> <span class="text Deut-6-5" id="en-NIRV-5092"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>Love the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your strength.</span><br />
<span class="text Deut-6-5"></span><br />
<span class="text Deut-6-5"></span><span class="text Deut-6-6" id="en-NIRV-5093"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>The commandments I give you today must be in your hearts.</span> <span class="text Deut-6-7" id="en-NIRV-5094"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>Make sure your children learn them. Talk about them when you are at home. Talk about them when you walk along the road. Speak about them when you go to bed. And speak about them when you get up.</span> <span class="text Deut-6-8" id="en-NIRV-5095"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>Write them down and tie them on your hands as a reminder. Also tie them on your foreheads.</span> <span class="text Deut-6-9" id="en-NIRV-5096"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>Write them on the doorframes of your houses. Also write them on your gates. (NIRV)</span><br />
<span class="text Deut-6-9"></span><br />
<span class="text Deut-6-9">This is at least the second time God repeats the idea in the first three verses. The time I saw this evening was in chapter 4 but I digress for my wondering. My wondering thought is; Is this where we have messed up today and why the world is going to . . . down the tube." Are we teaching anything let alone the commands of God to our children? Well this is the wonderings of this old man!</span></div>
Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-34808184689460482632012-07-14T21:35:00.000-05:002012-09-26T20:27:39.145-05:00Another in a long line (whch will get longer) of old man's wondering.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
9So why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't
do what I say?<br />
Luke 6:46 NLT<br />
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Well? What is your answer?</div>
Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-48854160133704111162012-07-12T06:44:00.002-05:002012-09-26T20:29:13.587-05:00Just a Thought (and/or reminder)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him, and he
answered my prayer. ~ Psalm 120:1 NLT</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then when you call, the Lord will answer. 'Yes, I am
here,' he will quickly reply. <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isaiah 58:9 NLT</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> Thank you KLOVE and Air1 for these verses of the day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-67056212971971477532012-06-09T15:52:00.000-05:002012-07-08T20:51:07.510-05:00More Wondering By This Oldman<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="heading passage-class-0">
<h3>
<span class="text Rom-12-4" id="en-NLT-28211"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function,</span> <span class="text Rom-12-5" id="en-NLT-28212"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. </span>Romans 12:4-5 (NLT)</h3>
<br />
Again a verse of the day that will start one wondering; read yesterdays for my wonderings on church unity. This one gets me to thinking about how we treat our physical body and if we would/do treat Christ's body likewise. Just my wondering thoughts!!!</div>
<div class="heading passage-class-0">
<div class="txt-sm">
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</div>Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-54148099241769199212012-06-08T20:27:00.000-05:002012-06-09T15:52:35.040-05:00Building the House<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of
the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. Ephesians 2:20 NLT<br />
<br />
<br />
This verse was the verse of the day from either Klove or Air1 today. It got me to wondering "what are we apart?" I guess I see Christendom as a house divided; not together. I am not even meaning denominations. I am think of the clans of the Christendom like the American Baptists or the United Methodists or the Presbyterians or the Southern Baptists. In fact it is more like individual congregations can not even be built together into a house on one foundation. Another man in my church and I were talking when we were the only two to show for men's group Wednesday about the church (the local congregation we fellowship in) and what it will take to get the body to care about the not-yet-Christians in our community. As I look back at the conversation in the light of this verse it just may be a need of "coming together" allowing the cornerstone Christ Jesus himself to build the house one the foundation of His choosing.<br />
<br />
Just my wondering wandering mind at work!</div>Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-65843488060931556072012-05-25T15:36:00.000-05:002012-05-25T15:37:15.707-05:00Just A Thought!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Do not remember where on the net I found this (did so long ago) but it is a thought!!!!!</div>Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-20506427062600320882012-05-08T09:21:00.001-05:002012-05-24T20:49:13.419-05:00Wondering some more<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and
filled with unfailing love. </span>~ Psalm 103:8, NLT</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">When I saw this verse in my E-mail this morning, my first thought was is this our image of God as his children and is it the image the world, the not-yet-christians, has of God? In both case I think the answer is no. For the not-yet-christians I think it is a fear, as well as a message given, at least in times past, of God being "out to get you!" The image of "God sending people to Hell". This may be the same thing that causes God's kids to not think of God in this way. Just wondering way before I even had a chance to wander today!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Another thought came as I wrote; why are we as God's kids not acting like our Daddy. Being compassionate, merciful, slow to anger (been in a church board meeting or business meeting lately?) and filled with UNFAILING love? Again simply wondering!</span></div>Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-58645989996198233252012-04-30T17:52:00.000-05:002012-05-24T20:47:46.605-05:00More wondering<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This post from <a href="http://holysoup.com/2012/04/25/the-trouble-with-youth-ministry/#comment-869" target="_blank">Holy Soup</a>; got me to wondering . . .<br />
<br />
I wonder if there is a relationahip issue in the church as a whole; as in we do not have relationships with each other as well as Jesus. We come to church but are not church, are not a body dependant on one another. Especially in larger churches, but in even in the small church where I am a member there is a limited commitment to relationship without the estabished groups. The mens grp just talked about the lack of fellowship event — events for no other reason than simply building relationships. We have men’s/women’s mnistry on Wednesday (a time of study) Sunday School and Worship Sunday AM (study based) when do sit around andget to know each other? Also most churches I have been apart of in the last 20 years have done away with Sunday Evening time when the “Testimony time” was. Just wondering; would this have anything to do with a lack of people having a today vs historical Jesus?</div>Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-88831444268659843732012-03-31T20:19:00.001-05:002012-04-01T21:01:56.519-05:00Another Moment of Wondering<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3 NLT<br />
<br />
Peter tells us that God had given us what we need to live a Godly life; therefore we have no reason or excuse for not living Godly! Maybe the reason we have problems is that we do not "come to know Jesus"! Just a thought!!!!!! (Thanks AJ3)</div>Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-79164106295106674482012-03-27T20:24:00.000-05:002012-03-27T20:24:58.161-05:00Interesting 2!!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://ceruleansanctum.com/2012/03/the-real-reason-why-young-people-are-leaving-the-church.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+csrss+%28Cerulean+Sanctum%29" target="_blank">Dan Edelen wrote a response</a> to the Out of Ur article I looked at Friday 032212. I love it when some one prove the left wrong!!!!!!</div>Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-733167553776476029.post-86682752057518708122012-03-23T11:59:00.002-05:002012-03-23T12:13:43.753-05:00Interesting!?!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.outofur.com/archives/2012/03/christianism_le.html" target="_blank">Interesting Out of Ur Article</a><br />
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I like Peter Berger idea it reminds me of a teaching in Matthew 7:13 & 14 <span class="woj"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NCV-23227">13</sup> "Enter through the narrow gate. The gate is wide and the road is wide that leads to hell, and many people enter through that gate. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NCV-23228">14</sup> But the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to true life. Only a few people find that road.</span><br />
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I wonder if practice what you preach is not the mantra of the younger set? I see the Body of Christ at times being right in their thoughts but wrong in their actions. Homosexuality and Abortion being the two that come to mind. We have handled both as if they are Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit; unforgivable. It is the one place we as the Body of Christ will allow hate speech; both from the pulpit and from the pew. This cause the young folks to call Bull Manure alert and Rightfully so. We need to look at Berger's, as well as Campbell and Putnam's, thinking and deal with the whys and hows of the matter.<br />
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Here is Berger's<a href="http://blogs.the-american-interest.com/berger/2012/03/21/the-religiously-unaffiliated-in-america/" target="_blank"> full response</a></div>Old Man's Wonderingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704137237999780651noreply@blogger.com0