Eek_71's Xanga

Testing from phone

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:34:51 GMT

Testing from phone

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:34:43 GMT

Testing from phone

Friday, November 27, 2009

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:24:27 GMT

testing pixelpipe...

RELATING TO GOOD WORKS [JAMES 04]

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:55:26 GMT

Date: 10/11/2009 Awana Varsity
Resources: John MacArthurs Commentary on James, & a sermon series from Denton Bible Church
Audio: http://eek-71.xanga.com/audio/53cd43732661/

How the Christian Relates to GOOD WORKS
James 2:14-26

INTRO
• How does the Christian deal with James ch. 2?... vs 17? vs 21 & 25?
• How do you answer the question "If we are saved b Grace, & once you are saved you can't lose it, then can do whatever evil you want?"
• You can't be truly saved and yet live a rebellious life... Paul, Peter, John, Jude, all deal with this same question.
• write in your bible margin...
      > vs 14 "question"
      > vs 18 "challenge"
      > vs 21 "examples"
      > vs 26 "illustration"

1. QUESTIONS... vs 14-17
• Question #1 (vs 14) Is there such a thing as "saving faith" w/o a CHANGED life?
• Question #2 (vs 15-16) If all my faith produces is "religious TALK", what good is it?
• Conclusion (vs 17) faith w/o works is DEAD. It is necrotic (necrosis)... like a dead, gangrenous limb

2. CHALLENGE... vs 18-20
• I dare you!... can you SHOW that you are a Christian merely by your words? NO you cannot!
• consider Judas...
• vs 19 a Jewish "doctrinal statement"
• there is no difference between an orthodox but dead "christian" and a demon!... Demons are the greatest example of dead orthodoxy
• Conclusion (vs 20) faith w/o works is EMPTY and barren

3. EXAMPLES... vs 21-25
• ABRAHAM...
      > vs 18 circle "show me"... vs 22 "you see"... vs 24 "you see"
      > James is not talking about Justification before God, BUT BEFORE MEN
• 1 Pet 3:1-6
      > wives win unbelieving spouses by "showing them" their fsith
      > children, what do you hate to do? (dishes, vacuum, etc.) then DO IT. SHOW THEM your faith!
• RAHAB the Harlot...
      > believed Gods message, received his messengers see Heb 11:30-31,
      > how did she SHOW she believed it?... she left a different way, turned her back on Jericho

4. ILLUSTRATION... vs 26
• How do you know you are ALIVE as a Christian?
• there is a "body" and a "spirit"... a DOCTRINAL form and a functional OBEDIENCE.
• Fruit of the Spirit

CONCLUSION
• a faith that saves is a faith that works!
• dead branches are broken off and burnt up... see Jn 15:6
• to be a Christian is to be BORN AGAIN... to be CHANGED... to be DIFFERENT!
• Jesus wants nothing to do with external profession w/o internal change that works its way out into CHANGED LIVES... don't be a Judas!

RELATING TO SNOBBERY [JAMES 03]

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:06:07 GMT

Date: 10/14/2009 Awana Varsity
Resources: John MacArthurs Commentary on James, & a sermon series from Denton Bible Church
Audio: http://eek-71.xanga.com/audio/a5a3c3717869/

How the Christian Relates to SNOBBERY
James 2:1-13

INTRO vs 1-3
• definition: "SNOB" = one who blatantly imitates, fawns over, seeks association with those regarded as social superiors. One who tends to rebuff, avoid, or ignore those regarded as inferior. One who has an offensive air of superiority.
• Jesus did not respond to "wrappers", He responded to HEARTS... widows, orphans, poor, children, women, lepers, etc. Jesus made NO room for snobbery.
• vs 1 "favoritism" = partiality, "respecter of faces"
• there is such a thing as proper divisions in church... by spiritual gifts, according to faithfulness, etc. BUT NOT by "wrapper"'
• vs 2-3 James' EXAMPLE...you SIT HERE... you STAND THERE... jewelry & clothes equals "wrapper" ("sit with me, I want people to associate your success with me")
• 4 ways the Christian should view "snubbing" in the Body of Christ...

1. SNOBBERY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST IS EVIL vs 4
• I put myself in a POSITION I don't deserve, bringing a STANDARD that is not Gods, for a REASON that God doesn't sanctify... causes DIVISION because I am in the wrong place, I have elevated myself as a judge

2. SNOBBERY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST IS ERRONEOUS vs 5-7
• just look around, Christianity is a humble, working class faith.
• lookup --> 1 Cor 1:26-28
• Heaven will not be a Country Club or Miss America pageant. Followers of Jesus are not the most talented or most beautiful, we are a middle class people... few millionaires, few rocket scientists, few all-stars.
• Being a snob is INCOMPATIBLE with the Gospel... I am Lost, needing Mercy, needing Grace, an unworthy, needy, guilty, rebel!

3. SNOBBERY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST IS DISOBEDIENT vs 8-11
• Gods law is fulfilled in loving your neighbor. If you don't you break ALL the law!
• To treat someone differently based on their "wrapper" is SIN!
• vs 10 the law is a UNIT, a pane of glass, break a portion and you break the whole thing. The law is not a "THING"... it flows from a PERSON, it emanates from the very character of God Himself.
• BIGOTRY violates the character of God b/c it fails to love His people as he does, it makes some people worthy of His love and some not. God instead chooses people from every tribe, tongue, people, & nation (read Rev 5:9-10)
• James reasoning... we think that when we hurt "little people" that its of little consequence... BUT you have violated God, He's big, so its a BIG deal!
• God identifies Himself with the "little guy"... Pro 17:5, 19:17; Exo 22:21-27; Lev 19:9-10, 14;

4. SNOBBERY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST IS DISASTROUS vs 12-13
• because it might indicate that you ARE NOT SAVED?!?
• read 1 Jn 4:7-8, 11,... 20-21 IF you are born of Him you should be loving
• vs 13 the Judgment Seat of Christ is for believers... WHO should FEAR the Judgment Seat?... the one who has not shown mercy (snob, bigot, harsh)
• My love for others verifies that I belong to God. My love for others shows that my faith is REAL...

CONCLUSION
• How do I know my faith is real? I am more loving, compassionate, not a snob, I love others. Mercy triumphs over judgment
• being a snob is INCOMPATIBLE with the Gospel
• Snobbery in the body of Christ is a BIG DEAL. It is a WICKED, EVIL, SIN. lookup Acts 2:44-47 to see how it is supposed to be
• Illustration: do you believe serious news if its in "The Enquirer"?...no... the world will not believe our "good news" if we place it alongside the ridiculousness of our bigotry!

HE IS STRONGER

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:21:27 GMT

I really, really, really, like this song...

If you can't see the embedded video you can view it here -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZBPD-T20t0

RELATING TO YOUR BIBLE [JAMES 02]

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:59:21 GMT

Date: taught to our Awana Varsity class 10/07/09
Resources: John MacArthurs Commentary on James, & a sermon series from Denton Bible Church
Audio: http://eek-71.xanga.com/audio/246ad3709732/

How a Christian Relates to His Bible
[James 1:13-27]

INTRO
• vs 13-16 DANGER! there is a wrong way to respond to trials. There is a way to "fail" a trial.
• Compare to Genesis 3:8-13... Adam & Eve were supposed to respond in FAITH, instead they responded with BLAME. God tested, they failed.
• vs 17-18 God is unchanging LIGHT and a loving FATHER. God only gives good things, (even in the midst of grueling trials) God gives light, and good, and life.

1. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF TRIALS? vs 19-20
• anger does not produce what?... "the righteousness of God"... WHICH IS THE PURPOSE OF TRIALS!
• if you curse your trial (parents, friends, your job, government, economy, etc) then the trial is NOT producing righteousness and you are failing the test
• KEY -> trials are to make us like Jesus, the Bible is Gods chisel to shape us into His likeness
• so HOW do we become "quick to hear and slow to speak"?...

2. HOW DO YOU APPROACH THE WORD vs 21a
• we set aside all the "JUNK"... we come to the Bible to be CHANGED
• I need to see the primary purpose of the Bible as being to change ME!
• be careful you remain "TEACHABLE"... not a "know it all"... get your HEART ready.
• lookup 1 Pet 2:1
• KEY -> Approach the Word with a teachable heart

3. HOW TO YOU RECEIVE THE WORD vs 21b
• "in humility" = broken, meek, surrendered
• Lookup 1 Pet 2:2
        > we ALWAYS receive the Word as a babe, we never outgrow it!
        > is your Bible study like that?
• "implanted" = ingrafted, cp. vs 18, I am spliced into the Word of God & Gods Word is spliced into me.
• KEY -> Receive the Word with a broken & surrendered spirit

4. HOW DO YOU LIVE THE WORD vs 22-27
• How do we "prove" ourselves?... How easy to DELUDE ourselves with our church attendance, or our sermon notes, etc.
• We prove ourselves by being a DOER of the Word!
• the Bible is meant to give us a BURNING HEART, not a BIG HEAD!
• vs 23 as one looks in the mirror - not a quick look and walk away, BUT ready to do business, ready to make changes
• vs 25 "look" = to look intently, like Mary Magdalene looking into the tomb at the empty grave clothes
• we come to the Bible in humility, we walk away in OBEDIENCE
• KEY -> Walk in the Word as one seeking to be changed, committed to obedience

CONCLUSION
• What TWO problems did James address?...
        > vs 19 their tongue
        > vs 19 their grumbling (discontent, bitter, angry)
• What should the Word do?... vs 25 CHANGE YOU
        > therefore CONTROL your tongue
        > replace anger with CARE for others
        > lets quit POUTING about your place and find someone in a tougher spot than you
• Finally, don't look at the world and envy it, keep unspotted from it!

THATS MY KING!

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:58:40 GMT

I have always appreciated the audio clip "Thats My King" by S.M. Lockridge, so when I stumbled across that clip put to video I knew I had to post it. Check it out...

In case you can't see the video embedded here is the link -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqTFNfeDnE

THE PERFECT NOTEBOOK COMBO?

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:36:15 GMT

OK, I have to admit, I have a weird thing for notebooks, journals, sketchbooks, etc. Which is strange because I totally take all my notes in my Palm Centro. I have been keeping my calender, to do list, address book, and meeting notes in some sort of PalmOS powered device since 1997. BUT, as a design engineer, its hard to talk or explain myself sometimes without making sketches. Sometimes I just want to scribble down some rough notes quickly and then I will rearrange and clean them up on my computer or Palm device later. Regardless of technology there are plenty of times I just want to jot down something quick on paper. Also, there is just something really cool about a practical notebook and pen combo, it seems to help stimulate the thinking process. Enter Field Notes Brand pocket notebooks.

THE NOTEBOOK
Field Notes Brand notebooks are "pocket sized" (3 1/2" x 5 1/2"). They have about 48 pages (24 sheets) and I prefer the "graph" paper version but they also come in "plain" (blank) pages or in "ruled" (lined) pages. The graph paper is nice because the grid lines do not overpower the page. The lines are clearly legible but they are more faint than the grid lines in, for example, a Moleskine Cahier. Speaking of Moleskine, I like Moleskine "Large Squared" journals ($16 ea) and have purchased many, but the Field Note size means its easy to keep on you at ALL times, plus they are affordable (10 bucks for 3 notebooks). So I find myself more willing to write in them all the time instead of wondering if it is "worth wasting a page on", like I used to do with my Moleskines.

In addition to good paper with nice subtle graph lines, the cover is also solid. Its a heavy card stock and offers the standard place to enter your name and address inside the front cover, as well as a check box for if there "is" or "is not", "a handsome reward" being offered. The back inside cover is also neat. It features a 5 inch ruler printed on the edge but also gives useful suggestions of what you could use the notebook for, such as: "inspired ramblings", ""poignant quotes", "shoddy sketches", "treasure maps", and my personal favorite "escape routes". The whole notebook is held together with 3 sturdy staples.

And if all that doesn't make them super cool, then the icing on the cake is that they are completely, 100%, printed and manufactured in the USA!!! After using these quality little notebooks I won't be buying any of those other Chinese made notebooks again.

THE LEATHER COVER
If you are worried that the brown paper looking cover emblazoned with the words "FIELD NOTES" doesn't look classy enough for a business meeting then there is a nice solution for that too. A company called "Renaissance Art" makes an amazing leather cover for this little booklet. Their leather cover is of the highest quality, they come in a variety of colors, and the best part is that the leather is soft, supple, and thin so it doesn't add any bulk to the slim Field Notes size. They will also emboss your name or slogan on it for an extra few bucks. This cover both looks great and helps your notebook survive in your back pocket. Several friends and colleagues have already noticed and complimented me on its quality. Its not cheap at $25 bucks, but it fits so perfectly, looks so good, and since I suspect it will last a lifetime, I think its well worth the investment. The one shown in the picture is the "Molasses Brown".

THE PEN
The pen is an Autopoint 4-way multi-pen. Essentially in one pen I have a plastic stylus for my touchscreen phone, a mechanical pencil, a red pen, and a blue pen. This allows me to point, draw, write, and highlight all with one pen so I get to escape the poindexter ridicule of carrying 4 different pens in my pocket (I also try to avoid the pocket protector and slide rule for th same reason). This pen writes well and with all the functionality it offers, its a steal at $13.50.

If you are a fountain pen type of person, I highly recommend the Pelikan M200 fine nib fountain pen. Although not as functional as a 4-way stylus, pencil, pen combo, the Pelikan writes sooo smooothly and you just can't beat the "cool factor".

CONCLUSION
If you like little notebooks that are sized just right for your pocket, has nice paper, and nice light graph lines, AND is American made, then this is what you have been looking for. Add to that an exquisite leather cover to dress it up for the board room, and an extremely useful and versatile pen and you have what just might be the perfect notebook combination.

PS: If you ask, Field Notes will also sell the notebooks in a bulk case of 15 packs (45 notebooks) which saves you a couple of bucks per pack... sweeeet!

REFERENCES:
http://fieldnotesbrand.com/
http://www.renaissance-art.com
http://autopointinc.com

JAMES' REFERENCES TO THE SOTM

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:41:58 GMT

Below is a helpful chart that shows how the New Testament epistle of James makes reference to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

James       Sermon on the Mount (Matthew)
1:2 ........ 5:10-12
1:4 ........ 5:48
1:5 ........ 7:7-12
1:9 ........ 5:3
1:12 ....... 7:14
1:20 ....... 5:22
1:22 ....... 7:21-27
2:5 ........ 5:3
2:13 ....... 5:7
2:13 ....... 6:14-15
2:14-16 .... 7:21-23
3:6 ........ 5:22
3:10-12 .... 7:15-20
3:17-18 .... 5:9
4:4 ........ 6:24
4:10 ....... 5:3-5
4:11-12 .... 7:1-5
5:2-3 ...... 6:19-20
5:10 ....... 5:12
5:11 ....... 5:10
5:12 ....... 5:33-37

from John MacArthur's NT Commentary on James