Retirement.
I'm not expecting to do it anytime soon.
I'm not expecting to do it my whole life.
I don't even know if I'll reach the age to retire before Jesus comes again.
What I'm getting at is, Jesus didn't call us to serve Him for half our lives.
When we give our lives to Jesus, are we really giving our whole life to Jesus?
Or only half?
It's a popular idea that when it seems we've had our fair share of what God has in store for us, we retire, lay back & relax.
I hope this video from Mark Driscoll can elaborate my point.
Blessings-a-many.
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Tough topic... tough crowd.
Well, hi there!
You might be either be here because I told you to read it, you are bored and have nothing else to do, or you might feel sorry for me and are reading this out of sympathy :P
Joking. But whoever you are, I feel obliged to elaborate about the following:
Why I have never, and never will drink.
"WOAH!" You scream, "IS HE BEING SERIOUS?"
Yes, I am.
I will provide you 3 reasons for why this choice has come to be.
First off,
Drinking is not a sin, nowhere in the Bible does it claim drinking of alcohol is a sin.
For those who say, "Jesus didn't turn water into wine! He turned it into grape juice."
Go sit in the corner and think about that.
What the Bible ACTUALLY says about the consuming of alcohol is,
Ephesians 5:17 "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."
The Bible certainly does not oppose drinking, as some uninformed Christians say.
Reason 1:
My family.
I have a grandparent who is well known in the family for getting drunk, even on family get-togethers.
This has caused many dramas and conflict between their children, one child being my parent.
Because of my grandparent's addiction, they are frowned upon in the family.
Because of this addiction it has lead to Parkinsons disease and my grandparent shakes like a leaf.
It hurts to see such family conflict literally every time my parent and grandparent see each other.
This is one reason why I don't drink alcohol.
You may be asking yourself, "Why be so against it, even having not one drink on a rare occasion?
Well, hopefully I can clarify that.
Reason 2:
Addiction.
I have seen way too many people leave the church and leave Christ all together because of alcohol.
It cuts me deeply to see my old best friends from my youth group partying and getting drunk on a Friday night, remembering that they used to be so committed to Christ.
I have heard too many stories that addiction comes from the first drink, even though they might not want it to. They can't help it.
These days, turning 18 means two things, getting your P's, and going out to pubs and bars.
Too many people have I seen get distracted from Jesus. All from that one drink.
Are you skeptical of my reasoning? Please do be.
Think for yourself. Don't you dare give in to peer pressuring. (contradictory statement?)
Think of the consequences of everything you do.
Main word for this post is think.
Reason 3:
Pre-suppositions.
pre·sup·pose [pree-suh-pohz] verb (used with object), -posed, -pos·ing.
If you saw a man walking down the street with a long black trenchcoat, emo fringe, 30 facial piercings, skinny frame, pale skin, tons of chains, and all black clothing, what would your instant judgement about that man be?
Emo?
As much as I disagree with pre-suppositions, it's a hard thing to avoid.
So imagine if you saw somebody's picture on Facebook with that person holding a beer bottle in their hand, what would you think?
"Oh wow, looks like that person had a 'good night' last night."
No.
"Oh wow, I wouldn't expect them to get drunk."
That might not be the first thing you think, but it would come to mind.
If I'm going to be working for Christ's Kingdom and for His church, I can't let these pre-suppositions occur.
I hate 'cred'. It ruins everything, as soon as you hear about somebody you wouldn't expect to get drunk do so. It's a hard thing for their status not to be lowered. In your mind anyway.
So if I'm at a party, I make sure no one will attempt to take a photo of me.
People are very pre-suppositional.
Even me. I'm not perfect.
I hope what I've said can help you understand.
Cheers for reading.
Blessings-a-many.
You might be either be here because I told you to read it, you are bored and have nothing else to do, or you might feel sorry for me and are reading this out of sympathy :P
Joking. But whoever you are, I feel obliged to elaborate about the following:
Why I have never, and never will drink.
"WOAH!" You scream, "IS HE BEING SERIOUS?"
Yes, I am.
I will provide you 3 reasons for why this choice has come to be.
First off,
Drinking is not a sin, nowhere in the Bible does it claim drinking of alcohol is a sin.
For those who say, "Jesus didn't turn water into wine! He turned it into grape juice."
Go sit in the corner and think about that.
What the Bible ACTUALLY says about the consuming of alcohol is,
Ephesians 5:17 "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."
The Bible certainly does not oppose drinking, as some uninformed Christians say.
Reason 1:
My family.
I have a grandparent who is well known in the family for getting drunk, even on family get-togethers.
This has caused many dramas and conflict between their children, one child being my parent.
Because of my grandparent's addiction, they are frowned upon in the family.
Because of this addiction it has lead to Parkinsons disease and my grandparent shakes like a leaf.
It hurts to see such family conflict literally every time my parent and grandparent see each other.
This is one reason why I don't drink alcohol.
You may be asking yourself, "Why be so against it, even having not one drink on a rare occasion?
Well, hopefully I can clarify that.
Reason 2:
Addiction.
I have seen way too many people leave the church and leave Christ all together because of alcohol.
It cuts me deeply to see my old best friends from my youth group partying and getting drunk on a Friday night, remembering that they used to be so committed to Christ.
I have heard too many stories that addiction comes from the first drink, even though they might not want it to. They can't help it.
These days, turning 18 means two things, getting your P's, and going out to pubs and bars.
Too many people have I seen get distracted from Jesus. All from that one drink.
Are you skeptical of my reasoning? Please do be.
Think for yourself. Don't you dare give in to peer pressuring. (contradictory statement?)
Think of the consequences of everything you do.
Main word for this post is think.
Reason 3:
Pre-suppositions.
pre·sup·pose [pree-suh-pohz] verb (used with object), -posed, -pos·ing.
1. to suppose or assume beforehand; take for granted in advance.
Emo?
As much as I disagree with pre-suppositions, it's a hard thing to avoid.
So imagine if you saw somebody's picture on Facebook with that person holding a beer bottle in their hand, what would you think?
"Oh wow, looks like that person had a 'good night' last night."
No.
"Oh wow, I wouldn't expect them to get drunk."
That might not be the first thing you think, but it would come to mind.
If I'm going to be working for Christ's Kingdom and for His church, I can't let these pre-suppositions occur.
I hate 'cred'. It ruins everything, as soon as you hear about somebody you wouldn't expect to get drunk do so. It's a hard thing for their status not to be lowered. In your mind anyway.
So if I'm at a party, I make sure no one will attempt to take a photo of me.
People are very pre-suppositional.
Even me. I'm not perfect.
I hope what I've said can help you understand.
Cheers for reading.
Blessings-a-many.
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Orange sort of rhymes with lozenge. SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGH.
SOME call me Billy.
SOME MORE call me Tom.
BUT NOBODY calls me Joseph.
For instance... take a chicken, put it in the blender and what do you have?
Little baby mangoes :3 Naaawwww.
HELP.
I need a medic!
I need a doctor, doctor. A pancake is what I need. Hey, hey.
Thinking hurts, people some say. Believe but I think don't that's true.
I met a bloke from Japan and we exchanged gifts. I gave him a soccer.
Curry. Is. On. My. Home. Work.
One day, that'll be the day, when that day will be a day away.
OUCH. Sore nostrils. I won't be able to eat my fried rice.
Sometimes, I dream about cheesesticks.
Are this that right type of way them to can be talking much?
I don't remember.
Don't ask me, melon man.
You're a melon instead of a human being. Your birth certificate lies.
Ya is not a choo choo train!
This is climax-ing.
Goo'bah!
You just tuned in to a special episode of face punch, where we punch you in the nostrils!!! HA HA.
Ooooooh I get it now :3
Trevor is apparently my name... filthy pixies.
I pass on my sincere condolences from my fist towards your butter chicken. BAM.
I feel sorry for every human being who transformed into a melon whilst attempting to read this.
If you didn't...
You're a mushroom.
NOM.
Actually I hate mushrooms D:
Yuck.
Goo'bye until the near distant future my friend.
Blessings-a-many, for I am not a robot.
SOME MORE call me Tom.
BUT NOBODY calls me Joseph.
For instance... take a chicken, put it in the blender and what do you have?
Little baby mangoes :3 Naaawwww.
HELP.
I need a medic!
I need a doctor, doctor. A pancake is what I need. Hey, hey.
Thinking hurts, people some say. Believe but I think don't that's true.
I met a bloke from Japan and we exchanged gifts. I gave him a soccer.
Curry. Is. On. My. Home. Work.
One day, that'll be the day, when that day will be a day away.
OUCH. Sore nostrils. I won't be able to eat my fried rice.
Sometimes, I dream about cheesesticks.
Are this that right type of way them to can be talking much?
I don't remember.
Don't ask me, melon man.
You're a melon instead of a human being. Your birth certificate lies.
Ya is not a choo choo train!
This is climax-ing.
Goo'bah!
You just tuned in to a special episode of face punch, where we punch you in the nostrils!!! HA HA.
Ooooooh I get it now :3
Trevor is apparently my name... filthy pixies.
I pass on my sincere condolences from my fist towards your butter chicken. BAM.
I feel sorry for every human being who transformed into a melon whilst attempting to read this.
If you didn't...
You're a mushroom.
NOM.
Actually I hate mushrooms D:
Yuck.
Goo'bye until the near distant future my friend.
Blessings-a-many, for I am not a robot.
General humourous occurences.
How do I know where the limit is when it comes to comedy with Christianity?
These guys are treating Christianity with respect and humour at the same time.
Which I like.
They're from Andy Stanley's church.
Introducing,
Godz Bodz.
Have a laugh :)
Blessings-a-many.
These guys are treating Christianity with respect and humour at the same time.
Which I like.
They're from Andy Stanley's church.
Introducing,
Godz Bodz.
Have a laugh :)
Blessings-a-many.
The Jesus I know.
I'm honestly incredibly sick of people saying Jesus didn't even exist.
Um.... yeah.
Honestly.
If Jesus never existed, Christianity wouldn't be alive today.
It is historically proven Jesus existed.
Some say Jesus' bones were dug up by archaeologists.
Wrong.
Some people say that Jesus' character has been disputed by 'The Da Vinci Code'.
Even wronger.
Some people even go as far as saying Jesus was a homosexual who frolicked in fields with lambs.
I'm not even gonna go there!
This is what history and personal experience tells me.
Blessings-a-many.
Um.... yeah.
Honestly.
If Jesus never existed, Christianity wouldn't be alive today.
It is historically proven Jesus existed.
Some say Jesus' bones were dug up by archaeologists.
Wrong.
Some people say that Jesus' character has been disputed by 'The Da Vinci Code'.
Even wronger.
Some people even go as far as saying Jesus was a homosexual who frolicked in fields with lambs.
I'm not even gonna go there!
This is what history and personal experience tells me.
Blessings-a-many.
Why I oppose the prosperity gospel.
You might think Joel Osteen is an inspiring preacher, with his cheerful and happy attitude.
But I disagree with his teaching.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not here to abuse him, but to critique his teaching.
I hope you'll understand, as Pastor of Mars Hill Church, Seattle, explains,
"A relationship with God is not all lollipops, skipping while singing hymns."
Blessings-a-many.
But I disagree with his teaching.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not here to abuse him, but to critique his teaching.
I hope you'll understand, as Pastor of Mars Hill Church, Seattle, explains,
"A relationship with God is not all lollipops, skipping while singing hymns."
Blessings-a-many.
Be skeptical...
MUSIC :D
I love it...
BUT...
Yes, it's a big BUT...
Lol...
BUTT...
^purposely spelt incorrectly for giggles.
BUT...
When it comes to music, be critical.
Even if you're at church worshipping, look at what the words actually SAY.
I can't stand songs that say, "I WILL praise You." Or, "I am so in love with You."
Sometimes I get too caught up in raising my hands and singing to God, I don't notice what I'm singing.
The song, 'Go' from Hillsongs latest album, I cannot stand.
It starts off singing this great song then when it comes to the instrumental build up they sing,
"OLAY, OLAY-OLAY-OLAY, OLAY, OLAY!"
Y'know, the SOCCER CHANT.
This song goes from praising Jesus, to soccer-chanting!
If Hillsong are trying to appeal more towards the audience, rather than God. Well. They will lose alot of my respect.
Planetshakers already have :P
My final message is, be critical, and mean the words you sing. (Unless it's a soccer chant -.-)
Blessings-a-many.
I love it...
BUT...
Yes, it's a big BUT...
Lol...
BUTT...
^purposely spelt incorrectly for giggles.
BUT...
When it comes to music, be critical.
Even if you're at church worshipping, look at what the words actually SAY.
I can't stand songs that say, "I WILL praise You." Or, "I am so in love with You."
Sometimes I get too caught up in raising my hands and singing to God, I don't notice what I'm singing.
The song, 'Go' from Hillsongs latest album, I cannot stand.
It starts off singing this great song then when it comes to the instrumental build up they sing,
"OLAY, OLAY-OLAY-OLAY, OLAY, OLAY!"
Y'know, the SOCCER CHANT.
This song goes from praising Jesus, to soccer-chanting!
If Hillsong are trying to appeal more towards the audience, rather than God. Well. They will lose alot of my respect.
Planetshakers already have :P
My final message is, be critical, and mean the words you sing. (Unless it's a soccer chant -.-)
Blessings-a-many.
Confirming the Christmas spirit!!
I'm posting my first links about apologetics on the topic of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem.
But first you must take this advice:
It's important not to be affected by critics of Christianity.
The media is the only place where it seems that secularism is on the rise in todays society, but that's all.
92% of the world population believe in a creator of some sort.
People are plain sick of hearing about the Bible's stories, so aren't terribly interested in any books by Christian authors.
But when a book comes out critiquing the historicity of the Bible, people are interested. Oblivious to any intelligent Christian response.
There are always good responses to arguements against Christianity.
So without further ado:
Jesus' Bethlehem birthplace outside of Matthew & Luke:
http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2009/11/bethlehem-birthplace-outside-of-matthew.html
Is Luke's account of the census historically reliable? (Bonus links in article for further study)
http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2010/08/is-lukes-census-historical.html
Enjoy :)
Blessings-a-many
But first you must take this advice:
It's important not to be affected by critics of Christianity.
The media is the only place where it seems that secularism is on the rise in todays society, but that's all.
92% of the world population believe in a creator of some sort.
People are plain sick of hearing about the Bible's stories, so aren't terribly interested in any books by Christian authors.
But when a book comes out critiquing the historicity of the Bible, people are interested. Oblivious to any intelligent Christian response.
There are always good responses to arguements against Christianity.
So without further ado:
Jesus' Bethlehem birthplace outside of Matthew & Luke:
http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2009/11/bethlehem-birthplace-outside-of-matthew.html
Is Luke's account of the census historically reliable? (Bonus links in article for further study)
http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2010/08/is-lukes-census-historical.html
Enjoy :)
Blessings-a-many
Fresh start.
For the small number of those people who followed my last blog, 'tomisnewagain.blogspot.com', would understand that a majority of my posts were extremely amateur and uninformed.
I mean gimme a break, I was only a noob back then.
Over the time since my last post I have grown wiser and more knowledgable in the Christian faith (running 4-5 years strong now!)
I've studied the area of 'apologetics' (defense of the Christian faith) for about 1.5 years, which has really built my faith to a high ground of historical and scientific knowledge. Read '1 Peter 3:15'. Cos I can't be bothered posting it :3
Anyways, ignore that jibba-jabba.
I'm here to party!
No.
Not really.
I'm here in this life for alot more than partyin'.
In this new and more informed blog, I promise to bring you...
The Gospel, science, philosophy, history. All focused around the historical doctrine of the Bible.
Oh... and if you're lucky, you might hear a bit about me! :)
Blessings-a-many!
I mean gimme a break, I was only a noob back then.
Over the time since my last post I have grown wiser and more knowledgable in the Christian faith (running 4-5 years strong now!)
I've studied the area of 'apologetics' (defense of the Christian faith) for about 1.5 years, which has really built my faith to a high ground of historical and scientific knowledge. Read '1 Peter 3:15'. Cos I can't be bothered posting it :3
Anyways, ignore that jibba-jabba.
I'm here to party!
No.
Not really.
I'm here in this life for alot more than partyin'.
In this new and more informed blog, I promise to bring you...
The Gospel, science, philosophy, history. All focused around the historical doctrine of the Bible.
Oh... and if you're lucky, you might hear a bit about me! :)
Blessings-a-many!
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