Romans 14
The Danger of Criticism (or don't fight with each other)
1 Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? They are responsible to the Lord, so let him judge whether they are right or wrong. And with the Lord’s help, they will do what is right and will receive his approval.
5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. 6 Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. 7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.
10 So why do you condemn another believer[a]? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For the Scriptures say,
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.[b]’”
12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. 13 So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.
14 I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. 15 And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. 16 Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good. 17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. 19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
20 Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. 22 You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. 23 But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Everyday you can go to this website and see what your daily reading could be. It's as easy as a click away. Today's readings where so rich I decided to just blog the entry. You can check it out and be blessed.
One Year Bible Online
2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27Romans 13:1-14Psalm 23:1-6Proverbs 20:11
One Year Bible Online
2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27Romans 13:1-14Psalm 23:1-6Proverbs 20:11
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice to God
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[b] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 3 Because of the privilege and authority[c] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.[d] 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection,[e] and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.[f] 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge; I will pay them back,”[g] says the Lord.
20 Instead,
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”[h]
21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
A Living Sacrifice to God
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[b] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 3 Because of the privilege and authority[c] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.[d] 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection,[e] and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.[f] 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge; I will pay them back,”[g] says the Lord.
20 Instead,
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”[h]
21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
This portion of Scripture is very meaningful for me for I have such a heart for all the Jewish people to know their Mesiah. Please God make it soon that every Jewish eye will be open, every Jewish ear will hear, and every Jewish heart will know Your love, and the love of Your Son, their Mesiah.
Romans 11:13-36
13 I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this, 14 for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you
Gentiles have, so I might save some of them. 15 For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead! 16 And since Abraham and the other patriarchs were holy, their descendants will also be holy—just as the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy. For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too.
17 But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. 18 But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.
19 “Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.” 20 Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. 21 For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t[a] spare you either.
22 Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. 23 And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree. 24 You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong.
God’s Mercy Is for Everyone 25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters,[b] so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. 26 And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say,
“The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem,[c] and he will turn Israel[d] away from ungodliness. 27 And this is my covenant with them, that I will take away their sins.”[e]
28 Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 29 For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. 30 Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against him, God was merciful to you instead. 31 Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share[f] in God’s mercy. 32 For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.
33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
34 For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?[g] 35 And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back?[h]
36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.
Romans 11:13-36
13 I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this, 14 for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you
Gentiles have, so I might save some of them. 15 For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead! 16 And since Abraham and the other patriarchs were holy, their descendants will also be holy—just as the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy. For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too.
17 But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. 18 But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.
19 “Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.” 20 Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. 21 For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t[a] spare you either.
22 Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. 23 And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree. 24 You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong.
God’s Mercy Is for Everyone 25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters,[b] so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. 26 And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say,
“The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem,[c] and he will turn Israel[d] away from ungodliness. 27 And this is my covenant with them, that I will take away their sins.”[e]
28 Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 29 For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. 30 Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against him, God was merciful to you instead. 31 Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share[f] in God’s mercy. 32 For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.
33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
34 For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?[g] 35 And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back?[h]
36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Romans 11: 1-11
God’s Mercy on Israel
1 I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”[a]
4 And do you remember God’s reply? He said, “No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!”[b]
5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel[c] have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. 6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.
7 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened. 8 As the Scriptures say,
“God has put them into a deep sleep. To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see, and closed their ears so they do not hear.”[d]
9 Likewise, David said,
“Let their bountiful table become a snare, a trap that makes them think all is well. Let their blessings cause them to stumble, and let them get what they deserve. 10 Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and let their backs be bent forever.”[e]
11 Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves. 12 Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.
God’s Mercy on Israel
1 I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”[a]
4 And do you remember God’s reply? He said, “No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!”[b]
5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel[c] have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. 6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.
7 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened. 8 As the Scriptures say,
“God has put them into a deep sleep. To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see, and closed their ears so they do not hear.”[d]
9 Likewise, David said,
“Let their bountiful table become a snare, a trap that makes them think all is well. Let their blessings cause them to stumble, and let them get what they deserve. 10 Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and let their backs be bent forever.”[e]
11 Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves. 12 Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Old Brooklynites (and neighboring areas)
Understand If you not from Brooklyn, just forget this; you wouldn't understand. You're truly from Brooklyn if you can relate to any of the following:
1.Alternate side of the street parking. 2.Ate at Chock Full O' Nuts Shops (date nut bread and powdered donuts that were crunchy). 3.Ate dinner every Sunday night at Fong Fongs on Church Avenue. 4.Ate Italian food at Collaro's on Coney Island Ave. 5.Bought bobka at the original Ebingers on Flatbush Avenue. Or AT Butterbun on Nostrand Ave. 6.Bought Ebinger's Black-Out Cake (and didn't count the calories) 7.Bought knishes from Mrs. Stahls in Brighton, or Ruby the Kinish Man. 8.Bought knishes on the beach and didn't mind the sand. 9.Bought pickles out of a barrel. The salt made you pucker. 10.Can name all the Brooklyn High Schools. Just try and do that today (impossible). 11.Don't speak with an accent - everybody else does. 12.Drove over the Marine Park Bridge for a 10-cent toll, and Brooklyn Battery Tunnel for 35 cents. 13.Everybody knows somebody from the neighborhood, even if it is your mother's cousin's son-in-law's sister's boyfriend. 14.Got a "Kitchen Sink" at Jahn's. 15.Got a J.D. card and feeling like Al Capone. 16.Had a prom date at the Club Elegante. 17.Had roller skates with keys. 18.Hand ball in the park. 19.Hit two sewers in punch ball. 20.It's not the "shore", its the "beach" idiot. 21.Kings Plaza.... how come we get the crappy mall? 22.Knew who the neighborhood wise guy was, but you'd never tell the cops. 23.Know that NBC's main production studio is on Avenue M. 24.Know what the F.W.I.L. on the Lundy's Restaurant in "The Bay" stands for(It's the brothers, Frederick, William, Irving and Louis). 25.Know, or at least your hips do, what a Charlotte Russe is. 26.Owned a pair of pumps from Miles or National's. 27.Played at ( Eddy) Faber's Fascination and Skeeball - saved tickets for junk gifts 28.Played hide and go seek at dusk. 29.Played Hit The Penny, Stoop Ball, Skelly, and Potsy. 30.Private beach? What's that? 31.Remember a time when the Greeks didn't own ALL the diners and the Koreans didn't own ALL fruit stands. Except the Greeks on Utica and Church, where you just said going to the Greeks for lunch. 32.Remember Bohack's, Packer's, and Smilen Brothers fruit stand. 33.Remember Coney Island fireworks every Tuesday night in the summer. Watching from your roof. 34.Remember submarine race watching at Plumb Beach. Heck, if you even know where Plumb Beach is. 35.Sheepshead Bay is for fishing and seafood. 36.Shopped on Fulton Street and Pitkin Ave. before the mall. 37.Swear that Grabstein's Deli had the l-e-a-n-e-s-t pastrami. 38.The first bar that you hung out in when you were 15. 39.There is a bagel bakery a few blocks away. 40.There is at least one pizzeria within 1 block of your house and a candy store on the corner. 41.Thought "Buddy's Fairyland Kiddie Park" on Utica Ave. was a major amusement park. 42.Thought going "away to college" means NYU, Pace, or Pratt. 43.Waited for the Good Humor or Bungalow Bar guy to come around your block. 44.Walked along the Coney Island Boardwalk, with a Shatzkins knish. 45.Washed it down with a Sunny Boy orange drink. 46.Went to a Bar Mitzvah at the Colonial Mansion, sometimes two on a weekend. 47.Went to Big Daddy's on Coney lsand Avenue as a change from Nathan's. 48.Went to Brennan and Carr for a double dip roast beef that dripped all over you. 49.Went to Murray the K rock concerts at the Brooklyn Fox or the Brooklyn Paramount. Went the night before for good seats. 50.Went to Saturday matinees at the Boro Park, The 46th St, Oriental, Canars=ie, Kingsway, Avalon, Rugby, Sheepshead, Mayfair or Marlboro theaters. 51.You ate at the Horn and Hardart Automat. 52.You can correctly pronounce places like Long I-land, but aren't exactly sure where it begins. 53.You curse A lot. Or can at least out curse anyone from anywhere else. 54.You don't go to Manhattan, you go to "The City." 55.You have no reason to go to Queens, except for Met games. 56.You know and go to the REAL Nathan's - Coney Island. 57.You know someone with mob ties. 58.You know the difference between going with, seeing, fooling around with and going out with someone. 59.You know what a "johnny pump" is. 60.You love "Welcome Back Kotter" (and not because of the crisp writing or great acting). 61.You made a scooter from orange crates and an old skate. 62.You made carpet guns that shot old linoleum projectiles. 63.You never realize you have an accent until you leave. 64.You waited for the rides on a truck to come to your neighborhood for 10 cents a ride. 65.You walk down "The Avenue" and see at least a handful of the people you knew growing up. 66.Your friends came over to hang out on the stoop. 67.You've had a pigeon crap on your car and/or your head. 68. Went roller skating at Park Circle, Bay Ridge Roller Rink, Empire Rollerdrome or Rollerama.
Understand If you not from Brooklyn, just forget this; you wouldn't understand. You're truly from Brooklyn if you can relate to any of the following:
1.Alternate side of the street parking. 2.Ate at Chock Full O' Nuts Shops (date nut bread and powdered donuts that were crunchy). 3.Ate dinner every Sunday night at Fong Fongs on Church Avenue. 4.Ate Italian food at Collaro's on Coney Island Ave. 5.Bought bobka at the original Ebingers on Flatbush Avenue. Or AT Butterbun on Nostrand Ave. 6.Bought Ebinger's Black-Out Cake (and didn't count the calories) 7.Bought knishes from Mrs. Stahls in Brighton, or Ruby the Kinish Man. 8.Bought knishes on the beach and didn't mind the sand. 9.Bought pickles out of a barrel. The salt made you pucker. 10.Can name all the Brooklyn High Schools. Just try and do that today (impossible). 11.Don't speak with an accent - everybody else does. 12.Drove over the Marine Park Bridge for a 10-cent toll, and Brooklyn Battery Tunnel for 35 cents. 13.Everybody knows somebody from the neighborhood, even if it is your mother's cousin's son-in-law's sister's boyfriend. 14.Got a "Kitchen Sink" at Jahn's. 15.Got a J.D. card and feeling like Al Capone. 16.Had a prom date at the Club Elegante. 17.Had roller skates with keys. 18.Hand ball in the park. 19.Hit two sewers in punch ball. 20.It's not the "shore", its the "beach" idiot. 21.Kings Plaza.... how come we get the crappy mall? 22.Knew who the neighborhood wise guy was, but you'd never tell the cops. 23.Know that NBC's main production studio is on Avenue M. 24.Know what the F.W.I.L. on the Lundy's Restaurant in "The Bay" stands for(It's the brothers, Frederick, William, Irving and Louis). 25.Know, or at least your hips do, what a Charlotte Russe is. 26.Owned a pair of pumps from Miles or National's. 27.Played at ( Eddy) Faber's Fascination and Skeeball - saved tickets for junk gifts 28.Played hide and go seek at dusk. 29.Played Hit The Penny, Stoop Ball, Skelly, and Potsy. 30.Private beach? What's that? 31.Remember a time when the Greeks didn't own ALL the diners and the Koreans didn't own ALL fruit stands. Except the Greeks on Utica and Church, where you just said going to the Greeks for lunch. 32.Remember Bohack's, Packer's, and Smilen Brothers fruit stand. 33.Remember Coney Island fireworks every Tuesday night in the summer. Watching from your roof. 34.Remember submarine race watching at Plumb Beach. Heck, if you even know where Plumb Beach is. 35.Sheepshead Bay is for fishing and seafood. 36.Shopped on Fulton Street and Pitkin Ave. before the mall. 37.Swear that Grabstein's Deli had the l-e-a-n-e-s-t pastrami. 38.The first bar that you hung out in when you were 15. 39.There is a bagel bakery a few blocks away. 40.There is at least one pizzeria within 1 block of your house and a candy store on the corner. 41.Thought "Buddy's Fairyland Kiddie Park" on Utica Ave. was a major amusement park. 42.Thought going "away to college" means NYU, Pace, or Pratt. 43.Waited for the Good Humor or Bungalow Bar guy to come around your block. 44.Walked along the Coney Island Boardwalk, with a Shatzkins knish. 45.Washed it down with a Sunny Boy orange drink. 46.Went to a Bar Mitzvah at the Colonial Mansion, sometimes two on a weekend. 47.Went to Big Daddy's on Coney lsand Avenue as a change from Nathan's. 48.Went to Brennan and Carr for a double dip roast beef that dripped all over you. 49.Went to Murray the K rock concerts at the Brooklyn Fox or the Brooklyn Paramount. Went the night before for good seats. 50.Went to Saturday matinees at the Boro Park, The 46th St, Oriental, Canars=ie, Kingsway, Avalon, Rugby, Sheepshead, Mayfair or Marlboro theaters. 51.You ate at the Horn and Hardart Automat. 52.You can correctly pronounce places like Long I-land, but aren't exactly sure where it begins. 53.You curse A lot. Or can at least out curse anyone from anywhere else. 54.You don't go to Manhattan, you go to "The City." 55.You have no reason to go to Queens, except for Met games. 56.You know and go to the REAL Nathan's - Coney Island. 57.You know someone with mob ties. 58.You know the difference between going with, seeing, fooling around with and going out with someone. 59.You know what a "johnny pump" is. 60.You love "Welcome Back Kotter" (and not because of the crisp writing or great acting). 61.You made a scooter from orange crates and an old skate. 62.You made carpet guns that shot old linoleum projectiles. 63.You never realize you have an accent until you leave. 64.You waited for the rides on a truck to come to your neighborhood for 10 cents a ride. 65.You walk down "The Avenue" and see at least a handful of the people you knew growing up. 66.Your friends came over to hang out on the stoop. 67.You've had a pigeon crap on your car and/or your head. 68. Went roller skating at Park Circle, Bay Ridge Roller Rink, Empire Rollerdrome or Rollerama.
The message today is Salvation is for Everyone and how do you get saved. This is a wonderful passage. If you just repeat this passage in your heart, the way it's written you too can have eternal life, be forgiven of your sins, and have a personal relationship with God.
Romans 9:30 -10:21
Israel’s Unbelief
30 What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow God’s standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place. 31 But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. 32 Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law[o] instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path. 33 God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said,
“I am placing a stone in Jerusalem[p] that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. But anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”[q]
Romans 10
1 Dear brothers and sisters,[r] the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. 2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. 3 For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. 4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given.[s] As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.
Salvation Is for Everyone
5 For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands.[t] 6 But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven’ (to bring Christ down to earth). 7 And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead’ (to bring Christ back to life again).” 8 In fact, it says,
“The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.”[u]
And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”[v] 12 Jew and Gentile[w] are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[x]
14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”[y]
16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?”[z] 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. 18 But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message? Yes, they have:
“The message has gone throughout the earth, and the words to all the world.”[aa]
19 But I ask, did the people of Israel really understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said,
“I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation. I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.”[ab]
20 And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying,
“I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.”[ac]
21 But regarding Israel, God said,
“All day long I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious.”[ad]
Romans 9:30 -10:21
Israel’s Unbelief
30 What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow God’s standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place. 31 But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. 32 Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law[o] instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path. 33 God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said,
“I am placing a stone in Jerusalem[p] that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. But anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”[q]
Romans 10
1 Dear brothers and sisters,[r] the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. 2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. 3 For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. 4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given.[s] As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.
Salvation Is for Everyone
5 For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands.[t] 6 But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven’ (to bring Christ down to earth). 7 And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead’ (to bring Christ back to life again).” 8 In fact, it says,
“The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.”[u]
And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”[v] 12 Jew and Gentile[w] are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[x]
14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”[y]
16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?”[z] 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. 18 But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message? Yes, they have:
“The message has gone throughout the earth, and the words to all the world.”[aa]
19 But I ask, did the people of Israel really understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said,
“I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation. I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.”[ab]
20 And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying,
“I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.”[ac]
21 But regarding Israel, God said,
“All day long I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious.”[ad]
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Psalm 19
For the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. 2 Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. 3 They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.[a] 4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. 5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. 6 The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat.
7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. 9 Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. 10 They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. 11 They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.
12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
For the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. 2 Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. 3 They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.[a] 4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. 5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. 6 The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat.
7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. 9 Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. 10 They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. 11 They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.
12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
How do you talk to God when you don't know what to say? This passage answers that question.
Can we ever be separated from God's love? What if we do naughty things again or go back into a sinful situation what happens to God's love?
Romans 8:18-39
The Future Glory
18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children,[j] including the new bodies he has promised us. 24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope[k] for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers[l] in harmony with God’s own will. 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together[m] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love
31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”[n]) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[o] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Can we ever be separated from God's love? What if we do naughty things again or go back into a sinful situation what happens to God's love?
Romans 8:18-39
The Future Glory
18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children,[j] including the new bodies he has promised us. 24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope[k] for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers[l] in harmony with God’s own will. 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together[m] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love
31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”[n]) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[o] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Do you see that handpainted car. It was my first automobile. I learned to drive in the Village. Which was no easy task. Stalling on Delancy and the Bowery. Learning to drive a stick. Sometime around my 16th or 17th birthday I think it was. Could it have been the summer of 69'?
I think my car was featured in Life Magazine a long time ago. My boyfriend Chaz painted Walt Disney cartoon characters on the hood. Does anyone remember the car? 
I think my car was featured in Life Magazine a long time ago. My boyfriend Chaz painted Walt Disney cartoon characters on the hood. Does anyone remember the car?
Mommilner wants to know your stories about flirting. Share with me and share with others. We want people to get connected.
Wikipedia says Flirting is a form of human interaction, usually expressing a sexual or romantic interest in the other person. It can consist of conversation, body language, or brief physical contact. It may be one-sided or reciprocated.
Flirting is often used as a means of expressing interest and gauging the other person's interest in courtship, which can continue into long term relationships. Alternatively, it may simply be a prelude to casual sex with no continuing relationship.
In other situations, it may be done simply for immediate entertainment, with no intention of developing any further relationship. This type of flirting sometimes faces disapproval from others, either because it can be misinterpreted as more serious, or it may be viewed as "cheating" if the person is already in a romantic relationship with someone else.
People who flirt may speak and act in a way that suggests greater intimacy than is generally considered appropriate to the relationship (or to the amount of time the two people have known each other), without actually saying or doing anything that breaches any serious social norms. One way they accomplish this is to communicate a sense of playfulness or irony. Double entendres, with one meaning more formally appropriate and another more suggestive, may be used.
Flirting may consist of stylized gestures, language, body language, postures, and physiologic signs. Among these, at least in Western society, are:
Eye contact, batting eyelashes, etc.
"Protean" signals, such as touching one's hair
Casual touches; such as a woman gently touching a man's arm during conversation
Smiling suggestively
Winking
Sending notes, poems, or small gifts
Flattery
Online chat, is a common modern tactic as well as other one-on-one and direct messaging services
Footsie, the "feet under the table" practice
Teasing
While some of the subconscious signs are universal across cultures, flirting etiquette varies significantly across cultures which can lead to misunderstandings. There are differences in how closely people should stand (proxemics), how long to hold eye contact, and so forth[1].
The origin of the word flirt is obscure. The Oxford English Dictionary (first edition) associates it with such onomatopoeic words as flit and flick, emphasizing a lack of seriousness; on the other hand, it has been attributed to the old French "Conter fleurette", which means "to (try to) seduce" by the dropping of flower leaves, that is, "to speak sweet nothings". This expression is no longer used in French, but the English gallicism to flirt has made its way and has now become an anglicism.
References
"Spiegel Online: Scoring a German: Flirting with Fräuleins, Hunting for Herren"—Jun 05 2006
External links
Wikisource has original text related to this article:
A nineteenth century perspective on flirting
SIRC Guide to Flirting
Nonverbal Courtship Patterns In Women: Context and Consequences
Psychology Today - Flirting Fascination –Reviews several studies on flirting
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flirting"
Wikipedia says Flirting is a form of human interaction, usually expressing a sexual or romantic interest in the other person. It can consist of conversation, body language, or brief physical contact. It may be one-sided or reciprocated.
Flirting is often used as a means of expressing interest and gauging the other person's interest in courtship, which can continue into long term relationships. Alternatively, it may simply be a prelude to casual sex with no continuing relationship.
In other situations, it may be done simply for immediate entertainment, with no intention of developing any further relationship. This type of flirting sometimes faces disapproval from others, either because it can be misinterpreted as more serious, or it may be viewed as "cheating" if the person is already in a romantic relationship with someone else.
People who flirt may speak and act in a way that suggests greater intimacy than is generally considered appropriate to the relationship (or to the amount of time the two people have known each other), without actually saying or doing anything that breaches any serious social norms. One way they accomplish this is to communicate a sense of playfulness or irony. Double entendres, with one meaning more formally appropriate and another more suggestive, may be used.
Flirting may consist of stylized gestures, language, body language, postures, and physiologic signs. Among these, at least in Western society, are:
Eye contact, batting eyelashes, etc.
"Protean" signals, such as touching one's hair
Casual touches; such as a woman gently touching a man's arm during conversation
Smiling suggestively
Winking
Sending notes, poems, or small gifts
Flattery
Online chat, is a common modern tactic as well as other one-on-one and direct messaging services
Footsie, the "feet under the table" practice
Teasing
While some of the subconscious signs are universal across cultures, flirting etiquette varies significantly across cultures which can lead to misunderstandings. There are differences in how closely people should stand (proxemics), how long to hold eye contact, and so forth[1].
The origin of the word flirt is obscure. The Oxford English Dictionary (first edition) associates it with such onomatopoeic words as flit and flick, emphasizing a lack of seriousness; on the other hand, it has been attributed to the old French "Conter fleurette", which means "to (try to) seduce" by the dropping of flower leaves, that is, "to speak sweet nothings". This expression is no longer used in French, but the English gallicism to flirt has made its way and has now become an anglicism.
References
"Spiegel Online: Scoring a German: Flirting with Fräuleins, Hunting for Herren"—Jun 05 2006
External links
Wikisource has original text related to this article:
A nineteenth century perspective on flirting
SIRC Guide to Flirting
Nonverbal Courtship Patterns In Women: Context and Consequences
Psychology Today - Flirting Fascination –Reviews several studies on flirting
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flirting"
Romans 7
Struggling with Sin
14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[d] I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power[e] within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
Romans 8
Life in the Spirit
1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power[f] of the life-giving Spirit has freed you[g] from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature.[h] So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life[i] because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters,[j] you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature,[k] you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children[l] of God.
15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.[m] Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”[n] 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
Struggling with Sin
14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[d] I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power[e] within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
Romans 8
Life in the Spirit
1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power[f] of the life-giving Spirit has freed you[g] from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature.[h] So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life[i] because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters,[j] you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature,[k] you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children[l] of God.
15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.[m] Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”[n] 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Friday, July 20, 2007
The flirting manual An online guide.....
On Oprah today Steve Santagati talked about women looking good at all times because men are looking out for women at all times.
You might ask, where are all the guys? To get an insider's perspective, Gayle and Katina turn to Steve Santagati, author of The ManualTheir first stop is a farmers' market. While some women might take this—and any other errands, such as running out to get the paper or a gallon of milk—as an opportunity to wear bleach-stained sweatpants and oversized T-shirts, Steve says they should instead treat it as a potential time to meet guys. Instead of dressing like a "shlumpadinka," Steve says you should leave the house looking great. What does Steve consider an appropriate errand outfit? "A little lip gloss, a cute T-shirt, some nice jeans."Gayle and Katina disagree, saying that an errand doesn't need to be fashion show. Steve's response is clear and direct. "Men are always looking," he says. "Therefore, you always have to be ready to be looked at if you want to meet a guy."Steve also says women shouldn't be afraid to make the first move. If you see someone you are interested in just walk up and start talking to him…you don't need to introduce yourself. "Say, 'What are you doing at the farmers' market? Do you really know how to cook?' And then if he says he knows how to cook, say, 'What do you think a sexy meal is?' You want to come across as a little bit naughty, a little bit playful. It's not being forward, it's being proactive."Katina tries the forward approach on Lemont. Does it work? "It's actually better," Lemont says. "I prefer [being approached] because we don't have to worry about being rejected."Where the boys are »
On Oprah today Steve Santagati talked about women looking good at all times because men are looking out for women at all times.
You might ask, where are all the guys? To get an insider's perspective, Gayle and Katina turn to Steve Santagati, author of The ManualTheir first stop is a farmers' market. While some women might take this—and any other errands, such as running out to get the paper or a gallon of milk—as an opportunity to wear bleach-stained sweatpants and oversized T-shirts, Steve says they should instead treat it as a potential time to meet guys. Instead of dressing like a "shlumpadinka," Steve says you should leave the house looking great. What does Steve consider an appropriate errand outfit? "A little lip gloss, a cute T-shirt, some nice jeans."Gayle and Katina disagree, saying that an errand doesn't need to be fashion show. Steve's response is clear and direct. "Men are always looking," he says. "Therefore, you always have to be ready to be looked at if you want to meet a guy."Steve also says women shouldn't be afraid to make the first move. If you see someone you are interested in just walk up and start talking to him…you don't need to introduce yourself. "Say, 'What are you doing at the farmers' market? Do you really know how to cook?' And then if he says he knows how to cook, say, 'What do you think a sexy meal is?' You want to come across as a little bit naughty, a little bit playful. It's not being forward, it's being proactive."Katina tries the forward approach on Lemont. Does it work? "It's actually better," Lemont says. "I prefer [being approached] because we don't have to worry about being rejected."Where the boys are »
Thursday, July 19, 2007
1 Chronicles 29:13-20 (David decided to build the temple and is praising God)
13 “O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! 14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! 15 We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace. 16 “O Lord our God, even this material we have gathered to build a Temple to honor your holy name comes from you! It all belongs to you! 17 I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously. 18 “O Lord, the God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make your people always want to obey you. See to it that their love for you never changes. 19 Give my son Solomon the wholehearted desire to obey all your commands, laws, and decrees, and to do everything necessary to build this Temple, for which I have made these preparations.”
20 Then David said to the whole assembly, “Give praise to the Lord your God!” And the entire assembly praised the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and they bowed low and knelt before the Lord and the king.
13 “O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! 14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! 15 We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace. 16 “O Lord our God, even this material we have gathered to build a Temple to honor your holy name comes from you! It all belongs to you! 17 I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously. 18 “O Lord, the God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make your people always want to obey you. See to it that their love for you never changes. 19 Give my son Solomon the wholehearted desire to obey all your commands, laws, and decrees, and to do everything necessary to build this Temple, for which I have made these preparations.”
20 Then David said to the whole assembly, “Give praise to the Lord your God!” And the entire assembly praised the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and they bowed low and knelt before the Lord and the king.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Romans 5
Faith Brings Joy
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Faith Brings Joy
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Romans 4: 1-12
Abraham Justified by Faith
1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? 2If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."[a]
4Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."[b]
9Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
Abraham Justified by Faith
1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? 2If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."[a]
4Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."[b]
9Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
Monday, July 16, 2007
This weekend when I was at the Love Winston-Salem Community Fair I was telling the salvation message to children through the use of a colored beaded braclet. The gold bead represented heaven. I asked the children what they knew about heaven and then explained a few things that I knew about heaven to them. Then came the black bead. That's the problem bead, the sin bead, the naughty bead that separates us wheither we are 5 or 55 from going to heaven and living eternally with our loving but holy Father. It struck me when I was reading about sin, how I explained sin to a five year old. One might think that children are incapable of sinning but I say have you ever taken anything that wasn't yours, have you ever hit your brother, sister, or friend, have you ever not lisitened to your mommy? In time they get the point. God says we are born with a sin nature. It comes easy to us to sin. I'll tell you about he other colors tomorrow if you're interested.
Romans 3:9-31
All People Are Sinners
9 Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles,[a] are under the power of sin. 10 As the Scriptures say,
“No one is righteous— not even one. 11 No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. 12 All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.”[b] 13 “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies.” “Snake venom drips from their lips.”[c] 14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”[d] 15 “They rush to commit murder. 16 Destruction and misery always follow them. 17 They don’t know where to find peace.”[e] 18 “They have no fear of God at all.”[f]
19 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
Christ Took Our Punishment 21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses[g] and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.
29 After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is. 30 There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.[h] 31 Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.
Romans 3:9-31
All People Are Sinners
9 Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles,[a] are under the power of sin. 10 As the Scriptures say,
“No one is righteous— not even one. 11 No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. 12 All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.”[b] 13 “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies.” “Snake venom drips from their lips.”[c] 14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”[d] 15 “They rush to commit murder. 16 Destruction and misery always follow them. 17 They don’t know where to find peace.”[e] 18 “They have no fear of God at all.”[f]
19 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
Christ Took Our Punishment 21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses[g] and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.
29 After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is. 30 There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.[h] 31 Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Look at the links. If there is anyone in Winston-Salem who want to help during the year please contact the agency. There is something to do, your participation is welcomed and needed.
The Salvation Army
www.redshield.org/us/nc/winstonsalemVolunteer Coordinator: Robin Pardella (336) 723-6366 ext. 109Champions: Dave & Dot Rickard, 768-7298
- Community Corrections Program- Emergency Disaster Services- International Corps- Boys and Girls Club- Shelter- Thrift Store
Ministry Statement: The Salvation Army is an international movement of the evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human need in his name without discrimination.
Crisis Control
www.crisiscontrol.orgVolunteer Coordinator: Vicki Jones (336) 724-7875, ext. 1043Champions:Vicki Carpenter, 766-1113Kathy Fulk, 996-2483
- Financial assistance with rent/ mortgage, utilities, and fuel.- Assistance with food and clothing- Free Pharmacy
Ministry Statement: Crisis Control Ministries exists to provide a comprehensive system of response to the emergency needs of people in Forsyth County
Habitat for Humanity
www.habitatforsyth.orgVolunteer Coordinator: Karen Bell-Chandler (336) 7... ext. 106Champion:Derek Denard, 407-7366
- Local volunteers work in partnership with qualifying families building homes which are sold to the family with no profit and no interest in 20 year mortgages.- Forsyth’s branch of Habitat has built more than 225 houses since its inception is 1985.- Habitat ReStore Home and Garden Center
Ministry Statement: An international ministry whose goal is to provide basic housing for low-income people. Local people provide land, labor, and materials to build houses that are sold to low-income people through no-interest 20 year loans.
Prodigals Community
www.prodigals.orgVolunteer Coordinator: Valerie Von Isenburg (336) 7...Champions:Ernie and Nickol Tompkins, 765-5103
Participants learn how to: - Function responsibly and drug-free- Develop vocational skills and experience to obtain and maintain employment- Obtain GED, vocational training certificate, and educational study- Develop spiritual and emotional maturity - Develop healthy relationships- Obtain the support needed in the community to sustain a drug-free responsible life.
Ministry Statement: The purpose of Prodigals Community is to provide an 18 month intensive residential recovery community. The Christian program’s foundation is built on a spiritual emphasis for those overcoming substance abuse. All participants must have a commitment to their own recovery and the recovery of others.
Samaritan Ministries
www.samaritanforsyth.orgVolunteer Coordinator: Robin Mende (336) 748-1962 ext. 19Champion:Burley Strader, 765-7887
- Soup Kitchen- Samaritan Inn- Project Cornerstone (one year residential rehab. program)
Ministry Statement: Providing hope and healing by sharing food, shelter, and guidance with the hungry, homeless, and people in need through Christian service for the benefit of all.
The Winston-Salem Rescue Mission
www.wsrescue.orgVolunteer Coordinator: Chris Hill (336) 723-1848 ext. 120Champion:Jim Walker, 699-2393
- Shelter • Food and clothing • Personal care items • Job training • Christian counseling • Life skills and financial management classes- Alpha Acres: residential rehabilitation ministry
Ministry Statement: The Winston-Salem Rescue Mission is a non-profit, non-denominational, Christ-centered ministry established as a response to hundreds of homeless men wandering the streets of Winston-Salem.
Salem Pregnancy Care Center
www.salempregnancy.orgVolunteer Coordinator: Lee Blackman 760-3680Champions: Harry and Martha Harkey, 760-2388
- Pregnancy services- Counseling- Bible study
Ministry Statement: Salem Pregnancy is an outreach ministry of Jesus Christ through His Church committed to presenting the gospel to women in crisis pregnancy through word and deed.
The Winston-Salem Street School
www.streetschools.comVolunteer Coordinator: David Morgan Christian education for at-risk youth.
Ministry Statement: Street Schools...the road to hope for at-risk kids.
Other Agencies
American Red Cross / Blood Drives.
The Salvation Army
www.redshield.org/us/nc/winstonsalemVolunteer Coordinator: Robin Pardella (336) 723-6366 ext. 109Champions: Dave & Dot Rickard, 768-7298
- Community Corrections Program- Emergency Disaster Services- International Corps- Boys and Girls Club- Shelter- Thrift Store
Ministry Statement: The Salvation Army is an international movement of the evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human need in his name without discrimination.
Crisis Control
www.crisiscontrol.orgVolunteer Coordinator: Vicki Jones (336) 724-7875, ext. 1043Champions:Vicki Carpenter, 766-1113Kathy Fulk, 996-2483
- Financial assistance with rent/ mortgage, utilities, and fuel.- Assistance with food and clothing- Free Pharmacy
Ministry Statement: Crisis Control Ministries exists to provide a comprehensive system of response to the emergency needs of people in Forsyth County
Habitat for Humanity
www.habitatforsyth.orgVolunteer Coordinator: Karen Bell-Chandler (336) 7... ext. 106Champion:Derek Denard, 407-7366
- Local volunteers work in partnership with qualifying families building homes which are sold to the family with no profit and no interest in 20 year mortgages.- Forsyth’s branch of Habitat has built more than 225 houses since its inception is 1985.- Habitat ReStore Home and Garden Center
Ministry Statement: An international ministry whose goal is to provide basic housing for low-income people. Local people provide land, labor, and materials to build houses that are sold to low-income people through no-interest 20 year loans.
Prodigals Community
www.prodigals.orgVolunteer Coordinator: Valerie Von Isenburg (336) 7...Champions:Ernie and Nickol Tompkins, 765-5103
Participants learn how to: - Function responsibly and drug-free- Develop vocational skills and experience to obtain and maintain employment- Obtain GED, vocational training certificate, and educational study- Develop spiritual and emotional maturity - Develop healthy relationships- Obtain the support needed in the community to sustain a drug-free responsible life.
Ministry Statement: The purpose of Prodigals Community is to provide an 18 month intensive residential recovery community. The Christian program’s foundation is built on a spiritual emphasis for those overcoming substance abuse. All participants must have a commitment to their own recovery and the recovery of others.
Samaritan Ministries
www.samaritanforsyth.orgVolunteer Coordinator: Robin Mende (336) 748-1962 ext. 19Champion:Burley Strader, 765-7887
- Soup Kitchen- Samaritan Inn- Project Cornerstone (one year residential rehab. program)
Ministry Statement: Providing hope and healing by sharing food, shelter, and guidance with the hungry, homeless, and people in need through Christian service for the benefit of all.
The Winston-Salem Rescue Mission
www.wsrescue.orgVolunteer Coordinator: Chris Hill (336) 723-1848 ext. 120Champion:Jim Walker, 699-2393
- Shelter • Food and clothing • Personal care items • Job training • Christian counseling • Life skills and financial management classes- Alpha Acres: residential rehabilitation ministry
Ministry Statement: The Winston-Salem Rescue Mission is a non-profit, non-denominational, Christ-centered ministry established as a response to hundreds of homeless men wandering the streets of Winston-Salem.
Salem Pregnancy Care Center
www.salempregnancy.orgVolunteer Coordinator: Lee Blackman 760-3680Champions: Harry and Martha Harkey, 760-2388
- Pregnancy services- Counseling- Bible study
Ministry Statement: Salem Pregnancy is an outreach ministry of Jesus Christ through His Church committed to presenting the gospel to women in crisis pregnancy through word and deed.
The Winston-Salem Street School
www.streetschools.comVolunteer Coordinator: David Morgan Christian education for at-risk youth.
Ministry Statement: Street Schools...the road to hope for at-risk kids.
Other Agencies
American Red Cross / Blood Drives.
Wow, what a weekend. Friday was absolutely fabulous. Spending the day with Alexandra at the Martin Luther King Recreational Center in Winston-Salem, where Love Winston-Salem was making a difference in several hundred children's lives was really meaninful. The smiles, the hugs, the messages, the people who gave and the people who received, it was seeing the heart of God in person. Then in the evening there was a cookout at Forest Elementary School where several hundred people from the community had fun on inflatables and interacting with various "fair fun" hair braiding, nail polishing, face painting, braclet making, events to name a few. But the highlight for me was the message both in English and Spanish. Whole families being touched and change by the power of God's Word and grace. Thank you Calvary for making a difference in the community. Thank you Alexandra for hearing God's voice saying love Me, love people.
I love you.
I love you.
This was in today's reading and it touched my spirit. Maybe something in the text will touch yours.
Romans 2: 17-29
The Jews and the Law
17 You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him. 18 You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law. 19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness. 20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.
21 Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? 22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples?[a] 23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. 24 No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”[b]
25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. 26 And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? 27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it.
28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. 29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise[c] from God, not from people.
Romans 2: 17-29
The Jews and the Law
17 You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him. 18 You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law. 19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness. 20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.
21 Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? 22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples?[a] 23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. 24 No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”[b]
25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. 26 And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? 27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it.
28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. 29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise[c] from God, not from people.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Check out the daily pictures of love in action at the Love Winston-Salem site. They will make you smile.
I received this e-mail from Alexandra encouraging the troops for Love Winston-Salem. Maybe you need encouragement. These words are thoughts to mediate on whereever you are. I have highlighted the text that speaks to my spirit.
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (New International Version)
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Just a couple of thoughts:
- The degree that you sow is the extent to which you reap. As you all have sown so much into this week I trust that you are reaping abundant blessings.
- God’s grace is so amazing. Even despite ourselves, we have the hope that God is ABLE! I believe the Lord pretty much covers all the bases when he says “in all things” “at all times” & “having all that you need” we will abound in “every good work” by His grace. Let us remember that as we abound in good work this week and beyond it is only by His grace and for His gospel of grace.
- The result of the service was the following:
o A personal proof of their faith
o A supply to a pressing, practical need
o A relational bond that led the recipients to pray for them
o Thanksgiving to God
o Praise to God because of their obedience and generosity
And so my prayer is that the service done through Mission: Winston-Salem specifically and Love Winston-Salem in general might prove our faith in Christ genuine and sincere. As we work with so many local ministries and agencies, may we supply the needs of these agencies in a way that blesses them and furthers their efforts. May our time and service lay a strong relational foundation, so that our community partners remember us in their prayers, thus revealing a connection of the heart and a sense of reciprocity in our relationship. May our work lead our partners to thank and praise God, thus we have accomplished our most primary purpose in life: to bring praise to the Lord! Amen.
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (New International Version)
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Just a couple of thoughts:
- The degree that you sow is the extent to which you reap. As you all have sown so much into this week I trust that you are reaping abundant blessings.
- God’s grace is so amazing. Even despite ourselves, we have the hope that God is ABLE! I believe the Lord pretty much covers all the bases when he says “in all things” “at all times” & “having all that you need” we will abound in “every good work” by His grace. Let us remember that as we abound in good work this week and beyond it is only by His grace and for His gospel of grace.
- The result of the service was the following:
o A personal proof of their faith
o A supply to a pressing, practical need
o A relational bond that led the recipients to pray for them
o Thanksgiving to God
o Praise to God because of their obedience and generosity
And so my prayer is that the service done through Mission: Winston-Salem specifically and Love Winston-Salem in general might prove our faith in Christ genuine and sincere. As we work with so many local ministries and agencies, may we supply the needs of these agencies in a way that blesses them and furthers their efforts. May our time and service lay a strong relational foundation, so that our community partners remember us in their prayers, thus revealing a connection of the heart and a sense of reciprocity in our relationship. May our work lead our partners to thank and praise God, thus we have accomplished our most primary purpose in life: to bring praise to the Lord! Amen.
Monday, July 09, 2007
If any one is in Winston-Salem, NC and would like to help out any of the ministries just contact LOVE WINSTON-SALEM. Jump in there is room for everyone.
Love Winston-Salem
Mission: Winston-Salem July 9th-13th
Mission:Winston-Salem is a week-long mission trip to our city. Our desire is to see Winston-Salem transformed by the power of the Gospel. During this week we will be sharing the love of Christ in our community by serving together with our parnter agencies. Click the links below to find out how to get involved or click the links to the right to read and see how God is impacting our city.
Love Winston-Salem
Mission: Winston-Salem July 9th-13th
Mission:Winston-Salem is a week-long mission trip to our city. Our desire is to see Winston-Salem transformed by the power of the Gospel. During this week we will be sharing the love of Christ in our community by serving together with our parnter agencies. Click the links below to find out how to get involved or click the links to the right to read and see how God is impacting our city.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
This week Love Winston-Salem is on. Check out their website and be inspired. Alexandra is leading the charge and I pray that many lives will be blessed because Calvary is reaching out to the poor, the needy, the humble, and the outcast.
Psalm 7
A psalm of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush of the tribe of Benjamin. 1 I come to you for protection, O Lord my God. Save me from my persecutors—rescue me! 2 If you don’t, they will maul me like a lion, tearing me to pieces with no one to rescue me. 3 O Lord my God, if I have done wrong or am guilty of injustice, 4 if I have betrayed a friend or plundered my enemy without cause, 5 then let my enemies capture me. Let them trample me into the ground and drag my honor in the dust. Interlude
6 Arise, O Lord, in anger! Stand up against the fury of my enemies! Wake up, my God, and bring justice! 7 Gather the nations before you. Rule over them from on high. 8 The Lord judges the nations. Declare me righteous, O Lord, for I am innocent, O Most High! 9 End the evil of those who are wicked, and defend the righteous. For you look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God.
10 God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right. 11 God is an honest judge. He is angry with the wicked every day.
12 If a person does not repent, God[a] will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow. 13 He will prepare his deadly weapons and shoot his flaming arrows.
14 The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies. 15 They dig a deep pit to trap others, then fall into it themselves. 16 The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads.
17 I will thank the Lord because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.
A psalm of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush of the tribe of Benjamin. 1 I come to you for protection, O Lord my God. Save me from my persecutors—rescue me! 2 If you don’t, they will maul me like a lion, tearing me to pieces with no one to rescue me. 3 O Lord my God, if I have done wrong or am guilty of injustice, 4 if I have betrayed a friend or plundered my enemy without cause, 5 then let my enemies capture me. Let them trample me into the ground and drag my honor in the dust. Interlude
6 Arise, O Lord, in anger! Stand up against the fury of my enemies! Wake up, my God, and bring justice! 7 Gather the nations before you. Rule over them from on high. 8 The Lord judges the nations. Declare me righteous, O Lord, for I am innocent, O Most High! 9 End the evil of those who are wicked, and defend the righteous. For you look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God.
10 God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right. 11 God is an honest judge. He is angry with the wicked every day.
12 If a person does not repent, God[a] will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow. 13 He will prepare his deadly weapons and shoot his flaming arrows.
14 The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies. 15 They dig a deep pit to trap others, then fall into it themselves. 16 The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads.
17 I will thank the Lord because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Paul is accused in Jerusalem and offers his own defense. This is his testimony to what transformed him that day on the Damascus Road.
Acts 22
“Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.” 2 When they heard him speaking in their own language,[a] the silence was even greater.
3 Then Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today. 4 And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison. 5 The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the Christians from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.
6 “As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
8 “‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked.
“And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene,[b] the one you are persecuting.’ 9 The people with me saw the light but didn’t understand the voice speaking to me.
10 “I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’
“And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’
11 “I was blinded by the intense light and had to be led by the hand to Damascus by my companions. 12 A man named Ananias lived there. He was a godly man, deeply devoted to the law, and well regarded by all the Jews of Damascus. 13 He came and stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And that very moment I could see him!
14 “Then he told me, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak. 15 For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard. 16 What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’
17 “After I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the Temple and fell into a trance. 18 I saw a vision of Jesus[c] saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem, for the people here won’t accept your testimony about me.’
19 “‘But Lord,’ I argued, ‘they certainly know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And I was in complete agreement when your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him.’
21 “But the Lord said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’”
Acts 22
“Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.” 2 When they heard him speaking in their own language,[a] the silence was even greater.
3 Then Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today. 4 And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison. 5 The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the Christians from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.
6 “As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
8 “‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked.
“And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene,[b] the one you are persecuting.’ 9 The people with me saw the light but didn’t understand the voice speaking to me.
10 “I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’
“And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’
11 “I was blinded by the intense light and had to be led by the hand to Damascus by my companions. 12 A man named Ananias lived there. He was a godly man, deeply devoted to the law, and well regarded by all the Jews of Damascus. 13 He came and stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And that very moment I could see him!
14 “Then he told me, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak. 15 For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard. 16 What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’
17 “After I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the Temple and fell into a trance. 18 I saw a vision of Jesus[c] saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem, for the people here won’t accept your testimony about me.’
19 “‘But Lord,’ I argued, ‘they certainly know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And I was in complete agreement when your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him.’
21 “But the Lord said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’”
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