Well, again I have been caught up in the day to day activities and have not spent the time I need to keep this blog updated. I know that I wrote a couple of weeks ago and mentioned that we had a pastoral candidate coming in.
This turned out to be a good learning time for our church. It also reinforced the things that we were looking for in a Pastor. At the end of the weekend the recommendation from the deacons was that we not hire the candidate. The church took a vote and 60% of the church followed our recommendation. This means that we are still without a Pastor.
As I know that some of you have been praying, I just want to let you know how thankful I am. It would have been nice to have hired a man and been able to give the leadership responsibility over to him. The Lord has put us in this situation though, and he will take us through it.
I pray that I will continue to be thankful for the place that God has put me.
Jon
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Pulled from the comments on last post.
I have a serious question for you. I will gladly accept advice from anyone on this topic. I hope it's okay that I ask here.The following is a statement someone made on a Christian board where I am a moderator:
"I also strongly believe the KJV should be respectfully retired. It uses archaic language from 1611 and is not as accurate as some modern translations. It places an unnecessary stumbling block for modern readers. Unfortunately many Christians have incorrectly made the translation an idol and a sacred tradition."
I have asked the other moderators what course of action I should take since I cannot in good conscience allow this statement to go unchallenged, but I don't want to start a detrimental war on this topic either.I have said that if they don't want to get involved, I will simply post something like this:
"I exclusively use the KJV and believe it is neither archaic, nor inaccurate -- nor a stumbling block; but it is the only completely accurate translation; the most masterful piece of literature of all time with timeless words and phrasing, masterful use of rhyme, rhythm, and poetic devices; containing a self-defining dictionary, written at a reading level where all readers can learn all of the nuances of biblical truth, containing insight into the English language that causes secular universities to study it for the sake of understanding all of the implications of letter, word, and phrase combinations, meter, and poetry that cause standard-written English to be the most inclusive, intuitive, descriptive, and profound languages on the planet."
Would that be okay? How should my statement be changed/edited?I welcome grammatical (or other) input from those with English degrees also. :P (hint, hint)
"I also strongly believe the KJV should be respectfully retired. It uses archaic language from 1611 and is not as accurate as some modern translations. It places an unnecessary stumbling block for modern readers. Unfortunately many Christians have incorrectly made the translation an idol and a sacred tradition."
I have asked the other moderators what course of action I should take since I cannot in good conscience allow this statement to go unchallenged, but I don't want to start a detrimental war on this topic either.I have said that if they don't want to get involved, I will simply post something like this:
"I exclusively use the KJV and believe it is neither archaic, nor inaccurate -- nor a stumbling block; but it is the only completely accurate translation; the most masterful piece of literature of all time with timeless words and phrasing, masterful use of rhyme, rhythm, and poetic devices; containing a self-defining dictionary, written at a reading level where all readers can learn all of the nuances of biblical truth, containing insight into the English language that causes secular universities to study it for the sake of understanding all of the implications of letter, word, and phrase combinations, meter, and poetry that cause standard-written English to be the most inclusive, intuitive, descriptive, and profound languages on the planet."
Would that be okay? How should my statement be changed/edited?I welcome grammatical (or other) input from those with English degrees also. :P (hint, hint)
Monday, November 17, 2008
Like it or Not
I have been silent on the blog for a few days. For those of you who do not know, the last 10 days have been prime days for deer hunting. The deer have entered the rut and the bucks are looking for does. (In turn, the hunters are looking for bucks)
It is bow season in Iowa at this time and I have dedicated my extra hours to this honorable pursuit. In fact, I have dedicated so much time that it is becoming work rather than fun. What I mean is that it has gotten to the point that I feel that I have to go hunting even if I do not feel up to it. After all, these are the best two weeks of the year.
I feel guilty when I have the time to hunt but I am not in the stand. I feel guilty if I allow other things to take me from the woods. I feel like I have to be in the woods at every opportunity, and if I am not, it is because I am lazy and not dedicated to this sport. Maybe I am a wimp because it is too windy, or too cold, or too early; But I have not yet succumbed to this temptation to do other things.
I will stand fast. I will stand firm. I am dedicated to this sport. I will have fun whether I like it or not!
Oh, I just looked at the clock. I have time to go back out.
It is bow season in Iowa at this time and I have dedicated my extra hours to this honorable pursuit. In fact, I have dedicated so much time that it is becoming work rather than fun. What I mean is that it has gotten to the point that I feel that I have to go hunting even if I do not feel up to it. After all, these are the best two weeks of the year.
I feel guilty when I have the time to hunt but I am not in the stand. I feel guilty if I allow other things to take me from the woods. I feel like I have to be in the woods at every opportunity, and if I am not, it is because I am lazy and not dedicated to this sport. Maybe I am a wimp because it is too windy, or too cold, or too early; But I have not yet succumbed to this temptation to do other things.
I will stand fast. I will stand firm. I am dedicated to this sport. I will have fun whether I like it or not!
Oh, I just looked at the clock. I have time to go back out.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Obama, Biden 08
I was asked last night if I had written anything on this blog about the election results. As you know, I haven't. Let me take the time here.
I must confess that I was not surprised at the results. I was disappointed and maybe even a little hurt that our country has slipped so far. I was not able to watch the news on Tuesday night because the media was finding too much joy in watching Obama procure the electoral votes. I shut the T.V. off and went to bed early.
I think that much of the country had the wool pulled over their eyes. However, I think that they were willingly ignorant. They had the opportunity to look for themselves and see what Obama stood for. The had the chance to look up his voting history. If they had, they could have gotten a picture of his heart.
How does the state of California vote down a same sex marriage proposal, then turn around and vote Obama into office? Why does South Dakota vote down a same sex marriage ban and then vote in McCain? The only answer that I can come up with is that we were not made aware of the party platforms. People didn't care about what he stood for, they liked his persona.
What will the next four years bring? I would be a fool to try and answer that one. Instead, I will find comfort in the fact that I serve a sovereign God. I will find comfort in the fact that his timing is perfect and nothing is outside of the span of his control. Lastly, I will find joy in the fact that he still has a plan for me, whatever it may be.
By the way, my brother made a bumper sticker before the election that I had not seen until last night.
Osama
Binladen 08
He also added a footnote, *so the terrorists will like us
I must confess that I was not surprised at the results. I was disappointed and maybe even a little hurt that our country has slipped so far. I was not able to watch the news on Tuesday night because the media was finding too much joy in watching Obama procure the electoral votes. I shut the T.V. off and went to bed early.
I think that much of the country had the wool pulled over their eyes. However, I think that they were willingly ignorant. They had the opportunity to look for themselves and see what Obama stood for. The had the chance to look up his voting history. If they had, they could have gotten a picture of his heart.
How does the state of California vote down a same sex marriage proposal, then turn around and vote Obama into office? Why does South Dakota vote down a same sex marriage ban and then vote in McCain? The only answer that I can come up with is that we were not made aware of the party platforms. People didn't care about what he stood for, they liked his persona.
What will the next four years bring? I would be a fool to try and answer that one. Instead, I will find comfort in the fact that I serve a sovereign God. I will find comfort in the fact that his timing is perfect and nothing is outside of the span of his control. Lastly, I will find joy in the fact that he still has a plan for me, whatever it may be.
By the way, my brother made a bumper sticker before the election that I had not seen until last night.
Osama
Binladen 08
He also added a footnote, *so the terrorists will like us
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Pastoral qualifications?
The pulpit committee voted to bring a candidate in to our church on the 23rd of this month. This will be the first time that our church has seen a candidate since our pastor left two and a half years ago. I am excited to see how the church responds to this event. I pray that we will seek the Lord's will as we consider hiring for this position.
Tonight I am preaching from Malachi chapter 2:5-9
I say that, but I recognize that I will probable only get through verse 6 as there is so much included in those two verses. These verses give a list of the reasons that God made a covenant with Levi. This list is something that we should be seeking to live up to as well.
1.Levi gave God the respect that he deserved
2.The law of truth was in the mouth of Levi
3.Iniquity was not in his lips
4.He walked with God in peace and equity
5.He turned other people from the path of sin
Which of these things has God been working on in your life?
What is the difference between the law of truth being in your mouth and iniquity not being on your lips?
I am not sure how I am going to finish the book of Malachi before we hire a pastor, but I'm going to continue taking it one (or two) verse at a time.
Malachi 2:5-6 My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. 6The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.
Tonight I am preaching from Malachi chapter 2:5-9
I say that, but I recognize that I will probable only get through verse 6 as there is so much included in those two verses. These verses give a list of the reasons that God made a covenant with Levi. This list is something that we should be seeking to live up to as well.
1.Levi gave God the respect that he deserved
2.The law of truth was in the mouth of Levi
3.Iniquity was not in his lips
4.He walked with God in peace and equity
5.He turned other people from the path of sin
Which of these things has God been working on in your life?
What is the difference between the law of truth being in your mouth and iniquity not being on your lips?
I am not sure how I am going to finish the book of Malachi before we hire a pastor, but I'm going to continue taking it one (or two) verse at a time.
Malachi 2:5-6 My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. 6The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.
Time to get out!
I found out today how much it costs to keep our house in hot water. We have not turned our heat on yet this year and our fireplace is shut off. The only thing that we have requiring propane is our hot water heater. Over the summer and into this fall we have averaged over $100.00 per month in propane costs.
I was sure we had to have a leak somewhere. There was no way we were using that much propane in one hot water heater. Today I had our farm service company come out and pressurize our system. I wanted to determine where the leak was.
We checked the pipe that runs underground. We checked the piping in the house. We checked all of the fittings and the regulators. No leaks. Finally after 2 hours, the two farm service men came up with the solution. "How many girls live in your house?", they asked me. "Four", I said.
"A ha! We found the leak. You are losing most of your propane between the 6th and 25th minute of each girls shower. Give them a timer and more propane will be in your tank at the end of every month!"
Now I ask you, how long should a girl spend in the shower? I need to know what to set the timer for.
I was sure we had to have a leak somewhere. There was no way we were using that much propane in one hot water heater. Today I had our farm service company come out and pressurize our system. I wanted to determine where the leak was.
We checked the pipe that runs underground. We checked the piping in the house. We checked all of the fittings and the regulators. No leaks. Finally after 2 hours, the two farm service men came up with the solution. "How many girls live in your house?", they asked me. "Four", I said.
"A ha! We found the leak. You are losing most of your propane between the 6th and 25th minute of each girls shower. Give them a timer and more propane will be in your tank at the end of every month!"
Now I ask you, how long should a girl spend in the shower? I need to know what to set the timer for.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Prioritize
I'm sorry for getting caught up in the election argument here on the blog. I must say however, that it is very angering to this man that none of the issues seem to be on the table this year. It seems that all anyone cares about is the economy. Just about every commercial and sound bite refers to finances.
How have the Republicans allowed this race to get so sidetracked? I would think that if people were reminded of the party platforms, some that have been convinced to vote for Obama would not have done so.
What issues are on your heart?
What issues are on God's heart?
Which way should we vote? Our heart, or God's? One thing I can say with certainty, God does not much care about either candidate's financial plan!
The shedding of innocent blood (abortion), marriage and the family (rather than homosexual rights and homosexual education in school), education (the responsibility of the parents rather than the government) and the defense of Israel. These are the things that I believe are close to God's heart. These are the things that we should defend before we worry about gun control, socialism or the economy.
How have the Republicans allowed this race to get so sidetracked? I would think that if people were reminded of the party platforms, some that have been convinced to vote for Obama would not have done so.
What issues are on your heart?
What issues are on God's heart?
Which way should we vote? Our heart, or God's? One thing I can say with certainty, God does not much care about either candidate's financial plan!
The shedding of innocent blood (abortion), marriage and the family (rather than homosexual rights and homosexual education in school), education (the responsibility of the parents rather than the government) and the defense of Israel. These are the things that I believe are close to God's heart. These are the things that we should defend before we worry about gun control, socialism or the economy.
How's the View?
Here is a copy of the letter that was sent to the World Herald last week. Rather than put it in the comment section, I have decided to post it here. Enjoy!
One woman's view
I have noticed that recent anti-abortion letters have been written by men, who will never enter a pregnancy unwillingly or experience the trauma of giving birth. This grandmother thinks they need to button their lips. William C.Altman (Oct. 8 Pulse) speaks of a well-formed conscience. Fine, but that is his conscience, not mine. Nor is his conscience shared by other people whom he would malign. I am a Christian also and attend church regularly. But I know that the moral catechism he mentioned was conceived by a patriarchal society. Women were not consulted. What should concern us is that 30,000 children die every day of poverty, disease and hunger. That is the moral issue.
Jolene Ross, Omaha
(emphasis mine)
Jon
One woman's view
I have noticed that recent anti-abortion letters have been written by men, who will never enter a pregnancy unwillingly or experience the trauma of giving birth. This grandmother thinks they need to button their lips. William C.Altman (Oct. 8 Pulse) speaks of a well-formed conscience. Fine, but that is his conscience, not mine. Nor is his conscience shared by other people whom he would malign. I am a Christian also and attend church regularly. But I know that the moral catechism he mentioned was conceived by a patriarchal society. Women were not consulted. What should concern us is that 30,000 children die every day of poverty, disease and hunger. That is the moral issue.
Jolene Ross, Omaha
(emphasis mine)
Jon
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