Ok this is a fun little diversion that is making the blogging rounds. You do a google search on the the phrase "[Your Name] Needs" and see what comes up.
Anthony needs coaching in the game of life.
Anthony needs your feedback!
Anthony needs touches, and to forget the past.
Anthony needs every second to achieve some measure of atonement.
Anthony needs all the help he can get.
Anthony needs a new team.
Wow! Ever so revealing ... this has to be the fortune cookie of the 21st century!
Friday, October 28, 2005
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Are Disasters Increasing?
One of the signs culminating in Jesus' presence is "earthquakes in one place after another". (Matthew 24:7) As we have previously discussed the Greek word "seismos" which is generally rendered "earthquakes" at Matthew 24:7 basically means a commotion. At Matthew 8:24 it is used to for a great sea storm. It is used in 2 Kings 2:1 (4 Kings 2:1, LXX) for the great windstorm that carried Elijah to the heavens. Therefore we can understand that Jesus may have been giving as a sign not just earthquakes, but the whole gamut of turbulant disasters including such things as tornadoes, typhoons, and hurricanes.
Jesus called these things "birth pains". (Matthew 24:8, NIV) Labor pains build toward child birth, getting stronger in intesity and closer together. Therefore we can expect that the signs Jesus spoke of to build in severity and increase until the birth the kingdom. At this time the complete number of 144,000 holy ones join together with Jesus in his heavenly kingdom to begin ruling. (Revelation 19:7,8,11-16) This Kingdom will bring about judgment for wicked mankind and long awaited rewards for the righteous.
With this in mind we pay attention close attention to world events, particularly the indicators Jesus spoke of - war, famine, pestilance, and tumultuous disasters. It is interesting that in response to unique happenings in the world today that even people who do not read their Bibles are starting to take notice of what is going on believing that what we are experiencing seems out of the ordinary.
Considering just the natural disasters that are plaguing humanity a recent Newsweek article, The Last Word: Preparing for The Worst, indicates that there is an increase is disasters. Janos Bogardi, director of the U.N. University's Insitute for the Environment and Human Security said in an interview, "There are absolutely clear signs and compelling statistics showing the situation is getting worse. We now are experiencing 2.5 to 3 times as many extreme events of climatic or water-related emergencies per year as we did in the 1970s. At the same time annual economic losses [from disasters] have increased sixfold." When asked why we are seeing this Mr. Bogardi commented, "Climate change certainly plays an important role. That leads to extremes at both ends of the spectrum. We have more floods, more droughts, longer heat spells without rain and more storms."
This compliments the scenario painted in the October 2003 Pentagon study entitled An Abrupt Climate Change Scenario and Its Implications for United States National Security. Therein the report suggests a huge environmental fallout caused by global warming within the next 10 to 20 years. It graphically speaks of various doomsday scenarios including whole countries rendered inhabitable, nuclear wars fought over food and water supplies, and a sharp increase in disasters, famine and disease. So while this report is speculative it is worth noting the national governments are becoming increasingly open to idea that severe climate change may become a reality very shortly.
As Christians we remain aware of the realities of the Lord's prophetic words. We pay attention to the apostle Paul's advice found at 1 Corinthians 7:29-31: "Moreover, this I say, brothers, the time left is reduced. Henceforth let those who have wives be as though they had none, and also those who weep be as those who do not weep, and those who rejoice as those who do not rejoice, and those who buy as those not possessing, and those making use of the world as those not using it to the full; for the scene of this world is changing." And certainly while it would be unwise to be dogmatic about the exact meaning of our times we would be foolish to ignore our surroundings, being like those in Noah's day who were "eating and drinking" - those who "took no note until the flood came and swept them all away" (Matthew 24:39)
Jesus called these things "birth pains". (Matthew 24:8, NIV) Labor pains build toward child birth, getting stronger in intesity and closer together. Therefore we can expect that the signs Jesus spoke of to build in severity and increase until the birth the kingdom. At this time the complete number of 144,000 holy ones join together with Jesus in his heavenly kingdom to begin ruling. (Revelation 19:7,8,11-16) This Kingdom will bring about judgment for wicked mankind and long awaited rewards for the righteous.
With this in mind we pay attention close attention to world events, particularly the indicators Jesus spoke of - war, famine, pestilance, and tumultuous disasters. It is interesting that in response to unique happenings in the world today that even people who do not read their Bibles are starting to take notice of what is going on believing that what we are experiencing seems out of the ordinary.
Considering just the natural disasters that are plaguing humanity a recent Newsweek article, The Last Word: Preparing for The Worst, indicates that there is an increase is disasters. Janos Bogardi, director of the U.N. University's Insitute for the Environment and Human Security said in an interview, "There are absolutely clear signs and compelling statistics showing the situation is getting worse. We now are experiencing 2.5 to 3 times as many extreme events of climatic or water-related emergencies per year as we did in the 1970s. At the same time annual economic losses [from disasters] have increased sixfold." When asked why we are seeing this Mr. Bogardi commented, "Climate change certainly plays an important role. That leads to extremes at both ends of the spectrum. We have more floods, more droughts, longer heat spells without rain and more storms."
This compliments the scenario painted in the October 2003 Pentagon study entitled An Abrupt Climate Change Scenario and Its Implications for United States National Security. Therein the report suggests a huge environmental fallout caused by global warming within the next 10 to 20 years. It graphically speaks of various doomsday scenarios including whole countries rendered inhabitable, nuclear wars fought over food and water supplies, and a sharp increase in disasters, famine and disease. So while this report is speculative it is worth noting the national governments are becoming increasingly open to idea that severe climate change may become a reality very shortly.
As Christians we remain aware of the realities of the Lord's prophetic words. We pay attention to the apostle Paul's advice found at 1 Corinthians 7:29-31: "Moreover, this I say, brothers, the time left is reduced. Henceforth let those who have wives be as though they had none, and also those who weep be as those who do not weep, and those who rejoice as those who do not rejoice, and those who buy as those not possessing, and those making use of the world as those not using it to the full; for the scene of this world is changing." And certainly while it would be unwise to be dogmatic about the exact meaning of our times we would be foolish to ignore our surroundings, being like those in Noah's day who were "eating and drinking" - those who "took no note until the flood came and swept them all away" (Matthew 24:39)
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Ways To Promote Love
I'm just trying to brainstorm some ways to promote love within the congregation.
1. Give someone a hug.
2. Give someone a card for no reason.
3. Visit a widow.
4. Commend someone.
5. Talk about how Jehovah has blessed you.
6. Visit someone in the hospital.
7. Give money to someone who is out of work.
8. Take an "orphan" to the movies/park/ballgame.
9. Invite a family over for a meal.
10. Speak only good things about a person.
11. Don't participate in harmful gossip.
12. Talk to someone you've never spoken to.
13. Provide upbuilding comments.
Any more?
1. Give someone a hug.
2. Give someone a card for no reason.
3. Visit a widow.
4. Commend someone.
5. Talk about how Jehovah has blessed you.
6. Visit someone in the hospital.
7. Give money to someone who is out of work.
8. Take an "orphan" to the movies/park/ballgame.
9. Invite a family over for a meal.
10. Speak only good things about a person.
11. Don't participate in harmful gossip.
12. Talk to someone you've never spoken to.
13. Provide upbuilding comments.
Any more?
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Hurricanes - Part of the Sign?
We often speak of the sign of Jesus' presence as recorded in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 asbeing wars, food shortages, pestilance, and earthquakes. However a careful look at the Greek word seismos commonly rendered "earthquakes" in these scriptures reveals that this can include other natural disasters such as hurricanes.
Strong's Concordance and Lexicon provides the following definition for Seismos: "a commotion, i.e. (of the air) a gale, (of the ground) an earthquake—earthquake, tempest"
So while this word can mean earthquake it can also mean wind storm. It is used this way in Matthew 8:24 to describe the great tempest at sea that Jesus calmed. (The parallel account at Mark 4:37 describes it as a "great violent windstorm")
Knowing this can help us effectively keep watch as things happen around us.
--
As a side point, recently a link has been discovered between hurricane activity and earthquakes. Physicist Randall Peters of Mercer University in Macon Georgia has shown that wind storms can trigger seismic activity and weak earthquake swarms. Earth Trembles As Big Winds Move In - New Scientist; July 1, 2005.
Strong's Concordance and Lexicon provides the following definition for Seismos: "a commotion, i.e. (of the air) a gale, (of the ground) an earthquake—earthquake, tempest"
So while this word can mean earthquake it can also mean wind storm. It is used this way in Matthew 8:24 to describe the great tempest at sea that Jesus calmed. (The parallel account at Mark 4:37 describes it as a "great violent windstorm")
Knowing this can help us effectively keep watch as things happen around us.
--
As a side point, recently a link has been discovered between hurricane activity and earthquakes. Physicist Randall Peters of Mercer University in Macon Georgia has shown that wind storms can trigger seismic activity and weak earthquake swarms. Earth Trembles As Big Winds Move In - New Scientist; July 1, 2005.
Monday, October 17, 2005
my mundane weekend
The work computers had been running fine since the last meltdown. I got optimistic and thought that the server had been fixed however I have been shying away from even touching the thing lest it bomb out again. I don't know what I was thinking on Friday but I decided that I should change the administrator username and password - afterall it had been the same for the past two years. B-I-G M-I-S-T-A-K-E.
This weekend we had plans to visit Rebekah's relatives in Ohio. Every October they have a small reunion. Usually they have it close to home; however, this year circumstances neccesitated that we go to Ohio.
I pretty much figured that I would have to stay home this weekend and work. Once again I had to leave the computer overnight while it rebooted. An eight hour process. Saturday morning I went in at 5:00am to check on things - things were working so I got to go to Ohio afterwall.
Ohio was uneventful. There was food. There was Karaoke. And yes I did do a not-so-bad rendition of Neil Diamond and not-so-good version of Britney Spears. The motel we stayed at was probably the classiest two star place I have ever stayed at. It was the only non pay-by-the-hour motel in down so we really had little choice. But the joint looked like those rundown motels in the slasher movies were people get killed.
On Friday I received my 10-volume Ante-Nicene Fathers set. I brought volume 1, the 2nd Century writings with me. It is really interesting how similar these writings by the so-called "Church Fathers" matches our (JW) commonly held beliefs. For starters there is a very clear seperation of the Father and the Son. (It took many battles and political wrangling for the trinity doctrine to become dogma - long after the Nicene counsel.) More surprising IIrenaeus expresses that thought of a "gradation and arrangement of those who are saved" wherein some are raised to Heaven and some are ressurected to live on a restored and perfected Earth. Sound familiar? (Papias, who is said to been friends with the apostles particularly John, expresses this view as well.) So while these writings cannot stand on their own they are very useful, particularly the very early writings, in corroboration with the Bible.
Saturday we drove home stopping to visit a friend in Bloomington, Indiana. He took us out for some great Thai food and we got to walk around the square a little bit. I like those little college towns!
This weekend we had plans to visit Rebekah's relatives in Ohio. Every October they have a small reunion. Usually they have it close to home; however, this year circumstances neccesitated that we go to Ohio.
I pretty much figured that I would have to stay home this weekend and work. Once again I had to leave the computer overnight while it rebooted. An eight hour process. Saturday morning I went in at 5:00am to check on things - things were working so I got to go to Ohio afterwall.
Ohio was uneventful. There was food. There was Karaoke. And yes I did do a not-so-bad rendition of Neil Diamond and not-so-good version of Britney Spears. The motel we stayed at was probably the classiest two star place I have ever stayed at. It was the only non pay-by-the-hour motel in down so we really had little choice. But the joint looked like those rundown motels in the slasher movies were people get killed.
On Friday I received my 10-volume Ante-Nicene Fathers set. I brought volume 1, the 2nd Century writings with me. It is really interesting how similar these writings by the so-called "Church Fathers" matches our (JW) commonly held beliefs. For starters there is a very clear seperation of the Father and the Son. (It took many battles and political wrangling for the trinity doctrine to become dogma - long after the Nicene counsel.) More surprising IIrenaeus expresses that thought of a "gradation and arrangement of those who are saved" wherein some are raised to Heaven and some are ressurected to live on a restored and perfected Earth. Sound familiar? (Papias, who is said to been friends with the apostles particularly John, expresses this view as well.) So while these writings cannot stand on their own they are very useful, particularly the very early writings, in corroboration with the Bible.
Saturday we drove home stopping to visit a friend in Bloomington, Indiana. He took us out for some great Thai food and we got to walk around the square a little bit. I like those little college towns!
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Monday, October 10, 2005
it is already the hour for YOU to awake from sleep
Habakkuk 2:3 "For [the] vision is yet for the appointed time, and it keeps panting on to the end, and it will not tell a lie. Even if it should delay, keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true. It will not be late."
My friends if you've been reading this blog or my previous one for any length of time you may have noticed a change in focus. This in many ways reflects the changes that I've been going through some big, some small. On an individual level I still enjoy many of the same things I've always enjoyed, such as making music; however these things have taken somewhat of a backseat to my primary focus - the Kingdom of God.
I hope I'm not coming across and haughty or arrogant or "holier than thou". Please understand that I cannot stop speaking about these things. (Acts 4:20) Jehovah has blessed me in so many ways and I'm just trying to do all that I possibly can to make good on that. This is something that weighs on me because it is a heavy responsibility. Particularly in view of times and the work that needs to be done. The end is coming quickly. I firmly believe that "the time left is reduced." (1 Corinthians 7:29)
Let's consider 2 Peter 3:3,4. "3 For YOU know this first, that in the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires 4 and saying: “Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep [in death], all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.”"
Certainly that scripture applies to the world in general. However there are elements of that mentality today within the congregation. Sone assume that all things are continuing just the same since 1914 when it is believed that Christ's presence began. They are failing to look out and see that things are not the same. That the foretold wars, famine, pestilences, earthquakes that we are experience now or that are on the horizon will dwarf anything we have seen in the past. Indeed it is already the hour for us to wake up! (Romans 13:11-12)
But when we see these things occuring - more frequently, more devastating - there are some things to keep in mind. Jesus likens these events to labor pangs. (Mark 13:8; Matthew 24:8). Labor pangs build toward the birth of child. When the pangs increase and become closer to together we know that the time for the blessed event to occur. Therefore we see these things taking place more and more we know we are getting closer to the end. Things are not the same now as the were in the 1990's which are not the same as they were in the 1950's which are not the same as they were in the 1900's.
Once again I can only encourage all to build faith and love now. Read the Bible daily. When reading the Bible pray for Jehovah's holy spirit to help you. Learn to trust and rely on Jehovah. Keep on the watch. Wake up and stay awake.
"11 [Do] this, too, because YOU people know the season, that it is already the hour for YOU to awake from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than at the time when we became believers. 12 The night is well along; the day has drawn near. Let us therefore put off the works belonging to darkness and let us put on the weapons of the light. 13 As in the daytime let us walk decently, not in revelries and drunken bouts, not in illicit intercourse and loose conduct, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not be planning ahead for the desires of the flesh" (Romans 13:11-14)
Christian Love,
My friends if you've been reading this blog or my previous one for any length of time you may have noticed a change in focus. This in many ways reflects the changes that I've been going through some big, some small. On an individual level I still enjoy many of the same things I've always enjoyed, such as making music; however these things have taken somewhat of a backseat to my primary focus - the Kingdom of God.
I hope I'm not coming across and haughty or arrogant or "holier than thou". Please understand that I cannot stop speaking about these things. (Acts 4:20) Jehovah has blessed me in so many ways and I'm just trying to do all that I possibly can to make good on that. This is something that weighs on me because it is a heavy responsibility. Particularly in view of times and the work that needs to be done. The end is coming quickly. I firmly believe that "the time left is reduced." (1 Corinthians 7:29)
Let's consider 2 Peter 3:3,4. "3 For YOU know this first, that in the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires 4 and saying: “Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep [in death], all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.”"
Certainly that scripture applies to the world in general. However there are elements of that mentality today within the congregation. Sone assume that all things are continuing just the same since 1914 when it is believed that Christ's presence began. They are failing to look out and see that things are not the same. That the foretold wars, famine, pestilences, earthquakes that we are experience now or that are on the horizon will dwarf anything we have seen in the past. Indeed it is already the hour for us to wake up! (Romans 13:11-12)
But when we see these things occuring - more frequently, more devastating - there are some things to keep in mind. Jesus likens these events to labor pangs. (Mark 13:8; Matthew 24:8). Labor pangs build toward the birth of child. When the pangs increase and become closer to together we know that the time for the blessed event to occur. Therefore we see these things taking place more and more we know we are getting closer to the end. Things are not the same now as the were in the 1990's which are not the same as they were in the 1950's which are not the same as they were in the 1900's.
Once again I can only encourage all to build faith and love now. Read the Bible daily. When reading the Bible pray for Jehovah's holy spirit to help you. Learn to trust and rely on Jehovah. Keep on the watch. Wake up and stay awake.
"11 [Do] this, too, because YOU people know the season, that it is already the hour for YOU to awake from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than at the time when we became believers. 12 The night is well along; the day has drawn near. Let us therefore put off the works belonging to darkness and let us put on the weapons of the light. 13 As in the daytime let us walk decently, not in revelries and drunken bouts, not in illicit intercourse and loose conduct, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not be planning ahead for the desires of the flesh" (Romans 13:11-14)
Christian Love,
Saturday, October 08, 2005
earthquakes
"and there will be ... earthquakes in one place after another." (Matthew 24:7)
Quake toll exceeds 30,000
My prayers to all those who have suffered loss.
Friends we are getting so very close. Stay awake. Keep on the watch.
Quake toll exceeds 30,000
My prayers to all those who have suffered loss.
Friends we are getting so very close. Stay awake. Keep on the watch.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
all the more so
The US media has finally picked up on the story of the avian flu, no doubt in part to the fact that in a speech earlier this week the President held it out as a possiblity that the country should prepare for. (Of course the preperation he spoke of was in the context of giving the military increased ability to operate internally for the purpose of crisis management, quarantine, and innoculation.)
It is believed by health officials that this flu has the potential to be even more deadly than the spanish flu of 1918. As Christians you then have to ask yourselves, If the spanish flu was telling us that Jesus' presence had begun in 1914 what will the avian flu be telling us? More importantly we need to ask ourselves what we should be doing in view of the urgency of the times.
As Christians we need to keep in mind that the judgment begins with the house of God. (1 Peter 4:17) Knowing that, we need to constantly keep an eye on ourselves to make sure that we will fair well in that judgment. A good starting point for self examination is a personal study of the letters to the seven congregations in Asia Minor provided in Revelation chapters 2 & 3. Jesus' words in these letters finds direct application to the Christian Congregation. Through these letters Jesus tells us what we are doing good and what we need to work on.
I just began reading these letters again starting with the letter to the congegation of Ephesus. (Rev 2:1-7) That congregation's biggest strength was that it was zealous for the truth; they didn't tolerate liars and false apostles, apostates. However Jesus cautioned them that they had left the love they had at first. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul specifically commended them for the love they showed to the holy ones (Ephesians 1:15 ASV per NA26 text). However over time this love that promoted good works had evidentally eroded. In the Revelation Jesus encouraged them to return to these former deeds.
Because the judgment is soon to be upon us we need to use the time we have to shore up our congregations by promoting love and faith. We owe this to our brothers and sisters - certainly this is the primary reason for our fellowship. The day of Jehovah is drawing ever near therefore we need to encourage each other ALL THE MORE SO. (Hebrews 10:25) If we have faith then our faith should translate in our rendering good works - love and support to our brothers and sisters. We need to care for them in their time of need or our faith is dead. (James 2:14-17)
For those of us in the US we need to understand what the annual report is telling us. We need to comprehend what 0% growth means. It means for every individual that we reach out the ministry, persuade to accept the truth, patiently study with to bring to accurate knowledge, help toward repentance, and finally baptize into the Christian congregation - for every individual that we bring into the congregation through the front door - one of our brothers and sisters is leaving out the back.
Please look around at your congregation and decide who you would care to lose to the world. Hopefully you would wish none that fate. So let us all try our hardest to encourage all toward endurance and rescue those who have left. Is the ministry within the house somehow less important than the ministry in the field?
Your brother in Christ.
It is believed by health officials that this flu has the potential to be even more deadly than the spanish flu of 1918. As Christians you then have to ask yourselves, If the spanish flu was telling us that Jesus' presence had begun in 1914 what will the avian flu be telling us? More importantly we need to ask ourselves what we should be doing in view of the urgency of the times.
As Christians we need to keep in mind that the judgment begins with the house of God. (1 Peter 4:17) Knowing that, we need to constantly keep an eye on ourselves to make sure that we will fair well in that judgment. A good starting point for self examination is a personal study of the letters to the seven congregations in Asia Minor provided in Revelation chapters 2 & 3. Jesus' words in these letters finds direct application to the Christian Congregation. Through these letters Jesus tells us what we are doing good and what we need to work on.
I just began reading these letters again starting with the letter to the congegation of Ephesus. (Rev 2:1-7) That congregation's biggest strength was that it was zealous for the truth; they didn't tolerate liars and false apostles, apostates. However Jesus cautioned them that they had left the love they had at first. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul specifically commended them for the love they showed to the holy ones (Ephesians 1:15 ASV per NA26 text). However over time this love that promoted good works had evidentally eroded. In the Revelation Jesus encouraged them to return to these former deeds.
Because the judgment is soon to be upon us we need to use the time we have to shore up our congregations by promoting love and faith. We owe this to our brothers and sisters - certainly this is the primary reason for our fellowship. The day of Jehovah is drawing ever near therefore we need to encourage each other ALL THE MORE SO. (Hebrews 10:25) If we have faith then our faith should translate in our rendering good works - love and support to our brothers and sisters. We need to care for them in their time of need or our faith is dead. (James 2:14-17)
For those of us in the US we need to understand what the annual report is telling us. We need to comprehend what 0% growth means. It means for every individual that we reach out the ministry, persuade to accept the truth, patiently study with to bring to accurate knowledge, help toward repentance, and finally baptize into the Christian congregation - for every individual that we bring into the congregation through the front door - one of our brothers and sisters is leaving out the back.
Please look around at your congregation and decide who you would care to lose to the world. Hopefully you would wish none that fate. So let us all try our hardest to encourage all toward endurance and rescue those who have left. Is the ministry within the house somehow less important than the ministry in the field?
Your brother in Christ.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
random-x
On Saturday Trey, Mike, and Seth came over. Their band Random-X is playing at a gathering today and wanted to record a quick CD to pass out. So we hammered out three songs. If we had more time we could've polished them up a bit however I like what they came up with. I'm pretty impressed by them considering they are all under 16 years of age. So please check out their myspace page and listen to the songs they have up. Trey wrote and sings on "So Long" and Mike wrote and sings on "Rewind" - both are gems. Good stuff.
--
I tried to buy the Concretes CD at Target. I guess I assumed they would have it since the Concretes are all over their TV commercials - but I wrong. I just downloaded it from iTunes. I like it and it reminds me of Mazzy Star a bit. However it makes me miss my organ.
P.S.
We took my organ sale money and bought me a new suit. Somehow it doesn't seem like a very good trade off.
--
I tried to buy the Concretes CD at Target. I guess I assumed they would have it since the Concretes are all over their TV commercials - but I wrong. I just downloaded it from iTunes. I like it and it reminds me of Mazzy Star a bit. However it makes me miss my organ.
P.S.
We took my organ sale money and bought me a new suit. Somehow it doesn't seem like a very good trade off.
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