Feeding My Faith

Today I point out that even if you think meditation is stupid, you meditate on things every day. Its those thoughts that shape the way you think and act. Many times its negative. Today we talk about replacing that bad habit with a new one. God Will Never Write You Off While your family ...

I wanted to let you know that I'll be back next week. I've had some serious technical challenges with some of my websites. I strongly urge you to stay faithful in reading the word. Mayble I'll record some from my car. In the meantime, enjoy Matt Goss and the song “I'm here to praise.”

Today we look at Matthew 24 Here Jesus does not paint a pretty picture of your life as a Christian: 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom ...

Today in Matthew 23 Jesus tells us to practice what we preach. Today we see Jesus stand up to the rulers and say “These guys are hypocrites, snakes, blind, etc..” WOA. Here again, we see how Jesus does NOT like hypocrites. Proverbs 23 4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your ... Read more

Today's scripture is from Matthew 22 Today we try to imagine what a pain in the butt it was to be stalked by the Pharisees. Every time he turned around, there they were trying to trick him. In the end, because he knew the bible, he was able to silence them. We will see on

Matthew 21 Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 6 The disciples went and did as ... Read more

Today's lesson is on Matthew 20 and Proverbs 20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.2 He agreed to pay them a denarius[a] for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others ... Read more

Today's scripture is Matthew 19 and Proverbs 19 Matthew 19 – Jesus Talks About Marriage When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. 3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, ... Read more

Today we take a peak at Matthew 18 and Proverbs 18 We hear the seriousness of causing people to stumble. Jesus says if you are doing something to make yourself go down a wrong path, do whatever it takes to stop. Cut off your hand, your foot, your eye. That's pretty serious. Later we hear ... Read more

Mathew 14 In Matthew 14, we hear how Jesus finds out about the death of John the Baptist and has to take a second to get away and be by himself. Jesus knows what its like to lose people. He understand the pain. When he comes back, he is greeted with a crowd. He doesn't ... Read more

Today's scripture is Matthew 13 and proverbs 13. Here is what jumped out at me: Matthew 13 A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not ... Read more

Today we look at Matthew 12 and Proverbs 12. Here are the verses that jumped out at me. Jesus didn't really pull any punches. Here is saying, “Choose.” 30 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin ... Read more

Today I look at Matthew 11 and Proverbs 11 Here are the verses that jumped out at me. 12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue. 13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. 21 Be sure of this: The wicked ... Read more

Today's scripture is Matthew 8 and Proverbs 8 where we see over and over is that Jesus rewards Faithfulness. 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why ... Read more

Matthew 7 Proverbs 7 Judging Others 7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention ... Read more

Today I felt that God was reminding us to be humble and not always look for rewards from people, but look and remember that God has our rewards waiting for us. Today's scripture is Matthew 6 and Proverb's 6. Matthew 6 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know ... Read more

Today we hear Jesus give us a pep talk, and we see that he raises the bar on what is “OK” and calls us to shoot for perfection. He knows its going to be hard and we will catch all kind of flack for it. This is why he gives us this pep talk. Check ... Read more

Today we get reminded just how powerful Jesus is. I can only imagine the word of mouth that must've been going on at the time. We also get a stern warning in Proverbs four. I feel like God is saying, “Don't mess around here, there is real danger,” just like a parent would if their ... Read more

Today's scripture is Genesis 6-8 and Luke 3 where we hear about Noah getting hammered and falling down naked. We also hear about the tower of Babel. In Luke we hear how Jesus fought temptation by turning to scriptures. Scriptures That Stood Out Genesis 10 8 Cush was the father[c] of Nimrod, who became a ... Read more

Today's scripture is Genesis 6-8 and Luke 3 Genesis 6-8 12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. 11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep ... Read more

Today we look at Genesis 3,4,5; and Luke 2 We see where Eve gets talked into eating the apple and then gets Adam to eat it as well. We also read of Cain killing his brother Able In Luke we see the birth of Jesus, and Jesus ditching his parents for the better part of ... Read more

Today I'm trying a new format. It's called SOAP-ING S for Scripture Open your Bible to the reading found under today's date of your Bible reading chart. Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. Highlight, underline or place a mark in the margin of your Bible, next to the scriptures that stand ... Read more

Today I share how I'm trying to do daily bible studies. Not just the simple reading of the text, but actually taking time to talk to God. I'm implementing a technique called S.O.A.P. Bible study, and I love it.I feel calmer. I feel more connected to God. It's not WORK. It's something I look forward to and I'm finding I have more patience. I'm finding I have more comfort when life throws me a curve.In Luke 4 we hear about Jesus getting tempted. Every time the Devil threw something at him he replied with "it is written". The scripture was on his heart. It was in his mind, and he ran to it for strength in his time of trial and we should follow that example.How many times is our first reaction to just freak out? Lose it. Go ballistic and scream.  Our first action in times of need should be to pray first.The Calming Effect of PrayerMy first marriage was over long before we filed for divorce. My ex was an alcoholic and I was waiting (for years) for her to see the errors of her ways and sober up. Instead, she cheated on me. When she finally told me (I had suspected as much) I felt so betrayed. I felt hurt. I was in deep pain. I started yelling at her. I just wanted to burst into flames. I wanted her to feel the same pain I felt. I walked into another room and said this simple, but effective prayer."God, Man, you gotta help me."Honest. Sincere. To the point. No big words.God heard me and he answered my prayer as I felt a calming effect on me as I switched from emotions to logic. I said, "Well we will need to split the checking account..." as I went into problem-solving mode. I'm not proud of my first marriage ending (I was not a great husband), but I never will forget the power of a simple prayer.Jesus Taught Us To PrayJesus told us to acknowledge God and praise him. Acknowledge his will and his plan. Ask for what we need. Confess our sins, ask for forgiveness, and end with acknowledging God.Oddly enough many churches recite "The Lord's prayer" with as much enthusiasm as a cold piece of bologna. It has as much meaning as a plagiarized term paper. We are using someone else's words. God wants to hear what is on YOUR heart. SAY IT to him (I think Jesus wants us to SPEAK the words). It's these little, simple things that add up.SOAP Bible Journal

Today we talk about Jesus when he was upset with people. There are those that get hung on if Jesus was Angry and if it was righteous anger, etc. I want to look at WHO he was Angry and WHY.Addressing the PhariseesMatthew 23T13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. [14] [b]15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.16 “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ 17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ 19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. 22 And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.29 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30 And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!33 “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? 34 Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. 35 And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Truly I tell you, all this will come on this generation.37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’[c]”Healing the Man with the Withered HandMark 3Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill JesusPredicting the PassionMark 814 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread

Today, I share my praise for God who let me see someone come to God and I may have had a small part in it. I also talk about the FACT that people see you, and they are watching you and it DOES MATTER what you say and do. If you are a person of faith, if you stand up, if you fill yourself with the words of the bible, it will change your life. Your life (your light) can then change others in an ETERNAL way.TWhat comes to mind when I say:The Rolling Stones (tongue)Nazi Germany (Swatztika)Golden Arches (McDonald's)We are symbols, representatives, of Jesus while he is away. What emotions do people feel when they see you?Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.Enjoy the show? Consider Buying me a coffee.

I was watching a movie called Peter and Paul and it's great, but the special effects were a little cheezy. Then I thought about it...Can you imagine what it must've been like to see the miracles firsthand? Remember that at this point, these people had never seen special effects. There weren't giant sound systems. Can you imagine what is what like to hear a voice from the heavens?My dog dances when I let him out of his cage. He knows what freedom is like FIRST HAND. We need to think back to the AMAZING actions of Jesus. He even told people he healed, "Don't tell anyone," but they couldn't help himself and neither should we.Take some time this week and try to put yourself in the shoes of those who experienced Christ firsthand.Looking for a free audiobook, check out www.audibletrial.com/daveThis movie is no longer available on YouTube This movie is available on Amazon

There are days when your whole world goes upside down. Things do not go as plan. You get a bad report from a doctor. You make a horrible choice. It seems life is too difficult. Maybe you have someone to talk to, and maybe you don’t. Maybe you’re in a situation where you feel beyond alone. That nobody in the world has a clue what its like to be you. I’m here to tell you Jesus does. As much as Jesus was God, he was human.Jesus wept – John 11:35Jesus slept – Mark 4:35He was hungry and thirsty John 4:6-7We know that Jesus got angry at the people selling things in the temple Mark 11:15Jesus got frustrated in Matthew 1714 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”17 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” [21] [a]Jesus Hated the Silent treatment, and had to operate under intense pressure:Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill JesusJesus Was Not Crazy About His Duties“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Luke 22:42 NLTJesus Didn’t Take the Easy Way OutDo you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26:53Jesus Understand InjusticeJesus was innocent. Yet according to Matthew and Mark, Jesus was taken by the soldiers into the common hall, the praetorium, which was thronged with Roman soldiers. There, they stripped Him and mocked Him by putting on Him a purple robe and a crown of thorns. The prophet Isaiah anticipated this when he stated in Isaiah 52:14, “His visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.” Jesus was beaten about the head and the body until He was almost unrecognizable.Jesus was mocked. Matthew 27:42, “He saved others; himself he cannot save.”

I can’t take credit for the original question, but I have expanded on it.What if we treated the bible like our cell phone?I would we buy it a cool case so it would stay in great condition?Would it be in our pocket or purse wherever we go?Would we get halfway to work and turn around to go get it?Would we have a “Family plan” so we could all share it?Would we have an unlimited data package so we didn’t have to worry about how much we used it?Would people wait in lines to get the newest translations?Would we feel absolutely lost without it and offer rewards to anyone who found it?Would we attach tracking devices to locate it via GPS?Would we be more comfortable asking people what are your favorite parts? Like we ask about our favorite apps?Would we give it to our children to keep them occupied?Would every twelve-year-old feel they were entitled to one because “Everyone has one but me”?Would we “Share” cool stuff we found on Twitter and Facebook?Would we legally tie ourselves to it for two years?Would it be the first thing we check when we get up, and the last thing we read before we go to bed?Would we read it in line at the grocery store, or while you wait for your waitress to come back?Would we be reminded a thousand times, “Please quit reading the bible during the feature presentation” before a movie?Would we have “Genius Pews” instead of genius bars?Would there be signs at Subway stating, “Please no bible reading” while in line?Would we make arrangements to keep it charged on the road?Would we buy insurance to cover it if we lost it?Would we spend $3 a day (or more) to use it?Would we let a stranger use it in a pinch?Would the slick commercials say, “Yeah, there’s a verse for that..”Your phone allows you to stay connected with family, friends, and the world. The bible helps you stay connected to God who made your family, friends, and world.Can you hear me now?

One of the things I struggle with is if someone does what I feel is “wrong,’ I REALLY want an apology before I even think about forgiving them. This is not biblical. As I was listening to the last hours of Christ’s life, the one thing he said was,” Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (Luke 23:34). He didn’t ask for an apology. He didn’t get one. The people who had nailed him to a tree were playing games for his clothes. Wow. That hit me.In Matthew 23:26 shows again how Jesus wants us to focus on our own hearts. “Blind Pharisee! First, clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.” He points out again that if we focus on what we put in our hearts, it will result in our actions. So if we don’t get an apology that we may actually deserve then what?In the book The Christian Atheist, the author points out how he struggled with forgiving a family friend who had molested his sister in the sixth grade. However, over time he was able to forgive this person. It wasn’t easy. But with Christ all things are possible. If we can’t get the apology we need, we need to ask God to take our burden. Praying for the other person may not always achieve the goal we want. It may not change them, but by honoring the bible with our actions that prayer will change US.He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends. Proverbs 17: 9By carrying bitterness, rage, and anger, in our hearts we are taking up valuable space that could be replaced with love, compassion, and understanding.Jesus didn’t need an apology to forgive people, and you don’t need one either. You have Jesus. If he did it, so can you.

People want to say Jesus and his story was just folk lore that got out of hand. That his disciples “pulled on off” on the world by propagating one of the worlds best secrets. I would believe that except according to wikipedia here is how they died:* Peter, crucified upside-down in Rome c. AD 64.* James, son of Zebedee was beheaded in AD 44, first of the Twelve to die (since the addition of Matthias)* John, son of Zebedee, no biblical record of death, he is believed to have died of natural causes due to old age. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that John was immortalized and he will live to see the Second Coming of Christ.[20]* Andrew, Peter’s brother, was crucified upon a diagonal or X-shaped cross.* Philip was crucified in AD 54.* Bartholomew (also known as Nathaniel) was flayed alive (skinned) and then beheaded; some sources locate his death at Derbend on the Caspian Sea.[21]* Matthew killed by an axe in AD 60.* Thomas was killed by a spear in Mylapore, Madras, India in AD 72.* James, son of Alphaeus, beaten to death with a club after being crucified and stoned.* Jude was crucified.* Simon the Zealot was crucified in AD 74.* Judas Iscariot, according to Matthew, hanged himself after betraying Jesus. In Acts, he is described as falling in a field and bursting open. Apologists explain this apparent discrepancy by presuming that he decayed on the tree resulting in a bloating with gas and a weakening of the skin. Then when he was let down from the tree he burst open upon impact.Replacement for Judas Iscariot picked by the surviving eleven:* Matthias, Judas’ replacement, was stoned and beheaded.Jesus’s Death1. The guards took the body. Let me get this straight. Rome went through the hassle of making sure his body didn’t go missing by assigning guards, and they put a big stone, and then the guards decided to defy their athoritative figures who put them there and pull a prank?2. The disciples took his body. This is after they went Jackie Chan on the guards right?3. The disciples propigated the story. Jesus appears to about 500 hundred people on a mountain in Galilee 1 Corinthians 15:64. Jesus was a nut job, like many people who lead cults. Jesus showed compassion, and love to everyone he met. He asked for forgiveness for his killers. He was quizzed by the Jewish leaders over and over as they tried to trick him into doing something they could kill him for. He outwitted them time and time again. I don’t think Jesus was a nut job.I could go into TONS of prophecy about Jesus. My favorite scripture is Psalm 22 written WAY before Jesus. Jesus quotes some of this on the cross. In my opinion he is trying to get the crowd to understand what they are looking at. In the same way if I said “Two all beef patties special sauce,” you would say “Pickles onion on a sesame seed bun” (and old McDonald’s commercial for the big make back in the 70’s that was played over and over and over). Jesus is saying, “Do you realize what you are watching?”Psalm 22For the director of music. To the tune of “The Doe of the Morning.” A psalm of David.1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?   Why are you so far from saving me,so far from my cries of anguish?2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,by night, but I find no rest.[b]3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;you are the one Israel praises.[c]4 In you our ancestors put their trust;they trusted and you delivered them.5 To you they cried out and were saved;in you they trusted and were not put to shame.6 But I am a worm and not a man,scorned by everyone, despised by the people.7 All who see me mock me;   they hurl insults, shaking their heads.8 “He trusts in the LORD,” they say,   “let the LORD rescue him.Let him deliver him,   since he delights in him.”9 Yet you brought me out of the womb;you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast.10 From birth I was cast on you;from my mother’s womb you have been my God.11 Do not be far from me,for trouble is nearand there is no one to help.12 Many bulls surround me;strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.13 Roaring lions that tear their preyopen their mouths wide against me.14 I am poured out like water,and all my bones are out of joint.My heart has turned to wax;it has melted within me.15 My mouth[d] is dried up like a potsherd,and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;you lay me in the dust of death.16 Dogs surround me,a pack of villains encircles me;they pierce[e] my hands and my feet.17 All my bones are on display;people stare and gloat over me.18 They divide my clothes among them   and cast lots for my garment.19 But you, LORD, do not be far from me.You are my strength; come quickly to help me.20 Deliver me from the sword,my precious life from the power of the dogs.21 Rescue me from the mouth of

Many people point out the Bible discrepancies, and state because there are contradictions in the bible, it can’t be viewed as a credible resource. Let’s look at those contradictions.1. What was written above Jesus’s head when he was crucified. Matthew 27:37 says, “This is Jesus the King of the Jews.” Mark 15:26 says “The king of the Jews.” Luke 23:38 says, “This is the King of the Jews.” John 19:19 says, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”If it actually said “This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews, ” then they all would be correct. We need to keep in mind that according to John 19:20 the sign was written in three different languages. It’s not like the writing said it only said “King of the Jews.” .2. How many angels were at Jesus’s tomb after the resurrection? Matthew 28:2 mentions one angel. Mark 16:5 says there was a “young man” in the tomb. Luke 24:4 mentions two men clothed in dazzling robes.3. How many blind men greeted Jesus outside Jericho? Mathew 20:30 says two (neither is named), Mark 10:46 mentions one named Bartimaeus.4. How many demon-possessed men did Jesus meet in the region of the Gadarenes? Mathew 8:28 says Jesus met two. Mark 5:2 mentions one.5. How many donkeys did Jesus ride on as he entered Jerusalem?Mathew 21:7 mentions two, a donkey and a colt. Mark 11:7 and Luke 19:35 only mention one, a colt. Zachariah 9:9 mentions both a donkey and a colt, therefore supporting Mathew but seems to contradict Mark and Luke.In 2-5 we need to keep in mind that authors may have different levels of detail. If I say John Lennon was in the Beatles, and you say John Lennon and Paul McCartney were in the Beatles were are both correct. The person who says John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Star, and George Harrison were in the Beatles is the most accurate. However, none of us were wrong. It’s not like we said, “Paul McCartney is the only Beatle.6. Did the centurion outside Capernaum ask Jesus to heal his servant, or was it someone else who came to Jesus?Mathew 8:5 say it was the centurion. Luke 7:3-6 says the centurion sent two Jewish elders, then some friend to speak to Jesus on his behalf.Today it is reported that a President of a country stated something. Many times this is a prepared statement that is delivered by a press secretary who said it on their behalf. In that scripture, the centurion mentions how Jesus’s power is much like other chains of command. He only need to “say the word” and those under his command do their bidding.7. How did Judas die? Mathew 27:5 says he went out and hanged himself. Acts 1;18 tells us he fell and “his body split open, spilling out all his intestines.”This is one of the most brought-up contradictions. I can speak to this one personally. I work for a company that inspects properties for banks. In some cases the property is being foreclosed on. We find houses in really bad condition. In one instance the homeowner had hung himself from a tree in the backyard. However, the inspector didn’t see him (his backyard was very large and he was way off in the distance). However, gases build up in a body (especially one that is in the sun) and left alone the body exploded. Thus both these scriptures could be accurate. Others say that Judas hung himself over a cliff and the branch broke which would catapult his body down the cliff.8. How was the bible transcribed?Most of the newer translations like the NIV and others go back to the original documents with the best translators. So many people think of the “telephone game” where you tell one person a phrase who gives it to the other person, and the next, and the next and finally the last person states what they heard and you find out how much was lost in translation. This is not the case. We start at the original. We are not translating a translation.The original documents were written by scribes. These were special people who were mind boggling exact. More than 5,600 Greek manuscripts contain pars or all of the New Testament an amount far beyond that of any other ancient book. Compare that the Honer’s Iliad and only seven copies of Plato’s writings. When you compare the copies of the New Testament the manuscripts are nearly perfect. Much more accurate of other writings.If you look at the Hindu Mahabharata is approximately 260,000 lines and is 90% accurate. Homer’s Iliad is 15,600 lines and is 95% accurate. The New Testament is 20,000 lines and is 99.98% accurate.There was a Time Gap between when the items happened and when it was written. Here again the Bible is in better shape than other documents. The New Testament was written 50-100 A.D. and the earliest copy is 100-300 A.D. (30-250 years). Compare this to Homer, Plato, or Aristotle and you see a time gap of 500 (Homer) to 1,400 (Aristotle) years.Authors of the New Testament wrote almost all of the New Testament within 40 years of Jesus’ crucifixion, and all within 65 years. Forty years is a long time to remember, but the authors were able to cross-refer

I entered my Ethics class at the University of Akron. Day one we had to get something out of the way. We needed to get God out of this discussion. After all, what does God know about Morals? Here was their excuse to get God out of the Ethics discussions:1. There are so many denominations. If people can’t agree on God then he doesn’t exist.2. There are universal truths (like don’t murder). Did God invent these truths, or did he just relay them?3. There are no hard facts that God exists. You can run an experiment in a lab and prove God.No we don’t want to put our faith into something we can’t see. Yes God is all around. To start this podcast we first have to start where everything starts: God.If I walked through the forest and found a watch, would I go, “Wow this dirt has turned into a watch! – Amazing!” No, I’d go, “Someone lost their watch.” It’s obvious that somenoe created this watch. It didn’t evolve over billions of years from a frog. It’s to integrated. It’s too intelligent. Even after billions of years, a watch did not evolve from a frog.OK, I know this is dumb. There are birds who have had their beaks evolve over time. However, they are still BIRDS.If we evolved from a big bang, and energy and matter just landed here and we arose from a bunch of goo, I say the complexity is to great. Christians look at God’s designs and praise the creator. They put their faith in someone they can’t see, but they can see a reflection of his mighty hand in his creations. A non believer puts their faith in time. How did this happen? Their answer is time. Over time everything “just happened.”For today, let’s just look at a few things. Let’s cover how the planet got here. Let’s go back to the beginning.Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”Science wants to prove that you can create life by chance. One widely used example of how life could have formed by natural processes is the Miller-Urey experiment, performed in the early 1950s.Miller’s objective was not to create life but to simulate how life’s basic building structures (amino acids) might have formed in the early earth. In the experiment, Miller attempted to simulate the early atmosphere of earth by using certain gases, which he thought might produce organic compounds necessary for life. Since the gases he included (water, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen) do not react with each other under natural conditions, he generated electrical currents to simulate some form of energy input (such as lightning) that was needed to drive the chemical reactions. The result was production of amino acids. Many textbooks promote this experiment as the first step in explaining how life could have originated. But there is more to this experiment than what is commonly represented in textbooks.In the experiment, Miller was attempting to illustrate how life’s building blocks (amino acids) could have formed by natural processes. However, throughout the experiment Miller relied on years of intelligent research in chemistry. He purposely chose which gases to include and which to exclude. Next, he had to isolate the biochemicals (amino acids) from the environment he had created them in because it would have destroyed them. No such system would have existed on the so-called primitive earth. It appears Miller used intelligent design throughout the experiment rather than chance processes.Now let’s look at the EarthThe Earth…its size is perfect. The Earth’s size and corresponding gravity holds a thin layer of mostly nitrogen and oxygen gases, only extending about 50 miles above the Earth’s surface. If Earth were smaller, an atmosphere would be impossible, like the planet Mercury. If Earth were larger, its atmosphere would contain free hydrogen, like Jupiter. Earth is the only known planet equipped with an atmosphere of the right mixture of gases to sustain plant, animal and human life.The Earth is located the right distance from the sun. Consider the temperature swings we encounter, roughly -30 degrees to +120 degrees. If the Earth were any further away from the sun, we would all freeze. Any closer and we would burn up. Even a fractional variance in the Earth’s position to the sun would make life on Earth impossible. The Earth remains this perfect distance from the sun while it rotates around the sun at a speed of nearly 67,000 mph. It is also rotating on its axis, allowing the entire surface of the Earth to be properly warmed and cooled every day.And our moon is the perfect size and distance from the Earth for its gravitational pull. The moon creates important ocean tides and movement so ocean waters do not stagnate, and yet our massive oceans are restrained from spilling over across the continentsIt’s hard to believe we evolved from “goo.”Now Let’s Look at ManEvolutionary Developmental BiologyI am aware of Sean Carrol and his Pulitzer Prize-winning studies where “modifying a single gene during a fly’s embryonic development could transform the insect’s b

Are you ready to start? Buckle up. Here we go. I’m calling this the pilot episode to explain where I’m coming from and where we are going.I believe the bible. Every word. The inspired word of God. Now I also know that while it is the inspired word of God, it is not always inspiring (see Deuteronomy). I believe it. Even the talking donkey, virgin birth, Jonah and the whale, etc. I have seen miracles, so yes I believe it.There are people who (from my point of view) have a greater understanding of Jesus. They have a closer connection with Jesus. The lead singer of Casting Crowns has great insights. The pastor of my church always seems to state the obvious in ways that are new and energizing. People that make me go “hmmmm.”I hear of the peace, the confidence, the love that Jesus Christ can bring and I want that. I’ve been going to church since I was a baby. I lead my youth group when I was a teen. I’ve lead Sunday school classes for over 20 years. I’ve even attended classes to prep me for being a pastor. With that said, I still feel I can “take it to the next level” even though I’m not sure what that is or means.I’ve been a teacher in the corporate world for over 20 years. I started filling in for my pastor when he went on vacation. I was later approached to consider doing this full time (as the pastor was looking to retire). I prayed and agreed. To make a long story short, the experiment of me becoming a pastor did not go the way I had planned. As the old saying goes, “You can’t please everyone,” and my style of preaching was completely different from the previous pastor. I was water, and my congregation was oil. This doesn’t mean my water was bad, or their oil was bad. It just meant we weren’t a good fit for each other. I have since moved on to another church that feeds me spiritually. I love the people of my old church, and wish them well.The one thing I truly enjoyed about being a Minister in Training was preaching. I enjoyed the process of putting up my radar, and having God send down a message. I would have a single thought, and example after example would just jump out at me. Literal creative juices flowed as I would be up way past my bedtime with websites and scriptures leaping off the page to be part of my teaching that week.AIn my studies to be a pastor, I’ve learned A LOT about religion. I’ve learned that I love Jesus Christ, but I HATE religion. Christians have argued for centuries over RELIGION. Why do you think there are so many denominations? Religion.I’m here to try to build a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. This means I’m going to need to look at myself to see where I am. It means I’m going to have to study his word, and other books to see where I want to go, and then chart the course. It sounds easy. It should be easy. It’s not. The world is always working to convince me that the bible is just a bunch of stories. Being a Christian means going against the grain.Let’s see if you can get this one. Why did Jesus come? I’ll let you think a minute. To save us? OK. To forgive our sins? Sure. When Pilot asked him, he replied “I’ve come to testify to the truth.” Which makes you think the truth is on trial. It is. Everything the bible says is wrong, the world says is OK. My favorite is that Christians are called “judgmental” when we say things like “Ashley Madison is a morally bankrupt company” (it’s a site that’s purpose is to help married people find other married people to have affairs). It’s not me saying that, it’s God. God said not to cheat on your spouse. As a Christian, my goal is not to judge, but to identify those things that God deems offensive and avoid them.So I’m taking my teachings to the Internet. I’m a geek. I’m a teacher. I’m a Christian. This will combine all three. As I strive to “Get to the next level,” you’re welcome to come along. I don’t have all the answers. I’m not perfect (far, far from it). I hope to make you smile along the way, maybe even chuckle. More importantly, if you’ve been thinking about reaching out to God. I think we all can learn from each other. Let’s see where God wants us to go as I start the process of feeding my faith.