Personal Training

 
So another Thanksgiving has come and gone and we are left with fond memories... and excess pounds. Should we feel guilty about this or make a plan to discipline ourselves in matters of physical fitness?

I Timothy 4:8 – “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

Paul writes to Timothy pastoring a church in Ephesus. Ephesus is located across from the Aegean Sea next to Greece – a country that worshiped the body at the expense of the spirit. Paul is trying to help Timothy understand and teach proper priorities in one’s life. So, he says in verse 7, “discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” The word “discipline” also means train. In verse 8, Paul says physical exercise has its value as well as the pursuit of spiritual fitness. Paul encourages both types of training to take place, but that godliness should always have a higher priority. Paul challenges us to “run the Christian race” and commit ourselves as an athlete – ultimately that our entire life may glorify God. We are using something that is of some value (sports and recreation) to pursue something of greater value (godliness) as we run for “the crown that will last forever.”

Studies have shown that exercise gives us physical and mental concentration, stronger muscles and bones, helps us sleep better, reduces fatigue, depression, and anxiety, fights heart disease, and generally gives a longer, healthier life.

Jason David Frank, who famously fought villains in his white metallic armor as Tommy the Power Ranger, encourages physical fitness through his martial arts clothing line "Jesus Didn’t Tap".  Frank says, “Jesus is the only one that truly didn’t tap. They say, ‘Oh, he was nailed to the cross so he couldn’t tap.’ Well, you can verbally tap, you can verbally cry, ‘I quit! I give up!’ That’s not what he did. He got crucified for all our sins.”

Let's make exercise a priority – it has some value! It is not a waste of time - it is an investment into your life – your quality of life. Pray and ask God to help you – even if you just start a few times a week to get moving for even just 15 minutes. And then live your life passionately for God – with energy!


Jason David Frank video on Fit TV:

Faith in Action

 By faith, George Mueller overcame huge obstacles and established many orphanages throughout England that fed and housed thousands of orphans. Mr. Mueller believed that faith rested upon the Word of God. He said, “When sight ceases, then faith has a chance to work.” As long as there was any possibility of human success, he felt that faith could accomplish nothing. His motto was “God is able to do this; I cannot.”

These kinds of choices are called faith choices or non-feeling choices. They are choices to believe and trust in God (regardless of how we feel) in the midst of huge obstacles. Faith choices are simply saying, “not my will but Thine,” just like Jesus did in Matthew 26:39.

We must take our eyes off the temporal situations and focus on God’s eternal plan. That’s our hope! That’s our destiny! And that’s our future! Not the temporal things of today. He created us, He called us, and He has instilled that ultimate purpose in our hearts. And the only way it will be realized is when we, by faith, align ourselves with His plan.
 
'I cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers…that ye may know what is the hope of His calling…what is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of His power towards us who believe'…
— Ephesians 1:16–19

As we pursue lives of faith, we can easy be overwhelmed with all the needs that we see around us, leaving us paralyzed feeling unable to act. Ambassador Tony P. Hall,  had this experience when in India. He had the opportunity to meet Mother Teresa and as they were walking through the streets of Calcutta she stopped to care for people along the side of the road. Tony said to her, “What can I possibly do to help end hunger around the world?  I can’t even help the hungry people on this street!”  After a few minutes she said, “Tony, you just need to do the thing that’s in front of you.  No more, no less.”


Orrin Evans - Faith In Action

 

Transhumanism - The Brave New World

The twenty-first century has  already given us a rapid growth in knowledge, and will continue to be stranger than we can imagine, especially in the areas of science and technology. What was once considered science fiction will soon become science fact. In recent years, the concepts of intelligent machines and computers manipulating a person’s mind have become popular through movies such as Short Circuit, The Matrix, and Star Trek Nemesis which proclaimed that "to be human is to seek self-enhancement."

Widely noticed publications, such as the NSF/DOC-sponsored report “Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance” and the final report of the President’s Council on Bioethics, “Beyond Therapy: Biotechnology and the Pursuit of Happiness,” have given close attention to human enhancement through technology.

Bio-technology’s popular uses shows a long list, among them weight loss, hair growth, birth control, teeth straightening, and sex selection of children. Transhumanism takes human enhancement even further, by changing the vision of a perfect man into a human-machine complex properly called “posthuman.” This is an effort to break every human limitation and redefine personhood. Nick Bostrom, Oxford philosophy professor and co-founder of the World Transhumanism Association, writes that posthumans will realize eternal youth and health, gain complete control over their minds and emotions, and “experience novel states of consciousness” that present human minds cannot imagine. Post-humans may even choose to discard their bodies in favor of life as “information patterns on vast super fast computer networks, or transferring their mind into another body to extend their life. This raises questions that the church needs to consider over will this new "person" have a soul and will they have the ability to receive Christ as their Savior?

As the Bible says in Genesis 11:6, "...now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do."  How long will it be before His patience is once again exhausted?
Some of the more bizarre terrors in the Book of Revelation seem less strange as we peer into the emerging world of biotechnology.  The "iron mixed with miry clay" in the image of the final world empire portrayed in Nebuchadnezzar's dream of Daniel 2 has also puzzled scholars for centuries. "And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay." - Daniel 2:43
To "mingle themselves with seed of men," they have to be something other than the seed of men.  What can they be?  Are they hybrids produced by cloning?  Are they Nephilim produced by fallen angels? (The Restrainer of 2 Thessalonians 2 may be restraining far more than we have any idea.)
It is time to diligently do our homework; the days are getting stranger with every bizarre breakthrough and our time is getting shorter.  There is no priority in our life more urgent than our spiritual preparation.  None of these things is unanticipated in God's plan for you and me.  And there is no way to be ready for what's coming unless you know your Bible...and unless you have a personal relationship with its Author!

The transformation Christians should be seeking is not the physical or psychological enhancement found in science, reason, or technology, but rather the trans-forming work found only in God’s supernatural work through His Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). Romans 12:2 says:
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2
Christians need to be aware of Transhumanism and its various forms, but they need not concern themselves with seeking something they cannot and should not attain—autonomous perfection in a utopian world society. Man’s salvation is found only in the perfect and complete atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ and his promise of eternal life, as a free gift, to those who believe in him (Romans 3:23-26; Ephesians 2:8-9).

So where does this leave us in regard to the morality of this? The technology per se is not immoral any more than the Internet or television is immoral. It is Man’s use of it and his motivation that is at issue. However, if we attempt to thwart God’s power for our own personal gain, then the use of genetic engineering cannot be condoned. Also, for whatever reason, if the use of the technology is for eugenic purposes or to create biological weapons, it is clearly immoral.

As Christians, we must be the “Watchmen on the Wall” in regard to the use of this technology. We should question—loudly—technology and techniques that might lead to hasty or untested results. We need to provide a moral compass to assure that the results of genetic engineering do not degrade the integrity of Man nor make a mockery of God’s creation.

Singer/songwriter Sara Groves speaks on bio-ethics:

The Artist's Heart - Part 2

This week we will discuss the artist and emotions. We are made to be emotional beings. However, we are not to be haunted by the "dark side" of our emotions but free to live emotionally healthy, instead of unstable, slaves to untrustworthy feelings.
Jesus said "Blessed are those that mourn for they shall be comforted". King David, who was also a poet and songwriter, was an emotional guy. Would David feel at home in your church today or would he see your church as a place only for those who have "arrived"?

To help in managing emotions here are some helpful tips:

1. Be proactive about pursuing truth. (Phil. 4:8). Speak the truth to yourself and others, as David did in Psalm 51:8. The next time you catch yourself overreacting or assuming the worst of a situation, ask your self if you are basing your reaction on truth or speculation.

2. Be proactive on worshiping God. Make a commitment to regularly set aside time to worship God.
John Piper writes,"Worship must engage your emotions and worship must engage your thought. Truth without emotion produces dead orthodoxy and a church full of unspiritual fighters. Emotion without truth produces empty frenzy and cultivates flaky people who reject the discipline of rigorous thought. True worship comes from people who are deeply emotional and who love deep and sound doctrine."
C.S. Lewis called worship "inner health made audible".
Also, worship music can refresh and restore you as well as reading the Psalms.

3. Seek God's will. In the garden, Jesus knew the cross was before him, and the battle within that He was fighting.  His date with the cross was growing closer and closer, and His human emotions began come out. He became deeply troubled and distressed. He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death." -Mark 14:32-34. Can you even imagine the thoughts and emotions that must have been going through His mind?  Jesus felt the fear, but He did not allow His emotions to stand in the way of God's will and God's way.

Personal Action Steps:

1. Make a commitment to read a Psalm a day and journal about what you read.
2. Make a commitment to listen to worship music this week during the time that you would normally watch TV.
3. Habakkuk 3:17-18 was written in a farming society. Rewrite this in your own words using your own work profession.

Recommended book:

Warrior Poets of the 21st Century by Robin Mark
http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Poets-21st-Century-Robin/dp/1932307788

The Artist's Heart - Part 1

For the actor, artist, musician, sound technician, interior decorator, or other creative person, I pray this series will help you gain a better understanding of yourself and how to use your talents in ministry to others.

We see the arts play a big part in the Bible. Ezekiel acted out the siege of Jerusalem and even drew the city skyline as a backdrop (Ezekiel 4). King Solomon made windows with artistic frames (I Kings 6:4, and the temple artwork, such as the columns, had no structural significance. It was beauty for the sake of beauty (2 Chronicles 3:15-17).

The artistic journey begins with a desire to create. But this is only the beginning. The seed to create will in time grow into a full-blown philosophy of artmaking.

Here are some characteristics of a God honoring artist:

1. Excellence In Craft
They purpose to develop skills on par with the talent given them. They pray to be filled with skill, ability and knowledge. They work hard, for as the Scripture says: "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." They study to learn why some things work and others don't.
 
2. Make The Most Of Every Opportunity
They give their best to God in their home, church or university, being seen as faithful in the little things that they might be found ready and prepared for the bigger. They recognize that contemporary tools are nice to have, but are no substitute for astonishing ideas.

3. Find Balance Between Work And Rest
Foolish is the man that thinks he's succeeding just because how hard he is working. As the Scripture says, "Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil." Rather than worrying about basic provisions, true artists memorize and trust God's promises to provide.

4. Pray For Humility
True artists pray for humility and don't struggle endlessly against circumstances designed to humble them. Instead they see difficult circumstances as a provision from God and an answer to their prayers. They welcome the discipline of the Lord because it is a testimony of his fatherly love and a sure sign that he is changing them into the man or woman he has designed them to be.

5. Work Against Apathy
True artists work against indifference, unconcern and disdain. They purpose in their lives and their art to do both in such a way as to lead men and women away from such worthless occupation of the mind and heart.

6. Love The Church
Charlie Peacock writes "True artists purpose to love the Church despite indifference or opposition to their work. Though indifference is their enemy they separate it from the brother or sister who is deceived by it. They are eager to find their place in the Body and do not consider themselves exempt from fellowship and church stewardship responsibilities. They love the Church and do all they can to build it up, for how can you love Christ and hate his Church?"

7. Purpose To Think
Meditate on what is lovely and truthful and desire such things in their art. They never stop thinking. They are curious to know what makes things work. They know the power of ideas and pray to use only those whose consequences produce fruit in keeping with the Spirit of God.

8. Know Mission And Destination
They know where they are going and what they are called to do along the way. Their panoramic vision keeps their eyes on the promise ahead. It keeps their eyes on what has gone before in history.

9. Imitate Jesus
True artists imitate Jesus. They pursue greatness in craft in order to give the Lord the best fruit of the talent he has given them, not to build themselves up. They understand that true greatness is found in the heart of the servant.
After Jesus washed the feet of his disciples he told them, "I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things you will be blessed if you do them." (John 13:15-17)

Next week we will look at how the artist manages their emotions and how to do well in your creative work.

Rapture Ready?

Through the Gospels, Jesus relied on the Jewish wedding pattern for many of His parables. We can easily miss these allusions if we aren't familiar with the model of ancient Jewish wedding practices.

The Jewish Wedding
The first step, the Ketubah, or Betrothal, was the establishment of the marriage covenant, when the prospective bridegroom took the initiative and paid the price to purchase her.
Once the bridegroom paid the purchase price, the young man and woman were regarded as husband and wife. From that moment on, the bride was declared to be sanctified - set apart - only for her bridegroom.

After the marriage covenant was established, the groom left his bride at her home to go to his father's house, where he remained separated from his bride for approximately 12 months. This afforded the bride time to gather her dowry and prepare for married life.
During this period of separation, the groom prepared a dwelling place in his father's house to later bring his bride. At the end of the separation, the bridegroom came at night to take his bride to live with him. The groom, the best man, and other male escorts left the father's house and conducted a torch-lit procession to the home of the bride. Although the bride was expecting her groom to come for her, she did not know the time of his coming. As a result, the groom's arrival was preceded by a shout, which announced her imminent departure to be gathered with him.

The Ultimate Bride
The New Testament portrays the Church as the Bride of Christ in Ephesians 5:22-33. Paul continually reminds us of the purchase price and the covenant by which we, the Bride, are set apart, or sanctified.
One of the challenges in fully appreciating Paul's epistles is the need to understand the staggering and distinctive advantages afforded the Church, in contrast to those of the Old Testament saints. And it is this role as the Bride of the Bridegroom that is emphasized in the parables and in the Book of Revelation.

The Departure of the Bridegroom
The Bridegroom has departed, and His return to gather His Bride is imminent. He has gone to prepare a place for you and me. (He has been at it for 2,000 years! It must be an amazing place!)
This very doctrine of "imminence" is taught throughout the New Testament and is a cornerstone of the "pre-tribulational" view: there is no event which is a prerequisite condition for His gathering of His Bride.
Jesus (in the Old Testament) explains:
I will go and return to my place, until they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me earnestly. -Hosea 5:15

The Church has been promised:
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour [time] of temptation [trial], which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. -Revelation 3:10

Isaiah 26:20 Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by.

To the extent that there are geopolitical and other signs may suggest a soon return of the King on the horizon. This should, indeed, intensify our priorities to immerse in the Word, reexamine our commitments to our Coming King, stay informed on what is happening in the world (especially with Israel) and seriously address each day which remains with a high degree of urgency.
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. -Matthew 24:44

1 John 2:28 "And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming."

While we do not know when the Rapture will occur, we can use spiritual discernment to see sign posts for His return. We still have our daily routines, but remember to "look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near." Luke 21:28



Are you really ready? Do you really take Him seriously? As we walk daily with the Lord, may we be able to say with Job: My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. (Job 42:5)

Avalon - People Get Ready... Jesus is Comin'

Jazz Theology

While working on a degree in biblical studies, Robert Gelinas headed to a local jazz venue that stayed  open late and offered bottomless cups of coffee. He would talk to the musicians about Jesus, and they would teach him in the ways of jazz. "It was there," says Gelinas, "that I realized that jazz is more than music and, when understood, can be applied to prayer, Bible study, and the way we do church."

Jazz theology is what happens when we express the basic elements of jazz in our relationship with God—syncopation, improvisation, and call and response. These allow us to experience life in concert with Scripture, with other practicing Christians, be used as servant leaders and sing the blues so as not to waste any pain.
Gelinas says "To sing the blues is to embrace the cross of Christ and the cross he calls us to bear. In the process we realize that Jesus not only redeems us from our sin and sadness, he also actually redeems our sin and sadness."

One of the best things we can do is listen to what others are expressing about what God is doing in their lives, so we can serve them as Christ would.
 
Within the dynamic of His eternal will, God improvises. God’s providential jazz liberates slaves and weeps over cities. God has been triumphant and also sad. Jazz portrays the diversity, freedom and eternal freshness of God. Something in us tells us that our knowing about God is to be more than an intellectual knowing. We long for the kind of knowing that goes beyond the intellect without bypassing the intellect. The kind of knowing of God and being known by God that made God take Enoch early. The kind of knowing that rivals Moses and Joshua as they spoke with God face to face. The kind devotion with God that kept Jesus up all night in conversation with his Father. Jazz theology helps with this kind of knowing.

Robert Gelinas spoke on some key features of jazz and how they harmonize with Christianity:


1. Syncopation accents the off beat and produces swing. God is concerned with those overlooked by others and acts in surprising ways.  Acts 17:28 "For in him we live and move and have our being."



2. Improvisation allows one to be creative within a pattern. God has revealed his "song" but we can improvise within the chord changes.



3. Call and response means that we respond to God's initiative. He calls us to love him and live in and through Jesus Christ.

 ”You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (John 15:16).

4. Jazz groups are ensembles in which the many function as one, without the members losing their unique identity. Christians are united in Christ, but can express their individuality in harmony with others as part of the Body of Christ. "But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. " I Corinthians 12:18

5. Jazz in rooted in the blues. The blues teaches us to embrace our pain until we smile again. Jesus embraced the ultimate pain on the Cross and turned it into our redemption.

Kirk Whalum: The Gospel According to Jazz