IT'S THE ONE

  

All the trees whispered, as that seed was blown away by the wind, "it's the one?"

The moist ground groaned, under the curse, as that seed fell to the earth, "it's the one, finally?!"

The burning sun beamed in hope as that seedling broke above the soil, "it's the one?"

The animals browsed all around the sapling, but not taking it, suspecting, "it's the one?!"

All creation watched it grow, anxiously hoping, "it's the one..."

The forester ignorantly chopped It down, never once knowing "it's the one."

The soldiers callously erected the beam towards the skies, with absolutely no idea that this tree is the one!

He has gladly dragged the beam along the sorrowful way, knowing "it's the one ..."

He was angrily hoisted upon the blessed tree, upon which Jesus became the cursed one!

.

FLORAL SMOKE ON THE WIND

The sunset I can see!

The songbirds I can hear.

But, the roses I can not smell.

A steak sizzling on the grill.

Coffee steaming in my cup.

The grandbaby's sweet breath.

The faint aroma of her pillow.

Memories ...

Expectations?!

As I enter the gates, the saints' prayers waft on the air?! 

And, what is that sweet, fruity smell, so intoxicating?!

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭8:3‭-‬4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

[3] Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. [4] The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. 

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22:1‭-‬2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

[1] Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb [2] down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 

.

ANGEL MUSIC

 

It's 3 a.m. and I have again restlessly stirred.

Dark thoughts have revived and recurred.

I desperately listen for them, but hear not a word.

The angels are overshadowed by the ominous,dark herd.

From the Pit comes their noisy din.

Will I tonight hear the angels again?!

The demonic cacophony will not win?

Turn up the volume, on a new song, my Friend!

 

THE NEW SONG

I WILL GO WITH HER AND DIE

 

Adam was alone, with nobody to caress his face.

He looked around and watched the pairs embrace.

But, he was the only one of this new human race.

Something completely new in all this time and space.

At last, creation was complete, Eve he did spy!

"bone of my bones, flesh of my flesh" was his cry!

Never again will I ever have to sit alone and sigh.

Together, enjoying the garden, watching clouds going by.

Enter the Snake.

This is wrong, God, damn the foe.

But, alone, I will not, cannot let her go!

Beside her, away, through weal or woe.

Surely He will save, how, I do not know.

So Adam took the fruit from her hand.

She is my woman; I am her man.

What happens next, He must have a plan?!

Forgive us and save us, I know that He can?

I will go with her, together, we will die.

Alone, she will not be able to get by.

And Jesus looked down at his confused, straying bride ...

then He whispered, "For her I gladly will die..."

WHAT WILL BE?

 

Many are the worldly powers that be.

They take no notice of such as me.

For their cause, they must have victory!

God alone knows the outcome we'll see.

Angry young people demanding their share.

Confused old workers, tired from wear and tear.

They each, in their own way, think that it is all unfair!

It's all really mine; so you best beware!

Feed the hungry, and maybe make a new friend?!

Or, stand at the door, and don't let them come in?!

Where we are now, we really already have been.

You're not my neighbor, and I'm not your kin!

Is the aim of this game just  to hustle and hoard?!

Surely there's a higher way? Please, help us Lord!

Maybe we could finally learn to live in one accord?

Surely that's a train on which we can all get aboard?

Has that train already left the station?

DIFFERENT TYPES OF JESUS PEOPLE

1. Poet/Musician

2. Social Worker

3. Counselor/Therapist 

4. Business Manager

5. Environmentalist

6. Systematic Theologian 

7. Family Man/Woman

8. Social Justice Activist

9. Political Worker

10. Medical Worker

11. Food Supply Provider

12. Educator

13. Military/Police

14. Mystic/Hermit

15. Monastic

16. Rational Classicist

17. Philosophic Moralist

18. Holiness Advocate 

19. Esoteric Gnostic

20. Clueless Observer

21. Complicated Ritualists

22. Simplified Restorationist

23. Charismatic Ecstatic 

24. Progressive Untraditional 

25. Ethnic Enthusiast

26. Disaster Relief Worker

27. Country Clubber

28. Cultish Heretic

29. Ungodly Pretender

30. Humble Seeker

31. Miracle Mongers

32. Cessationist Cynics

33. 

ABRAHAM FAITH

 

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.

Genesis 12:1 NLT

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT

So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT

But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

Matthew 13:16‭-‬17 RSV

for we walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7 RSV

The March of Abraham, by József Molnár

WILDERNESS

 He drove them out of the Garden, and cursed the Creation. Thorns and thistles, disease and death ...

But, the "Seed of woman" was mentioned?!

Forty years, until all the faithless fell out, they wandered in the wilderness.

But, He fed them, cared for them, ...

The next generation was not a lot better?! And, the next ...

No generation has been edenic. We are all east of Eden.

But, the Tree of Life is out there!

WHERE AM I?!

 woke up in the middle of the night... where am I?!

Alabama home I'm selling.

Mississippi home I've bought, and am moving into ...

Rented beach condo for a few days vacationing ...

This world is NOT my home ...

East of Eden ... trying to find that Tree!

And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.

Genesis 4:16 KJV

"Go west, old man"?!

Cain fleeing before Jehovah's Curse, by Fernand-Anne Piestre Cormon, c. 1880

.

TRUST

 

"With bowed head," not "with bated breath"?!

"Holding up holy hands," not "holding my breath"?!

Trust, not trepidation?!

Anticipation, not anxiety?!

Faith, not fear!

O Lord, help me to trust You, BEFORE the way is clear!  

Give me peace, THROUGH "the valley of the shadow of death ..."

NIGHT PRAYER

 As I lay here in the darkness, unable to sleep this night, I ask, why do you hide in the shadows? I ask, why do you only whisper rather than write boldly, plainly on the skies? Why is it so difficult for us to follow where you lead? Why can we not see the signs? Why is it so confusing?

We begin to look so much like the world around us. We are not transforming, but rather conforming?! Looking less and less like Him, and more and more like them?! In the name of relevance, we are neglecting righteousness?! Happiness has replaced holiness?! 

SIN

Racism is wrong, in so many ways.

Murder ends the path of jealousy and desire.

Greed is a crippling sin of the heart.

Stealing is selfish, and stirs up rage.

Homosexuality is a perversion.

Abortion is murder.

Lying damns oneself, and, unfairly others.

Adultery is no light matter, but so very destructive.

Arrogance is deceptive and devious.

Hypocrisy is a self-defeating game.

Carnality is the opposite of Spirituality, and it's bane;  and, Spirituality crucifies Carnality.

Time fails to do more than list laziness, gluttony, jealousy, drunkenness, ...

Some distracting. Some destructive. Some deadly.  All damnable.

Matt.15:19

Gal.5:19-21

Romans 1:28-32

I Corinthians 6:9-10

Ephesians 4:3-8

God, have mercy.

*******"

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

Matthew 15:19 ESV

SMALL BLESSINGS

Often, He smiles, winks, motions with a finger, whispers, ...

Far too often, we are too dull or distracted or detoured to notice. 

The problem for us is that we become angry or ungrateful or profane. Instead of a TYG, we utter a GD?! 

For example, while leaning over to pick up a large potted fig tree, a dead, sharp branch poked me in the head and scratched up my forehead. "Thank you, Jesus!" was my response. You see, it had missed my eye! How often I've heard "GD" come out the mouth of others over similar mishaps?!

Another?! My wife screamed and I ran from the other end of the house, only to find out that a mouse had been in the garbage can. It spooked her! My first thought was "great, now I have to deal with a mouse ...". This was in a new house into which we were moving. But imagine my amazement when I walked past the dryer vent outside the house?! No dryer installed yet. Open vent hole. Six inches from ground level! I thought "thank you Jesus for sending the mouse to warn of a snake possibly getting in the house!". (temporary duct tape to the rescue!)

Small blessings! Pay attention. 😇

IT'S NOT OVER!

 Today I met an old man in a waiting room at the doctor's office. He must have been eighty something.  As I set down near him I looked at him briefly and he smiled. He asked me, "how are you doing?". I told him that I was doing fine, but that we had brought my wife to the doctor today to check her eyes.

Then it began! He smiled and said, "my wife and I were married for 50 years and 3 months.". I asked him, "what was her name?". "Louise" he warmly, but softly replied.

We talked of how they had met on a blind date. He told me that he knew that she was the one on their first date because they sat together and his shoulder touched her shoulder and it was on fire!  We talked of how they were married four months later! We talked of camping trips that he had made with his family. He told me that Louise and he had gone on cruises together many times.

I told him that I was sorry that he had lost her. And he smiled and quickly replied, "Its not over!". He knew that he would see her again.

From the next few minutes, before the nurse called him back, we talked of Heaven and how we surely would know our loved ones! We talked of the movie, "Heaven" (2020) and how "it's not over" was a recurring quote!

We shook hands and exchange names before  he went back to his appointment room.

I CAN'T HEAR YOU

Climate Change is a but a hellish distraction.

From neutering boys and even emasculation!

We murder our babies by the tens of thousands.

God sends warning, but we just do not understand.

The Earth is rumbling and shaking in disgust.

But heaven's displeasure is not to be discussed.

The noblest attributes are Tolerance and Choice.

Stuff wax in your ears lest you might hear His voice!

Generations ago we'd throw a baby in the volcano.

Now we're evolved, and in the garbage can they go?!

We've decided that He loves almost everything.

Even if Adam and Steve have going on "a thing".

We're so twisted that we swear that the wrong is the right.

We stumble around because we've turned off the Light.

THE BILLIONAIRE'S BASH

My homies and I were sitting under the bridge, warming up some cans of pork and beans when it all started. It was an awful racket. Everybody was jumping up and down and running around. We all thought that the cops were back to throw us out again.

But, if you could believe it, everybody was going to a party! It seems as if George, the billionaire up on the hill across town was inviting all of us homeless, street people to a party?! I found out later that it was a wedding! I really wasn't sure what in the world was going on at that point. But, I found out later that all the A-list people had turned him down for his son's wedding.  Then George, the billionaire, evidently said to himself, "I've already spent all this money and I've got all this food and everything's lined out and then my friends just dropped me. I'll show them and I'll just invite everybody else. They can just all go to Hell!"

Me and my buddies we rinsed off in the creek and put on the cleanest clothes we had. But we knew we were going to be sticking out like cheap whores at a fancy ball. But, you know that when we got there they had trailers parked out front with people  handing out tuxedos and fancy gowns to all of us so that we would be dressed!  You know, like those nice, high dollar restaurants that have loaner sport coats.   I had never worn a tuxedo before!  We all got dressed up for that old billionaire's party!

But, I'll never forget about John, one old rascal. When they offered him a tuxedo he just spit at them and cussed them and said that he was there only for the food and that he didn't give a rip about that old man who was putting on the party?!

The wedding was not like anything I'd ever seen before! There was music with a live orchestra, and food all over the place at the reception, and people laughing and having a wonderful time.

But, then it happened. That billionaire there looked across the room and that old rascal who didn't have his tuxedo on was sitting there stuffing food in his pockets and just making an absolutely awful scene. The old billionaire walked over there and asked him what in the world was he doing and how did he get in here without that tuxedo. And that old rascal just looked at him and cussed him and said, "I didn't come here for you.  I came here for me. And you could just keep your damn tuxedo for all I care." The whole room got quiet.

And you know, I don't blame him. That billionaire got his security guards and escorted that rascal back down to the shanty town. They threw him out of the limo and said don't ever even think about coming back!

But we spent a week laughing and carrying on like we owned the world. And you know what? That old billionaire fixed us all up. I don't know how he did it. They built a whole new apartment complex behind his mansion and put every one of us in some fine places!  And,  that old billionaire comes down to the complex a few times a month and throws a big party with all of us!

... John, that old rascal, I never saw him again.  He might be with that A-list crowd.  They never come around either?!

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.22.1-14.NLT

GWPR-14 A PEACH AND A SMILE

 A Peach and a Smile

Driving to work today I passed the

local plant nursery where my wife

likes to buy flowers, shrubs, fruit

trees, etc. That jogged my

memory that now is the time for

spraying peach trees to prevent

worms in the fruit months from

now. I would need to get the

proper insecticide for my wife’s

little orchard.

Then the thought came of a time,

decades ago, when my grandma

would take her little grandsons out

to the large, peach tree behind her

Mississippi farmhouse.

(Sometimes it was to get a switch!)

But, sometimes it was to lovingly

peel a juicy, sweet peach and hand

it to us, with a strange, distant look

in her eyes, as she enjoyed the

tree’s fruit with us. (why do I

remember that?!)

Many decades before those days, a

Swede immigrant in Pennsylvania

saw a newspaper ad that a fortune

could be made with a peach

orchard in Citronelle, Alabama.

Besides, it was warmer there in the

winter, most likely! So, off they

moved to Alabama, Papa John and

his immigrant family. Just across

the state line, in Mississippi, was a

young highland lass, Sarah Isabelle

McLeod, whom heaven had

evidently arranged for young

George Cornelson to meet.

Romance bloomed and my

grandson is the 6th generation

from Papa John’s. But, the peach

orchard had a killing freeze one

year. The trees died, but love

survived. Papa George married

Mama Sally and moved to the

farm which I loved as a child.

But, I have to wonder, was that

one, lone peach tree behind the

Cornelson farmhouse a survivor

from that freeze? Was that distant

look in Mama Sally’s eye thinking

back to a time when a youthful

George gave her a peach tree as a

token of his heart? Will I ever

again eat peach jam, my favorite,

on toast, without wondering this?!

(I’d love a cutting from that tree,

but it is long gone, sadly.)

Or, was grandma just thinking that

her mean little grandsons deserved

the worm she had seen in the

peach she handed us? My twisted

mind runs in warped meanderings.

But, my wife, Melanie, (originally

from the Peach State?!) just called

and reminded me to help her get

the trees sprayed this week. God

moves in mysterious ways, indeed.

Love does take on many forms.

(Sometimes, I have wondered if

the peach is descended from the

tree guarded in the Garden?!)

Jerry Cornelson 03.10.09

GWPR-INDEX

 

THIS IS THE INDEX OF THE WEBPAGE THAT GOOGLE ERASED!

GWPR-22 WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN!

 when the Saints go marching in !!!

                      

9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
      and gave him the name that is above every name,
 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
      in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
      to the glory of God the Father. (Phil.2:9-11)

 

Read Revelation 21-22.  Let you imagination run wild.  A city 4-square, 1400 miles cubed.  Gold streets. The Tree of Life. The Judgement. The Lamb. The wedding feast.  The New Jerusalem.

 

Let me share with you my vision of the opening ceremonies.  Imagine the Olympics with all the competitors marching into the stadium behind their flag.  Now, imagine the 18^th century, black Watusi, jumping in rhythm, stamping their spears, as they come into the pearly gates praising their “kondoo” of God!  And the Celts from the Highlands (of the 12^th century) come parading in with bagpipes blaring “Amazing Grace”.  And next, are the 15^th century Russians, dancing their hearts out, squatting and then spring up, praising the Lord. 

And then a 21^st century band of rock-and-roll Jesus Freaks from New York City come with the amps maxed out … and on and on and on it goes.  All the ages, all the nations, all the tribes …  Then a hush fell over the crowd.  In marches a group, robed in white, the special team – the martyrs.

 

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
   "Salvation belongs to our God,
   who sits on the throne,
   and to the Lamb." All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:
   "Amen!
   Praise and glory
   and wisdom and thanks and honor
   and power and strength
   be to our God for ever and ever.
   Amen!"

 

Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?"

 I answered, "Sir, you know."

   And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore,
   "they are before the throne of God
      and serve him day and night in his temple;
   and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
 Never again will they hunger;
      never again will they thirst.
   The sun will not beat upon them,
      nor any scorching heat.
 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
      he will lead them to springs of living water.
   And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Rev:9-17)

And, then, we will meet Him!

it is going to be a great day, one that never ends! 

 

 

GWPR-21 THE RESTORATION MOVEMENT DREAM

 the Restoration Movement Dream

Anything more than a whisper and it would vanish, it was so fragile. ...

I have a dream

What is the Restoration Movement (RM)? I mean fundamentally?

consider a couple of quotes from a blockbuster film:
1. Marcus Aurelius: There was a dream that was < xml="true" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" prefix="st1" namespace="">Rome. You could only whisper it. Anything more than a whisper and it would vanish, it was so fragile. ...

There was a dream that was Rome...fragile ...

2. Maximus: Marcus Aurelius had a dream that was Rome, Proximo. That is not it. That is not it! ...


3. then, of course, MLK,jr. had a famous sermon by this title, "I have a dream," powerful, convicting, moving, disturbing, intriguing, inspiring.

but, what are we? fundamentally? How do we define ourselves? by tangible, logical lines of doctrine; or by something more solid, but less discernible? Study the diagram above and meditate on the hard vertical lines that separate us; then, think on the bands of truth blowing across these lines!  Are we just another denomination with an identifying set of doctrines (can you say creed)? Or, are we held together by principles despite differences on the surface? even to ask the question, is to run the danger of defining a denomination! if one lives in flatland, then one sees things in two-dimensional format. But, if the Spirit of God has opened ones eyes to see the warriors on the hills, then one walks in faith. "Open my eyes, that I may see, glimpses of truth Thou hast for me..."

"Open my eyes, that I may see..."

GWPR-20 TERMITES IN THE TEMPLE

 TERMITES IN THE TEMPLE

 

Why would a man continue to smoke and drink after nearly dying?

One cigarette seems harmless enough.  One drink hurts little.

But, over a lifetime of abuse, taste is dulled and wind shortened.

The joy of life has been robbed by the polluted pleasures given.

It makes no sense that one cannot see this happening.

Then, I stop to consider the little “cigs” in my life.

What bad little habits are robbing me of the abundant life?

A little here and a little there and a lifetime has been wasted.

What might have been will never be realized.

 

 

Thinks on things above …

 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. (1Cor.3:10-15)

GWPR-19 STANDING ON THE PROMISES

 Standing on the Promises

 

The old hymn rings out the confidence that He has promised and he will keep them.  What promises come to mind that He has made to us?  Let’s focus on four, of the many:

 

1.  “I will be with you…” have you ever watched a child dropped off for school the first day of kindergarten?  “parting anxiety”  My mom sat with a crying 6-yr-old for a couple of days.  (my first report card has no grades, only the comment, “he cries all the time”!)  My own daughter, as they forced her onto the schoolbus, threw out her arms and legs like a cat being forced into a bathtub.  Her mother ended up taking her to school and sitting with her until her fears calmed.  (her brothers reacted differently, maybe, having seen that school is not a blackhole with no way out, since she came home, repeatedly?)  Is He there?  Am I alone?  He is there and He does care!  We just need the eyes to see Him.  I am reminded of the story of the young child sleeping with his recently widowed mother.  As she sobbed quietly, she heard the child’s forlorn voice, “Mama, are you there?”  “Yes, baby, hush and go to sleep.”  As the child reached out his hand, in the dark, to touch his mama’s face, he asked, “but, are you looking at me?”  Jesus has promised to be with us, every step of the way, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Mt.28:20)  You are not alone.  Count the footprints!! “yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me…” (Ps.23)

 

2.  “I will not leave you as orphans … I will come back …”  the old spiritual wails, “sometimes, I feel, like a mother-less child”  I remember a scene in a sci-fi thriller where the heroine, Ripley, promises the newly discovered, frightened child, Newt, left alone on the alien-infested planet, that she “will come back”; and as the heroine rescues the child, she reminds her, “I promised you I’d come back …”  Scoffers may defiantly deny, “where is the promise of his coming?” (2Pet.3:4)  But, I choose to believe!  The Creator made it all with a “word” and He can end it all with a single word.  The legions stand ready with bated breath for the command.  The Snake and all his imps will retreat in horror.  The Lamb will arise from his throne and descend with his holy host to bring home his own.  Jesus promised, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.” (Jn.14:18-19)

 

3.  “He will finish the work he has begun in us …”  quitting is such an easy thing to do; yet such an embarrassing situation.  How many resolutions have been neglected?  How many projects lay in ruin, waiting for the completion they will never see?  Each of us has victories, but too often we have stumbles, discouragement, and punts.  One of my favorite promises is Paul’s confidence, “that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  (Phil.1:6)  I have read about the tower builder with short funds and the king with a troop shortage (Lk.14).  But, I begin to believe that I am challenged to admit my deficiencies, not admonished to “pay the price”?!!  Oh, yes, I am to build, and build wisely and diligently.  But, in the end, salvation is mine!  He will make it happen. (1Cor.3:10-15)

 

 4.  “the Lamb is victorious …”  it is just half-time, maybe even 4^th quarter; I do not know.  But this I do know, we will win!  I do not care if the score is 100 to 0, we will win!  “I am persuaded that he is able…” wrote the apostle. (2Tim.1:12)  “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang:    "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"(Rev.5:11-12)  We are going to win; and then we are going to celebrate, forever!

 

GWPR-18 SPIRITUAL MOTIVATION

 SPIRITUAL MOTIVATION

 

What motivates you spiritually? What gets you going? Revs you up?

Last night I was wrestling with angels and because of TH's “homiletic habit” that has been ingrained, I kept waking up my poor wife as I repeatedly got out of bed to jot down thoughts that may have been forgotten my daylight. Let me share them with you; and maybe you can add to them, and/or elaborate.

1. Grace of God teaches us to say no (and yes)
2. End of world/eschatology “seeing such things will be dissolved…”
3. 2nd Coming/parousia “looking for and eagerly expecting…”
4. Shame/guilt
5. Thinking on things above
6. Tasting heavenly gift
7. Social pressure: “encourage one another”
8. Horizon vision/long-view
9. View of self: accident or Adam's son; monkey or man of God
10. Cause-effect/consequences; “if . . . then”
11. Big picture/Cosmic Conflice; “we wrestle not …”
12. Spirit's urge/nudge/discipline/encouragement
13. Word hidden in heart
14. Habit – long decision lived in same direction
15. Original nature (vs. “original sin”); holy vacuum; “hole only God can fill”
16. Music; “be filled with Spirit, singing…”
17. Fear – not nice to make Him angry
18. Gratitude; 1/10 lepers
19. Humility; remembering your place
20. Quietness/solitude
21. Celebration!
22. Cross of Jesus
23. going home one day!  "never been more homesick than now..." " (Mercy Me)
 

GWPR-17 SOTERIOLOGY

 SOTERIOLOGY

“ a systematic, if brief, explanation of salvation theory”

"What is your salvation theory, briefly?"  This is similar to the essay question “Describe the universe, and give two examples, in one page or less.”  Yeah, right!  A discussion about “salvation” could go on for eons.  I am reminded of Jn.20:30-31 -- Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

 

This discussion is as deep and wide as the love of Jesus.  Some key concepts would include faith vs. works; the role of the Spirit; the very nature of God; the Fall; predestination; election; the will of man; revelation and natural law; imputed righteousness.  But, let me start with some key verses:  Eph.2:8-9; Lk.18:9-14; Jn.6:28-29; Gal.5:5-6; Phil.3:9.

 

I strongly believe that any understanding of “salvation” must be filtered through the concept summarized in Eph.2.  Jesus said our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees, quite a steep standard.  The RYR had kept the law since childhood and wanted more to do.  The Pearl of great price is worth everything.  How do these verses fit through the “E2 filter”?!

 

Faith is a key element.  Faith can easily be misunderstood.  But, I mean “TC faith”, as seen in Lk.18:9f.  The TC humbly, honestly, hungrily pleaded with God for mercy.  Such faith brings justification, and changes ones life.

 

Faith is the portal/contact point through which we touch the Divine, rather, through which he touches us!  It is in this state that God can begin to work the miracle of transformation.  All other means are spurious and futile.

 

The “great command” illustrates the flip side of this coin.  Faith and Love are co-mingled.  We can trust God because he is love.  He comes to us in love when we trust him and do not run hide looking for fig leaves.  He lovingly provides us covering for our sin, Jesus, the sacrificed lamb providing the fleece.  What God is basically trying to restore in the fallen world is the original state of child-like, innocent, trusting love; likened unto a mother and child!  We have made religion into a contest between us and God, trying to outscore the Demons.  We are on the same team with Jesus!  And he has hit a grand slam, through the Snake.

 

It is not about being right; it is about admitting ones wrongness.  In humility and honesty, hungering, one finds righteousness.  But, it is not self-righteousness, it is the cloak of Jesus covering our pitiful frames!  In him we are secure, protected, loved, guided, destined!  We are in his hands and Allstate is a just a joke, compared to the Carpenter’s burly grip.

 

I experienced a watershed eureka in 1989(?).  A friend and I were working as carpenters in downtown Chicago (we were there as mission interns).  During a discussion of “salvation” we were pondering Eph.2; and, a light went on in my head and heart!  I have never been the same.  I am going home!  He is drawing my heart there.  He is with me, walking with me to keep me going.  Failure is not an option!  Do I have all the details worked out, theologically or practically?  No.  But, I am in the boat with him, and the storms can rage.  We are not going to drown!

 

Calvin had his Arminius.  Augustine had his Pelagius.  I cannot get my head around all this.  But, I know whom I have trusted, and he is able.

 

If you want to look at the “trees”, then let’s alight somewhere, make some coffee and talk.  But, this is the view from on high.

 

Jerry Cornelson

2007

GWPR-16 PURPOSE OF RELIGION

 PURPOSE OF RELIGION

 

I heard sermons growing up about the big three: evangelism, benevolence, and edification. Somewhere along the line I heard this expanded some:

3 - Evangelism , Edification , Benevolence
7 - Evangelism, Service, Worship, Education, Discipleship, Fellowship, Holiness
8 - Evangelism, Discipleship, Stewardship, Bible knowledge, Sanctification, Prayer, Fellowship, Worship

 

I am always running around inside my head and began to question if there should be some order, some causal relationships, some hierarchy. Somehow, shouldn't LOVE be on this chart, overtly and obviously?

And, I would also wonder about Jesus' motives being more than just confirmation of his ministry. The word “compassion” keeps coming up! Jesus did good for reasons of compassion (and confirmation).

I guess, my question is (my wife made me boil-down my turmoil to this one question),

“what is religion really all about?” (please do not pick on the word “religion”; use a different one if you must). What should we be trying to restore is simply another way of asking this question, in my mind. Is it all about obedience? Contemplation? Service? Mortification? Worship? Is there some BALANCE to be struck?

“He has showed you, O man, what is good …” “ the great commandment is …” “pure and undefiled religion is …” – such verses resound in my head. The judgement scene in Mt. 25 is about helping those in need; but there is something about watchfulness and stewardship.

Maybe, it is a right-brain/left-brain thing? Maybe it is a Eastern vs. Western difference of approach. (sometimes I listen to Ravi Z. and he has little use for Eastern thinking) Have you ever watched “What Dreams May Come” or “The Fountain”? It will stretch your mind on the after-life.

“But, Jerry, just stick with the Book” someone would surely be quick to suggest, and rightly so. But, you know, I have seen some paradigm shifts in my own head and wondered what else is not so sure. For example, the eschatological mental paradigm construct that is so common in Evangelical thought, dispensationalism. Most of the people in the fellowship I know are quick to dismiss this. But, many sincere believers are absolutely convinced of this whole framework (or, some version of it [pre-trib, post-trib, mid-trib….]). Closer to home, what of the “< xml="true" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" prefix="st1" namespace="">Pearl of great price” and the merchant? Who is the merchant and what is the pearl?! (be careful) And, also, what is the role of “law”? Is it a road to God, or more like a reagent to reveal? (yes, even the “new law”)

I once had a lengthy discussion with a Sephardic Jew who was looking for the Messiah in his life-time! After reading the NT, he thoughtfully asked, “what if…?” (he had a paradigm shift to make!) Some Jews are looking for a movement, not a man as the “messiah”.

Maybe, another way of putting all this, is, is it more musical or mathematical? (I know some musicians mechanically read the notes and painfully move through; and some mathematicians see visions of numbers in color) I once heard a sermon about the different walks with God: heart people, soul people, mind people, strength people. (you know the reference) The comment was made that problem is that most church leaders are “mind people” working like engineers or managers.

With a comment this long, I run the risk of being misunderstood, or at least of the main point being lost in the shuffle. What is religion really all about? What is it we are restoring? Is it about Spirit, Love, Faith? Or, is it more about some structure that looks just like the blueprint?