Pages

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

National Geographic Article: The Birth of Religion

Hey everybody!
I love how the cover articles of the magazines my family get keep pertaining to the topics we're discussing in Sunday School. So here's the National Geographic article I mentioned about the birth of religion. I hope you enjoy it and that it gives us a good idea of how religion originated by learning in particular about this old temple called the Göbekli Tepe.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Psalm 139 (TNIV) -- for contemplation

Psalm 139

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.  1 You have searched me, LORD,
   and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
   you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
   you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
   you, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
   and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
   too lofty for me to attain.
 7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
   Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
   if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
   if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
   your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
   and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
   the night will shine like the day,
   for darkness is as light to you.
 13 For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
 16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
   were written in your book
   before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
   How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
   they would outnumber the grains of sand—
   when I awake, I am still with you.
 19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
   Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
   your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD,
   and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
   I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
   test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
   and lead me in the way everlasting.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

verses to think about...

John 12:31-32

Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."

I Tim 2:1-6

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and human beings, Christ Jesus, himself human, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people.

Ephensians 1:7-10

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

2 Peter 3:8-9

 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

I Cor 15:20-26

 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a human being. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But in this order: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

*sigh*

This is going back a ways, but I was just looking at WBC's website, and they somehow managed to get Obama's name into a Bible verse.

"Then Obama will lead the nations against Jerusalem to battle, Zechariah 14:2."

Yup, that's a direct quote.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Time Article: What If There's No HELL?

Hey all!
What a coincidence! The cover article of this month's Time Magazine is called What If There's No HELL?: A popular pastor's best-selling book has stirred fierce debate about sin, salvation and judgement. It talks about Rob Bell's new book that we have talked about as well as lots of other stuff. Read it through! It's very interesting and definitely worth your time. http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2065080,00.html

Saturday, March 12, 2011

God and Smiting

First, a definition (thanks, Google):
to smite=
  • inflict a heavy blow on, with the hand, a tool, or a weapon

  • affect suddenly with deep feeling; "He was smitten with love for this young girl"

  • afflict: cause physical pain or suffering in; "afflict with the plague"
    wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn



  • Now, some links with different perspectives on the question of God and violence:

    Paul Copan (on Ravi Zacharias's page) gives us some historical background about the Canaanites...

    Brian McLaren talks about the Apocalypse and pretty hardcore images of Jesus...


    Have you found any others you'd like to add to the page?