The Lord put the subject of "Hell" on my heart to preach today. Just studying and meditating on the pain and suffering, the hopelessness, the company, and the finality of the place, breaks my heart.
I wonder sometimes, "Do we live our Christian lives as if we don't even believe in the place ourselves?" Surely, we would witness more to lost souls.
Back From The Dead
I have read the book "90 Minutes In Heaven" by Don Piper. I have also read "23 Minutes In Hell" by Bill Wiese. I have always been skeptical of "back from the dead accounts," but the Piper book was intriguing. The fact that his car accident and "death" occurred on the Trinity River bridge (near Huntsville) which I used to travel daily and that he was a Baptist preacher added to the credibility of the book and my interest level. "23 Minutes In Hell" was a bit "over the top," but at the very least, graphically described the horrors that hell likely is.
I have also discussed with an elderly preacher his "after death experience and return" (which he never made public) and found his account and him to be interesting and credible. I still have my doubts and would think that possibly the mind and the imagination is really firing at or near death. But I'm a little more open to the subject than I used to be.
What say ye?
I have also discussed with an elderly preacher his "after death experience and return" (which he never made public) and found his account and him to be interesting and credible. I still have my doubts and would think that possibly the mind and the imagination is really firing at or near death. But I'm a little more open to the subject than I used to be.
What say ye?
Interesting Discussion
For an interesting discussion on sovereignty/predestination, click on the Blog link "Ministry and Music..." (Particularly the post with the most comments)
I thought that predestination really only existed today behind the pulpits of Presbyterian churches. Guess I was wrong.
I thought that predestination really only existed today behind the pulpits of Presbyterian churches. Guess I was wrong.
Malachi 3:16,17
Malachi 3:16 "Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him."
17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him."
What About Nicodemus?
Nicodemus, who came to Jesus by night (John 3), stepped out and took the body of Jesus after His crucifixion, along with Joseph of Arimathea. A member of the Sanhedrin, handling a dead body on the High Passover, was unthinkable.
I have always wondered about the rest of Nicodemus' life. He is not mentioned anymore in the New Testament nor is he referred to historically, to my knowledge.
Did he become a Christian and renounce his Jewish position? Was he kicked out of the Sanhedrin? Or did he just think that Jesus was a great teacher and continue in his leadership position?
I have always wondered about the rest of Nicodemus' life. He is not mentioned anymore in the New Testament nor is he referred to historically, to my knowledge.
Did he become a Christian and renounce his Jewish position? Was he kicked out of the Sanhedrin? Or did he just think that Jesus was a great teacher and continue in his leadership position?
Advice
Everyone has advice to give....I guess some of our children will get to hear advice from our President on Tuesday concerning their education.
What about advice for young preachers/pastors? Can they not avail themselves of the experiences and wisdom (?) of mature, seasoned men of God?
I'll begin the advice and well, I guess this could apply to all preachers, no matter what their age or experience in the ministry. You may feel free to contribute.
Advice point #1 NEVER be responsible for the thermostat at church. You will always be the reason that someone is either too cold or too hot. Allow one of your trusted deacons who everyone is afraid of to handle this.
Advice point #2 NEVER wear your lapel mike to the restroom. This is self-explanatory.
Advice point #3 NEVER forget to check your zipper (twice) before leaving the restroom at church. This is also self-explanatory.
Advice point #4 NEVER call someone ( a second or third time visitor for example) by name if you are really not sure what their name is. Better to just say, Brother or Sister. I've learned this the hard way. "Hello Fred" (as I'm a bit unsure of his name). Response: "My name is Frank and I've been here three Sundays" (in other words I've told you this three times).
Advice point #5 NEVER use your wife in a sermon illustration. It may work 9 times, but the 10th time, it will reflect negatively on her in some way (at least according to her).
Sermon Example: "If your house is messy, and someone pulls up in the driveway, you will scramble and try to clean up really fast...You won't have time to do that when Jesus comes back...etc."
Wife's response after church: "You lout. Now everyone thinks I can't keep a clean house!"
Advice point #6 NEVER say this when explaining the spirit and the body in a funeral message: "This is just the shell. The nut is gone!"
Advice point #7 NEVER allow the Devil to get the best of you before you step into the pulpit. If a deacon comes up to you during the last verse of the last special and says, "Preacher, the toilet just overflowed in the men's restroom." Look him calmly in the eye, and say, "I have counted all things but dung that I may win Christ. Put a sign on the door that says Out of Order...Use the Restroom in Fellowship Hall."
That's enough advice for now. Instead of NEVERS, perhaps next time we will look at some ALWAYS of the ministry.
What about advice for young preachers/pastors? Can they not avail themselves of the experiences and wisdom (?) of mature, seasoned men of God?
I'll begin the advice and well, I guess this could apply to all preachers, no matter what their age or experience in the ministry. You may feel free to contribute.
Advice point #1 NEVER be responsible for the thermostat at church. You will always be the reason that someone is either too cold or too hot. Allow one of your trusted deacons who everyone is afraid of to handle this.
Advice point #2 NEVER wear your lapel mike to the restroom. This is self-explanatory.
Advice point #3 NEVER forget to check your zipper (twice) before leaving the restroom at church. This is also self-explanatory.
Advice point #4 NEVER call someone ( a second or third time visitor for example) by name if you are really not sure what their name is. Better to just say, Brother or Sister. I've learned this the hard way. "Hello Fred" (as I'm a bit unsure of his name). Response: "My name is Frank and I've been here three Sundays" (in other words I've told you this three times).
Advice point #5 NEVER use your wife in a sermon illustration. It may work 9 times, but the 10th time, it will reflect negatively on her in some way (at least according to her).
Sermon Example: "If your house is messy, and someone pulls up in the driveway, you will scramble and try to clean up really fast...You won't have time to do that when Jesus comes back...etc."
Wife's response after church: "You lout. Now everyone thinks I can't keep a clean house!"
Advice point #6 NEVER say this when explaining the spirit and the body in a funeral message: "This is just the shell. The nut is gone!"
Advice point #7 NEVER allow the Devil to get the best of you before you step into the pulpit. If a deacon comes up to you during the last verse of the last special and says, "Preacher, the toilet just overflowed in the men's restroom." Look him calmly in the eye, and say, "I have counted all things but dung that I may win Christ. Put a sign on the door that says Out of Order...Use the Restroom in Fellowship Hall."
That's enough advice for now. Instead of NEVERS, perhaps next time we will look at some ALWAYS of the ministry.
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