Most ABA churches seem to take great care that the bread used for the Lord's Supper is unleavened and acceptable according to the scriptures. Some pastors or deacons even prepare and cook their own bread. I have done so and kind of enjoyed doing it.
My question is this: If we take so much care with regards to the bread, why do we usually run down to the nearest supermarket and buy the first bottle of grape juice we see (usually Welch's) which contains additives and impurities? Does it matter?
This is where I would like the discussion to center, but if you would like to jump in and defend wine OR grape juice, it might make for some interesting discussion.
Colorado Notes
My family and I visited some super sites in Colorado. At our rented house, we saw deer every day, a gray fox (twice) and a huge black bear in our yard early Friday morning.
We visited the Air Force Academy (my 12 year old Logan was really intrigued), Seven Falls, the Royal Gorge Bridge (largest suspension bridge in the U.S.), and we river rafted (helmets, life jackets, class 3 and 4 rapids) and generally had a great time. We also visited an Old West museum, the Dinosaur Research Center (where everything is of course millions and quadrillions of years old) and the Rodeo Hall of Fame (this was Meagan's site, but she was disappointed that the barrel racers were somewhere else in the country).
Tracy, Logan and I attempted 14,110 feet Pike's Peak Wednesday morning. We began climbing at 5:30 A.M. from the Crag's Trail and steadily climbed throughout the morning. Within an hour or so from the summit (approx. 13,500 ft.) at about 11:30, my son Logan became sick from the altitude with severe headache and nausea. It also began to sleet and snow. I called it off at that point, we traversed over a rock band to the road (where Bro. Acker burned his brakes up) and we rode with a park ranger the short distance to the summit. So I guess I have unfinished business. Hopefully, I will have another opportunity to complete the route.
Our trip ended in accident when my wife Tracy broke her shoulder Thursday morning. Her horse stumbled, spun, and threw her hard to the ground up in the mountains. She is in much pain and I ask you friends to pray for her recovery. (I think the couple who went with us may have decided that the Neals are a little too dangerous to run with)
That's all for now.....and remember....God loves you. You are His child. And your sins have been removed as far as the east is from the west.
We visited the Air Force Academy (my 12 year old Logan was really intrigued), Seven Falls, the Royal Gorge Bridge (largest suspension bridge in the U.S.), and we river rafted (helmets, life jackets, class 3 and 4 rapids) and generally had a great time. We also visited an Old West museum, the Dinosaur Research Center (where everything is of course millions and quadrillions of years old) and the Rodeo Hall of Fame (this was Meagan's site, but she was disappointed that the barrel racers were somewhere else in the country).
Tracy, Logan and I attempted 14,110 feet Pike's Peak Wednesday morning. We began climbing at 5:30 A.M. from the Crag's Trail and steadily climbed throughout the morning. Within an hour or so from the summit (approx. 13,500 ft.) at about 11:30, my son Logan became sick from the altitude with severe headache and nausea. It also began to sleet and snow. I called it off at that point, we traversed over a rock band to the road (where Bro. Acker burned his brakes up) and we rode with a park ranger the short distance to the summit. So I guess I have unfinished business. Hopefully, I will have another opportunity to complete the route.
Our trip ended in accident when my wife Tracy broke her shoulder Thursday morning. Her horse stumbled, spun, and threw her hard to the ground up in the mountains. She is in much pain and I ask you friends to pray for her recovery. (I think the couple who went with us may have decided that the Neals are a little too dangerous to run with)
That's all for now.....and remember....God loves you. You are His child. And your sins have been removed as far as the east is from the west.
Getting High
A few times a year, I just need to go get high. My family will be getting high with me. This will be a great trip.
P.S. My friends know me. I love Jesus, and more than that, He loves me. If you have accidentally visited this blog because you were interested in the title or hooked on drugs, think about this:
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God"
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 10:10,13 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
P.S. My friends know me. I love Jesus, and more than that, He loves me. If you have accidentally visited this blog because you were interested in the title or hooked on drugs, think about this:
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God"
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 10:10,13 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Street Preaching
I have heard that "street preaching" used to be fairly common. I have read and heard of some of our ABA brethren that have passed on who used to preach in public occassionally (street corners, courthouse lawns, city parks, etc.).
I once heard a guy preaching in front of the Alamo. He was "in your face, hell fire brimstone" and seemed to be scaring everyone. I heard a guy preaching on 6th Street one night in Austin (yes, I admit I was walking down 6th street....similar to Bourbon Street for you Cajuns) and he was doing a great job....the simple gospel, Jesus is the only way,etc. and at least 30 to 40 people were listening to him.
What about it? Is there a need for it today? Or do most people see the street preacher as a "kook?"
I once heard a guy preaching in front of the Alamo. He was "in your face, hell fire brimstone" and seemed to be scaring everyone. I heard a guy preaching on 6th Street one night in Austin (yes, I admit I was walking down 6th street....similar to Bourbon Street for you Cajuns) and he was doing a great job....the simple gospel, Jesus is the only way,etc. and at least 30 to 40 people were listening to him.
What about it? Is there a need for it today? Or do most people see the street preacher as a "kook?"
Sermonizing
I wonder how Jesus views our preparation to preach and modern-day preaching? We all know what we are supposed to preach (the Word). We all know that we are supposed to study. We all know that we are to "rightly divide the Word" and that doing that involves questions, expository preaching, analysis, etc, along with illustration and, in modern times, alliteration.
But I wonder how God views the changes in preaching over the centuries? How far does a preacher go in "crafting a masterpiece" (alliterated, 28-34 minutes, 1-2 illustrations) before God sees the effort as human pride to please people with our "sermonizing?"
I am not against modern study aids nor am I opposed to all modern preaching techniques (alliteration, for example). I do not believe a preacher should be lazy in study or disorganized in thought. But honestly, has modern day clergy grown too dependent on the internet and the borrowed thoughts of others?
P.S. You may leave a skeletal outline after each comment (or not) :)
But I wonder how God views the changes in preaching over the centuries? How far does a preacher go in "crafting a masterpiece" (alliterated, 28-34 minutes, 1-2 illustrations) before God sees the effort as human pride to please people with our "sermonizing?"
I am not against modern study aids nor am I opposed to all modern preaching techniques (alliteration, for example). I do not believe a preacher should be lazy in study or disorganized in thought. But honestly, has modern day clergy grown too dependent on the internet and the borrowed thoughts of others?
P.S. You may leave a skeletal outline after each comment (or not) :)
Jesus' Youth
I have always had a degree of curiosity about Jesus' youth. I suppose if God would have wanted us to know more about Jesus' youth, it would have been recorded for us. Luke ch. 2 (Jesus remaining in Jerusalem for THREE DAYS with the doctors of the law), is the only reference I am aware of outside of some dubious apocryphal writings where Jesus touches a dead bird and it comes to life and so forth.
I am more curious about whether in his youth he had a clear understanding of His redemptive work or whether it was a progressive revelation throughout his life. Luke 2:52 states, "And Jesus increased in WISDOM and stature, and in favour with God and man" (emphasis mine).
Verses from his ministry, of course, indicate that Jesus knew what lay ahead (the death, the resurrection, and the glory that He would share with His Father).
As far as his young life, I guess he was like other boys, running, playing, burping, etc.
But I am confident he was a good kid, to say the least.
The scriptures are scant on Jesus' youth, but I wonder when it was that the Father began to reveal the plan.....or did Jesus realize it clearly from His youth?
I am more curious about whether in his youth he had a clear understanding of His redemptive work or whether it was a progressive revelation throughout his life. Luke 2:52 states, "And Jesus increased in WISDOM and stature, and in favour with God and man" (emphasis mine).
Verses from his ministry, of course, indicate that Jesus knew what lay ahead (the death, the resurrection, and the glory that He would share with His Father).
As far as his young life, I guess he was like other boys, running, playing, burping, etc.
But I am confident he was a good kid, to say the least.
The scriptures are scant on Jesus' youth, but I wonder when it was that the Father began to reveal the plan.....or did Jesus realize it clearly from His youth?
Blogging Standards (Etiquette)
Should brothers (& sisters) in Christ observe certain standards in blogging?
I'm not sure why some blog, but I blog just to have a little "electronic fellowship" and to discuss mostly Bible and church issues. I am concerned, though, that some recent comments and posts of late are getting more personal and more judgemental. I realize that preachers (myself included) like to press our points and explain how we interpret certain scriptures, how we see associated work, or how we see the ideal church as being. But really.....name calling? labeling people as ignorant? questioning that they are real "men of God" if they have a different view?
Is that going too far or is that acceptable?
Are there blogging standards that preacher brethren particularly can agree upon?
I'm not sure why some blog, but I blog just to have a little "electronic fellowship" and to discuss mostly Bible and church issues. I am concerned, though, that some recent comments and posts of late are getting more personal and more judgemental. I realize that preachers (myself included) like to press our points and explain how we interpret certain scriptures, how we see associated work, or how we see the ideal church as being. But really.....name calling? labeling people as ignorant? questioning that they are real "men of God" if they have a different view?
Is that going too far or is that acceptable?
Are there blogging standards that preacher brethren particularly can agree upon?
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