Well, everyone, the time is winding down to cruise on over to Dulles International and sail from there on down to the island of Haiti. Just ten more days and we'll be there for the following 14. It's hard to think that the months of planning have passed and it's now time to really go. Can it have been September when Pastor Preval and Geordany were here getting us psyched for the trip? Can it have been last summer that the fund raising began? Wow, time does fly! So the Hepatitis, tetnus, typhoid innoculations are behind us and in 48 hours we'll begin the quinine for prevention of malaria. I've sprayed my socks and mosquito netting with the poison that is supposed to keep the skeeters away, the bug-off hat and have purchased at least all I can afford of goodies to take along....blood pressure cuff and stethascope, latex gloves, disposable thermometers, medicine envelopes... all for the medical clinics along with antibiotics, pepto bismol, listerine and the like for me. Add to that jacks, jump robes, hackey sacks, yo-yos and crayons to the mix and we have little room for clothing and such personal items. I've learned to like beans and rice and have learned a few phrases in Creole to at least allow me to "feel" okay. I've got a small camera with lots of room for photos and all, I hope, that will make this trip a memorable one for many, many people. God has been really showing His power these last few days though! Let me share :) We received communication from the orphanage last week that they were desperately in need of $$ for food and an addition for the children. Henry and I sent out pleas to lots of folks we know all over the land. Just this morning, I learned that a French Class in Stafford County Virginia is having a package of medical supplies sent to us to take (thanks to my dear daughter in law Rebecca and "Ms. Michelle" at Mountainview. Just an hour or two later I learned we will be taking $2800. with us from a local church! Yesterday I learned of another donation was coming from a church far from here. The Lord heard our prayers and is providing for the needs of these folks in spite of a recession here!! We serve a great and awesome God!
So to you, dear readers, please continue your fervent prayers for us. The flu is very heavily saturated here and we are asking the Lord to protect our bodies from it and we are asking that we may be as Jesus to the people of Haiti and that we will have angels protection from harm and sickness while we are there. I hope you will join us and pray for us now, while we are gone and when we are returning. I know the enemy seeks to discourage and destroy us. Today, the weather for next week is looking very good! We'll be leaving "home" about 2 a.m. next Friday a.m. for our flight leaving at 6:30. So, also pray for good weather to greet us as we leave.
Until later...
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Vain and Foolish Arguments
I am recently thinking heavily on several scriptures. The first is found in the second letter to Timothy in what we know as the second chapter. Throughout it, the Apostle Paul warns Timothy about word quarrels and foolish arguments. Paul tells Timothy to keep reminding them and warning them against quarreling about words. He says it will only ruin those who listen. Have nothing to do with foolish and stupid arguments as they only lead to quarrels. Lest we "quarrel" over translations, the "Authorized" version says, Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers; and, but foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
What constitutes a "foolish and stupid argument"? The answer to that question lies in the individual, I suppose. I listen to folks that are all puffed up with pride on what they base their arguments or the passion of their subject. I have for many years refused to engage the arguments for or against the "Authorized" translation of the holy scriptures we know as "The Bible" ~ The Book. Some say it has "declared homosexuals on the NIV translation team". Fact is, there was a woman who served on a committee, not at all involved with the translation, that was asked to resign once she came "out of the closet", so to say. There are those that declare that the newer translations "left Words of God out". Who is to say those sentences were not "put in"? I haven't a clue and if we were honest, no one else does either. The message is the same. Those who adhere to the camp (for lack of a better word), that all new translations are in error, should realize that the apocrypha was also included in the true "Authorized" version of King James 1. Under who's authority was that removed? Was that not "taking scripture away"? Haven't a clue. In Revelation 22:19, the "Authorized Version" reads "book of life" when in fact, the New Testament Latin used in the very translation was mis-translated. The phrase is "tree of life", not "book of Life". Even the NKJ corrected it, I believe. And for the die hard baptists, Matt. 3:11 says, "with water" in both the KJV and the NIV, yet the Greek can be translated as "in" or "with", so some translators used "in" and some "with". There is a difference to me, but evidently not to the language. Who is right here? I haven't a clue and am not going to get into foolish arguments about it. Rev. 1:11 has the phrase, I am the Alpha and the Omega in some transcripts, but not in others. Who is to say what was added or taken away. I don't know. I do know that Jesus is the first and the last. I also believe that the translators of the KJV were diligent and honest men, who did the best they could with that they had. Those men, those who worked with Wycliffe and those who worked on the Geneva translation all changed the face of the english speaking church. I have found that the men and women of God that do the translations, if they are Godly, will do the best they can and God will honor their work. 400 years or 50 makes little difference to me. The newest translation N.E.T. contains the translation notes and it's an excellent translation in my opinion. (www.bible.org) Our home contains versions of all types as well as a Greek NT. Our most recent addition was a Messianic Jewish translation, which is a very interesting addition to our library. It has been a good read, what I've read of it. Who better to give us a Christ view than a converted Hebrew?
Foolish arguments... tithe or not to tithe? Luke 11:42 I happen to believe that the New Testament does not relieve us of our obligation to tithe. On the contrary, it leads us to tithe and then add our gifts to the tithe and our love and obedience. Those who do not give their 10% + are not in obedience to God's word. There are those that feel just as strongly that they are not under the "bondage" of the tithe and that they can keep all their wages and do as they feel they should with them... giving to God's work or not. I'll not argue with them. Those are foolish arguments.
Thinking on a definition of a foolish argument over "words" while doing this, led me to this thought that I give to you, faithful reader: "Those who speak in a way that opposes or is contrary to Christ in you, your hope of glory, will violate the divine law of love though judgment, criticism, accusations and condemnation. Consider this, within the attempt to justify self or even worship the Father through self effort, is a deception, full of untruth and vanity. It distorts our focus and perverts the chosen way, leading to a way of speaking, and actions, that are not only an abomination to the LORD, it's futile and frivolous" Amen... and thank you Josef whoever you are :)
Til next time :)
What constitutes a "foolish and stupid argument"? The answer to that question lies in the individual, I suppose. I listen to folks that are all puffed up with pride on what they base their arguments or the passion of their subject. I have for many years refused to engage the arguments for or against the "Authorized" translation of the holy scriptures we know as "The Bible" ~ The Book. Some say it has "declared homosexuals on the NIV translation team". Fact is, there was a woman who served on a committee, not at all involved with the translation, that was asked to resign once she came "out of the closet", so to say. There are those that declare that the newer translations "left Words of God out". Who is to say those sentences were not "put in"? I haven't a clue and if we were honest, no one else does either. The message is the same. Those who adhere to the camp (for lack of a better word), that all new translations are in error, should realize that the apocrypha was also included in the true "Authorized" version of King James 1. Under who's authority was that removed? Was that not "taking scripture away"? Haven't a clue. In Revelation 22:19, the "Authorized Version" reads "book of life" when in fact, the New Testament Latin used in the very translation was mis-translated. The phrase is "tree of life", not "book of Life". Even the NKJ corrected it, I believe. And for the die hard baptists, Matt. 3:11 says, "with water" in both the KJV and the NIV, yet the Greek can be translated as "in" or "with", so some translators used "in" and some "with". There is a difference to me, but evidently not to the language. Who is right here? I haven't a clue and am not going to get into foolish arguments about it. Rev. 1:11 has the phrase, I am the Alpha and the Omega in some transcripts, but not in others. Who is to say what was added or taken away. I don't know. I do know that Jesus is the first and the last. I also believe that the translators of the KJV were diligent and honest men, who did the best they could with that they had. Those men, those who worked with Wycliffe and those who worked on the Geneva translation all changed the face of the english speaking church. I have found that the men and women of God that do the translations, if they are Godly, will do the best they can and God will honor their work. 400 years or 50 makes little difference to me. The newest translation N.E.T. contains the translation notes and it's an excellent translation in my opinion. (www.bible.org) Our home contains versions of all types as well as a Greek NT. Our most recent addition was a Messianic Jewish translation, which is a very interesting addition to our library. It has been a good read, what I've read of it. Who better to give us a Christ view than a converted Hebrew?
Foolish arguments... tithe or not to tithe? Luke 11:42 I happen to believe that the New Testament does not relieve us of our obligation to tithe. On the contrary, it leads us to tithe and then add our gifts to the tithe and our love and obedience. Those who do not give their 10% + are not in obedience to God's word. There are those that feel just as strongly that they are not under the "bondage" of the tithe and that they can keep all their wages and do as they feel they should with them... giving to God's work or not. I'll not argue with them. Those are foolish arguments.
Thinking on a definition of a foolish argument over "words" while doing this, led me to this thought that I give to you, faithful reader: "Those who speak in a way that opposes or is contrary to Christ in you, your hope of glory, will violate the divine law of love though judgment, criticism, accusations and condemnation. Consider this, within the attempt to justify self or even worship the Father through self effort, is a deception, full of untruth and vanity. It distorts our focus and perverts the chosen way, leading to a way of speaking, and actions, that are not only an abomination to the LORD, it's futile and frivolous" Amen... and thank you Josef whoever you are :)
Til next time :)
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