Brickell the Miracle Dog

Yesterday on the radio I caught the end of a report of a man, that jumped off a bridge into the water to save a dog. But could not find the dog once he hit the water, so the next day he went back to the same spot to continue his search. This time he found the dog along the shore line, he took the dog home with him. Apparently the news of this rescue went global and offers have been coming from all parts of the world to adopt the dog, but the man decided to keep the dog himself. What I was mainly amazed at was the compassion the world seem to express to this lost, but now rescued dog. The dog is named "Brickell the Miracle Dog"

What have you done that expresses the compassion of God to a lost and hurting world?

The following was taken from  "Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times." Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc. Tan, P. L. (1996).

Burial Of Emperor Joseph

 Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria was buried in the gloomy crypt of the Church of the Capuchin in Vienna, where sleep all his fathers of the house of Hapsburg. At the entrance to the vault the procession was halted by a voice from within: “Who is there?”

 The reply was: “His most serene majesty, the Emperor Francis Joseph.”

 The challenger then said, “I know him not. Who is there?”

 A second reply was made: “The Emperor of Austria and Apostolic King of Hungary is outside.”

 Again the challenger answered, “I know him not. Who is there?”

 This time the voice without replied, “A sinful man, our brother Francis Joseph.”

 Then the portal was opened and the king was laid to rest among his fathers. 

—C. E. Macartney

Death is the great equalizer to all no matter who we were when alive. 

"And just as people are appointed to die once, and then to face judgment, so also, after Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, to those who eagerly await him he will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to bring salvation." (Heb. 9:27,28 NET)

Bible and Beer

USA TODAY newspaper on July 13, 2012 by Chuck Raasch, ran a article entitled " Churches Take Their Message to Taverns" sub-title 'People gather to discuss religious topics over a beer'.

Here is some of the article: "Every Monday night, Uncle Charlie's bar in Cheyenne, Wyo., host "bibles and Beer", a discussion that routinely pulls people of all faiths and an atheist. As man as 45 people have shown up, some toting Bibles. Some might have a drink; others stick to water. Some talk; others mostly listen. There are only a few ground rules: Avoid debate and stick to the text to be discussed that week. ... The mixture of spirit and spirits is not entirely new. Roman Catholics have sponsored "Theology on Tap" gatherings in bars for years. "It is primarily an outreach to young Catholics and those interested in the faith.  ... "

Now this was a very long article that shows that by having Bible studies in Bars as opposed to a church is good, because those that attend will not go to a church for the study. So, a beer in one hand and a Bible in the next on is the method some are taking to "discuss the Bible".

Are there any problems this method you feel my come up? Do we have to resort to this type of relevancy? What do you think? 

John Eliot (1604–May 21, 1690), was a Puritan clergyman who was known as “The Apostle to the Indians,” as he was the first to teach Christianity to the Indians of New England. Born in England, he graduated from Cambridge and traveled to Boston, 1631, to serve as a teacher and pastor. A young Indian who had converted from paganism to Christianity helped Eliot learn the various Indian dialects. John Eliot was responsible Bible and the first Indian grammar book.

In addition, he established 3,600 Indians into over a dozen self-governing communities. The unfortunate incident of King Philip’s War destroyed most of these.1
1 Federer, W. J. (2001). Great Quotations: A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Quotations Influencing Early and Modern World History Referenced according to their Sources in Literature, Memoirs, Letters, Governmental Documents, Speeches, Charters, Court Decisions and Constitutions. St. Louis, MO: AmeriSearch.
History is showing us that the power of the Gospel of Christ being procliamed by John Eliot not only brought spiritual renewal to the American Indians. But also was the key of establishing communities amoung the Indians.

John Eliot only translated the Bible in various Indian dialects, and brought about social order. If social order was not established would Eliot had been a failure?

Explain your answer.   

What is Heaven? / Where is Heaven?

The ABC program 20/20 ran a show on Friday July 6, 2012 on the topic of heaven. Barbara Walters was the host and it ran for 2 hours, and the 2 questions "What is Heaven?, and Where is Heaven? was given to a series of religious leaders and hollywood entertainers. The responses were were interesting within themselves, since all of had their own view. 

The following is a Biblical view of these 2 questions, there are 739 times the word "heaven" is used in the Bible in 691verses.  From Genesis to Revelations this topic of heaven is discussed and describe. 

I will like to just reference one passage of Scripture that describes how to get there, and who is there. John 14:1-11 Jesus is speaking

^14:1 “Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God; believe also in me. ^14:2 There are many dwelling places in my Father’s house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you. ^14:3 And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too. ^14:4 And you know the way where I am going.” ^14:5 Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” ^14:6 Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ^14:7 If you have known me, you will know my Father too. And from now on you do know him and have seen him.”

^14:8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be content.” ^14:9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you for so long, and you have not known me, Philip? The person who has seen me has seen the Father! How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ^14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you, I do not speak on my own initiative, but the Father residing in me performs his miraculous deeds. ^14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me, but if you do not believe me, believe because of the miraculous deeds themselves. 

What are your thoughts on the issue of heaven?

Liberty

Before I write my next blog entry, I would like to make this first make a quick update. I will be making an entry every 3 days as opposed to one each day or every other day.

This week America is celebrating its independence from England, and there were many instrumental leaders that played key roles that gained the 13 colonies freedom. I would like to focus on Patrick Henry.

Henry, Patrick (May 29, 1736–June 6, 1799), was an American Revolutionary leader and orator, who spoke the phrase, “Give me Liberty or give me death!” He was Commander in Chief of the Virginia Militia, a member of the Virginia General Assembly and House of Burgesses, 1765; and a member of the Continental Congress, 1774–75. He was the five-time Governor of the State of Virginia, 1776–79, 1784–86, and was instrumental in writing the Constitution of Virginia.¹

Here are some of the social issues that he addressed before 1776 and after:

On the reverse of The Stamp Act Resolves, passed in the House of Burgesses, May 1765, Patrick Henry wrote:

This brought on the war which finally separated the two countries and gave independence to ours. Whether this will prove a blessing or a curse, will depend upon the use our people make of the blessings, which a gracious God hath bestowed on us.

If they are wise, they will be great and happy. If they are of a contrary character, they will be miserable.

Righteousness alone can exalt them as a nation. Reader! Whoever thou art, remember this, and in thy sphere practice virtue thyself, and encourage it in others.

(signed) P. Henry

Prior to the Revolution, in 1768, Patrick Henry rode for miles on horseback to a trial in Spottsylvania County. He entered the rear of the courtroom where three Baptist ministers were being tried for having preached without the sanction of the Episcopalian Church. In the midst of the proceedings, he interrupted:

May it please your lordships, what did I hear read? Did I hear an expression that these men, whom you worships are about to try for misdemeanor, are charged with preaching the gospel of the Son of God?

     In a courtroom speech, Patrick Henry stated:

I know, sir, how well it becomes a liberal man and a Christian to forget and forgive. As individuals professing a holy religion, it is our bounden duty to forgive injuries done us as individuals. But when the character of Christian you add the character of patriot, you are in a different situation. Our mild and holy system of religion inculcates an admirable maxim of forbearance. If your enemy smite one cheek, turn the other to him. But you must stop there. You cannot apply this to your country. As members of a social community, this maxim does not apply to you. When you consider injuries done to your country your political duty tells you of vengeance. Forgive as a private man, but never forgive public injuries. Observations of this nature are exceedingly unpleasant, but it is my duty to use them.

         In a 1773 letter to Robert Pleasants, Patrick Henry expressed his disapproval of the slave trade:

I take this opportunity to acknowledge the receit of Anthony Benezet’s Book against the slave trade. I thank you for it.…

Is it not amazing, that at a time when the rights of humanity are defined and understood with precision in a country above all others fond of liberty, that in such an age and in such a country, we find men professing a religion most humane, mild, meek, gentle and generous, adopting a Principle as repugnant to humanity, as it is inconsistent to the Bible and destructive to liberty?.…

I will not, I cannot justify it.… I believe a time will come when an opportunity will be offered to abolish this lamentable evil.…

It is a debt we owe to the purity of our Religion to show that it is at variance with that law which warrants slavery. I know not when to stop. I would say many things on this subject, a serious review of which gives gloomy perspective to future times.1

In light of what you just read is there room for evangelistic work within our halls of justice, the senate, the congress, and the most powerful the President of the United States.

^1,1 Federer, W. J. (2001). Great Quotations: A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Quotations Influencing Early and Modern World History Referenced according to their Sources in Literature, Memoirs, Letters, Governmental Documents, Speeches, Charters, Court Decisions and Constitutions. St. Louis, MO: AmeriSearch.