tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5542034526863983841.comments2017-05-08T07:37:59.703-07:00Kingdom ComeJoshua Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07432781279880519701noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5542034526863983841.post-31246666538493792422017-05-08T07:37:59.703-07:002017-05-08T07:37:59.703-07:00 It must have been twenty or twenty-five years ago... It must have been twenty or twenty-five years ago when I poured a border/walkway on the South side of my yard. The concrete came in one of those buggies pulled behind a pick-up and the project would need the contents of two trailers completely full. The first pour was completed on a Saturday and the second pour started on the next Saturday. Half way through the yard and a quarter of concrete God said simply, “you’re going to be twenty-two inches short.” I have no idea if the voice was audible or just in my head but it was very clear. There are all kinds of variables when it comes to pouring concrete but I’m fairly good with figuring cubit feet. The twenty-two inches of concrete that is a slightly different color (because it was poured using Redi-Mix sacks) on the South side of my front yard remind me that God is personally involved with us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5542034526863983841.post-56122899513692167212017-04-04T17:05:14.767-07:002017-04-04T17:05:14.767-07:00Jesus emphasizes the "where" it comes fr...Jesus emphasizes the "where" it comes from (or better said, the "who" it comes from). It seems imperative to the Jesus of the gospels that his hearers understand that he is sent from God, that he is specifically the promised Messiah of Israel's God. John's gospel emphasizes this point from the beginning and throughout (John 1:1-18, 3:18, 6:29,32-33, 8:23-27, 42).<br /><br />Some have proposed that there could be "anonymous Christians." C.S. Lewis, a hero of mine, even seemed to subscribe to this idea (as seen in "The Last Battle"), but I have to part ways with him on this point. The idea is that God could save individuals through the work of his Son, Jesus, without them ever knowing or accepting the person and work of Jesus. Examples would be of a moral Muslim or Buddhist who despite their rejection of Jesus as Messiah, as Savior and King, seem to be exhibiting the effects of someone born again or born of God. That is their nature is changed, or they seem to have God's law "written on their hearts." All the while they would still consider themselves a Buddhist, Muslim, etc. Well I would never attempt to tell God how he can or cannot save someone, I simply don't see this theory expressed in Scripture. And I would say this theory undermines the story that is explicitly being told about Jesus in the Bible, that he is the only way, the only Life. Joshua Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07432781279880519701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5542034526863983841.post-73049576192142443192017-04-04T06:31:43.706-07:002017-04-04T06:31:43.706-07:00"even if they know nothing of how it works&qu..."even if they know nothing of how it works" Or where it comes from? I could run a long way on that assumption ...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5542034526863983841.post-33954131424898514142017-03-23T06:58:41.851-07:002017-03-23T06:58:41.851-07:00Consider: God the Father, God the Word, and God th...Consider: God the Father, God the Word, and God the Holy Spirit. (I should not need to add this but the Word is not the Bible, although the Bible does contain scripture which is the "the breath of the Word".)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5542034526863983841.post-7549138658297470752017-01-07T14:44:23.415-08:002017-01-07T14:44:23.415-08:00Thanks for sharing, David. Yeah, I think we often ...Thanks for sharing, David. Yeah, I think we often make a lot of harmful assumptions about people based on stereotypes and such (mean-spirited teasing and jokes about those who are different really works against the loving family culture the Church is supposed to embody). Better if we get to know folks, especially within the family of God, so we can humbly learn and grow together. "Eunuchs" or asexual persons certainly have a place in God's family (Isaiah 56:3-5). I mentioned in my post how even the church sometimes idolizes marriage and sex, but there should be more room made for those who aren't interested in either or, despite their interest, never marry. Joshua Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07432781279880519701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5542034526863983841.post-29652717133880562692017-01-03T08:29:42.281-08:002017-01-03T08:29:42.281-08:00https://godwithoutassumption.wordpress.com/2014/03...https://godwithoutassumption.wordpress.com/2014/03/07/2-castrated/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5542034526863983841.post-57703031867297075912016-12-02T21:44:11.971-08:002016-12-02T21:44:11.971-08:00Yes, Lewis is a major influence of mine. Many of m...Yes, Lewis is a major influence of mine. Many of my extra-biblical thoughts about God and life originate with his work, especially "Mere Christianity."Joshua Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07432781279880519701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5542034526863983841.post-74694212620467051152016-12-02T07:40:40.809-08:002016-12-02T07:40:40.809-08:00Brings to mind "The Great Divorce" by C ...Brings to mind "The Great Divorce" by C S Lewis. Thanks Josh.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com