Rejoicing because of suffering for the Name

A thought from my bible reading that I did this morning, Acts 5:40-42 NIV (written below):

It's amazing that the apostles (after subsequent warnings, floggings and being told not to preach the name of Jesus), in Acts 5:41: "left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name".

Amazing! Imagine celebrating after receiving floggings for the name of Jesus! Crazy! But I really hope to have faith like that one day =D.

Trees of the Bible

So a while ago, I was reading the books of the Minor Prophets in the Bible and I noticed that these books (particularly Hosea, Joel and Amos) makes use of the native trees in the area, so I thought I'd describe some of these trees!

Cedar Tree

"Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots" - Hosea 14:5

 

The Cedar of Lebanon is a mountain tree, living in high altitudes, from 1500 to 1900 meters above sea level. 

In ancient times, they were exported to build ships, altars, thrones, and carved objects. The first and second temples of Jerusalem were made of cedar wood.

We read of King Solomon negotiating with Hiram, King of Tyre, to procure some to build the temple and sundry buildings.

Part of the popularity of these trees was due to the fact that it was a huge tree by Middle Eastern standards, reaching 90 feet in height! This height was not achieved quickly; the tree is known to live between two and three thousand years. 

The wood was extremely popular with the ancient people because it was available in huge pieces, it was strong, it lasted forever, and it had the usual cedar smell. 

In the Bible, Amos compares the sons of Anak the Amorite to the cedars of Lebanon. 

http://www.planetbotanic.ca/fact_sheets/cedar.htm

Olive Tree

"... His splendor will be like an olive tree, ..." - Hosea 14:6


Juniper Tree

"...I am like a flourishing juniper; your fruitfulness comes from me." - Hosea 14:8



Lily



"I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. ..." - Hosea 14:5

Swearing

So for the Falcons Weekly article this week I want to do a bit more of a discussion type question, of something I've thought about lately - swearing. Many of you probably don't know that I actually swear a lot on the inside (in my thought life). Particularly when get stressful (probably left over from my soccer days). I've even done it when praying to Jesus but it's not something I'm proud of and its something I've tried very hard to change. But its something that I can't seem to change I'm still continually asking God to help me.

Questions:

But anyways, so my questions are:

• Do you think swearing is wrong?
• Do you do it?
• Do you think you should?

Of course these are quite personal and probably lend more to personal reflection,but some more broad discussion questions I'm currently pondering are:

• Do you think the biblical idea of 'swearing' is compatible with what we define as 'swearing' in our modern day?
• Where do we draw the line with what is swearing and not swearing in our modern definition of swearing? (e.g. some words that were particularly heinous in the past are now an acceptable part of general Christian vocabulary)

The Bible says:

• Matt 15: 10-11 - Jesus called the crowd to him and said,"Listen and understand. What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”
• Colossians 3:8 - But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
• Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
• Ephesians 5:3-5 - But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
• James 1:26 - Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

(Please read above scriptures contextually).

So anyways, if you particularly have a bible-based opinion, I'd love to hear from you.

A Small Steady Hallelujah

So I have a quote for you because I haven't written the Falcons Weekly article (mainly because I don't think I'm ready to write it yet or maybe other busyness/lazyness/effort issues). So it was going to be called 'Success is more dangerous than failure' (if that sounds interesting to you, it is).

But anyways, my quote is:



'A small steady Hallelujah in the valley is worth a thousand shouts of joy on the mountain.'

- By your friendly local Falcons leader

So to dissect that, I have never been in the ultimate valley yet but have been on the mountain many times. When I do hit the valley I really hope I can praise God with a quiet small Hallelujah. (If none of that made sense to you, ask me).

Contentment - Nick Vujicic

Contentment

I've thought a lot about contentment and I think its a funny thing. Sometimes I wish "Ohh if only it were holidays things would be so much better." or "Oh man holidays are so boring, I wish uni were on then things would be so much more exciting." or "Ohh man if only I were in Heaven things would be so much better."

But then I bet Nick Vujicic (see below) has thought more than not "If only I had limbs life would be so much better." But would it be? Would he have the same unhappiness and discontentment about different things? Are we who do have limbs happy? I think it all comes down to your perspective and and how you see your situation.

Paul said: "... I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:11-13 TNIV).

I really hope and pray that God will one day teach me the secret of contentment.

Nick Vujicic's Testimony



Nick was born without limbs and grew up in a Christian home in Brisbane. He attempted suicide at age 10 but he couldn't go through with it. Nick found hope in Christ and realised that God has a plan for his life. He has studied at Griffith Uni in Logan (with a double Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Financial Planning). He now lives in the US and travels around the world as a Christian motivational speaker.

For more info: lifewithoutlimbs.org

Mighty to Save - Brian 'Head' Welch

Testimony of Brian Welch - Formally 'Head' of Heavy Metal Band Korn



I love testimonies, but Brian's/Head's testimony has really inspired/touched/motivated/suprised/wowed me as I previously wrote off the people in general (and people I've known) from the hardcore metal scene as God-hating, would never love God, might be involved in satanic stuff and possibly be the most 'un-saveable' of all people.

So God really surprised me through these videos that "God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy..." (Rom 9:18) and that He is "... mighty to save" (Isa 63:1). It just shows me God's power and mercy, and not only is Brian/Head following Christ, he's following Him pretty hard!



For more info: brianheadwelch.net