****Newly added events******
Alnong with all the other things at the party, we have recently added bouncy boxing and sumo wrestling!! In order to participate, you must have the attached permission slip signed and bring it to the party. You can either print it from this site or get a hard copy from me.
I just recently began re-reading the Gospels and noticed something fairly profound. I have read the book of Matthew and the rest of the Gospels multiple times but have never really stopped to think about the scriptures as I read them. I am reading the Bible on a program called e-Sword, which is a program that contains multiple versions of the Bible (Including Greek and Hebrew for those scholars out there) as well a great commentaries from scholars like Westley and Barnes. It also has dictionaries/ concordances to help with those unfamiliar words. The program is free but you have to download some of the versions, commentaries and dictionaries separately (most of which are free including NIV, ESV, NKJV). By reading my Bible through e-Sword, I am able to read the scriptures as well as see the commentary for those scriptures.
I read Matthew chapter 3 today and got to the part where John the Baptist Baptized Jesus. I have read this chapter hundreds of times and heard dozens of sermons on it but never got a profound meaning from it. The particular scripture I am talking about is: (Mat 3:16 ESV) And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;
Now I knew the importance of the scripture but I did not fully understand what was happening in the scripture but not to its fullist extent. According to the Clarke commentary: “This passage affords no mean proof of the doctrine of the Trinity. That three distinct persons are here, represented, there can be no dispute.
1. The person of Jesus Christ, baptized by John in Jordan.
2. The person of the Holy Ghost in a bodily shape, (???????? ?????, Luk_3:22) like a dove.
3. The person of the Father; a voice came out of heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, etc.
The voice is here represented as proceeding from a different place to that in which the persons of the Son and Holy Spirit were manifested; and merely, I think, more forcibly to mark this Divine personality.” This seems to prove the existence of the Trinity as in this one scripture, God reveals to us all three form of the Trinity at once. There are some “Christians” who do not believe in the Trinity, these people are know as modalists. Modalists are unable to explain or account for the events in this scripture as well as more than 70 other passages according to basictheology.com.
To answer my question in the title, yes the Trinity is provable and not only is it important doctrine, I believe it is essential doctrine. Modalism is heresy thus modalist are not Christians. Some popular modalists in Christianity are the musical group Phillips, Craig, and Dean as well as well known and praised Bishop T.D. Jakes. This is an excerpt from the Enquirer’s Handbook that I took from the blog Sweet Tea & Theology: “Since the death of John and the other eleven original apostles, many concepts and teachings have arisen that do not necessarily coincide with the “one God” teaching of the early church. In the year A.D. 180, Tertullian began using the term “trinity” from which was born the Catholic doctrine of three Gods, co-equal, co-existent and co-eternal. The Roman Emperor Constantine in the year A.D. 325 incorporated the “doctrine of the trinity” into the Catholic Church where it has remained ever since, and most Protestant churches have accepted this doctrine without thorough examination. The “trinity”, however, generates confusion and is not in total harmony with the Scriptures. To say that there are three separate persons who somehow comprise “one God” is like trying to connect opposing sides of two magnets. When you add 1+1+1, it must equal three; and there cannot, under any circumstances, be more than one God.”
To think that God must operate under our laws is absurd. God never dictated mathematics to us thus the rules of math are man made and man followed. I find it interesting that Churches that hold the belief in the Trinity are not diligent in finding out who holds this heretical thought. Thousands of men from thousands of Churches have gone to the promise keepers conferences and heard T.D. Jakes preach. Jakes is revealed as a great pastor among many churches yet he hold this idiotic belief. I would not endorse, listen to, or attend any program or service that T.D. Jakes or Phillips, Craig, and Dean endorse, speak at or are endorsed by. If they hold one heresy how more likly is it that they have more.
I hope I was helpful and that you may be a little more clear on the existence of the Trinity and the importance of the doctrine. As Christians we are to be vigilant into the things we are taught and who we are taught by. When you are going to have a speaker or attend a meeting with speakers you are unfamiliar with, research them to find out if they hold true Christian beliefs.
This clip is from ER. The man is diagnosed with cancer and has asked for a priest. Instead of a real priest, he gets a liberal priest who doesn’t know anything herself. It’s funny that Hollywood sees how crazy the emergent movement and liberal is and that it makes no sense.
May the beauty of salvation embrace you, may your need for Christ capture you, and may the power of the Cross overwhelm you. For information on the authorship of “The Room” please click here. To download PDF, click here.
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the mysterious array of black filing cabinets. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read “Girls I Have Liked.” I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.
And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn’t match.
A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named “Friends” was next to one marked “Friends I Have Betrayed.”
The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. “Books I Have Read,” “Lies I Have Told,” “Comfort I Have Given,” “Jokes I Have Laughed At.” Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: “Things I’ve Yelled at My Brothers.” Others I couldn’t laugh at: “Things I Have Done in My Anger,” “Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.” I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.
I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
When I pulled out the file marked “Songs I Have Listened To,” I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn’t found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked “Lust,” I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.
An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: “No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!” In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn’t matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore “People I Have Shared the Gospel With.” The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.
But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus.
I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn’t bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?
Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn’t anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn’t say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.
“No!” I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was “No, no,” as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn’t be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.
He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, “It is finished.”
I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.
Hey all If you noticed I got a cool new widget on the side of my blog it gives my blog a view on someone else’s page every time you click a link so follow those links and if you want it on your blog click THIS link to add it and every time you add it to your blog I get more referrals and its a free way to promote your blog
Hello, we wanted to let you know about a great new live podcast that we are going to be starting tomorrow August 26, 2007 at 2pm PST called “Straight Up! Talk“. Our radio show will be based on issues which affect teens in today’s world especially in American culture. The show will be suitable for people of all ages, but will be mainly aimed toward younger people in high school and college. We take a conservative Christian viewpoint on the issues which we will be discussing. The topics will include but will not be limited to: abortion, sex, drugs, alcohol, marriage, sin, and music. The technology we are using will allow people to listen live to our podcast and even call in. We would appreciate it if you would tune in tomorrow at 2 p.m.; the address is (http://blogtalkradio.com/straightuptalk ).
Thank you for your time, Gabriel Rodriguez Joey Francis Anthony Mendoza
so if you havnt checked it out we have a youtube channel www.youtube.com/straightuptalk and i think we got the atheists going YAY!! you know your doing something right when the atheists get mad because I never see them freaking out about budda you should check it out and write a comment standing up for Christ!
I’m watching Leno and Michael Moore is on talking about his new movie sicko…. its about the health care system and I cant believe I am saying this but he’s right (AHHHHHH!!!!!!!! THE END IS NEAR) our health system sucks. I work in the health insurance industry (kinda) and you have no idea how unbelievably difficult it is to get these private health insurances to pay up. they always have some type of excuse .
well i promised complete randomness and I delivered lol
good night and be careful the end is near a hardcore conservative agreed with a hardcore liberal!!
tonight was the mens meeting for my church and it was awesome!!! We had a huge steak dinner and then spent a few hours just fellowshipping. it was great. those men inspire me so much. Some of these guys have been in the church for 10+ years and married some married for over 50. I hope and pray that I can be have the man in Christ that these men are. I respect them all. well thats pretty much it on that subject. goodnight
so today my friend (his blog HERE) and I went out after work so i could redeem myself and well I would call it a mixed blessing. well we left right after work so we were in dress clothes (not always the best for street evangalizm). Our first thought was to go to the mall, so when we went over there it was pretty intimidating. in this town everyone is on a mission to get their stuff done so as you can imagine no one would even look at us. so we decided to give up on that and go to the river. when we got there there were not a whole lot of people but we decided to give it a shot. we walked around a bit and scoped out the area. now back to my clothes point, when we would approach a person they would look at us funny and walk away. these kids were what the town calls ‘river rats’ so they were not the most well dressed. I am guessing they we resenting the two guys trying to walk up to them in their nice dress clothes. so we moved on from there and kept walking around the river. we finally got over our fear and found these two young woman and asked them if we could talk to them. Unfortunately, they laughed at us and said no. so we kindly said thanks anyways and kept going. if you have never evangalized before you have no idea how hard it is to ask the first person to talk. so once we got that over with even though they said no we felt better and kept going. I wish I could end this nicely but once we finally got our courage up all the people that we could talk to had gone. some may consider this a failure but the way I look at it at least we gave 2 people the opportunity to hear the gospel.
well I have rambled enough so take care and God Bless
The world through the eyes of a full-time college student and youth pastor. Addressing a wide array of subjects pertaining to this generation and it's relationship with Christ (or lack there of).
My vision for this blog is not only for me to share my views but for my writing to spark discussion so any and all comments are greatly appreciated and I will be sure to respond back.
I tend to be fairly sarcastic so if you have any questions or thoughts on anything I say feel free to leave a comment or email me at anthony@straightupyouth.org.
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God bless,
Anthony Mendoza
