The Man Nobody Knows by Bruce Barton

I have just read the book," The Man Nobody Knows" by Bruce Barton. Written in 1925.
Bruce saw as a young boy in Sunday school that the Jesus tought was not the Jesus he was interested in. He was pictured as a weak charactor that got pushed around. I can relate to this picture of Him. I felt the same way when I was young.
In this book Bruce pictures a real Man Jesus in the since that He was wholey a Human Man's Man.
The book relates to business types and focus's on Jesus' Human side. Which is not a bad thing. We hear a lot of His divine side, and forget He was Human also just like us. It provides some real hope to us unperfect ones. He discusses the rise of Jesus' poperlarity in Human achivement instead of Divine help. I'm not sure this is a bad thing. WE are to be lead by the Holy Spirit in all of our ways, which Bruce left this out. But the miricle of the Lord is that He can work through humankind.
I suggest everyone read this, those in leadership it is a must. But read it with the guidence of the Holy Spirit. Digest the good, vomit the bad. And learn of Him.

An Allegory of the Body, Soul and Spirit

I have just finished the book, “If I Perish I Perish” by Major W. Ian Thomas. It revealed an allegory of the Body, Soul and Soul in the Book of Ester.
I will show here the allegory but first I would like to share this quote from Mr. Thomas.

“I'm tired of religion - and to be entirely honest I know of nothing quite so boring as Christianity without Christ.
Have you ever tried to start a car without fuel, until there wasn't a spark left in the battery? Then you will know exactly what I mean, for there are few things more frustrating than a car that will not go. Everything is nicely greased and in its rightful place, and all the working parts move dutifully, but try as you may, there isn’t the suspicion of a kick, nor the tiniest evidence of life in the engine. You might as well dump the thing, for all the chance you have of getting it on the move!
Countless people have stopped going to a place of worship simply because they are sick of going through the motions of a dead religion. They are tired of trying to start a car on an empty tank!
What a pity it is that there are not a few more people around to tell them that Jesus Christ is alive. I spoke of nothing more boring than Christianity without Christ, but I know of nothing so utterly exciting as being a Christian-sharing the very life of Jesus Christ on earth right here and now, and being caught up with Him into the relentless, invisible purposes of an almighty God, and with all the limitless resources of deity available for the job.”

“If I Perish I Perish”by Major W. Ian Thomas, c. 1967-1972 ; Zondervan Publishing; used without permission

The whole story of Ester is an exciting tale of God’s work in a people. Also in allegory it shows His work in us as individuals.
The main charcators are:
Queen Vasti
King Ahasuerus
Haman the Agagite
Mordecai the Jew
Ester the Maiden to be Queen

Ian Thomas wrote that the King symbolized the human Soul sitting of the throne of power. Haman is the carnal nature of man. Mordecai is the Holy Spirit and Ester as the human “Born again Spirit”. I will say that Queen Vasti is the fallen human spirit we are all born with although Mr. Thomas does not mention her in the allegory setup.

At the start of the story Queen Vasti (human spirit of disobedience) fails to do as the King (human soul says to do) The King puts away Vasti and gains a new queen, Ester (Born again Spirit). The king is Ok until he puts his trust in Haman (the enemy of God the flesh) and gives him power. Meanwhile Mordecai is kept out of the picture. He is Esters cousin who adopts her at an early age. Showing the work of the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Adoption (Romans 8:14,15). But Mordecai has no power over the King while Haman is in charge and who wishes to destroy Mordecai. To make this short, through Mordecai’s relationship with Ester, He reveals the evil of Haman (the flesh) and Haman is Hung and Mordecai is put in power. Now I simplified this, but you must read the book. And Thomas recommends that you read his book, “The Saving Life of Christ”, first.

I recommend this and other books by Major Thomas

For info on Major Thomas and were to get his books go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_W._Ian_Thomas

Eze. 37:7 Dem Bones, Dem Bones

Eze. 37:7 in context speaks of the "Valley of Dry Bones", as a prophecy of Israel returning back to the land God had given them. Not as two separate nations like before but one whole and united nation.

Current preachers and evangelist have used it as an illustration of a dead lost man being breathed with new life. And rightly so used. Also many churches that have gone through a great lose in membership have received strenght from these verses with hope of risen again and being used by God.

Here I would like to bring out another biblical truth from these verses. In the Lord's dealings with us He has one goal in mind. To make us as Christ-like as can be. This goes for individuals, churches and ministries. In doing so we are striped of our carnal nature or "flesh". As little or as much as we will let Him.

During this process the Lord can and will us individuals, churches or ministries as He can and as we make ourselves available. It is when we are striped of all flesh and lie in a pile of dry bones that the Lord can do something great with us. Watching CSI on TV I've learned something interesting. When bones are dry to the point of being bleached like verse 2 says "very dry", all traces of the person is gone even the all important DNA.

Jesus is recorded in John 12:24 as saying, "Verily, verily, I say unto you. Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." When we die to our selves with our dreams, passions, goals and destinies, then the Lord can stand us up. Put us together. Give us new strength and flesh. and most of all breathe His breath into us to make us a mighty army for His service.

So if you find yourselves or church/ministry "Very Dry" to the point of hopelessness, submit to His dealings and put-away yourself. Making yourself available to His makings. And there will be a "Great Shaking".

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls

"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him".
Proverbs 24:17-18

I have worked with many people and have been mistreated many times by those over me. It seems that it is real easy to hope that the person gets demoted, fired or the business goes bad because I am not there. Or even go out of business. But the Lord tells us to "pray for our enemies and bless those that abuse you".(Paraphrase Matt. 5:44) I wonder how many companies that have treated their employees bad and still do well because the people of God secretly prayed to see them "get theirs" and fall. Therefore, God turned His wrath from them.
Next time you see a person fall that had treated you wrong, let the Lord guide you in ways to bless him. Who knows maybe the Lord will defeat an enemy by making him a friend. And above all if we are bought by Christ and therefore not our own, we have no right to be offended by others. We must turn it over to our Master Jesus and trust Him to take care of it His way. We then have no worry or stress over it.

On Being A New Testament Church Part 4: Fellowship

Continuing from my previous post on Being A New Testament Church I would like to take up were I left off. Verse 42 of the Second Chapter of Acts states that, "And they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, in breaking of bread and in prayers".
In my opinion their actions are centered on "fellowship". We could say it this way,” And they did not give up fellowshipping around the apostle's teachings with communion and prayer".
First, they did not give up fellowship. Not because of a busy schedule and not because they did not like someone in the church.
Second, they fellowshipped around Bible study. The lecture type of preaching is good for individual growth. Bible study around fellowship is good for the spiritual growth of the church group. Not just the teachings of the original apostles, but contempary apostles mentioned in Ephesians 4:11 in which there is not reason to mention that these will teach according to the scriptures.
Third, they fellowshipped around meals, which included the "Breaking of Bread" or communion. This service is invaluable in the spiritual growth of the Church. As the early Christians shared there meals together, this observance helped them to stay focused on the whole purpose of being together.
And fourth, they fellowshipped around prayer. More than just having a small prayer time during a service, but fellowshipping around the prayer time; sharing, uplifting each other in prayer.
These four focuses in fellowship are all part of the "becoming a New Testament Church". The verses after 2:42 shows the fruits that define a NTC.
In truth the fruits do not define us when we meet, but when we as a Church operate as individuals and as a part of the Body of Christ on Earth. Have you ever met a person that lived like a non-believer and then found out that they attended a church? It is hard not to judge the Church by those individuals and the Bible teaches that we should not do so, but we see the fruits of the Church. And I believe that if the principles in 2:41-42 are lived, then the Church will not have to worry about being judged by non-believers. And we can truly believe that we are New Testament Christians therefore making up a New Testament Church.
In conclusion I must admit that no group of scriptures in themselves will point out a formula for building a New Testament Church, but only a group of people who love Jesus and are committed to serving Him together, lead by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God will ever become what the New Testament Church was and did.
Or better still will become to Latter-day Church

Quote On Reformation and Revival by Francis A. Schaeffer

"The Church in our generation needs reformation, revival, and constructive revolution. At times men think of the two words, reformation and revival, as standing in contrast one to the other, but this is a mistake. Both words are related to the word restore.
Reformation refers to a restoration to pure doctrine; revival refers to a restoration in the Christian life. Reformation speaks of a return to the teachings of scripture; revival speaks of a life brought into its proper relationship to the Holy Spirit.
The great moments of Church history have come when these two restorations have simultaneously come into action so that the Church has returned to pure doctrine and the lives of the Christian in the Church have known the power of the Holy Spirit. There cannot be true revival unless there has been reformation; and reformation is not complete without revival.
Such a combination of reformation and revival would be revolutionary in our day-revolutionary in our individual lives as Christians, revolutionary not only in reference to liberal Church but constructively revolutionary in the evangelical, orthodox church as well.
May we be those who know the reality of both reformation and revival so that this poor dark world may have an exhibition of a portion of the Church returned to both pure doctrine and Spirit-filled life."
Death in the City by Francis A. Schaeffer, InterVarsity Press, 1969-1976, Page 12

Epistle of Temp #43

The new job is going well. I am Temp #43. As mentioned before I am employed with a temp agency and assigned to a snack foods production plant were we make snack foods of peanuts, almonds and cashews. Forget the peanut scare. That was across the Al-Ga. border.
I have a one hour lunch which I am not used to, were I can read. I'm in the process of reading "100 Days in the Arena by David Winter. I is divided in to 100 days of reading using quotes and writings from the early church fathers. (example: Polycarp...etc.)
Here is one that is good,"When I put off the old, that I had longed to lose, then I put on the new, the Lord Christ, whom I had longed to find..." Day 43 Augustine of Hippo (The readings are longer centered around the quotes)
I printed a copy of the letter of Polycarp to the Philippians. It is mostly quotes from other scriptures, but it is a valuable link to the early teachings of the Disciples.
We are studying in Church the Holy Spirit and how to be Baptized, Filled and lead-by Him.
I hope to write soon on these issues as used in the workplace. Your comments are needed.

Employed Again

I started work last monday at Bremner Food Group here in Dothan. I am working through Personal Resources.
I would like to thank all those who prayed for me and offered encouragement.
I realize in our present economy this job could be gone. But one thing I have learned and that is not to put our trust in Companies, people, or government. Unless the Lord is using such in His grand work in our lives.
I have heard many say things like," If we give God our best, He will give us His best" and when commenting on volunteering at church that,"we will get paid in the end". Well I am here to say that the Lord has already given His best. And yes the Bible has a lot to say about sowing and reeping. And that is good. But we must grow in our faith to the point where our giving is because we love the Lord and He has already given our best. When we come to this point we can truly trust in God to take care of us. My children do not have to do anything for us to take care of them. So why do we think we must give in order to get from our heavenly Father.

Unemployed Again: Update

Still have not found any "Paying" work. Had some problem with my unemployment claim, but it is now resovled.I have been volunteering at the "Ark Ministry Center" where I ateend Church. And my Brother-n-law and wife have been teaching me furniture uphostery.I have been reading a book intitled "Shattered Vocations", it has sparked in me an old calling.I am at the point where the job-for-pay is not that emprtant. To find a job that will provide for my family and help me to keep in miostry without support from the Church. A "tentmaking ministry".So I am open to anything as long as it keeps me in my calling. I interviewed with Cook's Pest Control last Wedensday. It went good. I did not know that Cook's was a christian based company. They let me know that right off-the-bat. That was refreshing.Anyway, thanks for the prayers and support. Wayne