What's My Last Name?

So the other day I'm trying to figure out what Mary's (Jesus' mother) last name was. In my research I came to find out that in those days, many people did not have last names. In fact, "most" didn't.

Think about it, many names in the Bible (go through the books of the Bible like Mathew, Mark, Luke and John) do not have last names. I know... you're thinking Simon Paul or Mary Magdaline (if that's spelled right) but maybe those were just considered one whole name... like Mia-Grace or Billy-Joe.

Back to my point. Back in those days, people used references to their city name, their job profession or from whom they decended. For example (these names are fictional for sample purpose):

Mark of Winterville

Timothy the Potter

John, Son of Zebedee

So, with that said... maybe thats how we got some of those last names we have today. Last names like:

Potter

Tailor

Cooke

Smith

Miller

Fisher

Goldman

Booker

Baker, etc.... (tons more)

You get my point. Don't know any of this for a fact. Just something to think about. The more over populated the towns/world became, the use of "last names" became a must.

Thoughts?

Be Thankful!

Many people out there (including many Christians) are not as thankful for the life they have as they should be. Someone may have a job only making minimum wage. They pray every day for a better (higher paying) job but still have yet to get it. They mope around all depressed about they're job that they are unsatisfied with when they should be thankful that they even have a job (especially in today's economy).

I want to express a little scenario to help you understand what I mean.

You come to me and bring a bag of McDonalds food (trying to be nice). I give you a disgusted look and fling the food to the ground saying "I'm not going to eat that! Are you kidding me?" Of course you're shocked and ill at this point that I just disrespectfully trashed the food you presented to me and insulted you.

Now, are you now ready to go out and buy me a steak dinner? I seriously doubt. I think I'd be extremely lucky if you'd ever buy me any food again (even McDonalds).

Heres my point. God may bless you with something small to see how appreciative you are. If you aren't thankful for it and complain... do you really think thats going to make him want to give you a bigger blessing? Based on the scenario above, you most likely wouldn't if you were in His shoes.

Overall point?

Be thankful for EVERYTHING EVERY DAY! No matter what is going on, be thankful. Thank God for the gas in your car. When you drink your bottle of water, give a cheers to heaven and say "Thank you Lord for this delicious water." Have a thankful heart (and be sincere) and you will be amazed at how the blessings will flow and how you'll begin to see life in a beautiful way. You'll truly find happiness in your day.

Have you ever said "Thank You" sincerely with a angry look? How about a sad expression? I sure hope you havn't. Most likely you find yourself feeling really good about yourself and letting out a slight (sometimes big) smile everytime you say "Thank You" to someone.

Say it all day to the Lord. You'll be smiling all day!!!

Jesus: Lord or Stranger?

Here's a little something I've always told people about how they should look at their relationship with Jesus.

Lets look at a sample scenario.

Theres a guy named John that works at a computer office 8 hours a day, every single day of the year. He shares a room with a guy named Larry. John and Larry are the only two in this room, all day, every day. For the 10 years that John has worked there, he very rarely speaks to Larry. Every now and then if John has a question about his work, he'll turn around and ask Larry for help, but other than those occasionaly moments, they never speak.

John goes out every weekend and holiday and never invites Larry to come along. John has his own friends and his own social life that does not ever include Larry.

Would you say John and Larry are close? Although they know each other, would you really even say they were friends?

Well instead of "John," put your name there. Instead of "Larry," put Jesus there. As far as the scenario goes, fill in your lifestyle. Do you ever include Jesus in your life. Do you ever even talk to Him? Many Christians claim to be faithful but yet they do not ever even talk with Jesus unless they occasionally need something from Him. So, for someone that you rarely ever talk to or introduce to your friends or bring with you when you go places... would you consider yourself to be close with Jesus? Think about it!

I find the best place to have a conversation with Jesus is in my car. No one around. Just me and an empty passenger seat. I pretend He is sitting right there and I talk. Not just about "needs" but about things I'm thankful for or just to simply talk about my day. If you are a Christian, you should believe that Jesus is with you at all times. With that in mind, act like He is there. Treat Him like a friend (at least). Talk to Him.

Reincarnation

I know this topic is not biblically related, but it is religion based and this situation came up recently for me to want to express my thoughts. Another reason why you should just believe in Christianity.

First off, so I don't put off the wrong idea, I'm blogging on this because I want to pose my questions/comments out there to how reincarnation makes no sense. But lets start off explaining what it is.

This is a religious-belief believed by many cultures, such as Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. The term "reincarnation" literally means "to be made flesh again." According to doctrine or metaphysical beliefs, it means that some essential part of a living being survives death to be reborn in a new body. This part being the "spirit" or "soul." They call this the "higher" or "true" self, the "divine spark." They believe that a new personality is developed during each life in the physical world, but some part of the self remains constnt throughout the successive lives. This religion believes in "Karma" which is an action, doing or even a thought that you have. Supposedly if you have negative Karma, you will have negative feedback from life and vice versa. But back to reincarnation. Reincarnation in a gerneral sense means that when you die, depending on how good your life was, you come back as another human (if you lived a good life), an ant (obviously lived a bad life) or anything in between based on your Karma.

Here's where I have a problem with reincarnation. First of all, as an insect (an ant or spider)... how would you live a "good life" to work your way up the chain of command? What's considered a good ant? What can you eat? If you eat anything besides a vegetarian diet... wouldn't you be eating past relatives? I can see it now... eating a chicken leg while having the thought in the back of your mind that its your grandmother.

If you kill and eat an animal, would you be downgraded in death for the murder of a life? Is it alright for an animal to kill and eat a human? How about the fact that there are way more animals/insects/humans dying than human babies being born.

And finally, if you really believed in reincarnation, wouldn't you be sad. Being a human is actually a sad life. There's pain physically, pain emotionally, heartbreak, poverty, perversion, addictions... all the sinful ways of a human being... wouldn't it be sad to look at this life as your "heaven?" Some people are so depressed in this life that they purposely take their own... but at the same time its supposed to be our heaven... as good as it gets. So, if someone believed in reincarnation, you would think they would be sad all the time (which in Karma might downgrade them to a lower being for living a sad life).

I know this was off topic today and I appologize but this is why a Christian should feel blessed. We have a God (the one and only God) that gives us a real heaven and something to look forward to in death. Even for those who are debating on religion, why not a religion that at least makes you feel happy in life. A religion that teaches you morals and promises a perfect life in death.

Why not choose... Christianity?

Profanity

There are many Christians out there that still go around cussing and using profanity in anger and some even in typical conversation. There are many arguments over this topic such as, what's considered profanity?

Lets start with the basics.

All Christians either "do" or "should" know not to use the Lord's name in vain. Even some non-Christians know and believe this. What do I mean? I'll initialize.. (G.D.). That's as far as I'm willing to go there. Here's scripture.

Exodus 20:7 7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

The following verse, to me, means that a Christian should not use any type of profanity whatsoever.

Isaiah 32:6 6 For the fool speaks folly, his mind is busy with evil: He practices ungodliness and spreads error concerning the LORD; the hungry he leaves empty and from the thirsty he withholds water.

Okay. So what about words that are in the Bible? For example; Hell, damn, ass, fool, etc...

Hell is obviously a place (a terrible place at that). In the sense of speaking of a place, I think its fine to use. But one should never condemn someone verbally to this place. As Christians, we should not feel hate in hearts. However, even if you did, you could not hate anything/anyone strong enough to cast it into Hell. Therefore, we should never ever use this word in this manner.

Damn means: Sentence or condemnation to everlasting punishment in the future state; or the state of eternal torments. As I've stated earlier, one should never feel this way about anything/anyone, therefore never have a reason to even use this word period.

Ass is a word used to describe a donkey. If you're not seriously talking about a donkey, this word is inappropriate. Stick to proper words and for this word's sake... just say "donkey" so others won't get the wrong image of you.

Just remember Isaiah 32:6 from above.

Just a little extra something to think about below.

We are also instructed not to swear (I believe promises are different than swearing). Does this mean in court, we should not "swear?" Here's the verse:

James 5:12 12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.

Women Preach?

There is an ongoing debate about whether or not a woman should be allowed to preach to congregation. Most Christians that feel this way (usually baptists) believe this because of what it says in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 :

34 women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35 If they want to enquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

Based on this scripture, it says that a woman should not speak period. So if you believed this at all, you should believe it fully. If you do not believe it fully, then you should not believe it at all. From my understanding, this scripture was written because women back in that time would disturb the message by arguing and debating over topics and embarrass the husband. Instead of all the women speaking at once and causing distraction, the rule was laid down that if a woman had a conflict or debate to discuss, she was supposed to discuss this with her husband and have him speak on their behalf, if he agreed with the debate. I dont think this literally meant that a woman is not supposed to speak in church or even preach... here's why:

In most verses where it speaks of man being a bishop or pastor, I believe this is referring to "anyone" or "mankind." For example, in 1 Timothy 2:3-4

3 This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

This verse says that our "God and Savior, who wants all men to be saved..." Notice he didn't say women? Does this mean he does not want women to be saved? NO! Of course not. This is one of the situations where He uses "men" or "man" as "mankind." This kind of thing is said throughout the entire Bible.

I do not believe that God is ruling out women and being sexist here. God made men and women different physically but not spiritually. God spiritually looks at us all as equal. Lets look at scripture:

Joel 2:28 28 And afterwards, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.

Notice it says "and daughters." "Prophesy" according to the KJV dictionary means "In Scripture, to preach; to instruct in religious doctrines; to interpret or explain Scripture or religious subjects."

Acts 2:17 17'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

Again... "and daughters." Do you not believe these are the last days? How can you deny scripture?

There are more verses that say the same thing... more in Revelations. Some people tend to ignore the scripture stating that women can preach but then only half-way follow or believe in the whole "women should keep silent" scripture.

So, should women stay silent (the verse didn't clarify so this means... completely silent in the church) or should they be allowed to speak?

There are many women out there with GREAT knowledge of the Bible. What good is this knowledge if they cannot teach? What harm could come of preaching? Should they let people stray because they are supposed to keep silent? If no, then why are they allowed to preach to an unbeliever but not to a believer?

Leave me feedback!

Speaking In Tongues (Part 2)

Okay, I know I've already hit this topic. But I've recently come across more scripture to lead unbelievers of this type of thing to hear what scripture has to say. I'm not here to convince anyone one way or the other, but I only ask that you read scripture and base your theories from the Word itself.

The following verses definitely prove that there is, in fact, the ability to speak in tongues. However it does give rules and guidelines to doing so. There are times to speak it, and times to not speak it. Read further.

Lets start off with that fact that the Bible clearly tells us that there will be "gifts" given to certain people on the Earth. I'm not neccessarily talking about the "gift" to draw a pretty picture. I mean deeper "gifts."

1 Cor 12:4-11

When the scripture mentions "divers tongues" the word "divers" according to the KJV Dictionary means "different" or "various."

Now, digging deeper into the guidelines of speaking in tongues.

1 Cor 14:1-5

This verse tells us that speaking in tongues can be a wonderful thing as long as there is an interpreter that can interpret what is being said in order to "edify" the church. Edify (according to the KJV dictionary) means to "construct, build up or establish." If the tongues spoken is not interpreted then it was nothing but jibberish to others.

I think by reading this and comparing it to today... there are many people that may have the "gift" of speaking in tongues, but people are too prideful and embarrassed to try and interpret. The Bible clearly states that some people have the "gift" to interpret and that a powerful message can be delivered but in todays time, people are being held back from their "gifts" because others aren't following what they are supposed to do (like interpreting).

Moving on...

1 Cor 14:6-19

These verses state that it is pointless to speak in tongues if no one is there to interpret. My question is, how do you know if someone is there to interpret? Should someone who speaks in tongues bite their tongue because they are afraid no one there has the gift to interpret? Would the Holy Spirit even come into a place and cause tongues to be spoken if there wasn't someone there to interpret?

Moving on...

1 Cor 14:20-25

These verses state the scenario of an unbeliever that comes into the church and hears someone speaking in tongues. It states that if someone speaks in tongues and there is no interpreter, the unbeliever will think you're crazy people and leave. If it is interpreted, you can instantly make that person a believer on the spot and he'll spread the news. So, speaking in tongues is chancy from what it sounds like. This is why we must all do what we're lead to do. Because so many people through time have avoided their gifts... a gift such as speaking in tongues is dissolving as people bite their tongues because they are afraid someone like an interpreter will not follow through with their gift.

Moving on...

1 Cor 14:26-33

This states the rules. There can be 2 to 3 people speaking in tongues at once. No more should jump in. There is only supposed to be 1 interpreter allowed to speak at a time. If there are more than one interpreter present, then the first interpreter should finish before the next begins to speak. If someone is speaking in tongues and realizes there is no interpreter, they are supposed to stop and remain silent.

Finally...

1 Cor 14:34-40

Do not forbid speaking in tongues. Just speak it in a decent and orderly way.

Other Bible references for speaking in tongues (if you're interested):

1 Cor 12:8-11

1 Cor 12:28-30

Acts 2:3

Mark 16:17

Acts 2:4

Dig deeper. Answers are out there. Here's my final take on everything. I believe in speaking in tongues (as long as followed by the guidelines). What good is music if we cover our ears? What good is art if we close our eyes? In relation to today's topic... what good is speaking in tongues if there is no interpreter? Music can move and change us. Art in this sense, can move and change us. Speaking in tongues can move and change us. But all of these things are no good without its working counterpart.

Thoughts?

Should I Date An Unbeliever?

This topic is for the young lovers out there who are still in the dating stages (but interesting for all). Today's topic is basically discussing whether or not you should feel comfortable dating someone who is not a Christian (assuming you are a Christian yourself).

This can be a difficult question to ask as there are two different ways of looking at this scenario (as there are every scenario).

Some believe that Christians should only date other Christians because of scriptural references. Some say it's okay for a Christian to date an unbeliever because they can use they're relationship to draw a lost soul to the Lord. So, should we or shouldn't we?

For those who believe a Christian should be able to date an unbeliever, they use the whole "Missionary Dating" excuse (as mentioned above). They believe that through this relationship, they can lead an unbeliever to the Lord through their witnessing. This could be okay if looked at this way, however, it's very rare that this actually takes place. Usually it ends up where the Christian has found themselves in un-Christian-like situations or places. Instead of the unbeliever drawing closer to the Lord, the Christian begins to stray as they pick up bad habits.

Then there's the argument, "I can't find any good single Christian people. They're all dating someone already or they're a geek." Something along those lines. Yes, sometimes people confuse kindness with weakness or geekness. But keep in mind that there are always new people becoming Christians every day. There are many current Christians whom you have not met. How can you meet them? Start attending more Christian events. Get out there in the Christian world and begin to socialize.

God already has someone for you. You and that person are on two seperate paths. At some point, God will intersect these paths. The question is, are you where you are supposed to be on that path? God cannot force you to walk that path, but he does encourage us. Some of us fear that even if we "are" on the right path, how do we know our "special" someone is where they are supposed to be to meet there? The best way to find out is to be everywhere the Lord tells you. If you havn't found the person yet, then your path wasn't meant to intersect yet.

With all explainations aside. If I had to answer the question to this blog with a simple "yes" or "no," I'd have to say "no."

I try to base all of my opinions on scripture (as we all should do). This is a sure way not to go wrong. Here's what scripture has to say:

2 cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

This tells us basically that if you mix black paint with white paint, you'll have gray paint. In other words, an unbeliever (black paint) mixed with a Christian (white paint) results in a less obediant/less faithful Christian or worse (gray paint).

As Christians, why tempt ourselves by allowing a sinful lifestyle to enter our own. Is it lust that sways us to deny scripture? Usually. Some people choose kissing and cuddling over what is right... a pair of lips over God.

If you like (have a crush on) someone, and they are not a Christian. You should be more concerned with their soul burning in Hell than how good they kiss. Your goal should be to lead them to the Lord... as a friend. Once they find the light, then date them if you must. With God in a relationship, trust me.... MANY problems that "would have" taken place will not now.

So, put hormones aside and read the Word. If you really cared for someone so much that you wanted to date or even marry them, you should care about where they end up after they die or when the rapture takes place.

Lead them to the Lord... then it will be mixing "white paint" with "white paint," leaving your paint "white" (Christian) still.

Can we "Backslide?"

There are debates on this topic as to whether or not a Christian can really "backslide." What does it mean to backslide?

Backsliding is when a person is on the path to salvation and "slides back" into their sins, turning their back on God. This may not revoke your salvation but supposedly can lead up to it.

There are many Christians that believe this is possible to do, while others believe this is impossible to do. So, what are both points of view on this?

Christians that believe you "can" lose your salvation, they believe that a man can live out 50 years of a dedicated life to God, but can give in under certain circumstances to Satan's deceptions. Maybe a man of God lost everything and everyone he every loved... permanently. In having so much faith toward God, he was hurt when things didn't work out. Turned cold hearted. Gave up hope and sight of the light. Then turned to a life of sin (a drunk for example) to forget his sorrows. This is just a scenario, not a true story.

However, other Christians believe you "cannot" lose your salvation and believe that if you were once saved, you're always saved... no matter what you do from there on. They either believe that if you end up turning to a life of sin (like the above situation) that you were never "really" saved in the beginning; or that no matter what you do, as long as you do not blasheme the holy spirit, you will still go to heaven as you are forgiven.

So, which is the right way to believe? Can you lose your salvation or not?

Here's some scripture:

heb 6:4-6 4. For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5. And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6. If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [him] to an open shame.

To me, this verse can be taken two different ways. In a general sense, it states in verses 4 & 5 that if you were once saved... (then verse 6) and turn away from God, you will not be able to come back and be forgiven (impossible to renew them again unto repentance). Scary huh?

The other way this can be taken is that if you're a Christian, there is no way you can get to that point in life where you turn your back on God. That if you truely worshiped God in the past, that it would be almost impossible for you to actually get to the point where you have no fear of God. And it says that if you do get to that point where you have turned, then something has obviously deeply convinced of this (brainwashed you) and you are so far gone that there's no hope for you anymore.

My overall point. These verses state clearly that you "can" lose your salvation. It is very hard to do this, but can happen. In my opinion, you can lose your salvation when you get to the point that you "do not" fear God anymore. If you can look to the skies in sincerety and tell Him you don't believe in Him and that He is not real. If you can honestly say that to Him, then I believe you have lost your way (salvation).

There are several scriptures in the Bible that reference to backsliding. The fact that this word even exists in the Bible shows that it can happen. If it can't happen, then why does the Bible even mention it? It's like skipping over those verses and saying "those verses don't aren't in the Bible."

Here's further references of "losing salvation."

exod 32:31-33 31. And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. 32. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. 33. And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

psal 69:27-28 27. Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness. 28. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

Does God and Jesus have seperate books of life? Sounds like a name can be erased from that book.

There are more references. These are just a few.

So, what do YOU think? Can we backslide? Can we lose our salvation? Once saved, always saved?

Part of me reads these verses and thinks "yes," we can lose our salvation. The other part of me says (other than the one unforgivable sin) we are forgiven for all of our sins and pardoned by Christ once we become Christians.

So, what's your conclusion?

The Wife Must Submit

eph 5:22-28 22. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing. 25. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

Okay, before you get too "big-headed" guys, this does not mean that your wife is supposed to be your slave (even though that would be nice sometimes). It means you're supposed to love your wife as Jesus loved the church and we all know Jesus did not use the church as slaves. If anything, He gave the church freedom.

Let's break down the verses.

Verse 22 is basically telling the wives to talk with your husband about your problems, trust him to support you, allow him to support you and respect him in his decisions as you would the Lord.

Verse 23 is saying that in a Christian relationship, when the husband is a man of faith and follows the word of God, the wife is supposed to follow him and look to him for answers as the church does to Christ. This will result in protection from harm, sin and emotional pain as this responsible husband will be as a savior of the wife's body.

Verse 24 is again saying that as a Church believes, trusts and follows what Christ leads us to do, the wife of a Christian husband should follow, believe and trust in where he leads.

Verse 25 is speaking to the husband stating that he is responsible for leading his wife in the right direction should she follow. That he is supposed to lead and love his wife, even if facing death, just as Jesus did for the church.

Verse 26 is saying that the husband is supposed to cleanse and purify the lifestyle of himself and his wife by following the guidelines and teachings of the Bible and is supposed to be sure that he leads his wife to follow the Word.

Verse 27 states that just as Jesus tries to purify the lives in the Church and give them a light to follow, a husband must do for his wife. The husband must strive for perfection in teaching his wife to live a life for honoring God. There should be no stray moments and if there is a moment where the wife is astray, the husband is supposed to do his very best to keep her on the right track and lead her back to the Word. The husbands job is to create a flawless relationship between the Lord, himself and his wife.

Verse 28 says that a man should look at his wife's soul as his own in a manner. The more he loves his wife, the more he loves himself. The more he lets his wife stray, the more he lets himself stray. The husbands job is to see himself and his wife as one, and as one make sure this new joined heart is on the right path for God.

I know that was long, but many men misunderstand those verses. They immidiately build their pride and preach to their wives that they must serve him and respect him no matter what. But I believe that this passage is saying that "yes," a woman should respect and obey her husband... IF he a man of faith and follows the path of God. If your husband's every move is based on prayer and is lead by the Lord, then yes, the wife should most definately follow without question.

Some may argue or try to contradict this passage with Matthew 19:6.

matt 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

This verse says that a man and his wife are equal. One flesh. Looked upon and one person. This is where some people say, God said we are equal so why does a wife have to submit to her husband and not the other way around.

If you read the first passage of this blog, you should realize that it was all equal from the beginning. The relationship is 100% equal. Just as the woman is given the responsibility of following, the husband is given a responsibility of leading. Both have a job to do that can't be done without each other. One can't follow if there's no one to lead just as one can't lead if theres no one to follow. They must work together. Yes, a woman must submit. But a man is supposed to do even more. The man is supposed to work his heart out (spiritually and physically) to support his wife in return and to make sure their newly joined heart is right with the Lord.

How do you feel about this passage ladies?