You know one of things I find particular fascinating about the Christmas story?
I mean, God does some pretty amazing things throughout scripture. You got the whole creation of the world, preservation of said creation when things go horribly horribly wrong and need to be "rebooted", a manifestation of a chosen people which Christ will come from, a love story between said nation and God...among a few.
But one of the things I find absolutely, groundbreakingly shocking is God's decision to place His son in the care of people. It's pretty ridiculous when you think about it- people up to this point don't have a great track record. infact, if an angel of God told me that our next baby was going to be the savior of the world, and also God in human flesh, my reaction would be probably very different from Joseph's reaction in Matthew 1:24- which is seemingly pretty chill.
God entrusts man with seemingly impossible tasks, to point towards His glory. This is what I am learning in my run-through of the Old Testament now. God chooses a person, a lot of the times this person is reluctant (Jonah, Gideon, Moses...etc) and God assures them that HE is the one who will equip them for the task at hand. It really excites me as I reflect on what I am capable of, and how do I use it for Him?
Our mens group went through Matthew 25 last night. One of the things I can count on with these guys is sharpening discussion on how the Word is applicable both in our lives, and eternally. One of the three parables in this chapter talks about 3 men being entrusted with a masters funds. Two of them make an interest, one of them buries the funds out of fear.
What if this story is about the talents God has given me, and I was designed for so much more? What if they were meant to be used for more than just getting me through this life? What if verse 40 isn't in the same chapter on accident?
“The
King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the
least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"
It was very convicting, humbling, and exciting. God cares enough to use others in my life to bring these things to light.
Last night empowered me to use what I have been given to further His kingdom, not my own. My kingdom doesn't last- it's here and gone with the wind, and forgotten about shortly after. But His is eternal!
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Recap
Whoa- Blogspot sure has changed. I like it!
It's been awhile since I have been around here. I have enjoyed the summer break from blogging, and now plan to blog at least twice before the year ends! Ha..May not be too far from the truth...
In anycase some highlights of my past couple of months have been....
-Getting more involved in the lives of others at Crossroads.
It has been very exciting to see/experience what Christ is doing in other men's lives over the summer! So very different from this time last year...A lesson of how God does not work immediately, but His work is worth waiting on.
-Getting a puppy (penny)!
While she may have duped Jen with her cute looks, and quite demeanor- I knew the storm of crazy that was coming. She is a beagle/mix (Jack Russel Terrier?) and is pretty insane.., and also awesome. Coming along quite nicely I'd say...for a beagle ;)
-Went to Myrtle Beach
This place was awesome and I can't wait to go back...Featured is a science museum, if you notice- the whole building is upside down. Lot's of cool buildings such as this. Jen spent 10+ summers here vacationing...She knew the ropes :)
-Lakehouse with Family
This was a very exciting week, and the first one I can even recall with which I spent with the fam. While the entire week was relaxing/somewhat stressful at times/exciting, I would say one of the highlights of it was being challenged on what I thought the scripture had to say about things...Very exciting discussion.
-Opportunities to serve in the church
I am currently responsible for getting the audio portions of the sermon up every week, and am no longer doing keyboard. Among some other things I may be stepping up to- God has been doing amazing things at Crossroads- very excited to see Him moving there. Feel blessed to be able to call them my church family.
-Work
Work has been going well. I realize more and more as time goes on that this is where God wants me to be. It's pretty exciting to know that- growing lots with lots of responsibilities!
Romans 15:3
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
It's been awhile since I have been around here. I have enjoyed the summer break from blogging, and now plan to blog at least twice before the year ends! Ha..May not be too far from the truth...
In anycase some highlights of my past couple of months have been....
-Getting more involved in the lives of others at Crossroads.
It has been very exciting to see/experience what Christ is doing in other men's lives over the summer! So very different from this time last year...A lesson of how God does not work immediately, but His work is worth waiting on.
-Getting a puppy (penny)!
-Went to Myrtle Beach
-Lakehouse with Family
This was a very exciting week, and the first one I can even recall with which I spent with the fam. While the entire week was relaxing/somewhat stressful at times/exciting, I would say one of the highlights of it was being challenged on what I thought the scripture had to say about things...Very exciting discussion.
-Opportunities to serve in the church
I am currently responsible for getting the audio portions of the sermon up every week, and am no longer doing keyboard. Among some other things I may be stepping up to- God has been doing amazing things at Crossroads- very excited to see Him moving there. Feel blessed to be able to call them my church family.
-Work
Work has been going well. I realize more and more as time goes on that this is where God wants me to be. It's pretty exciting to know that- growing lots with lots of responsibilities!
Romans 15:3
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Emergency Broadcast: Two Sentiments
Despite my earlier post, I feel this definitely needs to come out in the written form.
I have been speaking with two childhood friends recently, and they have both said something that has forced some good reflection for me.
-I would much rather have girl friends over guy friends. Guys are competitive jerks that I cannot connect with on a real level.
This I found interesting as it made me look at the relationships in my life. Definitely true to an extent, guys are pretty competitive. So much so that true friendship cannot be accomplished?
I have had the exciting pleasure to be a part of a body of believers who have been encouraging me lately to bring everything encountered in life back to a God context, via the scriptures. I think John 15:12-17, and Philippians 2:3-4 speaks a lot to this particular sentiment.
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit —fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
I have been curious lately about non-christian friendships, and this is definitely not the first time I have heard this sentiment. But do you see what Christ is saying here? If my priorities are to elevate myself over another, my priorities are off.
-There are two places to get friends. Work and Church. And I am not going to church to find friends.
This one really grabbed my attention. I questioned a few things with this sentiment. What would stop a non-christian from going to church exclusively for the purpose of finding people who (hopefully) don't abandon you on a moments whim? Chances are, if you were to find these types of people anywhere- it would be a church.
Or, how would a church respond to an individual walking in off the street with this sole purpose in mind? How would my church respond? How, based on the scriptures alone (aka, the authority of any church), should a church respond?
Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands) — remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:11-13
And because our church is currently going through book of Ruth!...(and it just so happens to apply)
At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me —a foreigner? Ruth 2:10
While not direct ties per say, I believe the heart of what is being said in both of these passages still apply. In the first, Paul is speaking to a group of people (Jews) who alienated another group of people (Gentiles) for thousands of years of the basis of not being "God's people."
After Christ's death however, this is no longer acceptable- which is what Paul is saying here. If the common denominator is Christ, for all, then how does that spell out what our response should be to outsiders of the faith?
The second example goes back a bit further, and is a fascinating story really. Ruth, (A Moabite who is a foreigner to the land of Israel) is found favorable by a well respected Israelite man by the name of Boaz. She is astonished by the show of favor from Boaz to her, as this is unheard of in this time/land. Foreigners are foreigners, and are to be kept at arms length.
I believe this sentiment is a very..very common one among those who don't attend church. I also have a lot of reason to believe the majority of churches today do not wish to tackle the challenge of relating to those who not only disagree with what is the most important aspect of a church goers life, but flat-out hate it, in some cases.
But by falling into the comfortableness of only communicating with those who agree with me, how does this coincide with the scriptures? How does this grow me as a Christ follower?
Thankfully these questions are answered by my current body of believers. Men who show me via example on a regular basis that by ignoring outsiders, it definitely does not line up with scripture. It's refreshing (and humbling) to see this in my church...Praise God for it!
I have been speaking with two childhood friends recently, and they have both said something that has forced some good reflection for me.
-I would much rather have girl friends over guy friends. Guys are competitive jerks that I cannot connect with on a real level.
This I found interesting as it made me look at the relationships in my life. Definitely true to an extent, guys are pretty competitive. So much so that true friendship cannot be accomplished?
I have had the exciting pleasure to be a part of a body of believers who have been encouraging me lately to bring everything encountered in life back to a God context, via the scriptures. I think John 15:12-17, and Philippians 2:3-4 speaks a lot to this particular sentiment.
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit —fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
I have been curious lately about non-christian friendships, and this is definitely not the first time I have heard this sentiment. But do you see what Christ is saying here? If my priorities are to elevate myself over another, my priorities are off.
-There are two places to get friends. Work and Church. And I am not going to church to find friends.
This one really grabbed my attention. I questioned a few things with this sentiment. What would stop a non-christian from going to church exclusively for the purpose of finding people who (hopefully) don't abandon you on a moments whim? Chances are, if you were to find these types of people anywhere- it would be a church.
Or, how would a church respond to an individual walking in off the street with this sole purpose in mind? How would my church respond? How, based on the scriptures alone (aka, the authority of any church), should a church respond?
Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands) — remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:11-13
And because our church is currently going through book of Ruth!...(and it just so happens to apply)
At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me —a foreigner? Ruth 2:10
While not direct ties per say, I believe the heart of what is being said in both of these passages still apply. In the first, Paul is speaking to a group of people (Jews) who alienated another group of people (Gentiles) for thousands of years of the basis of not being "God's people."
After Christ's death however, this is no longer acceptable- which is what Paul is saying here. If the common denominator is Christ, for all, then how does that spell out what our response should be to outsiders of the faith?
The second example goes back a bit further, and is a fascinating story really. Ruth, (A Moabite who is a foreigner to the land of Israel) is found favorable by a well respected Israelite man by the name of Boaz. She is astonished by the show of favor from Boaz to her, as this is unheard of in this time/land. Foreigners are foreigners, and are to be kept at arms length.
I believe this sentiment is a very..very common one among those who don't attend church. I also have a lot of reason to believe the majority of churches today do not wish to tackle the challenge of relating to those who not only disagree with what is the most important aspect of a church goers life, but flat-out hate it, in some cases.
But by falling into the comfortableness of only communicating with those who agree with me, how does this coincide with the scriptures? How does this grow me as a Christ follower?
Thankfully these questions are answered by my current body of believers. Men who show me via example on a regular basis that by ignoring outsiders, it definitely does not line up with scripture. It's refreshing (and humbling) to see this in my church...Praise God for it!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
My Life In the Tech World
Seeing that I am heavily involved in the computer world as of late..I've decided to post a short review of each of the apps I have been using recently. (all of which are free)
Teamviewer
This one has been awesome. Perfectly fulfilling the needs to access my computer remotely from home, or phone...for FREE. Very useful. Allows file transfer, multiple screen support, and a fairly simple interface.
Waterfox
Apparently, a 64-bit version of Firefox does not exist. This isn't a big deal, but once I read an internet article saying my browser isn't using my comps memory to its full potential, I'm a sucker to immediately fix it. Enter Waterfox, the 64-bit version of Firefox that claims to be slightly faster. An exact clone of Firefox that even ports settings/bookmarks over. (except for the odd fact that I had to reinstall all Adobe plugins) Have I noticed the massive speed increase? Nope. But still, my mind is at ease that it's ever so slightly faster then Firefox (no...I'm not switching to Chrome)
Lastpass
This is an interesting browser extension that I didn't trust upon first hearing about it. It stores all your passwords. Sketch right?! Their webpage (and outside praises) convinced me enough to give it a shot. The convenience factor is pretty awesome. Stores every password for any website you visit and syncs them across multiple comps.
You can go on their website and read their security claims. One of the things I really like is the extra authentication you can add to your account. For instance, You have a master password to access it, but, you can add a feature where if your account is accessed from an unauthorized computer (aka any computer that is not your own) the program then requires you to use a Google authenticator code (app on phone with a constantly changing numeric password) to access.
So far so good, I'll report if anything happens! Heh...
Xmarks
This one syncs all of your bookmarks, for all browsers, across multiple machines. I like having all of my bookmarks at hand, but dislike that it syncs the bookmarks toolbar near the top of the browser. I'm sure this is an easy fix though.
AutoHotkey
My work sometimes consists of doing the same computer tasks over and over again. I am currently working on automating a lot of it with this program. Hasn't been too successful but I'm not giving up! This program, with a little knowledge of script writing, can automate keyboard and mouse inputs. Sadly, this little knowledge is hard to come by for me.
7-Zip
This program can compress a file down to 73% of its original size! Awesome, but does so at the expense of speed (took me about an hour to compress a file of about 12 gig)
FastCopy
This program is especially useful for transferring large files on a windows XP machine to an external. Turns out that OS can't really copy large files (10+ gig) very fast. Took an hour long copy job down to about 20 minutes. I tested this program on windows 7 and Vista and it's not that much faster then when what those systems can do on their own.
John's Background Switcher
This program pulls images from Google, your computer, or various other sources and automatically makes them a wallpaper. I like coming into work everyday to a different Wallpaper....Combined with windows scheduler, adds some sweet variety.
Revo Uninstaller
Use this to not only run a programs uninstaller, but then goes and searches for leftover files/folders and registry entries left behind...Very thorough uninstaller.
Mozy
I use this to remotely back up my work comp every day. Yet to use for a restore, but it faithfully backs up what I set it to on a daily basis, and is very simple to use. Kind of wish you can tell it what files to back up specifically, but for now you can tell it what kind of file types, and folders.
Microsoft Security Essentials
A highly praised anti-virus software from what I have read...Surprising. (or at least I was) and the comp has been clean for the past 2 weeks. I switched out AVG for this bad boy and all is good thus far.
Spybot
An oldie but a goodie...Catching those tracking cookies in real-time.
CCleaner
I cleaned out like 20 gig of junk when I ran this the other day! A program specializing in getting rid of unused temp files, browser stuff, and general upkeep...pretty good I'd say.
Teamviewer
This one has been awesome. Perfectly fulfilling the needs to access my computer remotely from home, or phone...for FREE. Very useful. Allows file transfer, multiple screen support, and a fairly simple interface.
Waterfox
Apparently, a 64-bit version of Firefox does not exist. This isn't a big deal, but once I read an internet article saying my browser isn't using my comps memory to its full potential, I'm a sucker to immediately fix it. Enter Waterfox, the 64-bit version of Firefox that claims to be slightly faster. An exact clone of Firefox that even ports settings/bookmarks over. (except for the odd fact that I had to reinstall all Adobe plugins) Have I noticed the massive speed increase? Nope. But still, my mind is at ease that it's ever so slightly faster then Firefox (no...I'm not switching to Chrome)
Lastpass
This is an interesting browser extension that I didn't trust upon first hearing about it. It stores all your passwords. Sketch right?! Their webpage (and outside praises) convinced me enough to give it a shot. The convenience factor is pretty awesome. Stores every password for any website you visit and syncs them across multiple comps.
You can go on their website and read their security claims. One of the things I really like is the extra authentication you can add to your account. For instance, You have a master password to access it, but, you can add a feature where if your account is accessed from an unauthorized computer (aka any computer that is not your own) the program then requires you to use a Google authenticator code (app on phone with a constantly changing numeric password) to access.
So far so good, I'll report if anything happens! Heh...
Xmarks
This one syncs all of your bookmarks, for all browsers, across multiple machines. I like having all of my bookmarks at hand, but dislike that it syncs the bookmarks toolbar near the top of the browser. I'm sure this is an easy fix though.
AutoHotkey
My work sometimes consists of doing the same computer tasks over and over again. I am currently working on automating a lot of it with this program. Hasn't been too successful but I'm not giving up! This program, with a little knowledge of script writing, can automate keyboard and mouse inputs. Sadly, this little knowledge is hard to come by for me.
7-Zip
This program can compress a file down to 73% of its original size! Awesome, but does so at the expense of speed (took me about an hour to compress a file of about 12 gig)
FastCopy
This program is especially useful for transferring large files on a windows XP machine to an external. Turns out that OS can't really copy large files (10+ gig) very fast. Took an hour long copy job down to about 20 minutes. I tested this program on windows 7 and Vista and it's not that much faster then when what those systems can do on their own.
John's Background Switcher
This program pulls images from Google, your computer, or various other sources and automatically makes them a wallpaper. I like coming into work everyday to a different Wallpaper....Combined with windows scheduler, adds some sweet variety.
Revo Uninstaller
Use this to not only run a programs uninstaller, but then goes and searches for leftover files/folders and registry entries left behind...Very thorough uninstaller.
Mozy
I use this to remotely back up my work comp every day. Yet to use for a restore, but it faithfully backs up what I set it to on a daily basis, and is very simple to use. Kind of wish you can tell it what files to back up specifically, but for now you can tell it what kind of file types, and folders.
Microsoft Security Essentials
A highly praised anti-virus software from what I have read...Surprising. (or at least I was) and the comp has been clean for the past 2 weeks. I switched out AVG for this bad boy and all is good thus far.
Spybot
An oldie but a goodie...Catching those tracking cookies in real-time.
CCleaner
I cleaned out like 20 gig of junk when I ran this the other day! A program specializing in getting rid of unused temp files, browser stuff, and general upkeep...pretty good I'd say.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Updates
WOW...SO- life has been interesting as of late. Let's see if I can start (and keep going) in a sequential order of updates.
Snowboarding
I have recently been snowboarding at Snowshoe resort in WV. This marks a couple of firsts. First time going to snowshoe, first time snowboarding with my dad (who opted to ski) and first time snowboarding to music. All of which made for a very, very exciting trip.
Relying on the shuffle option of my ipod for the day proved to be a mostly exciting experience. In fact, so amped by the music I was, I decided to roll up to the terrain park hoping my playlist would provide some ultimate motivation for the more dangerous of activities on the mountain. Turns out my ipod deemed Pink's "Just Like A Pill" (oh hey, how did that get on there??....) to be the most fitting to the moment. Needless to say, I rolled right through the terrain park...as fast as I could.
Marriage
Not exactly fitting in the order format, but I have been reflecting on our almost 1 year of marriage. Exciting, interesting, and over all a huge blessing/gift from God. I stick with my original assessment of marriage being the few things in life that actually meet and surpass the hype and build up to it. I'm a lucky man.
Reading
Gotten back into that. So far I finished The Case for Christ, and The Case for Faith (Lee Strobel) and am currently working on Quitter (Jon Acuff) Which does not directly apply to my job situation, but has awesome views and ideas I find interesting. How to not hate a job you don't feel called to, and how to practically pursue your dream job. Very good so far!
Worship
This past Sunday was my very first opportunity to play keyboard with Crossroads Church!! This has been my active pursuit for the past couple of months, and my secret passion for years. What's particularly interesting about this pursuit is the fact that fear wasn't enough to dissuade me from going for it, and there were many reasons to be afraid...
1. I've never played with a live band before
2. I've never had music lessons prior
3. The usual in my head excuse was that I wasn't good/experienced enough.
4. Public performing is terrifying...At first. (amplified that I am clearly the least experienced musician in the bunch)
But with the help/encouragement of some awesome friends, a sermon on fear and calling, and the incredible patience of our worship leader (heh..) God made it happen. He made it happen. I can't put into words how excited I am for this opportunity to worship God with the gifts He has placed in my life!
I mean its pretty ridiculous to come from a mindset of "I am nowhere near good enough, or confident enough to pull this off" to actually experience God fulfilling in His own words, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find."
While there is still MUCH work to be done- I am once again reminded of Him placing me exactly where I need to be in this life, while also providing the exact people that need to be there.
Snowboarding
I have recently been snowboarding at Snowshoe resort in WV. This marks a couple of firsts. First time going to snowshoe, first time snowboarding with my dad (who opted to ski) and first time snowboarding to music. All of which made for a very, very exciting trip.
Relying on the shuffle option of my ipod for the day proved to be a mostly exciting experience. In fact, so amped by the music I was, I decided to roll up to the terrain park hoping my playlist would provide some ultimate motivation for the more dangerous of activities on the mountain. Turns out my ipod deemed Pink's "Just Like A Pill" (oh hey, how did that get on there??....) to be the most fitting to the moment. Needless to say, I rolled right through the terrain park...as fast as I could.
Marriage
Not exactly fitting in the order format, but I have been reflecting on our almost 1 year of marriage. Exciting, interesting, and over all a huge blessing/gift from God. I stick with my original assessment of marriage being the few things in life that actually meet and surpass the hype and build up to it. I'm a lucky man.
Reading
Gotten back into that. So far I finished The Case for Christ, and The Case for Faith (Lee Strobel) and am currently working on Quitter (Jon Acuff) Which does not directly apply to my job situation, but has awesome views and ideas I find interesting. How to not hate a job you don't feel called to, and how to practically pursue your dream job. Very good so far!
Worship
This past Sunday was my very first opportunity to play keyboard with Crossroads Church!! This has been my active pursuit for the past couple of months, and my secret passion for years. What's particularly interesting about this pursuit is the fact that fear wasn't enough to dissuade me from going for it, and there were many reasons to be afraid...
1. I've never played with a live band before
2. I've never had music lessons prior
3. The usual in my head excuse was that I wasn't good/experienced enough.
4. Public performing is terrifying...At first. (amplified that I am clearly the least experienced musician in the bunch)
But with the help/encouragement of some awesome friends, a sermon on fear and calling, and the incredible patience of our worship leader (heh..) God made it happen. He made it happen. I can't put into words how excited I am for this opportunity to worship God with the gifts He has placed in my life!
I mean its pretty ridiculous to come from a mindset of "I am nowhere near good enough, or confident enough to pull this off" to actually experience God fulfilling in His own words, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find."
While there is still MUCH work to be done- I am once again reminded of Him placing me exactly where I need to be in this life, while also providing the exact people that need to be there.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Emergency Broadcast: Book Review for "The Case For Chist" by Lee Strobel
Over Christmas break I obtained a very interesting book through a white elephant gift exchange... (Thanks Gavin!)
This book was pretty amazing, and I didn't even plan on reading it in the beginning. In short- it is a former atheist's objective journey into the claims of the Gospel, Christ, and what existing evidence (interior and exterior to the bible) says about it. What experts in the field of archeology, ancient writings, modern medicine, and psychology have to say about the scriptures.
It struck me as interesting how a lot of people would like you to believe there is little to no supporting evidence for the gospels, and if you do decide to go about that route in life, then it's mostly faith. Well, not to take away from the faith aspect, but there is a lot more historical evidence then you (or I originally) may believe...For instance-
-More then 5,000 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament exist. The closest runner up is Homer's Iliad at 650.
-Ancient historians who could care less for Christ's mission/purpose mention Him in their writings as a "sorcerer/healer."
-Historically documented change to Jewish culture. Changes so serious, they believed they were condemned to hell if they were wrong.
-No archeological discovery has ever disproved a biblical reference.
Those are just a few points, it also goes into the resurrection, (Historically documented at the time that nobody disputed that the tomb WAS empty) Christ's claim to being God, (did he claim it, and was he sane while doing so) were the disciples telling the truth and more; while also making the point that if a person doesn't want to believe...no amount of evidence will change that.
I really like one of the final quotes included by the author: "The things Christ said can not lead to the conclusion that he was just 'a good moral teacher.' the words he spoke reflect Him to be the Son of Man. Or a lunatic/mad man or something worse." (C.S Lewis)
This book has relaunched my love for reading- and I will be posting more reviews to come!
It struck me as interesting how a lot of people would like you to believe there is little to no supporting evidence for the gospels, and if you do decide to go about that route in life, then it's mostly faith. Well, not to take away from the faith aspect, but there is a lot more historical evidence then you (or I originally) may believe...For instance-
-More then 5,000 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament exist. The closest runner up is Homer's Iliad at 650.
-Ancient historians who could care less for Christ's mission/purpose mention Him in their writings as a "sorcerer/healer."
-Historically documented change to Jewish culture. Changes so serious, they believed they were condemned to hell if they were wrong.
-No archeological discovery has ever disproved a biblical reference.
Those are just a few points, it also goes into the resurrection, (Historically documented at the time that nobody disputed that the tomb WAS empty) Christ's claim to being God, (did he claim it, and was he sane while doing so) were the disciples telling the truth and more; while also making the point that if a person doesn't want to believe...no amount of evidence will change that.
I really like one of the final quotes included by the author: "The things Christ said can not lead to the conclusion that he was just 'a good moral teacher.' the words he spoke reflect Him to be the Son of Man. Or a lunatic/mad man or something worse." (C.S Lewis)
This book has relaunched my love for reading- and I will be posting more reviews to come!
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