tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85654012012-01-03T09:13:08.215-08:00"Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (from Paul's 2nd letter to Timothy)Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.comBlogger311100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-18676633423768056622009-05-04T18:12:00.000-07:002009-05-04T18:26:14.605-07:00

And God said, Let an expanse be in the midst of the waters, and let it be dividing between the waters and the waters. And God made the expanse, and He separated between the waters which were under the expanse and the waters which were above the expanse. And it was so. (Genesis 1:6-7) In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, in the seventeenth day of the month, in this day

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-35917040402380429172009-04-16T08:46:00.000-07:002009-04-28T13:39:54.782-07:00

IF we are to live by the Law, what Law are we to live by?Are we under the Law God gave to Moses, in the first five books of the Old Testament?Moses was the leader of a nation sovereignly created by God. God gave Moses a set of laws to govern that nation, the nation of Israel. These laws included everything from how to worship to how to cook dinner, how to plant crops, how to hold trials. All the

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-46203643807301999772009-04-02T17:49:00.001-07:002009-04-02T18:13:20.834-07:00

Seen at K-Mart checkout counter in New Orleans

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-56869631091134809872009-03-28T15:17:00.001-07:002009-03-28T15:21:34.209-07:00

The Freedom Tower is out.One World Trade Center is in.The Port Authority, the agency that owns the building at Ground Zero, said Thursday that the signature skyscraper replacing the Twin Towers destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001, will be more commonly known as One World Trade Center.The reason for the name swapping? One World Trade Center is more marketable, said Steve Sigmund, a spokesman for the Port

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-91171880574429035552009-03-16T23:14:00.000-07:002009-03-16T23:27:55.541-07:00

The Bible is not a single document. It is a collection of documents, with a central theme, all and each Inspired by God's Holy Spirit.In order to Understand and remember/internalize these one must read each as a separate document.Chapters and verses are artificial bookmarks added to the scriptures 1000 or more years after the origins of the documents. (Psalms is the exception)Chapter and verse

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-76324178543111105352009-03-14T16:01:00.000-07:002009-03-28T21:46:20.918-07:00

Paul wrote to Timothy; "Give diligence to present yourself approved to God, a workman unashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." We study the Word, in order to obtain God's approval. He has given us His Holy Spirit to guide us in our study.Jesus taught that His Holy Spirit would remind us ("bring to remembrance") His Word. How can we be reminded of something that we do not first know?Have

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-87801772270108653862009-03-14T15:19:00.000-07:002009-03-14T21:02:16.966-07:00

When studying Doctrines (Teachings of your Church) it is important to separate Scriptural truth from Church Tradition. ESPECIALLY in areas of right and wrong.Some traditions, widely accepted, have no bearing on sin or salvation; Such as Moses being the writer of the Torah, or Peter having dictated the Gospel to a man named Mark.Other scriptural truths are contradicted by some church traditions;

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-35846937038796314912009-03-11T12:44:00.000-07:002009-04-02T18:46:18.500-07:00

"These words, which I command you this day, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be for symbols between your eyes. You shall write them on the door-posts of your house,

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-82389096638391509942008-11-25T22:57:00.000-08:002009-03-04T19:58:38.933-08:00

Doctrinal Statement...In the One true God, Creator of the Universe, and all that in it is....In Jesus; God's Divine and "only begotten" Son. The Creative Word of Genesis chapter 1, born in the flesh, of a virgin, walked 30+ years on this earth without sin, offered His own Body a sacrifice, in MY place, taking MY death sentence upon Himself. Raised from the dead after three days, walking the earth

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-44372443603784435262008-11-25T19:04:00.000-08:002009-03-04T20:09:29.501-08:00

Forgiveness: Once a sinner accepts Jesus as Lord and Saviour their sins are forgiven. They are judged to never have sinned.Salvation: A repentant sinner is saved by the death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus death takes the place of the sinner's just punishment. When a sinner stands before the judgment seat of Heaven their life will be examined. Only those whose names are recorded in

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-1098068901134067152008-01-26T00:00:00.000-08:002008-11-30T03:12:40.963-08:00

Got a Question, or QuestionsI'll take a shot at having answersMy answers tend to be from scripture as I am no Theologian I generally start with the Gospels as the foundation, and build on that using the applications of Jesus' teaching as shown in the various letters in the rest of the New Testament, and referring to the Old Testament for context and examples of God's interaction with Peoplekind (

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-38313914364977535172007-10-28T23:18:00.000-07:002008-11-24T23:45:09.880-08:00

In The Beginning GODcreated the Heavens and the EarthThe Army Corps of Engineers didn't do it;OPEC didn't do it;Halliburton didn't do it;God did it!This one fundamental fact should alter the way you do business.God has certain undeniable rights of ownership in His creation. Just as our laws consider the rights of an inventor who discovers some new process or an artist who

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-1133980828618739672005-12-07T10:13:00.000-08:002006-05-09T19:24:58.453-07:00

Strong's Number: 1249Def: One who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master. A servant, attendant, or ministerThis term, in the noun and verb form (ie; one who serves, and serving), appears 104 times in the greek New Testament in 90 different verses. Only 4 of those references SEEM to be referencing an official or officer in the local congregation (the references in 1st Timothy Chapter 3

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-1108248393658223422005-02-12T14:29:00.000-08:002006-05-11T20:45:22.526-07:00

Are hate speech laws a threat to Christian witness, preaching, or practice?As we see hate speech laws spreading across the land, we see cases of Christians being charged for doing what they feel they are compelled to do, by the teachings and doctrines of scripture.My fundamental question, though, is this...Does Scripture require, compell or even encourage usto attack anyone, their religion, or

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-1102133645712500372004-12-03T20:09:00.000-08:002006-11-21T18:36:42.693-08:00

Thought I'd share these two documents with y'all... Not sure I completely agree with em, but they are certainly worth a review: In response to the trend toward liberal and neo-orthodox interpretations denying the biblical inerrancy of Scrupture, the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy was produced by hundreds of evengelical scholars and leaders in an international and interdenominational

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-39145699434851246202004-11-30T16:13:00.000-08:002009-03-04T16:01:37.131-08:00

Comment below...

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-1100648010404611362004-11-25T14:43:00.000-08:002005-12-20T17:40:13.123-08:00

def: To represent (letters or words) in the corresponding characters of another alphabet.In English Bibles there are some significant words that the translators chose not to translate. Three come to mind immediatelyBaptize: def; to wash, dunk or dipApostle: def; emissary or missionary (one sent out)Deacon: def; servant or server Each of these words has quite common and utilitarian meanings in the

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-1101253165048449662004-11-23T15:20:00.000-08:002009-04-02T19:10:51.653-07:00

def; a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders1. specifically applied to the twelve apostles of Christ2. in a broader sense applied to other eminent Christian teachersKing James Word Usage - Total: 81 “apostle” 78 times, “messenger” 2 times, “he that is sent” 1 timeThe Greeks had a word for a person sent as a messenger, that word was; “apostolos” -- Modern English has various words (even

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-1101257005974620772004-11-19T16:26:00.000-08:002004-11-23T16:57:42.056-08:00

def:1. to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk)2. to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe3. to overwhelm (for a more complete treatment of this doctrine read this) First lets look at the words, the language... There are four Greek words that are read as some form of baptize; Baptizo Baptisma Baptismos BaptistesThese

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-1099718963246439752004-11-05T21:13:00.000-08:002006-07-27T16:16:39.490-07:00

"e·piph·a·ny" n. ... A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something. I was in my prayer closet (okay... a bench at the beach, but I was praying) and after I finished a realization came to me:"No one needs me, Everyone needs Jesus"~peace~

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-1099717053835089542004-11-05T20:54:00.000-08:002009-03-04T16:13:40.698-08:00

My son asked what I thought of the election outcome, and here is my answer:(I know I said "No Politics" but it IS my Blog, after all )I'm of two minds actually... Given a choice between the Democrats running the country, and the Republicans.. I'd prefer Republicans. However; I'm a Libertarian and a fundamental principal of Libertarians is limited government. So, oddly enough; In my opinion,

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-1099433906186645852004-11-02T14:14:00.000-08:002004-11-10T17:00:59.890-08:00

When you are depressed... pray for Joy. God does not look for endless confession. It is the enemy that accuses the faithful, not God. Look at how Jesus taught us to pray; (Matthew 6:9-13); start with praise, then simply ask for forgiveness, and move on. God's forgiveness is assured. In fact if there is ANY prerequisite for forgiveness it is not confession, but to BE forgiving. I feel compelled

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-1098820780911907342004-10-26T13:48:00.000-07:002006-08-10T11:33:16.996-07:00

I must admit, when Row Vs Wade was decided (1973), I was a young evangelist, and I had no personal problem with it. I had never actually given it much thought, and saw the Catholic position as being just one more example of the Vatican’s legalism, an extension of their position on birth control. As the debate heated up, I continued to see this as a question between a woman and her doctor. My only

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-1098212941887531102004-10-19T13:05:00.000-07:002008-11-26T00:04:25.231-08:00

“It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.” (Matthew 5:31-32)Let’s get this settled right at the top of the page; Divorce is NOT the unforgivable

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-1097371492365009942004-10-09T18:21:00.000-07:002006-06-05T21:51:20.386-07:00

Ignoring for the moment the tautology; “disobedience = sin.” Let us consider if Eve or Adam sinned when they ate the “apple.” The question is; "is it possible to sin, without the knowledge of Good and Evil?” I propose that it is not. And therefore while Eve, and then Adam, disobeyed God… they did not sin. At least not until AFTER “The Fall” Obviously you ask; “is not disobedience itself, a sin?

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-1097185600719993622004-10-07T14:35:00.000-07:002004-10-08T00:10:36.026-07:00

There are various aspects of forgiveness;There is the forgiveness that is a response to repentance (response to an apology) There is God’s forgiveness based on HIS desire to forgive us (this we often call “grace”)There is a person’s decision to forgive someone who has offended them WITHOUT any repentance on the part of the offender. It is important to first realize that within any act of

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-1097178503547378422004-10-07T13:30:00.000-07:002004-10-09T18:53:04.880-07:00

This is a response/reaction to "True Patriot's" BLOG where he makes an interesting proposal that I feel needs further development. In his Msg #6 TP says; "The President should demand that these {"peaceful" Arab} nations send thousands of their soldiers into Iraq to establish the peace!" I find this the first intensely rational solution to the quagmire in Iraq. We have "allies" such as Saudi

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-1096777609279340062004-10-02T21:24:00.000-07:002004-10-07T12:49:28.660-07:00

Why is there a seemingly endless debate between Science and the Bible? Why do so many Christians find it necessary to rationalize their way around the literal interpretation of this scripture? Does anyone think Adam, was created as a baby? Of COURSE not! If Adam was created a mature, full grown man; What about the REST of creation? God created a mature earth. Consider for a moment that you

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-1096777204203960372004-10-02T21:15:00.001-07:002004-11-04T07:41:37.010-08:00

OK, so maybe this is cheating... but I spent a LOT of time on this back in 1997 ~when I wrote it~ Born December 29th 1951 to a Church Of Christ Preacher in Tucson Arizona. I do not remember a day or an hour that I did not know the Lord, His Bible, His Gospel. I have never walked away from the Lord During college I began a detailed study of the Gospels, using a "Red Letter" edition of the Bible

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-1096774625526039152004-10-02T20:26:00.000-07:002004-10-07T12:50:38.660-07:00

Well here's some things, mostly concerning Business & Christianity An Open Letter to Christians in Business The above article refers to this Parable Does GOD have Rights? "God's Monopoly" So.. read, react whatever.. You can even Quote without attribution... for we posses nothing, but hold ALL things as servants of the ONE True God ~peace~

Pastor Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15997972520460133379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565401.post-1096746473235514152004-10-02T13:38:00.000-07:002006-12-31T20:31:16.156-08:00

Well, I've joined the herd. Blogging What could BE more trendy? God's been telling me I need to start writing down the things His Holy Spirit has been teaching me for the last 40 years... so this is as good a place as any. Later I'll probably refine this and turn it into web pages. I plan to share my thoughts on things like the nature of sin, forgiveness, salvation and such like. ~peace~ (Too

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