Life is about choices, some bolder choices than others. To skydive or not to skydive versus whether to have fries or onion rings.
Well, I made a bold decision. About 25 years ago, I became a Christian and was baptized. The problem was, however, that no sooner than I had done that, Satan had a field day with me. If it had been a football game, and Satan’s messengers the opposing team, I would have been sacked with huge loss of yardage on the play.
Add to that, my realization there were certain things about me that, honestly, invalidated that choice to be baptized. I was not living the life I should have been, and there were certain sins that, while I regretted and even despised them, I never truly repented of them; giving them over to Jesus at the foot of the cross.
So, within the past year, I’d been challenged regarding the fourth of the Ten Commandments; the Sabbath. Okay, well, not “challenged” really, but asked to study it and see, for myself, what I thought.
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Exodus 20:8
I was astounded! I soon learned that the one commandment that starts with the word “remember” was being forgotten! Not only forgotten, but forsaken as no longer valid or meaningful!
How is this, you say? Easy! Mainline Protestantism changed the Sabbath day from the Seventh day of the week, Saturday, to the first day of the week, Sunday.
For more detail about this, read the Joe Crews message “how the Sabbath was changed.”:
http://www.sabbathtruth.com/sabbath-history/how-the-sabbath-was-changed.aspx
God’s law, which never changes, however, states that the Seventh day is to be the Sabbath!
Exodus 20
9 You shall labor six days, and do all your work,
10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your man-servant, nor your maid-servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates;
11 for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy.
So, I became convicted by the Holy Spirit that if all ten commandments are still valid, and since the Sabbath is the Seventh day of the week, and not the first, I ought to, in obedience to God and His will begin to properly observe the Sabbath!
I have learned other things, as well, I didn't even know, nor was I awareof the state of the dead, or what happens when a person dies?:
Rom. 6:23; 1 Tim. 6:15, 16; Eccl. 9:5, 6; Ps. 146:3, 4; John 11:11-14; Col. 3:4; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; John 5:28, 29; Rev. 20:1-10.
It was all of this, combined with other beliefs that convicted me, and convinced me to join the SDA hchurch.
More to come next time!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Sent to...Beatrice.
This past Sabbath, I assisted Kalvin Follett, my "boss" at Christian Record Services, in doing an offering call at a church in Beatrice, Nebraska, about an hour south of here in Lincoln.
Kalvin asked me about doing this a few weeks ago and I eagerly agreed. Naturally, as the time got closer, my excitement built. I so firmly believe in what Christian Record does, I was glad to help in this way, being part of the presentation to raise both awareness and money for them.
It wasn't until Sabbath morning, however, a bigger surprise was sprung on me. It turns out that half of the members of this particular church are hispanic, and therefore, we would be speaking with the assistance of an interpreteor, translating from English into Spanish. I immediately prayed for God to give me not only His words, but simple words that could fit neatly into a short sentence or two.
After Kalvin picked me up, we went back to his house to pick up the rest of his family: his wife, Kristine, and two children, Jannah and Nathan. It was fun getting acquainted with them all. I observed Kristine, Nathan and Jannah playing a fascinating variation of "Go fish!" that involved cards with letters, and each letter had four number cards, all with various birds and other animals. It looked like fun.
The church in Beatrice was, actually, fairly small. The sanctuary seemed comparable to a good portion of my apartment. You could easily hear children in another room singing during their Sabbath school class. It was kind of nice, actually.
The presentation went very well! Kalvin asked me a few questions after we let someone try to use my cane after I gave a brief explanation of how to use it.
After the service, we had a wonderful Sabbath meal with 3 kinds of lasagna, some other pasta dishes, fruit, juice and cookies, among other things.
The day was very warm, and as it turns out, in Lincoln, itself, we set a new record for a high temperature that day. I don't know about Beatrice, but I would assume this to be true for them as well.
Afterwards, the Follett family and I went to the Homestading National Monument just outside of Beatrice. This monument has audio descriptions for the blind. It is my understanding that all the national monuments are being (or already are) equipped with audio description like this. This was especially cool in the homesteading cabin that describes the living quarters of the early homesteaders. I really enjoyed this tour.
After that, I completed my day by getting home in time to attend the Evangelism series at Piedmont Park SDA, the Seventh-Day adventist church I've been attending.
It was a very blessed, very rich day for me, and I look forward to other such opportunities to help Christian Record in a similar fashion in the future.
As for those now wondering why I am attending an SDA church? Well, my explanation of that is yet to come in a future post on this blog. I have very valid reasons, first and foremost having to do with the importance of the fourth of the Ten commandments and my new understanding of this commandment. But, as I said, a further explanation is yet to come.
Blessings,
Alan
Kalvin asked me about doing this a few weeks ago and I eagerly agreed. Naturally, as the time got closer, my excitement built. I so firmly believe in what Christian Record does, I was glad to help in this way, being part of the presentation to raise both awareness and money for them.
It wasn't until Sabbath morning, however, a bigger surprise was sprung on me. It turns out that half of the members of this particular church are hispanic, and therefore, we would be speaking with the assistance of an interpreteor, translating from English into Spanish. I immediately prayed for God to give me not only His words, but simple words that could fit neatly into a short sentence or two.
After Kalvin picked me up, we went back to his house to pick up the rest of his family: his wife, Kristine, and two children, Jannah and Nathan. It was fun getting acquainted with them all. I observed Kristine, Nathan and Jannah playing a fascinating variation of "Go fish!" that involved cards with letters, and each letter had four number cards, all with various birds and other animals. It looked like fun.
The church in Beatrice was, actually, fairly small. The sanctuary seemed comparable to a good portion of my apartment. You could easily hear children in another room singing during their Sabbath school class. It was kind of nice, actually.
The presentation went very well! Kalvin asked me a few questions after we let someone try to use my cane after I gave a brief explanation of how to use it.
After the service, we had a wonderful Sabbath meal with 3 kinds of lasagna, some other pasta dishes, fruit, juice and cookies, among other things.
The day was very warm, and as it turns out, in Lincoln, itself, we set a new record for a high temperature that day. I don't know about Beatrice, but I would assume this to be true for them as well.
Afterwards, the Follett family and I went to the Homestading National Monument just outside of Beatrice. This monument has audio descriptions for the blind. It is my understanding that all the national monuments are being (or already are) equipped with audio description like this. This was especially cool in the homesteading cabin that describes the living quarters of the early homesteaders. I really enjoyed this tour.
After that, I completed my day by getting home in time to attend the Evangelism series at Piedmont Park SDA, the Seventh-Day adventist church I've been attending.
It was a very blessed, very rich day for me, and I look forward to other such opportunities to help Christian Record in a similar fashion in the future.
As for those now wondering why I am attending an SDA church? Well, my explanation of that is yet to come in a future post on this blog. I have very valid reasons, first and foremost having to do with the importance of the fourth of the Ten commandments and my new understanding of this commandment. But, as I said, a further explanation is yet to come.
Blessings,
Alan
Thursday, April 07, 2011
What more are you willing to do?
Matthew 28
19 Therefore go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
The "great commission", as it is called, wasn't just for the disciples of Jesus who lived in his day, walking, talking and eating with Him. It is for all of us.
I saw something today that challenged my thinking, and my attitude about missions, for one thing, and serving God for another.
In South America, a 10 year-old child, once a week, rows a canoe, up-river, and leads a small group in worship, bible study and prayer. This little girl also hosts a radio show, praying over people's requests on air, talking about the Gospel and playing music. She's *TEN* and does this *WILLINGLY!* And why? Because she wants to see these people in Heaven some day.
If a girl of the same age in this country said she wanted to do the same thing, her parents, I am sure, would probably just try to appease her with video games or the like instead of fostering such precious, invaluable willingness to serve God.
Honestly, seeing this story convicts me. It raises the question "What more are you willing to do?"
So, I pose to you the same question(s) I am posing to myself:
*Are you willing to go wherever God sends you and do whatever He calls you to do?
*Are you ready and willing to step outside your comfort zone for the cause of Christ?
*Are you willing to give more of your time, treasure and talents, especially if you aren't giving very much of any of them now?
Anyone who has studied scripture, prophecy and the end times knows the return of Christ is fairly close at hands. So be ready to work while you can:
"The night is coming, when no one can work."
John 9: 6B
19 Therefore go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
The "great commission", as it is called, wasn't just for the disciples of Jesus who lived in his day, walking, talking and eating with Him. It is for all of us.
I saw something today that challenged my thinking, and my attitude about missions, for one thing, and serving God for another.
In South America, a 10 year-old child, once a week, rows a canoe, up-river, and leads a small group in worship, bible study and prayer. This little girl also hosts a radio show, praying over people's requests on air, talking about the Gospel and playing music. She's *TEN* and does this *WILLINGLY!* And why? Because she wants to see these people in Heaven some day.
If a girl of the same age in this country said she wanted to do the same thing, her parents, I am sure, would probably just try to appease her with video games or the like instead of fostering such precious, invaluable willingness to serve God.
Honestly, seeing this story convicts me. It raises the question "What more are you willing to do?"
So, I pose to you the same question(s) I am posing to myself:
*Are you willing to go wherever God sends you and do whatever He calls you to do?
*Are you ready and willing to step outside your comfort zone for the cause of Christ?
*Are you willing to give more of your time, treasure and talents, especially if you aren't giving very much of any of them now?
Anyone who has studied scripture, prophecy and the end times knows the return of Christ is fairly close at hands. So be ready to work while you can:
"The night is coming, when no one can work."
John 9: 6B
No Bones About It: Guide Dogs for the Blind's Blog: GDB Guide Dog Instructor Featured in Shoe Ad
No Bones About It: Guide Dogs for the Blind's Blog: GDB Guide Dog Instructor Featured in Shoe Ad: "We'd like to introduce you to one of GDB's many dedicated Guide Dog Mobility Instructors, Polly Dugan. Polly is featured in a new ad for Kee..."
The return.
Well, it's been 7 months, but I am back!
I've looked over this blog, and it seems it has been rather psychotic. Well, hopefully, this is the last change I will make in it. You see? I've learned some things about myself:
1. I am not meant to be a political commentator. That isn't what God is calling me to.
2. I should write what I know, and my own life, its ups and downs, struggles and joys are what I know best.
3. this should be a place for me to be real, even if I sound a bit crazy at times.
Well, if you read the description as I just rewrote it, you'll see this blog will be about blindness, faith, my exploration of the Seventh-Day Adventist church, among other things.
As I come to learn more about Adventism I will share it here, as long as I believe it will edify, encourage and strengthen others.
So, I hope you like what you read, even if it's the old, outdated political stuff.
Alan
I've looked over this blog, and it seems it has been rather psychotic. Well, hopefully, this is the last change I will make in it. You see? I've learned some things about myself:
1. I am not meant to be a political commentator. That isn't what God is calling me to.
2. I should write what I know, and my own life, its ups and downs, struggles and joys are what I know best.
3. this should be a place for me to be real, even if I sound a bit crazy at times.
Well, if you read the description as I just rewrote it, you'll see this blog will be about blindness, faith, my exploration of the Seventh-Day Adventist church, among other things.
As I come to learn more about Adventism I will share it here, as long as I believe it will edify, encourage and strengthen others.
So, I hope you like what you read, even if it's the old, outdated political stuff.
Alan
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