Forsaking all others

. . . forsaking all others. . . you may have said this at your wedding, or if you get married, you may say this on your wedding day.  The offer of cheap intimacy exists in billboards, magazines, movies, thoughts, and people willing to offer it.  Cheap intimacy costs me nothing - I do not have to pay for it, I do not have to forsake anything.  True marriage intimacy costs this . . . forsaking all others - only having intimacy with my spouse.

Many who say . . . forsaking all others. . . will choose to not forsake them, but to walk away from the one they vowed to stay with.  What will make you walk away from the one you swore to God you would not leave?

All who say . . . forsaking all others. . . .must face the choice to forsake others, whether that be an idea or a real person, and to hold on only to that one, in reality and in the eyes, and in the mind, and in the heart.


FORSAKING ALL OTHERS

help me God to forsake all others and to cling to my wife only. . .

Proverbs 31 - an English Acrostic

A bride of valor, who can find her? And far higher than a beachfront mansion is her price,

By giving his heart to her, her husband says, “I trust you.” He will not be deprived of booty.

Creating good for him she makes no evil all the days of her life,

Doing the laundry and linens, she works with the pleasure of her hands,

Engine locomotives like her bring the groceries in from far away,

From her bed she gets up to make breakfast, and all look to her for food,

Google-ing real estate she buys some and plants a garden with her hands,

Her belt buckle says, “Strength,” and she makes her arms strong,

Identifying that her gain is good, the lights stay on as she works through the night,

Juggling needle and thread she makes clothes new,

Keeping open her hand to the poor she reaches out to those in need,

Letting no fear inside her house with the snow, all are clothed in red,

Making bedspreads for herself she is dressed to win the smooth contest,

Noticed is her husband when he walks down the block and sits

On the front porch with the grandpas and grandmas,

Printing T-shirts that she sells,

“Queen of Purses” – they all buy from her,

Robed with strength and splendor,

She laughs about tomorrow,

Teaching from her mouth wisdom and from her tongue covenant loyalty,

Under her watch is her house, and she does not eat the food called “Lazy,”

Valid blessing from her children and her husband praises her saying,

Women of valor are many, but you soar above all of them,

X chromosomes lead astray and beauty withers away,

Yet a bride who fears Yahweh, she will be praised,

Zucchini bread and her mocha cheesecake give to her, and let her deeds bring her praise on the porch.

Trusting Your Spouse

Finances have been a bit of an issue in our marriage, especially as my wife and I have differing attitudes toward money and spending at times.  The Holy Spirit recently showed me where I am holding my wife back in that I was not trusting her completely.  I did not completely trust her in our finances, whether I was trying to make her feel guilty for spending too much money or stashing a little cash away that she did not know about.  I would have always said that I trusted my wife, but do I trust her with everything - completely?  Do you trust your spouse completely, in the area of finances, your sex life - do you trust your spouse to satisfy your sexual desires, or do you have a secret stash you can count on?  Do you trust your spouse?  If not, where is it that you are holding back?  Talk to Jesus Christ, and talk to your spouse.  Unity comes with complete trust.
"The heart of her husband trusts in her" (Proverbs 31:11).
If I do not trust her completely I am holding her back from being a Proverbs 31 woman, from being who she was created to be.

Total Baptism

Cleansing Baptism

Humanity Baptism

Repentance Baptism

Israel Baptism

Spirit Baptism

Total Baptism

Jesus speaks of baptism when he speaks of his death and resurrection (Luke 12:50).  In this light we can see in baptism the core idea of death and resurrection.  Taken down into the water to die and brought back up raised.  Death and resurrection is the total baptism that Jesus was baptized with.  Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, therefore, the total baptism is when we raise not only to a new life here, but to the total new life forever with God.  C.H.R.I.S.T. baptism is a total baptism in which we cling to our new life not only here and now, but also cling to the hope that Christ will raise us from the dead into eternity with him.

Spirit Baptism

Cleansing Baptism

Humanity Baptism

Repentance Baptism

Israel Baptism

Spirit Baptism

Total Baptism

John the Baptist said the Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8), and the Spirit of God rested on Jesus at his own baptism (Matthew 3:16).  Acts 2 describes the disciples of Jesus being baptized with the Holy Spirit as Jesus spoke of earlier (Acts 1:5).  We read about the miraculous effects of this baptism such as speaking in other languages, prophecying, seeing visions, etc.  The Holy Spirit is also spoken of as a gift, and so Holy Spirit baptism can be seen as receiving a gift, a very precious gift, God’s own Spirit, which is what makes possible the new life.  C.H.R.I.S.T. baptism is baptism of the Holy Spirit, which makes the cleansing, the new humanity, the repentance (changing of the mind), the new people, and the whole baptism possible.  It is not water that washes us, but God’s own Holy Spirit.

Israel Baptism

Cleansing Baptism

Humanity Baptism

Repentance Baptism

Israel Baptism

Spirit Baptism

Total Baptism

Moses and the Israelites were baptized in the Red Sea as they walked through on dry land (1 Corinthians 10:2).  The Israelites were called to be God’s own people, and to belong exclusively to Him.  As Christians we have been baptized into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13), and therefore are a part of a new people.  C.H.R.I.S.T. baptism is also the calling out of a new people, and not only the people of Israel but from all nations.  C.H.R.I.S.T. baptism is not primarily about the individual but about the new community, or new people, which has been baptized into Christ.  

Repentance Baptism

Cleansing Baptism

Humanity Baptism

Repentance Baptism

Israel Baptism

Spirit Baptism

Total Baptism

John the Baptist preached a baptism of repentance (Mark 1:4).  The Greek word repentance means “change of mind, turning” and repentance is often linked in the Bible with a turning to God (Acts 20:21; 26:20).  To think of someone repenting think of someone changing their mind about something and going in the opposite direction.  The Baptism of Repentance means that we are walking a different path and living a different life.  C.H.R.I.S.T. baptism must raise me to walking a different path than the one I walked before.   C.H.R.I.S.T. baptism is not me getting back on my feet, but it is me getting new feet that walk in a different direction.

Humanity Baptism

Cleansing Baptism

Humanity Baptism

Repentance Baptism

Israel Baptism

Spirit Baptism

Total Baptism

Noah (Genesis 6-8) and the flood spoken of as baptism (1 Peter 3:21).  All humanity dies except those of Noah’s family in the ark.  Humanity was “washed” in the sense that the old humanity died and the new humanity in Noah’s family raised through the ark.  Noah and his family were saved in this baptism because they were the new life. 

Christ is the new Noah and the new ark.  All who are found in Him, as it was those in the ark, are the ones who are saved.  Those not found in Christ are dead.  The old humanity, us before Christ, is dead.  The new humanity, us in Christ, are raised in him.  C.H.R.I.S.T. baptism must raise us to be a new humanity in Christ. 

Cleansing Baptism

Cleansing Baptism

Humanity Baptism

Repentance Baptism

Israel Baptism

Spirit Baptism

Total Baptism

Naaman (2 Kings 5) – baptism in water as cleansing, not only as cleansing dirt and germs but cleansing diseases.

Christ does not baptize his hands (Luke 11:38) nor do his disciples (Mark 7:1-5), and Christ points to the need to cleanse the inner life and not only the outside. Baptism is not just getting the skin wet, but is a symbol of the inner cleansing that is only possible because of Christ.  C.H.R.I.S.T. Baptism must cleanse the inner life, and not just the outer life.

C.H.R.I.S.T. Baptism

During the next seven posts we will be exploring Christian Baptism, under the acronym C.H.R.I.S.T. baptism.  This first day we will introduce the idea of C.H.R.I.S.T. baptism and in the posts to follow will explore each letter in the acronym.

Cleansing Baptism

Humanity Baptism

Repentance Baptism

Israel Baptism

Spirit Baptism

Total Baptism

Baptism has been an important part of the Christian family before the Christian family existed, and yet baptism is not an easy concept to understand.  First of all, baptism is not an everyday word.  This often leads to a confusion of meaning, or a plethora of meanings.  Second, baptism is not explained in detail in the Bible, so theologians and parents and children are left to sort out the evidence.  Third, different denominations of Churches feel strongly about different ways of baptizing.  Some baptize infants while others baptize adults only.  Some baptize by immersion while others baptize by sprinkling.  Some baptize in Jesus’ name while others baptize in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Some say baptism of the Holy Spirit comes with tongues and others say it doesn’t.  Baptism is often a jumbled idea in a child’s mind.  What is baptism?

First of all, baptism comes from a Greek word, as many English words come from Greek words.  When I was learning Greek I learned that it meant dipping or immersing, and often had the idea of washing behind it.  So if I were to translate Baptism into an English word that we use in everyday language I would translate it into “washing.”  No doubt, many would disagree with me because there are many opinions, especially in regards to baptism.  But I will use the idea of washing to describe baptism nonetheless.

Jesus Resume

Many of you out there are tweaking or tweeting your resume, but I think we may want to write out a resume for Jesus to show us how badly we need him.  I have included the resume I wrote for Jesus.  I take the blame for all errors and give Jesus Christ the credit for all the truth.

Jesus of Nazareth, DDD	Objective
	The Doctor of Doctors in Divinity (quite a bit different than the degrees you all get since I have always had it, and no one can take it from me)  to give you all my very self which you must have if you want life – because I am life.  I offer you all a father-child relationship with my own Father.  We want to give you the Holy Spirit so that your life can be what it was meant to be.  Being in God’s family means loving the others in his family also and especially. Excel in what you need, which is someone who will pour out enough love you’re your life to wash away all the bad stuff.  I am also good at miracles, like healing the blind and raising the dead and multiplying food  thousands of times over.  But all that is really just to point out that I am who I am, which is the Son of God come to give you all life.  Backed by solid credentials (DDD) from my Father and equal strengths in creating things by speaking them, killing death and erasing wrongs with my blood.
	Work Experience
	Messiah BC/ADish - Eternity              Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond Born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontios Pilate, crucified, died, and was buried, descended into hell, and the third day I rose from the dead.  I asended into heaven and sit at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.  From there will I judge the living and the dead.  I made it possible for all who believe in me, who truly trust me, to have eternal life with my Father and I forever and ever.
	Eternal Son of God Before time - Eternity           Everywhere and then some Eternally begotten Son of God, through me all things were created.  If it exists I created it.  I not only created all things, but all things hold together in me.  I have a unified relationship with my Father – I and my Father are one.
	Education
	I am not a recipient of education besides what I receive from my Father, but I have educated many people both in my role as Eternal Son of God and as Messiah.  The main subject matters would be theology, philosophy, biology, accounting, and other areas that you all have not figured out yet.
	My Father’s College                Heaven Doctor of Doctors in Divinity
	Skills
	What I can Save you all from	Skill Level
	Sin	You all’s only option
	Death	You all’s only option
	Yourselves	You all’s only option
	Satan, Demons, Stongholds	You all’s only option
	All Spiritual Evil Forces	You all’s only option

Why the Resume?       To help you all realize that you need not only the skills that I have, but that you need me, and to help you all realize that I am the only one for the job of saving your life.

Playing Football with Jesus Christ

A five year old boy walks by a football field where three eighth graders are playing football.  They are football players.  One of them says, “Hey boy, come play football with us!”  The boy says, “Okay, but we need to make fair teams because you are football players and I am not, and you are also much older than me.”  They say, “Okay, the three of us against you.”  The boy says no and starts to walk away, but just then a man gets out of his car and says that he would love to play and that he and the five year old would take on the three eighth graders.  The boy says to the man, “Unless you are one of the best football players who has ever lived, and can practically beat them by yourself, we are not going to win, and I do not want to get beat up.”  The man said, “My name is LaDainian Tomlinson, and all you have to do is let me hold you and I will score touchdown after touchdown.  Do you trust me to hold you?  Or do you want to trust yourself and get tackled to the ground."

We are in a war that is much bigger than we are.  We have the same choice the boy in the fictional story had.  Will we trust that we are safe in the arms of Jesus Christ and let him win the battle for us, or will we trust ourselves and get tackled over and over again?  Prayer is similar to getting into the arms of Jesus.  Speaking the Word is similar to letting him run for the touchdown.  Just because I am in his arms doesn’t mean I become him, any more than the little boy playing with LaDainian Tomlinson can rush through the three teenagers.  This is the problem with Mormon theology – we do not become gods just because he brings us to his level, for then why would we need God anymore?  So we would think, and then we would get tackled.  Also, just because Jesus Christ is on our team does not mean that he is not the Greatest of all.  That is the problem with Jehovah’s Witness theology.  If Jesus is not God and does not have all power, how can he hold me without me getting tackled?

Climb into the arms of Jesus Christ and let him run for touchdown after touchdown.

C.S. Lewis on Sexual Morality

Mere Christianity has been the most influential book in my life besides the Bible, and there is one quote that I seem to always turn to toward the end of the chapter on sexual morality.  Here is the quote,

“We may, indeed, be sure that perfect chastity- like perfect charity- will not be attained by any merely human efforts.  You must ask for God’s help.  Even when you have done so, it may seem to you for a long time that no help, or less help than you need, is being given.  Never mind.  After each failure, ask forgiveness, pick yourself up, and try again. Very often what God first helps us towards is not the virtue itself but just this power of always trying again.  For however important chastity (or courage, or truthfulness, or any other virtue) may be, this process trains us in habits of the soul which are more important still.  It cures our illusions about ourselves and teaches us to depend on God.  We learn, on the one hand, that we cannot trust ourselves even in our best moments, and, on the other, that we need not despair even in our worst, for our failures are forgiven.  The only fatal thing is to sit down content with anything less than perfection.”

Saying sorry another time

I have committed the same sins more than once.  This is not my goal or intent, but I often continue to fall prey to the same weaknesses.  My family knows my weakness better than anyone, as it is often them that I sin against  I feel many times that I am screwing my kids up.  I scream at them when I said that I would not scream again.  God is slow to anger and I ask him to make me slow to anger, but sometimes I get angry so quick.  So what do I do?  I say sorry another time.  If it happens the next day, I say sorry again.  I also notice that when I do not have time with God, my anger is more out of control, so I make sure I have time with God.  I ask for help.    I say sorry even if it humiliating to keep saying sorry.  It helps me point my child more to the Savior we both need so desperately.

I was wrong.  I am sorry.  Will you forgive me?

These words have been a help to my parenting almost as much as "I LOVE YOU."

Keith Green

I first heard Keith Green when someone at the college I went to sang “Rushing Wind” in chapel.  It was not long before I started listening to my neighbor’s Keith Green CDs, and “Asleep in the Light” hit me.  Keith Green is not Christian Music mush.  Keith Green had a deep passion for Jesus Christ.  He lived following Jesus, and he died in a tragic plane crash in which two of his children also died.  Melody Green, Keith’s wife, has a website called Last Days Ministries in which you can order music and other stuff.  My favorite Keith Green song is “When I hear the praises start,” a song Keith said the Lord gave to him, as if the Lord were singing it to him.  “My son, my son, why are you striving, you can’t add one thing to what’s been done for you, cause I did it all when I was dying, rest in your faith my peace will come to you, for when I hear the praises start, my son, I want to rain upon you, blessings that will fill your heart, oh I see no stain upon you, because you are my child and you know me, to me you’re only holy, nothing that you’ve done remains, only what you do in me.”