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Thursday, March 11, 2010 Reading for the Day John 1-2 and Hebrews 3-4 Focus on John 1:1

Jehovah’s Witnesses focus on John 1:1 as a verse in Scripture that shows Jesus wasn’t THE God, but that Jesus is "a god".  They make this statement based on their reading of the original Greek text of John 1:1.  In English we typically read:  In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.  The Jehovah’s Witnesses “translate” it: In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was a god.  They translate it this way because the word God in the Greek doesn’t have a definite article—a “the” in front of it, as it frequently does in the New Testament.  The problem with their translation is that we find many other places in the New Testament where the word God appears without a definite article and there is absolutely no doubt that those verses refer to the one, true and living God.  We can’t simply pick and choose when the word means God and when it means a god for the sake of our opinions.   The founder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses couldn’t even read Greek, and yet he provided an English “translation” from it.  As followers of Jesus we don’t have to learn Greek in order to understand the Bible, but what we must do as we read God’s word in English is recognize that EVERY English translation is a commentary.  It shows the assumptions and sometimes the theology of the translators.  I like to compare several English translations when I'm reading the Bible, because then I get a fuller understanding of a text.  Since, I can read Greek, I’ll get out the Greek Bible when I have questions and see if the original language sheds any light.  Thankfully, the original language does NOT confirm the Jehovah’s Witnesses assumption that Jesus is merely a god instead of THE God.  As followers of Jesus, who believe that Jesus IS fully God and fully human, it’s important for us to understand the strong case that John chapter one makes for that truth!

Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Jesus as the Word who became flesh and lived among us! Thank You for revealing Yourself to us in such a clear and helpful way.  Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may, also reveal You to others through Your love and grace in me.  This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

So I know some people might get offended by this image, but it comes courtesy of Google and their mapping service. In case you don’t know, they have people who physically drive on every street in America with cameras mounted on top taking these pictures. In this particular case, you can see that bambi didn’t make [...]

Just how exactly does one guy keep fighting his way past an army of bad guys? Hit the jump for more...

Wednesday Weigh In #Lifechange, originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

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Okay, obviously beer, fish, and pizza help me loose weight. Seriously, we ate out everymeal this past weekend. But I did pay attention to what I ordered and ate. For example, at Willies (a local pub) I usually would order a large fish sandwich, I ordered a small and still walked out satisfied. At AppleBees I chose the 7 ounce steak instead of the 10, & the steamed veggies instead of the baked potato loaded with butter & sour cream. I also have been working a ton in the attic attempting to finish things up. I'm happy to finally be a loser. Even if it is only a few pounds.

Project 365: 69 'Jif', originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

Is there any other kind?

OK Go leaves EMI, forms own record label. (via )

Will Paracadute (pah-rah-cah-DU-tay) be the next Apple Corps?

andreadisaster:

nicopolitan:

“If knowing is half the battle, the other half must be Googling.”

Truth.

That Massa is quite zany, and he's the latest example of the problems with commenting on what you read.

The truth is never easy to ascertain. I'm just looking for a good laugh anymore.

Project 365: 68 'Power', originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

This conversation started in an older post “What Gives?!” and there were some great suggestions in there. Consider this to be the OFFICIAL thread on all things regarding how we will make the flag that represents this site. To be fair, we’ll let this run for a bit of time before we make some hard decisions [...]

Suggested by Hitman H94 Here we have War from Darksiders making his FactPile debut against Kratos in what is certainly no easy match for either combatant. While I think War would be able to dish out some major blows, Kratos is just too much for him to handle. Kratos wins this match in 3 rounds. What say you?

Wed., March 10, 2010 Reading for the Day Luke 24 and Hebrews 1-2 Focus on Luke 24:1-12

I have always loved the angels’ question in Luke 24:5, “Why are you looking in a tomb for someone who is alive?”  Or as the NIV puts it, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”  How often does that describe us?  We say God’s in charge of our lives, and yet we get in a tough situation and forget to call out to Him for help.  We think we’re all alone.  We worry about so many things in life, when Jesus told us NOT to worry.   We find ourselves looking in the tomb for a dead Jesus, when He’s ALIVE!  We can fault the women for not remembering that Jesus told them He was going to rise from the dead, but then we’d have to fault ourselves, too, for forgetting so often the promises Jesus has made to us.  What’s happening in your life right now that needs God’s attention?  Is it a relationship?  Your finances?  A situation at school or work?  Have you gone to Jesus FIRST?  The longer I live, the more I realize how seldom my FIRST response is Jesus.  Yes, there are times when I turn to Him before trying to solve a problem myself, and those times are more frequent than they used to be, but they’re still not consistent.  As we go about this day, let’s remember the angels’ message to the women---He isn’t here among the dead.  He’s alive!  When you encounter your first challenge today – turn to the living Lord before looking around in the tomb.  Deal?

Heavenly Father, thank You so much for raising Jesus from the dead and showing us once and for all that nothing is too hard for You!  Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may honor you in every situation and in every relationship of my life.  This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The latest Lego crossover, Army Men. Public schools just get crazier and stupider. Who doesn’t like a little fan service? Chicks + camo = Hot! The most awesome game room ever (for a nerd) Girls under glass NSFW The God of Fuck War Terminator #5 How to be a hoarder in 7 easy steps. On Sluts offers quick and easy Ho Side Assistance.

Want to see what happens when Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 becomes even more cinematic and movie like? Hit the jump for more...

Iron Man 2 Trailer, featuring more robots, more suits, more S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, more fighting, and much much more awesome! Hit the jump for more

“[A great movie] is a collaboration, a collaboration between handsome, gifted people and sickly little mole people.”

- Robert Downey Jr., presenting the Academy Award for best original screenplay with Tina Fey, quoted on About Last Night:

Vote for my friend Erin who is competing on the Mean Girl Garage blog:'Out of Tune Idol' Season 2 - One Hit Wonders!I had the extreme pleasure of accompanying her in this amazing endeavor along with her stunning husband on classical guitar. Check it out... be aware, after watching this you will never be the same. Watch, then go to Mean Girl Garage to VOTE! 

Erin is the loveliness behind Blogging is for Dorks, and if you fancy,an Etsy Shop full of Ultra Cute Crochet! Check it out!

Thanks to Kenny C. for the vid.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 Reading for the Day Luke 23 and Philemon 1 Focus on Luke 23:39-43

As Jesus was dying on the cross, the thieves who were crucified on either side of Him started joining those who were mocking Jesus.  Actually, one of them started mocking Jesus, while the other stood up for Him.  The thief who stood up for Jesus understood the reality that sin has consequences.  He reminded the other thief that they were hanging on crosses because they deserved it for their “evil deeds.” Then he pointed out that Jesus was innocent.  We don’t know how the thief beside Jesus knew this.  Perhaps it was the way Jesus handled the whole crucifixion event.  Jesus had asked God to forgive those who crucified Him.  That’s not the act of a criminal!  Jesus had made sure that His mother would be care for after His death—while He hung on the cross.  When the crowds insulted Him, He didn’t say a word.  Jesus’ attitude even while hanging on the cross was that of a servant. The thief recognized that Jesus was, indeed, the Messiah, and he asked for forgiveness.  Jesus gave it!  The thief’s reconciliation with God just moments or hours before his death shows us that it’s never too late—as long as we’re still breathing—to repent of our sin and turn to God.  God has given me the opportunity to offer the gift of salvation to a number of folks who were on their “death beds,” and some of them have responded.  One time in particular, it seemed so sad to me that a man came to know Jesus just two days before he died.  He really “got it” when he was saved.  He realized how he had wasted his life in the pursuit of things instead of the pursuit of God.  His wife was a believer and he had basically forbidden her from attending church, because Sundays were the best days for pursuing the things he sought in life.  I thought the wife would be upset that when her husband finally trusted Jesus, and they could have had Jesus in common, that he was gone.  Instead, she said that God had been so gracious to her husband, keeping him alive just long enough that he would spend eternity with God, instead of separated from Him!  Do you know anyone who doesn’t know Jesus, who’s getting close to that time when life here will end?  Actually, that could be any of us at any moment, but the odds are not in favor of some because they are at the age when they will be seeing Jesus soon.  What will you do to help ensure that when that person sees Jesus it will be as a friend instead of as an enemy?

Heavenly Father, Thank You so much for giving me the opportunity to know Jesus as my Savior and Lord!  I pray for those who don’t know Him, and especially for those who like the thief on the cross, may only have moments or hours.  Let them turn to Jesus.  Let them trust in Him!  This I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.