The story of my life is like the story of a little boy named Billy Breaker stuck inside an Arnold Attic. The origin of my life can be traced back to my birth in 1985 in Oregon. I grew up in a ghetto. I was homeschooled. I lived in Hawaii. I taught English in Vietnam.

Leading Others Astray or Failure to Lead

2021-08-22 - Sunday - 09:30 AM - Sunday School Log

As we read through 1 John 2, I highlighted verse three, that is 1 John 2:3, which reminded me of James 1:22, that we are to not just hear but to do upon that well of what we hear, that source, that foundation of principles. It reminded me also of John 14:15 which says if you love Christ, then you'll keep His commandments. Which reminds me of one of my favorite verses in the Bible, 1 John 4:19, we love Him because He first loved us. As we discussed, some of the contrasts referenced included anger vs hatred, principles versus programs, interpretation versus application, revolution versus revival, systematic theology versus topical theology. Also, another debate I remember having with David Shepherd in 2007 was regarding whether or not the Bible was written to or for us. There can be a contrast between those two words, to and for. It comes down to the understanding of the extent of application. Mega Churches can lead others astray or fail to lead humans towards seeking long-term discipleship. They can focus on the milk and not the meat. It is not that a big church cannot help. It really depends on a wide variety of variables. It is a long story and I would need to spend time breaking it down. A big church may be bad. It may be that many churches are bad. But a big church does not mean a bad church. But at the same time, many big churches are bad. Well, I do not know how many churches are bad. Small churches are bad too. Not all small churches and groups are bad. Not all big churches and groups are bad either. We can over simplify these stereotypes. It is important to know the red flags. Start with a root foundation of principles, a like an outline of biblical amendments, and compare and contrast this list with the teaching and core doctrines of a given church big or small. Make a list of the top ten things you believe in listed from best to worse. Start with the most important thing you believe in and compare that with the core doctrines of a church. Now, keep in mind that some of what you believe may be wrong. Some of what I believe may be wrong too. So, you may want to be humble, open minded. But at the same time, some of what churches and others believe in may be wrong or misaligned from God's core principles. So, it can take some compromise between a member and the church. Murder vs killing.

Be Solution Focused

2021-08-22 - Sunday - 11:30 AM - Sermon Log

You should focus more on the solution than on the problems and issues and variables and details at hand. Don't get too lost and distracted down rabbit trails, the forest for the trees. Don't conflate too much. Don't assume too much. Don't over generalize excessively. Focus on the problem can distract from the path of resolution. Ignorance. Balance. There is a lot here. But it's not a vaccine. Also, it's not about conviction. Instead, it's about science. Well, real science. Not the other type of science. Many doctors and scientists and others will tell you Covid Vaccines are not vaccines. So, saying it is a debate is misleading. Some of this overlaps with Sunday School, see my log for that. I agree with the pastor regarding being guided by love in how we live life. A person can be right and yet the person could be wrong in trying to do what is right. Like, it is hard to explain, but you might be too aggressive or judgmental. Now, to judge can be good. But also, judging can be bad too. I need to find words to help distinguish between good and bad versions or aspects of judgment. I believe in trying to make things better. I do not want to over emphasize on the end of the world. The things mentioned in Revelation may be happening or may happen soon. Some believe it already happened. But I believe in not focusing too much on that. Yeah, we should know about it and understand it. But excessive focus on that can lead to apathy, pacifism, ignorance, arrogance, nihilism, etc. We can become like the disciples who stared in the sky waiting for Jesus to come back. Angels came down and told them to get to work. Don't just sit there eating Qanon popcorn. Not to say Q or people in general have not helped red-pill and wake up people. The sermon today was ok in some ways but the problem is we should let people know that Covid Vaccines are killing people and much more. Pastors should let people know every important things. And millions of people are dying. That is a fact. We can try to stop some of that. We can try many different things. That does not mean we will be able to stop all the problems in the world. But I believe in trying to regardless. Go off a Cliff. Global warming and climate change is a scam and a number of things. Freedom is important. I have more to say on these issues. It is loaded with things. So many different things.

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