deebeedee

from Phisch

1. Who is your favorite Biblical personage, other than Jesus?

Paul. His life was the most radically changed in the New Testament. From persecutor of the Church to one who led the Church and suffered for the Church and the cause of Christ, he considered himself the worst of sinners for which God has shown mercy. God’s patience and willingness to forgive was markedly demonstrated in Paul’s life.

2. What is your favorite book of the Old Testament?

Proverbs. Many nuggets of wisdom imparted. Wish I had read it as a teen/young man. I could’ve avoided many pitfalls. More on this later…

3. What is your least favorite book of the Old Testament?

Either Leviticus or Numbers. I know they continue the saga of Moses and the nation of Israel, and those parts I like. But the genealogies and the ceremonial laws, whew! I know my eyes glazed over a few times reading the head count of the tribes of Israel and how the numerous sacrifices were to be offered. I realize those books serve to show not only how God is faithful to Israel but also to show how He is pure and holy. But I’m sure glad we live under the New Covenant.

4. What is your favorite non-gospel book of the New Testament?

I haven’t really thought about this much but I guess I’d say the book of Romans. It clearly lays out the Gospel. And, some say that if you know Romans you know all of Scripture because of its allusions and commentary on topics like the Creation all the way to the Last Judgment.

5. What is your life verse?

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. Galatians 2:20

6. Tag 5 people who might want to play

This is a free for all. Have at it!

The Evangelical Outpost has rounded-up an excellent list of rappers who have posed as Jesus prior to this month’s Kanye West Rolling Stone cover.

So that’s why it seemed so trite. One would encounter several CD covers depicting rappers posing as Jesus while simply browsing through the used Rap section at the local Rasputin (I’d pass those up to buy though. Not my cup of tea - ‘cept for Nas).

Shock is far from what one feels when reading about the Kanye/Jesus cover. In my case, the SDA church we rent space from has had a picture of a black Jesus displayed in the lobby for several months. In addition, all the evangelical churches I have attended since my youth have always taught that the blue-eyed, flowing-haired, Scandinavian-looking Jesus depicted in pictures is so far from the real Jesus of the Bible. It’s interesting what the Scriptures does say about Jesus’ appearance:

He has no stately form or majesty
That we should look upon Him,
Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.

He was just an ordinary looking citizen of 1st century Palestine. Prophetic words those were though, coming from the Old Testament (Isaiah 53 is all about Jesus Christ).

One little thought that came to mind about the Rolling Stone cover was that the publication seemed to want the issue to coincide with the showing at Sundance of a South African movie depicting Jesus as a black man. But the one thing that caught my attention more than anything was Kanye West’s revelation in Rolling Stone that he was addicted to porn. He says “he remembers first seeing his father’s Playboy magazine when he was 5 years old.” He then admits, “Right then…it was like, ‘Houston, we have a problem.’ ” Hmmm, sounds familiar. We all need a Saviour, don’t we?

Has Jewish feminist Naomi Wolf found Jesus? Find out here.

(via b4G)

Yesterday, I read a Filipina-Australian blogger’s personal thoughts on a fellow Australian who was about to be hanged in Singapore for possessing heroin. Later, I find out that the man, Nguyen Tuong Van, was at peace with his execution because of “an opportunity of self-discovery made possible upon (his) conception of God and Jesus Christ into (his) life.” His last moments with his loved ones were spent consoling them, instead of the other way around. Coincidentally, my Bible reading for yesterday included a passage where St. Paul says his last goodbyes to the Church of Ephesus before his impending imprisonment and execution, saying, “but I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course.” Earlier he wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain… having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better.”

Just what is it in me?
Sometimes I just don’t know
What keeps me in Your love,
Why You never let me go

And though You’re in me now,
I fall and hurt You still
My Lord, please show me how
To know just how You feel

You have forgiven me
Too many times it seems
I feel I’m not what you might call
A worthy Christian after all

And though I love You so
Temptation finds its way to me

Teach me to trust in You With all my heart
To lean not on my own understanding
I just forget You won’t give me what I can’t bear

Take me out of the dark, my Lord
I don’t wanna be there

- Gary Valenciano, excerpt from “Take Me Out of the Dark”