NAVIGATIONAL INFORMATION THAT IS USEFUL ...OR JUST USELESS....

Navigating Some STRANGE rather than just interesting Life-Seas .... in sailing, like life, to obtain a periodic and accurate weather reports is an important or valuable tool of navigating the seas! Having facts available for making decisions is important for all of us. In the "life-seas" that surrounds our own spiritual leadership ... we can often confuse what information is really needed. 

Take a look....

http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/insidetrack/31291_Inside-Track-Leg-2-Episode-7.html

COMPLICIT ... With what or WHO?  What do you mean ...COMPLICIT? WHO ? ME ? .... 

by drMSBsr

Matthew 18:15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother."

We can listen to the concerns and complaints or even worse ... "information" - of a sort ...YES! But not about the "weather" or the "equipment" or the "team's" responsibilities and plans, but 'information' about the personal and even the 'private' --- information about matters that are related to one or two of the crew! Yes, the 'crew!' Of course, and ... obviously, this is all meant to be shared in "the utmost confidence" -- right? -- "RIGHT?" --?

Are we "Catholic priests - with some sort of sacerdotal power?" Do we believe that we can "absolve" others of their sin?  Even in the "roll" of so-called "counsellors" or mentors - do we have Biblical authority above others or can we ethically claim to have a right to information that was not first clearly dealt with on a personal and private basis between offended parties? If we are following the Matthew 18 teaching of Jesus on resolving the unresolved disagreements between two others ... are we remaining objective and are we restricting our involvement to those within our own congregation? To ignore these questions could be costly!

GOSSIP... Unconfirmed reports? Unconstrained or casual information about others? Even, allowing some to ask for prayer while they divulge the personal information and details of family and friends can lead to our complicity in gossip. Can any of us claim not to have made this serious mistake? Is this not a sin and should we not ask for forgiveness? We can change our future - and find forgiveness for our past if, first - we recognise that we have been complicit. 

We who are pastors and Christian workers may well be "complicit" ... by not teaching and encouraging an alternate way of thinking. We could become 'complicit' just by "harmlessly listening" ... or taking-in the information of some of those who "confide" in us. Complicit ... by accepting the information rather than stopping this 'traffic.'

Complicit .. by not calling on our friends and 'informers' to rather approach the person that is offending them, but to do so privately. Complicit ... in the error of 'gossip' ... when we do not make every effort to lead others to resolve their issues and matters of disagreement privately.

Mt 18:16 "But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church." (nkjv). 

A Kind and Honest response to: "My pastor doesnt believe in genesis" - creation.com

My pastor doesnt believe in genesis - creation.com

A Kind and Honest response to the question of ecclesiastical separation, reality and hope for change.

The Greatest Race !

Hebrews 6  

...... we have a "strong consolation" 

those of us 

"who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.  19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast ... 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus..." nkjv

The Greatest Race? Could it be the Volvo Ocean Race? When it comes to well financed  well trained and fully committed sailing teams -- it surely seems to support the thought that the Volvo race might be the "greatest!" When it comes to Navigation equipment, communications and tracking equipment there is certainly (it seems) no better or greater planning and support systems available!  

When running a race - any race, like in life, as well - there must be a harbour! No one wants to race forever and no one wants to be a part of a sailing "disaster!" We who know the Lord as our personal Lord and Saviour are surely running a race of service - to His Glory - our race is in the midst of the seas of life.  

As Paul reminds us in Acts 27 there is not always the guarantee of reaching the harbour that we have planned for ourselves. A vital truth important to every Christian is that of living life with our HOPE surely and firmly place in JESUS CHRIST - ALONE! HE IS OUR LIFE-HARBOUR. Better, He is our sure and steadfast ANCHOR! 

Acts 27:9  "Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” 11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there."

NAVIGATING "LIFE'S SEAS" IS A CHALLENGING & DEMANDING TASK

this is the reason, amongst others, that we look to One who has gone before us and found safe passage - a good harbour and genuine hope.

You are invited to join me at the "cape forum" to consider "Historical Theology" for today.

Like Navigating Some Interesting LIfe-Seas, the Cape Forum asks you to make your comments. At this stage the posted blogs reflect my thoughts on "spiritual navigation" as they effect the conservative Bible-believing independent church and its leadership. My focus is one of encouraging new congregations and the ministries of "small churches." My ideas are developing and evolving and your input or criticisms (hopefully constructive) will be greatly appreciated! Dr. Marc Sr.

The Buffett's 40
Howard, Warren and their Grandson "HWB" tackle the problem of "food insecurity" by setting-out to empower an army of poor farmers to feed the world. Their book will give you forty stories to encourage you to focus on taking forty of your own    BC.    new "chances" to rethink your own degree of optimism amidst a world that seems preoccupied with the negative in this troubled world.
(Buffet, G. Howard, "Forty Chances, Finding Hope in a Hungry World," New York, Simon & Schuster, 2013)

Pastor Warren had his 40 days and now we have Warren and Son, Howard G. Buffet sharing the idea of facing one of this world's greatest challenges ... Food Insecurity. "40 Chances" sets-out to share their motivation and thinking for accomplishing their goal of using 3 Billion Dollars for the good of 3 Billion needy people. Howard Buffet believes a lesson he learned from farming is the path to take. All farmers, according to him, can plan to have about 40 seasons to grow and improve on their crops and their productivity. The Buffets with Grandson "HWB," in tow, are committed to use the own 40 productive years in a unique journey ... a philanthropic "trek" to discover and include new approaches to ease the

The Buffet plan actually came from a speaker who came to their central Illinois farm town to teach a farming course... The essence of his opening motivational thoughts were that we should not focus on the day to day tasks and the month to month processes or even the year to year cycle of work but rather to look to farming from the first time you climbed into the tractor and the day you hand your acreage over to your son or daughter. Even with good health you can probably only expect about 40 seasons to plant your crop and to adjust to the challenges along the way and " hope for the best. It is enough time to learn to do well. But it's not forever."

Then, the speaker explained the goal was to help these farmers to use these remaining "chances" or seasons to the best of their ability ...using the best tools, best advice on using them... so you can make the most of the time you have left... Forty doesn't seem like a bunch! Buffett thought: "There is no time to waste. I started thinking a little different about farming, but I also realized that this idea applied to a lot more than farming."

Paul the Apostle wrote Timothy saying " The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things." (2 Tim. 2:6-7); and, Paul advised the Ephesians church... "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Eph. 5:15-17)

The Buffet plan actually came from a speaker who came to their central Illinois farm town to teach a farming course... The essence of his opening motivational thoughts were that we should not focus on the day to day tasks and the month to month processes or even the year to year cycle of work but rather to look to farming from the first time you climbed into the tractor and the day you hand your acreage over to your son or daughter. Even with good health you can probably only expect about 40 seasons to plant your crop and to adjust to the challenges along the way and " hope for the best. It is enough time to learn to do well. But it's not forever."

Then, the speaker explained the goal was to help these farmers to use these remaining "chances" or seasons to the best of their ability ...using the best tools, best advice on using them... so you can make the most of the time you have left... Forty doesn't seem like a bunch! Buffett thought: "There is no time to waste. I started thinking a little different about farming, but I also realized that this idea applied to a lot more than farming."

Paul the Apostle wrote Timothy saying " The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things." (2 Tim. 2:6-7); and, Paul advised the Ephesians church... "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Eph. 5:15-17)

CHRISTIAN'S NOTIONS - informal Concepts, Whims, Ideas, Viewpoints or Intentions

Naive Christian Notions
Some dangers in overlooking sound theological thought.
[You are invited to follow, comment- on and add to this BLOG ...it is actively under-construction. Started in May 2014 ... Still updating and adding thots...Marc Sr.]
A Preoccupation with the 'novel' in religion.

Sometimes intentionally and even strategically or even sometimes as little more than a whim, novelty has found its way into conservative (even once Fundamentalist) Christianity. Now, of course, there is no "news" here! News to be "news" needs to be something that has not been around for such a lengthy time. Though really quite self-evident, the need for novelty or "entertainment" -- as some prefer calling it -- has taken a prominence that few, in years gone by, would ever have imagined.

The use of the novel or the new (so-called), along with a commitment to being unique or possibly even unusual, has for some time now, become a necessary reality for any church growth strategy. Spoken or unspoken, the need to provide exciting and attention grabbing methods in Christian ministry is an accepted practice in almost all churches. Have you experienced this new "hype" oriented or focused church? If so, did you find that you found it effective and sufficient or did you need more and more of this sort of attention getting methodology? Have you asked yourself "why?

To fail or "fall-short" of this new effectiveness in communication, (it seems clear to most,) is just to hold-on-to anything that seems outdated. Conservatism in Bible-believing Christian congregations may be allowed to exist in regards to doctrine or even Biblical exegesis but now that is where the "line has been drawn."

Assuming that the church is otherwise viewed as a "conservative-evangelical" body of believers the remaining levels or phases of [i.] worship, [ii.] ministry and [iii.] outreach are freed to interact with society without too many restraints or limitations. Not just "anything goes" but certainly "most anything" ... does seem acceptable - at least in most cases.

Christian ministry, in a post-Christian secular society and within a post-modern social philosophy or worldview, requires new and different (novel) approaches if we are to interact and interface with the world around us. Certainly, this "re-think" is the accepted belief of the majority of conservative Christians.

Priorities in Worship. 
The Innovations surrounding individualism.

Popular Styled Ministry. 
The LinkedIn Church.

Proactive views of Heritage. 
'Designer' History? We live in a day when the need to re-examine and revise much that has been called 'church history' is genuinely needed. So much of Christian history was written to promote specific theological ideologies or 'denominational viewpoints" and so very much of our church history was influenced or controlled by national-regional political causes. The level of historical inaccuracies and the degree of subjectiveness is really over-whelming. So much of 'Church History,' is little more than a tool for much that can only be called illegitimate academic distortion.

As we think of "principles of interpretation and the need for an honest assessment of history - we can see this has always been an important issue. Some excerpts from 1 Corinthians Chapter 10 will be helpful for guiding us today. "FOR I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, that our forefathers were all under and protected by the cloud [in which God’s Presence went before them], and every one of them passed safely through the [Red] Sea, [Exod. 13:21; 14:22, 29]. 4  And they all drank the same spiritual (supernaturally given) drink. For they drank from a spiritual Rock which followed them and the Rock was Christ. [Exod. 17:6; Num. 20:11]. 5  Nevertheless, God was not pleased with the great majority of them, for they were overthrown and strewn down along [the ground] in the wilderness. [Num. 14:29, 30]. 7  Do not be worshipers of false gods as some of them were, as it is written --8  We must not gratify evil desire and indulge in immorality as some of them did -- 9  We should not tempt the Lord -- as some of them did—11  Now these things befell them by way of a figure [as an example and warning to us]; they were written to admonish and fit us for right action by good instruction, we in whose days the ages have reached their climax (their consummation and concluding period). 12  Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall." From the Amplified New Testament. (1987)

Reader Beware: we live in a day when so much "scholastic re-examination" of existing history (be it church history or general knowledge regarding world history) is taking place - some is honest and some just as dishonest as the material it claims to be correcting. Much of today's historical revision is negative in nature and is being driven by new agendas that are attempting to further confuse history that does not "suit" their particular view of life, theology or religion. This corrupting of history is often called historical revisionism or negationism.

The negative revision of the past, be it ever so illegitimate, amazingly but truly still has an appeal to many pseudo-intellectual causes. For example, post-modernism's desire to keep everything neutral and culturally and idealogically non-interfering feeds this popular but illegitimate style of historical revision. On the other hand, as said earlier there is a legitimate form of historical revision that uses sound techniques of investigation and hermeneutic to re-establish the truth regarding the forces and personages of the passing centuries. The truth about history might undo or upset our long accepted beliefs about the formation of our churches, our own theologies' evolution and some of our 'heroes' of the Christian faith but in all cases the re-emergence of historical reality and the truth on such matters of Christian theological development can only help all sincere believers come to a clearer and more honest understanding of Scripture.

Negative revisionism - craftiness, deceitfulness still (today) corrupts the church from its simplicity in Christ. Consider these Biblical excerpts: 2 Corinthians 11:3 "But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it! 5 For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. 6 Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things. 7 Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted ... 12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. (nkjv)

Doctrine or Dogma (Systematic, historical or Biblical in form) has long languished under the slavery of mistaken or ideologically driven historical misinterpretation. The objective facts of history can only free us all from preconceived notions when reading our Bible. Terms of reference, definitions and the interpretation of events, once freed from negative ideological revisionism can only lead to a new scholastic freedom and a simpler Christian understanding of the Word of God.  

Principles without guidelines. 
Hermeneutical values. Dispensations overlooked.

Presuppositions of the 'naive' in Christianity.
The Accessibility of Power. 
Technology over Truth.
The Success Syndromes.
Relationships of Collaboration.
The Effectiveness of Strategy.
Transforming
The Cloud Convergence: 
The OpenStack mindset.

Presumptions of the non-literate or unschooled.
The Influence of History. 
Defending the past.
The Reality of true Truth.
 The New Testament vs. Information.
The Effectiveness of our Options:
Democracy vs Providence.
The Utility of Trends and Innovations:
 Twitter and Facebook
Peering ahead with experimental technology
Disrupting Biblical concepts of Hope.
Individualizing our Hope: Empowerment.
Socializing Hope: Politicization

"UNKNOWN KNOWNS" & BIBLICAL REVELATION

Subject: What you know ...

The following article is created using excerpts and some further developments based around the Historical Documentary Film entitled "UNKNOWN KNOWNS." This film is an interview based documentary regarding the strategic military thoughts and actions of a famous (or infamous --depending on your view) American Department of Defense Chief, Donald Rumsfeld. 

"UNKNOWN KNOWNS" ?

Rumsfeld made the following statement in one of his many controversial State Department news conferences.

"There are:
1. Known Knowns ... The Things we know we know.

There are:
2. Known Unknowns ... The Things we know we don't know.

There are:
3. Unknown Unknowns ... The Things we don't know about what we don't know. These are a failure of our imagination or the failure of an intelligent and imaginative reading of available intelligence.

There are:
4. (a.)Unknown Knowns ... The Things we fail to imagine. That is to say, there are things that you think you know that it turns out you did not. (Less!)

4. (b.) Or, possibly a correction of this definition could include or be a later modification:
"Unknown knowns" ... being (rather) "Things you think that you [possibly may] know that it turns out you do not know that you know." (More!)

------------------------------
Rumsfeld, with all the disrespect I might hold for him, was a most "considered" or careful thinker. He, with all the errors of judgment that are attributed to him, was a student of communication and especially understood the importance of words ... their choice and their meanings!

One of his statements that has stood some test of time was: "The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence."   This idea may not be so well known but DR was just saying though some things are "Not well known," or "not fully understood" that - this does not necessarily discredit the idea.

Some, tongue in cheek, queried that maybe DR was possibly gifted with some sort of 'prescience." DR assured everyone that his gift was ... "Not prescient" - rather he was ..."just worried." And he added that: "Everything seems amazing in retrospect. We tend to favor some possibilities over others. Priorities, are nothing more than the privilege of picking and choosing from obvious choices supported by one's educated imagination." DR

Some of "Rumsfeld's Rules" or Rumsfeld's Strategic Thoughts.
From DR's Snowflakes, i.e., his memos .... on white paper. 

[A.] "Belief in the inevitability of conflict can become one of its main causes. In juxtaposition: If you wish for peace you will inevitably preparing for war." DR

[B.]"All generalizations are false." DR

[C.]"You don't control History and you are failing if history controls you." DR

I'll close off these thoughts by explaining that I am providing these select excerpts from the historical film documentary "Unknown knowns" to encourage all of us to engage in a more serious dialogue around our 'sources' of revelation, our growing trust in academia and our now pervasive post-modern pre-occupation with our own personal opinions! 

For discussion or dialogue you might want to consider the true Truth of the Word of God on this subject of "unknown knowns" ....

1 Corinthians 2:7 "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, ⁸ which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.  ⁹ But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man

The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

¹⁰ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. ¹¹ For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. ¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.  ¹³ These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. ¹⁴ But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵ But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. ¹⁶ For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ." (nkjv) 

(Other useful texts: Romans 16:25-26; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26; or, Job 11:7; 38:1 to 42:6)

drMSBsr