Archive for November 2009

Getting the Gospel Right

28th November 2009, 08:59 am

Getting the Gospel Right

I highly recommend the reading of this book.  Even if you may not agree with all that Dr Olson puts forward it is such an interesting book and a pleasure to read.

As a person who did not come from a Christian home and had no connection with the Church  I can say amen to so much that I have read of it.

I consider it one of the most important books out today.

Some people are so clinical when it comes to being saved, some even saying that God wills people into perdition, which is something I just cannot agree with even if I cannot explain it in a satisfactory way.  Maybe one day by God’s grace I will be able to.

The book is now free on Google Books, just click here.

Dr Olsons website here

Category: Christian  · 

Word Studies : Savor, fragrance

25th November 2009, 07:12 pm
A. Nouns.
1. euodia (G2175), “fragrance” (eu, “well,” ozo, “to smell”), is used metaphorically (a) of those who in the testimony of the gospel are to God “a sweet savor of Christ,” 2Co_2:15; (b) of the giving up of His life by Christ for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor (osme, see No. 2) of “a sweet smell,” Eph_5:2, RV [KJV, "a sweet smelling (savor)"]; (c) of material assistance sent to Paul from the church at Philippi “(an odor) of a sweet smell,” Phi_4:18. In all three instances the fragrance is that which ascends to God through the person, and as a result of the sacrifice, of Christ.
2. osme (G3744), “a smell, odor” (from ozo, “to smell”; Eng., “ozone”), is translated “odor” in Joh_12:3; it is used elsewhere in connection with No. 1, in the three passages mentioned, as of an odor accompanying an acceptable sacrifice; in 2Co_2:14, 2Co_2:16 (twice), of the “savor” of the knowledge of Christ through Gospel testimony, in the case of the perishing “a savor from death unto death,” as of that which arises from what is dead (the spiritual condition of the unregenerate); in the case of the saved “a savor from life unto life,” as from that which arises from what is instinct with life (the spiritual condition of the regenerate); in Eph_5:2, “a (sweetsmelling) savor”; in Phi_4:18, “an odor (of a sweet smell)”; cf. No. 1. See ODOR.
B. Verb.
moraino (G3471), primarily, “to be foolish,” is used of salt that has lost its “savor,” Mat_5:13; Luk_14:34. See FOOLISH, B, No. 1.
Note: In the KJV of Mat_16:23 and Mar_8:33, phroneo, “to think, to mind,” is translated “thou savorest”

Savour

( Noun and verb )

1. euodia (G2175), “fragrance” (eu, “well,” ozo, “to smell”), is used metaphorically (a) of those who in the testimony of the gospel are to God “a sweet savor of Christ,” 2Co_2:15; (b) of the giving up of His life by Christ for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor (osme, see No. 2) of “a sweet smell,” Eph_5:2, RV [KJV, "a sweet smelling (savor)"]; (c) of material assistance sent to Paul from the church at Philippi “(an odor) of a sweet smell,” Phi_4:18. In all three instances the fragrance is that which ascends to God through the person, and as a result of the sacrifice, of Christ.

2. osme (G3744), “a smell, odor” (from ozo, “to smell”; Eng., “ozone”), is translated “odor” in Joh_12:3; it is used elsewhere in connection with No. 1, in the three passages mentioned, as of an odor accompanying an acceptable sacrifice; in 2Co_2:14, 2Co_2:16 (twice), of the “savor” of the knowledge of Christ through Gospel testimony, in the case of the perishing “a savor from death unto death,” as of that which arises from what is dead (the spiritual condition of the unregenerate); in the case of the saved “a savor from life unto life,” as from that which arises from what is instinct with life (the spiritual condition of the regenerate); in Eph_5:2, “a (sweetsmelling) savor”; in Phi_4:18, “an odor (of a sweet smell)”; cf. No. 1. See ODOR.

B. Verb.

moraino (G3471), primarily, “to be foolish,” is used of salt that has lost its “savor,” Mat_5:13; Luk_14:34. See FOOLISH, B, No. 1.

Note: In the KJV of Mat_16:23 and Mar_8:33, phroneo, “to think, to mind,” is translated “thou savorest” (RV, “thou mindest”).

W.E. Vine. Expository Dictionary of Bible Words.

Sweet fragrance

Sweet fragrance

Category: Christian, Word Studies  · 

An apology

17th November 2009, 07:07 pm

You may have noticed that if you play a video on this site the video player, which is opensource, displays a brief water mark showing ‘JWPlayer’, this has nothing to do with Jehovah Witnesses, who I am dead against as they deny that Jesus is the Son of God.

I will see if I can remove the watermark even if I have to pay to get rid of it.  I believe this happens since a recent upgrade.

It’s a great player and all dues to the developers.

All my Christian life I have been plagued by Jehovah Witnesses in one way or another and it seems they still have not finished with me yet.

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh.

Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.

Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God.

Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

Second letter of John 1:7-11  ESV

Edit 03/12/09

Well, that popup is now gone, I managed to get a licensed version of the player which removes the popup watermark.  The licence is free to non commercial sites as mine. Many thanks to Ethan at the JWPlayer website and thank you for a great product.

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
(2Jn 1:7-11For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
(2Jn 1:7-11)
Category: Christian  · 

Pomegranate

17th November 2009, 04:30 pm

A small, shrublike tree and its fruit, Punica granatum L. The prominence of the pomegranate fruit in early Bible times is indicated by its use in the decorations on the “robe of the EPHOD,” on which it is alternated with golden bells (Exod. 28:33-34; 39:24-26; cf. Ecclus. 45:9), and on the capitals of the temple pillars of JACHIN AND BOAZ (I Kings 7:18, 20, 42=II Chr. 3:16; 4:13; cf. II Kings 25:17; Jer. 52:22-23).

As a token of the fruitfulness of S Palestine, the spies took pomegranates, figs, and grapes back to Joshua (Num. 13:23), and Moses mentioned them in describing the Promised Land (Deut. 8:8; cf. Num. 20:5).

Saul encamped at Gibeah (probably Geba) near a place identified by its pomegranate tree (I Sam. 14:2).

Pomegranates are mentioned in describing and praising the bride in Song of S. 4:3, 13; 6:7; and the flower, as a symbol of spring (6:11; 7:12–H 7:13). Wine was made from the juice of the fruit (8:2). Joel (1:12) includes this tree in his picture of devastation from locusts; and Haggai (2:19) includes it with grapes, figs, and olives as an indication of restoration to God’s favor.

In city names it appears in Num. 33:19-20 (RIMMON-PEREZ); Josh. 15:32 (RIMMON 1; cf. Isa. 10:27); 21:25 (GATH-RIMMON); Neh. 11:29 (ENRIMMON). The fruit played a prominent part in ancient art and mythology as a symbol of fertility; the tree was even depicted as the TREE OF LIFE.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate

Category: Flora & Fauna  · 

Upgraded a bit

13th November 2009, 05:52 pm

It’s been a bit of a technical week for me, my new pc arrived from Ankermann who custom build computers to clients needs.  I have needed to upgrade as I have a lot to do ( God willing ) in the coming months and it’s suprising how quickly computers get out dated, the other was also playing up a bit anyway and that after only 18 months or so.

So I went for something quite high spec which should last longer than  my last did. Besides, gaming on Intel Quad Core and Nvidia GTX video card technology is a joy.  Smile

I also purchased Windows 7 Professional to install on it and I must admit that I like it very much, as usual I also installed a flavor of Linux, and in my opinion Ubuntu is the best out there at the moment and they have also just released a new version called Karmic Koala and it installed perfectly alongside Windows 7.

Currently, servers that I own run Debian 4 Etch but the end of life for that release is due in February 2010 so important security patches will end, as a result I will be installing Ubuntu 8.04 to replace Debian, Ubuntu 8.04 server has an end of life date of 2013 so that will be just fine. I also use a commercial hosting control panel called Plesk and that at the moment will not run with Debian 5 Lenny.

Ubuntu is built upon Debian so there should not be too many changes with regards to server admin, although Ubuntu uses something called Sudo rather than direct root access for safety reasons.

I also updated the Word Press software to 2.8.5 although I see 2.8.6 is now available but that can wait, ‘if it ain’t broke don’t try to fix it’ is what I say, should be fine for a while.

Windows 7

Windows 7

Ubuntu Karmic Koala

Ubuntu Karmic Koala

Category: Ancient Geek  · 


   Ubuntu : a free Linux desktop