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1 Peter 1:13-16

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."


We are going to do a study, a biblical study on the holiness of God. And what I can see in Scripture and what I can see in Church history, the holiness of God has always been held up not as an attribute of God, but as possibly—if one could say such a thing—the attribute of God in that when you begin to talk about God or you desire to know God, or you would like draw near to God, the first thing that you must come face to face with is something that is utterly foreign to sinful man, that God is holy. What does that mean?

Well, I would like to read to you for a moment just a definition. The word holy comes from a Hebrew term which means separated, put apart, distinct from the common or ordinary. Holiness refers, basically, to two things when we talk about God. One, it refers to moral purity. God is pure, pure, pure, pure, without stain, without blemish, without wrinkle, without spot. He is holy. And holy not like we understand holy. We are not talking here about good. We are talking about perfect. We are talking about moral perfection. God is morally perfect. When we talk about holiness we also need to understand that God is not only morally perfect, God is separated from all things and all creatures that are not morally perfect. That is to say, God can't tolerate sin. He can't even tolerate a sin. As I said last night, how many times did Adam and Eve sin before they were cast out of the presence of God? Once.

God has no, no, no tolerance to anything or anyone that contradicts or opposes his nature.
He is holy.

But also holiness refers to something else, something that we need to understand in America today since we have made God so common. Holiness not only means that God is morally pure. Holiness means that God is not common. He is not ordinary. He is not casual. He is distinct. He is not like us. And no matter what term we can use to call him forth, doesn't matter if we can call him Abba, Father, a word that actually means daddy.  That doesn't matter. He is still not ordinary. He is still not casual and he is still not common and he is never to be taken lightly. He is God. And God is holy.
~Paul Washer





 

Really good thoughts for the week, Judy.  Thanks!  We can never be holy as God is holy, but we must continually press toward that mark.

Church was really good this morning.  We are doing a series on The Blessed Life, about all the blessings and benefits of tithing and giving.  It is partly a video series by Robert Morris (I think that's right) who pastors a huge church in Dallas.

Beth seemed to enjoy the service, too!

Thanks for that study this morning, Judy.   

Janet, I would love to follow your reminder to watch "The Bible", but (sob, sob,) I don't have the History Channel.   

Jeanne you can but the series.

I noticed that LifeWay was promoting the series. Likely, they are selling it. I have my DVR set to record the entire series.

It was a good day with a great sermon from our pastor. As he spoke, my graphics design mind began to work and I sketched an org chart (no - TWO org charts). I scribbled through the first chart, for I had put Jesus first, then answering up to Jesus were first others, then self in that order.

However, I quickly remembered that we are to love others as we love ourselves. So, the second org chart showed Jesus at the top, then one line with 2 boxes, one at each end, with the words "others" and "self" in those boxes.

After service we discussed this, and he was quick to point out that if we are incapable of loving ourselves, then how CAN we practice love for others?

I've thought about this conversation quite a lot today, for I have struggled with self esteem all my life. More for me to work on, looks like...

Love for you all,
Ruth Ann

   Hi to all I am finally back and I have looked at a lot of the post's and there are a lot of things that each of us can always pray for.

Our pastor preached on the need to commit ourselves to prayer and how important this should be and I know that in my life I do not do enough of it. So please remember me in your prayers so that I would become a much better prayer warrior  There are so many things that we can lift to him each day and that is so important.

Etta Sue.  I am so glad to see that you had a good time in Florida and that you managed to get home safely. How is your sister I hope that she is well.

Larry and Pat.  I am glad to see that Pat is doing better and being able to get around better day by day my wife has her surgery on the 10th. of April and she is till a bit concerned that it will go well as she has so much trouble with her back but we will pray that she will have the faith to get through this

Hi Judy and John.  Hope all is well and did you finally get the problems solved with the course you are doing. Why don't you talk to Ruth V. as I think that she does accounting. God's richest blessings  SIS.

To all others on C.P.   may the Lord be with all of you this week and give you strength to be a witness for him and also a help to some one who needs it.  God bless.  Gordon and Noreen.

Hello!!
Gord, I was over at JudyB's last week, however we never got to go over the problems she was having.... I have been busy with the tax season upon us, however I'm willing to help, if I can. Although I worked in the accounting field for over 40 years and took some university courses, it might take me a bit to understand what her teacher wants.... however I'm up to the challenge, Judy!!

Gord, I agree with you in regards to prayer...... during the past week I have been thinking of my home in heaven.

I want, so much, to be able to be so close to the Lord, here on earth, so that when I go to be with Him fore-ever, I can just take up from where we left off. I know that to know God more intimately I need to be immersed in prayer and His Word. It's so easy to get distracted by daily living, however I know that He will help me, because it's His desire for us to fellowship with Him. So, Gord, we will pray for each other and ask our C.P. friends to join with us.

I had to walk away from some of the violent scenes in the "Bible"/  Back in a minute. 

There was a brief meeting after church and they now intend to have an extra offering once per month where people can bring their change or whatever.  That will go towards another needy place.  This little membership just gives and gives - they have even bought two cows for overseas projects.  What a fun & faithful group. 

We can't record anything on this t.v. system here - wish we could. 

Greetings! It's the wayward one again! I am so sorry that I do not come here often and oh so thankful that yawl never forget me and always send me emails.

I am still working but have more hours and at a new place where God is using me tremendously. I work in a 55+ building where the residents and myself are just about the same age!

God has brought me a long way! I now have my own office and am facilitating a women's journal group as well as doing a fun fitness group! I am also office assistant and volunteer with the Second Harvest meal distribution and Meals On Wheel. Our place is supposedly Independent Living...one and two bedroom apartments, but somewhere down the line, corporate and big business forgot that we are supposed to CARE, so God is equipping me and growing me up daily and I could not be any more thankful.

I am still speaking at high schools and churches and still writing Internet devotionals and have published my second book. Working on two more as we speak! I also am developing a little food shelf of my own for those who do not qualify for the second harvest.

My life has been beset with trials, tragedies and heart aches, but each challenge makes me stronger in the Lord!

Blessings to all and thanks for having me!
In Christ, Zenobia
PS PLEASE pray that I can get a better computer. This one is this side of SHOT! Or maybe it's BEEN shot in the leg for a while! LOL

Ruth and Gord,My problem is knowing how to apply the GAAP principles to the problems.  The application can be difficult.

John left early this morning.  Hopefully to be home again on Friday. we had a quiet weekend this week.

I have a class soon so I am off for now.

Judy, I'm sure the series of "The Bible" is for sale, but right now "buy" is not part of my vocabulary.   

Jeanne  When the series is over you may be able to borrow the CD's from a library and watch it later.  I have recorded it from last night, we didn't watch it. I will later in the week.

I had a "J" night last night. Kept waking up checking the clock to make sure John didn't sleep in today.  Wish I had known that he set his alarm! Then I had my class this morning.  I do believe I will lay down for a bit. 

Have a good day everyone.

Carol, I also had to walk away from some of the more violent parts.  Paul finds that too difficult to watch so he stayed in another room. 

Hi everyone, It is after eleven and this is the first opportunity to get on the computer today.  After coffee I went to Aldi's for some groceries.  When I went to check out I looked in my billfold for my debit card as Aldi's doesn't take credit cards.  I couldn't find it and after searching realized I had enough cash to pay for my order.  I came home and told Pat about this and she reminded me we had decided not to carry or use the debit card anymore and had put them away for safekeeping.  I was greatly relieved but a bit embarrassed that I didn't remember.  Today is my Monday men's luncheon. 

We had expected that our son and dil were to be here today but Pat called yesterday afternoon and our dil said they were not coming as our son is warn out.  Mary had spent several hours yesterday preparing food for our meal today and had they called and told us when they decided not to come it would have saved her that effort.  Of course, we will be eating well for several days.  She also made an old fashioned, from scratch angel food cake that is delicious. Also another lady from our church brought us a big chicken casserole so we are not going to starve.  This is a big change from when I was trying to prepare meals. 

Judy, that for the devotional thoughts for this week.

Ruth Ann, as I was reading your post my thought was also of the command to love our neighbors as ourselves and thus must not neglect ourselves in loving our neighbors.

Gord, sure it has seemed a long time coming for your wife's surgery.  I have a friend whose wife has been in terrible back and leg pain to the point she couldn't really walk.  Wednesday she is having a device implanted that will stop the nerve pain and is controlled with a device outside the body.  She has had the external version and found that it stopped her pain and she was able to walk straight.  She had to go through a lot of testing and counseling before they would do this final step.  I don't know what the device or procedure is called.

Carol, it sounds like you have found a very caring church to attend while you are away from home.  We have recorded the "Bible" program but haven't watched it yet as wanted to be able to bypass the commercials.

Zenobia,  as always it was good to see your name popup on this forum.  Look for the Thoughts for the Week topic as this is where we generally post daily.  I will copy your message and move it over there as know everyone will want to read your posting.  It sounds like you are doing very important work and have accomplished part of your goal in getting your books published.  Hope you will visit with us often.

I just saw this posting in a separate topic from Zeebers and copied it and am posting it below so you can all see it:

Zeebers
Semi-Newbie


Posts: 39
Gender:
Zenobia
   


Trying To Post Here .....
« on: Today at 12:17:13 AM »
QuoteModifyRemoveSplit Topic
Greetings! It's the wayward one again! I am so sorry that I do not come here often and oh so thankful that yawl never forget me and always send me emails.

I am still working but have more hours and at a new place where God is using me tremendously. I work in a 55+ building where the residents and myself are just about the same age!

God has brought me a long way! I now have my own office and am facilitating a women's journal group as well as doing a fun fitness group! I am also office assistant and volunteer with the Second Harvest meal distribution and Meals On Wheel. Our place is supposedly Independent Living...one and two bedroom apartments, but somewhere down the line, corporate and big business forgot that we are supposed to CARE, so God is equipping me and growing me up daily and I could not be any more thankful.

I am still speaking at high schools and churches and still writing Internet devotionals and have published my second book. Working on two more as we speak! I also am developing a little food shelf of my own for those who do not qualify for the second harvest.

My life has been beset with trials, tragedies and heart aches, but each challenge makes me stronger in the Lord!

Blessings to all and thanks for having me!
In Christ, Zenobia
PS PLEASE pray that I can get a better computer. This one is this side of SHOT! Or maybe it's BEEN shot in the leg for a while! LOL

   Good afternoon to all.  I hope that all is well for you all.

Larry:  If possible could you try to find out the name of this method that your friend is going to have done this Wednesday this would be amazing if this was in Canada and it was covered by our health plan.  Also do you know the email address of Zeebers and if you have it send it to me please.  How is your daughter doing?  How is pat getting along ? Also look after yourself.

Well must go for know and look in after.   Gordon.

Zeebers Check Here

I merged Zeebers topic with this "Thoughts for the Week".

I recorded 'The Bible' last night.  Haven't watched it yet.  I just looked on hulu.com to see if it was available on there for Jeanne.  Shame on hulu...so far it isn't on there.  Does anyone know of any other website that shows TV shows, movies and videos? 

Church was awesome...cold going and coming but inside it was warm with great fellowship.  Sunday School was great.  The teacher is very knowledgeable and make learning easy and fun. 

Just Evelyn and I went out to eat yesterday.  I had Tuna Salad and Broccoli Cheddar soup at Panera's.  I was home by 1pm.

Then it was tackle un-doing everything from my trip and doing what needed to be done because of my trip.  I got the suitcase unpacked and then tackled the mail.  I got the bank statement in the mail and tackled that.  Wow!  Was I a bad girl last month.  Three mistakes.  One for 3 cents, one for $3 and one for $7!!!  I found all of them and then I was still $44 off!  I had three entries from vacation so I decided to add them to the register and then total it all up when I found my mistake.  One of them was for gas in Florida on my debit card.  Guess how much?  $44.  So I balanced out with the bank. 

Then I watched some TV until time to get ready to go to Small Groups.  We learned again and had a great fellowship.

Home again and watched some more TV.  Eventually I will get caught up on my shows!! 

Today I am doing laundry...three loads.  I took Ivalou's mail to her and she gave me a check for her part of the gas and motels.  Then I spent over 2 hours with Bible devotions and reading.  Now I am hungry and ready to eat.

Tonight is Church Council Meeting.  The announcer yesterday said tonight was a very important meeting for the building committee and wants all of them to attend also.  Oh, how I am praying that we can put a spade in the ground and start building our new church building!!

So it appears that I was the only one here who actually WATCHED the first installment of The Bible?  In that case, I am not going to give my opinion until I see some of yours.

I worked at the care home today.  Really easy day, in fact, boring.  Some days are so hectic, and then some are like today.  Of course I was sleepy when I got home, after rising at 5 AM, so had a little nap!

Zenobia!  How nice to see you and catch up a little on your life!  Sounds as if you are doing great!

Larry, glad your debit card wasn't lost!  And I know what you mean about the embarrassment, as I do forget things quite often. 

See you all later!

Janet, I watched it.  I found the violence a bit difficult to watch at times.

Otherwise, I found it just fine.  The crossing of the Red Sea was amazing!

I heard part of an interview with the producers of the Bible project on Focus on the Family. They have some clips on their site.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN_OwL4J8L1DqNmd3RrHL5vPX2M5V-wcE

this is the interview with the producers.
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/radio.aspx?ID={8AA137FE-2171-40A9-9569-E902F99BD82B}

I recorded the first segment, but have not watched it yet.

OK all you folks who say you "recorded" it....  WHAT did you use to record it?  I'm so far behind in this technology. 

Smokey, I was looking at photos on the Cafe tonight and was so impressed by your frosty window one.

Maybe I'll get a link and put it here for the folks to see...

Can you all see this?

I can see it, Pat.  It's beautiful ... very impressive.   

   Gordon here.  I watched and I thought it was a very good production and true to the Bible.     Pat the recording is done through your equipment that you get from the cable company that you use for your t.v. and depending what type of program that you pay for it is built right into the system.

Well it is very late must go to sleep.  God bless.  Gordon. :cof :rocker:fee:

Pat, we don't have a DVR either.  Beth does, though.  And if you thought there was too much violence in that first segment, how will you get through the crucifixion scenes?  They are the worst!

I felt the casting of Moses not a good choice, just something about the guy didn't seem to fit (my opinion only, of course.)  I have seen a couple interviews with Roma Downey and her husband, very good! 

I'm ready to go work out, missed yesterday, of course, because I worked at the care home.  I am tempted to be lazy and skip it, but that wouldn't be good for me.  So I'm going!

Hi everyone.  It is an overcast but not very chilly day.  However, we have a high percentage chance of having rain today.  Nothing on the schedule for today other than to attend a meeting at 11 am.  The visiting nurse came yesterday afternoon to evaluate what Pat needs in terms of therapy.  There is a good chance she will be able to get the same therapist from the knee recovery, whom Pat really liked.  Stacey is suppose to finally get the charger for her wheelchair delivered today so she won't be apartment bound.  She had to miss her monthly doctor's appointment yesterday but should be able to reschedule it and also get to the grocery store. 

Gord, the next time I am in contact with my friend I will try to get the name of the procedure or device they will be using to stop the pain.  Hopefully Zeebers will see your comment and send you an email by clicking on your picture.  I have gone back to find that message from Zeebers that I copied here but am not having any luck finding it.

Etta Sue, most networks rerun some of their tv showing on the computer after they have aired.  I did check The History Channel and there are clips and info about the Bible mini-series but they are not showing the full show.  You can watch most of the series shows on ABC, NBC and CBS, etc., on the computer. It is frustrating when the bank account doesn't balance.  We sometimes forget to record debit purchases in our Money program, which we use to reconcile the monthly statements.

Pat, I just saw an article that said the rating for the Bible series last Sunday night were really high so a lot of people interested and watching.  We will watch it soon.  Our cable service has a Recorder that will record two shows at once as it serves two TVs off of one box.  We use Dish satellite TV and they provided the recorder as a part of the two year contract.

Smokey, beautiful picture and Pat thanks for posting it here for all to see.

Janet, I have never watched the movie "The Passion" as understand the crucifixion scenes break you heart.  Good for you getting your exercise in.