True Experiences

Just a quote from Don Whitney's book "Simplify Your Spiritual Life":

"We may sigh at the beauty of the sunset and exclaim, "God is so good!" The statement is true, not because we feel it,l but because the Bible says that God is good. Our experiences do no determine whether the Bible is true; rather, the Bible determines wheter our experiences are true.

It simnplifies the spiritual life to evaluate all spiritual experiences by a single standard -- the Bible. "

also "Any spirituality without God is just self-worship by another name."

Good stuff -- I recommend the book to anyone.

Visit facebook for John discussions

Click "Visit Facebook" above to continue following discussion of John/ For time's sake and not judt doubling things -- this blog will probably start to deal more with other topics from other blogs or culture / media things. Keep an eye out. Thanks! -- Dan

John 1:1-5

Hello Calvary Student Ministries & Happy New Year!

The Gospel of John is an incredible place in the Bible to kick to kick off a new year. I'll be sharing some thoughts here on a few verses each day, and would love to get your feedback, questions, and comments. Here's the plan for the next week - (All chapter 1)
Jan 2 - vs 1-5
Jan 3 vs 6-8
Jan 4 vs 9-13
Jan 5 Vs 14
Jan 6 vs 15-28
Jan 7 vs 29-34
Jan 8 vs 35-51

So here goes!
Vs 1-5 What's the best expression you've ever made or said. Facial expression or comment, note, etc? Or what's the most incredible thought you've ever had?

In these first verses of John, most translations have "In the beginning was the Word." "Word" is translated from the Greek word "logos," which means thought or expression. Jesus is the full expression, full thought of God. God has not hidden Himself. He has fully expressed Himself in Jesus. Thsi is why Jesus can say that when we've seen Him, we've seen the Father.I don't know about you, but sometimes I have a hard time expressing myself to others, and being sure they understand what I wanted to communicate. The easiest people to express ourselves to are those that we spend the most time with. God chose to come and live with us and still does, so that He could express Himself, His salvation, His "otherness", His love, His holiness, and so much more to us.

in vs 5 - "the darkness has not overcome it"
Darkness never will overcome light. The light is Christ. Does anyone else besides me sometimes look at our world and feel like the darkness is overcoming us? I think we often substitute a lot of "American thought" or "Bible Belt good ol' days" for what we think the light is. I've got to remember that the light is Jesus. Darkness can not overcome Christ. But it can overcome human causes that are selfish or misplaced. My prayer for all of us in 2009 - is that in midst of any economic problems, sinfulness in our society, or other declines, that Jesus and Jesus alone may be lifted high so He may overcome.

Kinda blows away old school rappers/ hip hop guys who use to always say "word" at the end everything huh? God said "Word" at the very beginning and for all eternity!

- Dan