some things I want to know_Part 6

16. Do you have a daily quiet time? If so, how long have you had it going? How long are your sessions usually? What time of day works best for you? and so on...

David:

Try to. Couple of years. 15 to 20 minutes. Morning.

Justin:

I used to have one regularly. I am trying to get back to that consistent time with God. The best time for me is early in the morning before anyone else wakes up. Grab a cup of coffee, the Bible, and listen to the creator. It is amazing how that quiet time with God can be so refreshing, yet it becomes the first thing I cut from my schedule when life gets busy.

Greeley:

I talk with God everyday, throughout the day. I do not have a set time that I have the traditional "Quiet Time".

Eric:

By God’s grace, right now I do. But I realize how wicked I am and this could change at any moment. It is much easier to rely on self rather than God. I usually spend about 15-20 reading and praying when I get home from work at 4am. But do to the nature of schoolwork, I can also use school studies for personal growth. Don’t get me wrong; school is not devotion to God. But it definitely helps.

Jeremy:

I have lately begun to experiment with trying to saturate my day with God-centered, or aimed, thoughts. I’ve been listening to David Jeremiah and John Piper online, reading CS Lewis/Philip Yancey/and My Utmost for His Highest, and talking to my friends about God-centered issues as much as possible. I am trying to hammer out a specific time for prayer and study. I believe I am going to try and do it first thing in the morning. Lately I’ve done it when I arrive to work or over lunch, but there are quite a few distractions that hinder that.

some things I want to know_Part 7

13. On which political pole do you lean? Left? Right? Democrat? Republican? Independent? Esssplain it, will ya?

David:

Conservative.

Justin:

Independent..gotta love those right wing Christians. Man they make the church look good!

Greeley:

Independent. Being that I am in an international relationship (wife from Denmark), and have lived in and visited many other countries, my views: political, Christian and cultural go beyond the borders of the south & America. My prayer and heart has been to see the world and people through God's eyes and not my own. God is bigger than Alabama, Baptist, Methodist, Muslim, Republicans, Democrats, America, and ME. We often place our limitations on God, and try to fit and manipulate Him into our little boxes.

Eric:

I’m a flaming conservative. I’m not a republican. I’m not a democrat. But I do support the democratic republic form of government (hehe). Seriously, I am conservative. I vote issues, not parties. So if the next republican candidatefor whatever position is pro-choice, he or she will not get my vote!

Jeremy:

Let’s say I am a Christian first and that, I believe, makes me naturally an Independent. But I believe I am primarily conservative, but with some liberal tendencies (social). If I’m a Republican, I’m lumping myself in with every Tom/Dick/and Dirty Harry that supports the right to tote shot-guns, “eye for an eye” and the right to “get drunk and screw”; if I’m a Democrat, I’m lumping myself in with every gender-confused, tree-hugging, baby-killer who wants to have the right to “get drunk and screw…”

some things I want to know_Part 5

6. Any quotes you find thought-provoking?

David:

None come to mind at the moment.

Justin:

1. "Never, Never, Never Give Up" Churchill
2. "If you have nothing to die for, you probably have nothing to live for" Martin Luther King Jr.
3. "Since childhood's hour, I've not been as others were, I've not seen as others saw" Edgar Allen Poe.

Greeley:

"Could we change our attitude, we should not only see life differently, but life itself would come to be different. Life would undergo a change of appearance because we ourselves had undergone a change of attitude."
-Katherine Mansfield

"Hate the sin. Love the Sinner." -Gandhi

"We don't see things as they are. We see them as we are."

Eric:

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which cannot lose. – Jim Elliot, missionary murdered by the Auca Indians.

I am not, but I know I AM. – Louie Giglio (if confused, read Exodus 3 and John 8)

I am your servant, but you are not my master! – Alistair Begg, in a sermon to his home congregation (Parskide Church, Cleveland, Ohio)

Jesus Christ is not safe, but He is satisfying! – John Piper

Golgotha is not a suburb of Jerusalem! – John Piper on Hebrews 13:13

Why do liberals protect the guilty (death row inmates) but destroy the innocent (unborn children)? – Mark Lafluer

Some people say I have a swagger. In Texas, we call that (brief pause) walkin’. – George W. Bush

Jeremy:

“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

“You see, boys forget what their country means by just reading The Land of the Free in history books. Then they get to be men they forget even more. Liberty's too precious a thing to be buried in books, Miss Saunders. Men should hold it up in front of them every single day of their lives and say: I'm free to think and to speak. My ancestors couldn't, I can, and my children will. Boys ought to grow up remembering that.” From Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

From Lonesome Dove (a paraphrase):
[referring to the Hat Creek Cattle Company sign] Woodrow Call: ...and if that ain't bad enough you got all them Greek words on there, too.
Gus McCrae: I told you, Woodrow, a long time ago it ain't Greek, it's Latin.
Woodrow Call: Well what does it say in Latin? [Gus blusters some gibberish]
Woodrow Call: For all you know it invites people to rob us.
Gus McCrae: Well the first man comes along that can read Latin is welcome to rob us, far as I'm concerned. I'd like a chance t' shoot at a educated man once in my life.

some things I want to know_Part 4

7. Peeves (making you want to curse, spit, or flip the bird at someone)?

David:

Gaps in traffic as people turn at a signal. People who don’t use signals especially in heavy traffic.

Justin:

Racism, Hypocrisy, Close Minded People.

Greeley:

Hatred, Racism, Xenophobia, Propaganda, Self-Righteousness, Arrogance, Narrow mindedness, Manipulation & People who are fake. I am trying to show God's love to these people as well, but it is not always easy.

Eric:

Christians without convictions. Christ stood up to the culture.

Also, when people say that Bobby Cox is a terrible manager. The man is brilliant. A wife beater yes; but he is a brilliant baseball manager. Who would you rather be: A Marlins fan with 2 World Series championships and a terrible franchise or a Braves fan with 1 championship, 14 division titles, and a stable franchise? I’ll take the Braves!

Jeremy:

(1) Racism (especially that “look over my shoulder before you make a comment—‘I ain’t uh racist, but’” stupidity that lingers around here”); (2) people whose importance in life is dictated by their rank or position; (3) superficiality; (4) ungrateful customers; (5) SMACKING (sorry for yelling); (6) my wife messing with my belly button; (7) walking with a full, uncovered coffee cup; (8)my wife popping gum while I’m trying to FRIGGIN DRIVE! (9) when you iron your clothes for 30 minutes and notice no effect on the wrinkles; (10) my kids whining; (11) my dad taking a crap with the bathroom door open; (12) my brother-in-law walking around the house with all of us there in his friggin underwear and his “TITTIES (no offense…)” hanging out; (13) my brother stripping his towel less than 2 inches from my face and farting a semi-moist fart while I was watching TV; (14) telemarketers who call EVER and insurance agents who call after 6 pm…to name a few

some things I want to know_Part 3

8. What about songs that mean something to you?

David:

“Imagine”, “Amazing Grace”

Justin:

1. Awesome God - Rich Mullins
2. Fix You - Coldplay
3. You Are My All in All - Dennis Jernigan
4. God of Wonders - Caedmon's Call
5. History Maker - Delirious

Greeley:

1. World on Fire - Sarah McLachlan
2. Take it as it Comes - Grand Avenue
3. Hear I am to Worship for Kids
4. Come Now Is the Time - Vineyard UK
5. Break Dividing Walls - Live from Holland
6. The Name of Jesus - Kirk Franklin
7. Baby's got back - Sir Mixalot

Eric:

In Christ Alone – I want this played at my funeral.
Before the Throne of God Above
It is Well With My Soul
And anything by David Crowder!!!

Jeremy:

“Held” Natalie Grant; “Where are the Fathers?” Israel; “Daughters” John Mayer; “God Weeps Too” Eli; “If We are the Body” Casting Crowns; “When You Say Nothing at All” Alison Krauss version; “My Hope is You” Third Day; “In the Name of Love” U2

some things I want to know_Part 2

3. Moving Bible verses?

David:

(1) Psalm 56:4 “In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”

(2) Proverbs 1:33 “But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil”

(3) Romans 8:15 “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father.” There are others that I have read that really meant a lot to me at that time. One of the beauties of the Bible is it has a solution for every problem. It’s hard for me to take just a few verses and say it applies to everything in my life.

(4) John 3:16 may be the only exception. As you can see, I have some ideas and feelings about fear.

Justin:

Phi 4:6 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Phi 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

Phi 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Col 2:6 My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him.

1Co 13:2 If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. 1Co 13:3 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love. 1Co 13:4 Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, 1Co 13:5 Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, 1Co 13:6 Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, 1Co 13:7 Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.
1Co 13:8 Love never dies.

Greeley:

John 8:7 "He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her."

1 Corinthians 13 "If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate."

Eric:

Romans 8:1-2 – Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

Romans 8:33 – Who will bring a charge against God's elect?As a matter of fact, the entire 8th Chapter of Romans is unbelievable!

Philippians 2:5-11 – Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped , 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Ephesians 5:25-32 – Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of His body. 31 FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BEJOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

Psalms 31:14 – But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD,I say, "You are my God."

Psalms 37:4 – Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalms 34:8 – O taste and see that the LORD is good;How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Jeremy:

Colossians 3: 23-24 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

Matthew 25: 40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."

1 John 1:7 …but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Psalm 25:1-7 1To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; 2 in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3 No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse. 4 Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. 6 Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.

Romans 8: 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

some things I want to know_Part 1

2. Any unrelenting convictions (religious, moral, whatever)?

David:

Yes

Justin:

1. The Braves will never again win the world series. Very sad. 2. God's Love/Forgiveness is much greater than we can imagine. 3. So many of my convictions are actually traditions that have been passed down. I am trying to seek God in every area of my life. God - how do YOU feel about this topic. Not my parents, not my pastor, not my friends, not America, not republicans, etc..

Greeley:

My convictions are to be a compassionate, loving, and humble man that does not judge and condemn others. A man that seeks and stands on God's truth and not mans truth. I do not want to be a cultural Christian. Jesus was a radical man, who rattled the religious foundation of his time. He showed grace, love and mercy to the humble, and he showed law to the arrogant and proud (Religious leaders of His time). John 8:7 "He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her." Now, was Jesus a man without convictions because He showed grace to her and many other sinners?

Eric:

Religious: The Bible is the inspired, inerrant, infallible word of God. If this is not so, then everything else is fair game (creation, sin, virgin birth, death,resurrection, second coming just to name a few).

Moral: see religious conviction. Again, if we do not have a clear revelation of morality, then who decides what is moral or immoral? Nature? I sure hope not. Ask a gazelle if nature should decide morality while Mufasa is chewing out its spleen! God is the source of all morality, whether we like it or not. And if the Bible is not inerrant, then our morality has no foundation.One more example: some (non-Christians) argue, “whatever advances humanity is what is moral” (this allows them to answer to crimes like murder, rape, child abuse). They say the greatest good is living. Ask a Christian martyr if there is anything greater than living. They will answer of course! Faithfulness to God is more important. Union with Christ is more important! The naturalist decides morality based on his or her own personal agenda. But who is to saythat their agenda is right. This is why we must have an outside source of morality. And this source must be perfect! If you wrestle with the inerrancy of Scripture, please consider the devastating implications (just a food for thought).

Jeremy:

I'm working on them as we speak. I've had what you might call "unrelenting convictions" in the past, but their foundation was too shaky to be meaningful.
The phrase “you’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything” keeps popping into my mind (it is, however, slightly tainted since Aaron Tippin sang it years back, and I think he’s a dork). I worry about not having a foundation. I worry that if I don’t take a stand somewhere (you pick your issue), defaulting solely to the blank check of tolerance, I’ll find myself too much of the world.Convictions, to me, mean uncompromising beliefs. Being still a “babe” in my Christian walk, I too am afraid to stand firm on an issue, and I feel reluctant to be labeled as a hypocrite or as being guilty of a closed, legalistic mind. But I hope to find that balance. After all, Jesus took a stand. He stood for justice and forgiveness, charity and love…but he also called for repentance while at the same time he brazenly cleared the temple of the hypocrites and legalists.