Friday, August 30, 2013
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
SELFISM AND STUDENTS ...Excerpts of Ruggiero
TEACHERS AND STUDENTS READ THIS FROM "AMERICAN EDUCATOR"
http://www.aft.org/pdfs/americaneducator/summer2000/BadSummer2000.pdf
SELFISM AND STUDENTS, BY RUGGERIO
The negative attitudes we see in our students can be traced to ideas of “selfism” advanced by modern philosophers and/or psychologists throughout this century and,
in some cases, in previous centuries.
Of course, very few students are familiar with the original expression of these
ideas, but many are familiar with popularized (and sometimes distorted) versions of the original ideas. And virtually all students have been exposed to the advertising industry’s and the entertainment and communications media’s glamorization of the self-help message.This glamorization may have a more powerful effect than reading
because it occurs when the mind is essentially at rest.
The concept of self-improvement has undergone dramatic change since 1911, when Ambrose Bierce mockingly defined self-esteem as “an erroneous appraisement.”
Good and bad character are now known as “personality
differences.” Rights have replaced responsibilities. The research on egocentrism and ethnocentrism that informed discussion of human growth and development in the mid-
20th century is ignored; indeed, the terms themselves are considered politically incorrect.
A revolution has taken place in the vocabulary of self.Words that imply responsibility or accountability—
self-criticism,
self-denial,
self-discipline,
self-control,
self-effacement,
self-mastery,
self-reproach, and
self-sacrifice—are no longer in fashion.
The language most in favor is that which exalts the self—
self-expression,
self-assertion,
self-indulgence,
self-realization,
self-approval,
self-acceptance,
self-love, and the ubiquitous self-esteem.
Not content with self-adulation, many psyche-strokers
have escalated their message.They now urge self-worship!...
In opposition to active living, mass culture promotes a spectator mentality and a desire to be entertained.
In opposition to objective truth, mass culture extols subjective, design-it-yourself reality—“If I believe it, then it is true for me.”
In opposition to achievement through effort, mass culture promotes achievement through proclamation—“I am good, I am talented, I am wonderful.”
In opposition to informed opinion, mass culture suggests that all opinions are equally meritorious.
In opposition to a demanding moral standard, mass culture extols doing whatever feels good.
In opposition to intellectual activities, mass culture teaches that the only satisfying activities are those that dazzle the senses.
In opposition to improvement through constructive change, mass culture promotes accepting and asserting one’s self and inflicting self on others.
In opposition to thinking, mass culture (particularly the advertising industry) plays on the public’s needs and desires and prompts people to suspend critical judgment and accept biased testimony as fact.
In opposition to self-discipline, mass culture lauds immoderation and lack of restraint.
http://www.aft.org/pdfs/americaneducator/summer2000/BadSummer2000.pdf
SELFISM AND STUDENTS, BY RUGGERIO
The negative attitudes we see in our students can be traced to ideas of “selfism” advanced by modern philosophers and/or psychologists throughout this century and,
in some cases, in previous centuries.
Of course, very few students are familiar with the original expression of these
ideas, but many are familiar with popularized (and sometimes distorted) versions of the original ideas. And virtually all students have been exposed to the advertising industry’s and the entertainment and communications media’s glamorization of the self-help message.This glamorization may have a more powerful effect than reading
because it occurs when the mind is essentially at rest.
The concept of self-improvement has undergone dramatic change since 1911, when Ambrose Bierce mockingly defined self-esteem as “an erroneous appraisement.”
Good and bad character are now known as “personality
differences.” Rights have replaced responsibilities. The research on egocentrism and ethnocentrism that informed discussion of human growth and development in the mid-
20th century is ignored; indeed, the terms themselves are considered politically incorrect.
A revolution has taken place in the vocabulary of self.Words that imply responsibility or accountability—
self-criticism,
self-denial,
self-discipline,
self-control,
self-effacement,
self-mastery,
self-reproach, and
self-sacrifice—are no longer in fashion.
The language most in favor is that which exalts the self—
self-expression,
self-assertion,
self-indulgence,
self-realization,
self-approval,
self-acceptance,
self-love, and the ubiquitous self-esteem.
Not content with self-adulation, many psyche-strokers
have escalated their message.They now urge self-worship!...
In opposition to active living, mass culture promotes a spectator mentality and a desire to be entertained.
In opposition to objective truth, mass culture extols subjective, design-it-yourself reality—“If I believe it, then it is true for me.”
In opposition to achievement through effort, mass culture promotes achievement through proclamation—“I am good, I am talented, I am wonderful.”
In opposition to informed opinion, mass culture suggests that all opinions are equally meritorious.
In opposition to a demanding moral standard, mass culture extols doing whatever feels good.
In opposition to intellectual activities, mass culture teaches that the only satisfying activities are those that dazzle the senses.
In opposition to improvement through constructive change, mass culture promotes accepting and asserting one’s self and inflicting self on others.
In opposition to thinking, mass culture (particularly the advertising industry) plays on the public’s needs and desires and prompts people to suspend critical judgment and accept biased testimony as fact.
In opposition to self-discipline, mass culture lauds immoderation and lack of restraint.
Monday, August 19, 2013
LESSONS FROM THE MARTYRS
1. TRUTH IS FEARLESS OF ERROR…BUT ERROR IS FEARFUL OF TRUTH
2. TRUTH IS DESPISED BY ERROR…BUT ERROR IS PITIED BY TRUTH
3. TRUTH REVEALS OUR FIRST LOVE…THE MARTYRS LOVE CHRIST MORE THAN LIFE, TRUTH MORE THAN DECEPTION, HEAVEN MORE THAN EARTH.
4. HOLY HEARTS WILL NOT…ACTUALLY THEY CANNOT DENY THE POWER THAT MADE THEM HOLY.
5. THE BLOOD OF THE MARTYRS IS THE SEED OF THE CHURCH
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Sunday, August 11, 2013
21 REASONS I'M GLAD I'M A CHRISTIAN!
WHY I’M GLAD THAT I’M A CHRISTIAN!
1. Because of all the ideas and philosophies and religions in the
world, it is the Christian message that exalts the highest virtues, examples
the greatest love, and has done the most good.
There have been those who have tried to use and abuse the truth of Christianity,
but their vice and hypocrisy have always been exposed as illegitimate.
2. Because the Founder of Christianity was just perfect.
Here is a
man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew
up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then
for three years He was an itinerant preacher.
He never
owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a
family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He
never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one
of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but
Himself...
While
still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends
ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went
through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves.
While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He
had on earth – His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave
through the pity of a friend.
Nineteen
long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human
race and leader of the column of progress.
I am far
within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the
navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the
kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon
this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life. This essay
was adapted from a sermon by Dr James Allan Francis
3. Because the Salvation offered through Christ is what I
needed. I needed more than the
understanding of a Buddha. I needed more
than the enlightenment of Hare Krishna.
I needed more than the struggle/jihad of Muhammed. I needed more than
the Hindu notion of annihilation of my personhood. I needed more than the philosophies of Plato
and Socrates—who said “Know yourself”—I need a new self!
4. Because Salvation was free.
I couldn’t have paid the debt I owe!
I am redeemed!
5. Because Salvation was full. In Christ I found grace that was
greater than all my sin! I am delivered!
6. Because I needed a fresh start.
I am born again! “Ye must be born again…”
7.
Because
I longed to be delivered from the guilt of sin.
There is now no condemnation!
8. Because I needed liberty.
He whom the Son sets free is free indeed! Free from the law of sin and
death…
9. Because I needed a new family. And in Christ I’ve been adopted into the Family of God. “Being then adopted
10. I needed to know I was right with God and know that I was
saved. “His Spirit bears witness”
11.
My
deprived nature, which caused me to have a depraved nature, needed more than a
salve! I needed salvation through
sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth!
12.
The
fruit of the Spirit is delicious! GALATIANS 5
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
13.
The
gifts of the Spirit are delightful!
1 Corinthians 12 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God
which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to
profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another
the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of
healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to
another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another
the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing
to every man severally as he will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members
of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
14.
The
life in the Spirit is victorious!
Rejoicing evermore. Praying
without ceasing. In everything giving thanks!
15.
The
Love of God shed abroad in our hearts is so satisfying. (1 Cor. 13)
16.
The
homes that are ordered according to God’s Word are the happiest! The husbands
and wives who are Christ’s are blessed. The children of Christian parents are
blessed.
17.
In
Christ my life has found purpose and meaning.
18.
In
Christ I have found supply for all that I need.
19.
The
Church of Jesus Christ is glorious Church!
20. The Hope of the Christian is not vain, but grounded in God’s
promise!
21. The Day of Christ’s return is at hand!
MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF OUR DAY
This week many of our students and teachers will be returning to the classroom. We are praying that each one will do their best. I remember my father encouraged us, “Do your best for Jesus! Let the teachers and other students know that Christians are good students.” Of course he meant “good” in the fullest extent--good in behavior, good in study habits, and good in scholarship. Dad had ways to encourage us along those lines if we were slacking!
A generation ago American culture was still strongly influenced by Christian principles and practices. Students began their day with prayer, (usually “The Lord’s Prayer,”) and Christian morality was respected, if not required by the school staff and administration. That, of course, is no longer the case.
Yet today the truths, the virtues, and the values of Christ not only stand up to every opponent and challenge--their excellence shines as a bright and shining alternative to the depressing, disheartening, and destructive wisdom of this world. Our faith does not rest on fables--it is grounded on the fact of God’s Word written and incarnate! Our hope is not placed in frail humanity--it rests on our unshakable confidence in the risen Christ! Our love is not sensual and self-centered--it is Godly, sacrificial, and eternal! Our joy is not transient, circumstancial, nor dependant on others--it is eternal, substantial, and like an artesian well flowing from within. Our understanding of God and God’s will is not based on what others have told us --it is directly impressed upon our hearts by the Holy Spirit of God!
We have absolutely nothing to fear from this deceived, depraved, and dis-spirited culture. We are HIS WITNESSES! We have tasted and seen that the LORD is good! We are HIS ambassadors! Filled with God’s Spirit, indwelt with God’s Love, let’s bring others to God’s Truth!
IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT - YOUTUBE VIDEO SERIES
THEN JESUS CAME!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS9CJMTb270&feature=c4-overview&list=UUpUmxduWvxlTv1C-2JA4xtw
A generation ago American culture was still strongly influenced by Christian principles and practices. Students began their day with prayer, (usually “The Lord’s Prayer,”) and Christian morality was respected, if not required by the school staff and administration. That, of course, is no longer the case.
Yet today the truths, the virtues, and the values of Christ not only stand up to every opponent and challenge--their excellence shines as a bright and shining alternative to the depressing, disheartening, and destructive wisdom of this world. Our faith does not rest on fables--it is grounded on the fact of God’s Word written and incarnate! Our hope is not placed in frail humanity--it rests on our unshakable confidence in the risen Christ! Our love is not sensual and self-centered--it is Godly, sacrificial, and eternal! Our joy is not transient, circumstancial, nor dependant on others--it is eternal, substantial, and like an artesian well flowing from within. Our understanding of God and God’s will is not based on what others have told us --it is directly impressed upon our hearts by the Holy Spirit of God!
We have absolutely nothing to fear from this deceived, depraved, and dis-spirited culture. We are HIS WITNESSES! We have tasted and seen that the LORD is good! We are HIS ambassadors! Filled with God’s Spirit, indwelt with God’s Love, let’s bring others to God’s Truth!
IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT - YOUTUBE VIDEO SERIES
THEN JESUS CAME!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS9CJMTb270&feature=c4-overview&list=UUpUmxduWvxlTv1C-2JA4xtw
Sunday, July 28, 2013
FOUNDERS WEEK MESSAGE - JULY 2013 - WE MUST OBEY
ACTS, CHAPTER 5
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
INTRODUCTION
The Narrative—the story—of the Early Church is both descriptive and prescriptive. Nowhere is that more evident than in the 5th chapter of Acts.
The chapter opens with the untimely deaths of Ananias and Sapphira a married couple who conspired to lie to the Church.
It continues with reports of miraculous healing. The shadow of the Apostles was sufficient to raise up the sick.
Why was it that the influence of the first Christians was so far greater than their number?
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
INTRODUCTION
The Narrative—the story—of the Early Church is both descriptive and prescriptive. Nowhere is that more evident than in the 5th chapter of Acts.
The chapter opens with the untimely deaths of Ananias and Sapphira a married couple who conspired to lie to the Church.
It continues with reports of miraculous healing. The shadow of the Apostles was sufficient to raise up the sick.
Why was it that the influence of the first Christians was so far greater than their number?
Why
was it that the Early Church was daily in the temple and in every house
teaching and preaching Jesus Christ?
Why
was it that the First Christians rejoiced when they were counted worthy to
suffer shame for the name of Jesus Christ?
Why
is it that 2,000 years after that first Christian Pentecost, the Church of
Jesus Christ continues her glorious crusade on every continent and in every
nation?
Threatened
by the jealous High Priest and the self-righteous Sanhedrin, the Apostles were
unshaken. “WE ARE HIS WITNESSES, AND SO ALSO IS THE HOLY GHOST WHO IS GIVEN TO
US” they testified.
Their
witness was pure.
Their
witness was powerful.
And
their witness was pervasive.
The
rebuke of the High Priest stands as one of the greatest compliments ever paid
the Church—YOU HAVE FILLED JERUSALEM WITH YOUR DOCTRINE! Oh that it could be said of us. You have filled Champaign-Urbana—Indianapolis—Bloomington—Decatur—Danville—St.
Louis— with your doctrine.
That
great British Revivalist G. Campbell Morgan saw the situation:
“Standing in the midst of the
intellectual aristocracy of Jerusalem, Peter was saying in effect: You have no
right to question the accuracy of what we say until you have accounted for what
we are.
WE ARE WITNESSES! See what we
were; see what we are; and know that the change has been wrought because God
raised Jesus, exalted Him to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and
remission, and gave us the Spirit. We have followed Him; we have repented, our
sins are remitted; we have the Spirit. "We are witnesses." See what
we are.”
BROTHERS
AND SISTERS…IT IS AT THIS POINT THAT I AM ARRESTED.
THE
DISCIPLES COULD NOT HAVE BEEN CLEARER! HEAR
THEM: “WE ARE HIS WITNESSES, AND SO ALSO
IS THE HOLY GHOST WHO IS GIVEN TO US”
HAD
THEIR WITNESS BEEN WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT it may have been interesting, but it
would not have been transforming. Paul
would later testify, “my speech and
my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration
of the Spirit and of power!”
HAD
THEIR WORKS BEEN WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT they may have accomplished something,
but they would not have accomplished that SPECIAL SOMETHING that GOD HIMSELF
ordained.
And
as it was with them, so it is with us!
Words
without anointing may prove interesting…but words spoken with anointing are
transforming!
Works
without anointing may accomplish something…but works infused by the Spirit are
renewing!
Singing
without anointing may impress an audience…but singing in the Spirit turns an
audience into congregation of worshippers.
FORM
IS VITAL…BUT FORM WITHOUT SPIRIT devolves into icy ritual, and
lifelessness.
Until
God breathed into Adam’s body—he was lifeless.
Until
the Spirit filled Ezekiel’s soul-less Army—they were useless.
Until
the Holy Ghost filled Christ’s disciples—they were powerless.
The
law is good, the commandments are holy, but until the Spirit of the Lawgiver
abides in our hearts—the good that we would, we do not!
OH
THE FINGER OF GOD IS POINTING TO ME…
Our
preaching, our singing, our worship, our praying, our teaching, our witnessing,
everything that we do must be SPIRIT ORDERED, SPIRIT FILLED, AND SPIRIT DRIVEN
(Not just “purpose driven” but “Holy Spirit driven!”)
I
AM CONVICTED…
WHY
IS IT THAT THIS SPIRIT is not as present and powerful as we know and believe He
should be?
IS
IT OUR TIMES?
IS
IT OUR ENEMIES?
IS
IT OUR PRESIDENT?
IS
IT OUR CULTURE?
IS
IT OUR MEDIA?
IS
IT OUR TECHNOLOGY?
IS
IT OUR ECONOMIC SYSTEM?
IS
IT OUR POLITICAL CIRCUMSTANCE?
IS
IT OUR GLOBAL CONTEXT?
IS
IT OUR PLACE, OUR TIME IN HISTORY?
Aren’t we near the end anyway?
Surely
any of these taken separately might explain our spiritual weakness, but taking
them all together-- how can we possibly meet the challenge of our day?
LISTEN
AGAIN TO THE APOSTLES!
And when they had brought
them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach
in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine,
and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to
obey God rather than men.
HEAR
THEM!
This
was not the bravado of some anti-authoritarian sect! They were not libertarians nor libertines.
INDEED
THEY WERE SPIRIT FILLED WITNESSES BECAUSE THEY HAD SETTLED IT IN THEIR HEARTS
AND IN THEIR MINDS… “WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD!”
This
ought is more than a suggestion—it was a compulsion within!
The
testimony of Peter and John was emphatic… WE MUST OBEY GOD!
Every
great move of God, from Genesis to this generation began with this singular
conviction, “We must obey God!”
Abraham
obeyed and a nation was born.
Moses
obeyed and a nation was freed.
Joshua
obeyed and a victory was won.
Gideon
obeyed and an army was defeated.
Samson
disobeyed and lost his strength—then he obeyed and pushed 4,000 Philistines
into judgment.
David
obeyed and a giant was slain.
Elijah
obeyed and fire from heaven consumed his sacrifice then swept him to glory.
Daniel
obeyed and slept with lions.
Shadrach
Meshach and Abednego obeyed and walked through the fiery furnace.
Nehemiah
obeyed and a wall was rebuilt.
John
the Baptist obeyed and baptized Jesus…then lost his head.
Jesus
obeyed…and “Whosoever will may be saved!”
The
disciples obeyed…and the Spirit was given…a Church was born!
Luther
obeyed…HERE I STAND I CAN DO NO OTHER GOD HELP ME… and God did and REFORMATION
was on!
Wesley
obeyed… And a history altering revival of Scriptural Holiness blazed through
the British Empire.
Booth obeyed… And a mighty army…a SALVATION ARMY rescued the worst from sin’s degradation.
AND
THOUGH HE WOULD HAVE NEVER BELIEVED his stand should be thought so courageous
as his forebears, THE ALL CONSUMING PASSION that MOVED OUR FOUNDER TO ADDRESS a
GENERAL ASSEMBLY of THOUSANDS, was this!
I MUST OBEY GOD!
From
Eden to Mt Moriah, from Mt Sinai to that Upper Room in Jerusalem, God has
sought for men and women who would without wavering obey HIM.
I
refer again to G CAMPBELL MORGAN who comments:
We must put emphasis upon almost every word in that little
sentence, in order to find the profound significance of it.
" We must obey God." That is the language of a
company of people who have come into fellowship with God, and have swept out
from their lives all other mastership and all other authority.
Or again, " We must obey God." Not we must
consider Him, or patronize Him, or hold theories concerning Him, or defend the
fact of His existence.
Yet further, " We must obey God." It is when a
man, or a company of men, says, I must, or, We must, that we listen with
respect. When a man says,
I ought, we are interested, but not moved.
A man may know what he ought to do, and never do it. When a man
says I must, and begins to interpret his rights or his beliefs in the terms of
obligation, then he is passing into the realm of power.
" We must." All these men are against you "
We must." You will be imprisoned "
We must." We are determined that you shall not " We
must."
Finally, " We must obey God." They did not
endeavour to persuade others to bear their responsi-
bility, but took the burden upon themselves.
If we lack cooperation with the Holy Spirit,
unless we are in business partnership with the Holy Spirit, we can
do nothing to impress Jerusalem or
London.
ACTS 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy
Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
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