Diggin Deep
Active Member
Can I just say...You Rock!!!
I'm glad that I've been posting them too! It has really helped keep me accountable to read them and apply them to my own life. I'm glad they are helping you as well!
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Can I just say...You Rock!!!
I'm glad that I've been posting them too! It has really helped keep me accountable to read them and apply them to my own life. I'm glad they are helping you as well!-
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purpledove
Seizing Life ♥
:homo: :homo:
Rock!!!
L0L! Don't you know that's one of my nicknames? Rock-y
:24:
Diggin Deep
Active Member
:homo: :homo:
L0L! Don't you know that's one of my nicknames? Rock-y
I didn't know that...I'm going to start calling you that from now on!!!
Diggin Deep
Active Member
With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility
God, please make the Holy Spirit the source of power behind my words.
READ
James 3:1-12
REFLECT
The tongue is like a super hero...or super villain, depending on the day, the hour, or maybe even the sentence! The tongue wakes in the morning and asks itself, "Tongue, what will you choose today? To use your powers for good, or for evil?" Super Tongue has no conviction, no moral loyalty to anyone. And left to its own devices, Super Tongue will choose evil every time.
James isn’t saying we’re expected to be perfect, but it is critical that we acknowledge this great source of power. Every word we speak can have an impact to tear down, or to build up. But there is good news: when we have a connection with God at the source of our words, the tongue can generate words that speak encouragement, worship, love and life. Imagine the super-human impact your words can have today, if you speak every word you think God wants you to speak.
RESPOND
Has there been a time in your life when someone spoke words to you that produced bad things in you evil, like fear or discouragement? Write about this instance. Are you ready to acknowledge that those words were lies? Now, instead of writing, SPEAK ALOUD the following, filling in the blanks: "I forgive ____ for telling me ____. I now know that was a lie and the truth about me is that I am loved and valued by God more than I can imagine."
God, please make the Holy Spirit the source of power behind my words.
READ
James 3:1-12
REFLECT
The tongue is like a super hero...or super villain, depending on the day, the hour, or maybe even the sentence! The tongue wakes in the morning and asks itself, "Tongue, what will you choose today? To use your powers for good, or for evil?" Super Tongue has no conviction, no moral loyalty to anyone. And left to its own devices, Super Tongue will choose evil every time.
James isn’t saying we’re expected to be perfect, but it is critical that we acknowledge this great source of power. Every word we speak can have an impact to tear down, or to build up. But there is good news: when we have a connection with God at the source of our words, the tongue can generate words that speak encouragement, worship, love and life. Imagine the super-human impact your words can have today, if you speak every word you think God wants you to speak.
RESPOND
Has there been a time in your life when someone spoke words to you that produced bad things in you evil, like fear or discouragement? Write about this instance. Are you ready to acknowledge that those words were lies? Now, instead of writing, SPEAK ALOUD the following, filling in the blanks: "I forgive ____ for telling me ____. I now know that was a lie and the truth about me is that I am loved and valued by God more than I can imagine."
Diggin Deep
Active Member
I Bless Your Name
by Selah
In prisoners' chains
With bleeding stripes
Paul and Silas prayed that night
And in their pain began to sing
Their chains were loosed
And they were free
I bless Your Name
I bless Your Name
I give You honor, give You praise
You are the Life, the Truth, the Way
I bless Your Name
I bless Your Name
Some midnight hour
If you should find
You're in a prison in your mind
Reach out and praise
Defy those chains
And they will fall
In Jesus' Name
We bless Your Name
We bless Your Name
We give You honor, give You praise
You are the Life, the Truth, the Way
We bless Your Name
We bless Your Name
You are the Life, the Truth, the Way
We bless Your Name
We bless Your Name
by Selah
In prisoners' chains
With bleeding stripes
Paul and Silas prayed that night
And in their pain began to sing
Their chains were loosed
And they were free
I bless Your Name
I bless Your Name
I give You honor, give You praise
You are the Life, the Truth, the Way
I bless Your Name
I bless Your Name
Some midnight hour
If you should find
You're in a prison in your mind
Reach out and praise
Defy those chains
And they will fall
In Jesus' Name
We bless Your Name
We bless Your Name
We give You honor, give You praise
You are the Life, the Truth, the Way
We bless Your Name
We bless Your Name
You are the Life, the Truth, the Way
We bless Your Name
We bless Your Name
Diggin Deep
Active Member
To whoever reads this thread...please feel free to find the videos for the songs and post them. I'm unable to seach youtube at work.
Diggin Deep
Active Member
The crucifixion:
As was common, Jesus was publicly scourged, or beaten, with a leather-thonged whip (flagrum) before his crucifixion. Tiny pieces of iron and bone chips were tied to the ends of each leather thong. During the scourging, the skin ripped from the back and exposed the tissue and bone. He was mocked, struck in the head with a staff and spit on. In addition to the flogging, Jesus faced severe beating and torment by the Roman soldiers, including the plucking of His beard and the piercing of His scalp with a crown of thorns and stripped naked. Too weak to carry his cross, Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry it for him.
He was led to Golgotha where he would be crucified. As was the custom, before they nailed him to the cross, a mixture of vinegar, gall, and myrrh was offered. This drink was said to alleviate some of the suffering, but Jesus refused to drink it. Stake-like nails (roughly 7" long and 3/8" thick) were used and turned outward so the nail could be hammered inside the Achilles tendon. Spikes were also driven through his lower forearms, just below the wrists, fastening him to the cross where he was crucified. At this point, there was tremendous strain put on the wrists, arms and shoulders, resulting in a dislocation of the shoulder and elbow joints. The position of the nailed body held the victim’s rib cage in a fixed position, which made it extremely difficult to exhale, and impossible to take a full breath.
The bone studies also revealed that the man's legs were crushed below the knees. In John 19:31-33, we read that Roman executioners expedited the death of crucifixion victims by breaking their legs - this caused them to suffocate quickly because they could no longer push up with their legs to inflate their lungs. Jesus did not endure this, because he was already dead. Instead, they pierced his side.
Another archaeological find dating to the first century AD is an unidentified heel bone discovered in a Jerusalem gravesite. Now held by the Israel Antiquities Authority and displayed in the Israel Museum, this dramatic fossil actually has a huge spike still imbedded in the heel. It appears that the executioners hit the bone when they nailed this victim to the cross, and couldn't remove the spike when they removed the body for burial.
As was common, Jesus was publicly scourged, or beaten, with a leather-thonged whip (flagrum) before his crucifixion. Tiny pieces of iron and bone chips were tied to the ends of each leather thong. During the scourging, the skin ripped from the back and exposed the tissue and bone. He was mocked, struck in the head with a staff and spit on. In addition to the flogging, Jesus faced severe beating and torment by the Roman soldiers, including the plucking of His beard and the piercing of His scalp with a crown of thorns and stripped naked. Too weak to carry his cross, Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry it for him.
He was led to Golgotha where he would be crucified. As was the custom, before they nailed him to the cross, a mixture of vinegar, gall, and myrrh was offered. This drink was said to alleviate some of the suffering, but Jesus refused to drink it. Stake-like nails (roughly 7" long and 3/8" thick) were used and turned outward so the nail could be hammered inside the Achilles tendon. Spikes were also driven through his lower forearms, just below the wrists, fastening him to the cross where he was crucified. At this point, there was tremendous strain put on the wrists, arms and shoulders, resulting in a dislocation of the shoulder and elbow joints. The position of the nailed body held the victim’s rib cage in a fixed position, which made it extremely difficult to exhale, and impossible to take a full breath.
The bone studies also revealed that the man's legs were crushed below the knees. In John 19:31-33, we read that Roman executioners expedited the death of crucifixion victims by breaking their legs - this caused them to suffocate quickly because they could no longer push up with their legs to inflate their lungs. Jesus did not endure this, because he was already dead. Instead, they pierced his side.
Another archaeological find dating to the first century AD is an unidentified heel bone discovered in a Jerusalem gravesite. Now held by the Israel Antiquities Authority and displayed in the Israel Museum, this dramatic fossil actually has a huge spike still imbedded in the heel. It appears that the executioners hit the bone when they nailed this victim to the cross, and couldn't remove the spike when they removed the body for burial.
Last edited by a moderator:
Diggin Deep
Active Member
I'm somewhat of a sensitive and emotional guy...when the situation calls for it. However, I've not cried since the day my Mammaw passed away (4-5 years ago), until I gave my life back to God and today. Lately, in a few threads, there has been a lot of discussion regarding Jesus, who He is, what He stands for and His crucifixion.
I've been doing my best to find out more regarding these topics...a deeper understanding. I've been reading a book by Phillip Yancey - The Jesus I Never Knew and another by Charles Swindoll - Jesus: The Greatest Life of All. I've been doing my best to relay what I know of Jesus in other threads, but always feel that I'm missing the mark. So maybe I need a better understanding myself?!?
Today when I was listening to the song by Selah that I posted earlier, I was immediately reminded of the crucifixion of Jesus. What he endured and what it signified. I broke into tears and sat in my car for a few minutes before walking into the office. I'm appauled at what He had to suffer on my behalf. It breaks my heart. I can't put into words the feelings that I have and at the same time I stand amazed that someone (God) who I've never met was willing to sacrifice Himself for me.
I'm amazed that He is willing and able to release me of my own chains of life through the cross. I am amazed that all He asks of me in return is to reciprocate the love He has displayed and given to me - not demand, but to give freely by my choice. Through my journey of life, I have had a huge misconception of God (O.T.). However, I feel that I now understand God's purpose through gaining a deeper understanding of Jesus (God) and what He did on Calvary.
Some may say I'm just using the idea of what He did as my personal beast of burden or as my personal escape goat. However, I see it much differently. I think of all of the times that I've taken the fall for someone or stood up for someone when they couldn't do it themselves and vice versa. I think about the times my siblings and I have shared the blame for something one of us may not have done. Yet, Jesus took it all. I can't begin to comprehend or fathom any other way of doing it (creation, design, the crucifixion, etc). I couldn't do it any better. He gave a free gift to me and it's completely up to me to accept it or not. I can question and judge His methods all I want, but at the end of the day it really is what it is. He is God and I believe He knows best. And I accept it...call me crazy!!!
I've been doing my best to find out more regarding these topics...a deeper understanding. I've been reading a book by Phillip Yancey - The Jesus I Never Knew and another by Charles Swindoll - Jesus: The Greatest Life of All. I've been doing my best to relay what I know of Jesus in other threads, but always feel that I'm missing the mark. So maybe I need a better understanding myself?!?
Today when I was listening to the song by Selah that I posted earlier, I was immediately reminded of the crucifixion of Jesus. What he endured and what it signified. I broke into tears and sat in my car for a few minutes before walking into the office. I'm appauled at what He had to suffer on my behalf. It breaks my heart. I can't put into words the feelings that I have and at the same time I stand amazed that someone (God) who I've never met was willing to sacrifice Himself for me.
I'm amazed that He is willing and able to release me of my own chains of life through the cross. I am amazed that all He asks of me in return is to reciprocate the love He has displayed and given to me - not demand, but to give freely by my choice. Through my journey of life, I have had a huge misconception of God (O.T.). However, I feel that I now understand God's purpose through gaining a deeper understanding of Jesus (God) and what He did on Calvary.
Some may say I'm just using the idea of what He did as my personal beast of burden or as my personal escape goat. However, I see it much differently. I think of all of the times that I've taken the fall for someone or stood up for someone when they couldn't do it themselves and vice versa. I think about the times my siblings and I have shared the blame for something one of us may not have done. Yet, Jesus took it all. I can't begin to comprehend or fathom any other way of doing it (creation, design, the crucifixion, etc). I couldn't do it any better. He gave a free gift to me and it's completely up to me to accept it or not. I can question and judge His methods all I want, but at the end of the day it really is what it is. He is God and I believe He knows best. And I accept it...call me crazy!!!
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I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
[FONT=arial,helvetica]I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. [/FONT][FONT=arial,helvetica]
[FONT=arial,helvetica]God said, No. [/FONT]
[/FONT]
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
[FONT=arial,helvetica]I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. [/FONT][FONT=arial,helvetica]
[FONT=arial,helvetica]God said, No. [/FONT]
[/FONT]
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
it isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own! ,
but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
[FONT=arial,helvetica]I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. [/FONT][FONT=arial,helvetica]
[FONT=arial,helvetica]God said, No. [/FONT]
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.
May God Bless You,
"To the world you might be one person, but to one
person you just might be the world"
[/FONT]I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
it isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own! ,
but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
[FONT=arial,helvetica]I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. [/FONT][FONT=arial,helvetica]
[FONT=arial,helvetica]God said, No. [/FONT]
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.
May God Bless You,
"To the world you might be one person, but to one
person you just might be the world"
Diggin Deep
Active Member
Righteous Lips Build Ships
God, please fill me with righteousness and may you use my words to nourish.
READ
Proverbs 10:18-21
REFLECT
Has anyone ever paid you one of those "soul-reviving" compliments? The kind that’s way more than just "great job" or "nice shirt," but one that speaks directly into your heart? Maybe it was something simple like, "you are so smart," having no idea that your entire childhood you were told, "you’re an idiot." And you end up with a lump in your throat, thinking, "That guy just read my mail."
In that moment, God was using someone’s words to nourish your spirit. The Bible tells us "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Those nourishing, spirit-feeding words of God are often spoken through others around us. The question is: will we swallow them, or will we "politely" refuse?
RESPOND
Today practice telling those around you what you think of them...the good stuff, that is. And when people tell you good things about yourself, practice saying "thank you" with both your tongue and your heart.
God, please fill me with righteousness and may you use my words to nourish.
READ
Proverbs 10:18-21
REFLECT
Has anyone ever paid you one of those "soul-reviving" compliments? The kind that’s way more than just "great job" or "nice shirt," but one that speaks directly into your heart? Maybe it was something simple like, "you are so smart," having no idea that your entire childhood you were told, "you’re an idiot." And you end up with a lump in your throat, thinking, "That guy just read my mail."
In that moment, God was using someone’s words to nourish your spirit. The Bible tells us "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Those nourishing, spirit-feeding words of God are often spoken through others around us. The question is: will we swallow them, or will we "politely" refuse?
RESPOND
Today practice telling those around you what you think of them...the good stuff, that is. And when people tell you good things about yourself, practice saying "thank you" with both your tongue and your heart.
purpledove
Seizing Life ♥
I grew up being complimented by my family hence i learned to compliment others too in their success etc. But as i was being exposed in the society where people tend not to be happy about other's achievements instead there was always sarcasm or jealousy in their words that i learned to be more discreet with my compliments to others. Some also when complimented would tend to see you as trying to suck up to them seeing your words as a way to get something from them. Or worse, others observing such behavior would tend to see or judge you as being fake trying to 'play nice' to others even when that's not your intention at all. Hence followed, i resorted to limiting giving compliments even when necessary due to society's influence on me.
However when i attended a seminar- it opened my eyes to the importance of true words to others especially those who are hurting and healing. It laid out a practice that everyday, place 5 pennies in your right pocket and if you see someone who deserves a compliment or a pat on the shoulder- do so. Upon complimenting 1 person- transfer 1 penny to the left pocket and so on and so forth until the end of the day- make sure you've transferred all the 5 pennies to the left pocket. One's goal is to place a smile on one's face everyday through sincere compliments. This was a means to develop a habit to give compliments and encouragement to others.
I did ask during the seminar my concerns while growing and society's view to such compliments/soul reviving words and the answer given was that- just as long as you know in your heart that the compliments you give are sincere then one should not be bothered by what others think. Just sharing.....
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