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DONALD J_______ WROTE: Hi. I surely did enjoy browsing through your Christian web site. I just
want to ask you one question. Where can I get that good 'ole church music
that's on your page? DON LOVE WROTE: Hello Don, We're glad that you've enjoyed out site. The music that you so enjoyed can be found all over the net. Simply type the words "midi music" in some of the search engines and you'll find oodles of oldies but goodies. You do know that the midi background music is not the only music on our site. If you have the real player on your computer, you can listen to my family sing some of our oldies recorded when our children were 6, 7, and 8--some 20 years ago, now. To find the music simply click either of the buttons on either side of the WRAP AROUND button on our home page. If you do not have the real player, you can download if for free by clicking the real player button--or you can download the latest Netscape browser which is free and a tremendous browser. The latest version of the real player is automatically downloaded with the free Netscape browser. Thanks for WRAPPING, and continue to enjoy our site. Don & B'Ann Love PS Don't forget that word of mouth is still the best advertisement in the world; so if you've been blessed by something on our site, don't forget to share it with another. |
BK______ WROTE: Questions for Dispensationalists, Premillennialists, and Other Futurists The following is a brief exposition challenging the Biblical legitimacy of the currently popular "end times" prophetic scenarios surrounding the "second coming" of the Lord Jesus Christ. The topic of this writing is Biblical eschatology, the study of "last things". Let it be said emphatically, at the very start, that anyone God has called into the flock of Jesus Christ is saved, period. Salvation is not of "sound doctrine" other than professing the name of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We are saved by the blood of the Lamb, not scholastic achievements or works of any kind. It is the belief of this writer that salvation is complete in Jesus Christ and that ALL things written by the prophets were fulfilled COMPLETELY in Jesus Christ the Messiah. The ONLY reason there is a FUTURE HOPE written of by Paul and other New Testament writers is because the, "the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing" (Heb. 9:8). The destruction of Jerusalem was yet in their near future. "He shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate" (Daniel 9:27). "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate" (Mat. 23:38). "But now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" (Heb 9:26). JESUS IS the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. The Bible is a complete book. It is the Word of God. It is TWO testaments (covenants) representing two ages, not three, four or more. The focal point is Jesus Christ. In Christian time there is before Christ and after Christ… Don Love Wrote: Dear Brother K________: Thanks for taking the time to WRAP with us. I have greeted you as "brother" because from what you write, it appears that you do have a grasp on God's plan of salvation. However, I would be interested in knowing on what Scriptural authority you base your beliefs about the two testaments of the Bible? The old testament is strictly a New Testament term coined by the Apostle Paul in II Cor. 3:14: "But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ." When read in its context you will see that Paul was not referring to the collection of books that the Grace Age church eventually dubbed the Old Testament. (The Hebrews referred to this collection of books as Moses and the Prophets.) Instead, he was referring to the promises of God made to Israel through Moses, calling His promises the old testament (a will made in front of witnesses and duly recorded) of God. (For more about these old and new testaments of the Scriptures, read Hebrews chapters 7-9.) Although the central theme of the Old Testament is the old testament to which Paul referred, there is much in that collection of books other than God's promises to Israel. Likewise, the New Testament contains more than God's new testament which was first presented to Israel, and then to the Gentiles when Israel saw no value in it. As to our view of the dispensations and ages of the Bible, you need only read our book The Clock of the Ages. For all who are taking the time to read these WRAP AROUNDS, let me say that although the study of doctrine is often scorned, I have found it to be exciting, rewarding, and very beneficial. However, I have found that a key ingredient to sound doctrine is an attitude. When I now approach the Scriptures, I always do so with an open mind to the Spirit and with the prayer that He will deliver me from the "programming" that I have received from the teachings of others which may or may not be sound doctrine. We are constantly in the process of learning the true riches of the Bible and updating our doctrine daily. I like the way my wife B'Ann approaches doctrine, so let me leave you with her thought on the subject. "Sound doctrine is like a spiritual windshield wiper that wipes all the way from Genesis to Revelation—getting all of the religious bugs off your windshield so as you can clearly see your way." Thanks again for taking the time to respond to our efforts on the Web. Don & B'Ann Love |
Robert B___ Wrote: The world will come to an end, if you fanatics have your way. Get Rational. Don Love Wrote: It is interesting but confusing that you used the word rational the way you did. By it, do you mean that I should adopt the mindset of those in the world who do not accept Christ to be the Son of God and the Bible to be the Word of God? If so, are you then saying that it is more "rational" for me to accept a world where anything goes and every man does what is right in his own eyes? And do you mean that it is rational for me to do as those do who reject God and His Word, and hate those who are different from myself. Are you saying that it is alright to go to war against those who go against my belief, my will, my interest, etc.? Or are you one of the new breed of "Christ-less Christians"—i.e., those who would pick and choose from the principles laid down by Christ, yet refuse His right as Creator and His claim on their lives in light of His substitutionary death on the cross? It sounds as though you might be one of those who feel they are Christians because they live in a society that aligns itself with some of His teachings, while refusing His claim as Lord and Savior of their lives. However, belonging to a Judeo-Christian culture does not mean that a person belongs to the Kingdom of God. This comes about only by the foolishness of preaching—which in turn leads to acceptance of Christ as the Savior through a "born again" experience. Also, we should note that this born again experience does not usher one into a militant religion, but into one that says "come let us reason, together, that's what God said." Do I know that the world system is going to change by the hand of God? I read it in the Bible. Do you know it isn't? What is your authority? Our differing opinions is what the United States is all about. Up to this point we are free to agree to disagree. You can believe as you like, I can believe in Christ. One of the reasons that we wrote our books was in the hope that we could reason together and have an understanding of the fact that just like a flower, this earth is going to bloom beautifully, for a season. But from the Scriptures we know that it will not always bloom! DoWeKnow at what moment a flower stops blooming and produces seeds to drop back to the dust? We do not! We can only observe the change that occurs. AS TO THE WORLD COMING TO AN END! It will, as surely as your life and mine will come to an end—and for the same reason, SIN! SIN is just the misuse/distortion/perversion of something that is to be cherished and cared for properly. However, you apparently didn't read far enough into our books or you would have realized that Christ has made a remedy for the consequences of your and my sins, as well as the sins of the whole world. Oh, Jesus did not redeem our bodies which have known the rebellion and ravages of sin, but he did take for Himself a body (one with no taint of the sin of Adam—God Himself being His Father) in order to redeem our souls and our spirits. In His earthly body He lived in absolute obedience to God the Father, even unto the obedience of the death of the cross. Consequently, for all who believe that God gave His Only Begotten Son, He has reserved a new body so that when our time in this body comes to an end (when we shed this tainted house of clay), we will have a new body like unto the glorious body in which He now dwells. Likewise—on the authority of God's Word—this world which has known the will and way of Satan and the depths and consequences of sin will be destroyed so that a new heaven and a new earth can replace it. (He made the first in only six days, so that shouldn't be hard to comprehend.) However, if anyone lives and dies and never grasps this truth, then they will have missed out on all that this short span on earth is about and they will have excluded themselves from the new heaven and the new earth to come. (In addition, they will have to deal with the second death that Jesus talked about. "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Rev. 21:8 cf. Rev. 2:11; 20:6-14)) DoWeKnow the day appointed for the end of our lives? No more than we know when the world will come to an end. But according to the Scriptures, one end is as sure as the other. B'Ann Wrote: Back in 1972, as I sat in a mobile home in Nashville, Tennessee, this song came with the gathering dusk:Do you hear it?
everyone who passes by, It comes from the tumbling rivers and the lakes that are going dry. From the lofty mountain peaks that crumbles from an earthquakes strain,And from the mighty ocean that started as a drop of rain.
What about the smog that leaves a tear dimmed eye, Or foreign agents in the water that cause the fish to die. It permeates from stony faces out on the street, And from contaminated food that is given us to eat.
It's bound in the rumors of war on every hand, And of the devourer coming as a destroying band. It shrieks from the hapless child in a barren land, Who is deathly sick and starving but unable to understand.
Do you hear it? Do you hear it? The weeping ‘round about! Do you hear it? Do you hear it? The weeping round about?This came one evening as I was singing and playing the few chords I know on the guitar. It has a beautiful, haunting melody. Selah! |
J______
& P_____ WROTE: Anyhow, since 7 months has passed we have both been walking the path of getting to know God better, we have joined a local Christian Fellowship and P____ has even joined a band that sings Christian songs in the town center of a Saturday evening (L_______, UK), and enjoys ministering to anyone who wants to hear the message of God. However, he feels he is a hypocrite at the moment because he has started smoking again. It's become a vicious circle, whereby he smokes for 2/3 days, then ask God to help him quit, gives up for a day or two then smokes again, feels awful about it, stops and then smokes again! I think you get the picture. He feels he is not getting the initial 'support' that he had from God right at the beginning of his conversion, and says he cannot do it on his own. He is now starting to think he has done something wrong and that God might have forsaken him, although he reads the bible and prays every day, and tries to live the life of a good Christian by example. At the moment he is going through the experience of 'killing self' and asking God to fill him with his Holy Spirit, so that he becomes more spiritual and less earthly, with earthly habits and desires coming second place to what God wants him to do. Anyway, my question to you is, why does P____ not feel that God is helping him as much now in kicking this addiction? It is the only vice he has, and feels it is holding him back. Could it be that when God first comes into your life that you are so overcome with it that you are able to kick addictions easily, then he leaves you to deal with yourself, before he comes back again when you are a stronger person? We are both confused! Please help. J____ and P____ B'Ann wrote: I am often shocked at how many people have this temptation almost immediately after becoming a Christian. I had to deal with this when I was about 13. I was a new Christian and full of joy then I hit a wall. I listened to a sermon from a visiting preacher that strongly alluded that now I had to keep myself saved, I had to worry each day about whether I was doing this or that, I had to dress this way and that, or not speak to another student that might corrupt my Christian walk…the list was long, to say the least. I felt very futile. I had many problems in the natural. My parents were very unhappy, money was tight to feed seven kids, an ice storm took out the electricity, I had the chicken pox, my boyfriend now liked my best friend, I had zits on my face, my grandparents were both getting Alzheimer's disease, my mom lost a baby…need I add anymore. I did not need to add a burden called Jesus to my list. I went to my room and read the Bible. I was blessed with being an avid reader and I found the scripture that said, "my yolk is easy, my burden light." As I lay on my bed with the Bible on my chest, I began to see a picture of me. I was trying to kick my own butt. Have you ever tried this? Just stand still, raise either leg and try to kick yourself. It is virtually impossible! I began to understand that I was not to try to kick myself but to grow up in Christ. It further came through the Scriptures that because I was a new "born-again" Christian, I was an infant in Christ. An infant is fed milk. The faith of the mature Christian around you at the time of your conversion was like parents taking care of a newborn baby. They could carry you through their prayers and intercession until it was time for you to be weaned from the milk. It seems you faced this weaning process rather quickly, evidently you are an avid reader, too. Anyway, how ridiculous you would look sucking on a bottle or the breast after you are supposed to be weaned. You must read the word, meditate upon the word, and cherish the word for it is the meat/food for we Christians. As you do this you will start to stand and walk on your on. As to the cigarettes, stop trying to take your foot and kick your own butt. You can use the prescription patches from the drugstore to help you kick the habit or you can read the Bible as your prescription. You want instant gratification. You want someone to "lay hands on you" and kick out ol' demon puff-puff. Where would be the growth, where would be the Scripture seeking, where would be the prayers for deliverance, where would be the lesson about compassion you are going to need when you meet another person who is struggling with any type of bondage. Quit trying to kick your own butt! Don Wrote: Dear P________, Your wrap around calls for a word of testimony. It is surprising how much your fiancé's testimony parallel's mine. However, when I surrendered my life to Christ, there was much other trash in my life that needed more immediate attention than smoking. So, even after being called to preach, I puffed those cancer sticks another 4 years—hating it every time that I lit one up. Nevertheless, I could not refrain from telling others about what Jesus had done and was doing for me. I found myself in agreement with the little song:
As to my trying to quit nicotine, during those four years, I lost track I how many times. I remember one time in particular when I had quit smoking for two whole weeks only to find myself, without thinking, smoking a cigarette with my morning coffee before I was aware of what I was doing! A LONG STORY SHORT—after four years of the like, one day, as I was about to again take my problem to Christ, He impressed upon me that I need not struggle with Him for my deliverance, for it was already mine. And that when I wanted to quit smoking more than I wanted to smoke, BY FAITH, the power was mine to quit. Well, this shed a new light on the matter. What did I really want to do? End of story? I've never smoked a cigarette since! Why couldn't I see the answer earlier? I'm not totally sure. I know it had to do with my self-will, but there was more. The Apostle Peter seemed to have an experience similar to P____'s and mine; (Is there any believer who hasn't?) for he wrote the following as one who knew of what he wrote. "…though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ…" (I Peter 1:6b-7). And of a similar experience(s) the Apostle Paul wrote:
(That Paul was talking about his experiences as a Christian is evident, for he could not have been alive without the law before he met Christ—when he was still dead in his trespasses and sins. [Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13]. So, from Peter and Paul we can see that their experiences were part of their preparation to serve others. And I do know that from my experiences, I've learned to be more tolerable of other believers who "just won't do right." In fact, I now feel for them and pray for them. Also, I wish that I could tell you that my bout with smoking was my last struggle with my flesh, but it wasn't. As I think about our dilemma, some Scriptures come to mind. But then, the Holy Spirit can lead you through the Scriptures so much better than I, so I defer to Him. Thanks for sharing with us. Don Love PS. If any you out there have been through something similar—and learned from it—feel free to share. |
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