Comments for Loving God. Loving People. Serving the World. http://georgehicks.wordpress.com Life stories from someone who is always learning something new... Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:18:44 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on 1 Peter 1:1-12 by themanhattanprojectnyc http://georgehicks.wordpress.com/2006/06/23/1-peter-11-12-2/#comment-32 themanhattanprojectnyc Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:18:44 +0000 http://georgehicks.wordpress.com/2006/06/23/1-peter-11-12-2/#comment-32 To me, the Calvinism/Arminianism issue is resolved by understanding the paradox. Which it might seem like a paradox doesn't resolve anything, but with God it does. For instance, Jesus is fully God and fully man - a paradox. Also, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each, separately, and distinctively, fully God, yet there is only one God - a paradox. So it's not unreasonable for God to predestine us without foreknowledge of a decision (Calvinism) and for us to have free-will to ask Christ to come in our heart (Arminianism) at the same time. It's just a paradox. But for theological purposes, it's important to note that the salvation experience brings all the glory to God. Eventhough we feel ourselves making a free-will decision, we have to recognize the paradox that God chose us and that we, at the same time, paradoxically chose, but had nothing to do with it. This brings him all the glory. I actually think most Calvinist's recognize the paradox, including Calvin himself. If they didn't, they are actually lined up in hyper-calvinism land. If you embrace the paradox, then there is still a reason to evangelize. If not (say you're a hyper-calvinist), then you can sit around doing nothing because God predestined anyway. This is generally what Arminians think Calvinists are, but they are not. Real Calvinists embrace the paradox, but only talk about God's end of the bargin, because as humans we can't think in paradoxes. We can theologically explain them, but actually can't understand them. So in our language we refer only to what God did for us in his predestination and rescue. This brings all the glory to God. I didn't know if you covered this in discussing Calvinism, so if this is new, take it back to your group to help clear things up. There are way too many misconceptions about Calvinism that need to be cleared up. The reason it does matter is because if we admit that salvation solely rests on our decision, then that puts us above another human being who didn't make that decision, and most certainly doesn't give glory to God. To me, the Calvinism/Arminianism issue is resolved by understanding the paradox. Which it might seem like a paradox doesn’t resolve anything, but with God it does. For instance, Jesus is fully God and fully man – a paradox. Also, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each, separately, and distinctively, fully God, yet there is only one God – a paradox. So it’s not unreasonable for God to predestine us without foreknowledge of a decision (Calvinism) and for us to have free-will to ask Christ to come in our heart (Arminianism) at the same time. It’s just a paradox. But for theological purposes, it’s important to note that the salvation experience brings all the glory to God. Eventhough we feel ourselves making a free-will decision, we have to recognize the paradox that God chose us and that we, at the same time, paradoxically chose, but had nothing to do with it. This brings him all the glory. I actually think most Calvinist’s recognize the paradox, including Calvin himself. If they didn’t, they are actually lined up in hyper-calvinism land. If you embrace the paradox, then there is still a reason to evangelize. If not (say you’re a hyper-calvinist), then you can sit around doing nothing because God predestined anyway. This is generally what Arminians think Calvinists are, but they are not. Real Calvinists embrace the paradox, but only talk about God’s end of the bargin, because as humans we can’t think in paradoxes. We can theologically explain them, but actually can’t understand them. So in our language we refer only to what God did for us in his predestination and rescue. This brings all the glory to God.

I didn’t know if you covered this in discussing Calvinism, so if this is new, take it back to your group to help clear things up. There are way too many misconceptions about Calvinism that need to be cleared up. The reason it does matter is because if we admit that salvation solely rests on our decision, then that puts us above another human being who didn’t make that decision, and most certainly doesn’t give glory to God.

]]> Comment on 12-Year-Old Stuns Pro-Choice Teacher and School with Pro-Life Presentation by Mike http://georgehicks.wordpress.com/2009/02/25/12-year-old-stuns-pro-choice-teacher-and-school-with-pro-life-presentation/#comment-31 Mike Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:26:45 +0000 http://georgehicks.wordpress.com/?p=152#comment-31 Just passing by.Btw, you website have great content! ______________________________ Don't pay for your electricity any longer... <a href="http://mikewilson.k2free.com" rel="nofollow">Instead, the power company will pay YOU!</a> Just passing by.Btw, you website have great content!

______________________________
Don’t pay for your electricity any longer…
Instead, the power company will pay YOU!

]]> Comment on 270+ Tools for Running a Business Online by phonevite http://georgehicks.wordpress.com/2009/02/17/270-tools-for-running-a-business-online/#comment-30 phonevite Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:45:41 +0000 http://georgehicks.wordpress.com/?p=138#comment-30 Hi, thanks for the useful find/post. Wanted to let you know about another tool, called Phonevite, for community-based voice broadcasting which lots of churches are using today. John@phonevite.com http://twitter.com/phonevite http://phonevite.wordpress.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnahm Hi, thanks for the useful find/post. Wanted to let you know about another tool, called Phonevite, for community-based voice broadcasting which lots of churches are using today.

John@phonevite.com
http://twitter.com/phonevite
http://phonevite.wordpress.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnahm

]]> Comment on Noise by Lady Why http://georgehicks.wordpress.com/2008/09/07/noise/#comment-27 Lady Why Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:09:09 +0000 http://georgehicks.wordpress.com/?p=89#comment-27 Oops! I accidently posted under that same 18 year old daughter's moniker. Sorry about that! The 'Flibby' comment was really from me, Lady Why! Oops! I accidently posted under that same 18 year old daughter’s moniker. Sorry about that!

The ‘Flibby’ comment was really from me, Lady Why!

]]> Comment on Noise by Flibby http://georgehicks.wordpress.com/2008/09/07/noise/#comment-26 Flibby Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:07:56 +0000 http://georgehicks.wordpress.com/?p=89#comment-26 I know just what you mean! I have a recording of my now 18 year old daughter singing Christmas carols when she was two. It's one of my favorite things to hear! My youngest baby is just 14 months old and I record him doing absolutely everything! I know how precious these things will be to me later. That, and I'm trying to make time stand still just a little. :-) I know just what you mean! I have a recording of my now 18 year old daughter singing Christmas carols when she was two. It’s one of my favorite things to hear!

My youngest baby is just 14 months old and I record him doing absolutely everything! I know how precious these things will be to me later. That, and I’m trying to make time stand still just a little. :-)

]]> Comment on Noise by George http://georgehicks.wordpress.com/2008/09/07/noise/#comment-25 George Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:15:55 +0000 http://georgehicks.wordpress.com/?p=89#comment-25 Lady Why, You're right! I was being sarcastic, but children are a truly a blessing from God. Their enthusiasm is wonderful and they are so optimistic about life! Time does seem to be flying by too fast. I'm glad to have this recording so we can reminisce some day. George Lady Why,

You’re right! I was being sarcastic, but children are a truly a blessing from God. Their enthusiasm is wonderful and they are so optimistic about life! Time does seem to be flying by too fast. I’m glad to have this recording so we can reminisce some day.

George

]]> Comment on Noise by Lady Why http://georgehicks.wordpress.com/2008/09/07/noise/#comment-24 Lady Why Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:39:51 +0000 http://georgehicks.wordpress.com/?p=89#comment-24 Actually I think that's the most beautiful sound on earth! I smiled all the way through that clip. One day, when they are all grown up you're going to miss those sweet sounds echoing through your house! It has quite the opposite effect on me. I think it's time for another baby... or two! Actually I think that’s the most beautiful sound on earth! I smiled all the way through that clip. One day, when they are all grown up you’re going to miss those sweet sounds echoing through your house!

It has quite the opposite effect on me. I think it’s time for another baby… or two!

]]> Comment on Rush of Fools Concert at UM by Luke http://georgehicks.wordpress.com/2008/08/28/rush-of-fools-concert-at-um/#comment-23 Luke Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:38:58 +0000 http://georgehicks.wordpress.com/?p=76#comment-23 I really appreciate how Rush of Fools has gotten on board with this cause of fighting pornography. I work for a minsitry called Covenant Eyes. Our Internet accountability software is included in every tool kit offered by Freedom Begins Here. If you would be interested in getting more information to your whole church about how we can help you fight pornography in your congregation, let me know! I really appreciate how Rush of Fools has gotten on board with this cause of fighting pornography.

I work for a minsitry called Covenant Eyes. Our Internet accountability software is included in every tool kit offered by Freedom Begins Here. If you would be interested in getting more information to your whole church about how we can help you fight pornography in your congregation, let me know!

]]> Comment on Second Core Group Meeting by Emmanuel Antwi Boasiako http://georgehicks.wordpress.com/2006/09/11/second-core-group-meeting/#comment-19 Emmanuel Antwi Boasiako Sat, 01 Mar 2008 14:31:37 +0000 http://georgehicks.wordpress.com/2006/09/11/second-core-group-meeting/#comment-19 Hallelujah!Anyway Emmanuel is my name I am a Bible student,Because of that I want I want You to send me Gospel cds,life application bible,books Which can help me to do the WORK of GOD. AMEN!Through this posting address: Emmanuel Antwi Boasiako Standard Life Christian center Assembly of God-Church P.O.Box 241 ,ust Kumasi-Ashanti Region Ghana-West Africa Hallelujah!Anyway Emmanuel is my name
I am a Bible student,Because of that I want
I want You to send me Gospel cds,life application
bible,books
Which can help me to do the WORK of GOD.
AMEN!Through this posting address:

Emmanuel Antwi Boasiako
Standard Life Christian center
Assembly of God-Church
P.O.Box 241 ,ust
Kumasi-Ashanti Region
Ghana-West Africa

]]> Comment on January Update by Mom Hale http://georgehicks.wordpress.com/2008/01/25/january-update/#comment-18 Mom Hale Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:51:28 +0000 http://georgehicks.wordpress.com/?p=65#comment-18 Thanks for the reminder. I have been struggeling latley with many things. It is easy to let yourself get caught up in the problems all around you and get overwelmed if you don't keep you eyes on God. Sometimes I feel as if I am hanging on by my fingernails, but I know He will never let go. You are right, we can't miss our blessings by always dwelling on the negetive things. You are so special to me and I thank God for you every day. I love you son, Mom Thanks for the reminder. I have been struggeling latley with many things. It is easy to let yourself get caught up in the problems all around you and get overwelmed if you don’t keep you eyes on God. Sometimes I feel as if I am hanging on by my fingernails, but I know He will never let go.
You are right, we can’t miss our blessings by always dwelling on the negetive things.
You are so special to me and I thank God for you every day.
I love you son,
Mom

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