by Jason Joyner | Mar 4, 2009 | Bible, Blog, faith, Father's heart, miscellaneous, YWAM
I came across this while cleaning out some files. I thought I’d share it, rather than have it sit around. I wrote it in 1995 while I was in the School of Biblical Studies with Youth With a Mission in Canberra, Australia.
—
Lord, where is my treasure? It is not where it should be. I had it all in hand, so that You would not have to worry about me.
I considered, “What will be the best? I do want to take care.” Perhaps it would be wise to spread my treasure around. “Diversify,” the money-man says. And if some disappears, I will have the rest to come back to, in my need of the days.
So I proceeded with my plan. I looked about, and I saw people cross my gaze. What a beginning-my fellow man. I then gave of my treasure: a man, a woman, relationships special and dear. But when I came searching, there was none to be found. Portions were gone, not to be returned, others strewn on the ground. “I am fortunate though, I have more.” So I moved to my next trove.
What will make a mark in this world? What I can do, my knowledge, my talents, my potential. Of course I deposited a cache there. It was all in my power. But treasure was lost in each dream unfulfilled. Who can reach all their expectations? Not one, I’m afraid. More treasure in ruin, and less to get me by.
“I must take care of myself,” was another consideration of mine. We only have one body to carry us through. It made sense, therefore, some treasure would stay with me. My strength, my mind, my pleasures were investments of sure benefit. Yet I am just flesh and mortal, no force in my own. The tears and the years each steal their own share. And from all of my efforts, my treasure was gone.
Lord, please tell me what happened! I thought my treasure was so secure. This was not supposed to take place; now all I am is broken.
My Lord spoke to me, “My child, now you will see. It is not in yourself that your treasure is protected. You were never asked to defend and stand your ground. My heart, My hand has always been available to cover what is precious to you. But only in your point of loss would you realize your fraility.
Now your treasure will be laid up in heaven-from My throne it will be guarded. It was never a burden for me, to be the watcher of your soul. Now you can rest in My delight, and know that you will find My inheritance for you!”
Inspired by the Gospel of Luke, chapter 12, verses 22-34.
by Jason Joyner | Mar 4, 2009 | Bible, Blog, faith, Father's heart, miscellaneous, YWAM
I came across this while cleaning out some files. I thought I’d share it, rather than have it sit around. I wrote it in 1995 while I was in the School of Biblical Studies with Youth With a Mission in Canberra, Australia.
—
Lord, where is my treasure? It is not where it should be. I had it all in hand, so that You would not have to worry about me.
I considered, “What will be the best? I do want to take care.” Perhaps it would be wise to spread my treasure around. “Diversify,” the money-man says. And if some disappears, I will have the rest to come back to, in my need of the days.
So I proceeded with my plan. I looked about, and I saw people cross my gaze. What a beginning-my fellow man. I then gave of my treasure: a man, a woman, relationships special and dear. But when I came searching, there was none to be found. Portions were gone, not to be returned, others strewn on the ground. “I am fortunate though, I have more.” So I moved to my next trove.
What will make a mark in this world? What I can do, my knowledge, my talents, my potential. Of course I deposited a cache there. It was all in my power. But treasure was lost in each dream unfulfilled. Who can reach all their expectations? Not one, I’m afraid. More treasure in ruin, and less to get me by.
“I must take care of myself,” was another consideration of mine. We only have one body to carry us through. It made sense, therefore, some treasure would stay with me. My strength, my mind, my pleasures were investments of sure benefit. Yet I am just flesh and mortal, no force in my own. The tears and the years each steal their own share. And from all of my efforts, my treasure was gone.
Lord, please tell me what happened! I thought my treasure was so secure. This was not supposed to take place; now all I am is broken.
My Lord spoke to me, “My child, now you will see. It is not in yourself that your treasure is protected. You were never asked to defend and stand your ground. My heart, My hand has always been available to cover what is precious to you. But only in your point of loss would you realize your fraility.
Now your treasure will be laid up in heaven-from My throne it will be guarded. It was never a burden for me, to be the watcher of your soul. Now you can rest in My delight, and know that you will find My inheritance for you!”
Inspired by the Gospel of Luke, chapter 12, verses 22-34.
by Jason Joyner | Apr 21, 2008 | Bible, Blog, conspiracy, CSFF, reading, reviews, speculative fiction
Some of the best loved passages in the whole Bible come from the correspondence of the apostle Paul to the Corinthian church. The letters of 1 and 2 Corinthians teach on a number of issues and give insight that no other books in the New Testament have.
Interestingly, Paul had a greater conversation with the Corinthian church than what many people realize on the surface.
He first came to Corinth on his second missionary journey, after being chased out of other Grecian centers such as Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens. He met up with Priscilla and Aquila, fellow Jewish Christians and tentmakers. He stayed and worked with them, proclaiming the gospel in the famously immoral city. The record in Acts states he stayed there for “some time”, and then left to hit Ephesus on the way back to Antioch in Syria.
Paul hit the road almost immediately after his return, encouraging churches in Galatia before coming back to Ephesus, where he stayed for three years. It was during this time that scholars believe he wrote his letters to the Corinthian church. We have two letters included in the Bible, 1 and 2 Corinthians.
There are…more.
In 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 it refers to a prior letter that Paul wrote to the church, before 1 Corinthians. Apparantly he had written to them about issues regarding sexual immorality and he clarifies his position in the current letter. He gives much teaching in what we know as 1 Corinthians, and it seems to have been received poorly. When we move into 2 Corinthians, Paul references a “painful visit” in chapter 2 verse 1. It is thought that the letter of 1 Corinthians was not well received, and Paul made a visit to bring correction. After he left, he wrote yet another letter to the Corinthians, which seems to finally have the effect that he wanted, causing “sorrow that led…to repentence” (2 Cor 7:8-9, see also 10:9-11). Thus, the relationship between the teacher and the church is restored, and Paul can write a more joyful letter that becomes our 2 Corinthians.
This begs the question: what happened to the “other” Corinthian letters. By this count, there were at least four letters of Paul to the Corinthians. The two other letters I have mentioned have no other reference in Scripture, and no known copy or fragment exists. In early lists of approved New Testament books, there is no mention of other Corinthian letters. We have no idea, other than the two quick references listed above, what the other books contained.
I have heard people who criticize the Bible’s accuracy claim that the lack of 4 Corinthian letters shows the Bible wasn’t accurately preserved. To this I say hogwash. Just because it is mentioned in the Bible doesn’t mean that it was meant to be in the Bible. Paul quotes a pagan philosopher, should the pagan’s works be in the Bible? I believe that what we needed was preserved, and these other Corinthian letters were of such a personal nature that they weren’t pertinent to be kept in a global/general teaching manual like the Bible.
But…what if one of the “lost” letters to the Corinthians was found? What if it held explosive teaching and prophecy, threatening the status quo and becoming the centerpiece of a battle between good and evil?
What if?
Check back tomorrow for more…
Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Jackie Castle
Karri Compton
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Todd Michael Greene
Michael Heald
Christopher Hopper
Joleen Howell
Kait
Carol Keen
Mike Lynch
Terri Main
Margaret
Melissa Meeks
Pamela Morrisson
John W. Otte
Rachelle
Steve Rice
Ashley Rutherford
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Rachelle Sperling
Stuart Stockton
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Robert Treskillard
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise
by Jason Joyner | Apr 21, 2008 | Bible, Blog, conspiracy, CSFF, reading, reviews, speculative fiction
Some of the best loved passages in the whole Bible come from the correspondence of the apostle Paul to the Corinthian church. The letters of 1 and 2 Corinthians teach on a number of issues and give insight that no other books in the New Testament have.
Interestingly, Paul had a greater conversation with the Corinthian church than what many people realize on the surface.
He first came to Corinth on his second missionary journey, after being chased out of other Grecian centers such as Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens. He met up with Priscilla and Aquila, fellow Jewish Christians and tentmakers. He stayed and worked with them, proclaiming the gospel in the famously immoral city. The record in Acts states he stayed there for “some time”, and then left to hit Ephesus on the way back to Antioch in Syria.
Paul hit the road almost immediately after his return, encouraging churches in Galatia before coming back to Ephesus, where he stayed for three years. It was during this time that scholars believe he wrote his letters to the Corinthian church. We have two letters included in the Bible, 1 and 2 Corinthians.
There are…more.
In 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 it refers to a prior letter that Paul wrote to the church, before 1 Corinthians. Apparantly he had written to them about issues regarding sexual immorality and he clarifies his position in the current letter. He gives much teaching in what we know as 1 Corinthians, and it seems to have been received poorly. When we move into 2 Corinthians, Paul references a “painful visit” in chapter 2 verse 1. It is thought that the letter of 1 Corinthians was not well received, and Paul made a visit to bring correction. After he left, he wrote yet another letter to the Corinthians, which seems to finally have the effect that he wanted, causing “sorrow that led…to repentence” (2 Cor 7:8-9, see also 10:9-11). Thus, the relationship between the teacher and the church is restored, and Paul can write a more joyful letter that becomes our 2 Corinthians.
This begs the question: what happened to the “other” Corinthian letters. By this count, there were at least four letters of Paul to the Corinthians. The two other letters I have mentioned have no other reference in Scripture, and no known copy or fragment exists. In early lists of approved New Testament books, there is no mention of other Corinthian letters. We have no idea, other than the two quick references listed above, what the other books contained.
I have heard people who criticize the Bible’s accuracy claim that the lack of 4 Corinthian letters shows the Bible wasn’t accurately preserved. To this I say hogwash. Just because it is mentioned in the Bible doesn’t mean that it was meant to be in the Bible. Paul quotes a pagan philosopher, should the pagan’s works be in the Bible? I believe that what we needed was preserved, and these other Corinthian letters were of such a personal nature that they weren’t pertinent to be kept in a global/general teaching manual like the Bible.
But…what if one of the “lost” letters to the Corinthians was found? What if it held explosive teaching and prophecy, threatening the status quo and becoming the centerpiece of a battle between good and evil?
What if?
Check back tomorrow for more…
Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Jackie Castle
Karri Compton
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Todd Michael Greene
Michael Heald
Christopher Hopper
Joleen Howell
Kait
Carol Keen
Mike Lynch
Terri Main
Margaret
Melissa Meeks
Pamela Morrisson
John W. Otte
Rachelle
Steve Rice
Ashley Rutherford
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Rachelle Sperling
Stuart Stockton
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Robert Treskillard
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise
