Christian doctrine

Hi Everyone, I hope your advent season is going well. I just posted a comment responce to T on my liberalism rant. Today I am writing a bit on Christian doctrine. First in Christian doctrine you need a good Bible translation. There are a few translations that I use. The New American Standard Version is a good translation(NAS). At times it is kinda wooden. The Revised Standard Version(RSV) is also a good translation, we used to call it Grandpa's Bible in Seminary. The Bible our Grandpa's grew up on. The English Standard version of the Bible is my personal favorite(ESV) for preaching and personal study. It is literal, yet easy to read and faithful to the oringinal languages. A great Bible for those who do not have a working knowledge of Greek and Hebrew.
Christans believe that Christ was God's Son. They believe in the incarnation, that God became man. We believe in the virgin birth. We believe that Christ died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected. Jesus is coming back some day. We believe that we are lost sinners unable to save ourselves. We believe that we are justified by faith and have the Holy Spirit as our helper. The Holy Spirit will help us grow in holiness and sanctification. God forgives us when we humbly repent. Prayer is a gift of God. The three ecunemical creeds are great ways to confess our faith. I confess the Apostles Creed, The Nicene Creed, and the Creed of St. Athanasius.
These following books have good info on Christian doctrine.
1. Know the Truth by Bruce Milne
2. Creeds of the churches edited by John H. Leith
3. Institutes of the Christian religion by John Calvin
4. Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards
5. Luther's small catechism
6. On the incarnation by St. Athanasius
7. Theology the basics by Alister E. McGrath
Merry Christmas and keep Christ at the center of your lives.
In Christ,
Pastor Josh Parrish, M.Div

The Incarnation

http://ourmedia.org/node/372398

Go See Josh Preach on the Incarnation!!!!!!

*** hint: if you press stop on the original loading of the sermon then hit play again it loads faster! ***

South Dakota - Day 1

I am extremely thankful that God gave me great travelling mercies. Not only were my flights great but I flew away from the bad weather that was coming to SWO before it arrived and had no delays. God is truly Sovereign!

Josh was at the airport waiting for me looking handsome as ever! We went and got grocies at Wal-Mart and then went to our favourite little place "Red Rooster" and enjoyed some live music.





When we got home Calico was quite excited to see us, but I think even more excited that I brought gifts. She tore into the package herself!!






I headed over to Wilma's shortly after arriving home! We had a good first day :)

Thankful

I am thankful for Sonya. God has blessed me with a lovely and Godly future wife. Here is my short thanksgiving eve meditation that I gave at each of my churches last month. "Thanksgiving is a holiday where we gather with friends and family. We watch football and parades on t.v., and overeat. I know I usually eat too much pumpkin pie and sweet potatoes. Thanksgiving is also a time to recall what we have to be thankful for. We can be thankful for life, family and friends, food, housing and so much more.
But most of all, we can be thankful for salvation in Jesus Christ. In John 6:35 we read, “Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”(ESV) We can be thankful that Christ died for us and rose again. Jesus nourishes our souls. In him we are forgiven and have eternal life. We can be thankful that we are Christians and no longer live in darkness. Romans 6:17 says, “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed.”
Many of us feel a void, or emptiness in our lives. We try to fill it with material things, work, alcohol, food, and other substitutes. There is no peace without Jesus. Nothing or no one can take his place. I hope that everyone here has experienced God’s love in Christ. He loves you unconditionally. You will never hunger or thirst, because you have received forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus. Let us thank God for giving us the bread of life, Jesus, and giving us life this Thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7 says, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thanksgiving.” May our hearts be overflowing with gratitude as we remember all that God has done for us." What I wrote was short but an important reminder for believers to be thankful. God bless you.
In Christ,
Pastor Josh Parrish, M.Div

Behave Like a Christian

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”says the Lord. Therefore
“ If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Isn't this amazing?! My pastor touched on this a little today. But imagine our lives like this, where we as Christians have a special love for one another. We're not in competition to be the best Christian but we exhort each other and offer encouragement. I have sometimes found it quite discouraging to be in Christian circles and at times have been quite lonely. Truly God has not intended it to be that way but we are to be a family to one another. Even so much that we should put each others needs as brothers and sisters in Christ before those outside of the kingdom. This isn't saying that our cares and concerns for others should not be there but lest we forget those within the family of God. This really gives me a lot to think about, I hope it does to you also.

Sonya