691
Imperfect Us – Perfected by Grace, 16May
I appreciate the voice of JOY flowing thru Keith Green at the Speed of the Spirit when He shares the LOVE of Jesus – WOW… Thank God for YouTube, even after his tragic death in a plane crash, you can still feel Keith’s Spirit living on thru the Spirit leaping out of the screen and His lyrics. They are alive because you process it is thru Your Spirit.
Keith Green had a “Saul to Paul transformation”, therefore I know that he would understand my faith and energy… Keith Green was/is called to burn bright… I’m so appreciative of the lyrics and the life and enthusiastic love of live musical messages, they are so NOT the polished studio feeds but Keith talking to the crowd in RAW films with SO MUCH raw energy…
The lyrics of two songs speak to me today, which were written to encourage all of us to be faithful when stumbling blocks show up – when our faith seems to fade. (lyrics below)…
A wonderful writer and Pastor, Pierre Eade, has shared a message about the canonization of the bible – and how a very strong God used very imperfect men to accomplish this task – and like all imperfect men, like Peter, God uses us to feed His sheep. God uses our imperfections… God gives us grace… let’s stay on the path…
From Pastor Pierre’s 13 page paper: “As we survey the lives of the seven characters discussed in this paper, we see how God used imperfect men in the formation of the canon. Peter had denied the Lord three times. Luke was a non-Jew and also not an Apostle. Paul had once persecuted the church. When Marcion couldn’t convince the church of his devious doctrines, he started his own church. Tertullian did not receive the title of “saint” because of his rough and at times abrasive character. Athanasius had a “fiery and stubborn personality.” The study of the formation of the New Testament shows that an omnipotent and all wise God is able to use the events of human history and the workings of fallible creatures to perform a good and perfect work.”
PDF at
http://www.christiangrowthnetwork.com/Canon_of_the_New_Testament_Pierre_Eade.pdf
http://www.christiangrowthnetwork.com/canon_of_the_new_testament_scholarly.html
Please read the Keith Green lyrics and listen…
“Keith Green – Stay on the path” on YouTube
Stay on the Path
When you first find your self you want to run and tell
All the world of your joy and harmony inside
But the hardest thing is to live what you will say
And you find your truth, slipping quietly away if not used…
So you stumble but try to reach out once again
Something urges you on, ’cause you now tasted light.
And the path goes on – getting steeper all the time.
But with each new step you are strengthened in your climb towards your goal
To make all things whole
So you think you’re aware, well the works never done, stay on the path
But if you were once there, well don’t give up now, stay on the path
If you work on yourself, then your on the path, your on the path
But if someone needs help, then do all you can, and you’re on the path.
You will never receive, more than you can use
And we’re tested to see how much we’ve really learned
And you feel your goal is to reach the highest plains
But you’re so, you’re so alone and you find the growing pains, hard to transcend.
But you will, you will in the end
So you think you’re aware, well the works never done, just stay on the path
And If you were once there, well don’t give up now, stay on the path
If you work on yourself, then you are right on, right on your path
But if someone needs help, then just do all you can, keep on your path
“Keith Green – Grace by Which I Stand” on YouTube
Grace By Which I Stand
Lord, the feelings are not the same,
I guess I’m older, I guess I’ve changed.
And how I wish it had been explained, that as you’re growing you must remember,
That nothing lasts, except the grace of God, by which I stand, in Jesus.
I know that I would surely fall away, except for grace, by which I’m saved.
Lord, I remember that special way,
I vowed to serve you, when it was brand new.
But like Peter, I can’t even watch and pray, one hour with you,
And I bet, I could deny you too.
But nothing lasts, except the grace of God, by which I stand, in Jesus.
I’m sure that my whole life would waste away, except for grace, by which I’m saved.
But nothing lasts, except the grace of God, by which I stand, in Jesus.
I know that I would surely fall away, except for grace, by which I’m saved.
——
From Pastor Pierre’s 13 page paper: “As we survey the lives of the seven characters discussed in this paper, we see how God used imperfect men in the formation of the canon. Peter had denied the Lord three times. Luke was a non-Jew and also not an Apostle. Paul had once persecuted the church. When Marcion couldn’t convince the church of his devious doctrines, he started his own church. Tertullian did not receive the title of “saint” because of his rough and at times abrasive character. Athanasius had a “fiery and stubborn personality.”
The study of the formation of the New Testament shows that an omnipotent and all wise God is able to use the events of human history and the workings of fallible creatures to perform a good and perfect work.”
PDF at
http://www.christiangrowthnetwork.com/Canon_of_the_New_Testament_Pierre_Eade.pdf
http://www.christiangrowthnetwork.com/canon_of_the_new_testament_scholarly.html
Debbie Upper 