Monday, September 2, 2013

What must we do to have Eternal Life?

Tom's Journal. http://tomschuckmanjournal.blogspot.com/ tschuckman@aol.com



I just learned a bit more today,  again!!  I always recommended that new people [UN-believers] first read the books of John, and then Romans, to get a good basis/ idea about salvation and the Gospel.   Just like...  the first thing they told us when getting off the big jet in Vietnam, was....  "Don't bunch up!!"  Because the VC--enemy wants to hurl a mortar  or rocket  round right in the center of us, killing as many as possible with one swift blow, at Bien Hoa Air Base, RVN, in early '68.    Duh.... Happy Days, are here again!    2:41 Buffalo Springfield - Stop Children What's That Soundysndkn1,150,533 views
   But today, what I didn't know, is that the book of John [and I always liked Matthew better, for some reason...] is geared towards UN-BELIEVERS !  WOW!  So,  this is not the only way to read and study the Bible, but it makes sense to me.   I guess some folks would say, 'Start at the beginning --Genesis.'   The only problem that I see, is that we are so far down the tube -- at the threshold of the 'End Times' that according to my good pastor Kevin Sullivan, the Rapture 'COULD COME AT ANY TIME NOW !'   

Yes, my wife and I keep the house and yard in good repair [Terri does all the work -- I am too disabled at this point....shoot!], but I supply the money, most of it, anyway, with my Chrysler pension, etc.  Praise the Lord!  I am just saying that we continue to live, work, play, and struggle with all the taxes and bills that we make -- and life goes on.   BUT,  everything the Bible tells us is true, or will be true!  So we start every day with that premise.  Hey!  I am not looking for any WW-3 or nuclear fall out, but if it comes, ALL MY FAITH AND TRUST IS IN THE LORD, JESUS CHRIST !  It's the 'only game in town...'   And just think, the KJV Bible warns that one third of the world will be killed off from war [and we think pretty soon], but why worry?  All our 'Prepping' is not going to help much if that stuff drifts our way....Ha!   

I have 'Prepped'  [and tried to undo all the past damage, with false religion, and living the wrong way...]  -- all 3 of my children [AFTER I FINALLY FOUND THE LORD, IN EARLY 1995, for real, even though I had studied the Bible for the past 40 years, getting sucked into various false fake so-called "Christian churches/ religions."  JW'S , ETC.].   So please don't think that you are tucked in and secure, just because  you were 'raised a certain way, or been a 'church member for a long time !!'   Test yourself!  This day's Blog post is a good one!!  Read it  -- Share it !

I also think that, IF, something happens to me soon or what ever, WHAT KIND OF LEGACY will I leave behind for my 2 kids, and others?  I am into 'Saving Souls' and only wonder how many I have helped.   I only know that I WANT TO HELP as many as possible, only to show my extreme gratitude for Salvation from my Lord and Master, Jesus.   I am your humble Soldier, Lord.

Warm Regards,
Tommy Schuckman  




Monday, September 2, 2013


What Must We Do to Have Eternal Life?

Christopher ConeBy Dr. Christopher Cone Tyndale Theological Seminary

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In the third installment of the Indiana Jones franchise (spoiler alert), the guardian of the “holy grail” warned Jones to “choose wisely, as the real grail brings eternal life, the false grail brings death.” Jones proves his wise choice by not disintegrating into a pile of dust (unlike the villain, who chose most poorly). We cheered for Jones and his father, who presumably both gained eternal life. But is eternal life really that simple—just find the right cup and drink from it? Actually, in real life it's much simpler for us (though, of course, we can’t overstate the amazing effort of God in achieving our salvation—just take a look at Ephesians 1 to get a glimpse of the amazing work He accomplished on our behalf).
Gospel of John

John's Prescription

John’s Gospel is the only book of the Bible specifically addressing non-believers for the purpose of telling them how to gain eternal life (Jn 20:30-31). Other books offer brief descriptions of how people were justified (declared righteous) in God’s sight. Genesis 15:6 describes how Abraham believed in God and it was reckoned to Him as righteous; Jonah’s prophecy offers the unbelieving Ninevites a stay of judgment pending repentance; Acts 16:31 records Paul’s and Silas’s response to the jailer who wished to be saved; and there are many, many other descriptive passages.
But we must be careful to distinguish between descriptive passages—which simply tell us what happened at a moment in history, and prescriptive passages—which tell their audience what must be done. John’s Gospel is descriptive, yet with a prescriptive purpose:
"these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (Jn 20:31).
John makes it clear to his readers that if they simply believe, they would have life in His name. But believe what exactly? John's Gospel is clear about that too.
John uses the term believe (Gr., πιστεύω) 98 times in his Gospel, and 41 of those times he includes the object:
  • 1:12—believe in His name
  • 2:11—believed in Him
  • 2:23—believed in Him
  • 3:16—believes in Him
  • 3:18a—believes in Him
  • 3:18b—believes in the name of the only begotten Son of God
  • 3:36—believes in the Son
  • 4:39—believed in Him
  • 6:29—believe in Him
  • 6:35—believes in Me
  • 6:40—believes in Him
  • 7:5—believing in Him
  • 7:31—believed in Him
  • 7:38—believes in Me
  • 7:39—believed in Him
  • 7:48—believed in Him
  • 8:24—believe that I am He
  • 8:30—believe in Him
  • 8:31­–believed Him
  • 9:35—believe in the Son of Man
  • 9:36—believe in Him
  • 10:38—you do not believe Me, believe the works…
  • 10:42—believed in Him
  • 11:25—believes in Me
  • 11:45—believed in Him
  • 11:48—believe in Him
  • 12:11—believing in Jesus
  • 12:36—believe in the Light [John called Jesus the Light in Jn 1:9]
  • 12:37—not believing in Him
  • 12:42—believed in Him
  • 12:44—believes in Me
  • 12:46—believes in Me
  • 14:1—believe in God , believe even in Me
  • 14:10—believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me
  • 14:11—believe Me
  • 14:12—believes in Me
  • 16:9—they do not believe in Me
  • 17:20—believe in Me
  • 17:21—believe that You sent Me
  • 20:31—believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God
In many of these passages John tells us exactly what a non-believer needs to believe in order to have eternal life. Specifically, in 33 of these instances John includes the preposition in with Jesus as the object, to show that eternal life is from belief in Jesus. John 3:16 illustrates:
"the believing one in Him will not perish but has eternal life.”
John 3:36a adds,
"He who believes in the Son has eternal life…”
These passages and the tremendous weight of evidence they represent help us to understand that eternal life does not come by works, nor by intellectual belief of some general facts, but rather by belief in Him. He is the Christ, the Son of God. Believe in Him, and we have eternal life. John's Gospel is just that simple. To help us understand what information we need to know in order to believe in Him, Paul describes the good news in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 as including information about the person of Jesus (that He is the Christ—the God/man Messiah described in the Hebrew prophets) and His work (died to pay for sin, was buried in proof of His death, rose again in proof of His qualification, and appeared to many).
In short, believing in Him requires understanding something of who He is and what He did. On this point we must exercise extreme caution. It is tempting to quantify exactly what knowledge of Him is necessary, but in the many Biblical accounts of the gospel being presented and accepted, there is not a uniform set of facts presented (one of the many evidences against lordship salvation). Not every piece of data regarding His identity, for example, is in view every time. I would suggest Paul provides us (in 1 Cor 15) with a very useful model, but a little more or less here and there—as we see in other instances—does not invalidate the presentation.
Finally, we should recognize that the moment of belief is just the beginning. While our position is irrevocably determined at that point (we have eternal life, Jn 6:47), our practice has only just begun. After believing in Him, we might read Ephesians 1-3. These chapters help us understand the incredible things God has done for us, and what our new position in Christ really means (including how He saves us from the wrath of God).
Once we understand our new position in Christ, Ephesians 4-6 help us understand how God expects us to live and grow. Ephesians 4:1 exhorts us to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called…”
Next, we can read Romans 1-11. These chapters explain in more detail our new position in Christ. Romans 12:1-2 exhorts us to “present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service of worship.”
Belief in Him, by His grace (Eph 2:8-10), gives us a new relationship with Him. But we don’t stop at being reborn—we want to know Him better, walk with Him, and glorify Him. Jesus explains that the purpose of eternal life is that we might know Him (Jn 17:3).
Let’s not complicate how the relationship gets started, and let’s not neglect how the relationship grows. The moment of belief is the start of a new life. In light of His great mercies toward us, how will we respond?





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8 Worst Foods.

Tom's Journal. http://tomschuckmanjournal.blogspot.com/ tschuckman@aol.com

It's too bad we soft, fat, Americans have to wait until we have both feet in the grave before we start to TRY and live more healthy !!  Grrrrrrrr!   I PROMISE that I will wean myself off SODA POP, and very soon!   I should be knowing better after studying healing herbs ever since I got back from the Vietnam War in 1970, fasting and other natural home medicine.   Sorry,  I had seen too much of the co-called 'modern medicine' and people dying....    It's just a total  distrust of the Gov't and 'Medical Community,'  Blood supply LIES!  

I was careless and reckless in Vietnam concerning women and free love,  and lucky!  Now days, I would actually be afraid to cheat on my wife, besides it being a horrible sin and so hurtful.  Besides, I love her too much.   I knew a person, who had AIDS, WHO HAD ONE SIMPLE CLOSE ENCOUNTER with a pretty college girl, and got AIDS right off the bat!   Duh!  It only takes one time, as we all should know.  

But can you just imagine a beautiful Paradise Earth, filled with healthy people, after all the wars and killing, in a perfect world??  That time is coming too!  But my own hope is to live in Heaven, along with the Church, the Bride of Christ.  The term church is just an old English word for "Congregation."  They have a special contract, deal, commitment with Jesus Christ.  Why go thru the unsavory business of dying, and / or the Great Tribulation, if you don't need to ??  

In the mean time,  I am just tired of being sick, unhealthy, short of breathe and weak.   I want more energy to serve the Lord and my fellow man.

Tom

8 of the Worst Foods for Your Body

8 of the Worst Foods for Your Body

Many people think of healthy eating as consuming a certain number of calories per day. But the truth is, it’s not just about how much you eat but the quality of the food you eat, and how safely it’s been produced. Click through to check out some of the worst foods you can put in your body — you’ll certainly be surprised by a few!
See Also: Top 10 Foods Most Likely to Make You Sick


1. Microwave Popcorn.
Workers in microwave popcorn factories have actually developed an extremely rare form of lung cancer from inhaling fumes. If that isn’t enough of a reason to avoid the stuff, here’s another: the lining of the bags contains perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a substance that has been linked to several other forms of cancer and infertility. Plus, so many microwave popcorns are loaded with bad fats and sodium. Homemade air-popped popcorn can actually be a health food, believe it or not, so stick to that for your next movie night.
Also Check Out: 6 Healthier Alternatives to Movie Popcorn


2. Non-Organic Apples.
Last year, apples won the dubious honor of being the most pesticide-laden produce. Because they aren’t very resistant to pests, apples tend to get sprayed more. They’re also treated with pesticides to extend their shelf life.  If you’re an apple lover, always, always, always buy organic — or don’t buy ‘em at all. Your body will thank you!
Related: Is Titanium Dioxide in Food Harmful?


3. Soda.
Several studies have directly linked soda consumption to higher instances of cardiovascular disease, cancer, depression, obesity — you name it. Diet soda isn’t off the hook, either. 9 Disturbing Side Effects of Soda
Earlier: Leeks Braised in White Wine (Recipe)


4. Chips.
Many brands of chips contain unimaginable amounts of sodium and fat — one bag can often be more than a day’s worth. But it’s not just the nutritional concerns to think about here — chips also contain acrylamide, a chemical that comes with an increased risk of several forms of cancer and infertility. You can also find the scary stuff in french fries.
Try these instead: Crunchy Kale Chips with Sea Salt & Sesame Seeds


5. Canned Tomatoes.
Aside from being far less delicious than the real, fresh, thing, canned tomatoes have the added “perk” of bisphenol-A (BPA) on their cans’ lining. This is the stuff nightmares are made of: BPA has been linked to fetal abnormalities, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, thyroid issues, and even cancer. It’s been banned for use in baby bottles, and overall bans are being considered nationwide. You can get up to 50 mcg of the stuff from canned tomatoes; the acidity makes them more difficult to package than most products, so a safe alternative has been difficult to find. Your best bet, though, is to avoid them all together. Stick to fresh tomatoes or, if need be, tomatoes packaged in glass jars.
See Also: 12 Surprising Uses for Safety Pins


6. Non-Organic Celery.
Celery is the dirtiest of all vegetables — the Environmental Working Group has founded dozens upon dozens of different pesticides on the non-organic stuff.  As with apples, go organic or don’t go at all.
More: Olive Oil Will Extend Your Life


7. Milk with Artificial Hormones.
Many farmers give their cows artificial hormones so they will produce more milk — good for their bottom line, not so good for our health. These hormones lead to higher rates of another hormone, IGF-1, which is thought to increase instances of cancer in humans. Look for milk that is certified organic, or labelled with either rBGH-free or BST-free.
Also Check Out: Skim Milk Doesn’t Do a Body Good


8. Margarine.
If margarine didn’t have any food dye in it, it’d be a delightful shade of gray. If that isn’t evidence enough, what is?!  Though margarine is often thought of as a healthier version of butter (there’s no cholesterol, right?) it’s also a wonderfully terrible source of trans fats — stuff that does, indeed, raise your cholesterol. Here’s your excuse to go back to the real stuff — or, of course, olive oil!
More:Butter vs Margarine
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Over 10% Of the American Diets is Fast Food
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Katie Waldeck

Katie is a freelance writer focused on pets, food and women’s issues. A Chicago native and longtime resident of the Pacific Northwest, Katie now lives in Oakland, California.

914 comments

+ add your own
1:57AM PDT on Sep 1, 2013
thanks!
11:18PM PDT on Aug 31, 2013
Thank you for info.
11:17PM PDT on Aug 31, 2013
Thank you for info.
11:01AM PDT on Aug 30, 2013
Damn you tinned tomatoes- use those in everything! Also, I love Crisps! Eek
11:07AM PDT on Aug 27, 2013
In the last few years,we've gone back to butter and olive oil,but less,and sugar rather than substitutes, but less,and no diet soda. Instead,no soda at all. I tried a hot-air popper. I didn't like it.I use the old-fashioned method, popcorn kernels and olive oil and butter 1/2 &1/2 in the bottom of the pan.When the popping starts, I cover with the lid and shake the pan lightly till the popping stops. I may make more than a pan full so I have my bowl ready to fill as the popcorn over flows. Now THAT's popcorn! It makes about 2 bowls.
8:08PM PDT on Aug 25, 2013
Beautiful


Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-of-the-worst-foods-for-your-body.html#ixzz2dmhI8vhd