Core Truth #2 - The Virgin Birth - Part 2

The following "short" version of our Wednesday night youth group lesson is from Alex McFarland's book, Stand.  Core Truths for an Unshakable Faith.  The bottom of this post contains some discussion questions for parents and their teens.

Core Truth #2 - The Virgin Birth

This is the follow up to Part 1

• Common Objections to Belief in the Virgin Birth
• the first objection some scholars raise centers on the language of the Bible.  Some translations of  Isaiah 7:14 read “ a young woman shall conceive and bear a son” rather than “a virgin shall conceive. 

When Isaiah was written in the Hebrew language did the word that’s translated as “virgin” mean what we think it means?  Had Mary truly been a virgin or was she “just a young woman?”

 The Isaiah 7 word that is usually translated “virgin” is the Hebrew word almah.  It occurs only seven times in the entire Bible.  Scholars have noted that in every case, “virgin” is the only meaning attached to the word.

 When the translators were taking the Hebrew to the Greek they used the Greek word, parthenos, which can only mean virgin.

• The second objection is disbelief in miracles

For about 150 years, since the theory of evolution became popular, there has been a widespread belief that miracles do not occur.

Naturalism says that there can be no miracles, absolutely nothing supernatural.  For them God is not a factor, they think the universe evolved.   One objection they use is against the virgin birth because it goes “against nature”.

  The naturalist says “The virgin birth story arose at a time when people were too ignorant to know better, after all we all know how babies are made.”

Think of the arrogance behind that statement.  Do they really think that people 2,700 years ago didn’t know how babies are made?

So how does all of this relate to the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ?  Simple, If God is powerful enough to create this planet and all of the people on it why wouldn’t He have the ability to work within it.

Who Jesus was and what Jesus did and what he said all of these mean nothing if Jesus was born mortal like us.

 

The Greatest act of Caring

Matthew 18-12-14

You matter to God.  Jesus virgin birth and miraculous life are proof positive that God cares for you.

 Because of sin, there was need for a Savior.  Jesus Christ met all the qualification for “saviorhood.  Psalm 40 was written hundreds of years before Jesus was born and later cited in Hebrews 10:4 as proof of Jesus authenticity, predicts that God would one day take on human form.

79% of Americans say they believe in the virgin birth.  

Parent/Teen Discussion:

What do you think your friend's objections to the virgin birth of Christ might be?

Parents, you may want to share the opinion you had before trusting in Jesus as Savior or share the opinions of some of your friends with your teen.

Do you believe in miracles?  Why or Why not?

Why do you think the virgin birth is important to our faith?

Spend a few minutes reading together the scriptures cited above and talk about any questions or interesting thoughts either of you might have.

My Mouth, My Heart

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Psalm 19

Two important thoughts in this verse.  The Bible teaches us that our mouth and our thoughts are connected.  What's on the inside is going to come out.  The heart overflows out of the mouth.  My mouth is like a waterfall of what is going on inside of me. 

Our words are to be pleasing to God.  Think about that.  This thought is hard for my add brain to wrap around because my mouth runs all day long and as a result there are many words flowing out of me.  Are my words pleasing to God?  

As a parent are the words and the way you use them towards your child pleasing to God?  Students, are the words you use towards your parents pleasing to God?

Think of all the words that come out of your mouth everyday.  Are those words pleasing to God?  Think about it, if we truly considered this verse much of our vocabulary would change.  For many their parenting style would have to change because all they know to do is yell at their kids.  Think of the peace that would result in the home if children would take this verse into practice in their lives.

...the meditation of my heart

What consumes your thoughts throughout the day?  Do those thoughts please God?  What do you think about others, those you work with, live next door to, in your own home?  Meditation is more than just a passing thought.  Meditation is dwelling on a thought.  Someone hurts your feelings or offends you and then that is all you think about.  Then soon you have bitterness as a result of the meditation of your heart.  That bitterness will eventually flow our of your mouth.

Why not think about those things that please God?  Why not meditate on a scripture verse or on a Biblical principle that God is teaching you?  What are you meditating on right now, today?

What a finish to a chapter, "my Rock and my Redeemer".  Why not meditate on this verse a while?  Is God your Rock?  Is Christ your Redeemer?

Brussel Sprouts, Facebook, and auto flush toilets

Brussel Sprouts were first grown in ancient Rome.  Thank the Roman empire for these little mini-cabbages.  They are, by the way, from the same family as cabbages, actually they started out as a wild growing plant.  Brussel sprouts as we know them today were grown as early as 1200s's in what is now Belgium.  During the 16th century the popularity of these little green morsels of goodness started to spread.  Brussel sprouts are packed with vitamins, folic acid and have been considered a preventative to colon cancer because of the sinigrin they contain.

There is your short little lesson on Brussel sprouts.  Now I can't ever remember eating one of those little dudes growing up.  I have later found out in life that the reason why I probably never ate them was because my dad didn't like them.  To be honest I probably would not have eaten brussel sprouts as a child due to my immature taste buds.

Last night at supper I steamed some brussel sprouts and then covered them in a healthy cheese sauce.  They were quite tasty (I also like them covered in olive oil, salt, pepper, and broiled in the oven).  Ty didn't go for them.  Funny that after the meal I was reading my What matters to Moms, Parenting magazine, they suggested not feeding a three year old brussel sprouts because their taste buds are so sensitive and brussel sprouts are very strong in flavor.

I felt great about eating the healthy sprouts our family then went out and celebrated with the buy one get one free blizzard at the DQ.

I'm not trying to brag but I was nominated for the "funniest person on Facebook" contest.  Now again I'm not bragging, it's just that I never get nominated for anything.  What makes this nomination even better is that I was nominated by Mark Lowry's sister (not giving her name to protect the innocent).  We grew up together as "Jerry's Kids" and went to school together. Perhaps I should add this to my bio, if I had one.

Parenting tip of the day - For those that are potty training your little pre-schoolers the auto flush toilets can be a little scary, especially since they can flush while you are still sitting upon the throne.  Carry some post it notes in your purse or pocket, cover the sensor eye with a post it note until the job is done.  This will, of course, prevent the toilet from flushing while the little girl or guy is taking care of business.  This is the pay off of reading a parenting magazine targeting moms.

Human tip of the day - You can use the same technique as described above to keep the toilet from flushing as you try to put the toilet seat protective cover on.  How irritating that can be!  I once flushed 3 down the toilet as I tried to put them on the seat.  The beauty of post it notes, the possibilities endless!  (the airport in Nyguya, Japan, has temperature controlled toilet seats that you can adjust to your liking, very nice, I know because I've been there)

 

FCA Pics

Blown Away!

I attended the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) this morning at FFMS.  I was blown away by number of students in attendance.  The guest speaker shared his testimony of how God had radically changed his life.

As Dale wrapped the meeting up I counted heads, I counted 90 and thought to myself, "you messed up counting".  I counted again and came up with 89 students!  I'm not sure how many students attend FFMS but I bet that was easily 10% of the student body.

The public school is America's largest mission field.  I pray that our FCA huddles at FFMS, FFHS, and soon in Manteo, will reach their schools.  I also pray that our communities on the OBX will support FCA.  With 90 at FFMS and around 50 at FFHS the potential for something huge at these schools is incredible.  Then let's reach Hatteras and Currituck.

I'll post pictures as soon as my wonderful embarq "high" speed dsl starts working faster.  Don't know what the deal is there.

A Faithful Reminder of God's Faithfulness

Psalm 19 is an incredible chapter.  I woke up early Sunday morning and glad I did because I forgot to set my alarm.  I went ahead and got out of bed knowing that I wouldn't fall back to sleep, so I might as well get up.  I did my usual beauty ritual and made sure my spikes were all in their place. 

Since I was up early and ready for church I thought I would have a sunrise breakfast.  I packed a bowl of cereal and some milk and headed down to the church.  I went up on the balcony in the big lobby and poured my milk into my cereal and watched God put on an incredible show.  This show never repeats, it looks totally different every time.  The Sun coming up over the horizon in the atlantic is truly an awesome event, and it happens here every morning, the sun hasn't missed one yet. Who says God's not faithful?  

Check out what David wrote about the sun:

 In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, 5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

What a great description!  God has given us some great reminders of his faithfulness.  Who holds the ocean back from washing us away?  Who keeps our planet tilted just right so we don't freeze or burn to a crisp?  Who hung the stars in the sky?  You know the stars are there every night even if you can't see them.  On those cloudy nights when the stars are nowhere in sight you know they are there.  Why?  Because the night before you saw the evidence, you saw their light.

I look all around me on this playground we call earth and I see evidence of God.  I know he is there even though I can't see him when I wake up in the morning.  Why?  Because I saw his evidence the day before.  I see evidence everyday.

You can count on God, he is faithful.  In Hebrews chapter 13 verse 5 we are reminded that God will never leave us or forsake us.  

hilarious and a little creepy

Someone e-mailed this to me.  I first of all find it hilarious.  Second it is a little creepy.

The photo his called, "HillBilly"

Since there never has been a "first gentleman" in  the white house would President Bill Clinton be responsible for planning the dinners and teas and social events?  I can just imagine Bill in charge of White House Christmas decorations.  (in the voice of Bill) "And this is a cool ornament I picked up at Bass Pro Shops, it's a Brittany Spaniel on point.  And this is an 8 point buck ornament. . . "

I laughed so hard I cried

Mish and I are sitting in the living room watching TV.  Ty's in bed so this is our "down" time.

A commercial comes on for Heritage (must be insurance or something).  The narrator says, "If you were born between 1928 and 1968...."  

Oh My Word!!!!!!!  It hit me, I'm officially an old man.  I'm getting offered the "old folk insurance program".  We both laughed our heads off.

Next I'll be getting Ed McMahon trying to get me to buy some sort of senior products or programs.

I guess soon I'll be down at the Senior Center shooting billiards with the boys.  And I have a three year old boy!!!!!

Someone bring me a throw for my legs they are cold!  Is the heat on?  Where's my tea?  Turn on Lawrence Welk!

Best video to watch in the world today

I know that 90% of my blog guests bounce over from cfhusband.  But if you stumbled here without going there first you need to check out Nate's most recent post.

It is amazing and you better have some kleenex nearby soon.

Two Announcements

1.  The Outer Banks Youth Ministry Network, of which I am a member, announces their new web site: OBXYMN.com

2.  I have a new view out of my office window.  A new road!

My Second Political Post

Last night (and I realized I'm getting old and crusty because I'm enjoying these things) I watched the democratic debate.  And then there were two.  I think there is a strategy going on here.  My opinion is we will see a Obama/? ticket or a Clinton/Obama ticket.  I don't think that Senator Clinton will settle for second fiddle.  

I was gong to post: "Last night I watched the democrat debate and that's all I have to say about that." (in the voice of Forrest Gump)  But I do have a few observations:  (I realize some will disagree with my thoughts but you know what?  It's my blog!)

>I don't like the smirk on Hillary's face when Obama is talking.

>Both were dressed very nicely.

>Obama's stand on abortion is far from my Biblical stand.  So if he gets on the ballot he won't get my vote.  

>Hillary's stand on abortion is as far away from my Biblical stand.  So if Hillary is on the ballot she won't get my vote.  (I believe that if we should honor God not our pocket books)

>Interesting that President Clinton was nowhere in sight last night.  Think they are taking their party's suggestion?

>Chelsea could very well be a president's daughter all over again.  Think she will get the same bedroom?

>Senator Clinton was trying hard not to get vicious and vindictive.  I could see the pain on her face.

>Can anyone say "plastic smiles"?  (McCain was sporting one as well during the republican debate, it's a skill acquired in DC and Hollywood)

>Obama hammered Hillary several times about her support of invading Iraq, while he stated he was opposed from the beginning.  Which is true.

>Hillary says she would not have supported the decision if she knew now that the intel reports were wrong.  (What do you think the President based his decision on?  The same intel reports.  So if Hillary had been president at the time she would have had made the same move.  We know this because she supported the invasion.  I'm not sure but when you learn to double talk from the best you are bound to be good at it as well.  "I did not have sexual relations with that women."  Remember that lie given to us from the oval office on our TV sets?  I'm still amazed that we voted him in office again after lying right to our faces)

>It would have been fun to have Ron Paul in their debate as well to add to the entertainment factor.

>I believe that if we knew everything that goes on in our government we would be scared, very scared.

>Interesting that Hollywood's big gun actors were all sitting up front and regular americans had to sit in the back.  Seemed a bit like the seating order for an awards show to me.  Again another strategy.  Hopefully America was smart enough to catch that strategy.

And now an ADD moment:

It's interesting if you read the transcripts from the 60 minute interview with the interrogater of Saddam (I read them).  Saddam intentionally led America to believe there were weapons.  He also stated he thought we would just air strike for a few days.  He asked his military for two weeks of war and then it would become his secret war using insurgents. 

 

I think if you are going to pick a fight you better think about the outcome first.  Lost his country, lost his sons, lost his life.  

So this should be the last of my political blogs for a while.  Basically I would love to see a normal man get in office.  Maybe a guy that grew up learning to read in a log cabin by the candlelight.  That would be refreshing wouldn't it.  Or possibly a youth pastor with ADD?  

Then we would all have official government days to play games like "Pudgy Bunny" and "dodgeball tag".