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Mark 1:40-45 — Jesus’ Touch

Touch Research

I just read a facinating article about the power of human touch. Patients touched by their doctor perceived their visits to have lasted twice as long as patients who weren’t touched. Students who were touched by their teachers were twice as likely to volunteer in class. The human touch can ease depression. The human touch can improve relationships

In a Cal Berkley study touches among teammates on NBA teams were measured. Among all NBA teams who do you suppose touches the most? The top two are the Boston Celtics and the L.A. Lakers — the last two NBA champions.

Interesting.

For the full story see the New York Times .

Your Life:

Touching, appropriately of course, is one of the most effective ways of communicating God’s love to others. People who are lonely and/or depressed have shared with me that, at times, they would give their right arm just to feel the touch of another human.

A friend who does counseling once told me that a patient of his came back to visit him a few years after her counseling sessions had ended. She was doing extremely well and credited my counselor friend with her improvement.

“What was it that made the difference?” he asked, “The wisdom I shared? My insights into your family life perhaps?”

“No,” she replied.

“It was the hugs.”

Imagine with me what it must have meant to the leper that Jesus touched in Mark chapter 1. In Jewish society at that time, it was illegal to touch a leper — illegal. Lepers walked while speaking the warning, “Outcast, unclean. Outcast, unclean,” so people could stay clear and completely avoid any possibility of touching. It’s hard to think of someone who would crave the touch of another human more. Disregarding man’s law Jesus reached out. His physical touch accomplished amazing things with the leper. I want to encourage you to get in the habit of physically touching those you love. And beyond that, find others who will be encouraged by your touch — you know who they are. Show people God’s love. Do as Jesus did — touch them.

A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.

Mark 1:40-42

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 Posted on February 23, 2010 by

 How Jesus Loved People - How You Can Too

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Glass Repair Man Rescues Five From Austin IRS Building Fire/Plane Crash

So Robin Dehaven is driving his glass repair truck in Austin, Texas in the vicinity of the IRS building when he sees a small plane flying low, coming in for an approach to a runway, only problem — no runway. He watches as this small plane crashes into the IRS building. He decides to pull into the parking lot and see what he might be able to do to help. (CNN article)

This turned out to be a good thing for five occupants of the building.

CNN reporter Mike Ernest, who witnessed the aftermath, said,

“I just saw smoke and flames. I could not believe what I was seeing. It was just smoke and flames everywhere.”

(CNN article)

Another witness, Lyric Olivarez, said,

“People on the second and third floors were busting out windows, screaming, ‘Help me! Help me! Get me out of here!’ waving handkerchiefs or whatever they could find,”

(CNN article)

So Dehaven pulled into the IRS parking lot, grabbed a ladder from his truck, positioned it under a window, climbed it to a 2′ x 4′ ledge, broke the window, and rescued five occupants. (See Facebook)

Nice work Robin.

Robin’s actions and the actions of other bystanders at this scene greatly reduced the number of casualties that might have been caused by the tragic, and apparently intentional, plane crash into the Austin IRS building.

A video of the IRS building fire is below.

Your Life:

Someone reading this blog has it within his or her power to help somebody. If your that person, this is a word for you. Take the initiative.

John Masters once said,

“You have to recognize that every ‘out front’ maneuver you make is going to be lonely, but if you feel entirely comfortable, then you’re not far enough ahead to do any good. That warm sense of everything going well is usually the body temperature at the center of the herd.”

When we take initiative it often feels a bit awkward. You, I, we have to realize that this is the normal state of most any human being who’s taking initiative to venture outside the comfort zone. Remember that God is much less concerned about your current comfort than He is about your eternal condition. (Jon Courson / Applegate Christian Fellowship)

In order to be used by God to show people His love, you must take the initiative.

Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.

James 4:17

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 Posted on February 19, 2010 by

 Bible Commentary

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Marine Shot in Head, Walks Away

Photo From DVIDSHUB

Like many of us, Marksman Lance Cpl. Andrew Koenig went to work on Monday (February 15) but his job was somewhat more of an adventure than yours or mine. Somewhere near Marjah, Afghanistan, Lance Cpl. Koenig’s assignment was to make the roof of his outpost and find Taliban targets to shoot. But before he even fired one shot, a Taliban marksman shot and hit him, in the head, a direct hit, nearly between the eyes. He was knocked backward to the ground and immediately cried out that he was hit. Only thing was, he wasn’t bleeding. To the surprise of those who saw him shot he popped up and made his way, under his own power, down off the roof to a medic. Lance Cpl. Andrew Koenig’s kevlar helmet took the bullet leaving nothing more than a welt above his right eye.

“He’s alive for a reason,” Tim Coderre, a North Carolina narcotics detective working with the Marines as a consultant, told one of the men. “From a spiritual point of view, that doesn’t happen by accident.”

Michael M. Phillips, Wall Street Journal

Koenig’s supply officer teased him about turning in a damaged equipment report.

Within an hour or two Koenig was back on the roof looking for Taliban targets.

Amazing.

Your Life:

While we should never tempt the Lord by living a foolish self destructive lifestyle — Matthew 4:7 Jesus said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” — nor should we live in fear of our death, for God has numbered our days. Jesus also said,

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:28-32

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 Posted on February 16, 2010 by

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Medical Teams International Worker Faces Haitian Wild Animal

Medical Teams International worker, Kellen Knott, recently faced down native Haitian predatory wildlife. After waking in the morning he found this tarantula lurking a mere 3 ft. from his sleeping bag. You can read his own account at Kellen Knott’s blog. (For more see previous post Helping Haiti)

To see previous posts on the Haiti earthquake go to.

Haiti – 16 year old girl rescued from rubble — video

Haiti Earthquake — Haitians don’t lose hope

Haiti 7.0 Earthquake — Link to local missionary family twitter


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 Posted on February 16, 2010 by

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Girgis Baroumi — Is this kid innocent?

Is this kid innocent? According to the Pakistan Christian Post Girgis Baroumi has been accused of sexually assaulting a 12 year old girl. He is currently incarcerated in Egypt and will stand trial in an Egyptian court. I’m not saying that the 12 year old is not telling the truth however some facts will shed light on current attitudes in Egypt toward Christians.

Girgis Baroumi is a Coptic Christian. There is no forensic evidence to support the accusation, no witnesses, and no lawyer volunteered to take his case — one had to be brought in from Cairo.

In sharp contrast consider the case of Hammam al-Qomy, Oreshi Abul Hagag and Hindawi Sayed Hassan. All three are Muslim. On Christmas eve as people were leaving a Coptic Christian church service in Nag Hamadi three men shot and killed five Coptic Christians and wounded seven others. Two days after the incident the three above named men were found hiding in a field near where authorities found the vehicle used in the drive by shooting. (See the Christian Post for more information.)

They confessed.

Later they recanted. 25 lawyers volunteered to defend them. The Muslim community is trying to link Baroumi’s alleged sexual assault to the drive by shooting.

Habib el-Adly, Minister of Interior, said on January 24, in an interview on the Egyptian TV programme “City Talk” that el-Kamony is a hired killer, but “he got so upset about the rape and the videos of nude Muslim girls with Christian men, that it triggered the shooting urge in him.”

Pakistan Christian Post

“…triggered the shooting urge in him.” You can hardly blame a guy for killing five innocent people and wounding seven others if his shooting urge has been triggered. Right? Discrimination is one thing but wow, when the Egyptian Minister of Interior makes public statements like this it is incredible! Even if Baroumi’s charges aren’t trumped up, which is very debatable.

Your Life:

Ever get nervous about being open with others concerning your relationship with Christ. Consider the situation of Christians in the Middle East. Only 12% of the Egyptian population are Christians and they are indeed discriminated against. What most of us endure is merely annoying by comparison. Jesus said that “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” John 15:18   Jesus also said,

Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.

Luke 6:22, 23

Be strong in your faithfulness to Him.

Pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in the Middle East.

Pray for Girgis Baroumi.

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 Posted on February 14, 2010 by

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Tragic Shooting at U of Alabama Huntsville – Video

Amy Bishop, a professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, was arrested for killing three of her fellow professors and wounding three additional University employees. In a faculty meeting, after sitting quietly for thirty minutes or so, she pulled out a 9 mm and started shooting. Some believe that the motive for the shooting was the University’s denial of her tenure. Bishop is a woman who was apparently successful in business, as she and her husband have recently invented an automated system that cultures cells — if successful their system could replace the petri dish. Yet she’s been quick to complain, even to new acquaintances, about the unfairness of her not making tenure. Complicating this recent tragedy is a report that 23 years ago, Bishop also shot her then 18 year old brother.

For more information go to Shaila Dewan’s article in the Salt Lake Tribune and a second article in The Huntsville Times.

Your Life:

Beware of unforgiveness!

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

Matthew 18:21, 22:

Why did Jesus so emphasize forgiving others? Like every other admonition that God gives us in the Bible, it’s for our good. Dr. George Vaillant, the head of a Harvard University Study that followed 268 men over a 72 year period was asked,

“What have you learned from the Grant Study men?” Vaillant’s response: “That the only thing that really matters in life are your relationships to other people.” (Joshua Wolf Shenk, The Atlantic)

It’s been said that not forgiving is like drinking poison then expecting the other person to die. Forgiveness is freeing. Forgiveness opens up a life that is God’s best life for you. Having trouble forgiving someone? By far the best way to help yourself to adopt a forgiving attitude is to spend time with Jesus Christ. “And just how do I accomplish that?” you may ask. Spend time with the body of Christ in church, spend time in prayer, spend time in His word. Take communion and remember how He has forgiven you.

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Jesus Christ, Matthew 6:14, 15

Applegate Christian Fellowship / Jon Courson

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 Posted on February 14, 2010 by

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Helping Haiti — the rewards are great — an insider look

“Any time I’ve done something like this I find that I’m the one who winds up being blessed.”

I wrote that in a previous post, New 9/11 Photos From Helicopter , referring to a trip I made to help out in New York after 9/11. This photo is of a friend, Kellen Knott, (and one of his new found friends). He’s been job hunting and as you know, in this economy, job hunting is quite a challenge. In late January Kellen was fortunate enough to get an interview for a Paramedic position with an ambulance company — he was elated! Then, immediately after his interview, he was contacted by the nonprofit group Medical Teams International and asked to join a team headed for Haiti. Traveling to Haiti would be a once in a lifetime opportunity but what about the job? To complicate matters, Portland Fire Department is accepting applications. If he went to Haiti he’d miss that opportunity as well.

Kellen prayed about it and sought wise counsel from people older and more wise than himself, and, decided to go.

For an inside look at Kellen’s great adventure go to Kellen’s Blogspot.

Your Life:

If you go to Kellen’s blog you’ll find that while he sacrificed a couple of great job opportunities his rewards in Haiti have more than compensated. I doubt that he has any regrets. These types of trips are often life changing. If you ever have the opportunity to go…

Go.

Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

Proverbs 11:25

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 Posted on February 13, 2010 by

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Millionaire Gives It All Away — Will live on $1,250 a month

This story blows my mind. Back in 1986 Karl Rabeder starts a furniture business. He works hard, things go well, and 24 years later he finds himself worth between 4.6 and 7 million dollars, depending on who’s telling the story. Recently he’s on his way home from a Hawaiian vacation, a great truth clunks him right on the noggin — he’s “dying from consumerism.” tonic.com So he decides to give it all away. He’s selling his cars, his plane, his luxury alpine villa. It’s all going to orphanages and the poor in South America. When it’s over he’ll be living on approximately $1,250 per month.

George Pitcher in his article at Telegraph.co.uk commends Rabeder for giving to the poor. And later in his article makes a great point when he writes,

The rich young man of the gospel was told to give his money to the poor and to follow Christ. So getting rid of the money is only half the job. (Matthew 19)

Your Life:

Jesus said

If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Mark 9:44-48

Think about this! We are talking about eternity here — that’s a long time. If anything gets in the way of your relationship with Christ, give it up. Your hand — if you’re doing things that separate you from God; your foot — if you’re going places that separate you from God; your eye if you’re looking upon things that separate you from God.

Or your money.

Karl Rabeder gave it all to the poor. You and I should too if our money is a detriment to our relationship with Jesus. Do the whole job — follow Him.

Applegate Christian Fellowship / Jon Courson

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 Posted on February 11, 2010 by

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Scientists Communicate with Man in Vegetative State – Mind Readers – Video

Scientists can now, literally, read your mind. Check out this video.

Hope for those in a vegetative state.

More to come soon.

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 Posted on February 8, 2010 by

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Jesus’ First Missionary A Formerly Demon Possessed Man

Ever have doubts about your ability to be used by Christ? Consider the account of the Gerasene man who was possessed by a legion of demons:

When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!”

Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

Mark 5:2-13, 18-20

Your Life:

The following is from a teaching heard at Applegate Christian Fellowship.

Who, do you suppose, was Jesus’ first missionary? One of the twelve disciples perhaps? Paul the Apostle?

Nope.

Jesus’ first missionary was the Gerasene man. A man who only minutes before was possessed by a legion of demons. A man whose theology was only minutes old. A man whose doctrinal knowledge could be summed up in one sentence: “Jesus scared the hell out of hell.” Yet Jesus instructed him to, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And the result was that …all the people were amazed.

The key to being used is not your theological educational foundation. The key to being used is to share what you’ve heard from God’s word. Jesus said,

Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

Mark 4:24

Of course we are to study to show ourselves approved unto God. 2 Timothy 2:15  But the appetite for studying increases proportionally to the amount that we share with others, the amount that we “mete” out.

Are you teaching your kids the great stories of the Bible? Are you blogging to influence people for Christ? Are you leading a small home group? Are you sharing the gospel with neighbors? Don’t doubt God’s ability to use you. It’s more dependent on Him than it is on you. The key to being used is to give out the bread of life that you take in. In other words, you use it, or lose it.

From a Jon Courson teaching at Applegate Christian Fellowship, January 27, 2010

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 Posted on February 4, 2010 by

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Christian NFL Pro Bowlers Support Tebow

More debate on Fox about Tebow’s Pro-Life Superbowl ad. This time Focus on the Family’s Jim Daily weighs in and Jehmu Greene again supports the pro-choice (pro-abortion?) view. (see previous posts Attackers of Tebow’s Ad Not Pro-Choice,  O’Reilly vs. Abortion Supporter on Tebow Ad,  Learn From Tebow — Stand for Something)

Several Christian NFL Pro Bowlers support Tebow’s Pro-Life Super Bowl ad.  According to the Baptist Press:

David Garrard, quarterback for the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars, said he appreciates Tebow for standing by his convictions.

“I applaud him for standing up for what he believes,” Garrard said after practice for the Jan. 31 Pro Bowl. “More people, more athletes should do the same.”

Philadelphia Eagles David Akers, one of the NFL’s most reliable kickers, said since he is “definitely pro-life” and has been through the adoption process in his family, he believes strongly in celebrating life.

“If you get into the politics of what should and shouldn’t happen, I’m definitely biblically based,” Akers said. “I think that’s creation and we shouldn’t harm it.”

As for a Super Bowl ad supporting a pro-life view, Akers said, “If someone’s paying for it, absolutely.”

“What’s the difference between their opinion on that or someone saying yeah or nay to alcohol,” he asked rhetorically.

Heath Miller, a tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a believer, said he appreciates those who encourage each other in their faith, and that he admires Tebow for his convictions and doesn’t believe anyone will change him.

“I think Tim has every right to use every stage to tell people what he believes,” Miller said, even a commercial during the Super Bowl. “He’s a football player, he can relay what he believes just as much as anyone else can.”

As far as the haters go, L. Brent Bozell III says it better than I can in his New York Post article, Feminist Fury at Super Bowl ‘Choice,’

Isn’t it a little strange to see people who present themselves as “pro-choice” get so upset when someone suggests their choice was to keep the baby?

Bozell’s article is one of the best I’ve seen on the issue. I highly recommend it.

Your Life:

Prayerfully consider speaking out for those who can’t speak out for themselves.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.

Proverbs 31:8

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 Posted on January 31, 2010 by

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Michelle Duggar’s Health Endangered with Birth of #19 — Jim Near Tears — Video

This video is a preview to the season premiere of TLC’s TV program about the Duggars, a family with, well, with a whole bunch of kids. (see previous posts The Duggars and Be Fruitful) It’s a great inside look at the courage of this family as they face adversity. The premiere airs tomorrow, Sunday, January 31 at 8PM Eastern and Pacific on TLC. At the time of the video Michelle is less than six months pregnant. She’s suffering from preeclampsia and the health of both she and the baby are at risk.

This television show is so refreshing. Kudos to TLC for airing a show that portrays Christians in a positive light. This is in stark contrast to the Christian bashing that’s so often seen from Hollywood and most of the rest of television.

Your Life:

I’m told that there’s a movie about life on earth a few centuries or so into the future. In the movie, all of the world’s wise and intelligent people stop having children in order to devote their lives to their careers. The result is that the world becomes populated with people who are notably stupid and lacking in good judgment. (definition for moron from dictionary.com) Five-hundred years into the future, a cryogenically preserved man of average intelligence is awakened and found to be a super-genius relative to the rest of humanity.

Isn’t that what we Christians are doing when we don’t obey God’s command to be fruitful and multiply? Are you of above average intelligence? Are you a Bible believing Christian? Then have a bunch of kids! I’m not saying you should have as many as the Duggars, God bless them, but have plenty. All else being equal, the more believers on the planet the more we can influence the world for God’s kingdom.

As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.”

Genesis 9:7

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 Posted on January 30, 2010 by

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