Roman Catholic Religion

passion of the christ english

Passion of the Christ?

Is there anywhere on the internet where I can watch it?...I know they speak Hebrew in it, so...is there anywhere that would have English subtitles also?
I can't just go rent it...so don't tell me that. They don't have it at our video store. =(

www.watch-movies.net try looking it up there, you can get free movies from that site. or www.momomesh.com

passion of the christ church resource

Keeping in Spiritual Shape: Perspectives-"How do you take care of yourself spiritually?"

*Siang-Yang tan, Ph.D.*

 

I practice the spiritual disciplines regularly, especially having a quiet time with the Lord in prayer and in his Word every morning for half an hour or longer and periodically for a few hours. I end my day with some time for Bible reading and prayer. Studying the Bible in sermon preparation also helps. I meet regularly with a few individuals as prayer partners and attend church prayer meetings and worship services weekly. My wife and I share deeply and pray together, and we do this with our teenagers, too. I also attend conferences and retreats several times a year. I am thankful for opportunities to meet or keep in touch with spiritual mentors and to mentor and disciple others.

Throughout the day, I also try to practice the presence of God by praying often. Yielding to the Holy Spirits presence and power is crucial for me. I am deeply thankful for a prayer shield of over 100 intercessors who pray for me and my family daily. I enjoy reading Christian literature, especially theological and devotional writings. I also try to live a balanced life, including exercising regularly (working out with weights twice a week), having enough rest and sleep (seven hours or more each night), following good nutritional guidelines, spending time with the family, and taking vacations.

 

 

 

*Gladys Mwiti, M.a.*

I have realized that in a ministry of giving oneself to others and listening to other people's pain, it is very easy to dry up and become an icicle or a walking stalagmite all too white, but stiff, cold, and dry. When this happens, then psychotherapy or counseling soon becomes a mere motion, driving one deeper and deeper into frustration and eventual burnout. The problem is that when Gods vision is blurred and the soul gets lost in ministry, I want to run faster and faster, doing more and more, looking for the elusive worth in the Lord that my waywardness has dimmed. Burnout brings up acidity similar to that of vinegar. No one wants to be around a self-driven savior who just wants to fix up other people's lives, often reminding them how much they have disintegrated. With this pessimism, tenderness, love, grace, caring, encouragement, sensitivity, and discernment go up in flames. Since coming to Fuller, I have also realized that drying up can also come to those in seminary and schools of psychology. Our professors try to keep us all integrated with prayer and the Word. But the reality is that psychometrics and statistics can nearly dry the spirit! Remaining spiritually alive and maintaining a keen cutting edge in ministry are priorities to me. I begin with recognizing my vulnerability am weak and can easily be drawn into running the race with the rules of excellence as outlined by the world around me. However, I have to remember that my well done is not measured by effectiveness but by faithfulness and obedience. Setting aside time to spend with the Lord daily is very important to me. I also talk to him a lot anywhere and everywhere. I lay my heart bare on everything, allowing him to search my thoughts and motives. I take his Word seriously because every quiet time is my counseling session with the Holy Spirit. I memorize Scripture. I take time to worship as I listen to Christian music. In my busy schedule, I may be waiting for a bus on some lonely road in Africa, but I will be reading some spiritual material. I take one day a week to fast and pray even though I may be busy in class or at work. Washing up alone in the kitchen is time to listen to praise. I also have two counselors who pray and care for me. I call them The Counselors Counselors. These two spiritually mature women are far away, but we are one in the Spirit. They pray, counsel, encourage, admonish, and affirm me. My husband, too, is my prayer partner. He helps as my mirror, gently nudging me when I forget my calling. I also belong to a small prayer group that meets once a week. I am enriched through our family's time of prayer, worship, and Bible reading. Church roots are also important to me, and as I worship, I am reminded that I belong to a body that gains through my accountability in

 

ministry. Regularly, I take time to evaluate my work and motivations for doing it. If my goal as a psychologist is not to glorify the Lord through obedience and faithfulness, then woe is me! I don't want to enter heaven with earthly laurels that are as ashes at Jesus feet.

 

*Jon Ebert, M.a.*

 

I strongly believe that starting the day with God's Word makes a difference. I have found that a quiet corner of a coffee shop and the Word of God make an excellent place for grounding myself at the beginning of a day. These times generate encouragement and motivation, and I do all I can to protect these moments from chaotic schedules.

 

Another exercise in spiritual fitness has been in the area of spiritual perception. I have prayed to God that he would grant me a vision of him in a unique way and that this vision would create in me a continual desire to be preoccupied with him. One of the ways that God has developed this vision has been through the Scriptures and also through the writings of Jonathan Edwards. Edwards's aesthetic style and passion for God have drawn me to magnificent vistas, allowing me to take in the vastness of God. Edwards challenges me to encounter God in everything that surrounds me. From this vista, prayer becomes the sustaining breath to satisfy a breathtaking view. I continually pray that God will develop this vision further. Search me O Lord and know my heart, test my thoughts, point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me to life everlasting (Ps. 139:23-24). A key component to spiritual fitness is brokenness. I have recognized that when I surrender all aspects of life to him, his divine light exposes and humbles. Experientially, God has used godly people in my life to convict me of the things I fail to see on my own. Surrounding myself with wise and discerning followers of Christ helps facilitate this process.

 

*Leslie Parrott, ed.D.*

 

Co-director of the Center for Relationship Development at Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Washington The most important tool I've discovered for spiritual renewal came to me as a gift for my college graduation nondescript leather-bound book entitled A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants (1983). Ordered by the church year, this guide opens the entirety of Scripture. In addition, it incorporates selected readings from spiritual classics as well as ancient and contemporary hymns. Every year of my adult life has been enriched by this spiritual companion. Another source of spiritual renewal for me is reading my favorite spiritual authors: C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, Oswald Chambers, Eugene Peterson, Henri Nouwen, Philip Yancey, Luci Shaw, Walter Wagnerian, and others. Their books have been significant beyond words. I read and reread many of their works. Personal reflections through journaling, mostly prayers and dreams, have also been crucial to my renewal. I also write poetry.

For more than a decade, in fact, I've marked each year's end by writing a poem that captures the work of God in my life during the year. I consider these writings my own book of psalms. As simple and traditional as these paths to renewal are, they are often difficult to hold on to in the midst of being a wife, caring for my toddler, and meeting the professional demands of counseling, teaching, speaking, and writing. Without fail, however, I renew my spirit every time I quiet my heart in God's presence through one of these means.

 

*Gary J. oliver, Ph.D.*

 

How do I take care of myself spiritually? First of all, I make it a priority. Although I'm not a morning person, I start every morning with time in my Bible, in prayer alone and with my wife, Carrie, and often with Oswald Chambers. Throughout the day, I listen to Christian praise and worship music and oldies. The oldies don't necessarily strengthen

 

my walk but I enjoy them. I have friends, starting with Carrie, who pray for me and with me and who ask me about my daily walk. Prayer, fasting, time in the Word, fellowship with my wife and friends who love Jesus, Christian music, books on revival, spiritual formation, and prayer, and periodic mini-retreats are key parts of the spiritual exercise regimen that help me grow and stay close to my Lord. The more I do it, the more I love it. Bottom line, this is what works for me.

 

 

 

*Paris finner-Williams, J.D., Ph.D., LP*

 

As a clinical psychologist, I conduct weekly training workshops and perform testing and/or provide treatment to approximately 900 chronically mentally ill and learning disabled persons a year. As an attorney, there are numerous exporter adverbial court hearings and an intense attention to details that I must attend. Not becoming spiritually drained is a constant concern during my 80- hour work weeks. There are at least seven basic ways I take care of my psycho spirituality, specifically:

 

* Each morning I renew my purpose, vision, and ministry that God has placed on my life by having prayerful meditation upon waking, affirmations in the shower, and biblical reading at my desk prior to starting my work day. Periodically, I reflect on how each service has manifested my ministry goals and also brought me satisfaction.

 

* I refuse to accept any new task, assignment, client, or patient that is contrary to cooperating with my psycho spirituality and personage.

 

* I remain task oriented, focused, disciplined, self-approving, while shifting from automatic negative thoughts and feelings to those that are

 

positive.

* I eliminate barriers and strongholds that hinder my best performance by administrations of angels and offering petitions in prayer.

 

* I consistently remind myself of the difference between what I can control in comparison to what I can merely influence and hold myself and

 

all persons accountable for the consequences of our own respective behaviors.

 

* I attend at least two praise and worship services a week, sing, and listen to gospel music throughout each day, and call my Aunt Bernice McAdoo, who serves as my spiritual advisor, daily.

 

* I insure that my husband and I take at least one 10-day personal vacation each year, have a weekend alone quarterly, a Friday night date twice a month, daily affirm our love for each other, and worship together weekly.

 

*Larry Crab, Ph.D.*

I take care of myself spiritually in two ways. First, I rise most mornings to spend an hour or so with the Lord. I sing, read Scripture, pray, and celebrate the Lords supper. Second, I speak often with three

or four folks who stir my appetite for God, who provide perspective and energy. Without these two sources of life, I surely would not make it.

 

*Diane M. Lang berg, Ph.D.*

I certainly am sustained by both corporate worship and avid reading of a variety of theologians. However, the heart of my relationship with God is nurtured in three ways that have become like food and drink to me. One of these involves rising early every morning, while it is still dark and the world is quiet, to study Scripture, to pray, and to listen.This time with God is not about the gathering of knowledge. It is focused on who he is and who I am, before him and in relationship to others. The second personal aspect involves weekly prayer time with a handful of women. I bring my heart and my life to these times (as they do), and we pray for and with each other. Online therapy can be helpful to get rid of such problems.

 

The third way I nurture my life in christ was taught to me by Evelyn Christensen. She challenged me to find a team of people who could commit to pray for me on a daily basis. I have done so and cannot imagine a life without the strength and protection that brings. Forgiving our Parents, Forgiving ourselves Hers practical, Biblical help for unraveling the dysfunctions of our family past. Complete with workbook  this best-seller is one of the best old resources available on forgiveness. Take help from telephone psychologist.

About the Author

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preaching christ from all of scripture

Christ Did Not Send Paul to Baptize – What?

Sometimes it is easy to misunderstand passages of scripture and especially so if we are getting all kinds of help doing so.  Paul's statement in 1 Cor. 1:17 is such a passage.  It reads as follows:  "for christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel." (1 Cor. 1:17a NKJV)  What is Paul saying here?  Is he saying that Christ does not care whether or not disciples are baptized?  Is he saying it is unimportant and makes no difference to one's salvation whether he/she is baptized?  It is the purpose of this article to show the folly of taking that kind of stance based on this scripture. 

Let me begin by asking a question that must be answered if one is to take the position that baptism does not matter and that Paul was teaching that in this passage.  Here is the question, if it did not matter, if it has nothing to do with salvation, if Christ did not want Paul to baptize why did Paul baptize?  He says in verses 14 and 16 that he baptized Crispus and Gaius and the household of Stephanas.  In Acts 19:1-7 Paul came to Ephesus and found 12 men there that had not been baptized properly and he baptized them.  Why?  Why if Paul felt it was unnecessary?  One also finds others who were baptized either by Paul or by a companion of his as a result of Paul's teaching on the subject - Lydia and her household (Acts 16:14-15) and the Philippian jailer and his family (Acts 16:29-33).   

Why if Paul felt baptism was unnecessary did he teach baptism in Rom. 6:1-7, 1 Cor. 6:11, 1 Cor. 12:13, Gal. 3:26-27, Eph. 5:25-26, Col. 2:11-12, Titus 3:5, and if Paul wrote Hebrews as many believe he did in Heb. 10:22? 

If baptism does not matter and Paul did not care whether people were baptized or not then why was Paul baptized?  Was more required of Paul than anyone else in becoming a Christian?  The command to Paul by Ananias, a man sent directly by the Lord himself (see Acts 9:10-16) to Paul (at that time called Saul), was "arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins." (Acts 22:16 NKJV)

Most today, if they were to be consistent in what they teach, would have to tell you that Ananias was mistaken and could not possibly have meant what he said about Paul having sins to be washed away for they say a man is saved from his sins at the point of faith and thus Paul had no sins to be washed away so they know more about it than the man sent directly by the Lord himself to Paul.  They also would have to tell you, because they believe man has no part in his own salvation other than faith, there was nothing Paul could do to help himself contrary to what Ananias told him.

One also has to ask another question if one is to interpret 1 Cor. 1:17 as teaching that baptism does not matter to Paul or to Christ.  Actually, two questions.  (1) Why was Paul, an apostle, exempt from the command Jesus gave to the other apostles just before his ascension to heaven in Matt. 28:19-20 where the command was, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age"? (NKJV)  Is he some kind of special apostle who was exempted from this command to baptize?  Did the disciples made by Peter, John, and the other apostles have to be baptized but not those made by Paul?  I hope you do not believe that.  What Peter, John, and the other apostles were commanded to do Paul was also commanded to do or else he was not required to fulfill the Great Commission as they were and who believes that?

(2) Which disciple was it in Matt. 28:18-20 that jesus said would not need to be baptized?  I might add the disciples that were made were to be taught "to observe all things I have commanded you" which was what - to go make disciples and baptize them.  Matthew 28:19-20 settles the matter of whether baptism is essential to salvation by itself, no other passage is needed, unless of course one can deliberately disobey Jesus and still be saved.  But, there are many, many other passages teaching the same necessity of baptism as essential to salvation.

Paul in 1 Corinthians was writing to the church that he established there.  He says of it "I planted" (1 Cor. 3:6 NKJV); "I have laid the foundation" (1 Cor. 3:10 NKJV); "For though you might have ten thousand instructors in christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in christ jesus I have begotten you through the gospel" (1 Cor. 4:15 NKJV).

The record of the establishment of the church at Corinth is found in Acts chapter 18.  As a result of Paul's preaching the text says, "And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized." (Acts 18:8 NKJV)  Were the converts Paul made left unbaptized because Paul thought it was unimportant and did not teach it?  Not according to this text.  He said in his letter to the church at Corinth he was not sent to baptize but it is certain he taught it or else how did the Corinthians learn about it and why were they baptized?  If Paul did not do the actual baptizing (and he did not do it according to 1 Cor. 1:17) then it is certain some of his helpers or assistants did on his behalf.

According to the Acts 18 account the Lord spoke to Paul telling him he had many people in Corinth (verse 10) and directing Paul to not hold his peace but to speak up in preaching the gospel (verse 9).  Paul spent 18 months in Corinth preaching (verse 11).

In 1 Cor. 6:11 Paul, after speaking of sins that will prohibit one from inheriting the kingdom of God (verses 9 and 10), says to the Corinthians, "And such were some of you.  But you were washed…" (NKJV)  Now what kind of washing would it be that would make a difference in one's salvation - that would cleanse one?  Might it not well be the same washing Paul had when he was baptized?  "Now why are you waiting?  Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16 NKJV)  Yes, washing (baptism) makes a difference in that it spiritually speaking washes away sins in obedience to the command of God.

But, that is not all Paul has to say to the Corinthians on the subject of baptism.  In 1 Cor. 12:13 he says to them, "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body." (1 Cor. 12:13 NKJV)  That body, the only body that matters with regards to one's salvation, is the body of Christ of which he (Christ) is the Savior (Eph. 5:23).  Now read Paul's words carefully here.  He says "we were all baptized into one body."  All means every one of us, no exceptions.  How many disciples did Jesus say should be baptized back in Matt. 28:19?  None were to be exempted, not a single one.  In New Testament times there was no such thing as a Christian who had not been baptized.  That has not changed with time even if men will have none of it today and reject it entirely.

Did Paul personally do a lot of baptizing in Corinth?  No!  Did he preach it and see that it was done?  Yes!  Why did he not do a lot of the baptizing himself?  The answer is he had those working with him who could and would do the work.  Paul's primary mission was to preach the gospel as an inspired man.  An uninspired man can baptize another but in the days before they had a written New Testament it took inspiration to preach the gospel and thus it is easy to understand why an inspired man's first duty would be to preach.  Such a man could always, or nearly always, find help to do the baptizing.  As already shown 1 Cor. 12:13 and Matt. 28:19 prove that every Christian at Corinth was baptized (see also again 1 Cor. 6:11). 

Paul most certainly did not mean that Christ sent him out into the world to preach that baptism was a non-essential and that none need to be baptized for it was Jesus himself who said, "he who believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mark 16:16 NKJV) and that "unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:5 NKJV) and it was Paul who was commanded to "arise and be baptized" to have his sins washed away (Acts 22:16 NKJV).  One can also read the passages Paul wrote on the subject of baptism listed but not discussed earlier in this article (Rom. 6:1-7, Gal. 3:26-27, Eph. 5:25-26, Col. 2:11-12, Titus 3:5) to see Paul's teaching on the subject and the importance he placed on it.  

About the Author

For preaching a little different than what you are use to hearing try the audio sermons of Waymon Swain.