NCarolinian

"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first." - 1 Thessalonians 4:16 ____________________________________________________________________________ Jesus steps down off His throne (Wow!) - "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven," - and midway down to us (as our daily routine rolls on) Jesus calls in a strong, firm, loud, but not deafening voice to all True Believers....... "Come Forth!" This phrase would not only mean "to come out of" but it would have a "be ye transformed into my (Christ's) likeness" meaning to it also.  His words transform all True Believers dead and alive to their eternal bodies. Then, possibly the Archangel Gabriel - "with the voice of the archangel" - the order is given, "The dead in Christ shall rise first!" (Gabriel acts as an proclaimer an...

Recently there have been certain people in this world that are allowing me to see a different side of myself.  There are those in my private life and especially in the public eye that obviously don't know Jesus Christ as their personal Messiah and both are pushing my buttons to the point where I desire to say - "When I get to heaven I am going to let out the biggest - 'I told you so' - anybody ever heard, in your general direction." A check in my spirit by The Holy Spirit confirms to me that my emotional knee-jerk reaction is understandable BUT not the correct one.  The Holy Spirit then impressed upon me that by the time I am meeting Jesus in the air with other Believers (Rapture reference) that this "I told you so" attitude/spirit will not be the pervasive one toward the still-then earth-bound unbelievers.  No, the atmosphere of heaven toward them will be more inclined toward woe (for what is coming on the world and it's inhabitants next) and co...

Ah yes, a great Christmas song (referencing the title of the blog)!  However, not all of us hear (one of the five senses) the same and not all of us listen the same (understand what has been said).  A marriage counselor once described the male listening and male speak as a color - blue .  While he also described the female listening and female speak as a color - pink .  In order for us to understand one another better within the marriage relationship we need to learn the language of the color of the other  important person in our lives.  Not only do we need to develop a "pink language" if we are a male and a "blue language" if we are a female, but we need to develop our blue and pink listening skills as well in the same manner.  This is just within the context of a marriage.  Now let me apply this to the Christian's relationship with God. There is no doubt that the God of the universe knows what we mean when we speak.  It is our feeble...

There was a time in humanity's existence when shame was not an issue ( Genesis 2:25 ).  But then a time came when humanity rebelled against God.  The relationship we had with God fell so far and so hard that we have been shamed for it by the enemy and ourselves ever since that day. The spirit of shame has been around for many generations teaching humanity how to use shame as a weapon, especially inside the family unit.  A Biblical example of this is found in 1 Samuel 20:30 - "Saul's anger flared up at Jonathan [Saul's son] and he said to him, "You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don't I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you?"   So, not only did Saul disgrace his own son, Jonathan, he included Jonathan's mother, his own wife in the slander.  The spirit of anger triggered the whole episode - "Saul's anger flared" -  but Saul eventually got around to using th...

Some people have the attitude and teach that since Jesus is going to come at a time when Believers do not know then Believers don't need to be concerned about it.  This is the incorrect approach.   Let us consider some Scripture on the watchfulness of the Christian believer. Word study on  "Watch" . Matt. 24:42  -  “Therefore keep watch , because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Matt. 24:43  -  But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. Matt. 25:13  -  “Therefore keep watch , because you do not know the day or the hour. *Luke 21:36  -  Be always on the watch , and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” "Watching" for Christ's return is a command -  "Therefore keep watch..." ...

For the Christian, where is home ?  I have heard it said, " Home is where the heart is " or " Home is where you hang your hat ".  I have done a number of word searches in my study of this question that must be considered first before we get "home" . My word search in the Bible for the term "pilgrim" found no result, yet Christians sing of themselves in hymns as just that -  pilgrims just passing through this ole world of woe in route to their true home of heaven, paradise, streets of gold, the golden city, and the like. The word "alien" is used quite often in Scripture, but usually refers to people from a different place than Israel or wherever the Hebrew people happen to be at that time instead of the Believer's relationship with this planet as his/her home.  But is the heaven scenario really home, the final destination for the Christian? The first real connection I found with a verse that might speak to earth NOT being the ...

Over my 42 years of Life, I have heard many stories of people with different degrees of fame who have committed suicide.  However, this recent murder/suicide by Jovan Belcher of the Kansas City Chiefs has got my emotions and thoughts flowing again and I would like to share them with you. For those who do not know the story that I am referring to here is a link that you can click and then read the related story.  http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--jovan-belcher-s-conflicting-potrait-reveals-an-earnest--hard-working-young-man-154216138.html Sad.  A young 25 year old male with a NFL career, a 22 year old girlfriend, a great reputation and everything seemingly working out for him and he takes away her life and throws away his by shooting each other.  No signs, no signals, no tells of any sort to alert anybody of this possibility.  Of all that people knew about Jovan there was no need for concern.  Ah, but there is my point - why wait for something bad to dev...

From my perspective and my expectations there is not a whole lot to be said.  The play and outcome of the UNC vs. Chaminade game was online with what I thought would happen and the result of the UNC vs. Indiana matchup was right on target.  A win against an inferior team and a loss against the # 1 team in the nation respectively. The lost really magnified our youth and the weaknesses within our youth.  Rebounding and ball-handling are two weaknesses I would like to bring out here.  The Tarheels have too many players playing volleyball with the basketball instead of going up strong and grabbing the ball with two hands and coming down with a sure possession.  Last I checked it was a basketball court, not a volleyball court that they were playing on, but what do I know, I'm just an analyst. The Tarheels have a lot of refining to do especially in the fundamentals.  However, Coach Williams desperately needs to find the right combination to the right mix of c...

The Long Beach State game I thought was a matter of the team finding their rhythm and staying in that groove.  LBS was playing on their home court so they had all their vibes and flow going early.  But once Carolina settled into their gameplan and took the fast-break opportunities when they came, the outcome favored UNC. In the Mississippi State game the Tarheel team I have wanted to see this season finally showed up on the court.  Guard play, shooting, height, and defense were all keys to the win in this one.  McDonald and Hairston were instrumental in bringing the threat from outside.  P.J. even hit a beyond the half-court line shot to end the first half (and you know it is going good when you hit shots like those). In the Butler game, everything the UNC squad did right the night before they left it at the hotel and nobody went back to get it.  It was a complete turn-around performance - no defending the three (obviously - Achilles heel), we spent mos...

At first glance the words of Matthew 8:22 can seem rather harsh. "But Jesus told him, ' Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.'" However, in order to gain a better grasp of this verse one needs to examine the context of the verse, review Jesus' track record, and consider other's study of this verse carefully. Contextually Luke's account of this event must be considered to examine why the other disciple said to Jesus in the first place - "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."  In Luke 9:59 , Jesus charges the teacher or man to "Follow me" (Jesus).  In verse 60 Jesus goes even further as to why the man should leave his father and follow Jesus - SO THAT the man might "go and proclaim the kingdom of God" . Jesus' track record was to heal the sick, dying, or dead.  Here is such an account of Jesus' nature - Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd we...

Welcome to the 2012 edition of In My Humble Opinion - a season long appraisal of the performance of the University of North Carolina Men's Basketball games by me, your host writer - Chadwick E. Pritchard. I was fortunate enough to be in Chapel Hill at the first two games of the season - vs. Gardner Webb and vs. Florida Atlantic. In the first contest, against Gardner-Webb, I did not expect much and did not receive much.  The team definitely looked rusty.  I thought rightfully so, after coming off an off-season where you are only playing your own team-mates.  Playing the same players over and over gets old quick.  You get to know their ways and you adapt or should adapt quickly to their style of play.  However, with a team UNC has never seen before, they were making poor decisions on passes and shot selections, relying too much on MacAdoo and not spreading the "Love", and COULD NOT HIT A FREE THROW TO SAVE THEIR SKIN!  Another interesting observation that...

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. - Psalm 23 "The LORD is my shepherd" To me this means Believers in Christ Jesus are His sheep.  In addition, The LORD is called the Believer's "great shepherd" in Hebrews 13:20  probably in reference to this Psalm. "I shall not be in want" This condition is because if you have a relationship with the "Great Shepherd" you have everything.  However, within...

Wives and Husbands 1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. 7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing wil...

Here is the main reference Scripture (1 Peter 3:1-7) again. Wives and Husbands 1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. 7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heir...

Marriage - many people have had a lot to say on this topic throughout time.  More specifically requirements or at least strong suggestions on what each party, the husband and the wife, should bring to the table have been discussed ad nauseam.  One of those contributors, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I would like to highlight in this blog is Peter.  There are many places in Scripture one could go to study the topic of marriage, the husband's responsibilities, and the wife's responsibilities but for this examination I would like us to consider 1 Peter 3:1-7 . 1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, t...

The Church of Jesus Christ in America (or any nation) Humility +  Prayer +  Seeking God's Face +  Turning From Their Wicked Ways  = God's Response                                                           1.  I will hear from heaven                                                           2.  I will forgive their sin                                                           3.  I will heal their land 2 Chronicles 7:14

I respectfully challenge all churches everywhere, including my own, to observe Communion next time with a heightened awareness toward being in right relationship with "the body and the blood of the Lord" ( 1 Corinthians 11:27 ). To me. being in right relationship with "the body" of the Lord means that the Believer believes correctly about Jesus' physical existence and is right with all the members of The Church, also known as the body of Christ on earth since His ascension. In being in right relationship with "the blood of the Lord" I refer to another Scripture for support - Matthew 6:14-15 - "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."   The blood of Christ shed for our sins on The Cross dealt with forgiveness - "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without t...

"For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." - 1 Timothy 6:7 The context of this verse was the reliance on money.  Paul was about to be martyred when he penned 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus.  Paul was writing a letter of instructions to aid Timothy in running an effective church body for the Lord.  On the list was the love of money .  Paul mentions in verse 9 that people who have a desire to "get rich" are already primed for "the temptation" , "the trap" , and finally "ruin and destruction" .  It reads - "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction."  Verse 10 and 11 elaborate nicely -   "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."   Instead of this love of money Paul instructs ...

The encouragement in this teaching is to live a life led by the Holy Spirit.  A life being lived with just The Word of God (Bible) at your side and being read every day is a great foundation and a wonderful practice to keep all the days of one's life.  However, there is so much more that can be drawn from each reading with The Word and there is so much more that we as Believers can do by being empowered with the Holy Spirit and living the Spirit-led life. A great Biblical life exemplifying the above condition is Peter.  He had The Word of God, Jesus, with him for three years wherever he traveled.  Peter heard the teachings and saw the miracles of Jesus.  Peter was even the one to hail Jesus as the Son of the Living God, the Messiah.  But then Peter turns right around and is used by our spiritual enemy in an attempt to thwart God's plan of salvation by saying,  "Never, Lord!  This shall never happen to you!"  ( Matthew 16:13-23 )  Then...

The Apostle Paul and I have some questions for a particular somebody.  Paul had the questions for the Believers in Galatia and now I submit them to the Believers who will read this blog seriously. "I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" (Galatians 3:2-3) After doing something for so long or behaving in a certain way for possibly a lifetime, it is extremely challenging to completely lay that habit or behavior or lifestyle down even if it is for something better.  I know, I have been there and done that and have the t-shirt.  I eventually saw the errors of my ways because I got hurt or I hurt others.  It is too bad it had to come to damage control to get me to STOP operating in the wrong mode.  I imagine it is that way for many of us.  Again, Paul writes,...