NCarolinian

Ever heard or seen this verse?  -  "Behold , I stand at the door, and knock : if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (King James Version) The New International Version states it like this -  "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." The Biblical address is Revelation 3:20 .  I have seen this verse on paintings and used in teaching/preachings as invitations to unbelievers . If you read carefully before and after this verse - in other words, read this verse in context - you will observe this was spoken to Believers.  Thus, this is my main challenge to you in this writing today - when reading the Scriptures Consider the Context! Allow me to demonstrate my meaning.  Let us take a look at Revelation 3:20 and it's surrounding verses. To the Church in Laodicea 14 "To the angel of the church i...

There are some important questions that I hope and pray every individual eventually encounters in their faith walk of life. The first question is - "Are you ready to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior?" This question is important because one's answer to this determines the continuing status of one's relationship to God.  An answer of "No, I am not ready." - keeps anyone in a broken relationship.  An answer of "Yes, I am ready." - and praying a sincere prayer of faith in Christ Jesus as your personal Savior redeems any one's relationship with God. The second question someone might be asked is (after one has decided to follow Jesus) - "Why did you decided to become a Christian?" For someone who is considering to follow Christ, this is a good question to ask yourself in advance .  "Why am I considering Christianity?  Is it just to have a religion in the religion boxes of applications?  Is it peer pressure?  Is it for sociali...

My friend, brother, and worship pastor - Kerry Crespo - brought a great teaching to the choir during practice last night and his delivery style was spot-on also.  The message struck such a chord (choir pun intended) with me that I needed to journal, blog, write, share again with possibly those that are not in our wonderful choir.  So, be encouraged, be challenged, and be blessed. In short, as the Tabernacle of Moses housed the presence of God in the Old Covenant, so does the Christian body house the presence of God in the New Covenant.  There are a lot more details to enrich that statement, but to ponder on this thought ends up being a great privilege and a great responsibility. In the Old Covenant, God set aside a certain man (the High Priest) from a certain tribe (the Levites) from a certain nation (Hebrew people, later Israel) to hold the awesome responsibility of representing the people in God's presence.  God manifested His presence above the Ark of the Cov...

I have got good news for everyone - you and I are forgiven! All the wrongs you and I have made past, present, and future were blotted out on the cross of Jesus Christ.  All anyone has to do is recognize their need for a Savior, then accept His FREE GIFT of salvation.  It is not hard.  It requires a confession or a heart-to-heart prayer to Father God, acknowledging your status without Jesus and your need and desire of Jesus in your life.  Then there is repentance - turning from your old ways, 180 degrees and becoming a new creature in Christ Jesus (living a Christian lifestyle). Father God got a hold of my heart and life in 1979 (9 years old).  Since then I have been living the Christian life the best way I knew how, BUT more freedom came for me this past week.  From the beginning of my Christian walk I knew my sins were forgiven, but I would live my life with God accepting the past as forgiven and not the present or the future as forgiven.  There w...

I have been sick since New Years Day (it is now January 16th).  I have prayed for a quicker release from this crud on an annual basis, but every year I have to let this stuff run it's course.  This year it seems particularly lengthy.  I don't have the flu, just a nasty - throat, head, sinus cold that is keeping me from plans I had.  Again, I have prayed and my wife and parents have prayed for me, yet once again it looks as though this "bug" will not be stopped short of it's full course.  I don't understand God's healing strategy for me and for a whole host of others in this same "boat". I rebuke the notion that I am not exercising enough faith.  That reeks of condemnation and God through Paul said in his letter to the Romans -  "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," (8:1) . I have been believing in Isaiah 53:5 , as many Christians do when sickness or a physical challenge presents itself.   ...

It has been a while since In My Humble Opinion has come at ya with an opinion but there has not been too much to talk about concerning Carolina Basketball.....unfortunately.  Here is a synopsis of my observations since last time I reported. I have been to the Dean E. Smith Center to take in four games so far this season.  Even in the wins I've seen in person or on t.v. UNC manages to look and play undisciplined.  Forget teams that have had or may have an inside presence.  When the Tarheels play against a team full of pure shooters, especially loaded with three point specialists, it is lights out for the Heels.  Their weakness, since it's inception, has always been the three point shot.  Now we get to add no defense for an inside game to the equation as well....wonderful (sarcasm included). The young team, sprinkled with vets, is....... making poor decisions on/off the ball not communicating  (zigging when needing to zag) heavy on the turnovers...