I’m brushing up on Acts — in Chapters 10-11,  it was revealed that Simon regarded the Gentiles as being “unclean” — which, if memory serves me right, is probably a light term.  Jews of that day regarded Gentiles as scum of the earth (which was probably a mutual feeling), and at the point in Ch. 10, where Simon went to meet with Cornelius, I’m thinking meetings between Jews and Gentiles were rare, if they happened at all.

From the HCSB, Cornelius sees an Angel, and Simon’s Vision (Acts 10:1-43):

Cornelius’ Vision
1 There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment. 2 He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the [Jewish] people and always prayed to God. 3 At about three in the afternoon he distinctly saw in a vision an angel of God who came in and said to him, “Cornelius!”
4 Looking intently at him, he became afraid and said, “What is it, Lord?”

And he told him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa and call for Simon, who is also named Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”

7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, he called two of his household slaves and a devout soldier, who was one of those who attended him. 8 After explaining everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Peter’s Vision
9 The next day, as they were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the housetop at about noon. 10 Then he became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something he went into a visionary state. 11 He saw heaven opened and an object coming down that resembled a large sheet being lowered to the earth by its four corners. 12 In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, and the birds of the sky. 13 Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat!”

14 “No, Lord!” Peter said. “For I have never eaten anything common and unclean!”

15 Again, a second time, a voice said to him, “What God has made clean, you must not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and then the object was taken up into heaven.

Peter Visits Cornelius
17 While Peter was deeply perplexed about what the vision he had seen might mean, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions to Simon’s house, stood at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon, who was also named Peter, was lodging there.

19 While Peter was thinking about the vision, the Spirit told him, “Three men are here looking for you. 20 Get up, go downstairs, and accompany them with no doubts at all, because I have sent them.”

21 Then Peter went down to the men and said, “Here I am, the one you’re looking for. What is the reason you’re here?”

22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who has a good reputation with the whole Jewish nation, was divinely directed by a holy angel to call you to his house and to hear a message from you.” 23 Peter then invited them in and gave them lodging.

The next day he got up and set out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him. 24 The following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him.

26 But Peter helped him up and said, “Stand up! I myself am also a man.” 27 While talking with him, he went on in and found that many had come together there. 28 Peter said to them, “You know it’s forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner. But God has shown me that I must not call any person common or unclean. 29 That’s why I came without any objection when I was sent for. So I ask, ‘Why did you send for me?’ ”

30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this hour, at three in the afternoon, I was praying in my house. Just then a man in a dazzling robe stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your acts of charity have been remembered in God’s sight. Therefore send someone to Joppa and invite Simon here, who is also named Peter. He is lodging in Simon the tanner’s house by the sea.’ 33 Therefore I immediately sent for you, and you did the right thing in coming. So we are all present before God, to hear everything you have been commanded by the Lord.”

So God showed through Simon, also called Peter, that this salvation was not only for the Jews, but for everyone.

Good News for Gentiles
34 Then Peter began to speak: “In truth, I understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, 35 but in every nation the person who fears Him and does righteousness is acceptable to Him. 36 He sent the message to the sons of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all. 37 You know the events that took place throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and curing all who were under the tyranny of the Devil, because God was with Him. 39 We ourselves are witnesses of everything He did in both the Judean country and in Jerusalem; yet they killed Him by hanging Him on a tree. 40 God raised up this man on the third day and permitted Him to be seen, 41 not by all the people, but by us, witnesses appointed beforehand by God, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people, and to solemnly testify that He is the One appointed by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about Him that through His name everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins.”

The most convincing part for the Jews who traveled with Simon, and for the Gentiles who gathered at Cornelius’ house, was when Simon, a Jew, baptized the Gentiles.

Gentile Conversion and Baptism
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speaking in [other] languages and declaring the greatness of God.

Then Peter responded, 47 “Can anyone withhold water and prevent these from being baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.

I’ve read through Romans again, and this time, it’s occured to me that I need to go back and read the Law — the first five books of the bible.  So now you guys know what I’m going to be studying, next.

I have a coupon for 25% off that I got in the mail from Family Christian Center.  It’s good for the Labor Day weekend (which is this weekend!!!).  With it, I plan to get this bible, for a few reasons.  For one, I have a LOT of bibles.  Locally, I brought a TNIV, NKJV(x2), NLT(x2), Message, Modern Language, and ESV.  But no NIV.  I also didn’t bring any of my study bibles.  My most cherished bible is the Ryrie KJV Study Bible, which is in bold green leather, gold trim on the pages, and embossed with my name on it.  But I left it at home!  What on Earth was I thinking?  If I had all of my study helps here that I had at home, I’d have to vacate the bedroom in favor of room for these books! But I wanted to get an NIV Study Bible just like this one for a long time.  A lot of my Christian friends own this copy, and a lot of the pastors and educators I know have this version as well.  I believe it’d be a good addition to my library, since I’m beginning to really dig in to what I read.

With that coupon, I can get the copy I want for around $15.  So I’m all over it, along with a set of tabs for finding my books quicker.

Paul had never been to Rome at the time of this letter.  He, however, was a citizen of Rome, and had experienced almost every aspect of the Roman Culture.  See, Rome, at the time, was the center of the then-known world.  All roads quite literally led to Rome.  Many Jews living in Rome had travelled to hear Simon Peter’s sermon in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost (see Acts), and had taken their new beliefs home with them.  (Peter seemed to speak only to the Jews, but as of this point, I’m not sure if this is a certain fact or if it just looks that way).  Paul had made many friends that had been exiled from Rome (Claudius demanded all Jews leave the city), and stayed with some of them in his travels.  These friends of Paul, and those who heard Peter’s sermon, were able to return to Rome, again, and out of this new Christian wave entering Rome came a church.

Paul would eventually get to Rome, but little did he know it would be as a prisoner.

Romans 1:1(NIV)

1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God -

This is Paul’s greeting to the Romans, where he introduces himself a servant of Christ Jesus.  Other translations deem Paul a slave, or doulos.  The Greek word, doulos, means slave or bondman.  It also means one who gives himself up to another’s will those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men (studylight).  Paul did not believe he was his own, he was owned by God.   He was called to be an apostle: which comes from the greek word meaning messenger. The message he was writing, here, was to help bring to resolution the disputes going on in the Roman Church.  He was set apart for the gospel of God.  Some translations simply say “separated” unto the gospel — in other words, he was set apart from the rest of the world specificaqlly to perform the task of spreading the gospel of God.

1:2-4

… the gospel of God - 2the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

God’s promise to introduce the world a more perfect place is found all over the Pentateuch and in the books of the Prophets.  The life of Moses, Kings, Chronicles, etc — all show stories of God’s promise.  Let’s not forget Job’s sufferings.  God made it known that this would be done through a Messiah - saviour - who would bring such a plan into action.  The mortal man, who is by human nature a sinner, would be redeemed through this Messiah.  That Messiah, as Paul points out in v4, is Jesus Christ, God’s Son, and Paul also notes that He is a direct decendent of David.  David, of course, was King of Israel, therefore, not only does Jesus have a supernatural Father, He’s also connected by bloodline to one of, if not the highest royal families of its time.

Jesus Christ — the Son in question — who “through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be Son of God through the Spirit of holiness — his divine nature — was declared with power — God’s extraordinary power –  by his resurrection from the dead. Jesus Christ was dead for three days.  Where was he during his death?  Did he go to Hell to pay for our sins directly, as some say?  Did he lay in the restful sleep of death, or was he somewhere else?  Who knows for sure.  But on that third day, he rose again.  His body was not attached to a machine, he was not in a hospital in some sterile room, but in a dirty, bug-infested cave.

1:5-6

5Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

Grace and apostleship – two requirements necessary to do what Paul is doing.  Grace, as in the forgiveness and mercy someone like him would need, as formerly he was Saul, a pharisee.  The Pharisees had a sure hand in Jesus’ ultimate death.  Apostleship, where not many people were given the title of “Apostle,” Paul was made one, I think, and this is a selective term given to those chosen to give the message of the gospel.  The Apostles were chosen by Jesus — by God — to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. The Apostles are in the middle of spreading the Good News of the Gospel to everyone who can hear it.  In this case, Paul is addressing the Gentiles in Rome.  He continues, “And you are also among those who are being called to belong to Jesus Christ.“ In my opinion, this now states that anyone who reads his letter are called to belong to Jesus Christ.  Yes, everyone.  There is no exclusion in Paul’s statement, here.  There is no “except” in his statement.

1:7To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

This letter is to everyone in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:  this would mean, to me, the Christian Church that is in Rome — as Paul’s intent was to resolve disagreements among its members.  Grace can mean favor, and also gratitude, while peace is another term for praise and often, Shalom (all sorts of blessings!), which is a form of salutation.

10. I have a broken toe and can’t walk or stand around too long.

9. I would love to take pics, but with my luck I’d show up and get hit by a bag of rocks and it’d ruin my camera.

8. I’m a Republican.

7. can’t actually GO to the convention, just stand around outside

6. they blocked off the main road to the place, and without that off ramp, I wouldn’t be able to find my way around

5. I can take a tour of the Capital building any day.

4. My friends working out there might recognize me, and I’d end up staying past bedtime.

3. Fruit hurts at high-velocity.

2. The media might take a picture of me limping around, and wonder if I was injured during a protest which I wasn’t a part of (I don’t protest much…unless it’s overcooked popcorn)

1. Can’t play Runescape.

The coldest temperature on earth that was ever recorded was at Vostok Station, a Russian research center in inland Antarctica.  On July 21, 1983, scientists recorded a bone-chilling -128.6F.  That may be cold, but it’s nowhere near Absolute Zero.  Absolute Zero is, according to Wikipedia, the lowest possible temperature where nothing could be colder, and no heat energy remains in a substance. It’s the point where everything stops.  Nothing moves because there is no heat to energize it.  What is the exact temperature of Absolute Zero?  There is no marked temperature, because it cannot be achieved.  While heat is a recordable measurement, cold is simply stated as an absence of heat.  Cold is not a form of energy; therefore, nothing is used to record it.

A more visual example of this is light.  In photography, I will set my camera to a certain speed in order for the camera to make maximum use of the light that is in the path of its viewfinder.  During rainstorms, I can catch perfect shots of lighting or whatever light my camera catches onto.  The camera does not seek the darkness of an image, it searches for the areas of most light, because darkness cannot be transcribed to an image.  Only the light enhances shaded areas — areas that are more hidden from the light source. Because there is no place on the face of the earth that is absolutely devoid of light, there is no place that endures absolute darkness.  Just as there is no place on earth that is without heat.

Just as the earth is never completely hidden in absolute zero, we can never hide from God’s light, nor can we shield ourselves completely from His love, nor can we hide our unrepentant transgressions from His judgement.  (Job 34:22 NIV)There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves . Do what you like, you are never completely hidden, because God sees all.

Your works on this planet are fruitless without a Christian love for one another, and especially for Jesus.  John’s first letter, specifically the 3rd and 4th chapters, speaks very clearly of this fact.  (3:16 NIV) This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. (3:17 ESV) But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? It does not.  (3:18 ESV) Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. No great achievement can top what is done out of selfless, faceless charity.  Because no one is truly better or worse off in the eyes of the Lord our Savior, there is no one in the book of life who is going to receive a greater judgement because of what they do for their own name while they are on this planet.  It is what they do out of heavenly love that puts their name in that book.  (3:19-20 ESV) By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. As we have accepted Jesus into our hearts, and as we begin to put into effect His love for us onto those we meet, (3:14 NIV)we know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. (4:18)There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

This is the most important commandment from God:  Love one another as you love the Lord - and do whatever it is you do in His name, not in your own.   (Matt 7:21-23 NKJV):  “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you….”

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” - Phil 4:13

- gather clothes that are too big for me (yay!) and take them to either Goodwill or Savers

- make an inventory of what is left and make a list of things I might need for my wardrobe now that 80% of it is way too big, and now headed to Goodwill or Savers (wow, I’ve shrunk a LOT!!!)

- find something to wear for this afternoon’s stuff (of the 20% clothes I have left)

- find out what the girls’ schedules are for the school year (wonder if they have any of my old teachers…not that they’re old or anything…well…it was 12 years ago that I graduated…wow…) Find out Katie’s schedule.  So far Kellie doesn’t have any of my former teachers…but she does have Mr. Reeves, one of my favorite people on the planet.  He was such an interesting guy.  Between him and Mr. Musgrave…and Ms. Feemster, they made science even cooler.

- take boots and stuff back to Brandy

- photo shoot with Mindy (pre-shoot to gather info for my camera settings)

- dinner at Evie’s

- get new calendar pages for the planner (or shop around a bit, I want the good ones from Franklin Covey…)

- finish cleaning the bathroom (almost done, it’s just throwing away empty containers and stuff I don’t use)

The Roman Road is something I return to every time I look renew my faith in the darkest of struggles.  The Road is the simplest of means to understand what it means to be saved — to receive salvation from Jesus Christ. I’ve seen several different paths along the Roman Road, but this is the one I read when I need to renew my faith in my saviour, Jesus Christ.

First, you must believe.  If you do not believe, then the Road cannot even be started.  (Romans 1:20-21) For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.  For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. It’s the very basis of sin to deny God’s existence, and it is so obvious that He is present, even in the turmoil of today’s world.  The carnal nature of our human selves is to sin, and that is why it is so important to return to our omnipresent Creator in this time, and at all times.  He is the author and perfecter of the universe, our source for all things good, the perpetrator of the wondrous forces of nature, of life itself.  You must believe this, in order to receive salvation.

We, as humans are sinners.  It is in our very nature to desire things of the earth, to want things for our own, to want things to be the way we want them to be.  (Rom 3:23)  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Not just that one stumbling out of the bar, every day.  Not just the man on the news who was arrested after stabbing someone else.  Not just the senator who admitted to adultery.  Everyone sins.  This is a given.  We’re damned if we do not accept this as our nature.  Even the smallest sin is as bad as the biggest sin.

(Rom 5:8) But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Which reminds me of John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. We have one way out of this worldly mess:  Jesus Christ, whom God sent to pay for everything we’ve done.  Everything. (Rom 6:23) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. This reiterates exactly what was said in John 3:16 and Romans 5:8.  That is three verses that fortify the very fact that Christ died so that we may live beyond the chains of sin and darkness.

If you believe, and you understand your heart that your human nature will result in death, then (Rom 10:9-10) That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Speak your belief.  (Rom 1:16a) I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…which isn’t explicitly part of the Roman Road, but it makes so much sense — if you do believe, then do not hide it.  If the people of the earth who do not believe shun you for this, it is their loss. Shake the dirt of your shoes and move on.  Maintain your faith so that others will see what you believe and what works have been done in your life.  (Rom 10:13) for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” And in your salvation, you will be able to bring others to this magnificent reality.  As saved Christians, (Matthew 5:14) You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

(Rom 11:36)  For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be the glory forever! Amen. Continue to supplicate your belief with praise and prayer, and systematically run out the darkest parts of your life, so that you may be filled with the light that God has placed within you.

Bonfils Blood Center is low on inventory, and is asking any persons eligible to donate blood to call them to set up an appointment to donate.  The next drive closest to my house is at the Columbine Library in their mobile unit on August 26th, which is a Tuesday.  Their phone number is (303) 363-2300.

One of my fondest childhood memories was when I was in kindergarden.  I’d take a shower instead of a bath (I hated baths), and Mom would always make a point to smell my hair when I got out — to see that I washed it.  I had such long hair that I hated washing it, since I could never get the shampoo out so easily.  But I worked hard at it, and got it all out, and I would run straight to Mom and tell her “smell my hair!”  and she’d smell it, and say “oh, your hair smells so good!”