Christian Comedy?

Watching the Dane Cook videos and them talking about how they learned and do comedy makes me want to study and do that. But my immediate reaction is - oh I can't be a comedian because the Bible says we don't engage in silly talk and we're probably supposed to be too pure to use all that bad language.

Do you have to say f**k, s**t, c**p, and the even worse female anatomy part words to be funny? Are audiences so stupid that they have to be shocked into laughing? I don't think so- there are comics like Seinfeld and Steven Wright who I don't remember ever saying a bad word. I think it comes down to being yourself and doing your style- but it's tempting to go overkill and use the bad language and excessive body movements as a crutch. They have to be honest- but the truth is that honestly there are times when I think and say those words, so if I edit myself because I have to appear to be a good Christian, then I'm lying.

I can't think of a Christian comedian. And I have wondered numerous times why many Christians don't seem to have a sense of humor. Either they're too pure to find anything funny, or they're putting on a show.

Unsettled restless careerless vocationless

I am always searching, yet never settling on one course- and that is being unsettled, restless.

The only times I have rested have been in prayer or in a temporary understanding of my entire life and career. The latter changes frequently, so it is not a source of rest or satisfaction.

I have yet to find a way to use all my talents and feel they are in the service of God at the same time. I often think of this way of life as imperfect and that I need to break with it in some way- when I was younger I thought the solution would be to go live in the wilderness- like Jeremiah Johnson but without the snow. I visualized myself as a refugee hiding in a national park. Now I often see it as moving to another city and starting to invest in real estate or going back to school for a Masters in something Christian so I have the credentials to write...

Then I wonder if I'm really supposed to leave apart any of my interests and talents- e.g. if I write but do other things (stay busy multitask) then I have other experiences to bring in as examples and am not one-dimensional in my writing.

I watched all of Dane Cook's comedy tour series in the last 2 days. I'm embarassed to say what the name of it was and not excited about some of the things I thought were funny- there's a sense of how the Holy Spirit makes me pure, and when I think those things or absurd situations on South Park are funny, I feel a discomfort in my stomach. Anyway, when I watch comedians on tour, I want to be a comedian- "I'm funny," I think, "but I don't know anything about writing jokes and I'd have to go through all that performing and honing material and maybe I'm not really funny. I was funny when I taught medical terminology but that was making up jokes on the spot" whereas comedy routines require going from nothingness to the funniness in a planned way. If you don't plan it, you're doing the daring thing Jim Carrey did for a year or two of going to the club with no material... even when Seinfeld started trying totally new jokes after his TV series was over, it took him a long time to build up 30 minutes of material, and Jay Leno said "I could never do that, I couldn't let go of my material, it's too scary".

But the point was that I think I can do anything I hear about others doing- and I want to do it all right then and make it to the top and become famous in my head. Then I 'come to my senses' and realize I can't be the best at anything unless I commit to it but there are too many things I could do well and enjoy doing and I don't want to give any of them up. But unless I focus on one, I can't maximize my ability or production of any of them enough to be noticed by too many people... alas.

Obedience, Happiness, & Motives

so many thoughts and ambitions- but I suspect they're fleshly- add the confusion of a marriage in question with the drive to succeed, greed for wealth, desire for approval and success, and the tendency toward hypomania, the pattern of changing interests and inconsistent employment- you get a self-examining quasi-genius paralyzed by doubt- stop and start with blogs, careers, and ideas

I also believe and think I would be confirmed in bible study that what I'm called to do as a Christian what God wants us to do is quite different from what I do- that it takes guts and risk and that most of us rationalize not obeying with many excuses- we let the fear that drives capitalism and the personal success doctrine to rule our lives instead of Christ

Ken's path is inspiring- that he took a postoral job in TN making only a few thousand a year and living in gov assisted housing... someone like Medved would argue that someone had to pay for that but when we live in a fallen world, can we expect a government and nation composed mostly of non-Christians and disobedient Christians to have systems in place that fit truly obedient Christians? If a pastor/minister/whatever tells the truth and the church goes under financially, if Christians will only support churches that reinforce their disobedience, then how could a truth-telling minister be prominent and perceived successful in the world's eyes?

as usual, too much to research and think about, everything could be a book, and of course it should all propel me to prominence, riches, success, and a feeling of confident peace in my place in this world- but that's wrong isn't it? my feeling of confidence and peace should be about my place in the next world if I'm truly following Jesus. they hated him and treated him that way and we can expect no better- so if we get better treatment, shouldn't we wonder if we are pleasing the world and not God? If they approve of us, maybe we're hiding our light under a bushel, or however that goes.

even my desire to be honest and study the bible, bring it to light for people, to renew interest in the great preachers of old can seem like just another strategy for me to fulfill those fleshly ambitions for the happiness of this world.

Right with Self, Others, & God

Last night, I was trying to tell my friend Don, the mortgage broker slash theology student, about this great but weird feeling I was having.

You know when you suddenly get the feeling that something good happened earlier in the day, or you got some good news, or you received a gift or bought something cool? Right before you remember what that thing is- that's the feeling I'm talking about.

Then I realized- it wasn't anything in particular... and that was even more thrilling, because the happiness that comes from temporal things is... temporary.

I realized this morning that I had that feeling last night good day because somehow I was just right with the world. I had done everything I was supposed to, all I could, all the days work, not put anything off or avoided anything, make progress on some of the big overwhelming things I have on my plate- had a very balanced day of work, reflection, and a bit of hobby time with my 1980 Ford Bronco Factory Manual.

This kind of serenity, which is beyond happiness because it's independent of circumstances, only comes by living a certain way.

Years ago, I began to confront my fears, selfishness, and dishonesty. I've tried to eliminate them in all the forms I've find over the last decade. I'm still not perfect, but I've changed my perspective and behaviors in a lot of ways to grow this way.

I also made peace with the world- I forgave the people I had hated. I nurtured my younger self. I went and did everything I could to make things right with people I had hurt or stolen from or deceived.

So all of that gives you a piece of serenity, if you keep going that way.

But there's more...

The enemies I vanquished at least for yesterday, who I am becoming better at beating more often, were procrastination and rationalization.

I no longer do things like...

leave mail unopened for weeks or forever

ignore voicemails for days, not calling people back

ignore representatives of large companies (that I want to do business with) that call me

put off doing something I had said I would do that means I have to go out of my way to do it

...because I've found out that I feel better when I deal with these things.

And unconsciously, when I don't deal with them, I feel like a spoiled kid. I don't realize it, but my conscience gets a twinge, world gets a bit darker when I procrastinate

Rationalization works hard to make procrastination possible... often hand in hand with resentment and strongly held convictions. Often, though, they're just poorly masked reincarnations of the same old selfishness, dishonesty, and fear.

The guy who doesn't claim all his income on his taxes, me when I ignore jury duty notices or speed limits, people who avoid other people... they all have prepared their rebuttals for you in case you question why they do these things.

Why? What made them develop such elaborate verbal defenses?

Conscience.

They already know they're doing the wrong thing... otherwise, they wouldn't need a defense. They know they need one- really they're defending themselves against their conscience, which accuses them, and rightly so.

So, want to be truly happy- that is, serene?

Find and undo your rationalizations, stop procrastinating, and face life head-on.

Authentic Believers

I was very inspired by Donald Miller's book Blue Like Jazz

Thank you God that someone is saying the stuff that many Christians are thinking

We're not all black and white. We don't all buy into
WAR, MONEY, SUBURBS, SUVs, etc.

I have been thinking about a ministry I'd like to start- not that I have time- but I thought if I could take the 12 steps to the Church... the 12 steps were William Wilson's elucidation of the principles of the Oxford Group, which was an early 20th century group/movement that was trying to return to 1st century Christianity.

And those principles work really well- in fact, though many 12-step group members may not be Christians, some of them are much more honest and authentic, know their own hearts better, are less self-deluded than some Christians I've met. And when people share with the group, they are honest- the best 12-step examples share with as much honesty and humility as they can.

I've always been an outsider, and no less in Christianity.

So I'm thinking the ministry would be something like "Examine Your Heart", or "Psalm 139" or something.

When you look at the picture of the first believers in Acts 2:42-47, and also Acts 4:32-37, you see a picture of, dare I say, communism. I don't mean communism in the fallen world sense but an ideal sharing of possessions.

It seems to me that Christian "culture" these days misses the Biblical boat because we get too caught up in GREED, ISOLATION, US vs. THEM, etc.

I don't isolate myself to just Christians because I want to influence non-Christians, be a light unto the world.

I am guilty of spending too much time working and plotting my way toward financial self-sufficiency. I believe God is against self-sufficiency... that's one implication of the beatitudes.

And when it comes to dealing with money... our national policies are just as isolationist and greedy- do we deserve more money and opportunities than Mexicans? Than Africans?

We're just too afraid to give up our privileges, too afraid to go labor for men's souls in politically unstable environs.

I'm guilty of all this too- convicted about it- but I bring it up and contemplate it because I want to be what God wants me to be.

Goals and Dreams and Plans, God's Way

2 Cor 5:9 – we make it our aim to be well pleasing to him

Mat 25:14-30 well done good and faithful servant – one talent is soul, purpose is to honor Christ – we trade with the master’s stock – Is 49:4

Gal 3:3 – if the idea is to please God, but not by the law, then by what? Obedient to what?

Rom 12 – MH: It is Christ living in the soul by faith that makes the body a living sacrifice, Gal. 2:20, there must be that real holiness which consists in an entire rectitude of heart and life, by which we are conformed in both to the nature and will of God, God does not impose upon us any thing hard or unreasonable, but that which is altogether agreeable to the principles of right reason. The mind must be renewed for him. This is pressed (v. 2): "Be you transformed by the renewing of your mind; see to it that there be a saving change wrought in you, and that it be carried on.’’ Conversion and sanctification are the renewing of the mind, a change not of the substance, but of the qualities of the soul. It is the same with making a new heart and a new spirit-new dispositions and inclinations, new sympathies and antipathies; the understanding enlightened, the conscience softened, the thoughts rectified; the will bowed to the will of God, and the affections made spiritual and heavenly: so that the man is not what he was-old things are passed away, all things are become new; he acts from new principles, by new rules, with new designs. The mind is the acting ruling part of us; so that the renewing of the mind is the renewing of the whole man, for out of it are the issues of life, Prov. 4:23. The progress of sanctification, dying to sin more and more and living to righteousness more and more, is the carrying on of this renewing work, till it be perfected in glory. This is called the transforming of us; it is like putting on a new shape and figure. Metamorphousthe — Be you metamorphosed. The transfiguration of Christ is expressed by this word (Mt. 17:2), when he put on a heavenly glory, which made his face to shine like the sun; and the same word is used 2 Co. 3:18, where we are said to be changed into the same image from glory to glory. This transformation is here pressed as a duty; not that we can work such a change ourselves: we could as soon make a new world as make a new heart by any power of our own; it is God’s work, Eze. 11:19; 36:26, 27. to know the excellency of the will of God by the experience of a conformity to it - those are best able to prove what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God, who are transformed by the renewing of their mind. . It disposes the soul to receive and entertain the revelations of the divine will. The promise is (Jn. 7:17), If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine. A good wit can dispute and distinguish about the will of God; while an honest, humble heart, that has spiritual senses exercised, and is delivered into the mould of the word, loves it, and practises it, and has the relish and savour of it. Thus to be godly is to surrender ourselves to God.

Phil 3:14 - Live up to what we’ve already attained – attained god’s full acceptance but never live out full measure of Christ’s goodness and love – confident in salvation but avoid pride and complacency that inhibit growth in grace (MH: The fitter we grow for heaven the faster we must press towards it. Heaven is called here the mark, because it is that which every good Christian has in his eye; as the archer has his eye fixed upon the mark he designs to hit.)

The work that God will complete in us- saving us- positional vs. progressive sanctification – only when we stand before Him in heaven 1 Jn will we be like him.

Phil 2:12-13 - work out your salvation with fear and trembling – acknowledging his call by our surrender and obedience – it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. And NO WHINING MH: It is the grace of God which inclines the will to that which is good: and then enables us to perform it, and to act according to our principles. God is ready to concur with his grace, and assist our faithful endeavours. Observe, Though we must use our utmost endeavours in working out our salvation, yet still we must go forth, and go on, in a dependence upon the grace of God. His grace works in us in a way suitable to our natures, and in concurrence with our endeavours; and the operations of God’s grace in us are so far from excusing, that they are intended to quicken and engage our endeavours. "And work out our salvation with fear and trembling, for he worketh in you.’’ All our working depends upon his working in us. God’s extending an offer of help and don’t fool around with the man upstairs cuz TAKE AWAY - "Do not trifle with God by neglects and delays, lest you provoke him to withdraw his help, and all your endeavours prove in vain. Work with fear, for he works of his good pleasure.’’—To will and to do: he gives the whole ability. It is the grace of God which inclines the will to that which is good: and then enables us to perform it, and to act according to our principles. Thou hast wrought all our works in us, Isa. 26:12. Of his good pleasure. As there is no strength in us, so there is no merit in us. As we cannot act without God’s grace, so we cannot claim it, nor pretend to deserve it. God’s good will to us is the cause of his good work in us; and he is under no engagements to his creatures, but those of his gracious promise.

Phil 3:6-10 To serve him in costly ways – Paul loses Jewish priv, jailed, etc.

eph 4:24 – put off the old man, put on the new

Sermon on the Mount I - Kingdom of Heaven

God, I want to pray and talk with you about Jesus' sermon on the mount. I already knew I loved this section of your Word- I want to understand it better. Before I gave my life to Lord Jesus, I read a book my Emmet Fox on this section of scripture, and I believe even though he may have had good points, that he speaks more in the tradition of the gnostics and Christian Science than from accurate Biblical interpretation.

I read this recently, and I was fascinated with the idea of the 'kingdom of heaven' because everyone knows about Heaven itself, the place the saved go when we die, but I had somehow missed that it was supposed to be not only a future hope, but a present reality... at least according to my Study Bible and Matthew Henry.

Matthew says (3:2, 4:17) from then on you began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

I love that word repent- to turn about, to make a 180 degree change... That's what I had to do. The process took about 9 years! It started with changing my life, eliminating addictions and unhealthy relationships, but still didn't center of Jesus. I focused on spirituality and growing, but I had not truly repented of my selfishness. I still held on to my right to choose who my god would be. Effectively, I was still God. I thank you for your patience through that time, God, and for the grace, the mercy, the goodness you showed me through others, that you might even comfort me while I still did not know who you really were.

So, Matthew quotes you in the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount using this phrase Kingdom of Heaven in connection with two separate situations, conditions, or attitudes. The first is, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven," (5:3).

I'll go now for more insight to Matthew Henry, who I love. He lived and died more than about three centuries ago, but given how despite all our social and technological changes, people change so little, that amount of time is really not much. And when I come close to him through his writing, I am really just hand in hand with him trying to approach Christ. I love him with philadelphia, brotherly love, because of what he wrote (his Bible commentary), because of how much he wrote, because he gave his life to Christ through his writing, because he gave Christ to us through his writing.

Matthew Henry is quite thorough, so I will only mention a few things he says here. The Sermon on the Mount is, he says, a practical discourse, not on the beliefs of Christianity, but on what is to be done. According to MH, it is this: he proposes that our goal is blessedness, and gives us the character of those who are entitled to blessedness- in eight paradoxical beatitudes.

He says Christ came into the world to bless us. I am happy that I have also read Ecclesiastes recently, because Solomon's lamentations (about the uselessness of many of the things most men pursue) make these paradoxes more comprehensible and welcome.

Not only do these beatitudes make it clear that you need not be rich, gifted, smart, or useful to enjoy the kingdom of heaven, but they are also a warning to those who are rich, gifted, smart, and useful that real happiness comes not from those graces, but from God, and from being this way:

• poor in spirit,
• mourning,
• meek,
• hungering and thirsting for righteousness,
• merciful,
• pure in heart,
• peace making, and
• persecuted for righteousness.

Now in connection with spiritual poverty, MH talks about two interpretations:

• poverty in selfishness - that is being empty of self - not lacking spirituality and being carnal, but becoming empty so we can be filled with Christ
• the spirit of financial poverty even if you are not poor - even if you are poor, you may still be haughty and arrogant. Even if you are rich, you must be willing to lose all your wealth and still be content. This is subjection to God's will.

God, if you will it, let me have plenty so I can give money to your work, to the building of churches, to the funding of fellowship, to missionary efforts to spread the gospel and to improve lives in basic needs. But if it is your will that I have nothing, or have a mediocre amount, let me glory and have joy in You regardless. Empty me of self, search my heart and remove what offends you. Take everything away from me that keeps me from knowing and loving and communicating Jesus Christ.

That last is a scary one... what if he takes xxxxx... well, everything but xxxxx - clutching on to something, or even to nothing, simply to the idea that if I don't give myself up to you, I will still have something nice or comfortable or needful that you wouldn't want me to have. It reminds me of Gollum whenever he had the ring- it destroyed people from the inside, they wanted it madly, they couldn't see that letting go of it meant life. It's like that with Christ. I know Tolkein hung out with C.S. Lewis- I wonder if he knew how great an allegory this was for the Christian walk. Frodo was the only one who could grapple with sin and survive. Still, at the end, he rebelled. It's best for all of us not to fool with it.

I haven't gotten to talking about the Kingdom of Heaven yet!

The glories of the kingdoms of this world fade into history and are forgotten. The kingdom of heaven is eternal.

MH doesn't seem to talk about it as a present reality, at least not in this section. My NIV Study Bible says it is both, and it is the rule of God. It appears 33 times in Matthew, and only in that book. I suppose it may not only be happiness (blessedness), but also the things needed to really be ruled by the Lord.

The greatest commandment is to Love God and Love people- and we love God by knowing him, obeying him, thanking him...

That's as far as I'll go today God. Thanks for this time. I pray you be with me and whoever reads this. Please bless us to understand your Word and your will better each day. Let your spirit hover over us and protect us. Give us strength and wisdom. Thank you for Jesus, for Christ's standing in our place- thank you for your mercy and love.

B

Intentions

My intentions for this online bible study

God, I'm not sure if I can talk to you as well, as honestly, as truly on a blog as I have in my private journals. I feel there is an obvious danger, which is vanity. I wish not to stage a conversation with you for blog readers, but to actually commune with you, study your word, and pray.


Why do it as a blog? Several reasons. One is that it if I can do it genuinely, then not only I benefit, but also the readers. Each Christian has their own way of witnessing, testifying, and communicating with other believers... I'm still searching for mine.

I don't know that I should be a pastor, preacher, or minister - when I was first saved, I thought perhaps that was my ultimate destiny - but I couldn't see why that shouldn't be the fate of all Christians, because isn't what a pastor does (spending time in the Word, in prayer, with God, witnessing, helping others) what all Christians should do?

I still wonder if I should. But of course, I am involved in another field in my career- as are many Christians. And now it's clear to me that if someone wants to go to Africa to help Africans find Christ, they need someone dependable and qualified to fly the plane, to show up to fly it, to not crash it, and the plane needs gas, so we need to keep getting petroleum and processing it, and so on. The whole world is this big machine that may produce and focus on ungodly things, but also enables God's children to participate in His saving work.

If someone comes to Christ or gets closer to Him through this writing, I would love that! But my focus is going to me on my personal relationship with God. My hope is that somehow doing it as a blog will help me be more consistent with my Bible study. I've done quite a bit of study, but not consistently. I'd like to add something here every day. Or at least several times a week.

Another intention here: I plan to monetize this blog - another thing I do is reach people with health messages through the web, and I've done well with Google's AdSense program. I'll add that here, and whatever I make from it, I will donate 50% to my church's new building fund. It's not just any building- it's going to be a huge state of the art facility for thousands of people and include a whole recreational facility and school. Our pastor, Miles McPherson, thinks big.

So I'll begin my first Bible study online here after I get some coffee.

Essential Biblical Passages: Beginning to Understand and Live Christianity in Less than a Month

The Bible can seem too big. You may wonder, “Where do I start?” A number of passages have stuck out to me as being essential both in regard to what makes Christianity what it is, and how to live it.
I have listed 24 Bible passages that have been essential to me in understanding Christianity, and beginning to live as a Christian. Important topics like sin, peace, joy, righteousness, life, spirit, victory, love, freedom, trials, listening, doing, faith, restraint of tongue and pen, surrender, prayer, witness, grace, and resurrection are covered. With this reading plan, you can get the Biblical basics in less than a month.

How to use this list:

1. Which Bible? I agree with others that the best translation is the one you’ll actually read.
a. Probably the easiest to start with is The Message, by Eugene Peterson, a very popular modern language translation.
b. Second easiest for me is the New International Version (NIV).
c. The translation most non-Christians think of is the King James Version (KJV). Some Christians still love it, and I say the Lord’s prayer in that style, but overall I think the KJV is too hard for most people to understand.
d. Later, if you get really deep into Bible study, you may want a Keyword Bible that underlines key words in the text, and includes a Hebrew and Greek dictionary in the back.
e. There are many formats of Bibles (besides the translation); Men’s Bibles, Study Bibles, Life Application Bibles, Keyword Bibles, Recovery Bibles- so far, I’ve found the study bible to be the best format, because when I have questions or need related verses, it’s got the answers.
f. If ever you don’t have a Bible around, but do have the internet, you can read your passages in almost any translation on the Bible Gateway at http://bible.gospelcom.net.

2. Read one passage per day.
a. If you do it in the morning, you’ll have the rest of the day to ponder the passage in the context of your daily activities.
b. If you read it at night, you may be able to reflect in relation to what has happened and what you’ve done that day.
c. It’s more important that you read, than what time of day you choose.
d. Some passages are longer than others, so this may determine in #3 below which ones you read on which days. Whole chapters take the longest.

3. You can read them in any order. The order below is only a suggestion, and may not be best for you. The passage or topic that interests you that day is probably the best one to read. Pray to God that his Holy Spirit will guide you both in choosing a passage, and understanding that passage.

4. Write the verses in your journal or notebook as you read. This will help you get the words into your brain. It may also help you see which words or phrases you don’t actually understand. If you don’t write them down, you may just skim over things without understanding it, and not realize you’ve done so. An additional aid is to read the passage aloud. This also helps you get into it, understand it, and develop questions about it. Plus, later when you feel uninspired or unsure about your progress, you can look back and see how you have searched God’s word – this will encourage you. You may be amazed at the spiritual insights you’ve had.

5. Think and reflect about the passage in writing. This is where you bring the passage into your mental and emotional life.
a. Did any words or phrases leap out at you?
b. Did any of them convict you (activate your conscience, and make you see how you haven’t quite measured up)?
c. What parts of your life does the passage speak to?
d. Does it give you different ideas about how to live?
e. Does it suggest a prayer you might say to God?
f. Is there anything you don’t understand?
g. You can pray for more understanding, and also take your questions to others who study the Bible.
h. On the other hand, sometimes the passage is crystal clear, and nothing comes to mind to write. That’s fine, as long as it’s not the norm for you. If you aren’t having any responses, pray that God show you what the passage means in your life.
i. FYI, I’ve tried doing this with typing and writing with a pen, and I find that writing with a pen is more personal, and somehow gets deeper into me than typing does (and I’m very comfortable with computers and writing on them!).

6. Thank God both for giving us his Word, and for helping you to understand it. Write or pray anything else that comes to you. Then you’re done! Check your day’s passage off on the list, and before you know it, you’ll be done with all twenty four.

7. Related verses. Many Bibles refer to other passages from ones that you read. If you want to go deeper in understanding and getting more context, you can follow these references. Be forewarned, this can take a lot of time! It’s quite valuable, and I do it often, especially when I’m doing a topical study on something like humility or love – but remember that your major goal here is to begin to read essential passages, so if this makes you run out of steam to finish your day’s passage, save it for later. If it really excites you, however, then go for it!



The List of Essential Beginning Bible Passages

Passage Topic Author
1. Romans 1:18-2:16 God he don’t like that Sin no-how no-way Paul
2. Romans 3 : 9-26 Is anyone righteous? Paul
3. Romans 5 (whole chapter) Peace and Joy, Life through Christ Paul
4. Romans 8 (whole chapter) Life through the Spirit, Conquering everything Paul
5. Romans 12 (whole chapter) A Life of Love Paul
6. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 What is Love? Paul
7. Matthew 5 Sermon on the Mount Matthew
8. Galatians 5 Freedom in Christ, Life by the Spirit, Fruits of the flesh vs. fruits of the spirit Paul
9. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 About the Bible Paul
10. 1 John 1:5-2:17 (not the book of “John” near the beginning of the New Testament, but “1 John” near the end of the New Testament) Light and Dark, Good and Evil John
12. The rest of 1 John Love John
13. James 1:1-18 The Value of Trials in Life James
14. James 1:19-26 Listening and Doing James
15. James 2:14-26 Faith Without Works is Dead James
16. James 3:1-12 Taming the Tongue, Restraint James
17. James 4:1-12 Surrender James
18. James 5:13-20 Faith, Prayer, Witness James
19. John 3:1-21 (now this is the John at the beginning of the New Testament) Nicodemus and Jesus, “For God so love the world…” John
20. John 20 (whole chapter) The Resurrection of Jesus John
21. Luke 24 (whole chapter) The Resurrection of Jesus Luke
22. Mark 16 (whole chapter) The Resurrection of Jesus Mark
23. Matthew 28(whole chapter) The Resurrection of Jesus Matthew
24. Matthew 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer Matthew