A Beggar's Blog

2005-05-14T11:08:00.000-07:00

One God
Alma 11:27-39, 44 --> D&C 121:32
2 Nephi 31:21 --> D&C 132:18-20, 37
Mormon 7:7
3 Nephi 11:27

God is a Spirit
Alma 18:26-28 --> D&C 130:22
Alma 22:8-11

God Dwells in Hearts
Alma 34:36 --> D&C 130:3

Creation- One God
2 Nephi 2:14 --> Abraham 4-5
Jacob 4:9
Moses 2

God Cannot Lie
Ether 3:12 --> Abraham 2:22-25
2 Nephi 9:34

God's Word Unchangeable
Alma 41:8 --> D&C 56:4-5

No Pre-existence of Man
Jacob 4:9 --> D&C 93:23, 29-33
Alma 18:28, 34-36 --> Abraham 3:18
Abraham 3:21-23

Death Seals Man's Fate
Mosiah 2:36-39 --> D&C 76:106-112
Alma 34:32-35 D&C 88:99

Heathen Saved Without Baptism
Moroni 8:22-23 --> D&C 128:5
2 Nephi 9:25-26 --> D&C 128:17-18
Mosiah 15:24-27

Heaven or Hell
2 Nephi 28:22 --> D&C 76:43
1 Nephi 15:35 --> D&C 76:70-112
Mosiah 16:11
Mosiah 27:31
Alma 41:4-8
Alma 42:16

Murder Can Be Forgiven
3 Nephi 30:2 --> D&C 42:18

Polygamy Condemned
Jacob 1:15 --> D&C 132:1
Jacob 2:24 --> D&C 132:37-39
Jacob 3:5 --> D&C 132:61
Mosiah 11:2

Against Paid Ministry
2 Nephi 26:31 --> D&C 42:71-73
Mosiah 27:5 --> D&C 43:12-13
----------- --> D&C 51:13-14

Corrupt Churches Promise Forgiveness For Money
Mormon 8:32 --> D&C 64:23

Adam in America
D&C 107:53 --> Moses 3:8
D&C 116:1 --> Moses 3:10-15
D&C 117:8

Salvation by Grace
2 Nephi 10:24 --> 3 Nephi 12:20

Infant Baptism
D&C 68:27 --> Moroni 8:8-10

God Does Not Change
Moroni 8:18, Mormon 9:9

2 Ne. 9:31-32, condemns blind and deaf

Prophecy
Alma 7:10- Jesus to be born in Jerusalem
D&C 130:14-15- Jesus to return during Smith's lifetime
D&C 117:12- Oliver Granger to be remembered forever
D&C 84:1-5- An LDS temple to be built in Independence, Misouri
D&C 114:1-2- disciples to preach to the world
D&C 87:1-6- false prediction of the Civil War

Scientific Problems
Abraham 3:9- all planets revovle around Kolob
Helaman 12:15- the sun doesn't move

1 Ne. 11:18 (1830): And he said unto me, Behold, the virgin which thou seest, is the mother of God, after the manner of flesh.

1 Ne. 11:18 (modern): 18 And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.

1 Ne. 13:40 (1830): And the angel spake unto me, saying: These last records which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first, which is of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Eternal Father and the Saviour of the world; and that all men must come unto Him, or they cannot be saved

1 Ne. 13:40 (modern): And the angel spake unto me, saying: These last records, which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall bestablish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the eSavior• of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved.

1 Ne. 20:1 (1830): Hearken and hear this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel; yet they swear not in truth, nor righteousness

1 Ne. 20:1 (modern): Hearken and hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, or out of the waters of baptism, who swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, yet they swear not in truth nor in righteousness.

Mosiah 21:28 (1830): And now Limhi was again filled with joy, on learning from the mouth of Ammon that king Benjamin had a gift from God, whereby he could interpret such engravings; yea, and Ammon also did rejoice.

Mosiah 21:28 (modern): And now Limhi was again filled with joy on learning from the mouth of Ammon that king Mosiah had a gift from God, whereby he could binterpret• such engravings; yea, and Ammon also did rejoice.

Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
The Pearl of Great Price

1830 Book of Mormon

Good Stuff in the Apocrypha

2005-05-06T13:31:00.000-07:00

"You are righteous, O Lord, and all your deeds are just; all your ways are mercy and truth; you judge the world. And now, O Lord, remember me and look favorably upon me. Do not punish me for my sins and for my unwitting offenses and those that my ancestors committed before you. They sinned against you, and disobeyed your commandments. So you gave us over to plunder, exile, and death, to become the talk, the byword, and an object of reproach among all the nations among whom you have dispersed us. And now your many judgments are true in exacting penalty from me for my sins. For we have not kept your commandments and have not walked in accordance with truth before you. So now deal with me as you will; command my spirit to be taken from me, so that I may be released from the face of the earth and become dust. For it is better for me to die than to live, because I have had to listen to undeserved insults, and great is the sorrow within me. Command, O Lord, that I be released from this distress; release me to go to the eternal home, and do not, O Lord, turn your face away from me. For it is better for me to die than to see so much distress in my life and to listen to insults."- Tobit 3:2-6

"Blessed are you, merciful God! Blessed is your name forever; let all your works praise you forever. And now, Lord, I turn my face to you, and raise my eyes toward you. Command that I be released from the earth and not listen to such reproaches any more. You know, O Master, that I am innocent of any defilement with a man, and that I have not disgraced my name or the name of my father in the land of my exile. I am my father's only child; he has no other child to be his heir; and he has no close relative or other kindred for whom I should keep myself as wife. Already seven husbands of mine have died. Why should I still live? But if it is not pleasing to you, O Lord, to take my life, hear me in my disgrace." Tobit 3:11-15

"Blessed are you, O God of our ancestors, and blessed is your name in all generations forever. Let the heavens and the whole creation bless you forever. You made Adam, and for him you made his wife Eve as a helper and support. From the two of them the human race has sprung. You said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; let us make a helper for him like himself.' I now am taking this kinswoman of mine, not because of lust, but with sincerity. Grant that she and I may find mercy and that we may grow old together." Tobit 8:5-7

"Blessed are you, O God, with every pure blessing; let all your chosen ones bless you. Let them bless you forever. Blessed are you because you have made me glad. It has not turned out as I expected, but you have dealt with us according to your great mercy. Blessed are you because you had compassion on two only children. Be merciful to them, O Master, and keep them safe; bring their lives to fulfillment in happiness and mercy." Tobit 8:15-17

"Blessed be God, and blessed be his great name, and blessed be all his holy angels. May his holy name be blessed F90 throughout all the ages. Though he afflicted me, he has had mercy upon me. Now I see my son Tobias!" Tobit 11:14-15

"Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our ancestors,
and to be praised and highly exalted forever;
And blessed is your glorious, holy name,
and to be highly praised and highly exalted forever.
Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
and to be extolled and highly glorified forever.
Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne on
the cherubim, and to be praised and highly exalted forever.
Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,
and to be extolled and highly exalted forever.
Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven,
and to be sung and glorified forever. Azariah 1:29-34

35 "Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
36 Bless the Lord, you heavens;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
37 Bless the Lord, you angels of the Lord;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
38 Bless the Lord, all you waters above the heavens;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
39 Bless the Lord, all you powers of the Lord;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
40 Bless the Lord, sun and moon;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
41 Bless the Lord, stars of heaven;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.

42 "Bless the Lord, all rain and dew;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
43 Bless the Lord, all you winds;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
44 Bless the Lord, fire and heat;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
45 Bless the Lord, winter cold and summer heat;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
46 Bless the Lord, dews and falling snow;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
47 Bless the Lord, nights and days;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
48 Bless the Lord, light and darkness;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
49 Bless the Lord, ice and cold;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
50 Bless the Lord, frosts and snows;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
51 Bless the Lord, lightnings and clouds;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.

52 "Let the earth bless the Lord;
let it sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
53 Bless the Lord, mountains and hills;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
54 Bless the Lord, all that grows in the ground;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
55 Bless the Lord, seas and rivers;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
56 Bless the Lord, you springs;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
57 Bless the Lord, you whales and all that swim in the waters;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
58 Bless the Lord, all birds of the air;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
59 Bless the Lord, all wild animals and cattle;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.

60 "Bless the Lord, all people on earth;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
61 Bless the Lord, O Israel;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
62 Bless the Lord, you priests of the Lord;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
63 Bless the Lord, you servants of the Lord;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
64 Bless the Lord, spirits and souls of the righteous;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
65 Bless the Lord, you who are holy and humble in heart;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.

66 "Bless the Lord, Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael;
sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
For he has rescued us from Hades and saved us from the power of
death, and delivered us from the midst of the burning fiery furnace;
from the midst of the fire he has delivered us.
67 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
68 All who worship the Lord, bless the God of gods,
sing praise to him and give thanks to him,
for his mercy endures forever." Azariah 1:35-68

The Wonderful Cross

2005-04-07T13:44:00.000-07:00

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

See from His head His hands His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

Oh the wonderful cross
Oh the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find
That I may truly live

Oh the wonderful cross
Oh the wonderful cross
All who gather here
By grace draw near
And bless your name

Were the whole relem of nature mine
That were and off'ring far too small
Love so amazing so divine
Demands my soul my life my all

I was singing this song at worship one time when I really began to think about the words that I was singing. Then I remembered Galatians 2:20 which says, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." How the Cross does call for us to die, to die to ourselves, that Christ may live within us and reign. For within our hearts he reigns in the Kingdom of God (Luke 17:21).

When we come to Him and die to ourselves we find what true Life is. It is service to our Master. To love and serve our Lord Jesus is the reason we were made. And Jesus wants us to do just that.

Have you ever thought about how much Jesus loves you? In reality, Jesus is crazy about you. He loves you so much that He chose you before time and came to this world and died for you. Just so that you could spend eternity with Him. Will you love Him back? Do you feel loved? If not, I'll bet, there's a God who loves you, beyond belief. Will you reach out in faith to His loving arms? He is waiting for you. He will guide you and help you to reach out, just be willing to do it.

My Favorite List

2005-04-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

Books
Rich Mullins: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven: James Bryan Smith
The Ragamuffin Gospel: Brennan Manning
The Signature of Jesus: Brennan Manning
Ruthless Trust: Brennan Manning
Here I Stand: Roland Bainton
Cost of Discipleship: Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Imitation of Christ: Thomas a Kempis
God Loves You: C. H. Spurgeon
Grace the Unmerited Favor of God: C.H. Spurgeon
Being God's Friend: C.H. Spurgeon
End Time Delusions: Steve Wohlberg
Doctrines that Divide: Erwin Lutzer
Islamic Invasion: Robert Morey
The Road to Assisi: Paul Sabatier
Mere Christianity: C.S. Lewis

Movies
The Passion of the Christ
Luther
Braveheart
The Patriot
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Star Wars

CD's
Songs: Rich Mullins
Songs 2: Rich Mullins
The Jesus Record: Rich Mullins
Canticle of the Plains: Rich Mullins
Here in America DVD and CD: Rich Mullins (in memory)
Shine- the Hits: Newsboys
Thrive: Newsboys
Adoration: Newsboys
Devotion: Newsboys
Worldwide: Audio Adrenaline
Stay: Jeremy Camp
Passion Hymns: Various

The Bible on Possessions

2005-04-06T14:46:00.000-07:00

As you read these verses, ask yourself, does God care about money?

Job 31:24-28, Ps. 37:16, Ps. 52:7, Prov. 11:28, Prov. 15:16-17 Prov. 19:1, Prov. 28:20, Prov. 23:4-5, Haggai 1:9, Matt. 6:19-21,24, Matt. 10:9-10, Matt. 16:26, Matt. 19:21, Mark 4:19, Mark 10:29-30, Luke 12:15, Luke 12:22-34, Luke 14:33, Luke 18:29-30, Rom. 5:3-5, 1 Cor. 10:24, 2 Cor. 6:10, Eph. 5:5, Phil. 4:11-13, 1 Tim. 3:3, 1 Tim. 6:5,9-11,17, Heb. 13:5, James 2:5-6, 1 John 3:17.

And also, verses on giving:

Prov. 14:21, Proverbs 28:27, Is. 58:10-11, Luke 6:38, Luke 21:1-4, Acts 2:44-46, Rom. 12:6-10.

And finally a warning about giving, Matt. 6:1-2

How to Get Dressed to Lead Worship

2005-04-06T08:05:00.000-07:00

http://www.kencollins.com/how-10.htm

These are my personal suggestions for Protestant ministers whose denominations don’t give them guidance on what to wear. I am following the general ecumenical practice in the United States.

Presbyterians can use these suggestions; however, if they wish to wear the distinctive Presbyterian vestments that are based on medieval academic attire, they should consult their presbyteries. Roman Catholic clergy and especially Orthodox clergy should consult their bishops.

Lay Leaders

In any church, there are people who can’t afford nice clothes, people who overdress, and others who just have poor taste. You can eliminate these problems if you vest the lay leaders. It won’t matter if they are dressed like a floozy, a beach bum, or Miss America, because no one can see what is underneath.

If you would like lay leaders to be vested, acquire a collection of albs in various sizes. Lay people can wear albs and cinctures. Albs are available in children’s sizes for acolytes who are children. If you are Anglican, you have the alternative of cassocks and surplices. In that case, acolytes can wear red cassocks with white surplices.

Only choir members should wear choir robes. It is possible to outfit the choir in cassocks and surplices, just like the choirs of angels on Christmas cards. There are specially designed vestments for organists and pianists. They match the vestments for the choir, except that the sleeves fall away at the elbows so that they don’t interfere with the keyboard.

It is inappropriate for a lay leader who is not a choir member to wear a choir robe or a Geneva gown. Only ordained clergy should wear a pulpit gown, and only ordained clergy with a doctorate degree should wear the pulpit gown with puffy sleeves that have three stripes. Unless you are Presbyterian, my personal taste runs against wearing academic attire to lead worship, because it will make you look like a judge in traffic court.

Regular Ordained Clergy (Presbyters)

If you are ordained clergy, and you would like to dress ecumenically for worship, I suggest the following wardrobe:

One or two albs.
At least one should be white to avoid a color clash with your white stole. The second alb can be white, ivory, or natural colored. If you have two albs, you won’t feel any anxiety when you take one to the cleaners. Albs are inexpensive compared to other vestments and most are machine washable.
Four stoles.
You need one stole in each of the following colors: green, white, red, and purple. The type of stole that goes with an alb is sometimes called a broadstole. It is about 5 inches wide. You wear it around your neck with the ends hanging down in front to about your knees.
A natural colored rope cincture, or cinctures in colors that match the stoles. Some albs are designed to be worn without cinctures, and others come with cloth cinctures, but in most cases, you’ll need the ropes. If you need help, Almy, a leading supplier of clergy vestments, has a web page with diagrams that shows how to tie a cincture.
If you wish to give special Communion services extra dignity, four chasubles in each of the four colors I just mentioned. You need a second set of specially designed stoles to wear under the chasubles, but don’t worry, when you purchase a chasuble, it normally comes with the matching stole. There are cheap chasubles; however, they look as cheap as they cost. Since you will be wearing them the rest of your life, invest in a good ones. Chasubles are very expensive, so you can economize by having only one chasuble, in which case make sure it is ivory or white and very high quality, so that you use it for weddings, funerals, Christmas, and Easter—services that include Communion.

To get dressed, put on the alb and the cincture. Put the cincture on the level of your navel, not your waist, otherwise it will accentuate your belly and make you look like you have a bigger paunch than you do. Then put the stole over the alb. If you are wearing a chasuble, it goes on top.

Think of the stole as the first-century equivalent of the modern necktie, and the chasuble as the first-century equivalent of a modern jacket. Think of the alb as the first-century equivalent of a dress shirt that is very long and not tucked in. There wasn’t anything to tuck the alb into, because in the first century, only barbarians wore pants.

You can also acquire a small “portable stole” that is purple on one side and white on the other. You wear it over your street clothes on certain occasions. The purple side is for hearing confessions or conducting counseling sessions (whichever your church calls it) and for ministering to people during sick visits. The white side is for funerals when full vestments aren’t practical, and for ministering to people in the presence of the deceased.

Ordained Deacons

If you are an ordained deacon in the Episcopal Church or in any of the Methodist denominations, or if you are a “licensed minister” in the Disciples of Christ, I suggest the following wardrobe:

One or two albs.
At least one should be white to avoid a color clash with the white stole. The second alb can be white, ivory, or natural colored. If you have two albs, you won’t feel any anxiety when you take one to the cleaners.
Four deacon’s stoles.
You need one stole in each of the following colors: green, white, red, and purple. A deacon’s stole is designed to hang only over the left shoulder to your knees, or more commonly, it hangs diagonally across your chest, is gathered at the waist on the right, and extends down your right leg to about your knees. Your church discipline probably prohibits you from wearing a presbyter’s stole.
A natural colored rope cincture, or a cinctures in colors that match the stoles. Some albs are designed to be worn without cinctures, and others come with cloth cinctures, but in most cases, you’ll need the ropes. If you need help, Almy, a leading supplier of clergy vestments, has a web page with diagrams that shows how to tie a cincture.
If you like, a dalmatic.

To get dressed, put on the alb and cincture. Put the cincture on the level of your navel, not your waist, otherwise it will accentuate your belly and make you look like you have a bigger paunch than you do. If you are wearing a dalmatic, put it on next. Finally, put the deacon’s stole on top.

When to Wear Which Stole

Red
Wear your red stole at Holy Week services, on Pentecost, at ordinations, and on services that commemorate the death of a Christian martyr.
White
Wear your white stole during the twelve days of Christmas, during the fifty days of Easter, at funerals, and at weddings. Wear it at any service that celebrates a secular holiday, and on certain special days, such as Epiphany Day, the Baptism of our Lord (which is the Sunday after the Epiphany), on Trinity Sunday, and All Saints Sunday. You can wear a small, white “portable stole” over your regular clothes when ministering to people in the presence of the deceased, or when conducting a funeral when full vestments are not practical for some reason.
Purple
Wear your purple stole during Lent and Advent. You can wear a small, purple “portable stole” over your regular clothes when hearing confessions (in Lutheran and Anglican churches), when conducting a counseling session (which is the same thing for the rest of us), and when administering Communion in the hospital.
Green
Wear your green stole whenever none of the above colors applies, mainly after Epiphany Day but before Ash Wednesday, and after Pentecost Sunday but before the first Sunday of Advent.

Use these color guidelines for chasubles, too.

For More Information

You can find out more information in my glossary about vestments.

If you would like more detailed information about vestments, or about how to perform various acts of worship, you might want to add some of the books in my list of How-To Manuals for Clergy to your personal library.

Versions of the Bible

2005-04-05T16:12:00.000-07:00

I know there's a hot debate going over whether or not the KJV is the only inspired Bible version but I use many Bible versions. The one I use the most is the ESV, the English Standard Version. But below I will list the versions used on this blog, just for bibliographical purposes.

The King James Version (KJV)
The New King James Version (NKJV)
The English Standard Version (ESV)
The New International Version (NIV)
The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The New American Bible (NAB)

Just to give you some perspective, I will quote my favorite Bible verse from each version. The verse is Matthew 19:21

"If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me." (KJV)

"If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." (NKJV)

"If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." (ESV)

"If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (NIV)

"If you want to be perfect," Jesus said to him, "go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." (HCSB)

"If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." (NASB)

"If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to (the) poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (NAB)

Hello

2005-04-05T16:04:00.000-07:00

Welcome to A Beggar's Blog, I am inspired by St. Francis of Assisi who originally set out with these verses as his rule.

"If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." Matthew 19:21

"Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them." Luke 9:3-5

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?" Matthew 16:24-26

I want to follow Jesus by giving up my possessions so that I may spend my time with Him and learn to love Him more and more. I hope you will come with me on this journey.