It is expected that members of choirs are not all musically educated nor should that be made a requirement of membership. Thus, such responsibility is laid upon the one leading the choir.
Basic musical theory foundation needs to be built in each individual. Therefore, familiarity with basic scales is necessary.
I believe a few selection of hymns under C-Major (Not tranposed) would suffice such need (For example: Hymn 238: Till He Come-O Let the Words, http://www.christianstudy.com/data/hymns/midi/lifehymns/238.mid). And after basic mastery of intervals and harmonies, further introduction into other keys. follows.
[@more@]It is also important to note of the decision on teaching how to read just the non-staff scores is not quite enough.
It is important to note that in Biblical time, each day began from evening to evening (Genesis 1).
I believe it was in the morning of the 14th of Nisan (the first month). And the 15th of Nisan of that year, the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, by the supreme plan of the Most High, falls on a Sabbath, thus making it a special Sabbath (Greek text "megas", John 19:31), or a high day for the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread must be kept as a holy convocation (Leviticus 23:6).
The Last Supper was held during the beginning (first evening, late evening) of the 14th of Nisan and the sacrifice of the Lamb was at the end (second evening, early evening) of the same day. Which is when (Exodus 12:18) they must begin to observe the unleavened bread for seven days. That is, the Last Supper was held on a Thursday night, if we have already considered the following day to be Friday, the sixth day. The Feast of the unleavened bread began the 15th, which is the first day of such feast to be kept as holy convocation, while the eating of the unleavened bread has begun since the 14th(Exodus 12:18). Please note that the actual first kill of the passover (Exodus 12) happened at the end (second evening) of the 14th of Nisan (Exodus 12:6-31). So, the beginning evening of the 14th, was the first day of the unleavened bread, while the first day of the Feast (Hebrew: khag khawg, Leviticus 23:6) of the Unleavened Bread began on the 15th, which is to be a holy convocation. Matthew and Mark both mentioned the partake of the Last Supper at the first day of the unleavened bread, NOT the first day of theFEAST ofUnleavened Bread (Matthew 26:17, Mark 14:12). And John affirmed that the crucifixion happened on the Preparation Day of the Passover (John 19:14), therefore, the first evening of the 14th day of the first month (Nisan/Abib) was the time of the Last Supper, then Jesus' captive at midnight of that same day, and at third hour (Mark 15:25, around 9am), his crucifixion in the morning of the same day and died sometime just after the ninth hour (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34, Luke 23:44 after around 3pm) the second evening and ending the 14th day of the first month. This understanding of first and second evenings of each day is natural due to the concept of biblical day.
As for the three day and three night prophecy, I would count from the day Jesus was crucified in the "heart" of the Earth (Matthew 12:40), which is the middle of the East and the West, the center of important breakthroughs of the world, and most important of all, the beginning time of God's Judgement on Him, which was prior to the time darkness came, when the Father has forsaken Christ (Matthew 27:45), around 12pm, hence the first day and darkness(night), and after the darkness, the second day and the second night followed by the 15th day, the third day, then the third night leading to the 16th, the day of resurrection. 14th[[[First day, First night(the darkness), Second day]]] --> 15th[[[Second night, Third day]]] ---> 16th[[[Third night]]].
Therefore, the day of crucifixion fits well on the fifth day of the week. There is no need to consider the fourth day of the week just because there could be two sabbaths as first of all, the sabbath of that week is the special sabbath because it was just after the passover (John 19:14) and therefore the meeting time of two holy convocations(John 19:31); Secondly, the holy convocation of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread was not mentioned as Sabbath in contrast with the sabbath-rest on the first day of the seventh month (Leviticus 23:24). And as far as work is concerned, preparation and purchasing of spices by the women need not be an issue whether by management of time around the Sabbath or by definition of regular work in the words of the Lord of the Sabbath.
There are no conflicts in the Bible, only the errors of human judgement upon paradoxes found in the Bible. It is only the Lord's will to reveal what is to be revealed to us, as for the hidden things, we can never discover on our own.
Seems that there's no module for Nelson's Bible Dictionary under e-sword. So, I shall create my own. Yes yes, it's a big one. However, I see this as a remarkable opportunity for me to learn the terms in the Bible at an advanced level. Hence, I will buy the book, $7 on sale, and will type everything from the book into the dct database for e-sword. Eventually, it will be shared in public upon its completion.
Little by little...everyday...I call this project the Nelson-Dictionary Project. That is, unless someone else beats me to it.
It seems that if the difference between processing speed of the web server and client machine is too great, the processing on the client side will miss a few data bits, hence putting out unexpected display.
I do not know if it is the difference in processing speed to blame. If so, is it a design flaw in browser?
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This happen on my Mozilla browser. Occurring on two accounts:
1. Server on much slower Pentium 133Mhz 64MB RAM system, browsing with Pentium III 750Mhz, 256MB RAM machine.
2. Server on Pentium II 333Mhz 256MB RAM system, browsing with Pentium IV 3Ghz 1GB RAM machine.
If both machines have relatively close speeds and rams, this problem is not seen.
I may try to test it with the browsers, then the rams. And lastly, the processors which I have no idea how as I do not wish to waste too much time in this.
I came across a very good site on a chart for comparing various religions against Christianity. http://www.zionbc.com/cult_chart.htm or click here if the previous link is broken or unavailable.[@more@]I have been looking for chart such as this for a long time, ever since I was handed such chart very very long time ago during an SU Camp (Scripture Union Camp). I recently found a good one in the store published by ROSE Publishing. It is crucial that we are prepared on all accounts.
Sometimes, when you can't get certain questions answered, it is painful to wait. And very often we try to take shortcuts to the answers. Do we apply patience, if so, how? Or do we deligently seek after?
I do not know, I believe both must be considered. For if we only waited patiently, we will lose the hunger for the answer, the truth of it and thereby become lazy. If we seek eagerly and disregard our patience, we will invite desires which bring forth bad fruits. I believe this is a struggle...one that must be faced and challenged. For we tend to get lazy and do not wish to constantly remind ourselves of such and therefore consider only one of the two.
And the things we seek, must be honoring God with truth, the best of the best and not vain satisfaction of self desires and the acceptance of others and itches of one's ears.
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This evening, when I got to my church in Flushing for Bible Study, I was almost an hour late. Due to checking out a Bible Store in Jamaica earlier.
When I got to the church, it was not Bible Study but the Monthly Gathering of all fellowships. And I heard half of what was said. Some pastor, I think, was confessing something. I did not know what because I was late. I plan to find out soon. I tried to stay and listen, finding out what was going on. Seems that the pastor is resigning or something. I cannot be certain. But one thing is for sure, he has committed something sinful. And many were praying, for God's forgiveness, on him, his family, as well as the entire church.
I wanted to wait until the service is over and ask someone, but I find it inappropriate. Nor do I wish for gossips.
Do I want to know? Yes I do. I need to know how this church is when dealing with such issues, I want to know what example this church is setting for others. For I admire the boldness of such confession of a pastor, which I would say, is lacking among many of those committing similar crime against God.
A. All that are recorded in the Bible that agree with God's promise.
-Dr. Stephen Tong
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Predestination, grace, creationism, Biblical doctrine, scholarstic study, pursue of knowledge are important subjects too, in addition to marriage, job, school, and the earthly things.
Predestination is about God's election of the Saints. We will not look into God's dictation of every single event in the Universe He created, as that's not the predestination the Bible spoke of.
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Acts 2:23
Romans 8:28-30
Romans 8:15-18
Romans 11:2-7 (Or onwards, read entire Chapter) (Paul preaching most eagerly, because he recognized predestination very well) - Dr. Stephen Tong
Galatians 3:8
Ephesians 1:5, 11 (Perhaps the main theme of Predestination here)
Preaching is ABSOLUTELY different from a salesman or a businessman making a sale. Absolutely NO similarities whatsoever! Not the format, not the attitude, not the interest, not anything similar.
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When we preach about the Kingdom of Heaven, of Christ Jesus our Lord, we are sharing the grace of God with those who have not come to know.
In sales, there is competition and one is doing his best to convince anyone of his product/service. There could be cheat, there could surely be integrity too. But one thing is for sure, there must be gain.
But we Christians do not preach to gain. As there is nothing to gain from what is foreknown to God except rewards of our submission to Christ. For that kind of reward is different than gaining. We labor in this manner, suffer hardship, resistance, all in the name of God to complete what is been given us, a serious responsibility. Something we ought do with no complaints, with all our capability.
Secondly, we Christians know this is the only way for us as well as for those not yet know they were chosen. Nor do we know if they were chosen unless God reveals to us. Therefore, we must preach, so that we may see God's miracle working through our hands and allow us the opportunity to admire and giving glory back to God. Thanking God for such witness.
Serving God, can never be a toleration of our religion, our belief, to such a point that we made certain temporary sacrifices of our own belief to satisfy and thereby hopefully win the faith of non-believers.
However, we must note what Paul said in Philipians 1:15~ that we shouldn't take this to quarrel with others who are not preaching with such integrity. Because the entire goal of our work here on Earth is to glorify God's name by spreading out His good name. Nevertheless, God will deal with our works, regardless of the success we would have, during His judgement. So we must still do all things according to God's command despite the result, for God is the only One who is doing the actual work and will accomplish His unbreakable will and plan. God will use anyone He pleases, even the hardened ones, to glorify His name. Therefore seek for God's mercy, give thanks all the time. Fear the Lord our God.
We preach the one true God. Nothing else can be of equal level to God. Absolutely Nothing. This is not the same as sales.
We must do our jobs as Christians, but we must not determine for God what the outcome of God's work should be. For we are still under God's mercy even now. God's own work, let God take care. We just need to actively, willingly, whole heartedly, enthusiastically, do our parts as commanded by God.
It is according to God's will, not our wills. Following our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ's example. Sadly, many today have misunderstood this verse such that they would say "It is according to God's will, also my will as well".
The only way to know God, is through the Bible and personal devotion.
