After fifty years in the prison ministry there probably isn't much I haven't heard. This is not a debate forum. We will agree to disagree if it ever comes to that. It is meant for discussions concerning the Poietes Group. Bible talks are welcome. I will be posting Bible questions, polls, O.T. items, comments, and anything suitable for everyone. You may do the same. .
First, remember that God is completely holy. He cannot be around sin. Second, humanity is utterly sinful. How could any of us fallen and broken people expect to enter into a relationship with a holy God? Salvation is by grace alone. The good news is there is a third simple truth: Salvation is entirely by God's grace.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says: "For by grace you have been saved through faith: And that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."
I would like to see e everyone who has given their life to the Lord Jesus Christ memorize Philippians 1:6. God is the one who began a good work in us, and He will perform it until Jesus comes.
People have always been saved the same way. The O.T. uses the word trust. They were looking forward to Calvary like we are looking back at Calvary. The sacrifices "purged" until the Messiah came. It just didn't separate the two advents. Good answer.
Some of these questions you are posting would be great Blog prompts for "Take up Your Cross" . Just saying. This question has many possible answers. For me, it has been my own feelings of guilt for my sin in the past. Now I know I am saved. I know he has made a change in my heart towards himself.
By faith through grace and not of themselves. :) Abraham is said to have believed God in the New Testament, (in Hebrews 11 or12 if I remember correctly) and it was accounted unto him as righteousness. That's a really good question.
Never looked at John 1 this way before. Thanks for a new perspective and a new idea for another way to study the Bible. You would have thought I would have thought of this much sooner. LOL
The word "gospel" is two Greek words put together into one, to mean "good news." This is the good news in a nutshell: Messiah Jesus died for our sins and rose again, proving He is God. That's it!!
Thank you for the history and breaking down the word meaning. It is always easier to use a phrase if we know the meaning. In times of frustration, or fear, or discouragement, I will say out loud, "Get behind me Satan" and I believe in it.
Disclaimer:
Hopefully, you will take only what is helpful and send the rest into cyberspace.
This template is based on ten devices that can turn off experienced editors, judges & haikuists. I will hold my impressions and suggestions with your poem until "Overall Impression" at the end.
A Title:
Most haiku are untitled; a successful haiku usually speaks for itself. Instead of using a title, try revision.
Too Much Punctuation:
Avoid periods. A haiku is one moment in a continuum; a period often destroys that illusion (so may beginning with a capital letter). Other punctuation: the average haiku has one break in thought or continuity, usually at the end of line 1 or 2 (sometimes, the middle of line 2). If punctuated at all, it is usually with a colon, dash or ellipsis. An occasional dash or ellipsis may provide emphasis either before of after the final word (or phrase). In general, shy away from punctuation unless you are sure of its benefit.
The Telegram Effect:
Compress your haiku, but be sure the omission of words (especially the articles a, an & the) doesn't chop it into ungainly pieces.
Lifeless Verbs:
The is & have families result in pictureless & actionless verses. Use action verbs instead.
Past or Future Tense:
Haiku usually happen now. Past & future tenses remove us from the action & often use more words (weak ones like has, have, will).
Adjectives and Adverbs:
Use sparingly. Look for ones made from noun or verb roots. Avoid very, much, any, many, few, & all-inclusive words like every, all, always, never, everyone.
I:
Overuse of 1st person pronouns It's riskier in haiku than in senryu because senryu deals with humans. Put emphasis on the image, not the person.
Padding:
Don't throw in words just to conform to a 5-7-5 or other imagined patterns. Either revise to find 17 strong, useful syllables or go for a shorter verse.
Kigo:
Kigo is a word or phrase associated with a particular season. It is nature unbridled. One season word is enough, let strong words do their job: pavement wet with rain is redundant.
Abstractions:
Not Supported by Concrete Imagery? Let imagery suggest the point; don't state it baldly. Proverbs masquerading as haiku are likely to run into trouble.
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