WithinTheNorm | |
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3:13 PM, Jan. 17, 2008
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I found something in the Greek in John 20 as I went through my sermon preparation this week. There is something significant that does not come out in the King James Version. I think you will find this most enlightening.  In the KJV, we read in John 20, verses 1 and 29, these words: 20:1 The first day of the week cometh… The problem with the translation of these verses is they are not true to the Greek text. The word for the singular “week” is actually the plural “Sabbaths” in the Greek. Young’s Literal Translation captures the Greek best here: 20:1 And on the first of the sabbaths,… In other words, the first of all the Lord’s Day Sabbaths began that resurrection Sunday morning. But that’s not all. In Matthew 28:1 we read what Matthew said on resurrection morning in the KJV: 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week… The KJV almost got the translation right. It should read: In the end of the Sabbaths, as it began to down toward the first of the Sabbaths… (emphasis mine) The end of the Sabbaths is referring to the end of the Old Testament ceremonial celebration of the Sabbaths that commemorated the creation (see Exodus 20:8-11). Matthew also acknowledges the beginning of the New Testament celebration of the Lord’s Day Sabbaths on the first day of the week. All this changed because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ on this day! (If you want to deepen your understanding even more, check out http://www.opc.org/wcf.html Chapter 7, Section 5 and 6) You can easily see in the New Testament evidence of the early Church celebrating the first day of the week as the Sabbath: Ac 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Notice they did four things on this Day; gathered as a Body, heard the preaching of the word, participated in communion, and prayed. Not a bad order of worship, wouldn’t you say? Look at what is says later in Acts: Ac 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. We even find John the gospel writer at the end of the Bible and at the end of His life saying in Revelation 1: 9 I, John, who also am your brother, and fellow-partner in the tribulation, and in the reign and endurance, of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, because of the word of God, and because of the testimony of Jesus Christ; 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s-day… (emphasis mine) Do you see how rich the word of God is?  It is so complete! I hope this study deepens your appreciation of the Lord’s Day Sabbath. I pray that we will all come excited, energized, and empowered by the Holy Spirit on this Lord’s Day Sabbath!In His Holy Name, Pastor Norman Patterson, Jr. My 3 Life Changing Resolutions
7:48 PM, Jan. 9, 2008
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Jonathan Edwards is regarded as the greatest theologian America has ever produced. One of the secrets behind this godly man was his 70 Resolutions. I cannot help but admire Jonathan Edwards’ strength of conviction and thoroughness of thought.I am told that our greatest growth takes place in deepest darkness. In November (2007) I came out of a particularly difficult time. After much prayer and reflection, I believe the Lord showed me the root of my problem. I want to share it with you in hopes others will be helped and encouraged. The bottom line is I became unthankful. At first it was a little annoyance, like a gnat that kept flying in front of my face. It would disappear for a moment as I waived it away, only to return moments later. I wasn’t completely miserable. I often got my own way and thereby masking my sin for a longer time. After a while I wasn’t even happy when things were going my way. Unthankfulness is a cancer that slowly eats away at what is good and right in our lives. I grew discontent with everything in my life. God has blessed me with a wonderful wife, four beautiful children, a kind and loving congregation, and several dear friends. It wasn’t long before every one of these blessings became a burden to me. I wanted to escape from everyone only to find that I could not even stand being with myself. I couldn’t pray because I began to believe God Himself was against me. The heart of the gospel message is that God has not left us to ourselves. If He did, we all would be destined for hell. Through His mercy and grace, He began to shine His light into my heart once more. The Westminster Confession says it so well True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as, by negligence in preserving of it, by falling into some special sin which woundeth the conscience and grieveth the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation, by God's withdrawing the light of his countenance, and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light: yet are they never utterly destitute of that seed of God, and life of faith, that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart, and conscience of duty, out of which, by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may, in due time, be revived; and by the which, in the meantime, they are supported from utter despair. CHAPTER 18, Section 4: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation
In other words, God will never leave or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) Getting back to resolutions. I came up with 3 resolutions that have brought peace, sanity, and contentment back into my life. They are a far cry from Edwards’ 70, but they have helped me. Maybe it’s their simplicity that made all the difference. I summed them up into 3 words, that way I can remember them easily. The first resolution is thankfulness. Since this was the root of my discontent, I put it first. I honestly believe if I can get this one, everything else will follow. The Bible says in Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Before we can go into His courts with praise, we have to enter into His gates with thanksgiving. Thankfulness brings us through the gates before we have fellowship with Him. It is only when we have fellowship with Him that we can have true communion with one another. John the beloved said in 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. As I have been practicing thankfulness each day my heart has been lifted and freed. I am able to see all the good and perfect gifts the Father of lights has given me. (James 1:17) The second resolution is cheerfulness. Jesus Christ command to “be of good cheer” 5 different times in the Bible. (Matthew 9:2 and 14:7, Mark 6:50, John 16:33, and Acts 23:11) Solomon said in Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. Cheerfulness is like the sun coming out from behind the cloud on a summer day giving warmth and light to all. Cheerfulness must be practiced because it does not come naturally. Over time, I’m finding it easier to “be of good cheer.” The last of my resolutions is to be graceful. This is just another way of saying I want to be more kind. Paul said it so gently and put gracefulness in context when he said in Ephesian 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Gracefulness means I want to treat others with the same grace God has given me through Jesus Christ. It has to do with how I interrelate with those around me. My tongue can be a source of life or death and if I am graceful, I will be able to eat of the fruit of life. (Proverbs 18:21) To be graceful relationally also means practicing basic manners and politeness with others, especially those closest to us. How pleasant it is to be greeted with a warm smile or to hear “thank you” and “please”! The little acts of courtesy communicate love, acceptance, and peace. Without gracefulness we can add unnecessary friction to our relationships rather than the “oil of gladness”. (Psalm 45:7) My resolutions are not as extensive and prolific as Jonathan Edwards’ 70 Resolutions. I can’t pretend to have his profundity. I have only 3 resolutions, but these 3 have restored my relationships, my happiness, and my peace. I hope and pray they will help anyone who needs them now or in the future. I always welcome hearing if these words have helped you in any way or if you have your own resolutions that God has shown you in your life. Ever Thankful, Cheerful, and Graceful in Christ, Pastor Norman Patterson, Jr. Tagged (in the head)
6:04 AM, Aug. 8, 2007
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1. What is your school's name and why? Patterson Home Education Center (I just made that up)2. How is your weather today? Rain 3. What steals your joy? My Joy is a 18 year young lady... I hope no one steals her. Honestly, if I were more like Jesus, nothing would steal my joy! He even had joy when He faced the horror and shame of the cross (Hebrews 12:-1-3) 4. Name 5 blessings you received this week. My wife Debbie - so wonderful, pretty, and a pleasure to be with Joy - her name speaks for itself Amy - I'm so proud of her... and I don't tell her enough Josiah - cheerfully collected with me all day the other day Kay - likes to snuggle in the morning 5. Favorite scripture passage? John 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. (Wow... read that first part again!) 6. Who in the Bible do you think you are most like? John the gospel writer 7.The last passage of scripture you read was: Proverbs 7 8. Have you ever praised God for something weird? Yellow jackets 9.What is the best miracle God has performed in your life, or what is your favorite answered prayer? Turning my heart toward my children. 10.What is the most fun thing you have done lately? Going to a dairy farm at 5:00 AM to collect dominulus wasps and watching the sun rise. 11. How did you choose your screen name? Rather obvious, I'd say 12. Name 5 people you will tag! Sorry, this is bee season and I barely had enough time to do this. WithinTheYellowjacket
7:27 AM, Jul. 20, 2007
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 no, it is not Yoda... it is a picture I took of a nest I collected from Bethlehem, Connecticut.When I was around 8 years old I saw some high grass. I thought how nice it would be to run and jump in it. The grass would cushion my fall and I would settle like a feather falling gracefully through the air. It all was going as planned until I hit the yellow jacket nest at the bottom of the grassy pillow. Those nasty little critters ruined my free fall by stinging me multiple times.  I remember my great grandmother Fargo taking baking soda and placing a round patch on every one of my stings. I felt like a dalmation.A few years later I was out in the back woods and I saw something strange happening in an old pine tree. There was a hole about 15 feet up covered with bugs. I figured out they were honey bees. I like honey bees better than yellow jackets and hornets, though they can be just as cranky. I got a couple of bee hives and began to feast on honey. I even subscribed to Bee Life Magazine. In the back they had an advertisement looking for people who would collect yellowjackets and hornets. I actually got an order, but it was too difficult to do back then. About 13 years ago I was coaching football at my Alma Mater. It was fun but took lots of time, even as an assistant coach. They offered me the head coaching position of the Freshman team. Thoughts of movie rights danced in my head as I dreamed I would lead the first high school freshman team to be the first to defeat a Professional team with Coach Norm at the helm. But thankfully, God was turning my heart toward home.  Though I needed the money, I turned it down and turn my back on coaching. Thanks to the internet, I found the lab again, lo 15 years later. They gave me another order. It was very difficult at first. I had an swarm vacuum that was VERY heavy and cumbersome, especially 30 feet up on a latter with hundreds of angry hornets flying around.  Anyway, years later, I perfected a collecting system that is light weight, inexpensive the make, and very versatile. I only do this for about 6 weeks every year. No, I do not make lots and lots of money. Yes, it does pay more than coaching. Quite honestly, I lo  ve collecting.  This is called Norman the Conqueror!There is no way I could find the nests, so what I do is advertise Free Removal of Yellow jacket, Hornets, and Wasps during August and September. This way the people find them for me. Nasty old exterminators  poison you, the environment, and kill much more than what they intend. Then, to add insult to injury, they charge ridiculous fees though they only use about a $1.50 worth of poison. Me? I have developed an organic method  (sounds impressive! and it is!). I almost started an organic pest removal service. There are guys doing that around the country making tons of money. But alas, God did not save my life several times to have me spending my life removing bugs... and (sniff) getting rich. Who needs lots of money when I can earn a little extra outside of the double honor I receive laboring in word and doctrine?Some people are known for being a great preacher. Others for being a writer. Me? I'm the bee man. Wow! what an epitaph for my life. I've been on two different television stations, 4 different newspapers including the New York Times, and several radio stations. The media loves pastors who also collect yellow jackets, hornets, and wasps for free. But since I'm the only one in the country, I get all the attention. Someday I hope to be on national television (if you know someone who knows someone have the call me). So when I'm not being husband and dad and pastor, I'm out seeking revenge upon the world of stinging creatures. I have paid them back for those stings those many years ago... and, after selling their ancestors to a medical lab, they have paid me back as well. We now have a mutual respect and seek to live in harmony.... unless of course, I get an order from the lab for them. Hey, if you happen to live in an area with lots of dairy farms and lots of these nests...  I am within the norm
7:12 AM, Jul. 3, 2007
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