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	<title>Keeping Silent No More</title>
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		<title>Keeping Silent No More</title>
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		<title>New Name to My Blog</title>
		<link>http://bradormonde.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/new-name-to-my-blog/</link>
		<comments>http://bradormonde.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/new-name-to-my-blog/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:07:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>bradormondejr</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[Recently, I have been seeing news around the world about how so many people, young people especially, have been voicing their opinion in the world and making their voices heard. Well, now it&#8217;s my turn, and I feel like this world is coming to an abrupt end with no one really stepping up to the [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bradormonde.wordpress.com&amp;blog=4813403&amp;post=236&amp;subd=bradormonde&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Recently, I have been seeing news around the world about how so many people, young people especially, have been voicing their opinion in the world and making their voices heard. Well, now it&#8217;s my turn, and I feel like this world is coming to an abrupt end with no one really stepping up to the plate to address some serious issues in the world.</p>
<p>Coming from me, means nothing. But coming from the Word of God, the Bible, I know it means something! I am a devoted believer of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I believe there is only one God in all of the world, God the Father, who sits at the right hand of the throne of God, and I believe that His Word, the Bible, holds timeless truths for all generations, past, present and future.</p>
<p>So many issues taking place in the world of &#8220;young evangelicals&#8221; that aren&#8217;t being talked about, and so here I am, to voice my opinion, but to also base my opinion off of what the Lord says in His Word.</p>
<p>I don&#8217;t have any fancy words to say, or any ways to &#8220;change the world&#8221;, I just want to share Scripture, and I want the truth to be known to all people that they too, may share in this joy everlasting.</p>
<p>I have named this blog, &#8220;Keeping Silent No More&#8221; because there have been times where I have read an article about a situation and just let it pass by without really saying anything about it at all. Well, I am not keeping silent anymore.</p>
<p>The Word of God needs to be heard by all people, men, women, children, Christians, even the atheist. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, &#8220;All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,&#8221;</p>
<p>If you care enough to share this blog, then go ahead, and if you don&#8217;t want to, that&#8217;s also cool with me.</p>
<p>If you have any thoughts, PLEASE, leave me comments and we can have some good dialog and discussion.</p>
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		<title>Morning &amp; Evening- March 31</title>
		<link>http://bradormonde.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/morning-evening-march-31/</link>
		<comments>http://bradormonde.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/morning-evening-march-31/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:21:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>bradormondejr</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[brad ormonde jr.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[death]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[isaiah 53]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[morning & evening]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[resurrection]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[I read this devotion every morning, but none ever like this morning&#8217;s for the day of March 31. Please take the time to read it and take the time to see how brutal, yet beautiful the death of our Savior was, and the lasting impact it will have for all eternity!! &#8220;With His stripes we [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bradormonde.wordpress.com&amp;blog=4813403&amp;post=228&amp;subd=bradormonde&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I read this devotion every morning, but none ever like this morning&#8217;s for the day of March 31.</p>
<p>Please take the time to read it and take the time to see how brutal, yet beautiful the death of our Savior was, and the lasting impact it will have for all eternity!!</p>
<p>
<font size="3">&#8220;With His stripes we are healed.&#8221; — Isaiah 53:5</p>
<p>Pilate delivered our Lord to the lictors to be scourged. The Roman scourge was a most dreadful instrument of torture. It was made of the sinews of oxen, and sharp bones were inter-twisted every here and there among the sinews; so that every time the lash came down these pieces of bone inflicted fearful laceration, and tore off the flesh from the bone. The Saviour was, no doubt, bound to the column, and thus beaten. He had been beaten before; but this of the Roman lictors was probably the most severe of His flagellations. My soul, stand here and weep over His poor stricken body.</p>
<p>Believer in Jesus, can you gaze upon Him without tears, as He stands before you the mirror of agonizing love? He is at once fair as the lily for innocence, and red as the rose with the crimson of His own blood. As we feel the sure and blessed healing which His stripes have wrought in us, does not our heart melt at once with love and grief? If ever we have loved our Lord Jesus, surely we must feel that affection glowing now within our bosoms.</p>
<p>&#8220;See how the patient Jesus stands,<br />
Insulted in His lowest case!<br />
Sinners have bound the Almighty&#8217;s hands,<br />
And spit in their Creator&#8217;s face.<br />
With thorns His temples gor&#8217;d and gash&#8217;d<br />
Send streams of blood from every part;<br />
His back&#8217;s with knotted scourges lash&#8217;d.<br />
But sharper scourges tear His heart.&#8221;</p>
<p>We would fain go to our chambers and weep; but since our business calls us away, we will first pray our Beloved to print the image of His bleeding self upon the tablets of our hearts all the day, and at nightfall we will return to commune with Him, and sorrow that our sin should have cost Him so dear.</font></p>
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		<title>The Resurgence</title>
		<link>http://bradormonde.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/the-resurgence/</link>
		<comments>http://bradormonde.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/the-resurgence/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:55:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>bradormondejr</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[brad ormonde jr.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[resources]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[resurgence]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[I love finding websites that have great resources for my study time. I teach about 3-4 times a month in the CRUX Jr. High Ministry at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside,CA. The first resource I have, which is in fact my default homepage too, is known as The Resurgence. It has so many great tools [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bradormonde.wordpress.com&amp;blog=4813403&amp;post=217&amp;subd=bradormonde&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_224" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 507px"><a href="http://bradormonde.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/screen-shot-2011-03-28-at-9-45-29-am2.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-224" title="The Resurgence" src="http://bradormonde.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/screen-shot-2011-03-28-at-9-45-29-am2.jpg?w=497&#038;h=279" alt="" width="497" height="279" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">The Resurgence</p></div>
<p>I love finding websites that have great resources for my study time. I teach about 3-4 times a month in the <a href="http://harvestjrhigh.org">CRUX Jr. High Ministry</a> at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside,CA.</p>
<p>The first resource I have, which is in fact my default homepage too, is known as The Resurgence. It has so many great tools and resources that is free of charge and available for print and download as well.</p>
<p>If there is ever a resource or article you need about a specific topic, chances are, The Resurgence will have it for you.</p>
<p>Go check it out! <a href="http://theresurgence.com/">The Resurgence</a></p>
<p>I will be adding a list of posts about different resources (books, websites, sermons and teachers) that I use for my study time, so stay tuned!</p>
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		<title>Morning &amp; Evening- February 15</title>
		<link>http://bradormonde.wordpress.com/2011/02/15/morning-evening-february-15/</link>
		<comments>http://bradormonde.wordpress.com/2011/02/15/morning-evening-february-15/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Feb 2011 21:02:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>bradormondejr</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C.H. Spurgeon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[glory to God]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[God]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[morning & evening]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bradormonde.wordpress.com/?p=208</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I have a devotional that I read every day titled, &#8220;Morning and Evening&#8221;. It is a collection of devotionals written by C.H. Spurgeon and it is a great way to start your morning and to end your day. If you need a devotional, I highly recommend it! But enough of me talking, here is this [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bradormonde.wordpress.com&amp;blog=4813403&amp;post=208&amp;subd=bradormonde&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="aligncenter" title="c.h. spurgeon" src="http://bradormonde.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/spurgeon.jpg?w=304&#038;h=400" alt="" width="304" height="400" /></p>
<p>I have a devotional that I read every day titled, &#8220;Morning and Evening&#8221;. It is a collection of devotionals written by C.H. Spurgeon and it is a great way to start your morning and to end your day.</p>
<p>If you need a devotional, I highly recommend it! But enough of me talking, here is this morning&#8217;s (Feb. 15, 2011) devotion.</p>
<p><strong>&#8220;To Him be glory both now and forever.&#8221; — 2 Peter 3:18</strong></p>
<p>Heaven will be full of the ceaseless praises of Jesus. Eternity! thine unnumbered years shall speed their everlasting course, but forever and for ever, &#8220;to Him be glory.&#8221; Is He not a &#8220;Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek&#8221;? &#8220;To Him be glory.&#8221; Is He not king for ever?—King of kings and Lord of lords, the everlasting Father? &#8220;To Him be glory for ever.&#8221; Never shall His praises cease. That which was bought with blood deserves to last while immortality endures. The glory of the cross must never be eclipsed; the lustre of the grave and of the resurrection must never be dimmed. O Jesus! thou shalt be praised for ever. Long as immortal spirits live—long as the Father&#8217;s throne endures—for ever, for ever, unto Thee shall be glory. Believer, you are anticipating the time when you shall join the saints above in ascribing all glory to Jesus; but are you glorifying Him now? The apostle&#8217;s words are, &#8220;To Him be glory both now and for ever.&#8221; Will you not this day make it your prayer? &#8220;Lord, help me to glorify Thee; I am poor, help me to glorify Thee by contentment; I am sick, help me to give Thee honour by patience; I have talents, help me to extol Thee by spending them for Thee; I have time, Lord, help me to redeem it, that I may serve Thee; I have a heart to feel, Lord, let that heart feel no love but Thine, and glow with no flame but affection for Thee; I have a head to think, Lord, help me to think of Thee and for Thee; Thou hast put me in this world for something, Lord, show me what that is, and help me to work out my life-purpose: I cannot do much, but as the widow put in her two mites, which were all her living, so, Lord, I cast my time and eternity too into Thy treasury; I am all Thine; take me, and enable me to glorify Thee now, in all that I say, in all that I do, and with all that I have.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Theology of &#8220;How He Loves&#8221; Pt. 2</title>
		<link>http://bradormonde.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/theology-of-how-he-loves-part-2/</link>
		<comments>http://bradormonde.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/theology-of-how-he-loves-part-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Feb 2011 19:53:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>bradormondejr</dc:creator>
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		<category><![CDATA[brad ormonde jr.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[david crowder band]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how he loves]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[theology]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Theology of “How He Loves” Pt. 2 This is the second of 3 posts about the theology (study of God) of the song “How He Loves” written by John Mark McMillan. This song has really been made famous by the David Crowder Band, and many others have also added their own twist to the song. [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bradormonde.wordpress.com&amp;blog=4813403&amp;post=203&amp;subd=bradormonde&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="aligncenter" title="David Crowder Band" src="http://www.life965.fm/blogs/ryan/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/David-Crowder-Band.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="442" /></p>
<p><strong>Theology of “How He Loves” Pt. 2</strong></p>
<p>This is the second of 3 posts about the theology (study of God) of the song “How He Loves” written by John Mark McMillan. This song has really been made famous by the David Crowder Band, and many others have also added their own twist to the song.</p>
<p>When reading the lyrics you can’t help but feel the love which embraces you from God our Father.</p>
<p>In the last post we took a look at the first few verses of the song, and now I want to continue where we left off with the last post.</p>
<p>The section we looked at was the first part of the first verse, “<strong>He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy</strong>,” and in this second part of the post we will see the next section of that verse, “<strong>When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory, and I realize just how beautiful you are and how great Your affections are for me</strong>.”</p>
<p>When all of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory. What does this even mean? I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory? Here’s what seems to be evident within this part of the song; we can sometimes become unaware of afflictions in our life. There are many trials and tribulations that we face on an everyday basis that, sometimes, come unexpectedly, yet known very well by our Heavenly Father.</p>
<p>The afflictions we come in contact with, have sometimes blindsided us so horrifically that we end up blowing God off and we think that we can solve our own problems. The fact is that we cannot. But did you know that God knows exactly what you are facing and dealing with? Yes! In fact He does know all things. He is omniscient (all-knowing), and knows all the details, big and small, about us.</p>
<p>The afflictions that we struggle with are not from God, but simply <em>allowed</em> by God. <strong>James 1:13</strong> says, “<strong>Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one</strong>.”</p>
<p>When you are tempted, when you are faced with trials, understand that God is not specifically tempting you for He can’t do that, rather look at the trials and afflictions as <em>allowed </em>by God. He allows you to face them, so that your faith may grow!</p>
<p><strong>James 1:2-3</strong> says, “<strong>Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness</strong> (endurance).”</p>
<p>It is, in fact, the very idea that God allows trials and afflictions in our life to examine our trust, to see how well we respond.</p>
<p>When trials come our way, we must understand one thing; the trials are processed in the hands of God in Heaven and are placed upon us here on earth.</p>
<p><strong>Job 23:10</strong> tells us that “<strong>He knows the way that I take, and when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold</strong>.” God has not forgotten about you, He did not accidentally place trials into your life to make your life miserable, He rather, places these fine trials in our being, so that we may become gold.</p>
<p>These afflictions refine who we are, the impurities are filtered out and swept away to redefine who we become after the process of refinement.</p>
<p>These afflictions we face, are given by God to the glory <em>of</em> God.</p>
<p>In trials, we realize the love of God being ever more evident in our life.</p>
<p>Although our trials may be difficult, it brings comfort knowing that God has orchestrated the very trial we deal with.</p>
<p>Then, and only then can we see the glory of God revealed and the majesty of our King put on display!</p>
<p>What great faith that should stir us up! The God of Heaven and Earth, has perfectly placed me within His will by allowing trials to form me and to transform me. What a great God we serve!</p>
<p>Glory to God in the highest!</p>
<p>The next blog post will be coming shortly so look out for it.</p>
<p>Blessings, Brad Jr.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
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		<title>Theology of &#8220;How He Loves&#8221; Pt. 1</title>
		<link>http://bradormonde.wordpress.com/2011/02/03/theology-of-how-he-loves-pt-1/</link>
		<comments>http://bradormonde.wordpress.com/2011/02/03/theology-of-how-he-loves-pt-1/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 Feb 2011 02:07:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>bradormondejr</dc:creator>
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		<category><![CDATA[jealous]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[Well I have been thinking for a few months now of writing a blog post that described the theology (study of God) found in the song &#8220;How He Loves&#8221; written by John Mark McMillan. I have heard it so many other times from a variety of music artists and I have to say that the [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bradormonde.wordpress.com&amp;blog=4813403&amp;post=197&amp;subd=bradormonde&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="aligncenter" title="David Crowder Band" src="http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/pictures/pics/crowderband.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="300" /></p>
<p>Well I have been thinking for a few months now of writing a blog post that described the theology (study of God) found in the song &#8220;How He Loves&#8221; written by John Mark McMillan. I have heard it so many other times from a variety of music artists and I have to say that the one that grabs me the most is the version done by David Crowder Band.</p>
<p>As I listen to this song over and over and over, I can&#8217;t but help fall to my knees and acknowledge God as my Lord and Savior. It hits me every time! I find myself being convicted each and every time I listen to it, which then it turn tells me that this song has power and the lyrics written for this song go far beyond just hearing another melodious track on an album, but rather, it is a way for us to reflect on the nature of God; who He is and who we are.</p>
<p>Let&#8217;s just take a look for a second at the lyrics themselves:</p>
<p><em>(Verse 1)<br />
</em><em>He is jealous for me<br />
</em><em>Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree<br />
</em><em>Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy<br />
</em><em>When all of a sudden<br />
</em><em>I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory<br />
</em><em>And I realise just how beautiful You are<br />
</em><em>And how great Your affections are for me</em></p>
<p><em></em><em>(Pre-Chorus)<br />
</em><em>And O how He loves us<br />
</em><em>Oh, O how He loves us<br />
</em><em>How He loves us all</em></p>
<p><em></em><em>(Chorus)<br />
</em><em>Yeah He loves us<br />
</em><em>O how He loves us<br />
</em><em>O how He loves us<br />
</em><em>O how He loves</em></p>
<p><em>(Verse 2)<br />
</em><em>We are His portion and He is our prize<br />
</em><em>Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes<br />
</em><em>If grace is an ocean, we&#8217;re all sinking<br />
</em><em>So Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss<br />
</em><em>And my heart turns violently inside of my chest<br />
</em><em>I don&#8217;t have time to maintain these regrets<br />
</em><em>When I think about the way </em></p>
<p>When dissecting this song, you cannot help but to put yourself in the midst of this song as if you are thinking and feeling the exact way that this song is written.</p>
<p>Part of the 1st verse says, &#8220;He is jealous for me,&#8221; Yes! He is very jealous for us! In Exodus 20:4-5 says, &#8220;<strong>You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God</strong>,&#8221;. God is jealous. And rightfully so! He is the creator of the world, of everything set before us, and He wants attention, He deserves it! Why? Because He is <strong>sovereign</strong>, <strong>ominpotent</strong> (all-powerful), <strong>omniscient</strong> (all-knowing) and <strong>omnipresent</strong> (everywhere all the time). He ought to be jealous for He created us! Would not an artist be upset if his painting drew attention to some other artist than himself? Of course! It would defeat the purpose of even making the painting.</p>
<p>Same with God, He has created us, He wants the attention, He wants to be acknowledged as the God of the world but also the God of your life, yet we put so much emphasis on the material gods we have placed in our life. Make God your 1st priority in life.</p>
<p>The next part of that verse says, &#8220;Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy&#8221;</p>
<p>Yes. He does love like a hurricane! His love cannot compare to any other love in all of the world in all of history or time! His love has far surpassed any and every idea of love! His love was demonstrated upon a cross, and was put on display for all to see. John 15:13 says, &#8220;Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friend,&#8221; and Christ did just that! He laid down His life, shedding His perfect and innocent blood upon a sinner&#8217;s cross, a cross He was not deserving of, yet He paid the penalty for our sins, conquering sin and conquering death.</p>
<p>I and we are indeed trees bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy. We are all subject to His will and to the works in which He accomplishes in us and through us. He accomplishes His will in us and makes us, as believers to be under the will in which He has for every single one of us.</p>
<p>The weight of His wind is the direction in which He sends us. <strong>Proverbs 16:9</strong> says, &#8220;<strong>The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps</strong>.&#8221; We may plan the things that we do in our life, but ultimately God directs whether or not those plans actually fall in place.</p>
<p>And we are bent underneath the weight of His mercy too. Has He not even been very merciful to us too?! What great mercy He has shown to us through His Son, Jesus, on the cross. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. What do we deserve? We deserve hell. We deserve to go to hell because of our sins and because of our enmity to God, but, as Romans 5:8 says, &#8220;<strong>but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us</strong>.&#8221; Through giving mercy, He also gave a way for us to be with Him in eternity. And we are underneath this mercy, we are the subject of His mercy.</p>
<p>Well there is just so much to detail within this one song that this is going to take a series of blog posts so stay tuned with the next ones in line.</p>
<p>In Christ, Brad Jr.</p>
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		<title>The Importance of Church for Teenagers</title>
		<link>http://bradormonde.wordpress.com/2010/11/08/the-importance-of-church-for-teenagers/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Nov 2010 20:28:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>bradormondejr</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bradormonde.wordpress.com/?p=194</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In the past month I have had the humbling privilege to speak to a few world renowned pastors that have had much influence within the Christian community, and even within the secular realm as well. These men that I was able to speak to were, Jon Courson, Rick Holland and Norman Geisler. I was able [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bradormonde.wordpress.com&amp;blog=4813403&amp;post=194&amp;subd=bradormonde&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In the past month I have had the humbling privilege to speak to a few world renowned pastors that have had much influence within the Christian community, and even within the secular realm as well. These men that I was able to speak to were, Jon Courson, Rick Holland and Norman Geisler. I was able to receive much wisdom from these men as I continue on with my ministry and what I feel the Lord has called me to, which is to pastor and shepherd a flock wherever He may lead.</p>
<p>As I spoke to these 3 men, I told them about my endeavor through the different ministries I have served in, the one’s I am currently involved in now, and the response I received from all three of them was the same answer given by 3 different men and 3 different times of the month. I told them about the opportunities I have had to preach God’s Word in the Jr. High ministry, and all three times I mentioned this to these men, they agreed that I was in the right ministry and in the ministry that makes most effect on people’s lives.</p>
<p>Jon Courson one night told me, “Jr. High ministry is the most effective ministry anyone could be, that is when the decisions are made to follow God or to deny God.” The next night I had the tremendous privilege to speak to Pastor Rick Holland, college pastor at Grace Community Church, and he told me, “In Jr. High school, kids will decide their eternal future, it is at this moment they truly make the commitment to follow Christ.” When speaking to Dr. Norman Geisler a few weeks ago, told me that the “most effective area for ministry is in Jr. High because it is the most pivotal time in a teenager’s life.” “This where they decide to listen or to rebel, to heed the warning, or to ignore it.”</p>
<p>Jr. High and High School students are neglecting church more than ever now. Jr. High kids would rather sit at home and watch Cartoon Network, than go to church. They would rather play Xbox than sing songs of worship. In the past years, teenagers specifically, have been very interested in spiritual things.1 In the research done by Barna, the stats show that “the percentage of teens who are evangelicals &#8211; i.e., those who are not only born again but also believe in the accuracy of the Bible, personal responsibility to evangelize, believe in salvation by grace alone, and possess orthodox biblical views on God, Jesus and Satan &#8211; have declined from 10% in 1995 to just 4% today.”2</p>
<p>Here are some more staggering statistics:</p>
<p>63% don’t believe Jesus is the Son of the one true God</p>
<p>58% believe all faiths teach equally valid truths.</p>
<p>51% don’t believe Jesus rose from the dead.</p>
<p>65% don’t believe Satan is a real entity.</p>
<p>68% don’t believe the Holy Spirit is a real entity3</p>
<p>The most common teen spiritual activity &#8211; like that of adults &#8211; is prayer. Overall, three-quarters of teenagers (72%) say they pray in a typical week. The next most common activity is attending a worship service at a church &#8211; a form of engagement embraced by half (48%) of today’s teenagers. Roughly one-third of teenagers said they attend Sunday school (35%), attend youth group (33%), participate in a small group (32%), and read the Bible (31%).</p>
<p>Compared to American adults, teenagers are more likely to report engagement in corporate forms of worship and spiritual expression &#8211; such as attending church, as well as participating in small groups, youth groups, and Sunday school. However, young people are less likely than their parents to pray (72% of teens, 83% of adults) or read the Bible in a typical week (31% of teens, 41% of adults).</p>
<p>However, the research raises caution that teenagers&#8217; prodigious appetites for spiritual activity may be waning. Since a decade ago, teenagers are less likely to pray (down from 81% in the mid-nineties), to attend worship services (down from 53%), and to read from the Bible on their own time (down from 37%).</p>
<p>As some of the nation’s first digital pilgrims, the research shows that one out of every four teenagers (26%) had learned something about their faith or spirituality online in the last six months. This was true of two-fifths of born again Christian teenagers (39%). Furthermore, one-sixth of teenagers (16%) and one-quarter of born again teens (25%) said they had &#8220;a spiritual experience&#8221; online where they worshipped or connected with God.4</p>
<p>Is this not alarming? Kids are growing farther and farther apart from the faith each and every day!! So the question arises, “What are we doing to incorporate church into the teenager’s lives?” Is God’s Word being presented accurately? Is it being taught as the only authority? Is worship taking place? Are they engaging in church service?</p>
<p>The question also comes into play, “What are the parents doing at home?” “Are devotion times taking place asa family?” Now we know how important church is for teenagers, more specifically for Jr. High students. Do you have a child in Jr. High? Do they know Jesus? Do they know the importance of knowing Jesus? Do they know why we go to church, why we need to read the Bible and why we need God? Make it something to mention to your child today. Think about it.</p>
<p><sup>1</sup> http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/72-teens-change-their-tune-regarding-self-and-church?q=teenage+bible<br />
<sup>2</sup> http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/72-teens-change-their-tune-regarding-self-and-church?q=teenage+bible<br />
<sup>3</sup> Steve Wright, Rethink: Is Student Ministry Working? P.34<br />
<sup>4</sup> http://www.barna.org/teens-next-gen-articles/93-what-teenagers-look-for-in-a-church</p>
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		<title>Contentment In Christ</title>
		<link>http://bradormonde.wordpress.com/2010/07/09/contentment-in-christ/</link>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 10 Jul 2010 02:30:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>bradormondejr</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[I felt led today to write this post because of something that my girlfriend and I were talking about this morning. She was gently reminding me of our contentment in Christ and how it&#8217;s important for us as believers to be content in Christ no matter the cost. I had all day to ponder about [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bradormonde.wordpress.com&amp;blog=4813403&amp;post=192&amp;subd=bradormonde&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I felt led today to write this post because of something that my girlfriend and I were talking about this morning. </p>
<p>She was gently reminding me of our contentment in Christ and how it&#8217;s important for us as believers to be content in Christ no matter the cost. </p>
<p>I had all day to ponder about the true meaning of contentment in Christ, and also the importance of it as well. </p>
<p>I thought long and hard about my life and if I am truly content in Christ and the things in which He has blessed me beyond deservance. </p>
<p>God has been amazingly gracious in my life and He has allowed for me, great opportunites to be involved in such a great church, to have a wonderful family, to be blessed with great friends, and the amazing blessing of being able to be with the love of my life that I have been with for 4 years!</p>
<p>There are also other things that I have been blessed with and also seeing what a great country we live in, I can&#8217;t help but thank the Lord for His providence in my life. </p>
<p>As knowing of the blessings, am I content in which I have?</p>
<p>I can say, &#8220;sure!&#8221;, but deep down inside am I thankful and content in what I have been given? After all, I haven&#8217;t earned any of these things nor am I deserving of any of it (nor are any of us), yet God still blesses us.</p>
<p>Afterall, God gave us the greatest gift of all, in which every person on the face of the earth is completely undeserving, which is His only begotten Son, the Savior of our sins, the Master we serve, the One who shed His innocent blood on our behalf for the forgiveness of our sins upon the cross, &#8220;The Man&#8221;, as Pontius Pilate said, Jesus Christ. </p>
<p>Now the question arises. If God asked me to leave all that I have and to sell it, would I be able to do so? I&#8217;d like to think I&#8217;d say yes, and in all honesty, can we say that for ourself?</p>
<p>It&#8217;s harder to say, &#8220;yes,&#8221; than I think most of us believe for it to be.</p>
<p>Do you remember the rich, young ruler who approached Jesus and asked Him a very important question? </p>
<p>Read the account here: Luke 18:18-27</p>
<p>18 And a ruler asked him, &#8220;Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?&#8221;</p>
<p>19 And Jesus said to him, &#8220;Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.</p>
<p>20 You know the commandments: &#8216;Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.&#8217;&#8221;</p>
<p>21 And he said, &#8220;All these I have kept from my youth.&#8221;</p>
<p>22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, &#8220;One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.&#8221;</p>
<p>23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.</p>
<p>24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, &#8220;How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!</p>
<p>25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.&#8221;</p>
<p>26 Those who heard it said, &#8220;Then who can be saved?&#8221;</p>
<p>27 But he said, &#8220;What is impossible with men is possible with God.&#8221;</p>
<p>I think a lot of times we can fall into the category with the rich young ruler. We can ask the Lord, &#8220;Father, what may I do to serve you better?&#8221; And He replies, &#8220;Sell what you have, or leave what you have and follow me.&#8221; </p>
<p>What is our response? Are we slow to answer? Do we have to count the cost of what we are leaving behind to make our decision? Can we truly leave all we possess to follow Him?</p>
<p>It&#8217;s a tough question, but let us be honest with ourself. What in life do I desire? What in life do I enjoy?</p>
<p>What do I spend most of time doing? Think about that for yourself as many people have different thigs that consume our time. </p>
<p>Now with that in mind, could you or I give it up to follow Christ? Afterall, we know every good and perfect gift comes from above and we have done nothing to earn them. It&#8217;s God given anyway. </p>
<p>We as Americans have been blessed and I think that we have taken the blessing for granted far too much. </p>
<p>I&#8217;m not saying that you go and sell all you have to follow God and give up everything, what I am saying is, if it came to that would you be able to do so?</p>
<p>If our contentment is completely in Christ then we have nothing to worry about, but I fear many of us would have a hard time giving up what we have to follow Him completely and truly. </p>
<p>It&#8217;s a gentle reminder that was laid on my heart and may we allow it to resonate within our heart. Let us pray and ask the Lord to continue to sanctify us and give us a heart of gratitude. </p>
<p>Grace and Peace to you all!</p>
<p>Brad Ormonde Jr.   </p>
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		<title>Trust: Being Forthright and Honest (Part 2)</title>
		<link>http://bradormonde.wordpress.com/2010/05/30/trust-being-forthright-and-honest-part-2/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 31 May 2010 06:25:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>bradormondejr</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;m not completely certain who actually reads the posts on this blog, or who even cares to know what I have to say, but the Lord laid it on my heart to continue this post and to deal with more of a question and answer basis. Maybe you are someone who has/had a problem with [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bradormonde.wordpress.com&amp;blog=4813403&amp;post=188&amp;subd=bradormonde&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;m not completely certain who actually reads the posts on this blog, or who even cares to know what I have to say, but the Lord laid it on my heart to continue this post and to deal with more of a question and answer basis. </p>
<p>Maybe you are someone who has/had a problem with lying and you want to know how to handle it and how to gain the trust back from those who you lied to. </p>
<p>This is part 2 of a post I added a few days ago, and I want to answer some questions you may have.</p>
<p><strong>Q: Will I Gain the Trust Back From Those Who I Hurt?</strong></p>
<p>A: Yes! But you have to do your part. You cannot just assume that being sorry and saying you won&#8217;t do it again will suffice, but you have to do more than that. It requires conviction. Have you been convicted of that sin? Have you felt sorry because you got caught or because you truly want to change?</p>
<p>I will tell you this, you will not gain back trust from someone overnight. Why? Because the healing process is much longer and much more deep because of the lie. One easy lie that takes a second for someone to take as truth, will make your rebuilding process that much longer. Take heart and be of good cheer.</p>
<p>If you really want to change, ask! Ask the Lord for wisdom! James 1 clearly tells us that if any man lacks wisdom let him ask so he may be competent. Ask for wisdom, ask for the Lord to show you the seriousness of your sin, and ask the Lord to fill you with the conviction of His Holy Spirit so that you will never want to do it again.</p>
<p><strong>Q: Why is Lying Such a Bad Thing?</strong></p>
<p>A: Because Scripture clearly says that it is something the Lord hates. One of six that He absolutely cannot stand! </p>
<p>It is so bad because it is an issue of trust, honesty and loyalty. Trust is such a huge issue in Scripture and even in our society today. Many people lie, to get ahead in the business, to stay out of trouble, etc. It is something our culture will say &#8220;ok&#8221; to, but Scripture will not say &#8220;ok&#8221; to.</p>
<p>It is such a bad thing because it conforms us into the image of the world, rather than the Word.</p>
<p><strong>1 John 2:15-17 says, &#8220;Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world- the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions- is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.&#8221;</strong></p>
<p>The desire to lie is from the world because the world has labeled it has &#8220;acceptable&#8221; when Scripture clearly says <strong>&#8220;unacceptable&#8221;</strong>.</p>
<p>We are to conform to the image of Christ, not of the world.</p>
<p>In closing, I want you to realize one thing that gives hope. It is something that gives me hope every time I feel like a loser or every time I feel like I let someone down or did something stupid.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s found in Romans 8:1.</p>
<p><strong>Romans 8:1 &#8220;There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.&#8221;</strong></p>
<p>Realize this statement! Let is resonate within your heart! Memorize it! And fulfill it! </p>
<p>It may take time for you to rebuild a solid foundation of trust, but understand that with a repentant heart and the willingness to do the will of the Father, you will rebuild that trust, and this time it will be more solid than ever.</p>
<p>It may seem like an uphill battle most of the way, but trust in Christ who has never lied, who cannot lie, and who will never leave nor forsake you, and you will end up victorious on the other side and you will regain trust.</p>
<p>God Bless, Brad Ormonde Jr.</p>
<p>(If you have any questions regarding this topic and you want me to put them on here to answer, feel free to comment on here or to send me an email at bormonde@gmail.com)</p>
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		<title>Trust: Being Forthright and Honest</title>
		<link>http://bradormonde.wordpress.com/2010/05/28/trust-being-forthright-and-honest/</link>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 28 May 2010 17:19:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>bradormondejr</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[I wanted to right a blog post about this because of how important it is for us to understand the whole topic of trust. It can make or break you. I know this post is a little long but please bear with me and read it. I know you will be blessed because these are [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bradormonde.wordpress.com&amp;blog=4813403&amp;post=185&amp;subd=bradormonde&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>I wanted to right a blog post about this because of how important it is for us to understand the whole topic of trust. It can make or break you. I know this post is a little long but please bear with me and read it. I know you will be blessed because these are words inspired by God.</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong>What is Trust? We know what truth is, it&#8217;s the absolute certainty of being unchanging or unalterable.</p>
<p>It is a fixed idea. We read in the Bible of this truth. We know <strong>John 14:6 </strong>says, <strong>&#8220;And Jesus said to them, &#8216;I am the way, the TRUTH and the life. No one can get to the Father except through me.&#8217;&#8221;</strong></p>
<p>Now, in understanding truth, what is trust? It is the &#8220;<strong>firm belief and reliability of someone or something</strong>.&#8221; Trust is earned through the continual state of being honest, something that I&#8217;m sorry to say, has been a struggle of mine since early age.</p>
<p>If we are to be truthful people, we are then, conforming to the image of Christ. If we are not truthful people, then we are moving away from Christ and being led into our own, sinful desires.</p>
<p>Is telling a little white lie a sin? Is it in any way, shape or form untruthful? If so, then yes!</p>
<p><strong>Proverbs 6:16-19 </strong>says<strong>, &#8220;There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.&#8221;</strong></p>
<p>Some of us may deal with one or more of these problems, but the Lord has laid it on my heart to focus on one of these specific ones. It is the 2nd thing that God hates, &#8220;a lying tongue&#8221;.</p>
<p>People have problems with cheating, some with stealing. Others have issues in the area of attitude, anger, bitterness, jealousy and the list can go on.</p>
<p>But how does one remain in this &#8220;<strong>continual state of honesty</strong>&#8220;? Our source of trust comes from the one who has been truthful since the very beginning. The one who was truthful to Noah, Moses, Abraham, David, the Apostle Paul and many others.</p>
<p>That source is God. He is the only one who has been faithful and trustworthy since before time. He has never let anyone down, He has not given up on anyone at anytime. He has always been faithful and will always be faithful, for eternity. Isn&#8217;t that amazing?</p>
<p>He has been faithful since before the foundations of the earth were made. And He will be faithful even when it is destroyed and replaced by the eternal kingdom of God.</p>
<p>Why is being honest and forthright so important? For one, we have been called to be holy just as Christ is holy (<strong>1st Peter 1:15-16</strong>), so that falls into this aspect. And another reason is because God hates a lying tongue or a deceitful person and we as believers of Jesus Christ ought to love the things which God loves and hate the things that He hates.</p>
<p>We are to be conformed to the image of Christ, to be separate from the world and set apart for Him (<strong>Romans 12:1-2</strong>). And the world will say that lying is ok. But is it really? The answer is, No!</p>
<p>The world will say, &#8220;tell a lie to cover up something that may end up harming you,&#8221; but in reality the harm you are doing is really being caused by covering it up.</p>
<p><strong>John 8:31-32</strong> says, <strong>&#8220;So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, &#8216;If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.&#8217;&#8221;</strong></p>
<p>You want to be set free? Is something holding you back and you feel pressured to give into telling a lie? Don&#8217;t do it. Allow the truth of the word of God to set you free and you will be blessed.</p>
<p>Have you noticed how much more severe the punishment and consequences are if you try to cover something up rather than coming out with the truth? It&#8217;s much more worse!</p>
<p>But, if you come out blatantly, honest and forthright, you will be set free.</p>
<p>I have been caught in a lie before. It is not a fun feeling. One lie has to lead to another lie, and then your lies become a short-story and you have to back track the steps of your lies to try and to remain honest. A little bit of an oxymoron there isn&#8217;t it?</p>
<p>By not being forthright and honest, by holding inside of you a lie, will eat from the inside out and will consume your body and you will feel as weak as never before. It is an unsettling feeling within your soul because you know it is sin that you are harboring in your life.</p>
<p>Not only does the sin of lying affect you, but it affects those around you, and the trust you once had, is now gone, and all of the time you spent building trust with your family and peers is gone, and you will have to gain back that trust from them, which will more likely than not, be a longer process to the road of trustworthiness.</p>
<p>Let the truth set you free!</p>
<p><strong>James 3:1-12</strong> details the importance of honesty and being trustworthy.</p>
<p>It details the tongue as such a small part of the body, but yet the most powerful, most consuming force we have.</p>
<p>James states that it is such a powerful thing that it can set a forest ablaze! Such a small tool used to destroy such a great area.</p>
<p>Has your tongue set a forest ablaze? Has it become uncontrollable? If so, pray and seek the Lord in this matter, and He will put the fire out for you.</p>
<p>A great sin has been ignited and now the only one who can come in and save you from it, is God Himself.</p>
<p>Don&#8217;t allow the lie to control you. You need to control it! How? By telling the truth!</p>
<p>There is no gain from trying to hide something. Rather, give it to God and be forthright and honest about the situation and you will be set free.</p>
<p>I promise! Don&#8217;t take my word for it, take God&#8217;s word for it.</p>
<p>Brad Ormonde Jr.</p>
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