Discussions

Jesus says: Pay Your Taxes

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I’ve been thinking about this one for a while. It’s easy for politicians and, frankly, everyone else to complain about taxes; some going as far to try to eliminate them all together. However, while Jesus was on Earth he paid taxes when they were due and when asked publicly his opinion about it he said the following:

Matthew 22:19a Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” … 20b “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” 21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

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5 Min Minstrel Study

1 Corinthians 9:18-22,25 – The Art of Balance

Bible1 Corinthians 9:18-22, 25 (KJV)

18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

Regardless of what particular area of “ministerial arts” you flow in, as minstrels you are simultaneously faced with (at least) two, sometimes opposing, goals: ministering to God, and ministering to people. Ministering so that God is pleased is more about your heart and ministering to people is often more about everything else.  It is easy to focus on ministering skillfully -or- ministering “in spirit and in truth;” however, as a minstrel you MUST learn to do both.
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5 Min Minstrel Study

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 – Many Members, One Body of Christ

Bible1 Corinthians 12:12-27 King James Version (KJV)

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

I absolutely love this passage, as well as the next chapter (chp 13, the love chapter), because it reminds me of the importance of the fellowship of believers. We are all brothers in sisters in Christ and remember that none of us have to be Jesus Christ by ourselves. Rather, we ALL make up Christ’s body having different roles that allow his will to be done.
5 Min Minstrel Study

Philippians 3:12-17 – Press Toward the Mark

BiblePhilippians 3:12-17 King James Version (KJV)

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

 Paul, who is attributed to writing the book of Philippians, has a long resume. Even in his days as Saul, he was very zealous in following God to the best of his understanding. Of course, once being a killer of Christians, he was far from perfect. Even still, after repenting he was a great example as shown here. Paul showed a great example of humility as he admited… I am not perfect… YET.

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5 Min Minstrel Study

Matthew 2:1-3,7-8 – Come, Seeking To Worship The King

BibleMatthew 2:1-3,7-8 King James Version (KJV)

2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

In this passage we see that wise men and Herod, the king of Jerusalem, were interested in finding baby Jesus.  However, there are two totally different motives driving that interest. When we come to worship services, are we like Herod or are we like the wise men?

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5 Min Minstrel Study

O Come, Let Us Adore Him

O Come, All Ye Faithful

(hymn – attributed to John F. Wade)

Verse 1:
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
Come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him, born the king of angels:
Chorus:
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, The Lord.

According to western Christian tradition, Advent begins the 4th Sunday before Christmas. This year that is Sunday, December 2, 2012.  It is important, as lights and decorations go up around the nation, that we, as Christians, begin reminding ourselves of the true meaning of the season: adoring Christ, the Lord.

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Journal

Can Anyone Learn to Sing?

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Can Anyone Learn to Sing? Accomplished secular vocalist and vocal instructor Eric Arceneaux thinks so, and I agree with Him. In this honest and amazing testimony of his struggle to be who he is today. He talks about the connection between “talent” and “passion.”

DISCLAIMER: MYMINSTREL.COM IS NOT ENDORSING ERIC ARCENEAUX AS “A MINSTREL,” PER SE BUT RECOGNIZES HIS MUSICAL ABILITY AND THE PROCESS THAT ALL MUSICIANS AND SINGERS MUST GO THROUGH TO PLAY AND SING SKILLFULLY.

In recent years, I have been pushing the boundaries of my musical skill, not only within the instruments that I play, but also in the instrument God blessed me with, my voice. While it may never be my forte to be a soloist of any particular merit, I have found it to be a blessing to sing, uniting the beauty of music with the expression of my heart toward God in lyrical form. I encourage EVERYONE to do so.

5 Min Minstrel Study

Deuteronomy 8:10-11,18 – Thanksgiving: Don’t Forget to Remember God

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Deuteronomy 8:10-11, 18 Amplified Bible (AMP)

10 When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for all the good land which He has given you. 11 Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His precepts, and His statutes which I command you today,
18 But you shall [earnestly] remember the Lord your God, for it is He Who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

My mother would always reference this verse around Thanksgiving, a time where many of us in America come together and, among other things, eat a large meal. I have come to love this passage myself, and I believe that, like the holiday of Thanksgiving, giving thanks to God is something that we ought to remember never to forget.

Continue reading Deuteronomy 8:10-11,18 – Thanksgiving: Don’t Forget to Remember God →