Truth

Episode 286-Positive & Negative Energy

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Disciple Up # 286
Positive & Negative Energy
By Louie Marsh, 11-29-2022

Dear Louie Marsh,

My name is Xavier. I am emailing you as I been meaning to bounce some ideas off you and wanting to hear some truth and depth to them. First, I apologize for how long it took to get this going as I am a double major student, step-father/father (however you want to put it haha), and I am playing basketball professionally in Armenia away from my family. I listen to your podcast when I feel I need encouragement or guidance. Recently though I been finding myself more in tune with who I am needed to become and willing to accept the challenges. I am 28 years old and excited with my journey in the Lord so far.

My subject title “Positive and Negative” came a few months back when I was with my sister in law and heard she doesn’t believe in negative energy or negative forces but says positive energy is real. She isn’t one to believe in the Word. But she isn’t one to just ignore it. I feel that the childhood her and my wife were brought into was a blinded truth and left in darkness. I have been working with my wife on her own discipleship but this is besides the point haha.

Anyway, I am curious, what is there that proves negative energy/forces do exist? Where am I able to show this? Explain more in depth how they work. In a sense of how one knows it’s a positive or negative influence upon them. I have tried to show with actions and not words as this side of the family is much more about the actions. But I believe if having words with my actions align then the course of light will dim on them more and allow them to find a truth by following the light.

I believe, after just listening to your stewardship part 5 on children, ministry, and weakness, that my gift is to help with action. I am a huge go getter in terms of achieving. I have had many downfalls but I’ve had many successions. For one addiction. Two being patient. These are just a couple of downfalls I have very strongly yet lead to even greater achievements. Which aren’t even my accolades.

I hope this is something you’re willing to share and talk about. I apologize again for my long await and for the word email.

Feel free to email me and just know I’m always listening!

Peace be with you.

Thank you,

Dear Xavier,

Thanks so much for writing – twice in one week! That’s a big encouragement! Oh, by the way, this is my personal email address. It’s just easier to answer from here so that’s what I usually do.

Sorry it’s taking me so long to get back to you but things around here are keeping me busy. As a Father, husband and basketball player I’m sure you know all about that. So this e-mail will just focus on your question about positive and negative energy and I’ll cover some of the rest in another one. I’m also thinking about making this a subject of a podcast soon.

You asked: “Anyway, I am curious, what is there that proves negative energy/forces do exist? Where am I able to show this? Explain more in depth how they work. In a sense of how one knows it’s a positive or negative influence upon them. I have tried to show with actions and not words as this side of the family is much more about the actions. But I believe if having words with my actions align then the course of light will dim on them more and allow them to find a truth by following the light.”

Notice I put parts of what you wrote in bold, because you are really asking two (at least) different questions here. The first one is does positive or negative energy exist? That’s a good question since so many people just assume they do in fact exist. When you talk to them about it they’ll reference times when they felt positive or negative energy from someone or something as proof of this. But is it true?

My answer is a hard no. There’s nothing in the Bible nor science to prove or even suggest that people can somehow transmit any kind of energy between us. You’ll notice that unlike our current culture the Bible doesn’t talk about positive or negative at all. The Bible focuses us on what’s true and false. This is critical because the truth can often feel (and even be) negative, while what’s false often feels very, very good, at least at first (ask anyone addicted to anything).

So how do we explain these feelings? For example when you stand up before a crowd to perform, as you do in basketball and I work before crowds when I speak, you often feel approval and support, or disapproval and a lack of support. Many people will say that’s positive or negative energy that’s being transmitted to them. Many musicians often say they are carried along by the positive energy of their audience, or they can be brought down by the negative energy they feel.

So what’s happening if science and the Bible are right and there’s no energy moving around here? It’s very simple actually. You can get a good reading on whether or not the people in the audience are in favor of you or not by their body language and what they say of course. Then you react to this and if you’re feeling support that opens up your adrenal glands and you feel that sudden surge of energy. If you were receiving other people’s energy you wouldn’t feel so drained after a performance. But most of the time we do because we are drawing upon our adrenal reserves and once those are exhausted we need rest.

There’s no positive or negative energy involved at all. Just the human reaction to being supported or not supported. It’s really quite simple when you look at it from a factual point of view.

Now that doesn’t mean you can’t and shouldn’t be a good influence on others (your second question). I do want to be a good witness to others and to be as supportive of them as I can be. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if I’m succeeding at that or not. I think the best way to know for sure is to either watch them closely and see how they respond to your efforts or just ask them! That way you’ll know for sure what they think.

So I hope this has helped you a bit. Let me know if I’ve missed the point or have been unclear. I’d like to know what you think of all this.

God bless you and keep on walking with Jesus!

but test everything; hold fast what is good. – 1 Thess. 5:21

 

Episode 234 – Truth In Tension

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Disciple Up # 234
Truth In Tension
By Louie Marsh, 10-27-2021

reThink #8 – Loving My Neighbor: http://riverchurchparker.com/sermons/08-rethink-loving-my-neighbor/

Quotes from The Weight of Glory, By C.S. Lewis:

https://www.amazon.com/Weight-Glory-C-S-Lewis-ebook/dp/B002BY77D6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QW9L6WYRN33R&dchild=1&keywords=the+weight+of+glory+by+c.s.+lewis&qid=1635192816&sprefix=the+weight+of+glory%2Caps%2C224&sr=8-1

“It may be possible for each to think too much of his own potential glory hereafter; it is hardly possible for him to think too often or too deeply about that of his neighbor.

The load, or weight, or burden of my neighbor’s glory should be laid daily on my back, a load so heavy that only humility can carry it, and the backs of the proud will be broken……

There are no ordinary people.

You have never talked to a mere mortal.

Nations, cultures, arts, civilization—these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat.

But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.

This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play.

But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously—no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption.

And our charity must be real and costly love, with deep feeling for the sins in spite of which we love the sinner—no mere tolerance or indulgence which parodies love as flippancy parodies merriment.

Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses.”

Sinful Nature of Mankind

“9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 10“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”” (Jeremiah 17:9–10, ESV)

“21But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 3:21–24, ESV)

“5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:5–8, ESV)

It’s not either, or – it’s both.

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Episode 42

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42 Disciple Up Show Notes
Why Did God Let This Happen To Me?
Louie Marsh, 2-7-2018

I dealt with this from a more philosophical perspective in episode 16 – God and Suffering

Suffering Is…

1) A part of following Jesus.

 But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.  To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.  1 Pet.2:20-21

 2) It can be good for my faith!

 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  1 Pet. 1:6-7

Suffering Isn’t….

1) God punishing you for your sins.

     Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no!… Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them–do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13:1-5

1  As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2  And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3  Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. John 9:1-3 (ESV)

 Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?”   Jesus said, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. John 9:1-3 (Message)

20  The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. Ezekiel 18:20 (ESV)

The Four Sources of Suffering

1) The world.

 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you… If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.   John 15:18-20

 2) The devil.

 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  1 Peter 5:8

3) The flesh/old nature.

 For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.  Romans 7:5

4) God.

 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:  “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,  and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”  Endure hardship as discipline;  Hebrews 12:5-7

  • Only As A last resort.

 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.  Do not be like the horse or the mule,  which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle  or they will not come to you.  Psalm 32:8-9

Why God Allowed My Pain

          1) He’s Given Me A choice.

 …then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.  Joshua 24:15

          2) To Get My attention.

 Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.  Proverbs 20:30

 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance  2 Cor. 7:9

 

The Disciple Up Low Down

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Episode 24

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Disciple Up # 24
Unity, 9-27-2017
By Louie Marsh

We talked last week about the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. One of the big issues that flows from this historic event is divisions in the church. They didn’t start with the Reformation, but they certainly accelerated because of it. So today I want to talk a little bit about the topic of unity, why it’s important and some overlooked aspects of it.

http://reformingcatholicconfession.com/

http://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2017/september/how-many-churches-in-america-us-nones-nondenominational.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecumenism

https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Last_Will_and_Testament_of_The_Springfield_Presbytery

Unity Quotes:

https://www.christianquotes.info/top-quotes/15-powerful-quotes-about-unity/#axzz4tkD2Ife2

One hundred religious persons knit into a unity by careful organization do not constitute a church any more than eleven dead men make a football team. The first requisite is life, always. – A W Tozer

Believers are never told to become one; we already are one and are expected to act like it – Joni Erickson Tada
Unity without the gospel is a worthless unity; it is the very unity of hell. – J C Ryle

Jesus prayed for unity – why?

 20  “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21  that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17:20-21 (NIV)

 It’s essential if we are to reflect God’s nature – unity in truth, and essential if we are to win the world.

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.  Romans 14:19

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  Eph. 4:3

ANY attitude that causes disunity is sin.

Col. 3:15, 1 Cor. 1:10, 2 Tim. 2:14, Pr. 17:14, 2 Cor. 13:11, Phil. 1:27; 2:1-3, Col. 2:2, Phil. 4:2, 1 Peter 3:8, 1 Cor. 14:33, John 13:34-35, 2 Tim. 2:23, Rom. 12:16-18, Col, 3:13-14, Ps. 133:1.

“In Essentials Unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things love.”

It comes from an otherwise undistinguished German Lutheran theologian of the early seventeenth century, Rupertus Meldenius. The phrase occurs in a tract on Christian unity written (circa 1627) during the Thirty Years War (1618–1648), a bloody time in European history in which religious tensions played a significant role.

 Source: http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/essentials-unity-non-essentials-liberty-all-things/

  • In Essential Beliefs – We Have Unity.

There is one body and one Spirit–just as you were called to one hope when you were called–  one Lord, one faith, one baptism;  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  Eph. 4:4-6

  • In Non-Essential Beliefs – We Have Liberty.

Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters…Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand…So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God… So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.  Romans 14:1,4,12,22

  • In All Our Beliefs – We Show Love

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  1 Cor. 13:2

Disciple Up Low Down on Christian Unity

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Episode 14

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Love Defined or The Return of Dr. Love

By Louie Marsh, 7-19-2017

The Beatles recorded a song in 1967 with was then and in many ways continues to be the anthem of our culture. Yet look at the lyrics and you’ll see that like everything else, love needs some definition.

Lyrics – John wrote this as is clear from the lyrics.

Love, Love, Love.
Love, Love, Love.
Love, Love, Love.
There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done.
Nothing you can sing that can’t be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game.
It’s easy.
Nothing you can make that can’t be made.
No one you can save that can’t be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time.
It’s easy.

All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.

Nothing you can know that isn’t known.
Nothing you can see that isn’t shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be.
It’s easy.

All you need is love (All together, now!)
All you need is love (Everybody!)
All you need is love, love. Love is all you need (love is all you need).

1 Cor. 13

1 Cor. 13 in context,

Written about spiritual gifts, not inspirational love poem.

It’s called a gift BUT… Love is also in the Fruit of the Spirit as well in Galatians 5:22-23

In fact if you understand the Fruit of the Spirit like I do Love IS the fruit of the Spirit – the rest of the qualities in that list are what love is made up of. It’s a shorthand description of the character of Christ.

This is different because now days most people teach that the fruit of the Spirit is completely different from the gifts. Gifts are God given abilities to do things while Fruit are characteristics the Spirit develops in us.

But – that’s not true of Love. And note that in 1 Cor. 13 Paul talks about faith, hope and love, and that hope is also a fruit of the Spirit.  Paul says love is kindness, here its kind in the fruit is kindness, but very close. So in THIS context – there is crossover between the gifts and the fruit of the Spirit

After making the point that love is the most excellent gift of all Paul goes on to define it.

IS Patient – literally long suffering, takes a long time to burn, this word used primarily of patience with people.

IS Kind – Not found elsewhere save in Clement of Rome and Eusebius. “Perhaps of Paul’s coining” (Findlay). Perhaps a vernacular word ready for Paul. Gentle in behaviour. – Word Pictures in the New Testament.

DOES NOT Envy– Love isn’t envious of others because love only compares itself with God.

DOES NOT Boast – Rare word means one who sounds his own praises.

NOT Arrogant –  literally “puffed up.”  Similar to Boast but perhaps more aimed at how we feel inwardly while boasting is outward. Someone to constantly tells themselves how great they are. How does this relate to what we teach on building self-esteem?

NOT Rude – Not acting in a way that is unseemly or indecent. Love does not act out the attitudes of envy, boasting or arrogance.

NOT – Insist on its own way – Love does not act out of self-interest alone.

CHRISTIAN QUOTES ON LOVE

To love someone means to see him as God intended him – Fyodor Dostoevsky

The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now. – Rick Warren

You will never really love until you love someone who hates you. – Jack Hyles

The chains of love are stronger than the chains of fear.- William Gurnall

Do not waste time bothering whether you “love” your neighbor; act as if you did. – C.S. Lewis

The world does not understand theology or dogma, but it understands love and sympathy. – Dwight L. Moody

In biblical thinking, genuine love exists only when good works are done in a context where God rather than the doer gets the credit. – Daniel Fuller

1 Cor. 13 Again:

NOT Irritable –  Rare word used of Paul by Luke. 16  Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. Acts 17:16 (ESV)

So Paul must mean not provoked out of selfish needs.

NOT Resentful – Easily provoked to anger.

NOT  Rejoicing with Evil BUT DOES rejoice in the Truth – true love comes from God and agrees with God’s assessment of what good and evil and is always happy to see truth triumph.

DOES – bears all things – old word for roof. Love protects all things, covers a multitude of sins 1 Pet. 4:8

DOES –  believes all things – not in the sense that love is gullible, but in the sense that love is hopeful, it tries to see the best in everyone, knowing God will bring good from evil. Love takes risks on people because not being selfish it fears no loss.

DOES –  hopes (fruit of the Spirit) all things – hope stems from God and truth. Love never gives up on God working in any and all situations. It looks forward to what God will do, not back on past failures or lives in past successes.

DOES – Endures all things – to stay under or remain, Love doesn’t quit, it’s steadfast and reliable.

DOES – love never fails. Never falls off, used of actor booed off the stage. Love never gives up and remains.

The Disciple Up Low Down

Closing

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Episode 12

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Disciple Up #12
Real Truth Not “My Truth”
By Louie Marsh, 7-5-2017

Segment 1 – WHY do the cults deny these truths?

3  But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4  For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 (ESV)

12  And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13  For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14  And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15  So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. 2 Corinthians 11:12-15 (ESV)

6  I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7  not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8  But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9  As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. 10  For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:6-10 (ESV)

Segment 2 – Truth Quotes:

“The greatest friend of truth is time; her greatest enemy is prejudice, and her constant companion humility.” – Chuck Colson

“If I speak what is false, I must answer for it; if truth, it will answer for me.” – Thomas Fuller

“Jesus Christ Himself is the final exegesis of all truth. He is all that we need to know about God, and He is all that we need to know about man.” – Major Ian Thomas

“If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair.” – C.S. Lewis

“One never errs more safely than when one errs by too much loving the truth.” – Augustine

Source for the Above Quotes

The Absolute Value of Truth

31  So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32  and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33  They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” John 8:31-33 (ESV)

 6  Surely you desire integrity in the inner self, and you teach me wisdom deep within. Psalm 51:6 (CSBBible)

18  The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18 (NIV)

 23 Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. Proverbs 23:23 (ESV)

14  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (ESV) 17  For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17 (ESV)

22  You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23  But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24  God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:22-24 (ESV)

6  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (ESV)

13  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:13 (ESV)

17  Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18  As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19  And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. John 17:17-19 (ESV)

38  Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. John 18:38 (ESV)

The Disciple Up Low Down on “My” Truth

My Truth Urban Dictionary Quote

Closing

 Next week – I might talk about love.

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