tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.comments2014-04-13T07:38:59.820-04:00ContemplationsJuan Rader Bashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739963068505883037noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-56040039421087218972014-04-13T07:38:59.820-04:002014-04-13T07:38:59.820-04:00Wow. That's some comment, Steve. Thanks for st...Wow. That's some comment, Steve. Thanks for stopping by. Juan Rader Bashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01739963068505883037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-2799869028322077672014-04-12T12:01:20.588-04:002014-04-12T12:01:20.588-04:00IS BAPTISM AN OUTWARD SIGN? YES!
Is water baptism...IS BAPTISM AN OUTWARD SIGN? YES!<br /><br />Is water baptism an outward sign of an inward grace? Yes, in order to accept God's free gift of salvation men must be immersed in water.<br /><br />Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />The outward sign is the immersion in water. The inward grace is the forgiveness of sins we receive by following the command of Jesus to be baptized in water. There is no inward grace granted until men are immersed in water baptism. Baptism is not a sign that we have already been saved. Baptism is a sign that believers in Christ are being saved.<br /><br />1 Peter 3:20-21 ....safely through the water. 21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you---not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience---through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,<br /><br />The outward sign is water baptism. The inward grace is that baptism saves through an appeal to God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If men do not confess Jesus as Lord and Savior, believe that He is the Son of God and believe that God raised Him from the dead, and make the commitment to turn from sin and turn to God, then, of course your baptism will not save you. Baptism is the final step before receiving forgiveness of sins. Water baptism is the point that the blood of Jesus washes away your sins.<br /><br />Colossians 2:12-13 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgression and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,<br /><br />The outward sign is being buried with Jesus in the watery grave of baptism. The inward grace is being made spiritually alive with Christ, having our transgressions forgiven. We are dead in our transgression before we are buried with Christ in water baptism. We are made alive and have our transgressions forgiven after baptism, not before.<br /><br />Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.<br /><br />The outward sign is water baptism. The inward grace is being clothed with Christ. You are not baptized into Christ because you have already been clothed with Christ. The clothing does not precede, being baptized into Christ.<br /><br />Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.<br /><br />The outward sign is water baptism. The inward grace of salvation follows believing and being baptized in water.<br /><br />THERE ARE TWO OUTWARD SIGNS<br /><br />1. CONFESSION: Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.<br /><br />The outward sign is confession. The inward grace is salvation.<br /><br />2. WATER IMMERSION: Mark 16:16....has been baptized shall be saved...<br /><br />The outward sign is baptism. The inward grace is salvation.<br /><br />IS WATER BAPTISM AN OUTWARD SIGN OF AN INWARD GRACE? YES, BUT WITHOUT THE OUTWARD SIGN OF BAPTISM NO INWARD GRACE OCCURS.<br /><br /><br />What must I do to be saved? FAITH John 3:16 REPENTANCE Acts 2:38 CONFESSION Romans 10:9-10 BAPTISM Mark 16:16<br /><br />(All Scripture quotes from: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE) <br /><br /> YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY BLOG. http://steve-finnell.blogspot.comSteve Finnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12863026367048527526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-50210439869807575552013-07-15T22:27:32.442-04:002013-07-15T22:27:32.442-04:00Oops, and ths is a little humiliating since Chario...Oops, and ths is a little humiliating since Chariots is one of my favourite movies, but I got my scenes mixed. It wasn't to Aubrey who Abrahams was explaining the meaning of 'semi-deprived.' It was Sybil Gordon, the opera singer (played by Alice Krige). Sorry readers.Juan Rader Bashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01739963068505883037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-62991880182868437632013-06-01T20:13:00.629-04:002013-06-01T20:13:00.629-04:00Well,I didn't win but congrats to my fellow in...Well,I didn't win but congrats to my fellow indie authors who did. <br /><br />Here they are: http://indiereader.com/2013/06/meet-your-2013-irda-winners-and-buy-their-books/Juan Rader Bashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01739963068505883037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-57131274745987670432012-08-28T06:58:32.866-04:002012-08-28T06:58:32.866-04:00Better late than never as they say and I do apolog...Better late than never as they say and I do apologise for the tardiness of this reply but thanks very much Tom.Juan Rader Bashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01739963068505883037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-86538822544343180462012-08-13T10:28:17.051-04:002012-08-13T10:28:17.051-04:00I love how this happens. It's serendipity. If ...I love how this happens. It's serendipity. If we open ourselves to others, it's surprising the people we encounter and the joy we experience. It's true. It's a small world, growing smaller. Diana Stevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17591685644423301966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-62297795794416119752012-03-10T11:30:31.523-05:002012-03-10T11:30:31.523-05:00One has started reading Marie's book and two h...One has started reading Marie's book and two have said they're planning to. :-)Juan Rader Bashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01739963068505883037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-65391463970292799162012-03-10T11:28:35.311-05:002012-03-10T11:28:35.311-05:00I agree, Asian culture or not, using terms like un...I agree, Asian culture or not, using terms like uncle and auntie does possess a natural endearment and closeness.Juan Rader Bashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01739963068505883037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-54492658883953594612012-03-10T09:43:06.935-05:002012-03-10T09:43:06.935-05:00Hi Bas,
Firstly congrats on your first reading. I...Hi Bas,<br /><br />Firstly congrats on your first reading. I hope that you get to read from your own book to an older audience soon. If you do, please video it and share.<br /><br />Regarding ways in which we call our elder family members and other. As you know (others do not) I am from an Asian background (my parents are from pakistan) and it is customary when one meets any man that is a relative of my father or mother, or even a friend of my parents, I call them Uncle or Aunty. I think it is a very polite way to refer to a person older than you. I was brought up to respect my elders and that goes for anyone that I am introduced to by my parents. I think it may be something that is not customary in western culture but is ours. Also, it is so much more personal, in a strange way, than calling that person by his or her first name. Actually, I would never dream of doing that. By calling everyone Uncle or Aunty does lead to confusion as there are so many of them. So as a compromise it is always Uncle Juan or Aunty Guada. For me, if I am ever blessed with having little ones of my own, they will call you Uncle Juan and Aunty Guada.<br /><br />It is actually very sweet, because as a kid, you have so many Uncles and Auntys!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-35429567531246734592012-03-06T22:52:12.702-05:002012-03-06T22:52:12.702-05:00I'm sure those kids are converted, excellent a...I'm sure those kids are converted, excellent advice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-84620987138592754642012-02-14T15:35:32.288-05:002012-02-14T15:35:32.288-05:00Hi Juan, I am really looking forward to the book c...Hi Juan, I am really looking forward to the book coming out!!!<br /><br />I cannot wait!<br />Nabeel.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-8461794524517054042012-01-25T15:23:10.941-05:002012-01-25T15:23:10.941-05:00Thanks for the heads up. I'll definitely check...Thanks for the heads up. I'll definitely check it out. <br /><br />I do agree that the concept of race is a social construct, however, there is still no denying that people do have different skin colours, cultural practices, native languages, etc and, for some, it is okay to discriminate and dominate solely because of these things. Call it what you will, but racism, as it is currently called, does exist and it is wrong and it does exist from white to non-white, non-white to white and non-white to non-white.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by and posting a comment.Juan Rader Bashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01739963068505883037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-33111576924890540232012-01-25T12:57:15.719-05:002012-01-25T12:57:15.719-05:00From an early age we are convinced that different ...From an early age we are convinced that different "races" actually exist. Give historian, Noel Ignatiev's book "How the Irish Became White" a read. It's quite eye opening by showing how race is a nothing more than a social construct rather than a scientific fact.Denise H. Williamsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-72048420068035525802012-01-03T06:57:37.727-05:002012-01-03T06:57:37.727-05:00This, and Nabeel's response, is simply lovely....This, and Nabeel's response, is simply lovely.Aninoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-85457380229273932742012-01-03T06:56:22.862-05:002012-01-03T06:56:22.862-05:00I miss you both! Happy New Year to 2 very dear f...I miss you both! Happy New Year to 2 very dear friends, Juan who I met in Primary school through to when I left Hong Kong and Nabeel who I met in Island School till I left. <br /><br />Yes you're right - life takes you places - and throws circumstances at you making keeping in touch harder but fond memories of special friendships will never be forgotten. <br /><br />Enjoy your time together and hope that I'll get to see you both soon someday too!<br /><br />Hugs<br />Sharon xxxooosharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01960871147003474644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-238239014680773542012-01-03T06:50:43.600-05:002012-01-03T06:50:43.600-05:00aaaaaaw! love it! i did see the two soldiers in ...aaaaaaw! love it! i did see the two soldiers in front of the TV. ;)Aninoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-38914944659655406392012-01-02T13:36:54.217-05:002012-01-02T13:36:54.217-05:00Juan, there are some people that come into one'...Juan, there are some people that come into one's life and stay with you always. They retain a very special and important part of life. <br /><br />We met at Island School and since then, I can say that I have never forged a bond with anyone like the one that I made with you. We shared some of the best and most special times in our lives, Geography field trip, football at Villa, skipping class one afternoon to go to the movies and watched "A View to a Kill" and generally hanging out in HK, just to name a few memories. <br /><br />Circumstance dictates that our lives do not cross paths as often as we would like these days, but Juan, you became my best friend and brother when we were in HK and no circumstance or time will ever change that.<br /><br />Some friendships and the bonds that we make stay with us for always, ours is that.<br /><br />I am proud to say that, in my years, the bond that I have with Juan has survived the passage of time and always will.<br /><br />Tomorrow, when I see you for the first time in 15 years, will be a very special event. I am really looking forward to catching up with the events that have transpired since the last time we met.<br /><br />I am, and always will be, your friend and brother.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-85099967246236663272011-11-23T15:47:53.042-05:002011-11-23T15:47:53.042-05:00i loved this! so real. i, too, look back at my c...i loved this! so real. i, too, look back at my childhood with so much nostalgia. things were so much easier then.Aninoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-7564053041696607822011-03-31T21:59:34.634-04:002011-03-31T21:59:34.634-04:00Thanks for sharing Melissa. Sometimes I feel like ...Thanks for sharing Melissa. Sometimes I feel like an only child (I'm the youngest of four) because, while we are warm and love one another, the relationship I have with brother and sisters isn't exactly the most open, most intimate or judgement-free. Haha. But, whose relationships are?Juan Rader Bashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01739963068505883037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-43340463856601457902011-03-31T13:24:40.871-04:002011-03-31T13:24:40.871-04:00Great post, Juan. I don't feel super duper cl...Great post, Juan. I don't feel super duper close to my cousins and other members of my extended family. Also I'm an only child. So I wish some of the relationships were stronger. It's good to have that base when you're little :-)Melissa Sarnohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11215683401795724259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-72280916779972412912011-03-21T20:17:00.762-04:002011-03-21T20:17:00.762-04:00All I can say is that if you don't show up you...All I can say is that if you don't show up you can't win. Regardless of the # of competitors, your scores are commensurate to your title. Congrats!<br />TomAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07614726269402703527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-83258774740321800702011-03-14T22:38:41.952-04:002011-03-14T22:38:41.952-04:00Aw, that's so cute :-) I'm sure he will se...Aw, that's so cute :-) I'm sure he will see your love for it and want to find the same passion in some activity like it. It must be exciting to see what kind of interests your children have and, even more excitiing if those interests match up with yours.Melissa Sarnohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11215683401795724259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-49023790948786697362011-03-05T11:45:26.548-05:002011-03-05T11:45:26.548-05:00This sounds like such an amazing experience. And ...This sounds like such an amazing experience. And delicious! I wish I was there with you. Great post! And thanks for directing me to this blog, I'd been a reading a different one of yours. It's in my reader now!Melissa Sarnohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11215683401795724259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-70215592174650893772011-02-12T18:04:00.815-05:002011-02-12T18:04:00.815-05:00This is great Juan. I love that you're putting...This is great Juan. I love that you're putting your thoughts out there. You may remember that when we schooled together back in Hong Kong, my biggest strength was Sports. Whether it be football, basketball, cross country, athletics. Although I had some natural ability, it was the likes of Mr Freeman and Mr Keevil that encouraged my sporting achievements. Although I had respect for them, I often didn't turn up for training and rode on my pure natural ability to compete with others. Does that sound familiar?<br /><br />On the flip side, my academic record wasn't as illustrious, usually finding myself in the lowest and most basic classes. For example, I remember being in 'Alternative Maths' because I would have struggled in Maths 'C' let alone Maths 'A' or 'B'. What changed for me was when my family and I migrated to Australia. <br /><br />My first experience of an Aussie school was a meeting my family had with the principal of the school. Prior to that meeting, I witnessed a teacher trying to manage a class of kids, all of whom showed a lack of discipline towards the teacher by calling him names, talking over him. Their care factor towards the teacher was zero. In comparison, HK teachers would have thrown the riot act at students by sentencing strict punishments.<br /><br /> The Australian culture did have a larrikin component. Thankfully the teachers who taught me dealt gracefully with the usual chaos of a class room. In my experience, one thing that was clearly different was that teachers seemed more encouraging when they saw kids with potential to breakthrough and those who really did want to break through, like myself. <br /><br />I grew with the encouragement from my parents and teachers. I learnt about other values and I inherited those values to be the person I am today.<br /><br />Today, I've become more astute with numbers which has blessed me financially as well as vocationally. I have the skills-set to carryout my career as a Billing Analyst in resolving complex end to end billing issues. <br /><br />I'm grateful for all my experiences in HK and Australia and wouldn't be here if I didn't track that path.<br /><br />Keep encouraging and mentoring Juan. It's teachers like you that really make a difference even though you may not know it at the time. Positive reinforcement and encouragement did it for me. Today, I make my decisions that help others in the same way, but also know when to cut my losses.<br /><br />CheersAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16441154348966905512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1044683768110855347.post-2733627469655174222011-02-12T08:01:03.204-05:002011-02-12T08:01:03.204-05:00I can completely relate to your reflections Juan. ...I can completely relate to your reflections Juan. I was not the best student back then but I had always been an industious student all my life. I was able to pass school by hard work as I knew I did not possess an extraordinary kind of intellect. Along the way, I learned to love the work as I realized I am molded by it. (But of course, ballet had a lot to do with it) Now that I am teaching, I have come to sort of expect that kind of dedication of studies from my students, that I forget that this is a completely new generation. I myself have to adjust to the times and render myself with it and from it, assimilating it with the qualities I learned. <br /><br />How blessed you are indeed that with this student, you have come to take in a new breathe to teaching and I myself revitalized by reading it. <br /><br />I enjoyed your blog very much. Good luck with the writing.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05101501545805283578noreply@blogger.com