alpha-8-25-02
Since Jul 24, 2003
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alpha-8-25-02
Since Jul 24, 2003
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Did all of 12 years in parochial school,altar boy,stations of the cross,ceremonial sacrements,named after a gunned-down priest,corruption,mafia affiliations,etc,etc,etc.The sacraments once each,confession,communion{by wafer},baptism and confirmation all at the working end of a tough nun.
http://www.holycrossbuffalo.org/
My maternal papa was a devout and bible studying man who gave little credence to man's religion,[we'll get back here],The cultural aspect was just to live by man's authority and not God's {sola-scriptura}.
Finished school and became a United States Marine,all piss and shine attitude since I was the best example of prideful,arrogant and go your own way the Bible displays.
Discharged 1979 and off to many engineering degrees and a need for success.
Material wealth and earthly achievement was the key!
Three great children all now by God's Grace graduated and on to their master's and doctoral degrees,one Sovereign Grace Rose who is my God given loving wife. Praise the Lord, we are again members at The Constantia Center Independant Church. Our heaven sent blessing is to love and be loved by the assembly of saints worshipping Our magnificent God
My pastor/brother Mark Ransom ehxibits the Grace given love for the flock that is a exemplified pastoral character which can be followed by the golden thread all the way back to Jerusalem.
What is a Pastor?
pastor, n. a person having spiritual care of a number of persons. (pastor shepherd, lit., feeder)
The calling from God is to serve Him in His church as a Pastor. Like a shepherd with sheep, a Pastor leads his flock by example and word in a place of nourishment and safety.
He feeds the sheep the word and sacraments, protects them from false teachers who would destroy them with error, warns them against wandering into temptation, rescues them when they get lost and comforts them when they get hurt.
In this way, he equips them so that they can serve God in their respective callings as well. A pastor's primary work, then, is to devote himself to learn, do, and teach the word of God as revealed in the Scriptures so that he and those who hear him will be saved through faithfulness to the Chief Shepherd, the LORD Jesus Christ.
Men will try to justify themselves by either being spiritual or self righteous,the only justification is the new-covenant.
Brother Spurgeon did as I believe all reformed believers should,and that is advocate strong Sovereign Grace teaching,though as he prepared to nurture the flock on the eve of Lord's Day, he often prayed;"Lord bring all of Elect here tomorrow, then when You get done sending them, make more."
Joh 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
And this is how the Lord uses us to build His church.
Most believe I am too theocentric and I thank God for His Gift.
Before the Lord's call I was vulgar [have a doctorate in vulgarity from the marines],intemperate [drinking was part and parcel of the italian heritage]and I was still a drunk after my regeneration until the Lord mercifully removed the chains of bondage to wine.
My zealous nature is focused on the work of the Kingdom.I am gifted the love to teach the things of the Kingdom and to be profoundly tender by showing passionate concern for all of God's Saints.
My desperate prayer for all my reformed brethren is that you do the work you were called to do,don't just fellowship here or shine a pew in a church that does not love Jesus.
2 Timothy 4:1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
2 Timothy 4:4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
2 Timothy 4:5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.(NKJV)
Always remember: Ga 1:10 ; For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. (NKJV)
We have an inheritance and a duty:
Lu 12:48; But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
THOTS:
If you cannot be fed at church, study God's word and pray that He writes all His truths on your heart.
Pastor John Piper's ministry:
http://www.desiringgod.org/
I highly recommend Pastor Piper's site,though internet ministries do not replace the intrinsic need for a Christian to be a member of a Church body.
You can e-mail me directly at DOLAMAGGIO@WINDSTREAM.NET WITH ANY QUESTIONS.
The Lord has blessed me with extensive knowledge and material.
On the thot of literal bible translation: I believe the new testament translation are the lessons for the New Covenant Church and the old testament are the prophetic lessons which support the New Covenant. On the subject of creation,I believe God created everything and our Lord Jesus Christ has Loved His Elect since before creation was materialized.
Finally with regard to Paul,I believe my conversion was as close to his as any account.I was a terrible fellow who was by no means a seeker.God called and Paul followed. I think faith for the first eleven was easier, they lived with Jesus, could talk to Him, see Him, touch Him, smell Him, kiss Him, saw Him crucified,resurrected and ascend. Like Paul I know He lives and that is truth for me.
MY FAVORITE FREEPER IS THE DEAREST ELECT AND MUCH LOVED SISTER-KITTY MITTENS