Faith in Forgiveness

Refer to the Scriptures

2010-02-11T13:36:00.002-06:00

I got to thinking about this topic because of something that happened today. Spouse and I had talked a couple of weeks ago about something, and I had pointedly stated that if we made the purchase we were talking about, there was a certain brand which I liked, and that the other brands I wasn't so keen on. So what happened today? Spouse, intending to be nice, makes the purchase - but purchases a brand I said not to purchase. And when I was displeased, suddenly I was the "ungrateful" person. It was a difficult moment, and the purchase as ultimately returned unopened.

But how often do we do this with God? He has given us the Holy Scriptures in which his will is recorded. The Holy Spirit speaks to us through our reading of these scriptures. Yet how often do we go directly against what God has told us, and still expect him to be pleased?

Here's a verse which can be troubling if one thinks about it and applies it their own life.

I have said all this to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. John 16:1-2 Revised Standard Version

In the past I have read this verse as referring solely to people seeking to kill me. Terrorists who bomb public places. Vigilantes who don't like my faith. And so on.

But could the reverse be true? What is my attitude about the killing of terrorists? Vigilantes? And so on? Am I happy about this? Do I think God is pleased? The answer is in the Bible.

But if a wicked man turns away from all his sins which he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness which he has done he shall live. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? Ezekiel 18:21-23 Revised Standard Version

God is NOT pleased when the wicked die. So we shouldn't be either. And we need to be careful about ourselves. It is entirely possible to do things - believing we are pleasing God - that actually displease God very much.

Things That Matter Often Take Time - Even With God

2010-02-08T17:55:00.002-06:00

I was talking with my son the other day and decided to seek validation to a point I was making using my Bible. I knew what I wanted was in 1 Kings, so I opened the Bible up near the beginning. I was within three pages of what I wanted. Sometimes God doesn't want me wasting time searching.

The passage applies very nicely and neatly to some of what our family is going through at the moment. The background to the passage is Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal. The Baal prophets set up a sacrifice and spent an entire day praying and pleading for Baal to set fire to it. Nothing happened.

Then it was Elijah's turn. He prepared his sacrifice and then ordered water poured onto it. Several times until the trench which surrounded it was overflowing with water. Then he prayed.

And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, "O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that thou, O Lord, art God, and that thou hast turned their hearts back." Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 1 Kings 18:36-38 Revised Standard Version

Following this victory, Jezebel declares that she will have Elijah killed that very day. So Elijah flees her wrath and hides in a cave. Emotionally worn out he cries to the Lord, and God responds to him.

And he said, "Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind and earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. 1 Kings 19:11-13 Revised Standard Version

God is peace. Not raging storms, volcanoes and earthquakes. The power of God is not God. God is more than that. Much more.

Following God requires faith. Having a relationship with God requires faith. Faith is NOT an emotion. Faith is a belief system and attitude which determines our decisions.

The enemy of faith is fear. Fear is an emotion. Emotions are not the friends of faith. Not even when they support faith. Why not? Because emotions are rudderless ships. Read James.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord. James 1:5-8 Revised Standard Version

Emotions - even those that make us feel closer to God - are not to be trusted. Emotions are the wind; the earthquake; the fire. The scream at us and demand our attention by being loud and forceful. But they deceive.

How often have we felt like someone hated us? Someone who actually loves us? A parent? A child? A spouse? God? We feel something, but it's a lie.

And how many times have we been deceived by someone pretending to be our friend? We felt good about the relationship - until they sprang their trap and took our money, our body, or whatever it was they wanted.

Emotions can be wonderful things. But they will lie to us.

God is not in emotions.

Ask for wisdom and you will get wisdom. But remember this: You will NOT likely get it as a dose of magic. You will get wisdom the way wisdom is best achieved - through living your life and paying attention to what is going on and what God has said in his Word.

It can be very hard to ignore emotions. Times are hard, and there is the threat of losing the things we hold dear. Having faith does NOT mean we won't lose them. Having faith means we will trust God whether we keep them or not.

I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me; you were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10-13 Revised Standard Version

Paul did not learn this in a day, a week, a month, or even a year. It took the greater portion of his life. And so it will with us.

God so often compares our faith to a mustard seed which, "starts as the smallest of seeds, but grows into the largest of bushes". Growth implies a passage of time.

Faith in God means patience with God. That's how trust is shown.

May God bless you in whatever circumstances you find yourself today.

Magic or Faith

2010-02-05T06:44:00.001-06:00

It’s amazing sometimes to think about what we Christians are truly telling each other – and ourselves. So often (too often) we say things without understanding what it is we’re saying, and this causes others (and ourselves) to believe things which simply are not true.

We don’t realize this, of course. All we know is that we’ve quoted scripture. But what was our interpretation of that verse we just quoted?

I didn’t become a Christian until my nineteenth birthday. It was early in the morning. About four o’clock. It was a very relieving experience to put my fate in God’s hands. You see, I had come to the realization that I had mucked up my life something terrible, and only God could fix it. If he would.

My first year was something of a honeymoon. All smiles and sunshine. Then I began the process of actually living a life instead of sitting back and watching.

Some of my biggest struggles have had to do with claiming the promises of God. So many people kept telling me that all I had to do was “believe”, and then it would happen. It didn’t seem right to me then and it doesn’t seem right to me now. True, God has told us things such as the following:

And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and never doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:21-22 Revised Standard Version

That is a true statement, or God would not have said it.

So how do we reconcile our believing in something that does NOT happen? We believe someone will recover from an illness or injury. We are convinced of it, and act accordingly. And then they die?

We are convinced we will marry someone. And then they marry someone else? The promotion does not come our way. We lose our job. We lose our house. All in despite of what we believe. Does this refute what we just read from the Gospel of Matthew?

I think not.

I think our understanding of what Jesus told his disciples is skewed. That’s the problem. So often Jesus was frustrated with his disciples because he would tell them things and they just wouldn’t get it. I don’t think we’re any different. We don’t always get it either.

Take this verse:

I can do all things in him to strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 Revised Standard Version

What does that mean for us in our daily life? What have we told ourselves it means?

We (Christians) quote this verse often. But I wonder – do we believe it? It’s easy to say we believe it. But do we? And do we understand what it’s telling us?

The problem is that we Christians too often believe in “magic” more than we believe in the power of God. We think this verse means we can suddenly do things for which we have no training or ability. That has happened, certainly. But that is not the normal course of how God operates. God uses the people and things of this world to achieve his purposes for the world. And he uses our own knowledge and abilities to achieve things in our lives.

So how is this applied in real life?

If you wish to be a great athlete, then you must train your body for athletics. If you wish to be knowledgeable about this or that, then you must study this or that to gain the knowledge. And don’t expect it to be easy. It will be just as difficult for the Christian as the non-Christian. Become a Christian does not remove us from being human.

So am I saying Christians need to do the same things as non-Christians in order to improve themselves in various areas? Yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying. That is what the “I can do all things” verse is telling us. Work at it, and God will help you succeed. You want to remember scripture? Read it. Often. As often as you can. This is how God has ordered things. Sowing and reaping. God will help ALL of us in what we do. How? By giving us the ability in the first place when he created us. This is actually true whether we are Christians or not. Don’t believe me? Read this:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of you Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:43-45 Revised Standard Version

He created us all the same. What works for one works for the other.

So what is the difference between Christians and non-Christians? What is the advantage in being a Christian?

The Holy Spirit.

Christians have the Holy Spirit in their hearts. They have forgiveness from God. When things get tough and the temptation is there to quit, we have the Holy Spirit to remind us that God is with us.

Don’t discount forgiveness. Without it, we have no future.

But God’s word is not about creating magical miracles for us all the time. It’s about how we can have an honest relationship with God. How our hearts can be at peace because we understand more and more His purposes.

We need to remember that God calls us children for a reason. We’re not so old and knowledgeable as we like to believe.

It's Time to Return to Our Roots

2010-02-03T04:36:00.004-06:00

We were watching "I Walk the Line" last night. At one point in the movie June Carter is in a mercantile store and is confronted by a haughty woman who remarks that June's parents are good Christian people. Then the woman says that she's surprised June's parents even talk to June. The reason? June was divorced.

I felt compelled to speak out loud at that point. The movie was quite correct in portraying the woman as judgmental and hypocritical. My comment was this: That's why people hate Christians. We like to think it's because we belong to God and they are against God, but that's not true. They hate us because we are such hypocrites. We received the free gift of forgiveness from God. And now we seek to cast everyone else away from his presence with hateful attitudes. We are such fools.

And it seems the more well known our name is in our community, region, or even in the world, the worse we are.

When Jesus was with us in the flesh he spoke often about forgiveness and acceptance. He accepted everyone who came to him for forgiveness. In fact, the only people Jesus ever spoke crossly with were "religious" people. People who thought - in their hearts - that they were better than others. Often, we are those people. We lie to ourselves and say we're not. But it is a lie. The tendency is to look down upon people who are doing things we don't do. But the truth is, we're no better than them. We may even be worse.

In Luke, Chapter 7, we read this passage about two people. One is a religious leader. The other is a confessed sinner. Read and listen with your heart to what Jesus is telling us.

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house, and took his place at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "What is it, Teacher?" "A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon. "Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair." You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sin?" And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Luke 7:36-50 Revised Standard Version

We think we are doing God some big favor by lambasting others for the sins they commit. And for the sins we perceive they have committed. But we are wrong when we do this.

How did we received our forgiveness? Why? Was it because we straightened out our lives to the point where God came to us and said, "My, what good work you have done. You have certainly earned my forgiveness." Or was it because God saw that no matter what we did with the rest of our lives, our current status was hopeless. So he offered forgiveness free of charge. WE WERE FORGIVEN AS WE WERE AT THAT MOMENT IN TIME. Why do we seek to deny others this same gift? Are we jealous? What's wrong with us that we spew out such venomous feelings of hatred and intolerance at those we do not believe have forgiveness?

Get your bible and read this from the Gospel of Matthew.

Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven."

"Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, "Pay me what you owe.' So he fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went out and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive you brother from your heart." Matthew 18:21-35 Revised Standard Version

Did you pick it up? Someone who had received forgiveness was cast into prison because they would not forgive others. That is a scary thought.

And do you know what is most pitiful about the Christian's intolerance and lack of forgiving nature toward others? They haven't even sinned against us. They have committed no crimes against us. They simply live lives not in accordance with how we believe they should live them. And so we seek their misery and demise.

If we do not stop this, prison is what awaits us.

Let us leave off with intolerance and return to preaching forgiveness. And love. And acceptance. "Love covers a multitude of sins." Don't tell people what their sins are. They probably already know. Show them God's love and acceptance by loving and accepting them for who they are. Sins and all.

Isn't that what God has done for us?

What is it About Gays Anyway

2010-01-13T21:34:00.003-06:00

Fairyhedgehog posted about a serious matter on her blog. The title of her post is: Death Penalty for Gays.

She is citing a New York Times article about Uganda possibly passing a law which institutes the death penalty for gay and lesbian people.

The issue of being gay/lesbian - or one of the other labels attached to people of sexual preference - is a serious one. It's one the world has to deal with. Historically, Uganda's proposed solution is not far from the way the people of the world have dealt with the issue.

The Bible seems to speak against it. And yet there are those who say the verses used to support this claim are being taken out of context. It is certainly true that Jesus is never recorded voicing an opinion one way or the other regarding homosexuality. Apparently, whether it was sin or not sin, he did not consider it worthy of his time.

And yet how many of us Christians invest tremendous emotion and activity regarding it? We openly condemn the gay community. We seek to pass legislation to inhibit gay rights, or revoke legislation which supports it.

We invest so much of ourselves in matters of sex - whether we admit it or not. We descry the unwed mother, unmarried live-in couples, and a host of other sexual related acts and attitudes.

I'm not saying the things we descry are not sin. What I am saying is this: Why don't we invest the same energy crying out against injustice? Intolerance? Stealing? Slander? Ignoring the poor? Speeding? Or anything else which constitutes sin? Why pick out sexual things as though they were the worst sin one could commit?

There is ONE sin, and ONE sin only which cannot be forgiven: Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

"And I tell you, every one who acknowledges me before men, the Son of man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; but he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And every one who speaks a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven." Luke 12:8-10 Revised Standard Version

Can a gay man or lesbian woman be a Christian?

Many Christian talk as though that were impossible. They're wrong.

What makes a Christian? Our behavior? Are we Christians because of how we behave? Or do we behave because we are Christians? This is an important question. Are we saved by faith, or by works?

O foolish Galations! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? Galatians 3:1-3 Revised Standard Version

Are you a Christian? Have you committed adultery? Fornication? Theft? Have you been prideful, intolerant, unloving, drunk with alcohol or high on drugs? Have you idolized someone, or something? Have you been disobedient to your parents?

The world is filled with sins. And Christians commit all of them. No Christian commits all of them, but all Christians commit some. And here what the Bible says about ANY sin.

For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. James 2:10 Revised Standard Version

We are ALL guilty. NO ONE is going to get to heaven without first being forgiven for who they are, what they are, and what they have said, done, and felt in their heart.

So how should Christians treat gay and lesbian people? How should we treat anybody?

I find that as I grow older I am less concerned with what is and is not sin. What matters is forgiveness. And treating others the way Jesus wants them to be treated. We were never called to punish those we believed to be "sinners". If we were, we should begin with ourselves and not move on to others until we are sinless.

In the meantime, we should raise voices in oppostion to what Uganda wants to do with the same righteous indignation that we have in condemning gays and lesbians. Leave them alone.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T21:46:00.001-06:00

Have a a very Merry Christmas.

The Apple

2009-12-03T06:06:00.002-06:00

A long time ago (to me), perhaps as many as thirty-five years, I was attending community college. I carpooled with my best friend. I drove. Until one day he suggested we ride with his father and I leave my car at his place.

I agreed, but it didn't set well with me, and by lunch time I was walking back to his house to get my car. Any reason to skip class, you know.

It was a hot September day, and the walk was something like seven miles.

Back in those days we didn't carry backpacks, water bottles, or things like that. And so at about the halfway point I was thirsty.

The route I chose was the shortest I could think of. It followed the divided highway. Along the one side was a residential district, separated from the highway by a four foot chain link fence. A path through the tall grass showed I was not the first to take this route.

I got to thinking about apples, and how a nice juicy Macintosh apple would taste just wonderful. The more I thought about it the more I wished I had one. I decided that when I got back to my car I was going to drive to a store and buy me a bag of Macintosh apples. That's what I was going to do. And then I would savor it's juiciness and flavor.

All of a sudden I stopped walking. There, laying on the path before me, was a bright red Macintosh apple. I looked around. Aside from the cars whizzing by there were no people to be seen. There was no apple tree from which the apple could have fallen. But it was there.

Now normally I would not have paid this apple any mind. Fallen food on the ground is just that: Food on the ground. Dirty. Germs. Disgusting.

But I had been thinking about an apple. Specifically, a Macintosh apple. And here before me now was exactly what I had been wishing for.

I picked it up and made a cursory examination. No bruises. No bite marks or cuts of any kind. I thanked God for the apple and ate it. It was as cool, juicy, and refreshing as I hoped.

So how did the apple get there? And why?

Logically, it was there because some other person had put it there. Either accidentally or on purpose. It could have been thrown from a car. It could have been dropped by a previous walker. Or, perhaps God just created an apple right there. The truth is, I don't know. I may never know. What I believe is that God answered the prayer of my heart and gave me an apple. I expect it was a small thing to do, but much appreciated. So much so that I still remember it with thanksgiving.

There are people who are searching for God but say they cannot find him. Why not?

Read this piece of scripture and think about it.

Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:7-12 Revised Standard Version

God is always at hand to be found. He really is. However, when we restrict ourselves to only seeing him in a way of our choosing, we are probably going to miss him. Kind of like hiding in plain sight.

God nearly always uses the things and people of this world to answer prayer. We don't want that. We want the parting of the Red Sea. We want to walk on water. We want to raise the dead.

When things seem to happen as a natural order of events we wonder if God was involved. "It would have happened anyway," we say. Do we really know that? When much needed money arrives in the exact amount we need we rejoice. Then we find the money was sent days, or weeks, before we even knew we needed it. Was God involved?

It all comes down to faith, doesn't it? And faith is NOT what we feel about a thing. It's what we CHOOSE to believe. And we know we believe because we ACT accordingly.

If we really believe God forgives everybody, including those who have been especially horrible to us or those we love, then we will forgive everybody, including those who have been especially horrible to us or those we love.

If we really believe that salvation is based on forgiveness and not our own self-righteous efforts, then we will not be troubled about admitting our failings, for we will be relying on forgiveness to get to heaven.

What we feel is often at odds with what we believe. And this confuses us.

Read what Paul wrote:

I do not understand my own actions. For I do what I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. So then it is no longer I that do it, but sin within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me. Romans 7:15-20 Revised Standard Version

Often we hear ourselves and/or other Christians - or people of faith - wail that they desire to be more patient. This cry from the heart is based on a misunderstanding about what patience really is.

We think patience is how we feel during stressful times. It is not. It is how we behave.

Think of the baseball player, standing with a bat in his hand and waiting for the pitch. It comes. His mind processes that it is a curve ball. Every muscle in his body wants to swing NOW. His emotions are screaming for action. But his will forces himself to wait. Just a fraction of a second longer. And WHAM! He gets the hit. Maybe even a home run. The impatient hitter feels all of these things - and swings early, striking out.

Patience isn't how we feel. It is how we discipline ourselves to not make decisions based on feelings.

When we see someone behaving patiently we assume they are not feeling the pressure. Wrong! They are simply holding back their actions.

God is here. With us. He grants us what we want through the people and things of the world. Sometimes to receive it we must wait. And wait. And wait.

But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9 Revised Standard Version

The above verse is, of course, speaking of Christ's return to earth. However, I believe we should keep it in mind when waiting for other things, too.

We forget that this life is just a short blot in history. We are in a nursery of sorts. When we are ready, God will let us into the wide place of heaven and everything else.

Possible Ending

2009-11-17T11:34:00.002-06:00

I am seriously considering turning off access to this blog and shutting it down. Should know by Thanksgiving. But even if I choose to keep it going it may only be temporary.

We are all Fools, And We Continue to Go Astray

2009-11-15T08:09:00.003-06:00

It's been a while since I've posted. Posting here has become difficult. As much because this blog gets so few hits as because of weariness. But I just read something this morning which bothers me to no end, and I have to post about it. What is it? What else?

Religious Intolerance acting in the name of Christ.

If you are curious about what I read you may find it here. The blog is maintained by Lee Wind. It is a blog supporting the Gay->Bi-sexual->Lesbian->Transgender segments of society.

This hatred in the name of Christ has to be the most disgusting thing on the planet. It's worse than pedephilia, terrorism, murder, rape, or any other crime you can think of. Why? Because if you accept this kind of hatred - hatred in the name of God - then you are capable of ALL of those crimes - and much more.

Who in the Bible did Christ hate?

NOBODY!

He didn't even hate the Pharisees and Sadduces who plotted to kill him. He wept for them because of the horrors which were coming.

So how can anyone who claims to have Christ's spirit in them hate so much?

I was reading in Romans today.

For 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. Romans 8:5 Revised Standard Version

When we focus our attention on banning books, or withholding social rights to others are we not focusing on the flesh?

When we create entire political action organizations using the name of Christ, have we not set our minds on the things of the flesh?

We do these things and we claim we are doing them for God. We claim we are representing God.

THAT IS A LIE!

Read what Jesus Christ himself said about governments and politics.

He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Luke 20:25 Revised Standard Version

The laws of our society are NOT Christ's concern. How much, or even whether, we pay taxes. Where should speed limits be set? What books should be allowed here or there? These are the things of the flesh. They are NOT Christ's concern.

Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave and cut off his right ear. That slave's name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, "Put you rsword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup with the Father has given me?" John 18:10-11 Revised Standard Version

Jesus answered, "My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world." John 18:36 Revised Standard Version

We are NOT to fight. That is a direct order from Jesus himself. If he refused to allow it when he went to the cross, how much more will he refuse to allow it over the matter of books?

This is what Paul says.

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blashpemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 2 Timothy 3:1-5 New King James Version

I hilighted the portions which come to mind when I see and hear people who talk and act like Christian Conservatives.

I can't think of a single person on the planet who associtates Christian Conservatism with love.

What did Jesus say to the church of Ephaesus?

I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left you first love.Revelation 2:2-4 New King James Version

God does not want us wasting our time hating other people who are different from us. Not even if we are absolutely convinced they are horrible, sinful, people. Because is that not what we are without Christ? Nobody is holy and pure except that God, through Christ, forgives their sins. There is no degree of sin to get in or be excluded from heaven. One sin. Any sin. Keeps us out. And we have all sinned. God says so.

You worried about worldly influences on yourself, your family, your children? Don't be. Hear what God has to say.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 Revised Standard Version

Spend less time worrying about the "don't" and more time on the "do's".

The "do's" of God are love and forgiveness.

Please, Please, Please remember that. I wish I could only make the Political Religious understand this.

Sometimes it Just Isn't Easy

2009-10-29T23:33:00.002-05:00

Sometimes it seems that life and I are not friends at all anymore, if ever we were.

It gets hard when things refuse to go right. When the money is gone and one is reduced to the kindness of others only to find there are few who wish to be kind because they don't particularly like me.

Many times I have considered people who have given up completely, and I have always said to myself that they should just have hung on a little longer. And yet I find that now I, too, consider the merits of giving up.

It's hard.

His voice then shook the earth; but now he has promised, "yes once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven." This phrase, "yet once more," indicates the removal of what is shaken, as of what has been made, in order that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:25-29 Revised Standard Version

Everything that can be shaken will be shaken. That's just the way it is. So what of faith? My faith?

It's hard to keep going. It's hard to endure. It's hard when one doesn't know what to do anymore.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:10-20 Revised Standard Version

My scripture reading just a few minutes ago was Acts, chapter 27. In this chapter the Apostle Paul is being transported to Italy. The ship encounters a storm and all is lost - except the lives of the 276 people on board. They suffered without food fourteen days, fearful of their lives. An angel of God came to Paul to assure him all would be well. Many is the time I have wished God would send an angel to assure me.

But there is no need for the assurance of angels. God has given us the Holy Scriptures, and we must believe them or we will not believe an angel should one come.

Abraham said to him, "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them." And he said, "No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent." But he said to him, "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead." Luke 16:29-31 New King James Version

So to endure is weariness. It is hard.

I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, "The Just shall Live by faith." Romans 1:14-17 New King James Version

Which Master Do You Serve

2009-10-27T09:32:00.002-05:00

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." Matthew 6:24

The principal is true, and it doesn't only hold for God and money. It's true any time two or more priorities come into conflict. Sooner or later, in everything, you will be forced to choose one over the other. Spaghetti or roast beef for supper. Go to this movie or that. Go swimming or go to the zoo.

Those are minor decisions and the consequences of choosing one over the other seldom matter. But what happens when important things come into conflict?

Do I buy groceries or get my prescription filled? Do I go to daughter's soccer game over here, or son's soccer game on the other side of town?

At any given time we may find ourselves alternating between what is more important, but at any given moment one is more important than the other.

So what's my point?

Rules (laws) and people.

Which is more important to you? To me?

The Bible is replete with things identified by God as holy and as sinful. God cannot tolerate sin. He just can't. By definition sin is what is against God. The constant theme of scripture is that God loves people. People are sinners. All of us.

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith. Romans 3:21-25

So what about the law? I'm talking Biblical law. This is what Paul tells us in the first chapter of Romans.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth.

19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.

20 Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse;

21 for although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened.

22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling moral man or birds or animals or reptiles.

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,

25 because they exchanged the truth about god for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever! Amen.

26 For this reason god gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural,

27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error.

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a base mind and to improper conduct.

29 They were filled with all manner of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity, they are gossips,

30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,

31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

32 Though they know God's decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them but approve those who practice them.

Powerful words. Even frightening. But do you know what follows immediately after these words? Read on in chapter two.

1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, whoever you are, when you judge another; for in passing judgment upon him you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.

Are you guilty of the entire list? No. Of course not. Who is? Hmm. Let's read what James has to say about that.

For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. James 2:10

How can this be? Is it fair? Think of it this way.

There is a figure of a Bengal tiger on top of my computer monitor. Suppose I actually have two. Now suppose you come along and break off the ear of one. Someone else comes along and smashes the other into tiny pieces. How many of my tigers are broken? And who broke them?

Our tendency is to look at what someone else did and declare our offense wasn't nearly so bad. After all, we just broke off an ear. But we still broke it. Our error is ceasing to compare the tiger we broke with a perfect model. Paul talks about this.

But when they measure themselves by one another, and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. 2 Corinthians 10:12

So what do we say about people and the law? And what should our own attitude be?

We cannot love people and the law equally. God himself tells us this. So if we say we do we are liars. What should we do?

This is my opinion. I base it on Christ's forgiveness. God's forgiveness. I base it on warnings all through scripture, but particularly in the New Testament, about judging others without mercy.

I think the correct behavior is to love people and not worry about the law. God is not challenged by anything anyone does or say. His law will remain intact no matter what happens, and he will remain in charge. We need not fear for God or his law.

Our concern should be about people. We need to love them. Accept them as we hope to be accepted. I don't want to be punished for the things I am guilty of. That's why I rely on the forgiveness of God. Why should I wish for punishment for others. Especially when God keeps telling me that such an attitude will only guarantee my own punishment.

Let us not worry about who the sinners are. God has already told us they are us. All of us.

Which master will you serve? How about love? God is love. Let's serve him and not worry about the sins of others.

Wolf or Prophet

2009-10-20T09:00:00.003-05:00

I was having a discussion with someone recently about my concern over how everyone is so filled with hatred, intolerance, and general animosity, that it's quite depressing to see. The topic of cults had come up and he had related that in his studies he had learned there were a frightening amount of cults just in the United States.

Eventually, I asked the question: But if we're nothing but vicious to these people, how are ever supposed to be encouraged to seek the real God?

He agreed in principal, but then he added this: There are people who simply wish to disrupt the people of God. They know what they are doing and they do it anyway. They are the wolves which rise up from among us.

The current 'official' (so-called) Christian thinking is this: Be intolerant. Put down the opposition. Win at all costs.

I disagree with that position. I speak out. I'm getting louder.

Am I a wolf?

I fear it. I really do. However, I cannot escape my conviction that intolerance and mean-spiritedness is simply WRONG!

Jesus was never intolerant. He was never mean. What he offered everyone, even the Pharisees and others of like mind, was acceptance. I think that is what the Bride of Christ needs to do again. We need to forget about our rights and what the law is and all that crap. We need to get back to Jesus, for it seems to me we have strayed away and are now doing everything by and for ourselves.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:1-5 Revised Standard Version

Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem." Luke 24:44-47 Revised Standard Version

And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe wil lbe condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe in my name; they wil lcast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover. Mark 16:15-18 Revised Standard Version

What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:311-39 Revised Standard Version

It Turns Out God Made Them After All

2009-10-12T14:35:00.004-05:00

There are many divisive issues confronting us today. They range from race relations to religion to matters of law and even sexuality. For a person who grew up with very precise definitions of sex and sexuality I am a Johnny-come-lately to the discussion. There was a time I held a stance and was quite dogmatic about it. I wasn't willing to hear anything which didn't agree with what I had already decided.

But my decision was not based on my own knowledge, experience, or investigation.

The question of gay rights has been around for several decades now, and it seems to be heating up. Not seems to be. It is heating up. There was a march of some kind in Washington yesterday or today in which gay activists and supporters of gay rights are calling out a reminder to President Obama that he promised to bring positive resolution in at least some areas.

I am not a model Christian, and for many that immediately excludes my opinion from counting for anything. For others, the fact that I now stand against them on certain points is the reason to no longer listen to anything I have to say. But I am a Christian. I believe Jesus Christ is God himself, known to us as The Son of God (which is a confusing term to us in this society - but probably not to those in an older society which no longer exists). I believe he died on the cross in order that God could forgive us our sins and accept us back to himself. I believe he rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, where he poured his blood on the alter as payment.

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 9:22 Revised Standard Version

I believe this faith I own makes me a Christian. Not my lifestyle. Lifestyle cannot make anyone a Christian. Only forgiveness.

Now, that being said, I want also to say that I believe the answers to the sex and sexuality questions can be found in the Bible: but only for those who are willing to have faith in it.

Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 6:7-12 Revised Standard Version

So, I have been gaining knowledge and experience through my own investigation. Others have done a much better job, and with that thought in mind I would like to direct you to the blog of one Sarah L. Specifically, this post here. In it, Sarah discusses scientific fact about the number of people born as a-typical males and females. In some cases they are both. Even the chromosomes do not distinguish, as the combinations are just too diverse to say certain people are male or female.

So where does that leave us with regard to God?

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 Revised Standard Version

Do you see it? It's there, although I confess I'm nervous about interpreting it. God created man - as male and female.

How does that relate to the questions of gay rights which confront us today? I must confess I am not sure. But I do believe we must be careful. The Bible is not just one verse, and God's will and purpose is found in the entire Bible. What is the constant message?

Today, while searching for answers in scripture about hermaphrodites, I came across someone else's scripture reference. I will surround the verse they referenced so that it shows more in context. But I find it most interesting.

Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, though faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:23-29 Revised Standard Version

Again, I hesitate to make an explicit interpretation of this reference, but it does raise a question in my mind. Why are we concerning ourselves so much over this question?

That people are born without being solely male or solely female is a documented fact, and has been for hundreds of years. According to the information Sarah L found, it isn't nearly so rare an occurrance as some wish to believe. Do you realize that there are more people in the United States alone with this condition than live in Wyoming, Vermont, North Dakota, Alaska, and Vermont - COMBINED?

But even if it WAS only one person. Did not God make that person? Everyone who is born is born according to God's will. People cannot exist unless God creates them. Only God can create a spirit.

So did God make more than three million mistakes in the United States? I don't think so. God doesn't make mistakes. These people were created according to God's will. So did God create people just to hate them? No. God loves these people. They were created exactly according to his plan. Why do we feel this insane need to oppress them?

I think we in the Christian Community are in great danger of becoming the servant who lost the grace given to him by the king.

Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imporing him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servatns who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience wit hme, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed ,and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you; if you do not forgive you brother from your heart. Matthew 18:23-35 Revised Standard Version

People, we need to be careful with how we view other people.

A Random Word of Scripture

2009-10-03T14:01:00.003-05:00

Do you know what I find odd? StatCounter. I put it on all of my blogs and I don't think it works well at all. For instance, just on an impulse, I looked at the hits my blogs have taken. According to StatCounter, this blog was visited twice today. So, out of curiosity, I checked on "Recent Visitors", just to see where the visitors lived. According to "Recent Visitors" this blog has not been visited since early August. Then I checked the map of visitors and found over forty visitors to this blog from all over the world. Well, not exactly ALL over. Lots from North America; many from Europe; a few from the Middle East; and even some from southeast Asia and Australia. Meanwhile, the main counter tells me the blog has had 72 visits total (don't know what the counter was at when the blog went silent). So, I don't really know if anyone is coming here or not.

However, on the chance someone is, let me put down something actually useful. I just opened my bible and it fell open to James 1:2. Kind of appropriate, as I have NOT been doing this.

James Chapter 1 (Revised Standard Version)

2 Count it all joy, my breathren, when you meet various trials,

3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him as God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

7,8 For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord.

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,

10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like the flower of the grass he will pass away.

11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

12 Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which god has promised to those who love him.

Something else. I had this marked in orange hi-light. I'll include the verses around.

James Chapter 2 (Revised Standard Version)

8 If you really fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you do well.

9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one points has become guilty of all of it.

11 For he who said, 'Do not commit adultery,' said also, 'Do not kill.' If you do not commit adultery but do kill, you have become a transgressor of the law.

12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.

13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; yet mercy triumps over judgment.

It has been a difficult time. Mostly because I have made it so.

Don't know when I shall post again.

Shut Down

2009-08-07T13:38:00.003-05:00

This may be my final post for this blog. In three days I lose my internet connection and whether I get another remains to be seen.

The blog hasn't become what I hoped. Guess I make a poor spectacle for God. It was my hope to present a practical approach to living with God in this world. I still believe it can be done, and I still believe that loving people is the key. After all, God is all about love. I just haven't done a good job of it myself.

There was a verse I was hoping to find. Thought it was in John, Chapter Sixteen. Just looked it up and find that is the chapter wherein Jesus is telling his disciples that he is leaving. Am I that arrogant and prideful that my subconscious should dare compare my leaving this blog - even for a short while - is comparable to Jesus' dying on the cross?

As I indicated. I have not been a great example.

Here, instead, are Jesus' parting words to the world.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 Revised Standard Version

Remember, it isn't about me. It's about Jesus. It's all about Jesus. Jesus is God. That is what I believe.

This song has nothing to do with Christianity, but it is a pretty song, and I leave you with it. Take care.

There used to be a graying tower alone on the sea.
You became the light on the dark side of me.
Love remained a drug that's the high and not the pill.
But did you know,
That when it snows,
My eyes become large and
The light that you shine can be seen.
Baby,
I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray.
Ooh,
The more I get of you,
The stranger it feels, yeah.
And now that your rose is in bloom.
A light hits the gloom on the gray.
There is so much a man can tell you,
So much he can say.
You remain, My power, my pleasure, my pain, baby
To me you're like a growing addiction that I can't deny.
Won't you tell me is that healthy, baby?

But did you know,
That when it snows,
My eyes become large and the light that you shine can be seen.
Baby,
I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray.

Ooh, the more I get of you
The stranger it feels, yeah
Now that your rose is in bloom.
A light hits the gloom on the gray,
I've been kissed by a rose on the gray,
I've been kissed by a rose
I've been kissed by a rose on the gray,
...And if I should fall along the way

I've been kissed by a rose
...been kissed by a rose on the gray.
There is so much a man can tell you,
So much he can say.
You remain
My power, my pleasure, my pain.
To me you're like a growing addiction that I can't deny, yeah
Won't you tell me is that healthy, baby.

But did you know,
That when it snows,
My eyes become large and the light that you shine can be seen.
Baby,
I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray.

Ooh, the more I get of you
The stranger it feels, yeah
Now that your rose is in bloom,
A light hits the gloom on the gray.
Yes I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray

Ooh, the more I get of you
The stranger it feels, yeah
And now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the gray
Now that your rose is in bloom,
A light hits the gloom on the gray.

Being Humane

2009-08-01T09:14:00.002-05:00

Faith in Forgiveness got an award. It's the Humane Award, for downright sweetness, and you can find it at the top of the right sidebar.

Got it from Silver, who is currently the only official Follower of this blog, and perhaps the only one left who even reads it.

Don't know the rules surrounding this particular award, but I'm not bold enough to pass it on.

Recently saw a M*A*S*H episode in which Charles was assigned the task of collecting for a specific charity which was a pet project of some general. After trying unsuccessfully to get others to do it for him, he ultimately gave up and just wrote a check to contribute for everyone. I told Son that is what my solution would have been. Only I wouldn't have bothered trying to solicit donations in the first place.

I suppose it's a mindset. Those of us who have super egos tend to go one way or the other. Either we crave and demand adoration, or we shrink from it, knowing the potential hazards of being given too much. Kind of like Gandalf the Grey in Lord of the Rings. Frodo offered to give him the one ring of power, but Gandalf refused. Some temptations are too much to endure. Pride is less of a challenge for some than others. I am not so fortunate. It is a risky thing for me.

What's odd is that those of us who suffer the most from it, have the least to be proud of. Odd. Isn't it?

In any case, I am very grateful to Silver for the award, and for her continued reading of this blog. Ultimately, it is readers who make any writing worthwhile. So thank you, Silver.

It's Hard Being Down

2009-07-31T15:03:00.002-05:00

There are those who by the words they choose seem to imply that faith in God means happiness all the time. I'm not sure that's scriptural, either in the Quran, the Torah, or the Bible. But it's what many preach.

And they have the audacity to wonder why others call them hypocrites.

In the Bible, the Apostle Paul talks about being content.

I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me; you were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I complain of want, for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10-13 Revised Standard Version

Like many people, I internally translated Paul's words to mean he was happy. But that's not the dictionary definition. The dictionary says content is an adjective meaning: satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.

I suppose in a way that is happiness. Here is the dictionary definition for happy: delighted, pleased, or glad; characterized by or indicative of pleasure or contentment; joyful; fortunate or lucky; felicitous; skillful or apt.

The word "contentment" is used in the definition for happy, so I suppose there is a correlation.

I suppose happiness is when one is pleased about what one is not trying to change. Resignation would be the partner with that. Resignation is: to give over without resistance; to give up.

I suppose it's bad to resign. I know others hate it when I do so in a game. But when there is nothing left for me to do, what else can I do but stop and let what happens happen?

That's the way I'm feeling today. Another month is over and things have been set in motion for me to be out of this house within two weeks. For others, this is a time for rejoicing. It's something they can look forward to with joy and gladness. A new hope. For me not so. For me it is the ultimate failure. I was told to do something. I tried to do it. Nothing good happened. I mucked it up. And now I'm tired. Exhausted. I fought and lost. Nothing good happened.

True, it isn't over. But things are in motion now. The sense of absolute failure is overwhelming. It's the story of my life.

For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 Revised Standard Version

But you know, it would be nice to win once in a while. To be right.

Having Done All - Stand

2009-07-22T15:37:00.002-05:00

Sometimes it feels like the walls of life are closing in, like those torture chambers in which the ceiling continues to drop, or the walls keep squeezing together. It's just a matter of time.

It can be hard trying to live by faith. It can also be easy. Kind of depends on what's happening at the moment.

Well, at the moment nothing is going as I would like it. I suppose that is an exaggeration. What would be more correct to say is that of the things which matter most to me, some of the most important are going contrary to my desires.

Does that mean God has let me down? Some people think so. They think that if God does not grant them their prayer - as they prayed - then he has failed them. Yet these same people seldom see how they have failed God. I, on the other hand, see at least some of my failings. As Paul wrote, "I am chief of sinners".

How can God fail us? There is only one way. God must make a promise - and not come through. Regarding what is going on in my life, that has not occurred. The fact things are not happening as I wish does not mean God has failed me. He made no promises in these areas. Therefore, any expectations I have are of my own design - not God's. And God is not under any obligation to fulfill my expectations. Still, he just may. There is still time.

Chapters three and four of the Book of Daniel kind of speak to me right now. Either my insanity is about to be cured as I am delivered from the fiery furnace, or I will be destroyed in the fire.

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 1 Corinthians 3:10-17 Revised Standard Version

King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to assemble the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the privinces to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And the herald proclaimed aloud, "You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace." Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accosed the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live for ever! You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no heed to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up."

Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image which I have made, well and good; but if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace; and who is the god what will deliver you out of my hands?"

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up."

Daniel 3:1-18 Revised Standard Version

And with that, they prepared to die.

Life as a Spectacle

2009-07-19T11:50:00.002-05:00

I suppose at times I come across as some lousy know-it-all regarding my faith and what I believe. That's why I try to point out my own failings from time to time. To let others know I have "attained" something others have not. The truth is, I struggle as much as anyone. And sometimes it hurts my credibility. Take yesterday, for instance.

I've kept no secret about us having been told we must be out of our house in just over thirty days. This is a direct result of our own personal financial collapse. Not asking for pity. There are hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of others who have, or are going, through the same thing. It's what happens.

Perhaps one thing which does make a difference in my case is that I firmly believe God told me not to sell this house. To remain here until such time as He directs otherwise. Few (if any) people have believed this event in my life was anything more than some kind of emotional (or psychotic) experience, having nothing to do with the real God.

For some it's because they don't want to believe there really is a God. For if there is (and there is) it means they are accountable to a higher power, and they don't like that.

For others they are jealous, for they don't understand what I mean when I say "God told me not to sell this house." They get this idea it was some miraculous moment like Moses on the mountain. It was nothing like that. It was an epiphany. Suddenly, I just knew. I can't explain it any better than that.

Others don't want to believe it's real because they don't want to believe God interacts with us like that anymore. That was for the apostolic times, when the church began. There are no more miracles, or spiritual revelations, or anything like that. For if there are, then they feel they must be somehow inferior for not having experienced it themselves. But that's because they don't understand how and why God interacts with us. I am over fifty years old now, and what I have learned is that God virtually never acts in a manner in which there is no room for doubt.

Why?

Because God most often uses the things and people of this world to communicate and help us. When the Bible tells us that God is arranging our answers to prayer before we even ask it doesn't make the claim lightly. Some things he sets in motion years in advance, so when we pray for it, it's ready. And when that happens many wonder if God was involved at all. But God doesn't operate in a no room for doubt manner. He wants us to believe in him and trust him, so he always does things in a manner which the unbelieving can explain as having nothing to do with God.

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was attested as having pleased God. And without faith is is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:5-6 Revised Standard Version

There are a variety of reasons why people do not believe what I experienced was real. I can't blame them. They weren't here. I was alone at the time. And I'm not exactly a stalwart of godliness.

But I believe it was real and have acted accordingly since.

Part of that "acting accordingly" has to do with what is going on now. We are down to two weeks before we are suppose to move. While kind of making myself ready to move, I cannot help but think like Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego. God is well able to deliver us from this situation, and if he means for us to remain in this house then something is going to happen soon to bring that about. If it happens it could be anything from a major miracle to something which was put into motion months or years ago. Or, maybe we will have to leave.

I don't know. God didn't tell me what the consequences of not selling the house would be. He just said, "Don't sell the house." So I didn't.

There is a cost to all of this. As I indicated above, I do not have a lot of credibilty with others as a result of my holding fast to what took place nearly seven years ago. Just yesterday, Spouse laughed at me and felt a need to apologize to our guests when I made mention of it.

But you see, it isn't about my credibility. And if we are evicted it proves less about God than it does about me. You see, I am weak and foolish, and that's as it ought to be.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth, but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 1:25-29 Revised Standard Version

Fearing to Live by Faith

2009-07-15T16:08:00.002-05:00

One of the basic problems in trying to truly live a life of faith is dealing with fear. Not just the fear of being physically hurt, or humiliated, but the fear that we really don't believe as we think we do. Maybe, just maybe, when all is said and done, we don't really believe after all. Ultimately, that is what we're afraid of. And we don't like admitting it. Certainly not to others, but not ourselves, either. Not even to God.

We want to pretend that we believe so we don't have to actually find out. It's the person who believes in their talent, but won't push themselves to find out just how talented they are. That way, when they fail, they can comfort themselves by saying, "I wasn't really trying." People who are afraid of being rejected often make themselves unattractive, either physically or socially. That way, they need not be rejected for who they are. Not really.

I think part of our fear to live a life of faith is we don't understand what it means. We read verses like the following:

Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:23-24 Revised Standard Version

We read things like that and think that faith is the way to get the things we want. In a way. Probably, to be more precise, faith is the way to change what we want, and then we get it. Read this from the Book of James. Take note that this was written to believers, not as an effort to convert the unbelieving.

What causes wars, and what causes fightings among you? Is it not your passions that are at war in your members? You desire and do not have; so you kill. And you covet and cannot obtain; so you fight and wage war. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not received, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. Unfaithful creatures! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:1-4 Revised Standard Version

The Apostle Paul was certainly a man of faith. It's all he preached: Faith in Jesus. Faith in God. Yet read what Paul says about his life.

I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me; you were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10-13 Revised Standard Version

Not all of Paul's prayers were answered according to his desire.

And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn ws given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:7-9a Revised Standard Version

Faith is trusting God to be in control even when everything goes wrong. We are sick and do not get well. We need work and cannot find any. We are in the path of war. Storms and famine ravage the land.

Faith does not mean these things will not touch us. We are physically in the world. Therefore, we will be physically touched by the things of the world. What the world cannot touch is our spirit. Only God can do that. And that is what faith is about: God touching our spirit.

At the beginning of Jesus' ministry he was led by God into the desert. He spent forty days there without food. Scripture confesses he was hungry. He was in a place where there were thousands of rounded stones which resembled bread loaves. Seeing them, the devil took the opportunity to cause Jesus to doubt himself.

The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." Luke 4:3 Revised Standard Version

The operative word here is "if". Jesus was hungry, but suddenly that was no longer the reason for creating bread out of stones. Later, Jesus would create fish and bread out of nothing. (Read about the feeding of the four thousand and five thousand in Matthew 14 and Matthew 15.) So why not now? Because it wasn't about eating. It was about proving something. It was about pride. God is not keen on this kind of pride. Self-respect is one thing. Flat out pride is another. So Jesus gives his famous reply in verse 4.

And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone.'"

The quote is taken from the Book of Deuteronomy, chapter eight, verse three.

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but that man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.

You see, this is what we're really afraid of: being put through something in order to teach us, help us, make us stronger, and bring us closer to God. The only way to do that is to deny the desires of the body and carnal will. In other words, suffering of some kind. That is what we're afraid of.

Faith is not about always coming through because you believed. It's about holding fast to God even when you don't come through. Do we love God because he's some kind of perpetual Santa Claus or Father Christmas? Or do we love him because of who he is? Think about Abraham.

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises wsa ready to offer up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaaac shall your descendants be named." He considered that God was able to raise men even from the dead; hence, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. Hebrews 11:17-19 Revised Standard Version

When people die, it does not mean God has taken them from us. God raises people from the dead. They are not gone. They are just ahead of us on a journey. We will be reunited. There is no cruelty. Loneliness, yes. But faith can help us through that.

One more example.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were given a choice: deny God and live, or hold to their faith and die. This was their answer.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in the matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up." Daniel 3:16-18 Revised Standard Version

I think it important to point out that these three men were NOT counting on God to save their lives. They knew he could, but had no reason to believe he would. It didn't matter. It wasn't about whether they survived or died. Their faith was in God.

We all face challenges in our daily lives. Not all of these challenges deal with life and death, but sometimes they do. Most often, however, they are matters of fear and comfort.

This is true for me right now.

Seven years ago I was told by God (I believe this with all my heart) not to sell my house when I lost my high-paying job. For seven years we have remained in this house, each year being blessed with some last minute financial salvation to see us through another year. This year the miracles appear to have run out. We have just over thirty days to come up with about $300,000, or we're out of this house.

For some reason I am reminded of Nebuchadnezzar in that he was struck with insanity for seven years. Then he was restored. My seven years is just about up. But, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, I will not quit believing even should not miracle come and I be kicked out. It isn't about surviving, or getting what we want, or expect. It's about God being in control. He is well able to send us the money. but even if not I will not cease to worship him. As Peter said to Jesus:

Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." John 6:68b Revised Standard Version

It Can Be Hard

2009-07-09T07:36:00.004-05:00

Sometimes it's hard to continue in faith. To believe. I struggle with this more than anything else I know. And not just believing and having faith in God. For me, it's believing and having faith in anything. I'm jaded and cynical. I'm worn out and beaten up. The old vaudeville comedy sketch of the sad clown holds true in my heart so often: "Nothing good ever happens to me."

Sometimes it's hard to believe, and what makes it harder is the constant teaching that we believe what we feel. Our culture is so about feelings. How do we know if we love somebody? We feel good about them. How do we know we hate them? We feel bad toward them. How do we know what's right? We go with our feelings. How do we know we're spiritual? We feel it. How do we trust God? With our feelings.

What a crock! And we all fall for it to some degree or another. Some poor souls are completely lost in this Gospel of Feelings.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord. James 1:5-8 Revised Standard Version

Sometimes I have been just like that. I haven't been able to "grab on" and hold. I'm tossed hither and yon by my emotions.

Emotions are powerful things, and if we let them they will rule our lives. Not a good way to live.

My mother used to adhere strongly to the Gospel of Emotions. It was here belief that she the truth was what she was feeling. Thus, when she was happy with us (me) she lavished love and praise. However, let her emotions falter and her tune changed drastically. Suddenly, she "hated" us, and felt no qualms about telling us so. To this day I don't know that she fully understands the faultiness of emotions.

Emotions are like a logic test in which so many people have reversed things. Consider this question, similar to one I took on an intelligence test years ago. I will pick something foremost in a lot of people's thoughts right now.

If all coins are money, then which of the following is true?

All money is coins
No money is coins
Some money is coins

The answer, of course, is the last choice, for some money is also paper. But so many people get it wrong and say the first answer is right. Not with money, but with emotions.

If love contains happy feelings then what is true?

All happy feelings mean love
Some happy feelings mean love
The absence of happy feelings means the absence of love

How would you answer that question?

It works true with faith, too. Faith is not how we feel about a thing any more than love is.

Here is how God defines love. (emphasis mine)

Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect; but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood. So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 Revised Standard Version

If you read this carefully, you will not find any stress on feelings. What is stressed are decisions and attitudes. So, if you think you are loving others as God intended, then let me ask you this: what is your opinion on using torture against terrorists? How does that fit into God's definition of love and his commission that we should love everyone as we love ourselves?

Here is what God has to say about faith.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 Revised Standard Version

This is what Merriam-Webster says about assurance.

Main Entry:
as·sur·ance Listen to the pronunciation of assurance
Pronunciation:
\?-'shu?r-?n(t)s\
Function:
noun
Date:
14th century

1: the act or action of assuring: as a: pledge, guarantee b: the act of conveying real property ; also : the instrument by which it is conveyed cchiefly British : insurance 2: the state of being assured: as a: security b: a being certain in the mind assurance of salvation> c: confidence of mind or manner : easy freedom from self-doubt or uncertainty ; also : excessive self-confidence : brashness, presumption 3: something that inspires or tends to inspire confidence assurances of goodwill>

Faith is not a feeling. It is a belief. It is demonstrated through our actions. If we have faith the ice is thick enough to hold our weight, we walk across it. If we do not have this faith, we avoid the ice. Walking across the ice can be one of two things: acting in faith; acting in pride.

Jesus gave this example when he was tempted in the wilderness.

And he (Satan) took him (Jesus) to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; for it is written, 'He will give his angels charge of you, to guard you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" And Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'" Luke 4:9-12 Revised Standard Version

What does this teach us? That sometimes we have to use our brains and determine what it is we believe and why. Are we acting in faith, fear, or pride? Only faith will keep us right with God. When in doubt, remember to act in love. Love is greater than faith. That you can count on.

We Are the Reason We Should Be Ashamed

2009-07-07T07:04:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I brought my son to Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN, for his saxophone lesson. While there I found a copy of the July, 2009, edition of Minnesota Christian Chronicle. On page 4 I found a short editorial by Carl Nelson who, as it is explained at the end of the editorial, is president and CEO of the Greater Minnesota Association of Evangelicals.

I won't take word-for-word excerpts from the paper (as I would probably find myself sued for copyright infringement), but I will give the gist of what Mr. Nelson wrote.

Apparently, Pew Research did a national survey and found that "62 percent of white evangelical Protestants believe 'the use of torture against suspected terrorists to gain important information' to be often or sometimes justified." The greater frequency of church attendance and the more likely this was true.

Now, Mr. Nelson is against this trend. In fact, he writes that he added his name to the National Religious Campaign to Ban Torture, and participated in a speaking event at the Center for Victims of Torture. He gives a web address: www.evangelicalsforhumanrights.org. Good for Mr. Nelson.

So many of us Christians get self-righteous about the fact the the world hates us so much. And let's be honest - the world does hate us. But when we support torture, hatred, intolerance, exclusionism, imperialism, and a host of other evil practices, I don't think we have much to be proud of. In fact, we are in danger of hell fire.

One of the main biblical themes God gives us in Holy Scripture is the the concept of sowing and reaping. "As a man soweth, so shall he reap." Spew out hatred, and that is what you will get in return.

So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 Revised Standard Version

If you are in favor of torturing suspected terrorists in order to gain information, think about what it is you are in favor of. What if someone - anyone - suspects you of something? What you are saying is that they should torture you in order to find out about it. This is true whether you know anything or not.

You say these people would not be in custody if they weren't guilty? What are you saying? Think about it. This means if anyone thinks you are guilty they should put you in prison and torture you.

Carry your thoughts through, people! Don't base your actions on fear. We live in a culture of fear. We are constantly being told by all kinds of people that we should be afraid. Politicians want us afraid so we will vote for them. Merchants want us afraid so we will buy their products. News and weather people want us afraid so we will watch/listen to/read their reports. Preachers want us afraid so we will come to them for guidance.

People. God is NOT about fear.

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 1 Timothy 1:6-7 New King James Version

Jesus set us the example when he was here. How did he react to sinners? And I mean real sinners, and not just people who were different, or hated him. The woman caught in adultery is probably the finest example Jesus gave. (I still find it amazing that only the woman was brought. It takes two people to be caught in the act of adultery.)

So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." John 8:7 Revised Standard Version

So, what am I saying? We should do nothing with these suspected terrorists? Yes. I guess so. Without proof, we are as evil as the evil we purport to fight if we hold them. With proof, we should deal with them according to the law - the real law and not invented law based on fear. Real law forbids torture.

People, the saying is true. God started it, but it has been modernized. "What goes around, comes around." Whatever we unleash on others will eventually come back to us. It's a boomerang.

Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Ecclesiastes 11:1 Revised Standard Version

We live in a world of fear. Jesus told us it would be so. Let us learn to relax in God's will and in the truth that God is in control. It is a learning experience, and it takes effort as well as time.

Luke Chapter 21 (emphasis mine)

[8] And He said: "Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them.

[9] But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immeidately."

[10] Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

[11] And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and tehere will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

[12] But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to th synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.

[13] But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.

[14] Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;

[15] for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.

[16] You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.

[17] And you will be hatd by all for My name's sake.

[18] But not a hair of your head shall be lost.

[19] By your patience possess your souls.

[20] But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.

[21] Then let those who are in Judea flee t othe mountains, let those who are i nthe midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.

[22] For thse are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

[23] But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.

[24] And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

[25] And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;

[26] men's hearts failing them from fear and the expecation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the hevens will be shaken.

So, When Do We Fight

2009-07-03T16:36:00.002-05:00

One thing I come across, or am confronted by, on a regular basis when talking/listening to Christians talk is this concept that we need to "get angry". People are advocating laws which go against Biblical teaching. People are trying to remove God from schools, city offices, and anything else they can think of. We need to get "angry". We should be grossly indignant.

Wrong.

The Roman Empire was hardly a godly civilization, and yet that was the civilization in in place where Jesus walked the earth. So what did Jesus have to say about the godless nation in which he lived? I'm only aware of Jesus making one reference to the government.

"Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's". Matthew 22:21 Revised Standard Version

Jesus did not concern himself with the government. He obeyed the government, but he did not try to influence policy. Even when he stood before Pilate he made no arguments. When asked if he is a king.

"My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world." John 19:36 Revised Standard Version

Too often we humans get to thinking God somehow needs our help in matters he has told us to leave alone. God does not need our help. What is more, he does not want us trying to help. Certainly, he does not want us getting angry and acting out in anger.

You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that every one who is angry with is brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire." Matthew 5:21-22 Revised Standard Version

Personally, I think there are several things going on. Take your choice where you fall, if you are one who is prone to get angry at those who behave other than you think they should.

First, there are people in power who seek to use religion and religious zeal and fervor to further their selfish aims. Get people worked up. Get them afraid. Such people are easy to manipulate, for they are not thinking.

Second, there are people who are worked up and afraid. They desperately want to serve God, but they're afraid they're not doing enough. They're so afraid God is angry with them for not doing enough they are willing to follow any charismatic leader, even if those leaders lead them into anger, hatred, and murder.

Third, there are people who aren't sure they really believe. These people react angrily, and even violently when anything happens which threatens their well-being. They're afraid they can be made to cease believing because they aren't even sure they believe in the first place. These people do not understand what faith is. They think it's how they feel about things. It's what our society teaches. Our preachers don't say it, but so many imply it with the words they use. They keep talking about the senses. Faith has nothing to do with the senses. Faith is a decision. It's an act of will. That's why someone who is completely terrified can act in faith.

Allow me to try and explain.

My son used to be terrified of thunderstorms. He would become so frightened he would physically shake. He wanted to run, but I told him to relax and trust me. I would take him in my arms and he would hang on to me tightly. He trusted me - but he was still afraid. Acting in faith will banish fear - eventually. Just as acting in fear will banish faith - right away. The two are mutually incompatible.

Sometimes, we are like the father who sought Jesus' help when the disciples were not able.

And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" Mark 9:23-24 Revised Standard Version

Sometimes that's all we have: faith in the midst of fear. Sometimes, to act in faith is to do nothing at all. God is not violence. We are taught from our youth that he is. But God is not violence. Read what happened with Elijah.

And there he came to a cave, and lodge there; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He said, "I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the people of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thy altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." And he said, "Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind and earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him, sand said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 19:9-13 Revised Standard Version

We like to say that God is in nature. According to the Holy Scriptures, that is not true. God is not in earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, firestorms, and other forms of destruction. God is quiet and gentle. Those other things are tools in God's hands. They are not God.

Do not fear because there are powerful elements seeking to remove God from existence. They cannot succeed. For one thing, as long as you believe God will have people here. Right? So you keep believing. Do you not understand that NO ONE can make anyone believe - or not believe - in God? Only the Holy Spirit can touch someone's heart.

So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered them, "I told you, and yo do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand." (emphasis mine) John 10:24-28 Revised Standard Version

No matter what happens, you cannot be made to not believe. So do not fret over what others are doing. Just continue believing. Do not get angry. That only confirms in the minds of others that you are a hypocrite. And it takes away your reward in heaven.

Keep the faith. Keep the peace. Let God deal with those who would try to get rid of him.

PSALM 2

[1] Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain?

[2] The kings of the earth set themselves, and teh rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying,

[3] "Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us."

[4] He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision.

[5] Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,

[6] "I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill."

Rejoice Not in the Death/Punishment of the Wicked

2009-06-30T08:09:00.002-05:00

So, what is a hypocrite? Who is one and who isn't?

According to Wikipedia, "Hypocrisy is the act of pretending that one has beliefs, opinions, virtues, feelings, qualities or standards that they do not actually have; this is usually done in order to mask their actual motives or feelings; falseness."

It goes further to state: "The term hypocrite is widely misused. Many persons state that hypocrisy is the action of 'not practising what you preach'."

So, hypocrisy is NOT saying certain behavior is wrong and then performing said behavior. Hypocrisy is saying certain behavior is wrong, performing said behavior, and then DENYING one has done it or, more commonly, RATIONALIZING the behavior.

It is easy to become guilty of this. We see someone we don't like undermining someone we like, and we get angry and criticize them for it. Then we undermine the offender. However, when challenged, we state that in our case the behavior is justified, so it isn't the same.

Consider recent news. Bernard Madoff has just been sentence to 150 years in prison for swindling people of their life's savings. How easy it is for us - especially those of us who have personally suffered from his schemes - to react with joy, declaring he but reaps the fruits of his labor.

But what of ourselves? Is that how we wish to be judged? True, we may not have swindled people out of their money - or maybe we have. Just not millions and billions. But whether we have swindled or not is not the point. The point is this: Is that how we wish to be judged?

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is te log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Matthew 7:1-5 Revised Standard Version

So what am I saying? That we just let all criminals everywhere go free? No. I'm saying we need to be careful how we judge others, because that is how God will judge us. If we offer no mercy to others, we will get no mercy.

So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 Revised Standard Version

Do not take pleasure in the punishment and suffering of others, even when it is so clear their punishment and suffering is of their own doing. Do not rejoice at their destruction, for God does not.

And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, Thus have you said: 'Our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we waste away becaues of them; how then can we live?' Say to them, As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel? Ezekiel 33:10-11 Revised Standard Version

I am as guilty as the next person in expressing joy at the suffering of those who have inflicted pain and misery across the world, or even to a few I know. It's hard not to be that way. But the truth is, I don't want to be judged like that. I want mercy. I want forgiveness. Therefore, I must offer mercy. I must offer forgiveness. Otherwise, I disqualify myself.

The real tragedy with Madoff isn't even the people who have suffered - and died - because of his actions. It's that he may not "turn from his way and live". Then God will be grieved, too.

Let Us Not Neglect to Offer the Sacrifice of Praise

2009-06-26T16:13:00.003-05:00

Praise. I don't dole it out well. Perhaps that's because I saw so little of it growing up. There were no fine examples of offering praise. It's a shame, because people need praise. Young people. Old people. Men. Women. Dark-skinned. Light-skinned. We need praise. Without it we dry up.

But not silly praise. Not phony praise. Not the kind we think of when we envision sycophants talking up whoever it is they are sucking up to. Not the kind we think of when we think of stage hands and studio gophers talking up the big-named act just so they get to keep their job.

I mean real praise. Praise which is deserved. Praise which has been earned. We have all done things - at least on occasion - for which we deserve a pat on the back and recognition for a job well done.

Praising people is hard, but for some reason it is even harder to praise God. At least for those of us who don't know how to do it. Some do it well. I should be better at it. I've been a Christian for a good many years now. More years than not.

King David knew how to offer praise. All of the psalmists did.

God has been more than kind to me. Sometimes I remember to thank him. I seldom take the time to praise him. How horrible am I? I know better than anyone what God has done for me. I should offer praise every day for God's bountiful mercy and love. Lacking my own words I offer this from the Book of Psalms.

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his exceeding greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with timbrel and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! PSALM 150 Revised Standard Verison

Sometimes Faith Has a Price

2009-06-25T17:15:00.004-05:00

Faith. When do we have it and when don't we? When do we trust God and when do we give up?

Of course, the simple answer is we always trust God and we never give up. But that is what we're supposed to say and do. How do we really behave?

The truth is, we trust God for our salvation, but when it comes to our daily lives we tend to exclude him. How often have you (I) stood and boldly declared our faith in God - when things were well, or we just received some blessing? Then, when things go dry, and emotions fail us for fear, we abandon faith and try to save ourselves?

It is normal to feel fear. It is normal to face doubts. The greatest born of women suffered his doubts and fears. But how did he handle it?

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?" And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is he who takes no ofense at me." As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? Why then did you go out? To see a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who wear soft raiment are in kings' houses. Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who sahall prepare thye way before thee.' Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." Matthew 11:2-11 Revised Standard Version

"A reed shaken by the wind." What does that mean? I think it means John was not swayed by his emotions. He didn't just trust God when he felt like it. He trusted God when he had doubts, too. Especially when he had doubts and fear. He sent to Jesus when he had fear. Note Jesus' reply. Instead of just saying "yes", he quotes the Prophet Isaiah, using the verses which prove his being the Messiah, the Christ. Jesus began his ministry by quoting Isaiah.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Isaiah 61:1-2a Revised Standard Version

Jesus did not read the second part of verse two. That speaks of God's wrath and judgment, which is yet to come.

What is easy to do is proclaim we have received a message from God. Any fool can do that, whether God has sent them a message or not. What is hard is trusting in that message when everything seems to indicate that the message is not going to happen. That is hard whether God has sent the message or not.

I am in a place now where I am hard-pressed to find anyone who believes God sent me a message. Current indications are that he did not. Why? Because the message I believe God sent me was not to sell my house when I lost my job seven years ago. So I took it off the market. And for nearly seven years we have remained in this house, often by means which had nothing to do with us. Tax rebate checks from the government. An insurance check after a storm. A sister who borrowed money. During these seven years I have had nearly everyone tell me in one form or another that I was crazy to believe I had received a message from God and that I should sell the house before I lost it. My response has always been: God never said I wouldn't lose the house. He just said, "Don't sell it." So I'm not.

Our personal financial collapse happened at the end of August seven years ago. At the end of August this year we are slated to be kicked out of our house for not meeting financial obligations.

It has not always been easy to believe I got a real message from God. Well, that's not true. It has been easy to believe it. What has not been easy is believing God will take care of us. So many days and nights I vented angrily at God in the lowest level. I asked for signs. For miracles. For anything. What I got was silence. Then, at the last minute, things would happen and we would get another year. This occured for six years. Over the last two my rants have become few and further between. This year no miracle occured, and the foreclosure was processed. We are down to eight weeks.

I am still under pressure to give up believing God intends to take care of us. It's hard to resist. It would be easy to just give up believing. But I can't. I may be insane, and maybe I'm living a delusion, but I trust God. He told me not to sell the house. I can no more be convinced that was a lie than I can be convinced it did not rain this morning. (Thunderstormed, actually.) I believe God spoke to me, and I did not sell the house. And no matter what happens, I will still trust God. God has put himself on the line - using me. How can I do anything else but believe?

After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" Simon Peter answerd him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God." John 6:66-69 Revised Standard Version

Not everyone who trusts in faith gets what they are trusting for in this life. The book of Hebrews confirms this. In the faith chapter, immediately after telling of the wondrous miracles achieved through faith, we are told of those who got nothing.

Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God has forseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Hebrews 11:35-39 Revised Standard Version

You see, what I have learned in the past seven years is that faith isn't about getting what we want, or even being cared for in comfort. Faith is about trusting God, even when horrible things happen. Because they do, you know. But God is still in control. God still loves us. That - you can put your faith in.

Amen.

Absolutely

2009-06-23T08:34:00.002-05:00

Our human lives seem geared to thinking in absolutes. When we say something is "good", the implication seems to be there is nothing whatsoever wrong with it. When we say it is "bad", the opposite is true.

My in-laws are very much this way when referencing those they love. They simply cannot acknowledge the wrong-doing of those who fall within their love. They will not admit it. To admit those they love have broken some law is to say they don't love them.

At the same time, those who they acknowledge as "wrong-doers" don't get a lot of love. It's an extremist way of thinking, and it is shared by millions of people around the world.

Why?

Do we not acknowledge our own sins? Does this mean we hate ourselves? God doesn't want that anymore than he wants us hating others. And speaking of God, do we not agree that God loves us? All of us? And yet what does he say about us?

To Peter, when Peter tried to talk him out of doing God's will: "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but men." This is recorded immediately after Peter's declaration that Jesus is the Christ!

Again, in Matthew: "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your hildren, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good thins t othose who ask him!"

"You brood of vipers! how can you speak good, when you are evil?"

But God showed his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

God tells us we are saved by grace. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God - not because of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 Revised Standard Version

God also tells us that there are behaviors and attitudes he expects from us. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24 Revised Standard Version

And we are given a list of behaviors and attitudes to avoid. Now the works of the flesh are plain; fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 Revised Standard Version

For centuries people have argued heatedly over what it means to be "saved by grace". Some erroneously believe that those who hold that salvation is through grace, and grace alone, are advocating some sort of lip service to God which frees them to commit any horrible act they choose.

At the same time, the "grace holders" accuse the others of being works orientated, ignoring God's gift of forgiveness.

It is confusing only when we think in terms of absolutes. The truth is, there is no conflict in the statements. One simply must understand just what it is God is telling us.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would. But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. Galatians 5:16-18 Revised Standard Version

What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. James 2:14-17 Revised Standard Version

Let us consider four (4) scenarios. They each represent a kind of person. When I speak of "acknowledging God" I am talking of accepting forgiveness which was given through Jesus Christ.

Person 1: Does not acknowledge God and does all of the things God says not to do and virtually none of the things God requires.

Person 2: Does not acknowledge God and does some of the things God says not to do and tries to do all of the things God requires.

Person 3: Acknowledges God but does a lot of the things God says not to do and virtually none of the things God requires.

Person 4: Acknowledges God and does some of the things God says not to do and tries to do all of the things God requires.

If all four people were truly as they are described, which two will go to heaven and which two will be excluded? The answer is that Persons 3 and 4 go to heaven - by virtue of having accepted God's forgiveness. Persons 1 and 2 are excluded for rejecting God's forgiveness.

But James seems to be telling us something. What?

It has to do with Persons 2 and 3. Let us first consider Person 3.

Supposedly, Person 3 has accepted God's forgiveness. But have they? There is certainly no evidence of it. When a person accepts God's forgiveness they are "baptized" into God's family. The Holy Spirit enters their body and dwells inside them with their own spirit. This gives them both the power and the (growing) will to behave like God. So why isn't this person desiring to behave like God? Why are they behaving like Person 1? What James is telling us is that it is very likely that Person 3 is a liar, seeking to create a false image in the minds of the other Persons. But God is not deceived. He knows where his Spirit resides and where it has been excluded. Person 3 will NOT go to heaven because Person 3 is lying when they say they have accepted God's forgiveness.

Now let's look at Person 2. Person 2 is behaving a lot like Person 4, except Person 2 seems to be having trouble acknowledging Jesus. On the surface, it would seem they are a pitiful case because without God's forgiveness they cannot go to heaven. But what does Jesus himself say about these people?

"When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the King will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the lease of these my brethren, you did it to me.'" Matthew 25:31-40 Revised Standard Version

To the Person 3 types he says the opposite.

So what is going on? Works or faith?

Both.

You see, if you have true, God-forgiving, faith, your life will change. You won't do this in order to achieve grace and forgiveness, you will do this because you have grace and forgiveness.

What Jesus is saying is that it is possible to have faith in him and not even realize it. Just as it is possible to say you have faith and not. God knows. He is not fooled. Some do things out of pride and confidence in their own ability. This excludes faith in God. Some do things out of faith in God. This, by definition, includes Jesus, for Jesus is God. But some people don't like the name and use another. There is only one God, so if the faith is real, we are worshiping the same God.

It seems a paradox, but it isn't.

My son helps me around the house because he is my son. When his friends come by and help him with helping me that does not make them my children. In order for them to become my children I must adopt them. It is not their choice, although I would certainly not adopt a child who did not want me to adopt them. That's the way it is with God. He adopts us into his family. Not because we do things, but because he wants to and we said yes.

The Power of Love and Faith

2009-06-20T14:28:00.004-05:00

I read something interesting in the book of John this morning.

John Chapter Twenty (Revised Standard Version)

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

verses 19-25

I bolded the portion which struck me. It is similar to something else I've read in the Gospels.

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Mark 2:1-5 Revised Standard Version

Again, I bolded the portion of concern.

There is great power in love. The greatest power is the power of forgiveness. For with the power of forgiveness people can live with God.

Who are the greatest missionaries? The greatest are those who love the most. Their love is seen in their actions, and so people believe God.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 Revised Standard Version

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in my nam,e I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you aks anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John 14:12-15 Revised Standard Version

What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. James 2:14-17 Revised Standard Version

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:23-24 Revised Standard Version

Something Real From My Life

2009-06-18T10:04:00.003-05:00

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1 Revised Standard Version

I don't often write about what's going on in my daily life on this blog. Tried to view things from a "bigger picture". But the verse above came to me just now as I sent out my query for the book I've written, "Swords of Fire: Traitor".

God gives each of us talent. Each of us is free to use it as we will. In Matthew, Chapter Twenty-Five, we read Jesus' parable of the man who gave talents to his servants. He did not disburse the talents equally. Some were given more than others. Those who were given more were able to increase it more. But the servant to did nothing with his talent lost it, and was cast away.

I was given the ability to tell stories. This came from God. The stories I tell are told at my discretion. (The spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets. 1 Corinthians 14:32 Revised Standard Version. This means we choose what we say to others.) I have chosen to devote most of my storytelling to fantasy stories. That many conservative Christians believe fantasy to be of the devil is true. I do not share this belief. It is no more sinful to write about make-believe evils than it is to write about real ones, a.k.a. Holy Scriptures. God gave me a vivid imagination. I have used it all my life, and now it is even larger than ever before. In at least a way, I believe this glorifies God, for the imagination came from him. And I like my stories.

Now I am trying to get my epic series represented by an agent. This is the next step to seeing the book in publication. Not into self-publishing. Not going to say there is anything wrong with self-publishing, but it isn't what I'm after. But it all comes back to God's blessing - or his withholding of it.

I have done my part. I wrote a good story. I edited it. I rewrote it. Edited it again. And again. and again. Wrote a query. Edited it. Submitted it for critique. Edited it. Found an agent to submit to. Edited the query again. Sent it with a prayer to God.

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1 Revised Standard Version

Unless the LORD blesses the query, he who sends it sends it in vain.

What is God's Will

2009-06-17T08:32:00.003-05:00

"I have said all of this to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God." John 16:1-2 Revised Standard Version

What a horrible thought. To commit crimes against God and believe we are acting in God's interests. And yet it goes on every day. We read and hear about it over the news.

A man kills an abortion doctor. Bombs are exploded. People beheaded. Shots fired. All in the name of pleasing God. And yet God is not pleased at all.

Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? Ezekiel 18:23 Revised Standard Version

"For I have no pleasure in the death of any one," says the Lord God; "so turn, and live." Ezekiel 18:32 Revised Standard Version

Sometimes it is hard to know what God would have us do. Sometimes it's easy. Generally, it gets harder when we allow our own desires to get in our way. It's hard to get quiet before God. But it's what needs to be done in order to communicate well with him.

And he said, "Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice to him, and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 19:9-13 Revised Standard Version

Where was God? In the quiet. Using the earth, and the things of earth and space, God can wreck tremendous violence. But God is a quiet spirit. He speaks to us quietly and persistently, seeking our attention via our will, not our senses.

Remember, God is love. That should be our starting point in determining God's will.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever! Psalm 111:10 Revised Standard Version

When is Love Over

2009-06-08T09:02:00.002-05:00

Genesis Chapter One (New King James Version)

[1] In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

[2] The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

[3] Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.

[4] And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.

There are a couple of things which come to my mind every time I read these verses. The first goes back to the first time I read them, as a child. Read the first two sentences again. Does anything strike you as strange?

Well, maybe strange is the wrong word. But think about this. When you create something, whether of clay, machinery, Lego Blocks, or whatever, do you create it without form and void? Who does that?

And when you read the third sentence another thing becomes obvious: before God created light, the earth existed. So did water. And darkness.

These things have mattered to me since I was a child. The most likely answer has been one that a lot of Christians are loth to accept: God did not create the earth in seven days. He fixed it in seven days.

The earth was here, but destroyed, when God said, "Let there be light." He had created the earth, and all of the universe around it. Then, something happened. "The earth was without form, and void." The most likely cause of this destruction was the fall of Lucifer from grace. When he turned to evil he destroyed everything around himself, including the earth, which apparently had been his place. Then, like a good mechanic and auto body specialist, God took the damaged remains and rebuilt the earth, filling it again with life, but this time adding new elements, such as grass, and human beings. He also seems to have given it a timetable to a predetermined end, after which he will take it all apart and rebuild it from scratch.

A few years ago I discovered a website devoted to this concept. It is here, if you wish to check it out for yourself.

But what about Lucifer? We call him Satan. The Devil. He has a host of other unpleasant names, all of which he has earned. But what about him? What is God's attitude toward him?

I will give you my belief up front, and then present a few reasons why I believe it. Whether you accept my thinking as rationale, stupid, or heresy, I'll leave to you.

I think God loves him. I really do.

Why? How?

Well, first off, is not God love? Certainly, what come from God is love.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 New King James Version

Another point, and this comes from Genesis 1:4, where God looks at the light he has just created and sees it as "good". God did not create anything, or anyone, "evil", or "bad". Why would he? Consider these verses, written by the Prophet Ezekiel. They are agreed to be written about Lucifer himself.

..You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty...You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. (see Ezekiel 28:12-19)

Satan was not created evil. He became evil. So, if he was not created evil, is it not reasonable to believe God loved him? Why would he not love someone who was so perfect? He loves us, and we're far from perfect.

But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 New King James Version

So God must have loved Lucifer. Now, let's read what God says about love.

1 Corinthians Chapter 13 (New King James Version)

[4] Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

[5] does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

[6] does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

[7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

[8] Love never fails.

If God ever loved Lucifer, and love never fails, then God still has to love him. That just makes sense.

So why bring this up?

Because of something someone once said to me. She could not accept that God would ever send anyone to hell. It was beyond her to comprehend how a loving God could condemn someone to hell, despite what the Holy Scriptures say.

Well, do we not all agree that the Lake of Fire is exactly where Satan and the demons are going? And is it not true that Satan is Lucifer, turned to evil? And is it not true that Lucifer was once perfect and holy before God? And did not God love him? And does not love continue forever? And is not God sending a being (and others) into hell who he loves?

So why not us?

It's a matter of progressive logic, people. But the people, demons, and whatever who wind up in the Lake of Fire wind up there because they have rejected the true God of the universe.

Romans Chapter One (New King James Version)

[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

[19] because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

[20] For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

[21] because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

[22] Professing to be wise, they became fools,

[23] and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man - and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

[24] Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,

[25] who exchanged the truth of God for hte lie, and worshiped and served the creatrue rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

It doesn't have to be that way. We just need to seek the real God the God of the universe.

Matthew Seven (New King James Version)

[7] Ask, and it will be given t oyou; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

[8] For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

[9] Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

[10] Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?

[11] if you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things t othose who ask Him!

[12] Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

What One Can Learn From a Garage Sale

2009-06-07T15:36:00.003-05:00

It's been a few days since I've posted to this blog. Sorry for the absence. Been big into our garage sale of late. I have been posting on two of my other blogs regularly, but they were my first and I like to get them before the others if I can.

Had a conversation with a friend recently about the garage sale and how it's been going. I mentioned something which was brought home to me again as a result of our selling things: racism.

Back in 2002, after the company I worked for decided to dump half of my department (and all but two over forty), Spouse and I started a catalog business. We sold gift items. We also did craft shows and home parties. Did okay the first year, but each subsequent year was worse than the previous until the only sales we made were when we took items from inventory and gave them away as gifts. Basically, the business sold the item at cost, and still had to pay sales tax.

Anyway, one of my assigned duties was determining what products we would sell and at what price. Since we were operating a gift store business many of the items fell into the figurines category, and I purchased an assortment. Those which did best were of animals, but people figures did all right. Except for those of minorities. Spouse warned me that they would be hard to sell, but I didn't believe it. Racism belonged to our parents' generation, not ours. People our age and younger weren't saddled with all of that rubbish anymore.

I was wrong.

The only people to purchase these items were minorites. Caucasians, which made up most of our clientele, would not purchase them. Not even Christians. Real Christians, who really do believe in Jesus as their Savior. Not even when the poses were Christian in nature. It was a sad eye-opener for me.

Not that I am immune to prejudices and such. It's impossible not to be affected. But these are inanimate objects. How can one be prejudice against an inanimate object? My two beautiful black angel music figurines remained unsold for years - until this week when a Nigerian woman showed up and purchased them both for a dollar apiece. I paid nine dollars each to get them. But no one would buy them.

Had a pair of Christmas ornaments: one with caucasian figures and one with black. A woman came and picked the first out. Wanting to eliminate our inventory I offered a buy-one-get-one-free deal for the other. She started to take the other, but suddenly withdrew her hand as though it were offensive. My only conclusion was that it was because the other depicted black figures.

Like I said, I have my own problems with prejudice, so it is fairly hypocritical of me to complain about the behavior of others. But it saddens me that my generation is NOT the generation which finally puts this nonsense away.

I've never liked it that many minorities spend so much time complaining about racism. But it turns out raciscm is rampant and I am the one living in a fairytale world. Are people of color different than me? Absolutely. But guess what? So are caucasian people. We're all different! That's what makes us individuals.

Yet at the same time, we have so much in common.

Each of us needs God in our lives. We are made up of spirits contained in vessels of flesh and blood, which dictate so much of our lives. We will all live forever in some place. To avoid hell, we must be forgiven of God. All of us. Not just caucasians. Not just people of color. We all suffer from life's injustices. And yet some of us see fit to add to those pains so that others suffer even more. That is not what God had in mind when he created us.

Do not Judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment. John 7:24 Revised Standard Verison

And if you invoke as Father him who judges each one impartially according to his deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile. 1 Peter 1:17 Revised Standard Version

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the LORD tries hearts. Proverbs 17:3 Revised Standard Version

God doesn't judge us according to our race. Why do we?

Let Us Be Slow to Judge and Quick to Forgive

2009-06-02T05:31:00.003-05:00

You know, it seems like everytime something bad happens (to someone else) we get a rush of over-exuberant preachers announcing that it is God's judgment on whoever it happened to because they are reprobates. The truth is, this is not a scriptural stand.

Consider Nineveh. It was a mighty city. It was also an offense to God. Ultimately, it would be destroyed. But what was God's method? Let us look at the book of Jonah to see.

Jonah Chapter One (New King James Version)

[1] Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amitai, saying,

[2] "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me."

What is God doing? He is warning the people of Nineveh beforehand.

Surely the LORD GOD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. Amos 3:7 New King James Version

God does not "spring" things on us. He warns us beforehand. It only seems like he has done so because so often we fail to listen to the warnings.

People have always assumed tragedy - when it happens to others - is a result of their sin. This I read just this morning.

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him." John 9:1-3 Revised Standard Version

And there is this from Luke.

Luke Chapter 13 (New King James Version)

[1] There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

[2] And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?

[3] I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

[4] Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?

[5] I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

When tragedy strikes anyone it should make us think of God. But not to blame him for allowing it, or accuse him of punishing. God is not into punishment. Not yet. The days of his wrath are reserved for the Tribulation, and the Anti-Christ. We are currently living in a time of grace.

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, whoever you are, when you judge another; for in passing judgment upon him you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who do such things. Do you suppose, O man, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume upon the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not know that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:1-4 Revised Standard Version

Judgment is delayed because God is being kind. God is being kind because he wants us all to repent and is giving each of us time.

When bad things happen it's because bad things happen. Evil is in the world and it lands where it will. God protects us, but not all of the time. We all know the story of Job, a man richly blessed by God. God withdrew his protection of Job in order to show the angelic host what true faith really is. Faith goes beyond what is happening. It leaves off with the immediate and focuses on God. To the unbeliever this is insanity. To the believer it is their ultimate comfort.

The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they rae folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14 Revised Standard Version

Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others sufferd mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed wtih the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whem the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts adn mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well-attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had forseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Hebrews 11:35-40 Revised Standard Version

It isn't about what happens here. It's about what happens later.

Murder is Not the Way of God

2009-05-31T14:44:00.002-05:00

Was checking one of my email accounts on Yahoo and saw a link to a disturbing news story.

Abortion doc George Tiller Gunned Down at Church.

Now, to be honest, I'm not all that thrilled about people having abortions for reasons other than health but, guess what? It's the law of the land. That means it's legal people. You don't like it? Then ask the government to change it. They won't? Then live with it. And let others live with doing it!

The people who have been sinned against with this one hateful act are manifest.

There is George Tiller himself. Murdered.

There is his family, some of who probably witnessed it. There are the people who were in attendance at the church. There is society itself. And let's not forget God, which the murderer so clearly did. God is not happy when anybody commits murder. And doing it in His name doesn't make it any better.

Writtenwyrdd recently posted on her blog about banning books. (She's against it, by the way.) The general feeling of those who commented was that people who are in favor of such fascist thinking are people who do not live the faith they purport to support. And they're right.

Consider Jesus. Just yesterday I read in John 8 how religious hypocrites brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus for judgment. This is the account.

Early in the morning he (Jesus) came again to the temple; all the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery (where was the man?) and placing her in the midst they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such. What do you say about her?" This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." And once more he bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the eldest, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus looked up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again." (parentetical pieces mine) John 8:2-11 Revised Standard Version

If you would follow Jesus - follow God - then act toward people in LOVE. Jesus did not condemn people, so you don't condemn people. Jesus accepted people for who they were/are. So you accept people - for who they are. Do they sin? Sure, they do. But guess what? So do you. And do you know what? Your sins, though hidden, might actually be worse.

Be careful about associating with those who speak hatred toward "those who sin". They are speaking against you, you know. Is that what you really want to be like? Is that how you wish to be judged? Had this man who committed this murder truly been thinking of God, and what God wants, and how God judges, I do not believe he would have done this deed. Is this how he wishes to be treated?

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give wil lbe the measure you get. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eyes? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Matthew 7:1-5 Revised Standard Version

The message is clear. Why is it we so quickly forget it? And now a man is dead.

Who and What Should We Fear

2009-05-30T12:54:00.003-05:00

So much of our human cultures are built on fear. We're afraid of this, that, and a host of other things.

Here is a partial list of things we fear:

Losing our job/finances
Losing a loved one
Losing health
Being attacked/terrorism/mugging/rape/murder
Having our faith corrupted
Gay/Lesbian/Bi-sexual/Transgender people
Religious fanatics
Religious intolerants
Pollution
Governments

This is just a very small list, and a good number of them are valid fears. But what does God have to say about all of this fear?

I just finished going through my concordance. What I found were 284 command references to us - from God - regarding fear.

At least 112 times God tells us to NOT FEAR. This is done a LOT when prophetic events are described. Twenty-six of those admonitions occur in the New Testament. Many from Jesus' own mouth. The very first admonition about fear is to NOT.

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." Genesis 15:1 New King James Version

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus talks about what things will be like in the years shortly preceding his return.

And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.(emphasis mine) Luke 21:25-26 New King James Version

When we, who claim to trust God, are afraid of these things - and I am guilty like everyone else - what we are really saying is that we do NOT trust God. If we did, we would not be afraid, because God has already told us to calm down and not be afraid. Not of these things anyway.

There is something we should fear. God tells us this no less than 172 times: 21 times in the New Testament. What is it that we should fear?

God.

If we fear God - if we trust Him - we will be less and less disposed to act out violently and irrationally against those who frighen us. For they will not frighten us anymore.

We become afraid because we become so bound to and caught up in this world that we forget this is but a short time in our existence. ALL of us are going to live forever. The question is: Where?

Do not hinder your chances of living with God by focusing on your fears - especially when those fears drive you to inflict pain, hardship, harassment, and even death to others. Focus on God. Do not be concerned about what other people are doing. It cannot happen unless God allows it. Speak out. Be heard. Make your opinions known. But do so in love and tenderness. Not hatred, fear, and violence. And trust God to keep things under control no matter how things play out.

Render Unto Caesar

2009-05-27T05:59:00.003-05:00

Lawyers and judges always seem to be talking in double-talk. Perhaps that's why so many of them enter into politics. Politicians are always trying to say opposite things.

An historic ruling has just been made in California. Sarah Laurenson posted about it on her blog, Short Stuff. I don't even pretend to understand the legalese with which the California Supreme Court declared its ruling, but according to what Sarah says, the English translation is that gay and lesbian couples can be legally married in California. They just can't call it marriage.

While my reaction to the court is that it didn't have the guts to stand up for what it believed in, it is also possible the court doesn't believe in anything and so had nothing to stand up for.

But the GOOD news is that Sarah is still legally married. Well, no, that's not true. Sarah is still legally "wedded". She can't be married. Even though she is.

Like I said, I have trouble with legal double-talk. It's like listening to religious fanatics talk. They can take any sentence from anywhere and make it mean whatever they want. That's my opinion of lawyers, too. I don't have much faith in our judicial system anymore. But there's no other system which works better, so what do you do?

As long as people like Sarah and her spouse (we can still say that, can't we) are left alone to live their lives as they wish. They aren't out to hurt or defraud anybody. Leave them alone. I think that's what this ruling is saying. Stop harassing the innocent.

Those of you who are religiously conservative, I note that you spend a lot of time b*tching and moaning about gays and lesbians, but you haven't had a word to say about Wall Street Tycoons destroying the country with greed and avarice. You b*tch and moan because some Democrat politician supports some legislation which will take money from your pockets, descrying them as immoral and evil. But you never have anything to say about torture, civil rights, or any sins of the Republican Party.

You who seek to be ultra conservative live your lives in fear. That's what you're all about now. God told us about you. Predicted it thousands of years ago.

And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Luke 21:25-26 New King James Version

Fear is the big motivator, isn't it? We're afraid of everyone and everything. Yet we claim to trust God. The truth is, if we really trusted God we wouldn't be nearly so afraid.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. but he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 New King James Version

When it comes to our faith, we need not fight. Jesus told us this.

Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." John 18:36 New King James Version

Why do you wish to fight in the world over our faith? Jesus says the kingdom of our faith is not of the world, so the battle is not here. Stop fighting flesh and blood over your faith.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 New King James Version

Our battle is not with gay and lesbian people here on earth. They are just like us: human. They need God just like we need God. We need God just like they need God. But the only God we ever tell them about, show them through our behavior, is a God of hatred and intolerance. No wonder they want nothing to do with the God we talk about and demonstrate. I don't want anything to do with that thing either. Give me the real God. The God of love and forgiveness and acceptance.

It is said that one of the chief motivations for Judas Iscariot was impatience with Jesus for not bringing about the kingdom as Judas expected. Are we not guilty of the same sin when we attack gays and lesbians? Are we not the true sinners when we attack people for being in love? How anti-God can you get?

Partly I think we attack those who demonstrate our own sins. Look how often those who seek the demise of this person or that is secretly engaged in the same behavior?

Let us quit hating people and start living the lives that Christ told us to live. That he made possible for us to live by putting God's spirit into our hearts. Who did Jesus ever blast when he walked this earth? Religious hypocrites, that's who. He didn't even blast the Roman Empire. His word on that was, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:21 New King James Version)

Caesar has said it is all right for Gays and Lesbians to be wedded. Let's put this foolishness of harrassing these people away now. We have much bigger and far more important battles to fight anyway. The real war rages in our hearts. With our own sinful natures. Let's not worry about what other people are doing. They're better people than us anyway. They at least love.

To What Does God Belong

2009-05-25T06:34:00.002-05:00

Politics.

Jesus once said it is "easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:24)

Is it any easier for a politician?

I doubt it. Consider. Has not politics become synonymous with falsehood, deceit, bribery, corruption? That is not to say that every politician is guilty of these crimes, but in all honesty, who believes that many are not? It is an acceptable prejudice.

I saw a bit of a blurb on television regarding how the amount of dishonesty in financial matters is greater in New York City than in any other place in the world. A psychologist was explaining how this is so.

They had done an experiment in which they put several bills of currency in a refrigerator in a workplace. The bills were all left alone. Then they put in a six-pack of soda pop. One by one, the hidden camera showed people taking pop that didn't belong to them. Why so? The explanation was that few people will actually steal "cash", but if the money element is removed one or more places, people will steal. In this case, the money was converted into soda pop. Suddenly, it was much easier to rationalize one's behavior. That is what happens in the banking industry. People don't take money from the vaults. They take stock dividends, vacations, and other things which cost money, but are not money.

That is what happens in politics. Ideals of honesty, integrity, and openness are abandoned for some "greater good".

I knew someone who had a friend who ran for congressional office because he wanted to make a difference. He won the election. However, when it came time to decide whether or not to run for re-election the man opted to retired from public office. Why? Because the system is so corrupt that, in order to accomplish anything, he had to sacrifice what he believed was honesty, integrity, and general character.

It is no secret I have never care for, nor respected, politics much at all. It is more than annoying to listen to people spout phony words of caring and compassion. The more earnestly they speak, the less I believe them.

But what irks me more than anything is how the Republican Party has convinced so many idiot Christians that God is a Republican. That infuriates me. Why? Because of all political parties, the one which LEAST resembles God is the Republican Party.

They are mean, intolerant, hateful, unforgiving, exclusionary, uncooperative, uncaring - the list goes on.

And yet so many Christians think they have to be Republican because that party is officially against abortion. No wonder God keeps calling us sheep. We're about the most stupid things he created.

If you are upset about my blasting Republicans - good. But be upset enough to read your Bible and check out what God says. If you are honest, you will see that God is no more in favor of Republicans than he is of Democrats. And that's the other thing that torks me off. Being against one political party doesn't automatically mean I support another. In no way do I mean to state, or even imply, that I think God is a Democrat. Or has any other political affiliation. God is God. He's above it all.

But where do you see the Republicans in this?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-23 Revised Standard Version

If you want to know which verses of Scripture make me think Republican, here you go:

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of stress. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, fierce, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such people. (emphasis mine) 2 Timothy 3:1-5 Revised Standard Version

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear evil men but have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and found them to be false; I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abondoned the love you had at first. Remember then from what you have fallen, repent and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. (emphasis mine) Revelation 2:1-5 Revised Standard Version

In essence, it is my conviction that any religion/faith which is political in nature is a harlot religion/faith. God is independent of human conventions.

That is what I believe.

Are You Rich or Are You Poor

2009-05-20T14:07:00.002-05:00

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Mark 10:17 Revised Standard Version

It's a question many of us have asked. Some continue to ask it. Oh, maybe we don't use those words, but the question is there. How do I get to heaven?

The punchline answer is, "die". But that's actually the last step, not the first. If you're not on your way there before you die, you certainly won't be after.

So what do you (do I) have to do to get to heaven?

Do you pick up the arrogance in the question? There's an assumption there which is an affront to God. Fortunately, he knows we are flesh and silly and will treat with us on our level, so we can understand him. That's why he became flesh. So we could understand.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. John 1:1-3 New King James Version

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 New King James Version

The assumption, of course, is that we can somehow "earn" our way into heaven. We can purchase the right through some deed, or series of deeds, on our part. And that if we were to accomplish these deeds, God would have no choice but to let us in. In effect, we would have more power than God. I think that's what Lucifer tried to do. Just look what happened to him.

Now the truth is, there is something we can do to get to heaven. We can obey God. But that's reactive, not proactive. God speaks to our spirits, and how we respond to him will ultimately determine our future.

This story of the rich young ruler is repeated in the Book of Matthew. There, Jesus' response to the young man is recorded thus:

So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." Matthew 19:17 New King James Version.

Keep the commandments. Of course, we can guess the young man's response to that, and Matthew also records that.

He said to Him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, "'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 19:18-19 New King James Version

That pretty much covers all commandments from God. The key to remember here is, "from God," not from man. We mortals have a tendency to add and subtract from God's commandments.

The young man felt he had achieved all of this, but he still wanted to hear it from Jesus. Why? Because somewhere inside himself he probably still felt empty and unsure. His next question supports this theory, for it suggests he senses he is still lacking something. He was.

The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew 19:20-24 New King James Version

When people are rich they have a difficult, if not impossible, task of understanding their need for God, forgiveness, and mercy. Heaven is not a concern. Either they assume they are going, or they don't care one way or another.

I think it is important to point out that a person can be rich in things other than money, and that those other riches can be just as much a deterrent to seeing heaven as money itself. In the movie, "Pirates of the Caribbean", Jack Sparrow accuses Will Turner of being obsessed with treasure. Turner gets indignant and denies it. Then Sparrow says something profound: "Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate." He's right. It's not.

A lot of people who have little, or no, money are rich in other things. Perhaps it's their spouse. Their children. Their fame. Their power. Their friends. Could be anything, really. If we focus on those other things, and money is included in this list, to the point where God is falling out of his place of importance in our lives, there is an excellent chance that God will make us "poor" in order to make us understand where our needs really lie.

It's a horrible experience to lose money, people, prestige, possessions, talent, health, whatever. But if we allow the experience to turn our hearts and thoughts to God, it will ultimately be for our own good. And in due time we will regain those things, people, abilities that we lost. How do we regain someone who has died? But biding our time and living our life until such time that God reunites us in heaven.

It's horrible, and we go through a very natural phase of being very angry with God. Don't get too bent out of shape about getting angry with God. He understands. And he's not intimidated by our anger. He will not respond in kind. He will respond in kindness.

Psalm 103 New King James Version

[1] Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!

[2] Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:

[3] Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases,

[4] who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

[5] who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

[6] The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.

[7] He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.

[8] The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

[9] He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever.

[10] He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities.

[11] For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

[12] as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

[13] As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him.

[14] For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

[15] As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

[16] For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

[17] But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children,

[18] to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.

[19] The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

[20] Bless the LORD, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word.

[21] Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

[22] Bless the LORD, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Quiet Time

2009-05-19T15:58:00.002-05:00

Tried to post earlier today but lost interest in my topic and bailed.

It's been hard for me to keep an interest in a lot of things for a while. Guess that's why I quit posting. Not just here. I abandoned all six blogs for a time. Just a few days. It's been nearly a week since I've visited another blog, too.

I have thought about calling it a day and just letting the blogs go silent. But the Legion Blog is a co-produced blog, and I owe it to the other Authors to keep that blog going. I made a promise to try and keep this blog going, too.

But - sometimes - a person just wants to hide. To forget about what is important and only think about frivolous things. No more elected officials pretending they care about anyone other than themselves and the people with money who will keep them in office. No more religious fanatics spewing hatred at Christians, Muslims, Jews, Gays, Lesbians, Democrats, Republicans, Conservatives, Liberals, Blacks, Whites, Foreigners, War, and who knows what else. Just - get away.

We all need rest. Too often we become caught up in the world's fast pace and we come to believe in the importance of doing things. What a waste.

Mark (chapter two) New King James Version

[23] Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain.

[24] And the Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?"

[25] But He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him:

[26] how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?

[27] And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath."

So what's the point? The point is this: the Sabbath was created for man. Why? Because people need to rest, and God knows how silly we can be. So he gave us an edict. Rest one day in seven. It is not a sin to work on the Sabbath. But it is sinful to work every day of every week. It's a sin because it is hurtful to ourselves. We burn ourselves out emotionally and physically and spiritually. Then we get sick.

Sometimes the phrase is quite right: Give it a rest. Just for today.

Why Non-Christians See Christians as Phony: #1

2009-05-15T15:28:00.004-05:00

My son likes to listen to the music on the Worship Channel. There is very little actual programming there. Most of the time it's classical music played over landscapes and such. He likes listening to it because it's peaceful.

The other day I turned on the television and it was tuned to the Worship Channel, only instead of music and serene landscapes it was a television preacher talking about something. I was only able to stomach a little of him before I had to turn the station. Why is it that when Christians get in front of a television camera they feel some compulsive need to pretend to be "up" all the time. Even when they are up they have to add to it.

To me, this is about as phony as it gets. They look phony. They sound phony. They are phony.

Why is it that television preachers, interviewers, and even guests, feel they have to pretend? Don't they understand that the reason we Christians have the reputation for dishonesty and phoniness is because we're dishonest and phony? It isn't our faith that others say is phony; it's our happiness. NOBODY is that happy ALL THE TIME. NOBODY.

I bet Jesus had days when his body felt run down and he just couldn't find it in himself to laugh and be "up". That doesn't mean he was crabby and irritable, but I bet when he was tired he wasn't all bubbles and joy. What's wrong with admitting that? It's the truth, and isn't God truth?

The only time these people aren't bubbly and "up" is when they're talking about something unfortunate. Then they go way overboard the other way. Real people don't talk that way, or sound like that when they are concerned.

I don't believe ARP (Any Reasonable Person) wants that kind of a preacher. We don't want our preachers and whatnots pretending to care, to be happy, to be anything. We want them to be real. We want to see them be silly when they're in a good mood. Laugh. Joke. Friendly insults to show they are truly getting along. And when things aren't funny, be serious, but not dramatic.

Too many preachers rely on emotion. They believe if they can get a congregation, or audience, to feel spiritual they've accomplished something. They have. They causes people to feel something. What they have failed to do, however, is inspire spirituality.

I remember how the paster at a church I attended back in the 1970s began a sermon. He looked down at his bible and began to (apparently) read.

"For God so loved the world that he felt very gushy towards everybody. That's not what it says, is it? It says God 'gave'."

Those of us who have been raised in Western culture are particularly guilty of relying on our emotions to decide things. It's a horrible practice, because emotions are the biggest liar of all. They are the devil's tool against us.

2 Timothy (chapter 3) New King James Version

[1] But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:

[2] For men will be lovers of themselges, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

[3] unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,

[4] traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

[5] having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (emphasis mine)

I don't mean to say that those people I see on television are not real Christians. I have no way of knowing if their faith is real or not, so I will assume it is real. But their acting is just that: acting. And it's bad acting at that. I wish they would knock it off and just be real. Be themselves. I refuse to believe they really are that shallow.

Breaking the Chain of Hatred

2009-05-14T10:22:00.003-05:00

Just did something for which I suppose I should feel some sense of pride about. Only I don't.

I was forwarded an email this morning. Didn't pay attention to who originated it. I only concerned myself with the person who passed it on to me.

The email references an alleged email sent by an engineering professor at Michigan State University to the Muslim Students' Association. In it, the professor complains about the protests against a Danish cartoon which portrayed the Prophet Muhammed as a terrorist. He goes on to complain about beheadings, suicide bombings, rapes, and other atrocities. He concludes by telling the Muslims to leave the country.

Now, my personal opinion is that ALL protests are stupid and useless. They're events designed to make people feel good about something, and bad about something else. They're for the powerless to feel like they're powerful. They can also turn into riots, in which the powerless become dangerously powerful.

That Muslims protested the cartoon means nothing to me. Neither do protests against nuclear power, taxes, gay rights, abortion rights, something stupid somebody said, or anything mean anything to me. I am not impressed with protests. A waste of time.

I was concerned, however, with the email's hateful sentiment. In the past I should have ignored it, filing it away with other emails. This time I felt obliged to speak out and sent a return email explaining why I believed the email was not only hateful, but went against everything Jesus taught. God does not want his creation fighting with itself. And as to complaining about the behavior of Muslims, I found myself complaining about the behavior of fellow Christians. For every atrocity committed in the name of Islam there has been an atrocity committed in the name of Christianity. We are not without our own guilt.

I sent the email and soon received a response. The person was thankful for being reminded of what is true and what is right. Perhaps they are through forwarding such hatred. I hope so. Perhaps one day they will respond to whoever sends them the emails and another link in the chain of hatred will be broken. But I am not pleased with myself.

The world is so full of hatred and strife. It spills out like water being poured from a bucket. When it strikes the hard pavement it splashes, reaching even those who want nothing to do with it. Without realizing it, we who wish to be like God find ourselves sullied by petty jealousies, hatreds, and the like. We begin to criticize those who do no worse than ourselves. Our eyes go blind to our own sins and we worsen ourselves by embracing powerful emotions of violence and hatred.

I can pretend to others, and perhaps they may even be fooled. But I cannot truly fool myself. In my heart of hearts I know I am no better than those I try to correct. And certainly God knows the truth.

Romans (chapter seven) Revised Standard Version

[7] When then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet, if it had not been for the law, I should not have known sin. I should not have knwn what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet."

[8] But sin, finding opportunity in the commandment, wrought in me all kinds of covetousness. Apart from the law sin lies dead.

[9] I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died;

[10] the very commandment which promised life proved to be death to me.

[11] For sink, finding opportunity in the commandment, deceived me and by it killed me.

[12] So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good.

[13] Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, working death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.

[14] We know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin.

[15] I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

[16] Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good.

[17] So then it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me.

[18] For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it.

[19] For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do.

[20] Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me.

...

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

The Trumpet Blows For Each of Us

2009-05-12T10:21:00.003-05:00

I have often written about how my grandmother was a writer. Many of her works were published in newspapers and certain magazines. I do not believe she was ever paid. She also self-published a book of poems, and was part of at least two collaborations in which a writers' group self-published a book.

What I had forgotten is that my mother also writes, and has also been published in newspapers and magazines, and also had collaborated with other writers to self-publish. I just came across a book in which my mother's poem leads the way.

When I hear the Trumpet Call
by Helen Delger

Oftentimes I wonder where I will be when I hear the trumpet call.
Will it be in spring when flowers bloom
Or when leaves turn in fall?
Will it sound for me in summer,
Or in winter when cold winds blow?
No matter what the season, when I hear the call I will go.
I just hope that I will be ready to take that chariot ride
To cross over into His kingdom with Jesus by my side.
There to meet all my loved ones who made the journey long ago.
I await a glorious reunion with all the saints I know.
We will be clothed in garments beautiful,
Heavenly angels will sing.
Until joy will fill our hearts when our spirits then take wing.
A heavenly home awaits us there, no down payment is due.
The precious blood of Jesus has paid the price for you.
I still have tasks on Earth to do;
It is not for me to name the date.
Until the trumpet sounds for me, I will trust in Him and wait.

My mother is now the oldest living member of our extended family. All my grandparents have gone. I have one aunt and uncle left (plus their spouses), but they are my mother's younger siblings. Everyone else is gone, including Daddy.

I suppose Mother thinks often about her time to leave. She is well past eighty now. Gone are the days of youth when eternity was that far away. Now it's near the doorstep, and making even the most stoic consider what lays ahead.

We were not big into church when I was young. I do recall attending a Lutheran Church when I was five. But when we moved away Daddy quit going to church. Mother tried to bring us to various churches in the area, but we never continued for long. First Mother would quit going. Then she would quit bringing us. Once, two of my sisters and I were kicked out. We were teenagers. Need I say more?

But I knew God was important. I just didn't know who he was. To me, I visualized him as an old man with a beard - eager to catch me in a wrong so he could send me to Hell. I resolved to live a perfect life.

My definition of perfection was according to my own rules, which were flexible to suit occasions. Thus, I maintained my self-deception for years. Until I was nineteen. Not long before the morning of my nineteenth birthday I had done something which violated my person rules for right and wrong. There was no rationalizing it away. I was haunted. God had me now. I had "sinned". And I was caught. So on the morning of my nineteenth birthday I fell to my knees in the darkness of 4:00 a.m. and asked for a miracle. I asked for forgiveness. It was a Saturday.

For some reason, the message of forgiveness had never come to me. I must have heard it. It just never registered. All I knew of God was that he was demanding to the impossible degree. He wanted to send people to Hell.

The following day I went to church with my brother and heard and understood for the first time that God forgives. It was such a relief! And then I went right back into my self-righteous ways. Until I found myself in the same predicament three years later.

The message of God's forgiveness is preached all over the world. Yet the message most receive is that God is unforgiving, demanding, hard, old, unfair, uncaring, and a host of other horrible things. For this reason many people deny God, or even doubt he can exist. For even the most hardened person eventually must conclude that there can be no such God.

How do we make people understand that God forgives? I struggled with that for a long time. I have now discovered the answer.

We can't.

That is God's job, and he will do it in his own way, and in his own time, with each person individually. For some that means learning it as a child. Others must wait until they are much older. Even old, perhaps. To us that may seem unfair, but God is not unfair in anything he does. He not only factors in everything about a person when deciding what and when to do something, but he factors in everything about everyone and everything else, too.

Our job is to trust. Trust in God. Trust in his forgiveness. Trust in his mercy. Trust in his answers to prayer. Trust that he cares. Trust that all he has said is true and will come to pass. Trusting is how we run the race. It's how we finish the race.

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: "For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." Hebrews 10:36-38 New King James

Ephesians (chapter six) New King James Version

[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

[11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

[12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

[13] Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (emphasis mine)

[14] Stand therefore, having girded yo waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

[15] and having shod your feet with the preparation of hte gospel of peace;

[16] above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one.

[17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

[18] praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints -

I understand that some readers object to my calling Jesus, God - and vice versa. But there is only one God, people. Just the one. So no matter what name you call him, he is still God. Call him what you are used to calling him. He will hear, I am sure. Call in in the honesty of your heart, and he will hear. I do not doubt that at all. God forgives. Not because he doesn't care about the sin, but because he cares more about you and me. Before he even created the world he made it possible for all of us to be forgiven for the sins we had yet to commit. My Bible says he did that by becoming Jesus Christ. You call him what you will. But do accept that God is offering you forgiveness, and a future.

I Am Weak and Foolish

2009-05-09T18:17:00.003-05:00

Did not read my scripture this morning. In fact, I don't believe I read it yesterday, either.

Been paging through the New Testament looking for a specific verse which has troubled my mind since I first read it back in the 1970s. Hadn't been able to find it, even using Strong's Concordance. Found it. At last. I was beginning to think I was remembering something that wasn't there. But here it is:

James (chapter three) Revised Standard Version

[1] Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness.

[2] For we all make many mistakes, and if any one makes no mistakes in what he says he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.

The reason I couldn't find it is because my Strong's Concordance is based on the King James Version, which I do not regularly read. I do read the New King James Version, but that has been modernized, too. This is how it reads in the King James Version.

[1] My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall received the greater condemnation.

[2] For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

By speaking out publicly, I make myself to be a teacher, and thus bring myself under the "stricture judgment", and "greater condemnation".

This bothers me. Often. But I so want people to know that God loves them. That God forgives them. That God wishes to talk and live with them.

To hear many television preachers these days one would get the impression that God insists on significant life changes in order to receive his love and forgiveness. But this just is not so.

Romans (chapter five) New King James Version

[5] Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

[6] For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

[7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.

[8] But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

[9] Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

And here it is in the King James Version.

[5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

[6] For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

[7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

[8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

[9] Much more than, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

It bothers me that I am not a stalwart of faith. I am not someone to whom others can look and say, "I wish I were at least like him." No. Anyone who aspires to be like me has low aspirations indeed. My consolation comes from 1 Corinthians.

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will thwart." Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the pwoer of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than me. For consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth; but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in th epresence of God. He is teh source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption; therefore, as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Revised Standard Version

To Be Known For Who We Are

2009-05-08T08:28:00.003-05:00

I tend to look for hypocrisy within myself. Generally, I can find it with little effort. But isn't that what we all do? Look or hypocrisy in someone who stands up and speaks about God as loving and forgiving? We don't particularly like to see people achieve when it comes to faith. It's an ugly truth, but the truth is - it is true. We are very jealous of each other, and afraid others are making it while we are falling again and again. Our instincts all tell us that if anyone else can do it, we can. So when we don't we have no one to blame but ourselves. And so we look for fault in others.

My friend, Stephen, knew me better than anyone else, including my family. My brother insists he knows me well, but he's seldom correct when he tries to 'get inside my head'. Even Stephen wasn't right all the time, although he understood me best.

Stephen liked to try and trip me up with silly questions to which the answer had no relevant meaning. Basically, they were the "how many angels do you say can dance on the head of a pin" sort. I remember him tossing out this possibility to me.

Suppose you saw two men drowning. One was a Christian and the other wasn't. Who would you save first?

I found the question stupid and told him so, but he wanted an answer. I gave him a two-part answer. First, I would try to save whoever was closest first. Second, I can't swim well enough to save anyone.

It was only later that I realized that there would be absolutely no way I would know who was a Christian and who wasn't. The best I could do was guess. For just as even Stephen couldn't know all of my heart, neither can I know anyone else's. I can guess based on visible evidence, but I can be wrong. Some phonies are so good at what they do even the wisest servant of God may be fooled. What chance have I against such wiles? And some legitimate servants of God are still quite imperfect. Look at me. I believe I am God's servant, but I am filled with so many faults and such that many look at me and don't see it at all. We never really know.

How many times have you seen close friends and relatives interviewed after someone has committed some horrible atrocity? Usually it's rape, murder, or child molestation. Or even a combination of all three. Friends, siblings, parents, spouses, fiances, children, and others all stand in amazement. This is not the person they knew. And yet it was. They just never saw it. Some will get angry and defensive, as if they feel they are being judged for their lack of sight. In a way they are, but the judgment is hardly fair. We cannot see into each other's hearts. We can only guess.

Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:16-18 New King James Version

Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. Luke 16:14-15 New King James Version

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LOD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward apeparance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 New King James Version

The Ultimate Sorrow

2009-05-06T09:29:00.002-05:00

We just finished speaking with a neighbor from across the street. His son, who was living with his first wife, committed suicide some time Monday evening or Tuesday morning. I felt sick. Which is nothing compared to what he (and his ex-wife) are feeling. I can imagine no worse feeling than losing a child to death - by any means.

It is as I remind myself so often: I don't have to look far to find people who would love to trade problems with me.

How do I ease such pain? I held him when he told me, and I held him again when we parted. But that comfort is like being given a few coins to pay off your house. The tears of this are going to stain his life henceforth. Hopefully, he will find strength in the love he shares with his surviving children.

It turns out this was not the boy's first attempt. He has been in and out of hospitals to be treated for his depression, and other issues. The help just didn't take. I do not know how things are after death. What I do know is God loves children. We are all children to him, but those we call children seem to keep a special place in God's heart. I pray that this little boy has found peace there at last. Peace that he never could find while here.

Oh, that we could help each other find peace.

Mark (chapter ten) New King James Version

[13] Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

[14] But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

[15] Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not received the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."

[16] And he took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Hurting People

2009-05-05T14:35:00.002-05:00

I tend to be of the self-pitying sort. That's nothing to be proud of, of course. It's just true. I look at my life, the mistakes I've made, the things which just haven't worked out, and I feel bad about how things are. Even so, I understand that a good number of the things that I'm unhappy about are, in fact, my own doing.

A lot of misery is our own doing. It's called sowing and reaping. I waste my money and then have nothing to fall back on in times of crises. I quit exercising and eat heavy meals, so I got fat. I'm fat, so I have poor health. These are things I could have prevented before they even happened. They're my fault.

The world's financial collapse is not my fault, however. It was not my fault my company was sold, nor that the new ownership decided to dump half the staff. Floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes are not my fault. A lot of misery just happens.

Misery comes to so many people. When I was completely separated from other people my feelings of self-pity grew. Now, having met so many people on-line, I have come to realize that I hardly have a monopoly on suffering. In fact, there are untold numbers who would just love to trade problems with me. I have my spouse and my son. They are neither sick, dying, or gone. I have met people on-line who can no longer say that.

I have met people who are in danger of having their marriage revoked. Nothing I have to deal with. Yet.

There are people with such broken hearts it makes me seem cheerful on my worst day.

There are people who think so little of themselves they make me seem a tower of strength and confidence.

Hurting people. All around the world. I feel for them. It's made all the worse in that there is so so little I can do. All I know to do is love them. Care about them. Really care, I mean. Not this phoney, yeah I care, now get lost kind of thing. I have cried over some. But I can't help. I've no money for those who need that. I cannot raise the dead nor heal the sick. I cannot make anyone other than myself love another person. I am nearly helpless.

All I can think to do is point. Not a finger of condemnation and destruction, but of hope and inner release. I point to God, who I call Jesus. I realize most people do not like the idea that Jesus is God. They use a different name. That is fine. There is only one God. What we call him is less important than that we acknowledge him. The real him, and not a figment of our imagination.

Matthew (chapter eleven) New King James Version

[27] All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the ones to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

[28] Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

[29] Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

[30] For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

If you are troubled in heart, seek out God. The real God. Call him by whatever name you will. Just ask him if he will come talk with you, and live in your heart. Then begin to read God's holy word. You will find him.

Matthew (chapter seven) New King James Version

[7] Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knowck, and it will be opened to you.

[8] For everyone who asks receives, adn he who seeks finds, adn to him to knocks it ill be opened.

[9] Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

[10] Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?

[11] If you then, being evil, know how to give good gives to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

[12] Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the law and the Prophets.

Look for the answer. God always answers, but often in ways we do not understand until a lot of time has passed. So don't go thinking God has ignored you. More likely, you have not been paying attention to God. Don't presume to know how God will answer your prayer. Just know that he will.

Not on Our Own

2009-05-03T06:49:00.003-05:00

Had my morning reading today. Read Luke Chapter Twenty-One. Also read fifty verses from the Quran. It began with the widow's offering and finished with an admonition to watch. (My daily reading is done with the Revised Standard Version Bible.)

[1] He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury;

[2] and he saw a poor widow put in two copper coins.

[3] And he said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them;

[4] for they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all the living that she had."

That is a great passage. And it is not a parable, either. It really happened. Someone gave everything they had. I've never even come close to that.

[34] "But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare;

[35] for it will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth.

[36] But watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these thintgs that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man."

When I first became a Christian, way back in August of 1975, I would read these passages and feel so good. Oh, I knew I would give my last two coins if I had the chance. What a stupid thing to say. Of course, I never did.

I also was so pleased with myself because I didn't get drunk, and I wasn't caught up in the cares of the world. Didn't even know what dissipation meant.

What I realize now is that I had accepted forgiveness, but then launched out on my own. My pride had not truly been broken. Only slightly humbled as I had come to realize I was not so perfect as I thought. But having received forgiveness I seem to have returned to a sense of self-righteousness. Paul wrote of this in Galatians, Chapter Three. (New King James Version)

[1] O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?

[2] This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

[3] Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

It is almost a paradox, isn't it? It's all about faith. And yet our behavior says so much.

Like small children, we get confused over things. We see the evidence of faith and the imitation of faith and we can't always tell them apart. There is real butter. There is margarine. There is real wood. There is veneer. There is the real diamond. There is the piece of glass.

We do this with others, but mostly we do it with ourselves. We don't like to admit when we're phony. We don't like being hypocrites. We don't want to walk around with our heads bowed in shame.

God doesn't want us walking around with heads bowed in shame all the time either. But he does want us to acknowledge when we're being phony and hypocritical. By faith we have been saved, and so we can hold our heads up by reason of faith. Not self-righteousness. We have none - except in our own eyes.

We think to please God, and so we undertake self-assigned adventures and quests to destroy God's enemies, not realize we have set ourselves against God in the process.

Ezekiel (chapter eighteen) New King James Version

[23] "Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?" says the Lord GOD, "and not that he should turn from his ways and live?

[24] But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die.

[25] Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair?

[26] When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies.

[27] Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive.

[28] Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

[29] Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair?

[30] Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways," says the Lord GOD. "Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin.

[31] Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel?

[32] For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!"

God does not want us dead, so don't be killing yourself. God does not want others dead, so don't be killing others.

It comes down to faith, people. Faith in God. Faith in God to take care of himself and his reputation. We do not need to fight for God.

Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." John 18:36-37 New King James Version

I think we would all do so much better if we could just remember that God does not want us hating, hurting, killing, and otherwise oppressing each other. But we try to do it on our own all the time. And then we get it wrong.

It's Easy to Say Anything

2009-05-02T08:02:00.002-05:00

What is prayer but talking to God? But do you admit that sometimes it is easier to talk about talking with God than it is to actually talk to him? It is easier to tell others to talk with God than to talk with him ourselves? How easy it is to be a hypocrite.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners complete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Revised Standard Version

Preaching to others but failing to practice what one preaches. I suppose at times we are all guilty of it. And in today's modern world of fast communication it becomes nigh impossible for public figures to hide any of their hypocrisy. I confess mine, sometimes, because I need the reminders of my imperfections. I need the reminder that I am not a lesbian, so that when I speak (write) with my lesbian friends I am aware that seemingly nothing phrases to me may stir feelings of condescension, resentment, abandonment, judgment, or something else. The same is true when I speak with any woman, or Muslims, or Jews, or some other group to which I have not ever belonged.

I struggle with myself. Where I am in my life, and what I am before God. Where am I going, and why? Who am I really? Why is it that I, a man, should find myself so identifying with women who call themselves lesbians? Why do I ache more for their heartaches, their rejections, their obstacles, than those of others who are "more like me"? I don't understand it, but my caring is real. They are real.

And no two are the same. I think that can be the beautify of meeting new people, be they lesbian, Christian, Mormon, Muslim, Athiest, black, white, Australian, Egyptian, Iranian, or whatever. There are so many things which are common to all of us. We share a lot of the same fears and hurts, no matter where in this world we live, or what we look like, or how we make our way. And yet despite all of this commonality, no two of us are the same. When you think of all of the billions of people on this plant that's quite impressive. Far more than the snowflake theory. Even the hairs on our heads are numbered.

I don't read my Bible everyday. Sometimes I forget. Sometimes I forget and then remember later, but still choose not to read it. Sometimes I do. Did read it this morning. Read in Luke about "rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesar, and to God the things that are God's". Read about hypocrisy, too. Christ made frequent warnings about hypocrisy. Probably because it is so easy to fall into. It's almost like walking down an old country road. You really can't do it without getting dust on your feet.

When I was young and first walking life as a Christian I marved at the Apostle Paul. He he such a wonderful relationship with God. He knew so many things. But in growing older I think I have learned something about "praying without ceasing". What it means.

There is formal prayer, often done on the knees or in some other position demonstrating humility before God's majesty. Then there is desperate prayer, when time is of the essence and the heart is crying out for help. There is casual prayer, when the conversation with God is about everyday things. And then there is communal prayer. This is difficult to describe, but sometimes I feel it is what I have with God. It's just the awareness that he is there. There is no need to bow in reverence, or cry out for deliverance, or request this or that, or even talk at all. Just an awareness that he is there. Sometimes I don't talk to my spouse or son, but am comforted by the fact I know they are here. And when they speak to me I hear right off. (Usually.) I think that's praying without ceasing. Keeping God conscious in our thoughts.

Perhaps if we were to all work on doing that we would be less concerned with criticizing women who wish to marry a woman, or hating someone for raising taxes, cutting benefits, or calling God by a name we do not use. Perhaps, if we were to keep God's presence in our lives, we would find ourselves loving more people than we have ever loved before. We might not understand why we love these people, but we would most definitely be happier for it.

There are so many wonderful people to get to know. It's going to take an eternity just to make our introductions.

God's Eyes

2009-05-01T10:11:00.002-05:00

The world is filled with broken people. I don't mean just because of the world's economic collapse. Millions of people are suffering due to finances, but that is not what I mean by being broken. Broken people are usually damaged at a young age, not adults. People who are lucky enough to make it to adulthood without being broken generally never have to worry. It's when we are young that we break. And I think we're breaking more young people than ever before.

How do we break people? By teaching them lies about what is important, who is important, and how to be important. We teach young girls that they have to have the right curves in the right proportions in the right places or they are homely, ugly, useless, and unwanted. We teach boys that they must be virile, strong, athletic, and financially well off or they are also useless, disgusting, and without any value.

The sad thing is that, because young people trust their parents, teachers, and other adults, they believe the lies. So when they are faced with the fact that they are not "pretty", athletic, ever going to be rich, they see themselves as failures. We teach most people that they are failures, and by the time they leave home they are convinced of it. And it's not just our own children we teach. We teach everyone.

Children don't just listen to what we tell them. They also watch how we live our lives. We tell them people are most important, and then they watch us ignore people in favor of money. We tell them God loves everyone, and then they hear us rail against the Democrats because they support abortion, or the gays, or some other group. We tell them America is a country of freedom, and then they watch as we support new laws to take away other people's liberty. We tell them we trust God, and they watch us panic and forget to even mention God when things get rough. We don't even wait for his response when we bother to ask. We try to do it all on our own.

So why shouldn't they break when they see that everything we truly hold dear in our lives are the things they are not?

I used to selfishly think I was in the minority, feeling worthless, useless, and completely without value because I am not pretty, wealthy, famous, charismatic, or a host of other things. But on-line I have met so many who suffer as much - or more - as me. My heart breaks for these people because - from the outside - I find I can see enough of what is inside them to know they are truly beautiful people. But they don't see it. They don't believe it when I tell them it is so. They've been lied to too many times by too many people. Like me, they are broken, and my efforts to help them all seem to fail.

I look at these people who are hurting so bad and wonder how anyone could possibly believe God does not love them. There's a gentleness about them. They are the poor in spirit.

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LOD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 New King James

We don't even try to see with God's eyes anymore.

Matthew (chapter five) New King James

[3] Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

[4] Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

[5] Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

[6] Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

[7] Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

[8] Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

[9] Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

[10] Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Where are You Beautiful

2009-04-30T16:10:00.003-05:00

I subscribe on YouTube to the communitychannel. That's where I watch videos posted by a young woman named Natalie from Australia. What I like about her films is the way she takes everyday things and expands them to show us how funny we all are.

This particular video is about another group of people who deserve to have someone look out for them. I happen to belong to this group. "Ugly" people.

She did this to be funny, but I kind of think she was also making a point. She has two comments which I find so revealing about our societies:

"There's something really surprising about someone ugly being able to do anything."

"You sound like an attractive person."

Isn't that often how we tend to look at people? "Attractive" people get listened to. They get promotions. They get all kinds of things "ugly" people don't get. And yet, are they attractive?

Some are. Incredibly, there are many people who have the physical attributes to qualify them as "attractive" and are still attractive people. By that I mean nice. Loving. Caring. Too often, though, they tend to be a bit arrogant.

I recently told someone that one of the sexiest women I ever met was over one hundred pounds overweight. But she was such a dear. She would go out of her way to help even people she didn't like. She was sensitive, caring, and totally loving. And yet people made fun of her because of her weight. More than once I had to close our office door while she cried because some insensitive clod had made fun of her appearance. Personally, I found her to be quite sexy.

The other day while driving to an appointment with my heart doctor I was listening to the radio. The DJs were interviewing a woman who specialized in relationship training for lesbians. After the interview concluded the male DJs began making fun of the women who availed themselves of the new law in Iowa which allows them to marry women. They made several snide remarks about how "ugly" the women were. I very much doubt the women found each other "ugly" at all.

And do you know something else? I'm finding that I look less at the "shell" people are wearing when I first meet them now. So many people are so beautiful inside a shell which dares us to look for them. My shell is not exactly something people fall over to look at, so I suppose it's only natural that I take this attitude. But I think we need to start seeing people as God sees them, and not as humans do. The eyes of our body don't see nearly so well as the Spirit of God. Let's let Him guide our vision. Okay?

Where are you beautiful? Outside but not inside? Inside by not outside? Both? Neither? If you're not pretty on the inside, go talk to God. He can - and will - change that for you.

Well-Meaning, But Still Wrong

2009-04-29T15:27:00.003-05:00

A couple of days ago I wrote that several of my on-line friends are lesbian, or bi-sexual. I suppose I must have been feeling a bit self-exalted for "being so compassionate". What a sickening thing for me to write, but I bet that's how I came across. And I was put in my place not long after. And it served me right.

Thinking to write something wonderful, understanding, and totally wise to one of my lesbian friends I instead wrote something, awful, insensitive, and completely stupid. She was kind enough to let me know without expressing her true indignation over my complete lack of understanding.

I felt like crying. I really did. It just brings home how difficult it is to completely understand someone's pain when you don't base your understanding on a close enough pain. If you've never suffered the death of someone you love dearly it is difficult for you to wholly empathize with someone who has. You can draw upon the loneliness and hurt about being rejected, or some other hurt, but it isn't the same as losing someone you love.

I have never had anyone pass a law stating I cannot marry someone I love. No one is trying to pass such a law. Now.

There are laws, in 46 of our 50 states, which state lesbians cannot marry the women they love. In California, the law was changed so they can. Now there is a strong movement to get the law changed back, nullifying the marriages which have already taken place. Real people, some of them my friends, are having to deal with this. Their stomachs are knotted with fear. How awful to know that there are people who are seeking to make your marriage illegal. It's happening.

What shames me is that the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender community is not really mistaken about how they perceive the Christian community. The Christian community has become so exclusive it's like some horrible country club where only the very rich can be members. It certainly isn't the rich who are joining this club. The very stupid. The very very stupid. I am ashamed to be part of it.

Why? Because these "conservatives" stick up for the Bible?

No. Because they don't stick up for the Bible, but they have convinced themselves and most everyone else they do. People who spout hatred for others, and make no mistake, these people hate the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender community, don't know anything about God. I'm not even sure they all believe he exists.

Listen to what the Apostle John wrote. John was the Beloved Apostle. The only one God spared from martyrdom.

First John (chapter two) New King James Version

[3] Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

[4] He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

[5] But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

[6] He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

[7] Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.

[8] Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

[9] He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.

[10] He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

[11] But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

And who are our brothers? Read the story of the Good Samaritan.

I wish I understood my friends' pains and fears. If it were possible, I should become a lesbian in order to understand. Then I wouldn't speak foolishness and insensitivity when I only wish to encourage and uplift.

Confessions of a Reformed Hypocrite

2009-04-27T10:04:00.003-05:00

I wonder about myself. A lot. There is no doubt in my mind and heart that should most Christians see my life as it really is, in my home, every day, my thoughts and such, they would probably wonder if I even am a Christian.

Well, if being a Christian means thinking thoughts they say I should think, and doing things they say I should do, and not doing things they say I should avoid, then I'm not. Used to be. Kind of.

When I existed in my cloister of like-minded creatures it was easy to see everything and know everything. But I slipped and fell, and in so doing left that cloister and found myself in the real world, where real people live with real problems. People have real feelings. Their hurts are no less real than my own, and often are more so.

One of my very dearest friends (whom I have never met) was hurt recently. It's been a long time (to me) since I've heard from her. I'm fearing now that I will never hear from her again. That is such a lonely feeling, despite the fact I have other friends. It brings home the parable of the lost sheep and coin.

Matthew (chapter eighteen) New King James Version

[12] What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?

[13] And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.

My friend has not "gone astray". She's just gone. From me. But I have no doubt she continues to live an honorable and happy life with her family, as she did before. I just miss her.

These are the kinds of things I became exposed to when I left my cloister. I fell in love with people I used to think I should not fall in love with. I'm not talking about sex. I'm talking about love. Loving someone from the heart and not wishing to possess them. Only seeking their happiness and good will. I've met so many people like that. Most are women, yes. But that's just because I relate better to women. But there are men within my circle of influence.

Several of my friends happen to be lesbian, or bi-sexual. This, I know, would cause great consternation from my old cloister friends, who do not seek me out, by the way. Not since I fell. I suppose they always had their doubts about me anyway. I wonder about me, too.

But I can't bring myself to criticize gay people anymore. I've met too many now to return to what was. No longer do I view them as "those people", and talk about them as though they were characters from a novel and therefore had no feelings or spirits to concern. Now they're my people, because I call them friends. I don't know them well, but I know them. And when they cry because people stand in hatred against them and say they can't be married to the person they love, I find myself crying with them. I find myself wishing I were a lesbian so I could stand with them, arm in arm, and cry together that there is nothing wrong with love! I see their love for each other and I am ashamed of things I said a long time ago.

How can I, having spoken against real people, claim to be in God's blessing? I read from Luke this morning. It was the passage about the Pharisee and the publican. I read it and find myself wondering which man I really am.

Luke (chapter 18) Revised Standard Version

[9] He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others:

[10] "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

[11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

[12] I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.'

[13] But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'

[14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other, for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

I know which man I should be, but am I really that man? Or am I deluding myself with false humility?

What I have found in going on-line and meeting all of these people, is that I care about them. I get to know them and they matter to me. And the more people matter to me the less I find I can speak judgment over things they might be doing. For one thing, I am seeing my life as far worse than anything I can accuse others of. And I don't want to accuse others of anything. Not anymore. They're my friends now, and I love my friends. I want to make their lives better. Not by telling them what to do and not do and how to live their lives. But instead by just accepting them for who they are today, and not worry about the rest. I just want to love them, and hope that that makes their lives better. At least a little.

And when I lose them, it hurts. It hurts so very bad. And it's lonely. Too many friends are silent. And one may be gone forever now.

"Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" Mark 15:34 (a portion) Revised Standard Version

The words of Jesus when he was rejected by God.

It's not too unlike that to lose a friend. The Cloister will call that blasphemy.

What Time is it Anyway

2009-04-24T09:25:00.004-05:00

Choose your battles. In order to win a war you must decide which battles you will fight, and from which you will retreat.

The Allied Forces won in World War II because God wanted them to win. That is true. If it weren't, they wouldn't have won. But the Allies didn't fight every battle. They retreated from Operation Market Garden (where the Germans handed it to them pretty bad). They held back from a full invasion of Japan. Top Command even allowed innocent people to die in order to hide the fact that the code-breakers had broken the German code.

They didn't fight every battle. Maybe they should have fought some they didn't, and maybe they should have retreated from some they fought. But the point is, they consciously chose not to fight every battle. Why? Because they knew they could not win every battle.

It's like that with civil rights, discrimination, harassment, and things like that. Be careful which battles you fight. Some just cannot be won. Of course, some need to be fought despite having no chance for victory. (Remember the Alamo?)

It has been my observation that nothing hurts a cause so much as its members going overboard to proclaim the innocence of one of its members when that member is actually guilty. Prejudice and hatred may be the motivation behind the opposition's assault, but if the member is guilty, be careful how you defend. Concentrate on the real prejudice without demonstrating your own. Remember, the member is actually guilty. Let that stand on its own, and seek forgiveness if need be. But don't claim innocence by reason of someone else's hatred. Their prejudice and hatred doesn't change what was done.

Don't find yourself arguing a lie in order to crush prejudice and hatred. That only hurts your cause in the long run.

Through Solomon, God confirms the concept of choosing battles.

Ecclesiates (chapter three) New King James Version

[1] To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

[2] A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted;

[3] A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to break down, and a time to build up;

[4] A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance;

[5] A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

[6] A time to gain, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to throw away;

[7] A time to tear, and a time to sew; A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

[8] A time to love, and a time to hate; A time of war, and a time of peace.

So the real question is this: What time is it?

So How Do You Wish to be Treated

2009-04-23T19:12:00.002-05:00

So many of us struggle with what is right and what is wrong. What is God's will in this situation? We know someone is committing sin. What do we do? What should be our attitude toward them? What does God say?

Believe it or not, the answer is actually quite simple, and God gives us the answer in plain words. And when you consider God, and what we know and understand about him, it makes such perfect sense.

Luke (chapter 10) New King James Version

[25] And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

[26] He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?"

[27] So he answered and said, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'"

[28] And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live."

Of course, the lawyer then seeks a way out of this by asking who is neighbor is. Jesus then tells the story of the Good Samaritan.

Since God has placed us in a such a small place in the universe He considered us all to be neighbors. This is true. Do we not tend to view people in other towns and villages as a single entity? They are neighbors, despite the fact that many of them never meet each other. To us, this planet Earth is a large thing. But in consideration of the vast universe, it's hardly a street in a suburb. We are neighbors.

So. Back to our original questions.

We know someone is committing sin. What do we do? What should be our attitude toward them? What does God say?

Well, God says we are all neighbors. Even those on the complete opposite side of this planet. Even those who hate us and want to kill us. We are neighbors.

Next. What should be our attitude toward them? Well, what would we want their attitude to be toward us were our positions reversed? Be honest. For this reason:

Matthew (chapter 7) New King James Version

[1] "Judge not, that you be not judged.

[2] For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."

Finally, what should we do? Again, what would we want others to do were our positions reversed? And answer intelligently. Would you really want them to encourage you in your sin? Would you want them to help you guarantee eternal separation from God? If so, then that's what you do. If not, then look for ways to encourage them to cease sinning. But be careful. God, himself, allows freedom of choice. Don't take that from people unless what they are doing is endangering lives.

It's easy for me to write all of this. It's easy for me to say. The truth is, it's not always easy to follow this practice. That does not excuse the not following, but it is difficult sometimes. It comes down to this: What's important to you? God? Love? If so, then look to God and love when making these decisions. That's all I'm saying.

From the Quran

2009-04-22T10:27:00.004-05:00

Here is a bit from the Quran. I confess to being absent from it for a couple of weeks now. Been busy and been wiped. To be completely honest, I have not been reading my Bible every morning either. But today I am posting from the Quran.

It brings to mind a conversation I had with a relative recently. We were discussing the Bible and what certain passages might be telling us. He made a comment about inspiration. I don't recall it word-for-word, but basically, he said that the Quran and Jewish texts left out of the Bible are not inspired of God.

There was a time when I would have agreed with him without thinking. Now, however, I am thinking, and I am not so sure. Not when I read the Quran and find the same messages that I'm finding in the Bible.

Possibly, the only real conflict between Christianity and her sister faiths is what one chooses to believe about Jesus. People of the Christian Faith believe that Jesus is God, and that his death and resurrection are the reason people can again be united with God. Muslims will go as far as to say Jesus was a great prophet, but hold back from calling him God. I don't think Jews go even that far.

Personally, I don't see my role as being one to convince people of anything. I will simply state I believe Jesus is God. I am fine with what you believe. Talk to God about Jesus and let him tell you. That's between you and him.

Regarding God inspiring the Quran, I'll be honest. Coming from a Christian perspective I don't know. Those of you who are Muslim have no doubt whatsover, just as I have none regarding my Bible. What I do know is that the Quran and the Bible often are saying the same thing, as I found in this passage I read this morning.

Oh, I got it from this website.

2- The Heifer (Al-Baqarah)

[2:151] (Blessings) such as the sending of a messenger from among you to recite our revelations to you, purify you, teach you the scripture and wisdom, and to teach you what you never knew.

[2:152] You shall remember Me, that I may remember you, and be thankful to Me; do not be unappreciative.

[2:153] O you who believe, seek help through steadfastness and the Contact Prayers (Salat). GOD is with those who steadfastly persevere.

[2:154] Do not say of those who are killed in the cause of GOD, "They are dead." They are alive at their Lord, but you do not perceive.

[2:155] We will surely test you through some fear, hunger, and loss of money, lives, and crops. Give good news to the steadfast.

[2:156] When an affliction befalls them, they say, "We belong to GOD, and to Him we are returning."

[2:157] These have deserved blessings from their Lord and mercy. These are the guided ones.

[2:158] The knolls of Safa and Marwah are among the rites decreed by GOD. Anyone who observes Hajj or `Umrah commits no error by traversing the distance between them. If one volunteers more righteous works, then GOD is Appreciative, Omniscient.

[2:159] Those who conceal our revelations and guidance, after proclaiming them for the people in the scripture, are condemned by GOD; they are condemned by all the condemners.

[2:160] As for those who repent, reform, and proclaim, I redeem them. I am the Redeemer, Most Merciful.

[2:161] Those who disbelieve and die as disbelievers, have incurred the condemnation of GOD, the angels, and all the people (on the Day of Judgment).

[2:162] Eternally they abide therein. The retribution is never commuted for them, nor are they reprieved.

[2:163] Your god is one god; there is no god but He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

[2:164] In the creation of the heavens and the earth, the alternation of night and day, the ships that roam the ocean for the benefit of the people, the water that GOD sends down from the sky to revive dead land and to spread in it all kinds of creatures, the manipulation of the winds, and the clouds that are placed between the sky and the earth, there are sufficient proofs for people who understand.

[2:165] Yet, some people set up idols to rival GOD, and love them as if they are GOD. Those who believe love GOD the most. If only the transgressors could see themselves when they see the retribution! They will realize then that all power belongs to GOD alone, and that GOD's retribution is awesome.

[2:166] Those who were followed will disown those who followed them. They will see the retribution, and all ties among them will be severed.

[2:167] Those who followed will say, "If we can get another chance, we will disown them, as they have disowned us now." GOD thus shows them the consequences of their works as nothing but remorse; they will never exit Hell.

[2:168] O people, eat from the earth's products all that is lawful and good, and do not follow the steps of Satan; he is your most ardent enemy.

[2:169] He only commands you to commit evil and vice, and to say about GOD what you do not know.

[2:170] When they are told, "Follow what GOD has revealed herein," they say, "We follow only what we found our parents doing." What if their parents did not understand, and were not guided?

[2:171] The example of such disbelievers is that of parrots who repeat what they hear of sounds and calls, without understanding. Deaf, dumb, and blind; they cannot understand.

[2:172] O you who believe, eat from the good things we provided for you, and be thankful to GOD, if you do worship Him alone.

[2:173] He only prohibits for you the eating of animals that die of themselves (without human interference), blood, the meat of pigs, and animals dedicated to other than GOD. If one is forced (to eat these), without being malicious or deliberate, he incurs no sin. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[2:174] Those who conceal GOD's revelations in the scripture, in exchange for a cheap material gain, eat but fire into their bellies. GOD will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them. They have incurred a painful retribution.

[2:175] It is they who chose the straying instead of guidance, and the retribution instead of forgiveness. Consequently, they will have to endure Hell.

Failing Voice

2009-04-18T17:46:00.005-05:00

Not doing even a mediocre job of being a consistent and sound voice in the cause of women's rights, gay rights, faith rights, or any other rights for that matter.

Pity.

I guess my problem is that instead of focusing on the problem spoken of in the news, I look at how things are operating in my country and see the same thing on our horizon. My suspicion is that similar activities are going on here that get reported from other countries.

Christianity is my "religion", but I don't adhere to it so much. For me, my life has become more about faith than religion. It has changed since 1975, when I gave my life to God - to Jesus. Or maybe I have changed. Or maybe I have just become more aware. Or maybe some of everything.

Back in 1975 I began my Christian walk by attending a Baptist church in a northern suburb of Minneapolis. It was far enough away that we in that community were not considered "city people". But to relatives up north we were.

The church was a small one, with an official congregation of less than 250, but seldom were there ever more than 150 there. In summer it could drop as low as 50.

The pastor was a wise man, if not a great preacher. But he preached the Truth. He preached God, God's love, and God's forgiveness. Although a conservative group (we were aligned with the Southern Baptists), I don't recall any preaching against anyone. Sin was sin, and it was condemned, but I don't recall Pastor M ever saying, publicly from the pulpit, or privately afterward, that any group of people was inferior, condemned, or any other derogatory word. He wasn't into that. Pastor M spoke of getting to know God and letting God change our lives.

I didn't notice the church cliques, but I expect they were there. That is just normal behavior for normal people. But I was young and enthusiastic. I got involved in a few things, but mostly I was afraid to do much. Although I wanted to do 'great things', I knew I was not qualified.

I guess I was in my own personal cloister, shut off from what the real world was like. Every day I hoped the end of the world would come so I could go to heaven. The idea of the horrible destruction spoke of in Revelation meant only that the end had come. The thought that real people would be suffering was outside my comprehension.

Fast forward to the present.

Preaching seems to have changed. We have two methods going, and I don't think either of them are any good at all.

On the one hand we have the Social Liberal Preachers, who don't seem to believe anything about God at all. Their god does not appear to be a real person, but rather a set of social ideas. The problem I see with this is there is no God behind it to fuel it with His Spirit.

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of stress. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, fierce, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 Revised Standard Version

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 Revised Standard Version

The other kind of preaching is the Intolerant, Self-Righteous Kind. This is the "we versus them" thing. "We" are good. Blessed by God. "They" are sinners, going to hell.

Jesus spoke against this all through his ministry. Just yesterday I posted this from Luke, Chapter Eighteen:

[9] He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others:

[10] "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

[11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

[12] I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.'

[13] But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'

[14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Of the two I guess I lean more toward the social side than the condemnation. That does not put me in good standing with conservative Christians. But I can't bring myself to say sin is not sin (although the conservatives argue that I do, in fact, say that by not speaking out against it), which does not put me in good standing with liberals.

I worry about myself. Am I a hypocrite? Have I 'left my first love'? To listen to some talk, the answer to both questions is 'Yes'. They may be right. I can't argue. For me, it's all about God's forgiveness. I am counting on the forgiveness given through Christ Jesus. I won't argue about other ways.

Right or wrong, my message is about as basic as it can be: God loves each of us because we are us. He accepts us as we are today - complete with our sins. He forgives us. He wants us to get to know him because he knows that in so doing, we will cease to sin - in time. (An important point the ultra conservatives fail to consider.)

While that stance seems to imply a lot of things a lot of people don't care to hear, I will only say this: Who am I to not accept someone God accepts? Who am I to criticize one person's love for another? Who am I to say they should be tore apart? Who am I to judge anyone? I don't want to be judged, so I dare not judge others.

I'm not going to waste my time, or others' time, by ranting about how they're doing this or that wrong, and that God isn't happy with them. Instead, I will tell them that God loves them, and despite what the ultra conservatives preach, God very much will accept them.

There is a song, played and sung at the end of Billy Graham rallies which expresses this:

Just as I am, without one plea
but that thy blood was shed for me
and that thou bidst me come to thee
O Lamb of God, I come, I come

That's my message, too. I realize this song is specifically referring to Jesus, but don't worry about that now. Don't say Jesus, then. Just say God, or whatever name you know him by. If you honestly search for him, you will find him. He wants to be found.

Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 Revised Standard Version

That's what it's talking about. Finding God.

We're Not Getting Better at All, Are We

2009-04-17T09:02:00.002-05:00

There is an ugly tendency for people of faith and/or religion to view the misfortune of others as God's judgment upon them. This was done when Jesus walked the earth. This was his response.

Luke (chapter thirteen)

[1] There were some present at that very time who told him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

[2] And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus?

[3] I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

[4] Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem?

[5] I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."

[6] And he told them this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.

[7] And he said to the vinedresser, 'Lo, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down; why should it use up the ground?'

[8] And he answered him, 'Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and put on manure.

[9] And if it bears fruit next year, well adn good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"

We love to tell ourselves that "others" are offending God and that God is happy with us. Not likely at all.

Luke (chapter eighteen)

[9] He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others:

[10] "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

[11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

[12] I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.'

[13] But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'

[14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Last evening, on the news, I learned about a new atrocity being committed against women. This time in Afghanistan. The new regime, put in place by the Bush Administration, has just signed into law an edict which basically makes women sex slaves of their husbands. They can't even leave the house without permission. And they say they are treating their women better because now their women don't have to worry about money. I'm not sure I follow the logic. Afghanistan women are in the streets protesting - risking their very lives in the doing.

I do not know what to do to help those women, except to say to the world that it's happening.

In times of great fear and change there are always those who will seek to put under foot others, who threaten to displace them as supreme. It happens in this country. That is why our country, while more free than most, has never been free for everyone. If it hasn't been women being subjugated, it has been Native Americans, African Americans, Irish Americans, Italian Americans, German Americans, Japanese Americans, Gay and Lesbian Americans, Bisexual and Transgender Americans, Old Americans, Poor Americans. There are others, and if I skipped a group you happen to belong to, I apologize.

I think the fear of losing power must only be superceded by the fear of losing life.

Also on the news was the evidence that America tortured prisoners during the Bush Administration. They claimed it wasn't torture. Then let them be subjected to the treatment. That's what I say. I think they would change their minds quite quickly.

We have a lot to answer for, we who think we're better than others. We don't steal corn, and so we claim ourselves honest, despite the fact we steal wheat. We are no better than the Taliban. We just use different methods. We don't torture and murder people in the streets. We do in the privacy of prisons and internment camps. We don't make laws prohibiting women from enjoying equal rights with men. We just ignore those laws which say we must give them equality. We don't say out loud that women should be sex slaves of men. Yet look at our advertising, movies, and television shows. Not everything we're accused of is a lie or misunderstanding. Some things they got very right.

We have to be on guard in the west. We have to defend the rights of those who are different from us. For if we don't, and they lose their rights, we're next in line. Don't you understand? We hang together or we hang separately. (Forget who said that, but it's as true today as ever.)

Portion of Scripture - 1006

2009-04-15T07:26:00.002-05:00

From today's reading.

Luke (chapter twelve)

[22] And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat, nor about your body, what you shall put on.

[23] For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

[24] Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!

[25] And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his span of life?

[26] If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?

[27] Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

[28] But if God so clothes the grass which is alive in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O men of little faith!

[29] And do not seek what you are to eat and waht you are to drink, nor be of anxious mind.

[30] For all the nations of the world seek these things; and your Father knows that you need them.

[31] Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things shall be yours as well.

[32] Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

[33] Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.

[34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

A Tragedy That May Soon Visit Our Neighborhood

2009-04-14T09:30:00.003-05:00

Saw this link to a news article this morning. It's about the killing of a young man and woman in Afghanistan who were trying to run off to Iran and get married. The parents had sent other villagers to intercept them and bring them back. Once back in their home village, the couple were either turned over to the Taliban by their parents, or forcibly taken from their homes. It is not known which.

The woman, 19, and the man, 21, were accused by the militants of immoral acts, and a council of conservative clerics decided that the two should be killed, said Ghulam Dastagir Azad, the governor of the southwestern province of Nimroz.

I realize some will read this story, or hear about it on the news, and see it as justification for all sorts of discriminative words and actions. I do not. Is the Taliban a dangerous organization, especially to its own people? Yes. I think so. But the Taliban are not indicative of all the people, nor of the culture in general. Still, they do remind me of another group, here in Western Culture. The Religious Right.

It doesn't take long for freedoms to be lost, taken, or given away. Especially when skilled manipulators use religion as the enticement and/or threat.

The Religious Right would take away, or at least deny, the rights of American Citizens in America. Simply because they say God doesn't like what these "others" are doing. God may not like it. In some cases, I'm sure he doesn't. But you know what? He's not that keen on most of what we do on this planet. And that includes myself and the Religious Right. (I hate that name, but I refuse to call them Christians.)

Legislating morality is one of the worst crimes any people can impose on another. It has been tried over and over and over again in human history, and every time it fails. Why? Because each culture sees morality through its own eyes and interprets it differently. The culture of the Taliban is incredibly harsh, especially against women. But the culture of the Religious Right is no less intolerant.

You may argue that the Religious Right does not take people out and shoot them. I will argue back that the only reason they don't is because they can't. If they had the power, they would be executing gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals, transgenders, liberals, and who knows how many others? Basically, anyone who violated their idea of right and wrong.

They claim they represent God. Well, guess what? So does the Taliban. Neither do.

"Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord God, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'" Ezekiel 33:11 New King James Version

If you think someone is wrong. If you think they have fallen away from God. If you think they are wicked and evil. Don't think you please God by ending their life. If you wish to please God then encourage these people you believe to be wicked into following God.

Too often we think to do God's work for him. There is work, which is God's work, which he has delegated to us. Telling others about God. Showing God's love through our own actions. There is other work of God which he has not given us. Mainly because we are so incompetent in doing it. One of these works is punishment of the wicked.

Vengeance is Mine, and recompense: Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things to come hasten upon them. For the Lord will judge His people and have compassion on his servants, when He sees that their power is gone, and there is no one remaining bond or free." Deuteronomy 32:35-36 New King James Version

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Romans 2:1-4 New King James Version

When we choose to punish for God, instead of letting him handle things, we interfere with this goodness, forbearance, and long suffering, and so interrupt others' walk to repentance. And since we have already read that God does not rejoice in the death of the wicked, but would rather that all come to repentance, we have only displeased God and risk his judgment upon ourselves.

None of this will help the young man and woman referred to in the article. They are dead. Freed from the cares of the world. Those of us left behind are at risk, however. For with every act such as this one, it becomes easier to repeat it again there - and someday, here.

Let us be on guard against ourselves. We are a terrible threat.

Sermon - 1001

2009-04-13T06:34:00.003-05:00

I'm not doing a very good job at raising the awareness of women's issues. Maybe I'll improve. Maybe I should just call it day and let someone else do it. But isn't the "let someone else do it" thinking the kind of thinking which acts as a breeding ground for further abuses?

Found this website about Muslim Women. The site begins with the following:

The issue of women in Islam is highly controversial. Any materials on this subject, whether in print or online, should be used with caution because of the lack of objectivity.

So many (if not all) of the issues "Muslim" women have to deal with are the same issues "Christian" women have to deal with, and "Jewish", and any other identifier you care to pick.

"Christians don't have to wear burkas," you say. And perhaps you can rattle off a host of other things that pertain specifically to Islam and think Christianity and the other faiths are "off the hook". I disagree.

To me, it isn't the specific ways that control is administered that is the issue. It is the issue that control is being administered. And if you think Christianity and the other faiths don't attempt to control women then you are not thinking.

This has nothing to do with God, by the way. If you read God's word you will find none of what he tells us is specific to women or men, with the following exceptions:

To the woman he said, "I will greatly multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you." And to Adam he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it', cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistle it shall bring forth to you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. In the sweat of you face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return." Genesis 3:16-19 Revised Standard Version

Now, before you get all up in arms, or think that someone the Bible condones women as slaves and property, let us continue. What else does God say? Remember, we must consider all he says before we go running off half-cocked. And while I won't post all God says, I will show there is balance.

(All bold hi-lighting is mine - to emphasize a point - and not in the Scripture itself.)

Be subject to one another out of reverence to Christ. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Even so husbands hsould love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This mystery is a profound one, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church; however, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let th wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:21-33 Revised Standard Version

I realize many people - women in particular - have come to hate these verses. But that's because so many idiots, fools, and control freaks have used them to purport something they do not say. For one thing, what does Jesus say about being "in charge"?

But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve; and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:25-28 Revised Standard Version

To be the "head of the household" is the SERVE the household, not boss it around. Not slap up the members because you are angry. Not to be angry all the time.

And they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you discussing on the way?" But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelves; and he said to them, "If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." And he took a child, and put him in the midst of them; and taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me." Mark 9:33-37 Revised Standard Version

If you take in the whole Scripture you will quickly see the pattern. Those in charge are SERVANTS, not tyrants. Jesus came to SERVE the Church. Marriage refers to Christ and the Church. That means Husbands are to serve their Wives, not dominate them. Jesus did not boss his disciples around. Husbands are not to boss their wives around. Jesus did not slap his disciples because they acted outside his desire. Husbands are to do likewise.

Follow the example! Stop reading single verses of Scripture and using that to justify hateful and violent behavior. Don't you realize you have gone against God when you behave that way? There is only one reason to hit anyone, and that is as an act of protection - for oneself or for another who is under physical threat. Anger is no reason to hit anyone. That is a child's behavior, and we strive to teach it out of them, showing them better ways to handle frustration.

God has a special place in his heart for women. He has a special place in his heart for men. Don't go attacking the special places of God's heart.

Portion of Scripture - 1005

2009-04-12T08:15:00.002-05:00

Happy Easter!

I must confess that, despite being a Christian, the day does not do much for me emotionally. It's not that I don't care. There just aren't that many days which stand out to me. Probably the one which stands out most is my birthday, because it was in the dark hours just before dawn on my 19th birthday that I became a Christian. Born Again. So I like to say I was born twice on the same date, if not the same year.

But every day should be a holy day. We should treat each other kindly every day. We should respect each other every day. We should cease our rapes and murders and thefts every day. We should love each other in heart every day.

I've been a bit under the weather this past week. A nasty cold took hold of me and I just haven't been able to shake loose from it. Even so, I feel I should post this Sunday. So I am going to post from my morning reading. I didn't read much today. In fact, I almost forgot to read at all. It's just not a normal day. Sorry.

Luke (chapter eleven)

[1] He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."

[2] And he said to them, "When you pray, say: 'Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.

[3] Give us each day our daily bread;

[4] and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation.'"

[5] And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves;

[6] for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him';

[7] and he will answer from within, 'Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything'?

[8] I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him whatever he needs.

[9] And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

[10] For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

[11] What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;

[12] or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

[13] If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Don Quixote at the Cyber Mill

2009-04-11T10:33:00.002-05:00

So I'm giving my go at raising awareness/keeping awareness raised regarding the ill-treatment of women in the world. My go is hardly something to brag about as I'm doing it on a blog no one visits except me. But some day people will come. And when they do I want them to know where I stand on certain issues.

I happen to love women. Always have. Always will, I hope. Yes, and I can hear the taunts. "Oh, yes. You like women all right. [wink, wink]" Well, if that's the way you want to think of me than go right ahead. I really don't give a cr*p anymore. People think what they want to think. And that the problem! People think stupid things. And then they believe them. And then they act accordingly.

Jesus talked about this.

And he called the people to him and said to them "Hear and understand: not what goes into the mouth defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." Then the disciples came and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?" He answered, "Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted will be rotted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit." But Peter said to him, "Explain the parable to us." And he said, "Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and so passes on? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a man. For out of the heartcome evil toughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a man; but to eat with unwashed hands doe snot defile a man." Matthew 15:10-20 Revised Standard Version

It's amazing - and frightening sometimes - to realize the insanity some people purport to be truth. People convince themselves of the most malicious lies. And what we do not realize when we cling to hateful beliefs is that we make ourselves tools in the evil purposes of others. In essence, we become accomplices.

I have believed some horrible things in the past. But with the belief was the nagging doubt about the truth of someone else's inferiority and/or my superiority. Getting older has been good to me in the sense that it has provided me with more data, and after analyzing this data I have changed my position 180-degrees on several issues.

That's the thing about data. We can take it in and use it help us maintain and adjust our position on pretty much anything. This is called, Evaluating our Beliefs Based on the Data.

We can also do the opposite. Look at data and see if it conforms to our beliefs, tossing it aside as worthless when it doesnt. This is called, Evaluating Data Based on our Beliefs.

So many Christians, Jews, and Muslims become violently terrified at the prospect of taking in new data. They're just terrified the data will somehow undermine their faith by proving the non-existence of God, or his lack of caring, or the mere randomness of existence.

Guess what, people? Data doesn't do any of that. Do people look at the data and declare God does not exist? God does not care? God is evil? Existence is random? Of course they do. But here this hear it good: they were pre-disposed to come to those conclusions.

How do I know? Because they thought to prove God's existence. Can't be done. And ALL faith-bearing people understand that innately. God set things up so we can only find him through faith. Did that right from the start. We know that data cannot be used to prove God, so why believe it can be used to disprove God? It can't.

Neither can it be used to prove the inferiority of women, other faiths, other skin colors, other anything. If you think otherwise then you are walking against God. God didn't make any two of us the same, but at the same time he made us all equal. I just bought a bag of Braeburn Apples, a bag of Clementine Oranges, and a bag of Seedless Green Grapes. Each individual pieces of fruit is different from all other pieces of fruit. This is true even within a fruit variety. No two apples look the same. Nor do the oranges or grapes.

Yet the grapes all taste pretty much the same. Some are more ripe than others. So with the oranges and apples. Some apples are more crisp, and some oranges reveal themselves better. Each piece is uniquely different.

But no piece of fruit is superior to the others! Not one! When I take fruit for a meal or snack, I am not concerned, for I like ALL of the fruit.

People are like that with God. We are all so different. Even within the same faith, gender, skin color, community, whatever, we are different.

But no human is superior to another! Not one! When God speaks with us he is not concerned about skin color, gender, community, or even our faith - except that it is in Him.

So why do so many hate women? I've met women who hate women. Why? Because we're stupid. We like to believe the lies which tell us we're better than someone else. Anyone else. And after we believe those lies we attack any data (or messenger of data) who dares challenge our belief.

Life would be so much better if so many more of us could just accept our lowly place. I think we could achieve much greater things then.

A friend of mine from long ago had this phrase on a posted in her bedroom. It was by the door so she could see it every time she left her room. Let me see if I can remember how it went. I do not recall the author.

God did not create woman from man's feet, to be trodden underfoot by man.

Neither did God create women from man's head, to be lifted high above him.

God created woman from man's rib, to stand at his side as an equal helpmate.

Woman completes man. She does not dominate him. She is not his slave.

Picking Up the Fallen Flag of Inspiration

2009-04-10T12:01:00.004-05:00

Unfortunately, I am hardly the one to be doing this. I am neither a woman nor a confessor of the Muslim faith. I am an old, fat, Christian male.

But the flag has been set down for a time, leaving a gap in the voice for decency and equality regarding the treatment of women. Muslim women have become the standard-bearers for the cause, but the truth is it is a world-wide problem in all cultures no matter the religion involved and whether religion is involved.

A great and wonderful voice is silent today because of the energy spent keeping this cause aloud, alive, and above the horizon where it can be seen. I will endeavor to carry on the cause until she recovers and returns to wave the flag - much higher and with greater inspiration than I can ever hope to. I do this for you, J. And for the cause which is right.

To be honest, I'm not entirely sure how to go about this. I have hitherto been lazy, and I've allowed J to work the front lines and face the turmoil and find the articles and pass on the word. Like all followers, I am hardly worthy of the one I follow. So I did a quick search on Google: Women in Islam.

My goal was to try and tap into current events in the Islamic world as they relate to women. The first result was a website called, "Women in Islam". I copied it to my sidebar as a Website of Note. There were several links and I chose to begin with "Women's Rights in Islam". J has taught me that women typically have more rights in Islam (according to the pure interpretation of the Quran) than most anywhere else. But, as has happened in Judaism, Christianity, and who knows how many other places, certain men, for a variety of reasons, have hijacked interpretation and created the hardship which prevails in current understanding.

The first article I read was by Arzu Merali, titled, "They Hate Women, Don't They".

I like the article because it reinforces the truth that we in the west "just don't get it". We're premeditatedly stupid when it comes to other cultures, and blind as bats when it comes to our own.

A couple of excerpts from Ms. Merali's article:

While the gap between Muslims and the west is widening the most striking feature of each other's critiques of their treatment of women is the lack of dissimilarity. Violence, workplace discrimination, educational opportunity and a desire for basic respect from men are universal issues.

Whether we are western, Muslim, both or neither, we must wake up to the possibility that what we see as problematic for women is much the same whoever and wherever we are. Plastered over billboards, or banished from view, women are subjugated by patriarchy. Demeaning Islam excludes the voices of Islamic women and that liberates no one.

We in the west need to wake up to our own treatment of women.

Our own Christian faith agrees with Ms. Merali's assessment.

"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hyprocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Matthew 7:1-5 New King James Version