Saturday, September 29, 2007

TRUST IN DIVINE POWER

Trust In Divine Power

The national mental status in the U.S. appears to be shaky. Depression, despair, stress, anxiety, anger, revenge, prolonged grief, jealousy, and apathy abound. Many others could be listed. These can be powerful disease triggers. The results of a national survey by the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare indicated that 25 percent of the population admitted to being under a major degree of stress. One source estimated that perhaps one-third of Americans could be considered mentally healthy.

Mental state influence on physical problems

If a partial list were to be composed of physical diseases with apparent psychological components, it would look something like this: allergies, asthma, angina, arthritis, back pain, cancer, hair and scalp problems, headaches, heart disease, hypertension, insomnia, impotence, irritable bowel syndrome, skin problems, and ulcers. It has been estimated that 75 percent of all complaints that patients present are stress related.

How does our mind contribute to disease? Negative emotions trigger the release of certain hormones and stimulate the nervous system in such a way as to put stress on the various organs in the body. As these organs are subjected to this stress over long periods of time they become weakened. Once weakened they are more susceptible to disease processes invading from without or being triggered from within. Which organs are affected first, and to what degree, depends upon the person's heredity, constitution, environment, and lifestyle. By the time symptoms of disease occur it is often difficult to trace them from cause to effect and to know for sure which risk factors played the primary role in the disease process.

God's remedy for mankind's problems

The third chapter of Genesis in the Bible tells us the origin of mankind's problems and God's remedy for our situation. Genesis, chapter 3, begins with Eve being led into disobedience. She was deceived, yet the decision was hers to go against what God had said. She then proceeded to involve Adam in disobeying God. Adam was not deceived, yet he, too, chose to join his wife in disobeying his Creator.

Immediately they sensed a change in themselves. It was not the change for the better that their deceiver had promised. Instead, it was a change for the worse. For the first time they felt shame and guilt. They tried to cover themselves by making aprons out of fig leaves. They hid themselves from God and were afraid. When God found them and started questioning them, they began shifting the blame. They would not admit any personal responsibility.

The desire to escape guilt

Does this little scenario sound familiar? It should. Feelings of guilt, fear, and inadequacy accurately portray the sad condition of humanity. These feelings lead us to want to escape. We blame others, all the while seeking to cover up our own deficiencies. Our futile attempts at escapism and coping do not always degenerate to the lowest levels of physical combat, tongue lashings, promiscuity, or criminal behavior. They may assume an air of respectfulness—a little pride, a little self-indulgence, a white lie, a cutting remark that we really didn't mean to be taken seriously.

Just like Adam and Eve, our disobedience to God's will has broken our peace with Him. Unless we are at peace with God we can never be at peace with ourselves or with our fellow human beings. The worst deception that could befall a person then, would be to think he is at peace with God when he is not, to think he has the solution to life's problems when he really doesn't. Many do not recognize it, but they themselves, along with the whole human family, have repeated our first parents' failure and are terminally ill. The Bible defines this illness as sin, but many seem not to be interested in the Remedy.

But for those who do recognize that they have a need and who desire the remedy, God has just the solution. The solution is contained in a promise. In Genesis, chapter 3, God said that He would plant within us a hatred of evil, and that one day good would win over evil. He appointed toil and suffering as a means of developing self-discipline in us so that the evil results of sin already set in motion might be curtailed to some extent. And finally God did an interesting thing. Out of animal skins He made Adam and Eve a suit of clothes and dressed them Himself.

The inadequacy of fig leaves

Wouldn't fig leaves work just as well as animal skins for clothes? Not too many people would think so today. God wanted them (and us) to realize that what they (we) had lost could not be replaced by anything of their (our) own design or devising. They (we) needed a covering crafted by God Himself. In sinning they had lost their righteousness. They had sold out their integrity. A divine plan, rather than a human plan, was needed to resolve the problems.

Now, recall that it was God who created Adam and Eve in the beginning. Therefore everything they had originally came from God, including their righteousness or goodness—a pure, untainted, heaven-inclined mind with no gap between knowing what should be done and doing it. Since what they had lost had been put in them by God, it is clear that only God could put it back. They could no more recreate their minds than they could call a world into existence. They were totally helpless and dependent upon God to restore them.

A conditional restoration

And God did restore them on the spot. No sooner was there an emergency than God was there with the remedy. However, this restoration was conditional upon two things. First, faith in a Redeemer that was to come, and second, their own willingness to render continuing obedience in the future. Every person ever born would have to meet these same two conditions laid down for Adam and Eve in order to be restored. This restoration cannot be inherited; it must be accepted by each person individually.

The Bible evidence

This beautiful truth about God's rescue efforts in our behalf is recorded all through the Bible. Prophets have seen it in vision and poets have written about it.

"And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, the Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with a change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by." Zechariah 3:1-5

"I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was a robe and a diadem." Job 29:14

This same truth, that God restores us to moral uprightness, is illustrated in the New Testament Scriptures as well. In the Gospel of Matthew there is recorded a parable Jesus told about a king who sent his servants out to invite everyone they could find to come to his son's marriage.

"And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he said unto him, Friend, how comest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless." Matthew 22:11-12

The parable may seem absurd until one realizes the reason for the king's displeasure. There was no excuse for the guest not to have a wedding garment on because the king himself had provided wedding garments for all the guests. The only thing they had to do was to put them on. There was no excuse to neglect the gift.

"Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 22:13. Just as the ungrateful guest was excluded from the king's wedding, so all those who neglect to put on Christ's righteousness, and instead depend upon their own fig-leaf garments, their good deeds, will meet with similar tragic consequences.

The righteousness of Christ . . . for us

All of the human inventions to make us better people are insufficient to remake one soul into the image of God, much less save an entire planet. Only Christ's righteousness, the covering crafted for us by God Himself, is able to heal the wounds caused by sin and to change the course of our life.

There is one other aspect of God's act in clothing Adam and Eve with skins that must be mentioned. It is the crux of the whole transaction. In fact, it is the center and focus of the whole Bible. You see, in order for God to obtain those skins, some animal must die. An innocent creature had to give its life so that Adam and Eve could be clothed. What did it mean? The lamb was a symbol of God's Son, Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul describes it simply:

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

In order to be able to forgive our sins, to clothe us in His righteousness and to provide us the grace necessary to keep God's law, Christ had to become a man, live a perfect life of obedience on this earth and then suffer the punishment for our sins. Christ succeeded in His mission, just as the Old Testament prophecies said that He would. Christ's victorious life means that we also can have victory over sin by exercising faith in Him. Christ's resurrection is the Christian's assurance of receiving immortality and a perfectly whole body at the resurrection of the just when Jesus returns in the near future.

Anciently these truths were taught by means of a system of sacrificial types and symbols. These "shadows" pointed forward to Christ's incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and heavenly ministry. Now our faith can he based on the reality of an accomplished fact, not just a shadow of something to look forward to.

Shall we trust Him?

There are many questions that come to mind, such as "Why?" To answer them all here would not be possible. If you have questions, write to us. We'd love to hear from you. The answers are in the Bible. What we have dealt with here, in a small way, is the issue of trust. Trusting God enough to surrender your life to Him. Trusting Him with your fig-leaf, bandaid, do-it-yourself, patchwork of human inventions and self-help theories, and letting Him place upon you His perfect royal robe of His own righteousness.

Being thus clothed means we have His mind in us. We have His power to overcome sin, and all the problems that sin causes. The gap between knowing and doing is bridged. We can carry out our good intentions. Positive thoughts and emotions replace the negative.

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:19-25

Christ's sacrifice and reward

God's Son suffered intensely, more than we can know, so that He could have the joy of seeing us clothed in His righteousness. His entire life was one of self-sacrifice. Finally, He was tortured and crucified on a cruel cross. What reward does He want for this sacrifice? All He ever desired was the joy of providing a way for us to live new lives now and at last to be reunited with Him on that brighter shore of eternity. Then God's original plan in creating Adam and Eve will be realized. We with them will enjoy the heavenly reward unhindered and uninterrupted forever.

It is not too late

Perhaps some will think it is too late for them, or that their problems are too complicated, or that they could never be Christians. Away with such thinking. Trust Him all the way and see the salvation of your God. "Let Him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me." Isaiah 27:5

"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst . . . . All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:35, 37

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17




This series of health information flyers includes the following titles: Pure Air, Sunlight, Abstemiousness, Rest, Exercise, Proper Diet, Water, and Trust In Divine Power.

Compiled by Kurt Unglaub, M.P.H.

Source: http://www.projectrestore.com/library/health/trust.htm

GOD'S PLAN FOR HEALTHFUL LIVING

THE 8 LAWS OF HEALTH

Just think. Only eight laws to obey! What a relief from this world we live in where there are laws without end! But don't be deceived by the simplicity of these laws, for in them is the secret of true health.

When we come to realize that Jesus wants us to be healthy, and that He has given us laws to gain and maintain good health, then our hearts respond to those laws with genuine interest and desire. For isn't it true that we long to please those whom we love?

The Bible is full of admonitions of maintaining health and well-being. It is God's intention that we be “a living sacrifice” and rightly honor Him with our bodies: abstaining from harmful things and using in moderation those things that are good.

G GODLY TRUST
O OPEN AIR
D DAILY EXERCISE
S SUNSHINE

P PROPER REST
L LOTS OF WATER
A ALWAYS TEMPERATE
N NUTRITION

SCROLL-DOWN FOR BRIEF SUMMARIES
Click pictures for DETAILS!

GODLY TRUST

An abiding faith in our loving God will help you! He has made every provision to forgive and cleanse all our past mistakes. He will give power to break harmful addictions and help us overcome bitter and angry attitudes that 'eat us up' inside. If we are 'Willing to be made willing'—He will work with us, take away our love for sinning and make us free in Him, His happy, obedient children—Ask Him!

OPEN AIR

Pure fresh air is very important! That means good air with lots of oxygen. Walking in forests and nature is great! Do deep breathing exercises daily, in the morning. Even in winter have windows open a little and air rooms daily. Avoid smoke, chemicals, 'Air fresheners', sprays and aerosols. Do not remain in the presence of someone smoking!

DAILY EXERCISE

Begin a program of walking by walking as far as is comfortable and gradually working up to 4 or 5 miles a day. Take a walking stick for stability. Work up to a minimum of 20-30 minutes at least every other day. If muscles are weak, every other day is better, as it takes 48 hrs. recovery time. Can't go out? A re-bounder, (mini trampoline) is good. Folk in apartment buildings often walk the halls, going to the top in the elevator then walking each hall and descending each staircase. Gradually increase the number of floors walked. Organic Gardening is also great for health. (and the side effect is yummy vegetables!)

SUNSHINE

Sunshine has several benefits to the body. It furnishes the natural Vit. D and helps to lower cholesterol. Sunlight increases the volume of oxygen in the blood. People with severe Arthritis have been cured by simply getting out into the sunlight. It is important to spend at least part of your time in the sunlight without wearing glasses to maximize healing effects. Start with 10-15 minutes daily to face and hands and work up to 30-45 minutes daily. The best time for sunbathing is 9-10 am and 4-6 PM. Avoid burning. To lessen skin cancer risk, reduce the fat intake, such as animal fats, oils, margarine(& foods containing refined, processed oils) And don't over do sunbathing. If you have to stay in the sun, the best 'sunscreen' is a straw-hat and light clothing.

PE01094_.WMF (20568 bytes) PROPER REST

Get adequate restful sleep. an early, light supper, well before bedtime and no eating before bed will help. A relaxing warm bath may help you unwind, avoid stressful and stimulating activities before bedtime. Regular times for going to bed and rising will also help. The best time to go to bed is between 9 and 10 PM. This sounds strange, because in our culture, it almost seems in bad taste to sleep. 100 years ago the average person got 9 or more hours sleepnow it is more like 4 or 5! Exercise during the day also helps set the stage for restful sleep. Avoid using drugs for sleep as these are harmful and sleep thus attained is of little benefit to your body. Lack of restful sleep is for many the root of the 'enervation' that brings disease. For healing and cleansing to occur much rest and sleep is needed as these actions are done only while asleep.

AG00033_.GIF (5479 bytes) LOTS OF WATER

Your body is about 75% water! Lots of water is needed for optimal function! Every process in your body depends on the presence of adequate water.
Drink lots of pure, soft water daily. Distilled water is best. Juice, tea or soft drinks do NOT take the place of water! Your weight ÷ 2= minimum number of oz. of water to drink daily. Adequate fluid intake will increase your endurance and energy levels! Studies show DEHYDRATION at the cellular level to be the root cause of many diseases! Carry a supply with you at work and on walks etc.
On arising squeeze a fresh lemon into two glasses room temperature or warm water and drink it. Drink between meals. 2 hours after to 1/2 hour before
not with meals. Taking 2 glasses 1/2 hour before each meal, prevents mealtime thirst, aids digestion and prevents ulcers. Shower daily with cool or tepid water using a bath brush or good rough washcloth to rub your skin all over. This improves circulation and gets toxins out.

ALWAYS TEMPERATE

Temperance is not only concerned with drinking booze; good health requires moderation and wise choices in all aspects of life. Over-eating, over-playing, over-working, and over-indulgence of the marriage privilege can all contribute to poor health. Abstain from all harmful indulgences. Tobacco, alcohol coffee, tea, (except herbal tea) colas and soft drinks. The bit of pleasure they might give is not worth the misery they cause in the long run.

NUTRITION


THE HEALTHY DIETAvoids all refined foods; Uses fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, legumes and grains, as fresh & simple as possible. Fresh is best, Frozen next best, dried is OK also. Eat as much as possible fresh & raw. Sprouts are very good. Reduce oil and fat, including margarine and vegetable oils and things made with them. (Read Labels!) Use no sugarreplace with honey or dried fruit & use this lightly. Avoid 'salt bombs' such as cheezies, chips, pretzels and party snacks. Cheese is extremely high in fat & salt and should be eliminated. Use no deep fried foods. Don't mix fruits and vegetables at the same meal. Avoid 'hot' spices and vinegar. Cook in Glass, stainless steel, or enamel, not aluminum! (or better still eat it raw.) If you can, get organically grown foods, but even the worse supermarket fruits and veggies are safer than animal products. Avoid microwaved, and irradiated produce. A good rule isIF IT GROWSEAT IT; & EAT IT IN AS NATURAL A STATE AS POSSIBLE. The more man does with a food the less nutritional value it has left when he is finished!

THE BIBLE BASIS

The fundamental lesson in the study of the human body is to learn that God created the body, and instituted all its laws and functions; that God gave it life which was to be full, perfect, without pain, without disease, and without end; that the interference with this plan which came in came through disobedience to the laws which God instituted; and that our diseases are the result of disobedience by ourselves or those who have gone before. This is taught by such Scriptures as these: “Sin no more lest a worse thing come upon thee." John 5:14; “For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee, or to say,. Arise, and walk?" Matthew 9:5; when it is finished, bringeth forth death." James 1: 15. Death, which we usually consider to be the result of our diseases, God says is the result of sin. Had there been no sin, there would have been no disease, and no medical work. “Jesus came that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly." John 10:10.

Jesus came to forgive all our iniquities, to heal all our diseases, and to redeem our lives from destruction. Psalm 103:3, 4. Therefore, to take away sins, and to take away sickness, and to redeem the life, are all His work, and are all one work, and cannot be separated. This means that our violations of the spiritual and physical laws of God must be treated and healed together as one work, which cannot be separated. And when His work of forgiving and healing is finished, no one will then say, “…I am sick; the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity." Isaiah 33:24. In taking away all their iniquity, their sicknesses are also taken away. Then there shall be no more pain. Revelation 21:4; and “the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." 1 Corinthians 15:26. Then the Saviour's work is finished, and the work of the physician is also finished. The work of the true physician is a calling from God to cooperate with Him in His great work of restoring mankind; and the true way to work is to seek for the causes of our condition, and labor to remove them. And the causes are found in the violation of the laws of God, both spiritual and physical.

ANOTHER KEYNOTE

The study of the human body should always be a search after the will of God, with obedience as the purpose, which makes the restoration of character the goal. This is why “teaching and healing should never be separated." Ministry of Healing, p. 141.

“To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." I Samuel 15:22. It is better that we learn not to sin, than that we sin and then have to make a sacrifice for it and be forgiven. And it is likewise better that we learn how to live without violating nature's laws than that we ignore them, become sick, and have to be forgiven, (healed), (bring a sacrifice). Therefore, the very best and highest form of practicing the healing art is teaching the people to obey both the spiritual and physical laws, as the laws of God. This is the highest and best form of the healing art for two reasons. (a) To prevent sin and sickness so that forgiveness and healing are not needed is better than to forgive and to heal. (b) Recovery by teaching brings forth character through obedience to the law of God. Reason (a) is good, but reason (b) is far more important but much less understood.

“Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Their soul abhorreth all manner of food; and they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto Jehovah in their trouble, and He sendeth His Word and healeth them." Psalm 107:17-20, R.V. The “word" which He “sendeth" and by which He “healeth" them must contain as its chief element instruction to cure them of their foolishness and transgressions, by calling for repentance and future obedience. The “word" by which He “healeth" them says , “Ye are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy." 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17; and, “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God, and ye are not your own; for ye were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body." I Corinthians 6:19, 20; and, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." I Corinthians 10:31; and, “Eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness." Ecclesiastes 10:17; and, “Every herb yielding seed .... and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food." Genesis 1:29, R.V. This kind of “words" is better than treatment of medicine. To obey this kind of words is better than to plead for forgiveness and healing which follows disobedience, and to bring a “sacrifice."

Because the work of the physician is placed upon the basis set forth in the foregoing, the commission and calling to the physician is the same commission and calling as that given to the evangelist. “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and charged them saying, As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely ye have received, freely give." Matthew 10:5-7, R.V. “The Lord appointed seventy others and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place whither He Himself was about to come. And He said unto them .... Into whatsoever city ye enter .... heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." Luke 10: 1-9, R.V. These texts constitute the physician's calling; and these texts constitute the evangelist's calling.

Therefore, the first lesson in medical science is to learn that the laws of the body were set there by God the Creator, and are still maintained there by Him; that they were set there for, (a) The glory of God—character; (b) The good of man—happiness through obedience.

The world teaches medical science in an imperfect way, for the sake of health. This may not bring forth character. While this is a worthy work, yet the commission given to us is a much higher calling, it being to prepare a people for the coming of the Lord. When we teach medical science according to the word and wisdom of God, it has character as its object, and eternity as its goal.

Julius Gilbert White,

November 20, 1920

Source: http://present-truth.org/Health%20Library/8_laws.htm

PSALM 97

Psalm 97

1The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.

2Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

3A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.

4His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.

5The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

6The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.

7Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

8Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.

9For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.

10Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

11Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

12Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.




AMISH FORGIVENESS ONE YEAR LATER

Amish forgiveness still inspires one year on from schoolhouse massacre

Living Letters delegation to the US finds seeds of peace growing where violence and sorrow flourished.

by Jerry Hames, World Council of Churches
Posted: Thursday, September 27, 2007, 8:48 (BST)
Font Scale:A A A

From the farms and rolling hills of Pennsylvania’s serene Amish countryside where five young schoolgirls were killed a year ago, to an immersion into the inner-city violence of Philadelphia, a World Council of Churches Living Letters delegation learned first-hand of the profound tragedy that can suddenly impact everyday life. But they also saw “rays of light” where forgiveness and reconciliation are helping to create a more humane society.

Members of the team, on a nine-day visit in September to meet with US church and community leaders in several cities, include a South African ecumenical leader, a public health specialist from Lebanon, a Brazilian ecumenist and a human rights lawyer from Pakistan.

At each place they visit they talk about the violence experienced in their own countries and listen to stories of those who work for peace and justice in the United States.

The visit of the four-member team, called “Living Letters”, is part of an initiative by the World Council of Churches (WCC) to mobilise churches around the world to seek peaceful alternatives to violence. The WCC’s Decade to Overcome Violence will culminate with an International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in 2011.

Experiencing Christian hospitality over lunch in a Amish farmhouse near Paradise, Pennsylvania, the delegation talked with an Amish deacon and learned in graphic detail how, on 2 October 2006, a dairy truck driver with no apparent history of violence barricaded himself in a one-room Amish schoolhouse and, after releasing all of the boys, shot 10 schoolgirls, five of whom died, before killing himself. One of the girls still lives on life support.

Many people around the world, grief-stricken by the news of the shooting among people who traditionally have stood for non-violence and peace, responded with more than $4 million in aid to help pay for hospital costs and counselling expenses for all the families affected. Within days, members of the Amish community called upon the widow and children of the killer, offering forgiveness and financial assistance for the family.

“We took this forgiveness and reconciliation as a huge lesson,” Dr Marcelo Schneider from Porto Alegre, Brazil, told the Amish leader. He added that in his home country, people would rather “look for revenge, for more blood to be shed”, believing that this was necessary for the benefit of Brazilian society.

“I come from a violent part of the world and when I read of the details, I was touched by the way the Amish reacted. It was inspirational,” said Lina Moukheiber of Beirut, Lebanon, a member of the Greek Orthodox Church (Patriarchate of Antioch).



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STANDING ON THE PROMISES: THE STORY


by Stan Griffin

R. Kelso Carter became an ordained Methodist minister (1887) at the age of 38. A year earlier, he was a professor at the Pennsylvania Military Academy. There he wrote a hymn, "Standing On the Promises," after reading one of Apostle Paul’s letters in Second Corinthians. It was Chapter 1, Verse 20 that caught his attention: "For all the promise of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."

"Standing On the Promises" is described as a " ... straight-forward ... gospel hymn ... (and) a favorite with God’s people for ... a century ..." It was published as part of a hymnal, "Songs of Perfect Love," the same year it was written.

Carter was an interesting individual with diverse interests. Born in Baltimore, Maryland on November 18, 1849, he was an outstanding athlete at Pennsylvania Military Academy. He was also a member of that school’s first graduating class in 1867. He returned to teach a number of subjects--chemistry, natural science, civil engineering, and mathematics–over several years.

Woven through Carter’s life were other occupational pursuits. He was the author of several novels as well as a number of textbooks used in his classes. He saw personally the texts were printed and distributed; that makes him a publisher.

Carter assisted in collecting sacred music for two hymnals; one was mentioned earlier. He wrote many of the selections himself. During his career as minister, he became an active leader in Holiness, camp meeting movement.

Carter also spent some time in California as a sheep rancher. Later he studied medicine and became a practicing physician in Baltimore.

R. Kelso Carter died August 23, 1928 at Catonsville, Maryland.

" ... Some see in the music ... (of ‘Standing On the Promises’) ... a sense of the drum-beating, rhythmic military marching-style music ... " Carter would have heard frequently at P.M.A.

"Standing On the Promises" was widely used in ... "great evangelistic crusades" after its publication, even into the 20th century; and it is still found in "many evangelical hymnals .. It is a reminder of a Christian daily dependence upon the promises of God ..."

Source: http://www.workersforjesus.com/promises.htm

STANDING ON THE PROMISES

STANDING ON THE PROMISES

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

Refrain

Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.

Refrain

Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.

Refrain

Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.

Refrain

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.

Refrain

Words & Music:
R. Kel­so Car­ter, in Prom­is­es of Per­fect Love, by
John Swe­ney and Kel­so Car­ter (Phil­a­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: John J. Hood, 1886)
(MI­DI, score).

Friday, September 28, 2007

THE SAINT BARTHOLOMEW'S DAY MASSACRE

The Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre

An Eyewitness Account of the Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre
by François Dubois
From the Musée Cantonal Des Beaux-Arts, Lausanne Switzerland



August 24, 1572, was the date of the infamous St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in France. On that day, over 400 years ago, began one of the most horrifying holocausts in history. The glorious Reformation, begun in Germany on October 31, 1517, had spread to Franceand was joyfully received. A great change had come over the people as industry and learning began to flourish, and so rapidly did the Truth spread that over a third of the population embraced the Reformed Christian Faith.

However, alarm bells began to ring at the Vatican! France was her eldest daughter and main pillarthe chief source of money and power. . . . King Pepin of the Franks (the father of Charlemagne) had given the Papal States to the Pope almost 1000 years earlier. Almost half the real estate in the country was owned by the clergy.

Meanwhile, back in Paris, the King of France and his Court spent their time drinking, reveling and carousing. The Court spiritual advisera Jesuit priest urged them to massacre the Protestantsas penance for their many sins! To catch the Christians off-guard every token of peace, friendship, and ecumenical good will was offered.

Suddenlyand without warningthe devilish work commenced. Beginning at Paris, the French soldiers and the Roman Catholic clergy fell upon the unarmed people, and blood flowed like a river throughout the entire country. Men, women, and children fell in heaps before the mobs and the bloodthirsty troops. In one week, almost 100,100 Protestants perished. The rivers of France were so filled with corpses that for many months no fish were eaten. In the valley of the Loire, wolves came down from the hills to feel upon the decaying bodies of Frenchmen. The list of massacres was as endless as the list of the dead!

Many were imprisonedmany sent as slaves to row the King's shipsand some were able to escape to other countries. . . . The massacres continued for centuries. The best and brightest people fled to Germany, Switzerland, England, Ireland and eventually America and brought their incomparable manufacturing skills with them. . . . France was ruined. . . . Wars, famine, disease and poverty finally led to the French Revolutionthe Guillotinethe Reign of Terrorthe fall of the Roman Catholic Monarchyatheismcommunism etc., etc.

When news of the Massacre reached the Vatican there was jubilation! Cannons roaredbells rungand a special commemorative medal was struckto honor the occasion! The Pope commissioned Italian artist Vasari to paint a mural of the Massacrewhich still hangs in the Vatican!

Source: http://www.reformation.org/saint-barts-day-massacre.html

PRISONS PURGE BOOKS ON FAITH

Prisons Purging Books on Faith From Libraries

Go to this article
From New York Times - Sept. 10, 2007
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN

Behind the walls of federal prisons nationwide, chaplains have been quietly carrying out a systematic purge of religious books and materials that were once available to prisoners in chapel libraries.

The chaplains were directed by the Bureau of Prisons to clear the shelves of any books, tapes, CDs and videos that are not on a list of approved resources. In some prisons, the chaplains have recently dismantled libraries that had thousands of texts collected over decades, bought by the prisons, or donated by churches and religious groups.

Some inmates are outraged. Two of them, a Christian and an Orthodox Jew, in a federal prison camp in upstate New York, filed a class-action lawsuit last month claiming the bureau’s actions violate their rights to the free exercise of religion as guaranteed by the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Traci Billingsley, a spokeswoman for the Bureau of Prisons, said the agency was acting in response to a 2004 report by the Office of the Inspector General in the Justice Department. The report recommended steps that prisons should take, in light of the Sept. 11 attacks, to avoid becoming recruiting grounds for militant Islamic and other religious groups. The bureau, an agency of the Justice Department, defended its effort, which it calls the Standardized Chapel Library Project, as a way of barring access to materials that could, in its words, “discriminate, disparage, advocate violence or radicalize.”

Ms. Billingsley said, “We really wanted consistently available information for all religious groups to assure reliable teachings as determined by reliable subject experts.”

But prison chaplains, and groups that minister to prisoners, say that an administration that put stock in religion-based approaches to social problems has effectively blocked prisoners’ access to religious and spiritual materials — all in the name of preventing terrorism.

“It’s swatting a fly with a sledgehammer,” said Mark Earley, president of Prison Fellowship, a Christian group. “There’s no need to get rid of literally hundreds of thousands of books that are fine simply because you have a problem with an isolated book or piece of literature that presents extremism.”

The Bureau of Prisons said it relied on experts to produce lists of up to 150 book titles and 150 multimedia resources for each of 20 religions or religious categories — everything from Bahaism to Yoruba. The lists will be expanded in October, and there will be occasional updates, Ms. Billingsley said. Prayer books and other worship materials are not affected by this process.

The lists are broad, but reveal eccentricities and omissions. There are nine titles by C. S. Lewis, for example, and none from the theologians Reinhold Niebuhr, Karl Barth and Cardinal Avery Dulles, and the influential pastor Robert H. Schuller.

The identities of the bureau’s experts have not been made public, Ms. Billingsley said, but they include chaplains and scholars in seminaries and at the American Academy of Religion. Academy staff members said their organization had met with prison chaplains in the past but was not consulted on this effort, though it is possible that scholars who are academy members were involved.

The bureau has not provided additional money to prisons to buy the books on the lists, so in some prisons, after the shelves were cleared of books not on the lists, few remained.

A chaplain who has worked more than 15 years in the prison system, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is a bureau employee, said: “At some of the penitentiaries, guys have been studying and reading for 20 years, and now they are told that this material doesn’t meet some kind of criteria. It doesn’t make sense to them. They’re asking, ‘Why are our tapes being taken, why our books being taken?’ ”

Of the lists, he said, “Many of the chaplains I’ve spoken to say these are not the things they would have picked.”

The effort is unnecessary, the chaplain said, because chaplains routinely reject any materials that incite violence or disparage, and donated materials already had to be approved by prison officials. Prisoners can buy religious books, he added, but few have much money to spend.

Religious groups that work with prisoners have privately been writing letters about their concerns to bureau officials. Would it not be simpler, they asked the bureau, to produce a list of forbidden titles? But the bureau did that last year, when it instructed the prisons to remove all materials by nine publishers — some Muslim, some Christian.

The plan to standardize the libraries first became public in May when several inmates, including a Muslim convert, at the Federal Prison Camp in Otisville, N.Y., about 75 miles northwest of Manhattan, filed a lawsuit acting as their own lawyers. Later, lawyers at the New York firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison took on the case pro bono. They refiled it on Aug. 21 in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York.

“Otisville had a very extensive library of Jewish religious books, many of them donated,” said David Zwiebel, executive vice president for government and public affairs for Agudath Israel of America, an Orthodox Jewish group. “It was decimated. Three-quarters of the Jewish books were taken off the shelves.”

Mr. Zwiebel asked, “Since when does the government, even with the assistance of chaplains, decide which are the most basic books in terms of religious study and practice?”

The lawsuit raises serious First Amendment concerns, said Douglas Laycock, a professor of law at the University of Michigan Law School, but he added that it was not a slam-dunk case.

“Government does have a legitimate interest to screen out things that tend to incite violence in prisons,” Mr. Laycock said. “But once they say, ‘We’re going to pick 150 good books for your religion, and that’s all you get,’ the criteria has become more than just inciting violence. They’re picking out what is accessible religious teaching for prisoners, and the government can’t do that without a compelling justification. Here the justification is, the government is too busy to look at all the books, so they’re going to make their own preferred list to save a little time, a little money.”

The lists have not been made public by the bureau, but were made available to The Times by a critic of the bureau’s project. In some cases, the lists indicate their authors’ preferences. For example, more than 80 of the 120 titles on the list for Judaism are from the same Orthodox publishing house. A Catholic scholar and an evangelical Christian scholar who looked over some of the lists were baffled at the selections.

Timothy Larsen, who holds the Carolyn and Fred McManis Chair of Christian Thought at Wheaton College, an evangelical school, looked over lists for “Other Christian” and “General Spirituality.”

“There are some well-chosen things in here,” Professor Larsen said. “I’m particularly glad that Dietrich Bonhoeffer is there. If I was in prison I would want to read Dietrich Bonhoeffer.” But he continued, “There’s a lot about it that’s weird.” The lists “show a bias toward evangelical popularism and Calvinism,” he said, and lacked materials from early church fathers, liberal theologians and major Protestant denominations.

The Rev. Richard P. McBrien, professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame (who edited “The HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism,” which did make the list), said the Catholic list had some glaring omissions, few spiritual classics and many authors he had never heard of.

“I would be completely sympathetic with Catholic chaplains in federal prisons if they’re complaining that this list is inhibiting,” he said, “because I know they have useful books that are not on this list.”


© 2007 Mountain Media Ministries

Source: http://mountainmediaministries.org/end-times/end-time-articles/prisons-purging-books-on-faith-from-libr.html

UNDER HIS WINGS

UNDER HIS WINGS

Under His wings I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

Refrain

Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.

Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.

Refrain

Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore.

Refrain


Words:
Will­iam O. Cush­ing, 1896.

Music:
Ira D. Sank­ey
(MI­DI, score).


Ira D. Sankey (1840-1908)

HYMNS OUT TOO!

HYMNS OUT TOO!

They've taken our True Protestant Bibles, our Swords, --or rather we have willingly exchanged them for RCC butterknives--and now they have our Protestant Hymns also!!

I just learned--and perhaps you already know-- that the ecumenical guys that have taken away our true Bible and given us a RCC butterknife--have made a Universal Hymnal for ALL denominations- called something to do with Praise-- and it is used everywhere and it is from THAT that the silly ditties and are flashed on the screen in SDA churches all over--so the sleeping virgins don't even have the strain of lifting their Hymnbooks and turning those heavy pages--they just sway and clap and sing the music of Babylon and think they never had it so good!

So now I can go to church on Sabbath and then scoot over to the Sunday churches on Sunday and I will hear the same sermons, and not even the hymns will sound any different at all.

The hand of the ENEMY is right on us, snatching away our TRUTH and snatching away the real Hymns that move the soul. He has hypnotized us using Babylon's music that moves only the body and through it the carnal emotions.

Oh to go back to the type of hymns in our first SDA Hymnal-- "Songs for God's Peculiar People who Keep the Commandments and the Faith of Jesus"!

Our 'official' Hymnal IS corrupt with RCC garbage--but even it still has too much Real Truth in it to be allowed to our people by the enemy of souls--NOTHING must be allowed in the churches that MIGHT disturb the carnal slumber of the foolish virgins AND THEY WAKE UP AND SEE THEY ARE BEING GENTLY CARRIED IN A BASKET TO BABYLON'S GATES-To build it an house in the land of Shinar--and set it there upon her own base. .

While men SLEEP the thieves have stolen our birthrights away and are carrying us away snoring on our beds!!

=^..^=

PSALM 111

PSALM 111

1Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

2The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

3His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

4He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

5He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.

6He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

7The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.

8They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.

9He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.

10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

U.S. BISHOPS REJECT ANGLICAN ORDERS

Episcopal Bishops Reject Anglican Church’s Orders




Published: September 26, 2007



NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 25 — Bishops of the Episcopal Church on Tuesday rejected demands by leaders of the worldwide Anglican Communion to roll back the church’s liberal stance on homosexuality, increasing the possibility of fracture within the communion and the Episcopal Church itself.



After nearly a week of talks at their semiannual meeting in New Orleans, the House of Bishops adopted a resolution that defied a directive by the Anglican Communion’s regional leaders, or primates, to change several church policies regarding the place of gay men and lesbians in their church. But the bishops also expressed a desire to remain part of the communion, and they appeared to be trying to stake out a middle ground that would allow them to do so.


Still, up to five American dioceses led by theologically conservative bishops may try to break with the Episcopal Church and place themselves under the oversight of a foreign primate in the coming months, said the Rev. Canon Kendall Harmon, a conservative Episcopal strategist.


“We’ll have the chaos here increase as more individuals, parishes and dioceses begin moving,” Mr. Harmon said. “What will happen is that we will see more of the disunity here spread to the rest of the communion.”


In a voice vote, all but one bishop supported a resolution, called “A Response to Questions and Concerns Raised by Our Anglican Communion Partners.” Several conservative bishops who are considering leaving the Episcopal Church were not in attendance.


The resolution affirmed the status quo of the Episcopal Church, both theological conservatives and liberals said.


It states, for example, that it “reconfirms” a call to bishops “to exercise restraint” by not consenting to the consecration of a partnered gay bishop. It also says the bishops promise not to authorize “any public rites of blessing of same-sex unions.” Still, some bishops allow such blessings to occur in their dioceses. Both positions have been stated in past meetings of the governing body of the church, the General Convention.


The resolution also calls for an “immediate end” to the practice of foreign bishops’ consecrating conservative Americans to minister to breakaway congregations in the United States, a trend that church leaders believe undermines their authority.


The Bishop Martyn Minns of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, a prominent conservative group supported by the Archbishop of Nigeria, responded to the bishops’ resolution: “They’re offering business as usual. The communion asked them to make a change, to embrace the teaching of the communion about homosexuality, and there’s no change at all.”


The Anglican Communion in 1998 denounced homosexuality as incompatible with Scripture. Bishop Minns spoke from a meeting in Pittsburgh where he and leaders of as many as 50 breakaway groups were discussing how to cooperate and avoid further splintering.


Contrary to recent news reports that the conservatives were close to forming a unified new structure, Bishop Minns said there were no plans to announce the formation of a new Anglican body that would consolidate all the conservative groups that have broken with the Episcopal Church under one umbrella.


The dispute over homosexuality has simmered for at least 30 years, as part of a larger clash about biblical interpretations and primacy. Tensions worsened when the Episcopal Church consecrated an openly gay man, V. Gene Robinson, as bishop of New Hampshire in 2003.


At a February meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 36 primates of the Anglican Communion issued the directive on gay bishops and same-sex unions. They also demanded that the Episcopal Church create a parallel leadership structure to serve the conservative minority of Episcopalians who oppose the stance on homosexuality.


The communiqué held out the possibility of a diminished status for the Episcopal Church in the communion if it did not satisfy the primates’ demands.


In March, Episcopal bishops rejected the parallel structure, saying it would compromise church autonomy. At the time, the Episcopal bishops sent an urgent invitation to Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the communion’s spiritual leader, to meet with them in New Orleans, which he did last week, along with other Anglican leaders.


At a news conference in New Orleans on Friday, Archbishop Williams said that other Anglican leaders at this week’s meetings would be “reading and digesting what the bishops have to say” and would share their opinions with him. He said he would also talk to primates and others and then give his own opinion about what to do in the coming weeks.


Bishops in New Orleans said the Dar es Salaam communiqué galvanized them, despite their differing views on homosexuality, largely because of what they considered efforts by foreign primates to interfere in the life of the Episcopal Church.


The communiqué’s idea of outside oversight for dissident Episcopal dioceses and the recent consecrations of bishops to serve breakaway congregations violated most bishops’ notions of local authority and appropriate interactions among provinces of the communion, bishops said.


Some bishops said they have reconciled themselves to the fact that some kind of break in the Episcopal Church or the greater communion is inevitable. If several months ago, a sizable number of bishops would have argued for the unity of the communion at almost any cost, far fewer would do so now, several bishops said.


But others argued that the bishops had sought to prevent a split by agreeing not to ordain more gay bishops or to formalize rites for same-sex unions.


“I think they had a sense of what the communion needed to hear from them, and I think that they said it,” Jim Naughton, canon for communications and advancement of the Diocese of Washington, said of the bishops.


“We wanted to give the people working to hold the Anglican Communion together a useful tool to help them do that,” he added. “At the same time, we did not want to backtrack on our commitment to gay and lesbian Christians. It’s our sense that this resolution has accomplished that.”



Laurie Goodstein contributed reporting from New York.


Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/26/us/26episcopal.html?th&emc=th

THE GRAND INQUISITOR

The Grand Inquisitor

'Standalone

The Grand Inquisitor is a parable told by Ivan to Alyosha in Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel, The Brothers Karamazov (1879-1880). Ivan and Alyosha are brothers; Ivan is a committed atheist, but Alyosha is a novice monk.

The Grand Inquisitor is an important part of the novel and one of the best-known passages in modern literature because of its ideas about human nature and freedom, and because of its fundamental ambiguity. It was recently published as an independent text by Continuum Books.

The parable

The tale is told by Ivan with brief interruptive questions by Alyosha. In the tale, Christ comes back to earth in Seville at the time of the Inquisition. Jesus performs a number of miracles (echoing miracles from the Gospels). The people recognize him and adore him, but he is arrested by Inquisition leaders and sentenced to be burnt to death the next day. The Grand Inquisitor visits him in his cell to tell him that the Church no longer needs him. The main portion of the text is the Inquisitor explaining to Jesus why his return would interfere with the mission of the church.

The Inquisitor frames his denunciation of Jesus around the three questions Satan asked Jesus during the temptation of Christ in the desert. These three are the temptation to turn stones into bread, the temptation to cast Himself from the Temple and be saved by the angels, and the temptation to rule over all the kingdoms of the world. The Inquisitor states that Jesus rejected these three temptations in favor of freedom. The Inquisitor thinks that Jesus has misjudged human nature, though. He does not believe that the vast majority of humanity can handle the freedom which Jesus has given them. Thus, he implies that Jesus, in giving humans freedom to choose, has excluded the majority of humanity from redemption and doomed humanity to suffer.

Ivan indicates that the Inquisitor is an atheist. After a lifetime of pursuing God, he has given up in frustration. He is nevertheless left with his love of humanity and desire to see humanity not suffer. Despite declaring the Inquisitor to be an atheist, Ivan also implies that the Inquisitor and the Church follow "the wise spirit, the dread spirit of death and destruction," i.e. the Devil, Satan, for he, through compulsion, provided the tools to end all human suffering and unite under the banner of the Church. The multitude then is guided through the Church by the few who are strong enough to take on the burden of freedom. The Inquisitor says that under him, all mankind will live and die happily in ignorance. Though he leads them only to "death and destruction," they will be happy along the way. The Inquisitor will be a self-martyr, spending his life to keep choice from humanity. He states that "Anyone who can appease a man's conscience can take his freedom away from him."

The segment ends when Christ, who has been silent throughout, kisses the Inquisitor on his "bloodless, aged lips" (22) instead of answering him. On this, the Inquisitor releases Christ but tells him never to return. Christ, still silent, leaves into "the dark alleys of the city." Not only is the kiss ambiguous, but its effect on the Inquisitor is as well. Ivan concludes, "The kiss glows in his heart, but the old man adheres to his ideas." The kiss that Christ plants on the lips of the Grand Inquisitor is the equal of Christ's whispered words to Judas (John 13.27) "that thou doest, do quickly." Just as Jesus in no way condones Judas' betrayal, so Christ's kiss does not excuse the Grand Inquisitor.

Not only does the parable function as a philosophical and religious work in its own right, but it also furthers the character development of the larger novel. Clearly, Ivan identifies himself with the Inquisitor. After relating the tale, Ivan asks Alyosha if he "renounces" Ivan for his views. Alyosha responds by giving Ivan a soft kiss on the lips, to which the delighted Ivan replies, "Literary theft!" The brothers part soon afterwards.

According to Dostoevsky's own letters, even the author struggled with the questions posed in the Grand Inquisitor and wondered and worried how they might affect even the faith of the reader. Dostoevsky himself could not come up with a straight answer, but rather put forth the life of the Elder Zossima, which follows almost immediately this chapter, as his "answer" to Ivan's questions. Therefore the Grand Inquisitor cannot be fully understood without reading it with the chapters on the life of the Elder Zossima and subsequent chapters.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Grand_Inquisitor

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

THE WATERED-DOWN GOSPEL

The Watered Down Gospel
or "As you Like It Theology"
by Arsenio A. Lembert Jr.
6I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:6-9

What is considered to be Christianity today, is no more Christian, than the Hebrews were faithful Jews, in Jesus' time. What is identified as Christian now a days is a mixture of Christian and popular beliefs. The amount of secular and pagan influences associated with Christianity are not a surprise to an avid student of the Holy Scriptures. It seems as if everything goes, now adays. Women's ordination, Gays for God, Fornication out of wedlock, cheating , lying, wearing of jewelry, gambling, all the things that the Godless worldlings do, is OK. As long as you accept Jesus as your personal Savior?

9The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

10Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

Ecclesiastes 1:9-10


While Jesus ministered in Galilee and Judea, He experienced enormous opposition from the head priests and scholars of His day. The Hebrew Theologians of the day believed that their interpretation of the Old Testament (which clearly pointed to the Messiah's arrival and identity), made them more capable to distinguish what was the will of God, and also prepare them for the arrival of the Messiah. Yet, they argued with the Son of God, continually; And failed to recognize it was the Messiah that they were resisting. The same thing has now occurred with the instructions that Jesus left 'His Disciples':

18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28: 18-20.

Christians have turned the simple instructions of Jesus into a 'have it your way', pick and choose religion. Like a smorgasbord, or salad bar: some of this and some of that. Instead of heeding the Lord's plain word: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. There are no equivocations in these instructions. There is no room for guessing; Jesus gave simple instructions. But, what his 'so-called' followers have done is similar to what the Jews of Jerusalem or Bethlehem did 2000 years ago. They thought they could do things better than their God. If they added a new 'holi-day', or added a new requirement to the given law, it would make them more pious, more zealous. Well, in the 21 Century the Christians have deformed the commandments of God into an acceptable 'cool' religion (in their eyes of course).

Now a days, the Seventh Day Sabbath (JEHOVAH's trademark) has been relinquished for Sunday. Some even worship idols made of clay or stone; When the second commandment expressly forbids it! Easter and Christmas have been adopted as Christian holi-days. Some even believe in Halloween. The Apostles followed no such feasts! For some prosperity is the new manifestation of God's love for the believer. The Rapture is the escape hatch to the 'couch potato' Christian mentality that wants all the frills that modern living has to offer without the sacrifice or suffering. Yet, Christ, the Son of God, met an untimely, wretched death on the cross for mankind. But, these 'soft-soled' Christians want to eat their cake and keep it too. What a hypocrisy when the followers are not willing to follow the example of their God. He did it all on the cross. But, you have your part to play, too! Christians believe in the name it and claim it concept, too. Just pray to God for your wish, and act like you already have it. They act more like Zen Buddists: Nom, yoho, rengi, kyo.... What a travesty. What gives you the right to demand material things from God? This is only the tip of the iceberg. And the list goes on. Then, there are the 'god-on-earth' types, that think that they can dictate what you should believe, and will prevent you from expressing your beliefs. They sometimes go as far as persecute and kill those that resist their dictatorial directives. God created man with the freedom of choice, that is why He loves us. If he wanted an automaton, he would have built them long ago. No, he wanted a ratinonal being with the freedom of choice, the ultimate demonstration of love. As the french call it: 'laissez faire'.

My advice to my Christian brethren is to put away your preconceived notions on what the Lord wants for you, read his Holy Scriptures (with prayer), and He will reveal His will, not yours, but His. Remember He is the Alpha and the Omega. You can not figure out a better way to do things by your wits. You and I are fallible, 'all men' save none), are fallible. Only he is perfect. Study His word, don't dilute it with man's doctrines, or take short cuts. The Lord has no use for HALF-STEPPERS. He is the original, "my way or the highway", person. It's His way or you'll fall by the way!

4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

6And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

8All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Matthew 24: 4-14.

12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

16Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

17These things I command you, that ye love one another.

18If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

20Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

21But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

John 15: 12-21.

Jesus is looking for a people that will (be like Him) do His will: Not for a group that will call themselves by His name while holding on to their sinful ways. So, repent, seek God, He will deliver you from sin, walk in His light daily, He will prepare you for the tribulation, then salvation.

13But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

14Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

15Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.


Matthew 23: 13-15.

When the professed people of God are uniting with the world, living as they live, and joining with them in forbidden pleasures; when the luxury of the world becomes the luxury of the church; when the marriage bells are chiming, and all are looking forward to many years of worldly prosperity--then, suddenly as the lightning flashes from the heavens, will come the end of their bright visions and delusive hopes... Maranatha, Ellen G. White, Page 263.