Saturday, November 10, 2007

COLOSSIANS 3

Colossians 3

1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

18Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

19Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

20Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

21Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;

23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

25But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

SET YOUR AFFECTIONS ON THINGS ABOVE

Set Your Affections on Things Above

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Col. 3:2.


When God's people take their eyes off the things of this world and place them on heaven and heavenly things they will be a peculiar people, because they will see the mercy and goodness and compassion that God has shown to the children of men. His love will call forth a response from them, and their lives will show to those around them that the Spirit of God is controlling them, that they are setting their affections on things above, not on the things of the earth. {Mar 322.1}

In thinking of heaven, we may put our imagination to the utmost stretch and think the loftiest thoughts that we are capable of thinking, and our minds will grow weary in the effort to comprehend the breadth and depth and height of the subject. It is impossible for our minds to take in the great themes of eternity. It is impossible for us even to make an effort to understand these things without the effort affecting our whole character for good and having an uplifting influence on our minds. As we think of how Christ came to our world to die for fallen man, we understand something of the price that was paid for our redemption, and we realize that there is no true goodness or greatness apart from God. {Mar 322.2}

Only by the light shining from the cross of Calvary can we know to what depths of sin and degradation the human race has fallen through sin. Only by the length of the chain let down from heaven to draw us up can we know the depths to which we had sunk. And it is only by keeping the unseen realities in view that we can understand anything of the wonderful theme of redemption. {Mar 322.3}

We are almost home; we shall soon hear the voice of the Saviour richer than any music, saying, Your warfare is accomplished. Enter into the joy of thy Lord. Blessed, blessed benediction; I want to hear it from His immortal lips. I want to praise Him; I want to honor Him that sitteth on the throne. I want my voice to echo and re-echo through the courts of heaven. Will you be there? . . . God help us, and fill us with all fullness and power, and then we can taste of the joys of the world to come. {Mar 322.4}

Maranatha, Ellen G. White, Page 322.

THIS IS MY FATHER'S WORLD


THIS IS MY FATHER’S WORLD

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.

This is my Father’s world, dreaming, I see His face.
I ope my eyes, and in glad surprise cry, “The Lord is in this place.”
This is my Father’s world, from the shining courts above,
The Beloved One, His Only Son,
Came—a pledge of deathless love.

This is my Father’s world, should my heart be ever sad?
The lord is King—let the heavens ring. God reigns—let the earth be glad.
This is my Father’s world. Now closer to Heaven bound,
For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.
No place but is holy ground.

This is my Father’s world. I walk a desert lone.
In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze God makes His glory known.
This is my Father’s world, a wanderer I may roam
Whate’er my lot, it matters not,
My heart is still at home.


Words:
Malt­bie D. Bab­cock, 1901, alt. While a pas­tor in Lock­port, New York, Bab­cock liked to hike in an ar­ea called “the es­carp­ment,” an an­cient up­thrust ledge near Lock­port. It has a mar­vel­ous view of farms, or­chards, and Lake On­tar­io, about 15 miles dis­tant. It is said those walks in the woods in­spired these lyr­ics. The ti­tle re­calls an ex­press­ion Bab­cock used when start­ing a walk: “I’m go­ing out to see my Fa­ther’s world.”

Music: Terra Beata, tra­di­tion­al Eng­lish mel­o­dy, ar­ranged by
Frank­lin L. Shep­pard in his Al­le­lu­ia, 1915
(MI­DI, score).

Friday, November 09, 2007

PATHWAY OF PAIN

Pathway of Pain

If my days were untroubled and my heart always light,
would I seek that fair land where there is no night?

If I never grew weary with the weigh of my load,
would I search for God's peace at the end of the road?

If I never knew sickness and never felt pain,
would I search for a hand to help and sustain?

If I walked without sorrow and lived without loss,
would my soul seek solace at the foot of the cross?

If all I desired was mine day by day,
would I kneel before God and earnestly pray?

If God sent no winter to freeze me with fear,
would I yearn for the warmth of spring every year?

I ask myself these and the answer is plain,
if my life were pleasure and I never knew pain-

I'd seek God less often and need Him much less,
for God is sought more often in times of distress.

And no one knows God or sees Him as plain-
as those who have met Him on the "Pathway of Pain."

Author Unknown

Source: http://www.angelfire.com/tx2/christianpoetry/pathwayofpain.html

REPENTANCE

Repentance
HOW shall a man be just with God? How shall the sinner be made righteous? It is only through Christ that we can be brought into harmony with God, with holiness; but how are we to come to Christ? Many are asking the same question as did the multitude on the Day of Pentecost, when, convicted of sin, they cried out, "What shall we do?" The first word of Peter's answer was, "Repent." Acts 2:37, 38. At another time, shortly after, he said, "Repent,... and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. Acts 3:19.
Repentance includes sorrow for sin and a turning away from it. We shall not renounce sin unless we see its sinfulness; until we turn away from it in heart, there will be no real change in the life.
There are many who fail to understand the true nature of repentance. Multitudes sorrow that they have sinned and even make an outward reformation because they fear that their wrongdoing will bring suffering upon themselves. But this is not repentance in the Bible sense. They lament the suffering rather than the sin. Such was the grief of Esau when he saw that the birthright was lost to him forever. Balaam, terrified by the angel standing in his pathway with drawn sword, acknowledged his guilt lest he should lose his life; but there was no genuine repentance for sin, no conversion of purpose, no abhorrence of evil. Judas Iscariot, after betraying his Lord, exclaimed, "I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood." Matthew 27:4.
The confession was forced from his guilty soul by an awful sense of condemnation and a fearful looking for of judgment. The consequences that were to result to him, filled him with terror, but there was no deep, heartbreaking grief in his soul, that he had betrayed the spotless Son of God and denied the Holy One of Israel. Pharaoh, when suffering under the judgments of God, acknowledged his sin in order to escape further punishment, but returned to his defiance of Heaven as soon as the plagues were stayed. These all lamented the results of sin, but did not sorrow for the sin itself.
But when the heart yields to the influence of the Spirit of God, the conscience will be quickened, and the sinner will discern something of the depth and sacredness of God's holy law, the foundation of His government in heaven and on earth. The "Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world," illumines the secret chambers of the soul, and the hidden things of darkness are made manifest. John 1:9. Conviction takes hold upon the mind and heart. The sinner has a sense of the righteousness of Jehovah and feels the terror of appearing, in his own guilt and uncleanness, before the Searcher of hearts. He sees the love of God, the beauty of holiness, the joy of purity; he longs to be cleansed and to be restored to communion with Heaven.
The prayer of David after his fall, illustrates the nature of true sorrow for sin. His repentance was sincere and deep. There was no effort to palliate his guilt; no desire to escape the judgment threatened, inspired his prayer. David saw the enormity of his transgression; he saw the defilement of his soul; he loathed his sin. It was not for pardon only that he prayed, but for purity of heart. He longed for the joy of holiness--to be restored to harmony and communion with God. This was the language of his soul: "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile." Psalm 32:1. 2.
"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy loving-kindness: According unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.... For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.... Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.... Create in me a clean heart, O God: And renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence: And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; And uphold me with Thy free spirit.... Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation: And my tongue shall sing aloud of Thy righteousness." Psalm 51:1-14.
A repentance such as this, is beyond the reach of our own power to accomplish; it is obtained only from Christ, who ascended up on high and has given gifts unto men.
Just here is a point on which many may err, and hence they fail of receiving the help that Christ desires to give them. They think that they cannot come to Christ unless they first repent and that repentance prepares for the forgiveness of their sins. It is true that repentance does precede the forgiveness of sins; for it is only the broken and contrite heart that will feel the need of a Saviour. But must the sinner wait till he has repented before he can come to Jesus? Is repentance to be made an obstacle between the sinner and the Saviour?
The Bible does not teach that the sinner must repent before he can heed the invitation of Christ, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. It is the virtue that goes forth from Christ, that leads to genuine repentance. Peter made the matter clear in his statement to the Israelites when he said, "Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." Acts 5:31. We can no more repent without the Spirit of Christ to awaken the conscience than we can be pardoned without Christ.
Christ is the source of every right impulse. He is the only one that can implant in the heart enmity against sin. Every desire for truth and purity, every conviction of our own sinfulness, is an evidence that His Spirit is moving upon our hearts.
Jesus has said, "I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me." John 12:32. Christ must be revealed to the sinner as the Saviour dying for the sins of the world; and as we behold the Lamb of God upon the cross of Calvary, the mystery of redemption begins to unfold to our minds and the goodness of God leads us to repentance. In dying for sinners, Christ manifested a love that is incomprehensible; and as the sinner beholds this love, it softens the heart, impresses the mind, and inspires contrition in the soul.
It is true that men sometimes become ashamed of their sinful ways, and give up some of their evil habits, before they are conscious that they are being drawn to Christ. But whenever they make an effort to reform, from a sincere desire to do right, it is the power of Christ that is drawing them. An influence of which they are unconscious works upon the soul, and the conscience is quickened, and the outward life is amended. And as Christ draws them to look upon His cross, to behold Him whom their sins have pierced, the commandment comes home to the conscience. The wickedness of their life, the deep-seated sin of the soul, is revealed to them. They begin to comprehend something of the righteousness of Christ, and exclaim, "What is sin, that it should require such a sacrifice for the redemption of its victim? Was all this love, all this suffering, all this humiliation, demanded, that we might not perish, but have everlasting life?"
The sinner may resist this love, may refuse to be drawn to Christ: but if he does not resist he will be drawn to Jesus: a knowledge of the plan of salvation will lead him to the foot of the cross in repentance for his sins, which have caused the sufferings of God's dear Son.
The same divine mind that is working upon the things of nature is speaking to the hearts of men and creating an inexpressible craving for something they have not. The things of the world cannot satisfy their longing. The Spirit of God is pleading with them to seek for those things that alone can give peace and rest -- the grace of Christ, the joy of holiness. Through influences seen and unseen, our Saviour is constantly at work to attract the minds of men from the unsatisfying pleasures of sin to the infinite blessings that may be theirs in Him. To all these souls, who are vainly seeking to drink from the broken cisterns of this world, the divine message is addressed, "Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17.
You who in heart long for something better than this world can give, recognize this longing as the voice of God to your soul. Ask Him to give you repentance, to reveal Christ to you in His infinite love, in His perfect purity. In the Saviour's life the principles of God's law -- love to God and man -- were perfectly exemplified. Benevolence, unselfish love, was the life of His soul. It is as we behold Him, as the light from our Saviour falls upon us, that we see the sinfulness of our own hearts.
We may have flattered ourselves, as did Nicodemus, that our life has been upright, that our moral character is correct, and think that we need not humble the heart before God, like the common sinner: but when the light from Christ shines into our souls, we shall see how impure we are; we shall discern the selfishness of motive, the enmity against God, that has defiled every act of life. Then we shall know that our own righteousness is indeed as filthy rags, and that the blood of Christ alone can cleanse us from the defilement of sin, and renew our hearts in His own likeness.
One ray of the glory of God, one gleam of the purity of Christ, penetrating the soul, makes every spot of defilement painfully distinct, and lays bare the deformity and defects of the human character. It makes apparent the unhallowed desires, the infidelity of the heart, the impurity of the lips. The sinner's acts of disloyalty in making void the law of God, are exposed to his sight, and his spirit is stricken and afflicted under the searching influence of the Spirit of God. He loathes himself as he views the pure, spotless character of Christ.
When the prophet Daniel beheld the glory surrounding the heavenly messenger that was sent unto him, he was overwhelmed with a sense of his own weakness and imperfection. Describing the effect of the wonderful scene, he says, "There remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength." Daniel 10:8. The soul thus touched will hate its selfishness, abhor its self-love, and will seek, through Christ's righteousness, for the purity of heart that is in harmony with the law of God and the character of Christ.
Paul says that as "touching the righteousness which is in the law" -- as far as outward acts were concerned -- he was "blameless" (Philippians 3:6); but when the spiritual character of the law was discerned, he saw himself a sinner. Judged by the letter of the law as men apply it to the outward life, he had abstained from sin; but when he looked into the depths of its holy precepts, and saw himself as God saw him, he bowed in humiliation and confessed his guilt. He says, "I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died." Romans 7:9. When he saw the spiritual nature of the law, sin appeared in its true hideousness and his self-esteem was gone.
God does not regard all sins as of equal magnitude; there are degrees of guilt in His estimation, as well as in that of man; but however trifling this or that wrong act may seem in the eyes of men, no sin is small in the sight of God. Man's judgment is partial, imperfect: but God estimates all things as they really are. The drunkard is despised and is told that his sin will exclude him from heaven: while pride, selfishness and covetousness too often go unrebuked. But these are sins that are especially offensive to God; for they are contrary to the benevolence of His character, to that unselfish love which is the very atmosphere of the unfallen universe, He who falls into some of the grosser sins may feel a sense of his shame and poverty and his need of the grace of Christ; but pride feels no need, and so it closes the heart against Christ and the infinite blessings He came to give.
The poor publican who prayed, "God be merciful to me a sinner" (Luke 18:13), regarded himself as a very wicked man, and others looked upon him in the same light; but he felt his need, and with his burden of guilt and shame he came before God, asking for His mercy. His heart was open for the Spirit of God to do its gracious work and set him free from the power of sin. The Pharisee's boastful, self-righteous prayer showed that his heart was closed against the influence of the Holy Spirit. Because of his distance from God, he had no sense of his own defilement, in contrast with the perfection of the divine holiness. He felt no need, and he received nothing.
If you see your sinfulness, do not wait to make yourself better. How many there are who think they are not good enough to come to Christ. Do you expect to become better through your own efforts? "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil." Jeremiah 13:23. There is help for us only in God. We must not wait for stronger persuasions, for better opportunities, or for holier tempers. We can do nothing of ourselves. We must come to Christ just as we are.
But let none deceive themselves with the thought that God, in His great love and mercy, will yet save even the rejectors of His grace. The exceeding sinfulness of sin can be estimated only in the light of the cross. When men urge that God is too good to cast off the sinner, let them look to Calvary. It was because there was no other way in which man could be saved because without this sacrifice it was impossible for the human race to escape from the defiling power of sin, and be restored to communion with holy beings, -- impossible for them again to become partakers of spiritual life, -- it was because of this that Christ took upon Himself the guilt of the disobedient and suffered in the sinner's stead. The love and suffering and death of the Son of God all testify to the terrible enormity of sin and declare that there is no escape from its power, no hope of the higher life, but through the submission of the soul to Christ.
The impenitent sometimes excuse themselves by saying of professed Christians, "I am as good as they are. They are no more self-denying, sober, or circumspect in their conduct than I am. They love pleasure and self-indulgence as well as I do." Thus they make the faults of others an excuse for their own neglect of duty. But the sins and defects of others do not excuse anyone, for the Lord has not given us an erring human pattern. The spotless Son of God has been given as our example, and those who complain of the wrong course of professed Christians are the ones who should show better lives and nobler examples. If they have so high a conception of what a Christian should be, is not their own sin so much the greater? They know what is right, and yet refuse to do it.
Beware of procrastination. Do not put off the work of forsaking your sins and seeking purity of heart through Jesus. Here is where thousands upon thousands have erred to their eternal loss. I will not here dwell upon the shortness and uncertainty of life: but there is a terrible danger -- a danger not sufficiently understood -- in delaying to yield to the pleading voice of God's Holy Spirit, in choosing to live in sin; for such this delay really is. Sin, however small it may be esteemed, can be indulged in only at the peril of infinite loss. What we do not overcome, will overcome us and work out our destruction. Adam and Eve persuaded themselves that in so small a matter as eating of the forbidden fruit there could not result such terrible consequences as God had declared. But this small matter was the transgression of God's immutable and holy law, and it separated man from God and opened the floodgates of death and untold woe upon our world. Age after age there has gone up from our earth a continual cry of mourning, and the whole creation groaneth and travaileth together in pain as a consequence of man's disobedience. Heaven itself has felt the effects of his rebellion against God. Calvary stands as a memorial of the amazing sacrifice required to atone for the transgression of the divine law. Let us not regard sin as a trivial thing.
Every act of transgression, every neglect or rejection of the grace of Christ, is reacting upon yourself; it is hardening the heart, depraving the will, benumbing the understanding, and not only making you less inclined to yield, but less capable of yielding to the tender pleading of God's Holy Spirit.
Many are quieting a troubled conscience with the thought that they can change a course of evil when they choose: that they can trifle with the invitations of mercy, and yet be again and again impressed. They think that after doing despite to the Spirit of grace, after casting their influence on the side of Satan, in a moment of terrible extremity they can change their course. But this is not so easily done. The experience, the education of a lifetime, has so thoroughly molded the character that few then desire to receive the image of Jesus.
Even one wrong trait of character, one sinful desire, persistently cherished, will eventually neutralize all the power of the gospel. Every sinful indulgence strengthens the soul's aversion to God. The man who manifests an infidel hardihood, or a stolid indifference to divine truth, is but reaping the harvest of that which he has himself sown. In all the Bible there is not a more fearful warning against trifling with evil than the words of the wise man that the sinner "shall be holden with the cords of his sins." Proverbs 5:22.
Christ is ready to set us free from sin, but He does not force the will; and if by persistent transgression the will itself is wholly bent on evil, and we do not desire to be set free, if we will not accept His grace, what more can He do? We have destroyed ourselves by our determined rejection of His love. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." "Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts." 2 Corinthians 6:2: Hebrews 3:7, 8.
"Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart" -- the human heart, with its conflicting emotions of joy and sorrow; the wandering, wayward heart, which is the abode of so much impurity and deceit. 1.Samuel 16:7. He knows its motives, its very intents and purposes. Go to Him with your soul all stained as it is. Like the psalmist, throw its chambers open to the all-seeing eye, exclaiming, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23, 24.
Many accept an intellectual religion, a form of godliness, when the heart is not cleansed. Let it be your prayer, "Create in me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10. Deal truly with your own soul. Be as earnest, as persistent as you would be if your mortal life were at stake. This is a matter to be settled between God and your own soul, settled for eternity. A supposed hope, and nothing more, will prove your ruin.
Study God`s word prayerfully. That word presents before you, in the law of God and the life of Christ, the great principles of holiness, without which "no man shall see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14. It convinces of sin: it plainly reveals the way of salvation. Give heed to it as the voice of God speaking to your soul.
As you see the enormity of sin, as you see yourself as you really are, do not give up to despair. It was sinners that Christ came to save. We have not to reconcile God to us, but -- O wondrous love! -- God in Christ is "reconciling the world unto Himself." Second Corinthians 5:19. He is wooing by His tender love the hearts of His erring children. No earthly parent could be as patient with the faults and mistakes of his children, as is God with those He seeks to save. No one could plead more tenderly with the transgressor. No human lips ever poured out more tender entreaties to the wanderer than does He. All His promises, His warnings, are but the breathing of unutterable love.
When Satan comes to tell you that you are a great sinner, look up to your Redeemer and talk of His merits. That which will help you is to look to His light. Acknowledge your sin, but tell the enemy that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" and that you may be saved by His matchless love. 1.Timothy 1:15. Jesus asked Simon a question in regard to two debtors. One owed his lord a small sum, and the other owed him a very large sum; but he forgave them both, and Christ asked Simon which debtor would love his lord most. Simon answered, "He to whom he forgave most." Luke 7:43. We have been great sinners, but Christ died that we might be forgiven. The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf. Those to whom He has forgiven most will love Him most, and will stand nearest to His throne to praise Him for His great love and infinite sacrifice. It is when we most fully comprehend the love of God that we best realize the sinfulness of sin. When we see the length of the chain that was let down for us, when we understand something of the infinite sacrifice that Christ has made in our behalf, the heart is melted with tenderness and contrition.


Source: http://www.benabraham.com/html/repentance.html

...AND I SHALL BE WHITER THAN SNOW.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7.

WHITER THAN SNOW

WHITER THAN SNOW

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want Thee forever to live in my soul.
Break down every idol, cast out every foe;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow.
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, let nothing unholy remain,
Apply Thine own blood and extract ev’ry stain;
To get this blest cleansing, I all things forego—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies,
And help me to make a complete sacrifice.
I give up myself, and whatever I know,
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat,
I wait, blessèd Lord, at Thy crucified feet.
By faith, for my cleansing, I see Thy blood flow,
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait,
Come now, and within me a new heart create;
To those who have sought Thee, Thou never saidst “No,”
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

The blessing by faith, I receive from above;
O glory! my soul is made perfect in love;
My prayer has prevailed, and this moment I know,
The blood is applied, I am whiter than snow.

Refrain


William G. Fischer (1835-1912)
Words:
James L. Ni­chol­son, in Joy­ful Songs No. 4 (Phil­a­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: Meth­o­dist Epis­co­pal Book Room, 1872).

Music:
Will­iam G. Fisch­er
(MI­DI, score). Al­ter­nate tune:

  • Min Blo­di­ge Ko­nung,
    An­ders C. Rut­ström (1721-1772) (no re­frain)
    (MI­DI, score)

Thursday, November 08, 2007

ATKIN'S FAT LIP

ATKINS' FAT LIP

FAMOUS DIET HIKES RISK OF HEART-DISEASE: STUDY

By BILL SANDERSON

November 7, 2007 -- You might lose weight with the high-fat Atkins Diet of eggs, meat and cheese - but it could put you at risk of heart disease by raising your cholesterol and damaging your blood vessels, according to a new study.

Researchers at the University of Maryland put 26 people on three diets - the high-fat Atkins and the low-fat South Beach and Ornish diets.

Eighteen people finished the study, which required each of them to follow one of the diets for a month. All along, doctors checked their cholesterol and the condition of their arteries.

The Atkins Diet raised the study subjects' bad cholesterol by an average of 16 points, and brought on symptoms of hardening of the arteries, a precursor to strokes or heart attacks.

The subjects had better lab tests on the other two diets. The Ornish Diet lowered their bad cholesterol by 25 points, while the South Beach Diet lowered it by 10 points. The conditions of their arteries also improved on both diets.

"It really is the Atkins Diet that is the worst," said Dr. Michael Miller, director of preventive cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.

He was surprised by how quickly the Atkins Diet brought on signs of inflamed arteries, a heart-disease factor.

"Some markers of inflammation were increased by as much as 30 to 40 percent" by the Atkins Diet, Miller said. By contrast, the South Beach and Ornish diets either left the markers of inflamed arteries unchanged, or cut them by 15 to 20 percent.

Atkins Nutritionals - a Long Island company that markets the Atkins Diet - said Miller's study was too small to draw any conclusions.

"More than 30 years of industry research on low-carb diets and four years of studies specifically on the Atkins protocol have demonstrated its safety and efficacy," said Atkins spokeswoman Colette Heimowitz.

Also, Heimowitz said, those following the Atkins plan in Miller's study got about 50 percent of their calories from fat. Dieters who follow the Atkins regimen gradually reduce their fat intake to below 50 percent, she said.

Miller's study had a catch: Nobody was allowed to lose weight. If someone's weight varied by 2.2 pounds or more, their diet was adjusted to bring it back to where they began.

Weight loss improves people's health so much that it can hide the physical impact of what they eat, the study's authors explained. That's why they decided to find out how the diets affected people who did not lose weight.

Atkins dieters may eat as much fat-laden meat, eggs and cheese as they like, but curb their intake of fruits, vegetables and grains. As a result of their limited food choices, Atkins dieters lose weight because they eat fewer calories, researchers say.

But Miller said that most people find the low-carb Atkins Diet so hard to stick with, they soon gain back their weight.

And given that excess weight itself is a risk factor for heart disease, the Atkins plan could pack a double whammy on dieters' health, the study's authors said.

"We don't recommend the Atkins Diet," Miller said. "Why not start out with a diet that will be healthier for you in the long run after weight loss?"

The Ornish plan encourages users to eat a vegetarian diet, with 10 percent of calories from fat. The South Beach program allows a wider variety of foods and keeps fat to about 30 percent of calories. With Post Wire Services

bill.sanderson@nypost.com

Source: http://www.nypost.com/seven/11072007/news/nationalnews/atkins_fat_lip_206649.htm

YOU CAN'T SQUEEZE BLOOD OUT OF A ROCK (IRAQ)

COMMANDER IN CHIEF


The latest indictment of Pervez Musarraf by President Bush, is that he can't be both President and Commander in chief. Wait, isn't the President of the United States, President and Commander in chief, also?
Pervez Musharraf has one thing going for him, he actually was a bona fide Army officer.

THE FOUNDING OF MARYLAND



The Founding of Maryland


After Columbus made his voyage in 1492, further exploration of this New World began. John Cabot, in 1498 sailed down the east coast to Maryland, and in 1524, Giovanni da Verrazano landed on the coast of the Delmarva Peninsula. During this time, explorers who sailed to the New World, upon finding land would claim this land for their king. Cabot claimed the land he found for King Henry VII of England, and Verrazano for the King of France. England claimed Maryland; however, this was disputed, as Spain claimed that the explorer Pedro Menendez Marques, first saw the Chesapeake Bay and as a result Maryland was Spanish territory.


In attempts to colonize the New World, Spain was quite active, but England moved slowly. In 1580, the English settled in Roanoke, Virginia, but getting supplies was difficult due to the war with Spain. After years of trying to obtain supplies, in 1607 the first successful English colony was established at Jamestown, Virginia. Colony life in these early days was very hard, and killings by Indians and death by disease took a heavy toll. Soon, a leader by the name of Captain John Smith, arrived at Jamestown. He had learned to deal with the Indians and organized the colonists, bringing them through the first cold, very difficult winter. John Smith believed that the Chesapeake Bay extended to the Pacific Ocean. Being curious, he explored the Bay, mapping it as he went. These maps were in use for years to come.


Upon returning to England, John Smith spoke with a young man by the name of William Claiborne, and told him of the land area that later would become Maryland. Claiborne first went to Virginia and mapped the entire state, becoming wealthy as a result. In 1628, Claiborne explored and found Palmer's Island and Kent Island. Liking these islands, he bought them from the Indians and set up trading posts. Having great success, Claiborne was granted a license from King Charles I, to trade in all areas of America not previously given to others. This gave Claiborne great power and status, making him similar in authority to a king.


The Ark and the Dove



On June 30, 1632, the charter of Maryland had been confirmed and published. So, on July 12, 1632, the King directed the Governor of Virginia to assist Lord Baltimore who planned to transport many people to Maryland. In October 1633, the Ark and the Dove departed London, England for Maryland, but were recalled to Gravesend on October 19, because the passengers had not been given the "Oath." About two weeks later in late October, the two ships again departed, stopping at Cowes on the Isle of Wright for roughly a month.


The leaders of this expedition were: Leonard Calvert, lieutenant-governor, who traveled on the Ark, who was representing his brother, Cecil Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore. With Leonard was George Calvert, the youngest brother of Leonard and Cecil; Thomas Cornwallis, Esq., and Commissioner; and Jerome Hawley, another Commissioner.


The crew of the Ark, of which there were about forty persons, included Captain Richard Lowe, as Master; John Bowlter, as Purser; and Richard Edwards, a Chirurgeon. The crew of the Dove included: Captain Wintour, its commander; Richard Orchard, its master; Samuel Lawson, the first mate; John Games, its gunner; Richard Kenton, the boatswain; and crew members John Curke, and Nicholas Perrie.


The passengers on the voyage, based on records of Leonard Calvert include the following. Also, in a letter from Leonard Calvert to his brother Cecil, he advised that they had made a stop in Virginia and landed some passengers there, but these are probably from the original passenger list. Furthermore, in a letter from Leonard that described the Christmas celebration aboard the Ark, he mentioned that there were thirty persons who were sick from fever, of whom about twelve died. The passenger list indicated 99 persons, but other records mention maids or household servants, that the passengers brought along, who probably were not counted. The number of passengers varies from the London Searcher report of 128, to about 320 from other sources.


On November 22, 1633, Leonard Calvert set out on the "Ark" and the "Dove" from Cowes Isle, England, on a voyage to Maryland to set up a colony. The Ark, the larger of the two ships had a weight capacity of roughly 350 to 400 tons, while the Dove, being a much smaller ship, had a capacity of only about 50 tons. Historians say that approximately 140 people founded the first Maryland colony, although this number may be between 99 and 140. Many people chosen for this voyage on the Ark and the Dove, such as farmers, carpenters and brick makers, were picked for their particular skills. Equally important to skillful people was having the proper equipment, which had to be transported with them. Both winter and summer clothes had to be taken, also cannons, knives and rifles for protection. Food aboard the ships had to be stored very carefully so as not to spoil. Drinking water and beer were stored in large casks. Great care was taken to also store away plants and seeds needed to grow food in their farms and gardens. Planning this voyage was well-thought-out. They left on the journey in winter, so they would arrive in spring, in time to plant and grow the necessary foods for the forthcoming winter.


As the Ark and Dove started their voyage, they encountered many problems. After leaving Cowes, England, they came upon large masses of rocks at the Isle of Wight and rough breaking waves, making maneuvering difficult. Due to high winds, they entered the harbor at Yarmouth, about ten miles from Cowes. That evening, the wind caused a French Bark to drag its anchor, which struck the Dove, breaking her free from the harbor. Now, due to the high winds, they were forced to set sail for the open sea. The Ark, observing what happened set sail as well, so as not to be separated from the Dove. Now, on the morning of November 23, they were finally underway.



But other problems faced the crews of the two ships. On the voyage, besides bad weather and rough seas, they also had to deal with pirates and raiders who were in the waters in which they had to sail. One ship they encountered at a distance was an Algerian vessel, which they assumed was hostile, but fortunately were not approached by it.


In planning the voyage, they set their course not directly west to Maryland, due to the Atlantic current, but to the southwest, because the winds were more favorable. Once they reached Barbados they would then have only a northern route.


In comparing the two ships, size was the major difference, and as a result the ships' capabilities differed greatly. The Ark, being a much larger ship traveled better through the rough seas, was better armed and equipped, and had more crew members, with which to fend off pirates and raiders. The Dove in comparison, being so much smaller, did not handle well in rough seas, and was not capable of defending itself well. It seemed that the Dove was destined for problems.


Later in the day on November 23, the Ark and Dove came across another ship, the "Dragon," which was a large, well-armed merchant vessel which was traveling their way. The Dragon therefore acted as a leader, a guide of sorts to follow, which pleased both crews of the Ark and Dove. Four days into the voyage, on November 25, a terrible storm began. The winds were so strong, and the waves so rough that the Dragon turned back toward England. The Captains of the Ark and Dove decided to go on. The Captain of the Dove advised the Ark that they would hang a lantern on the ship's mast so that they (the Ark) could keep them in view. The Captain of the Dove also advised that if they hung two lanterns this meant they were in trouble and needed help. As the night went on, the storm grew worse. Through the storm and strong winds, the crew of the Ark observed two lights coming from the Dove. The Ark, however could not reach the Dove to help her, as it was all they could do to keep themselves afloat. During the storm the Ark lost sight of the Dove. Throughout the night they tried in vain to sight her. Finally, as the storm subsided and morning came, they hoped to find her, but there was no trace of the Dove.


On November 26, with the fate of the Dove unknown, the Ark sailed alone for Barbados Island. Meanwhile, after finding refuge, once the weather had cleared, the Dove sighted the Dragon once again, and sailed in their company by way of the Canary Islands to Barbados.


The Ark, after passing the Canary Islands finally arrived in Barbados on January 5, 1634. There the crew rested and repaired their ship, damaged in the storm. One day as they were working in the harbor they looked out and saw something they could not believe. Sailing into the harbor was the Dove. Upon speaking with the crew of the Dove it seemed that because the storm was so great, they turned around and sought the shelter of an English port. After the storm they set sail again, crossed the ocean and by providence, in time to meet the Ark. After taking on supplies, the Ark and the Dove continued on their voyage, arriving at Point Comfort, Virginia on February 27, 1634. Here they dropped of some of the passengers as well as delivered some letters from the King.


In early March 1634, the Ark and Dove reached the Chesapeake Bay, bound for the Potomac River to Maryland. The Ark and Dove arrived at Maryland on March 3, 1634. On March 25, they came ashore to celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation, that today we celebrate as Maryland Day.


For several days the crews lived on the ships, while exploring parties looked for a suitable place to start their town. Searching the areas and rivers off the Potomac, they traveled a river called St. George's, which later became St. Mary's. They found an area inside St. Mary's River for the first settlement. This land was owned by the Yaocamicoe Indians. In this search for a suitable place to live, Governor Calvert used Captain Henry Fleet as a guide, because he knew the language of the Indians and was an experienced trader and interpreter. On March 27, 1634, Governor Calvert bought the land from the Yaocamicoes. Once the land was purchased, they sent word back to the crews of the Ark and Dove for them to move to this new town. As the settlers moved into the new town, a celebration began. Dressed in their finest clothes, the new settlers fired cannons and flags were flown. The new village name changed from Yaocamico to St. Mary's City. This name was given in honor of the Virgin Mary. The Ark eventually returned to England, but the Dove remained in Maryland.


The first black Marylander was Mathias de Sousa. Of African and Portuguese descent, he was one of nine indentured servants brought to Maryland by Jesuit missionaries and was on the Ark when Lord Baltimore's expedition arrived in the St. Mary's River in 1634. His indenture was finished by 1638 and he became a mariner and fur trader. In 1641, he commanded a trading voyage north to the Susquehannock Indians and, in 1642, sailed as master of a ketch belonging to the Provincial Secretary John Lewger. De Sousa departed and returned to the St. Mary's River many times. He anchored here (the location of the Maryland Dove today) and walked to Lewger's Manor House at St. John's. While living there he served in the 1642 legislative assembly of freemen. No record remains of de Sousa's activities after 1642, but his legacy of courage and success is regarded with great pride by all the citizens of St. Mary's County and Maryland. (A plaque dedicated in his honor is located today near the water's edge in the location of the Maryland Dove).


During this time, the Yaocamico and Susquehannock Indians were enemies. The Yaocamicoes, needing help defending themselves, found the settlers a welcome sight and learned many things from them. They received guns, steel knives and axes, which were used not only for protection but also enabled them to cut trees, farm and build homes. Some of the first homes the settlers built were cut wood with shingled roofs, and not log cabins as most believe. Soon thereafter many homes were made of brick. By the late 1670s, St. Mary's City, Maryland's first capital, had some houses and buildings of fine quality.


Copyright© John T. Marck. All Rights Reserved. This article and their accompanying pictures, photographs, and line art, may not be resold, reprinted, or redistributed for compensation of any kind without prior written permission from the author.

Source: http://www.marylandtheseventhstate.com/article1001.html

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

BEYOND EVOLUTION AND CATHOLICISM

"Beyond Evolution and Catholicism"

The biggest response we have is to our "Inquisition" DVD with 56,953 viewings on at: Inquisition The next biggest response is to our interviews with former Catholics who wish to reach out to those that they love. Our latest interview is with Dan Bentley. Dan speaks about his early years as a Catholic; explaining how evolution was taught as a fact in the public school and the confusion it caused him. If you have any comments there is a place to make them on line as you view. Just click here: Comments
Arising from this interview we have had some questions on Vatican's position on Evolution. We therefore post an article called as "Rome's Theistic Evolutionary Philosophy." Rome's Theistic Evolutionary Philosophy

Source: http://www.bereanbeacon.org/

OUR AUTHORIZED BIBLE VINDICATED

Foreword

This volume is written in the fervent hope that it will confirm and establish faith in God's Word, which through the ages has been preserved inviolate. In these days when faith is weakening and the Bible is being torn apart, it is vital that we enter into fields which can yield up their evidence of how God, through the centuries, intervened to transmit to us a perfect Bible. Much of the material given in this book was collected in response to the needs of the author's classroom work. In pursuing this line of study, he has been astounded and thrilled to find in historical situations, where he least expected it, evidences of special intervention and special purposes of God with regard to His Holy Word. His faith in the inspiration of the Bible has been deeply strengthened as he has perceived how down through the ages God's true Bible has constantly triumphed over erroneous versions.

With regard to the different versions, it is necessary, while confirming the glorious inspiration of the Bible, to warn the people against Bibles which include false books, and, especially at the present time, against the dangers of false readings in genuine books. There are versions of the Bible, prepared by men of scholarship, with certain books and readings we cannot accept. Such versions may be of use for reference or comparison. In certain passages, they may give a clearer rendering. But it is unthinkable that those who use such versions would be unwilling to have the public informed of their dangers.

This work has been written under great pressure. In addition to the author's tasks in the Theological Department of the College, and his evangelical work as pastor of a city church, he wrote this book in response to urgent requests. It may be possible that there are a few technical mistakes. The author has strong confidence, however, that the main lines of argument are timely, and that they stand on a firm foundation.

It is possible to know what is the true Word of God. The author sends forth this book with a fervent prayer that it may aid the earnest seeker after truth to find the answer to this all-important question.

B. G. WILKINSON

Takoma Park, D.C.,
June, 1930.

Source: http://kjv.benabraham.com/html/foreword.html

Our Authorized Bible Vindicated
( paperback, 258 pages )

BENJAMIN G. WILKINSON, Ph.D..

DEAN OF THEOLOGY,
WASHINGTON MISSIONARY COLLEGE
TAKOMA PARK, D.C.

WASHINGTON D.C
JUNE, 1930

STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED...

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 (King James Version)


CHRISTIANS BEWARE -OF FREEMASONRY

Christians Beware - of Freemasonry
we think it is diabolically in league with satan
Since Freemasonry has attempted so strenuously to claim that they are just a "good ole boy" fraternity that does good works and has a good time, most people will be shocked to learn the bitter truth behind that facade.

an insidious byproduct is to keep husbands and wives out of churches & away from home

READ MORE Click on link below:

Source: http://bibleprobe.com/freemasonry.htm

MASONIC QUOTES

Masonic Quotes

General Albert Pike, Grand Commander, sovereign pontiff of universal freemasonry, giving instructions to the 23 supreme councils of the world.

“That which we must say to the crowd is, we worship a god, but it is the god one adores without superstition. To you sovereign grand inspector general, we say this and you may repeat it to the brethren of the 32nd, 31st and 30th degrees - the Masonic religion should be by all of us initiates of the high degrees, maintained in the purity of the luciferian doctrine. If lucifer were not god, would Adonay (the God of the Christians) whose deeds prove cruelty, perfidy and hatred of man, barbarism and repulsion for science, would Adonay and His priests, calumniate Him? Yes, lucifer is god, and unfortunately Adonay is also God, for the eternal law is that there is no light without shade, no beauty without ugliness, no white without black, for the absolute can only exist as two gods. darkness being necessary for light to serve as its foil, as the pedestal is necessary to the statue, and the brake to the locomotive. Thus, the doctrine of Satanism is heresy, and the true and pure philosophical religion is the belief in lucifer, the equal of Adonay, but lucifer, god of light and god of good, is struggling for humanity against Adonay, the god of darkness and evil”

Recorded by A.C. De La Rive, La Femme et L’enfant dans La Franc-Maconnerie Universelle, Page 588. Cited from ‘The question of freemasonry, ( 2nd edition 1986 by Edward Decker pp12-14)

"The dunces who led primitive Christianity astray, by substituting faith for science, reverie for experience, the fantastic for the reality; and the inquisitors who for so many ages waged against Magism (magic and sorcery) a war of extermination, have succeeded in shrouding in darkness the ancient discoveries of the human mind"

Albert Pike [33rd degree Mason] 'Morals and Dogma' 732 (Note: Commander Albert Pike was Grand Master of the Central Directory at Washington, D.C., Grand Commander of the Supreme Council at Charleston, S.C., and Sovereign Pontiff of Universal Freemasonry. He was an honorary member of almost every Supreme Council in the world, personally receiving 130 Masonic degrees)



"Masonry is the descendent of, or is founded upon, a divinely imparted religion which long antedates the prime date of creation as given in our Bible. It is all that remains to us of the first world religion which flourished in an antiquity so old that it is impossible to affix a date. It was the first unified religion... To this, such symbols as the pyramids, both in Egypt and South America, bear witness... The ancient mysteries were temporary custodians of the ancient truth and closely allied to the Masonic work of today... the relation of the Mysteries to Masonry has oft been recognized, and the golden thread of living continuity can be traced through them to modern Masonry. The Mysteries...are all parts of that ancient thread which has its origin in that primeval religion which terminates today in masonry"

Foster Bailey [33rd degree Mason], 'The Spirit of Freemasonry' 30-2



"All antiquity believed ...in a Mediator or Redeemer, by means of whom the Evil Principle was to be overcome and the Supreme Deity reconciled to His creatures. The belief was general that he was to be born of a virgin and suffer a painful death. The Hindus called him Krishna; the Chinese, Kioun-tse; the Persians, Sosiosch; the Scandinavins, Balder; the Christians, Jesus; the Masons, Hiram"

Pirtle, The [Masonic] Kentucky Monitor 14,15



"The religion of Freemasonry is not Christian"

Albert Mackey [33rd degree Mason and Secretary General of the Supreme Council of the thirty third degree Scottish Rite], 'Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry'. 618



'That sacred and invisible bond that unites men of the most discordant opinions into one band of brothers, which gives one language to men of all nations and one altar to men of all religions, is properly, from the mysterious influence it exerts, denominated the mystic tie; and Freemasons because they alone are under its influence, or enjoy its benefits, are called brethren of the mystic tie'

Albert Mackey [33rd degree Mason and Secretary General of the Supreme Council of the thirty third degree Scottish Rite], 'Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry'. Vol 2 778



"Masonry is regarded as the direct descendant, or as a survival of the mysteries...of Isis and Osiris in Egypt"

Robert Freke Gould, History of Freemasonry 1:13



"Man is God in the making.."

Manley P Hall. [33rd degree Mason] 'Lost keys of Freemasonry' 92



"Be still - and know - that I am God"'..'THAT I AM GOD'- the final recognition of the All in All, the unity of self with the Cosmos - the cognition of the Divinity OF THE SELF!"

George H.Steinmetz, 'The Lost Word: Its hidden meaning 241-242



"The signs, symbols and inscriptions date from...the Sumerian civilizations..., Chaldea [Babylon], Assyria, Greece, Rome and even in Mexico and Yucatan... Some rites of the Scottish rite of Freemasonry of our Mother Jurisdiction have been in existence from time immemorial. For we teach the same grand truths, the same sublime philosophies...as those adepts of the ancient mysteries taught in their esoteric rites"

Henry C. Clausen, 'Messages for a Mission' [the Supreme Council 33rd degree, A & ARFM, Mother Jurisdiction of the World, 1971] 5-7



“Freemasonry is the survivor of the ancient mysteries - nay, we may go further and call it the guardian of the mysteries”

Bro. J.S.M.Ward. 'Freemasonry and the ancient gods' 347



“Man is never closer to God than when he kneels, spiritually naked, at the altar of Freemasonry”

“Masonic Services Association” series. vol.19 p14



“The Second Landmark is the Volume of Sacred Law, open in the Lodge. But the Bible is not, in freemasonry, more than one of the Great Lights, and never has been, for the reason that Masons are not required to believe its teachings...The stern fact is that we are constantly admitting Hindu’s, Chinese, Mohammedans, Parsees and Jews, not one of whom believes in the Bible, and this forces the conclusion that Masonry regards the Bible only as a symbol”

Masonic Record, June 1926 in an article by Bro. T.H.R. entitled “What are our Landmarks?"



The Oxford University Press publishes a special edition of the Bible for presentation to Masonic candidates containing a declaration that the Bible “itself is a symbol - that is, a part taken for the whole” And in the same edition, Dr. Fort Newton explains that “the whole includes God’s revelation through the Bible, the Koran, the Vedas, etc”



“Even our so called Christian degrees have taken a Christian colour merely because, in the main, we are Christians, and not because they are in essence Christian”

P Freemasonry and the ancient gods .347by



“The interpretation of the symbols of Freemasonry from a Christian point of view is a theory adopted by some, but one which I think does not belong to the ancient system. The principles of Freemasonry preceded the advent of Christianity. If Masonry were merely a Christian institution, the Jew, the Moslem, the Brahman and the Buddhist, could not consistently partake of its illumination. But its universality is its boast. In its language, citizens of every nation may converse; at its altar men of all religions may kneel; to its creed disciples of every faith may subscribe”

Albert Mackey, [33rd degree Mason and Secretary General of the Supreme Council of the thirty third degree Scottish Rite] 'Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry'.



"Triangle - An important symbol in Masonry. 1. The equilateral triangle was adopted by all ancient nations as a symbol of Deity, and was regarded as the most perfect of figures. It constantly recurred in Craft Masonry as well as in the Royal Arch. 2. The right angled triangle was also regarded as an important figure. Among the Egyptians the base represented Osiris, or the male principle; the perpendicular, Isis, or the female principle; and the hypoteneuse, Horus, their son.

R.H.MacKenzie, 'The Royal Masonic cylopedia, Rites, Symbolism and Biograghy' 743



“Are they seriously suggesting that all the clergy be compelled to renounce their vows made at their initiation and subsequent advancement in the craft”

The Rev. Alexander Morris (when in May 1951, Dr. Hubert S. Box proposed that the Convocation of Canterbury should set up an inquiry into Freemasonry)



“The true Mason is not creed bound. He realizes with the divine illumination of his lodge, that as a Mason his religion must be Universal. Christ, Buddha or Mohammed. The name means little, for he recognizes only the light and not the bearer. He worships at every shrine, bows before every altar, whether in temple, mosque, pagoda or cathedral, and realizes with his true understanding the oneness of all spiritual truths. No true Mason can be narrow for his lodge is the divine expression of all broadness”

(contrary to Matt.7 v 13-14) Manley P Hall [ 33rd degree Mason] ‘Lost Keys of Freemasonry’ 64,



“When the Mason learns that the key to the warrior on the block is the proper application of the dynamo of living power, he has learned the mystery of his craft. The seething energies of Lucifer are in his hands and before he may step onwards and upwards he must prove his ability to properly apply (this) energy.”

Manley P Hall [33rd degree Mason] ‘Lost Keys of Freemasonry’ 48,



“..the true Mason raises himself by degrees until he reaches heaven”

- extract from the 28th degree lecture.



“There he stands without (outside) our portals, on the threshold of his new Masonic life, in darkness, helplessness and ignorance. Having been wandering amiss the errors and covered over with the pollutions of the outer and profane world, he comes to our door, seeking the new birth, and asking a withdrawal of the veil which conceals divine truth from his uninitiated sight”

Albert Mackey, [33rd degree Mason and Secretary General of the Supreme Council of the thirty third degree Scottish Rite] ‘The Manual of the Lodge’ (105:20 cf. 13:5)



Coil’s Masonic Encyclopaedia (95: 516-17) states the following about God..

“Men have to decide whether they want a God like the ancient Hebrew Yahweh, a partisan tribal god, with whom they can talk and argue and from whom they can hide if necessary, or a boundless, eternal, universal, undenominational, and international Divine Spirit so vastly removed from the speck called man, that he cannot be known, named or approached. So soon as man begins to laud his God and endow him with the most perfect human attributes such as justice, mercy, beneficence, etc. the Divine Essence is depreciated and despoiled... The Masonic test is a Supreme Being, and any qualification added is an innovation and distortion...Monotheism. violates Masonic principles, for it requires belief in a specific kind of Supreme Deity”



Coil’s Masonic Encyclopaedia (95: 516) and the ‘Masonic Ritual and Monitor (58: 226) admit that “Bul” or “Bel” refers to the Assyrian or Canaanite deity, and that “On” refers to the Egyptian deity Osiris. Wagner in his ‘Freemasonry; An interpretation (16:338 -39) reveals the Masonic goal in this pagan trinity..

“In this compound name an attempt is made to show by a co-ordination of divine names.. the unity, identity and harmony of the Hebrew, Assyrian and Egyptian god-ideas, and the harmony of the Royal Arch religion with these ancient religions. This Masonic ‘unity of God’ is peculiar. It is the doctrine that the different names of gods as Brahma, Jehovah, Baal, Bel, Om, On, etc., all denote the generative principle, and that all religions are essentially the same in their ideas of the divine”



..'it is the body of the Holy Spirit, the Universal agent, the Serpent devouring his own tail'

Rex Hutchens [33rd Mason] 'A Bridge to Light' 253 Published by the Supreme Council, Thirty-third Degree Ancient and Accepted Scottish rite of Freemasonry Southern Jurisdiction,



"Masonry, like all the religions, all the mysteries, Hermericism and alchemy conceals its secrets from all but the adepts and sages, or the elect, and uses false explanations and misinterpretations of its symbols to mislead those who deserve to be misled, to conceal the truth, which it calls light, from them and to draw them away from it. The blue degrees (that is the craft degrees) are but the outer courts or portico of the temple. Part of the symbols are displayed there to the initiate, but he is intentionally misled by false interpretations. It is not intended that he shall understand them, but it is intended that he shall imagine he understand them. Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma 104,105 & 819)



A comprehensive and concise book, 'A Bridge to Light' by DR. Hutchens, summarizes our Scottish Rite Degrees and assists in a ready understanding and appreciation of our ritual. Also it frequently returns to the great cornerstone of our order, Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma.. Taken from the official Supreme Council Masonic web site on 22/08/00 from a section entitled: 'A presentation concerning the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry'. (http://www.srmason-sj.org/council/temple/booklet/START.HTM)



Masons use the two triangles to represent this idea of opposites. In the short talk Bulletin, a pamphlet which is to be read in the lodges, we are told that the triangles "are symbolic of good and evil, day and night, the Chinese yang and yin.."

'Point within a circle' Short Talk Bulletin August 1931 vol.9 (reprinted July 1990)



"However I have to say that in over 40 years membership of the order I have never been conscious of any conflict between my Christian belief and my membership of the Order. Yes it is true that Christ is not mentioned in our Craft degrees, but that does not mean He is not present at our meetings. If He dwells in the heart of the Christian, then He is present"

Past Chaplain the Rev.H.R.Allen O.B.E M.A 'Freemasonry and the Church' 1992



"When later he (the Mason) is given Light, it means really that he is taught the principles of Occultism."

Arthur H. Ward. 'Masonic symbolism and the Mystic Way' 149-150



"By the Lambskin [apron] the Mason is reminded of the purity of life and rectitude of conduct which are so essentially necessary to his gaining admission into the Celestial Lodge above [heaven] where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides"

Albert Mackey, [33rd degree Mason and Secretary General of the Supreme Council of the thirty third degree Scottish Rite] 'Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry'. rev.ed "apron", 72-74



"Both Jesus Christ and God are very important in my life but I don't like the Christianity that links the two. I have found a lot of the answers to my questions in Freemasonry.

Jim Davidson talking to 'Hello' magazine June 1996


BestsellersMore
1.) Scripture Keys for K...
2.) Confronting Jezebel ...
3.) The Hormone From Hea...
4.) Christian Set Yourse...
5.) Book: Fatherlessness...
6.) Shattering Your Stro...
7.) Mystery, Babylon The...
8.) Unmasking the Jezebe...
9.) Blood On The Doorpos...
10.) The Six Pointed Star...

Current SpecialsMore




©Copyright Freedom Ministries International NL

PO Box 84, Crediton, Devon, EX17 6WW ENGLAND
Telephone: 0844 881455 / International Callers: +44 1363 881455 Fax: +31 348 421557
Email: info@freedom-ministries.com



Dutch Version.
Postbus 2056, Woerden 3440 DB, NETHERLANDS,
Telephone: +31 348 499792 Fax: +31 348 421557
Email: fmi-nl@freedom-ministries.nl

Website by "Tower-Forte"
.
.

WHAT IS THE KING JAMES ONLY CONTROVERSY?

What is the King James Only controversy?

The King James only controversy is a debate over whether the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible should be the only Bible translation we read and use. There are groups of believers who sincerely believe that God only wants English speaking people to read the King James Version. These proponents of "KJV onlyism" strongly argue that the new translations are not accurate, and even worse, that they are perversions of the true Word of God.

We strongly believe that each and every Christian should pray to the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5) regarding what Bible translation they should use. If a person feels led to use the KJV, they should do so. The King James Version was a superb English Bible translation from the 1600's to the 1900's. We believe that it is still a good Bible translation for today. At the same time, we do not usually recommend the King James Version because of its Old English wording and sentence structure. The KJV simply is not how people read and speak today. The Bible was originally written in Greek and Hebrew, in the current languages of the people of that time. Translations of the Bible should be in the language we speak and read today, not necessarily a 400-year-old version of the language we speak today.

Yes, there are many differences between the King James Version and the newer translations such as the New International Version, the New American Standard, and the New Living Translation. These differences should not be seen as "perversions" of the Bible or attempts to change the Bible. They should be seen as different translations. When translating from one language to another, there are often multiple ways to word the translation. This explains many of the differences. There are also some entire phrases and/or verses "missing" when comparing the King James Version to the newer translations. Why is this? It is not an attempt by the new translations to remove from the Word of God. Rather, it is their best attempt to make sure that nothing has been added to the Bible that was not originally there.

We usually recommend for people to have access to at least two or three of the major translations (KJV, NIV, NAS, NKJV, NLT) to compare. If a verse in one translation seems to be a little confusing, sometimes comparing it side-by-side with another version can make the meaning more clear. No matter what Bible translation we use, we can trust that it is God's Word, and that it will accomplish His purposes (Isaiah 55:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12).

Learn More about the King James Bible!

Source: http://www.allabouttruth.org/king-james-only-faq.htm

P.S. HOWEVER: There are a few points I'd like to add to this discussion.

  • 1. The King James Version is the Protestant Bible.
  • 2. Since the Vatican can no longer restrict the masses ( in the western democratic world) from reading the Holy Scriptures, a myriad of translations has been produced to 'confuse' the True Word of God.
  • 3. When I visited a contemporary worship SDA church 3 years ago, the Pastor asked the congregation to read aloud a verse; A sister spoke up and stated that they couldn't because the congregation used several 'translations'. How can you teach a Bible School class where every one has a different translation. This confusion is the work of Satan!------ Blogmaster.

IS THE VIRGIN MARY DEAD OR ALIVE?

Paperback written by Danny Vierra who was raised in the Roman Catholic faith.

Use Email to contact Danny Vierra concerning questions about this booklet.

His web site is at http://www.modernmanna.org (just click on it)

For your free copy of this booklet click here.


What is it all about concerning Mary? Why have so many billboards appeared throughout this country urging you to call for a message from the Virgin Mary? Why are two billion Hail Marys said every day? Why did more than 10 million trek to Guadalupe to pray to Our Lady? Why have more than 15,000 priests gone to Medjugorje since 1981? Why the need to talk with her? Where is the Virgin Mary right now, anyway? And what about all the reported miracles, visions, appearances, messages, predictions, weeping statues, and bleeding icons? Is it really Mary? What does the Bible say? Over 580 scriptural references!


1. My Early Adoration of the Virgin Mary

2.
The First Lie - Man's Immortality

3.
Modern Day Spiritualism - a Masterpiece of Deception

4.
The Thunder of Justice and the Marian Movement

5.
The Woman of Genesis 3:15 and Revelation 12:1-6

6.
The 1260-day Prophecy and the Papacy

7.
The Deadly Wound Was Healed

8.
Other Characteristics of the Little Horn of Daniel 7

9.
He Thinks to Change Times and Laws

10. Satan's Gradual Change of the Fourth Commandment

11.
The Seal of God

12.
Mystery, Babylon the Great, Mother of Harlots

13.
A Personal Testimony in Regard to the Sacraments

14.
The Mother and Child - the Grand Object of Worship

15.
The Counterfeit Seal of God

16.
Madonna of Rome is the Madonna of Ancient Babylon

17.
Mark of the Beast & United States in Bible Prophecy

18.
The New Eve of the Coming New Age

19.
The Crowning Act in the Drama of Deception
Satan's Personation of Christ.

20.
Epilogue - The Three Angels' Messages



Residents of the United States may have
Is the Virgin Mary Dead or Alive?
absolutely free of charge
by contacting me via
Email

Please use this connection if you would like to
obtain more than 1-copy of the paperback version
or if you intend to buy your own copy.

Residents outside the United States (citizen of other countries)
please
follow this link for your free CD-ROM
(
CD-ROM = Compact Disk = CD )

For the Spanish version of this same Book go to
La Virgen María - ¿Está Muerta o Viva?


Source: http://www.benabraham.com/html/is_the_virgin_mary_dead_or_ali.html