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Friday, November 30, 2007
Sermon on the Mount PreviewThe disciples' place was always next to Jesus. The people constantly pressed upon Him, yet the disciples
understood that they were not to be crowded away from His presence. They sat close beside Him, that they might not lose a
word of His instruction. They were attentive listeners, eager to understand the truths they were to make known to all lands
and all ages.
With a feeling that something more than usual might be expected, they now pressed about their Master.
They believed that the kingdom was soon to be established, and from the events of the morning they gathered assurance that
some announcement concerning it was about to be made. A feeling of expectancy pervaded the multitude also, and eager faces
gave evidence of the deep interest. As the people sat upon the green hillside, awaiting the words of the divine Teacher, their
hearts were filled with thoughts of future glory. There were scribes and Pharisees who looked forward to the day when they
should have dominion over the hated Romans, and possss the riches and splendor of the world's great empire. The poor peasants
and fishermen hoped to hear the assurance that their wretched hovels, the scanty food, the life of toil, and fear of want
were to be exchanged for mansions of plenty and days of ease. In place of the one coarse garment which was their covering
by day, and their blanket at night, they hoped that Christ would give them the rich and costly robes of their conquerors.
All hearts thrilled with the proud hope that Israel was soon to be honored before the nations as the chosen of the Lord, and
Jerusalem exalted as the head of a universal kingdom.
Christ disappointed the hope of worldly greatness.
In the Sermon on the Mount He sought to undo the work that had been wrought by false education, and to give His hearers a
right conception of His kingdom and of His own character. Yet He did not make a direct attack on the errors of the people.
He saw the misery of the world on account of sin, yet He did not present before them a vivid delineation of their wretchedness.
He taught them of something infinitely better than they had known. Without combating their ideas of the kingdom of God, He
told them the conditions of entrance therein, leaving them to draw their own conclusions as to its nature. The truths He taught
are no less important to us than to the multitude that followed Him. We no less than they need to learn the foundation principles
of the kingdom of God.---The Desire of Ages by Ellen White, pages 308-309.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Church and StateShould the US Constitution be regularly discussed at church, if not during church? Should the US Constitution
be part of a Christian Constitution? How's that for opening a can of worms?
The US Constitution protects the
church from the state, protects the state from the church, protects the individual from the state, and protects the state
from the individual! It also provides an orderly manner by which important decisions may be reached! Checks and balances abound!
Renegade dictators need not apply! Evolutionary rather than revolutionary change is the norm! At least once we got past the
American Revolution and the Civil War! Is there really such a thing as a 'civil' war? Shouldn't
it be called the Uncivil War? Are we Barbarians? Can't we get along? Guess not! We should have read George Washington's
Rules of Civility! They are highly recommended!
Anyway, Christians should not be ignorant or silent regarding politics! They
are highly irresponsible if they leave the important issues of our nation up to others! If our faith cannot be applied effectively
to contemporary issues, it's nearly worthless! Well, what about separation of church and state? Shouldn't we
just sing and pray and keep our heads up in the clouds, or up...never mind? That is a rhetorical question, by the
way! The state cannot establish a state church, such as the Church of England! A church leader cannot control the state, although
some seem to be trying to do so! Thank God and the Founding Fathers for the US Constitution!
Christians and
the Christian church should be vocal regarding religious and political issues, but they should seek to convince people
with love and logic, and not to control them by force! There is a huge difference! Have you read about The Crusades and The
Inquisition? What senseless bloodbaths! And carried out by professed followers of Jesus! Don't think
that can't happen again! Don't I have faith in humanity? Well, no, not really!
Preachers and priests should
not have to worry about losing their church's tax-exempt status when they support a political candidate or position!
The establishment clause should not be confused with the free exercise clause!!! What about freedom of speech???
To say that the United States of America and the US Constitution was inspired by Christianity is probably true
and acceptable! To say that this is a Christian Nation is not true and is extremely dangerous! It was my observation
that the Moral Majority was Neither! And that the Religious Right is Wrong!
Am I a bleeding heart, morally
ambiguous, anti-God liberal? No! Just a constitutionalist! Shouldn't we all take the US Constitution very seriously
and very literally?
Are you mad? Probably both the religious and irreligious are mad, at this point!
As a child, I learned quickly not to talk openly about religion, politics, and sex! But when I became a man, I put away these
childhood lessons! To my detriment! If you think you're mad now, wait 'till I start writing about sex!!!
2:34 pm pst
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Red Letter LectionaryDo you ever have the feeling that the text you just heard in church was not appropriate, not helpful, and
probably not the word of the Lord? I have! And while I believe that all scripture is inspired by God, I also believe that
there is a time and a place for everything! Vast portions of scripture are probably best left to the classroom or to
private study! Church is a place where we come to be inspired and lifted up! We come to have our faith made stronger, not
weaker! We need a concise moral and inspirational foundation which is also historical! The words of Jesus should be central,
as always!
I wish to propose that a Red Letter Lectionary be composed as follows:
Old Testament
Reading: Selected from Proverbs.
Psalm: Duh!
New Testament Reading: Selected from Acts, or the non red
letter portions of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Gospel: Selected from the red letter portions of Matthew, Mark,
Luke, and John.
And further, that the sermon or homily always be based on the words of Christ! This may be
called picking and choosing! It may also be called Dalmatian Theology! But I call it kicking Satan where it counts!
The Psalms and Proverbs provide the best of the Old Testament moral, inspirational, and devotional material! They also set
the stage for the appearance of Jesus! The book of Acts chronicles the Ascension, Pentecost, and the progress of the early
Christian church! The non red letter portions of the Gospels provide a context for the words of Christ! And finally, the words
of Jesus are the foundation of the Christian church!
I do not wish to imply that the left out portions of scripture
are unimportant! No portion of scripture should be neglected! It's just that church is a very, very special occasion,
and that the Psalms, Proverbs, Gospels and Acts are central to the singing, praying, theological and moral instruction
of Christians! So many books in the Bible, and so little time! The goal is to be appropriate, and simple, yet comprehensive!
And to deal with that portion of the historical which is readily adaptable to the contemporary! To avoid exasperating
and confusing the faithful and the reasonable!
This is a hard saying! Who can hear it?! Once again, put down the
stones and pitch-forks! Extinguish the torches! Stop weeping, wailing, and gnashing your teeth! Go back to your homes! Everything
will be fine! I hope...
1:21 pm pst
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
When you feel like.....It's easy to be optimistic when you have lots of money in the bank, you're healthy and good-looking,
and have lots of cool friends! But what if you have cancer, kidney failure, serious burns, people whisper that you're
really ugly, you're bankrupt or you just lost your house, your faith, and maybe your will to live? I wish I had an
easy answer...I could use such an answer more often than I care to admit.
One nice thing about staying close to
Jesus is that he literally had a hell of a time when he walked this earth! He had a much tougher time than he would have,
if he had not tried to help us!! And, I believe, Jesus continues to have a hell of a time as he struggles to solve the problems
of this earth, not to mention the whole universe!! It's nice to have someone like that on our side, isn't it!!
It's probably a good idea to formulate and maintain your faith with the extremes of good and evil, pleasure
and pain, belief and doubt, success and failure...clearly in mind. If your faith doesn't work in the extremes
of life...it doesn't work! Would your faith work if you were starving in Darfur? Or does it only work if you're netting
half a mil a year and worshiping in a cathedral?
You have to work this out yourself...Glib advice usually
hurts more than it helps! The earth is a battlefield and we are at war! If that sounds extreme, start reading the Bible
and The New York Times! And I don't see this changing anytime soon...
Pray! A lot! Not necessarily for protection
or relief, but for the presence of God! I think God may be in more trouble than we ever dreamed of being in! We often think
of God sitting on a throne, with everything under control, and no real problems, other than us! But what if God needs us as
much as we need God? What if the only way out of this thing is for us to cooperate fully with God and work like our lives
depended on it! Our physical and spiritual lives may very well depend on it!! As much as possible, turn your eyes away from
yourself, and turn them toward Jesus, others, and the responsiblities directly in your path!
If what I have said
seems harsh, it's because I don't like to lie, whisper sweet nothings, or lead people down the primrose path! Life
is earnest! Life is real! This is not a dress rehearsal! We have much to learn and unlearn! We're making this up as we
go! My guess is that for now we may have to struggle along, often not knowing the hows and whys! For now, the answer
is blowing in the wind!
Cherish the light! Fight the darkness! And deep in my heart, I believe! We shall overcome
some day! Truth will set us free! Stay close to Jesus, and don't forget to pray!
2:10 pm pst
Monday, November 26, 2007
AbortionWhat I am about to say is not from a Gospel text. It is simply an opinion of my own, hopefully guided by
the teachings of Christ, but not derived directly. If you don't agree with me, don't blame Jesus! Blame me! My guess
is that very few people will agree with me on this one, which might be a good sign, come to think of it!
Well,
here goes! After conception, but prior to the existence of brain waves and a heartbeat in a fetus, allow abortion on demand,
under the care of a licensed physician. Any time after the commencement of brain waves and a beating heart in a now very alive
baby, the act of causing the brain waves and heart beat to cease would be considered to be premeditated murder. This
is my attempt to answer the shrill cries of the pro-choice and pro-life crowds.
I hate any abortion! I believe
it to be always wrong! It is a holocaust which continues day after day! The above view is a compromise, admittedly. Some, probably
on both sides, would call it a deal with the Devil! However, in a free society, this is something which I believe would
be a step in the right direction, and remove a lot of ambiguity and arbitrariness!
When a person is terminally
ill or in an accident, they are considered to be alive until their brain and heart cease to function. They are then declared
dead. Why not use this definition when dealing with an unborn child?
Wow! I can't believe I said it! I've
said too much, and I'm going to stop now! Put down the stones, lay down the pitch-forks, extinguish the torches, and go
back to your homes! Everything is fine! I wish...
5:49 pm pst
Sunday, November 25, 2007
U.S. News and World Report: Secrets of ChristianityHave you seen the collector's edition of U.S. News and World Report: Secrets of Christianity? I just
purchased it, and am just settling down to read it! So, obviously, this is not a critique! I simply have some general
observations regarding devotional reading and scholarly reading!
Those who engage in a devotional pursuit of Jesus
are often wary of those who engage in a scholarly pursuit of Jesus, and often for good reason! Those who engage in a scholarly
pursuit of Jesus often neglect a devotional pursuit of Jesus, and thus, tend to destroy their own faith, as well as the
faith of the faithful! But the faithful often make themselves extremely vulnerable to a faith meltdown by not considering
a variety of viewpoints while simultaneously engaged in their devotional-spiritual pursuit of Christ!
The scholars
need to seek Jesus spiritually as little children! The faithful need to seek Jesus scholastically as little children! Jesus
proclaimed that we must be like little children to enter the kingdom! This wasn't a weak suggestion! We must be teach-able
or response-able to enter the kingdom! Don't think you know it all! We'll never know it all! If someone acts like
a know it all, they know a lot less than they think they do, or you think they do!
Cults isolate their members
from challenging or contradictory influences! They hate competition! They love control! They sometimes isolate their members
in compounds, or lead them into jungles! Be careful! It's a jungle out there! And don't forget to pray!
2:25 pm pst
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Facing RealityHow does one face reality? Might I suggest that a commitment to researching as many points of view as possible
is a good starting point! Peer oversight and review is another sobering activity! It's, in a sense, asking, 'am I
sane?' Might I also suggest a term: contextual superimposition, which implies testing any one thing with a variety of
other things, some seemingly unrelated!
Reality is both positive and negative! If one is negative when it
is appropriate to be positive, I would consider that to be a denial of reality! If one is positive when it is appropriate
to be negative, I would also consider that to be a denial of reality! How does one know what is appropriate? Experience and
honesty! One should be neither needlessly negative or presumptiously positive!
Faith, confidence, or positive-thinking
helps one to not lose their way while dealing with a horrendous negative reality! An ability to deal with the most painful
negative realities in an honest manner helps one to not lose their way in a positive dreamland, divorced from reality, that
some mistakenly refer to as faith!
People who are stuck on negative and people who are stuck on positive are
in deep trouble in my book! My guess is that there are many such people in mental institutions...One needs to be able to swing
between the negative and the positive in a response-able manner!
Jesus was positive when appropriate, and
negative when appropriate! Jesus Christ was, and is, the model of response-ability! When you read the teachings
of Jesus, keep the word responsibility in mind at all times! This magical word is the key which unlocks the
true meaning of the teachings of Christ! And don't forget to pray!
Finally, do you know why Egyptians are so
happy? Because they live in de-Nile!! Sorry!!
9:14 pm pst
Friday, November 23, 2007
Luke 21: The End GameAs he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow
put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than
all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live
on."
Some of the disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with
gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left
on another; every one of them will be thrown down."
"Teacher," they asked, "when will
these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"
He replied: "Watch
out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.'
Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but
the end will not come right away."
Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great
signs from heaven.'
But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you
to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result
in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will
give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by
parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me. But
not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life.
When you see Jerusalem being surrounded
by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in
the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all
that has been written.
How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will
be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to
all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
There
will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing
of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place,
stand up and lift up your heads, because you redemption is drawing near."
He told them this parable: "Look
at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even
so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
I tell you the truth, this generation
will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never
pass away.
Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life,
and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole
earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able
to stand before the Son of Man."
Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to
spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.
Luke 21 New International Version
Luke chapter 21 contains basic soteriology, or how we are saved, and
basic eschatology, or a study of the end of time. If you didn't know what eschatology meant, it's not the end of the
world!
Jesus proclaims that by standing firm, we will gain life! Again and again, Jesus ties salvation to behavior,
not simply belief! On the other hand, belief is the beginning of behavior! By beholding Christ we become changed!
The Luke 21 end time scenario contains enough upsetting information for just about anyone! If you want to become really
upset and confused, read the books of Daniel and Revelation! There are numerical challenges here as well, if you're into
numbers games!
It seems that the end here depicted by Jesus was to occur shortly after His death, not 2,000 years
later! Could it be that the followers of Jesus fumbled the ball? Were the words of Jesus preached with power throughout the
world after His death? Have His words been placed first and foremost in Christian churches during the past 2,000 years? Are
the words of Christ being placed first and foremost in Christian churches now, in 2007 AD? Could it be that the teachings
of Jesus have been purposefully and systematically suppressed and relegated to the back of the bus? Will humanity have to
wait another 2,000 years for the return of Christ?
1:00 pm pst
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Liberal vs ConservativeConservatives seem to know! They have the answer, and the answer is usually historical, and sometimes
hysterical! Sometimes I have gotten the impression that a conservative is someone who rigidly guards a tradition, and is willing
to do just about anything to make sure that the tradition, of whatever nature, is maintained without compromise or without
admitting any deficiency or error whatsoever! This pursuit sometimes seems to involve denial of reality, or even lying consciously
or subconsciously! Historically, it has sometimes involved violence or even killing! Conservatives usually seem to view liberals
with suspicion and contempt! Some conservatives act as though ignorance were a virtue! The conservatives often are the fund
providers!
Liberals, on the other hand, seem to know better than the conservatives, but they don't really know
anything for sure! The answer could be this, or it could be that, or none of the above! Liberals are often educated and sophisticated,
and look down on conservatives, who they view as being rigid and stupid! Sometimes they act as though everything is a big
joke! Especially everything conservative! They tend to have an in your face, rebellious attitude! The liberals often
are the complainers!
What if the solution to the liberal vs conservative dilemma involved combining the best
of liberalism and conservatism!
Wherein the best of a historical tradition is positively reinforced, but also treated
with honesty regarding any deficiencies! And also having a commitment to applying a tradition to modernity in an intelligent
and appropriate manner!
When one attempts to build a building, if you keep changing the foundation, you never get
the building built! On the other hand, if you are not open to constructive criticism, you may end up with an unsafe eyesore!
I believe that the teachings of Jesus are the foundation or rock upon which we need to build His church! All other ground
is sinking sand! Let's learn from the building collapses and code violations of the past 2,000 years!
If the
liberals and conservatives could come to realize that they need each other, the journey of life and discovery might be a whole
lot more productive and enjoyable!
To prominently embrace the teachings of Jesus is to be both liberal and conservative!
Jesus was arguably a liberal in style and in opposition to the corrupt status quo, but a conservative regarding upholding
the best unchangeable principles and concepts of the Old Testament!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
A Balanced StandardIn case you haven't noticed, I took a few days off! It's good to have a change of pace once
in a while! Well now I'm back in the saddle again!
Can one talk or write about Jesus too much? I
think so! This site is intended to promote a renewed focus on the red-letter teachings of Jesus Christ, and thus does not
venture far from this important subject! In every day life, this narrow of a focus would not be healthy! Balance is essential!
But sometimes to undo you have to over-do!
Be open to all of life, yet be very scrutinizing and questioning
of all you encounter! We should not be Jesus robots, if you will! On the other hand, we should keep coming back to the historical
teachings of Christ as a guiding and unifying force in our modern lives and in society! If you don't stand for something,
you will fall for anything! If our standard is too complex, then confusion and frustration are sure to follow! If our standard
is not comprehensive and specific enough, then it really is not a standard at all! It's a Maginot Line against a very
savvy army of darkness!!
The teachings of Christ allow very little wiggle-room for those who are corrupt! However,
they give a lot of leeway for those who are doing the best they can to do what is right! I believe that Jesus wishes us to
make the world a better place, in our own way and in our own time! We're all different!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Creation vs EvolutionConfession time! I have a problem with atheistic evolution and with fundamentalist creation! I think that
the truth of our origins is an all of the above and more proposition! I don't think we really know! We think we do, but
I think it is a grand mystery! Is that a cop-out? Probably! But the complexity and myriad possibilities should make all of
us very, very humble! Including those with Doctor of Divinity or Doctor of Philosophy degrees!
The fossil record
seems to indicate evolution! The complexity and specialization of say, the human body is beyond comprehension, and seems to
indicate creation (or euphemistically: intelligent design)!
There are two Genesis accounts of creation, and there
is a Babylonian Genesis also! Are these stories simplified versions of a much more complex process! I think this is part of
the answer! Is the rest of the story something which is hidden from our view for a reason? Perhaps! Maybe the whole truth
is something we are not prepared to handle, even now! Einstein said, "The universe is stranger than we think! It is stranger
than we can think!" The quote is from memory, and may be a bit of a paraphrase!
For those who don't
believe in God, what about extraterrestrial genetic engineering, superimposed upon evolution? Is this something that can be
easily proved or disproved! What a can of worms! I'd better stop!!
Have you considered the complexity of vision?
Two eyes, not one, with a nerve crossover, to give stereoscopic vision and depth perception! If you don't believe in some
kind of design or intervention, please study vision in its minutest detail, over an extended period of time, in order to absorb
the complexity of what's really going on here! And this process also involves that masterpiece, the brain! So many
things have to be right for you to be able to read what I have written, and to understand it!
If you want to feel
really small, look up into a clear midnight sky for an hour or two, with or without binoculars or a telescope! I really don't
think we have this thing all figured out! Not even close! Come on! Be honest! Be humble! Be amazed!
9:13 am pst
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The Rich RulerA certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"Why
do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good...except God alone. You know the the commandments: 'Do
not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'"
"All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You
still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow
me."
When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and
said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye
of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Those who heard this asked, "Who then can
be saved?"
Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Peter said to him
"We have left all we had to follow you!"
"I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no
one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many
times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life."
Luke 18:18-30 New International Version
Reading between the lines here, I believe the point is to not neglect the poor, and to be completely in harmony with
the character of Jesus Christ! One can technically observe all the rules and regulations, yet not genuinely care about, and
care for, the poor and suffering! And not make Christ and His teachings, first and foremost! The proud observance of the rules
can actually result in a downright devilish attitude! Jesus calls us to responsible psychology, ethics, and spirituality!
He wishes us to do whatever it takes to get to this level of character development! Participating in the kingdom of God
does not require perfection, but it does require a high, though readily attainable, standard of living! This is accomplished
through perspiration and inspiration! We cooperate with God, and work our tails off! It involves more than simply uttering
the right words to God, or by being declared righteous by a member of the clergy!!
1:34 pm pst
Monday, November 12, 2007
Divine InterventionWe live in a very negative, cynical, and sceptical world with regard to God, the Bible, and eternal life!
Especially in the western world! The third world seems to be full of faith, in comparison! Some would say this is simply because
of ignorance! Give them a few years and they'll be just as sceptical as the rest! What's going on here?
Let
me suggest that many in the western world are battle hardened and fatigued! They've been beaten down by decades of
nihilism, religious scandal, abuse, and general corruption! There has been a lot of false advertising and sensationalism,
and many have been burned when the goods are not delivered or things don't make sense anymore!
J.B. Phillips
wrote a book entitled, "Your God is Too Small." That no matter how grand ones conception of God is, that God is
bigger! However, I would like to suggest that, "Your God is Too Big!" That we make God into a fairy tale, which
sets us up for disappointment, disillusionment, agnosticism, and even atheism!
I don't believe in the supernatural!
I know by experience that the supernatural exists, by things that have happened to me, without me seeking anything! I will
not elaborate! It's too private and even silly sounding! But I know that there is more to life than meets the eye! Further,
from the myriad experiences of others, there is ample evidence for the existence of both good and evil supernatural forces!
Just as there is obviously good and evil in the visible world! Perhaps heaven and hell exists in both the physical and spiritual
world, side by side! But without harps or flames! I think we'll find out soon enough!
Having said that, I'm
not expecting magical bail-outs from God! Occasionally, it is obvious that there has been divine intervention! But when and
where this occurs is not up to us! It's up to God! Often, prayer is nothing more than us telling God what to do!
I thought it was supposed to be the other way around! Who's boss, anyway! And, according to Jesus, God knows what we need
before we ask! Prayer for me, is to make my life a blank check for God to write upon! To keep the lines of communication open!
To respond positively to the Holy Spirit! Not to make demands on God, reminding Him of His promises to us in the Bible!
Sort of like a lawyer pointing out contractual obligations in a court of law!
Jesus indicated that all of our prayer
requests would be answered, so how does that square with what I have just said?! I must confess that I haven't been successful
in praying for a mountain to be cast into the sea! Or in emptying the local hospital! And often, more simple requests, such
as for the healing of sick or hurt friends and relatives, are not granted. This is an area that I don't have a good answer
for! Miracles, genuine miracles, do occur, but they are, in my experience and observation, far and few between, and they don't
occur upon demand!
My favorite prayer is as follows: "Glorious God! In the name of Jesus Christ, and with
the power of the Holy Spirit...work in my life as You choose! Amen!" I repeat these words several times to reinforce
them in my mind, but not to try to convince God!! This prayer puts God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, in the
drivers seat! What they do in my life is completely up to them! I'm making no demands or pleadings! Who am I, to tell
the Holy Trinity, what to do??!!
OK! I admit it! I don't have everything all figured out! Don't look at
me! I didn't set this thing up! I don't have the answer! I'm not even sure what the question is! Could someone
please repeat the question? Don't trust in what I write! I don't even trust myself! Think for yourself! Do your own
research! And don't forget to pray!
"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall
see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."--1 Corinthians 13:12 New
International Version
1:52 pm pst
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Christ and HollywoodCan anything good come out of Hollywood? Maybe yes, maybe no! But I just saw a movie which
came out of Australia, and thought it was very good! It was Brides of Christ. It's about the painful time of change before,
during, and after, the Second Vatican Council, or Vatican II. Have you seen Brides of Christ? If you haven't, rent
the VHS or DVD! I cried through most of it! Warning, there are some graphic scenes! Some of the characters
had bad habits! Sorry!
Making organized religion work is a huge challenge! The bigger the church, the bigger the
challenge! Especially when change is contemplated and implemented! So many implications and ramifications! If you have a problem
with organized religion, then try disorganized religion, and see if that works for you! The history of organized religion is
a tragicomedy of trial and error, interspersed with horror and even atrocities! The triumph of good over evil, love over hate,
wisdom over ignorance, pleasure over pain, order over chaos, make the struggle worth it!
While you are at the video
store, rent Luther! This movie illustrates the peril and promise of trying to reform a corrupt organization! Luther didn't
want to start a new church! He just wanted to cleanse the temple of the corrupt money changers and merchants! Isn't that
what Jesus tried to do too? On one occasion he used a whip!
But, the 'bad guys' don't thank the 'good
guys' for pointing out their sins! They don't promptly reform! They attempt to silence the messenger! First, they
attack his premise! If that doesn't work, they attack his character! And if that doesn't work, they try
to kill him! This is human nature! It is found throughout the world, and throughout history! It is not specific to one church
or one nation! All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God!
One movie I would not recommend is World
Trade Center. The subject had potential...but I didn't like the plot! Sorry!
4:57 pm pst
Saturday, November 10, 2007
The Least of These My BretherenThose whom Christ commends in the judgment may have known little of theology, but they have cherished His
principles. Through the influence of the divine Spirit they have been a blessing to those about them. Even among the heathen
are those who have cherished the spirit of kindness; before the words of life had fallen upon their ears, they have befriended
the missionaries, even ministering to them at the peril of their own lives. Among the heathen are those who worship God ignorantly,
those to whom the light is never brought by human instrumentality, yet they will not perish. Though ignorant of the written
law of God, they have heard His voice speaking to them in nature, and have done the things that the law required. Their works
are evidence that the Holy Spirit has touched their hearts, and they are recognized as the children of God. How surprised
and gladdened will be the lowly among the nations, and among the heathen, to hear from the lips of the Saviour, "Inasmuch
as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." How glad will be the heart of Infinite Love
as His followers look up with surprise and joy at His words of approval!--Desire of Ages, pg. 686 by Ellen White
8:18 pm pst
Friday, November 9, 2007
Singing Hymns About HimThere is a secret spiritual discipline that most neglect, but that may be the most effective
character builder! That discipline is hymn singing! Not limping through an unfamiliar hymn in church! But privately singing
hymns a capella, after studying the texts! Try it! Do this every day, and see what happens! You'll like it!
The Devil won't!
Then, when you sing in church, you will have a new found understanding and confidence! Your
spirited singing will inspire others, and they may ask how you learned to sing so well! The music director may be bold enough
to have the congregation sing a hymn a capella! Your pastor or priest will be inspired to deliver a more spirited sermon!
It's a chain reaction!
Sometimes a powerful sermon will inspire a powerful hymn! Tony Campolo was a guest
speaker at a church I attended long ago, probably before he called himself a Red Letter Christian! He spoke in his usual aggressive
style! The organ postlude was printed in the church bulletin as being Litanies by Jehan Alain. It is a wonderful modern French
Romantic work which is full of fireworks and dissonant chords! But when the organist began to play, the postlude was
the hymn Onward Christian Soldiers! I spoke with the organist afterwards, and he explained that after a sermon like that,
he couldn't play a postlude that was borderline jazz!
On another occasion, in the same church, an upbeat guest
speaker spoke of faith to a congregation who had been ravaged by doctrinal controversy. We sang A Mighty Fortress with
real gusto! The pastor remarked that he had not heard the people sing like that for a long, long time!
I like contemporary
music, even contemporary hymns which are well written and have meaningful lyrics! However, there is nothing like a great
historical hymn of the Christian church! My guess is that the neglect of the proper singing of these great hymns has left
the door wide open for the repetative, musically uninteresting, and lyrically bankrupt praise songs! Sorry
for the sore toes!
I love classical music! Especially sacred classical music! But often there is an elitism and
lack of Christ-like spirituality connected with this music! This probably makes the praise songs more attractive than they
deserve to be! More sore toes!
I believe the place for well written praise songs is in a more informal setting,
such as when singing around the camp fire! Believe me, this is not a put-down! If the praise songs are to be used in
church, I prefer a separate service devoted to this type of music! I am not opposed to new music, just bad music!
Sorry for all the sore toes! Have I hung myself?? Medic!!!
1:25 pm pst
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Creedal StatementsVarious churches have various statements of belief. One church believes this and another church believes
that, and yet another church doesn't have a clue what they really believe! Some believe they are the one true church, that
they alone are right and everyone else is wrong! They can't all be right, can they? Some believe that they have
a unique contribution, but that all Christian churches are all legitimately part of the body of Christ! Many have creedal
statements, or statements of belief. Many look at each-others statements in disbelief! After extensive discussions regarding
beliefs, some simply believe they'll have another drink!
Let me suggest that the teachings of Christ, without
further refinement or distillation, should be the creedal statement of all Christian churches! A Christian Constitution! This
could be the basis of a non-compromising Christian ecumenism! The contemporary application of these historic words would be
left up to each Christian organization to apply in their own unique way, depending on their situation! This would combat corruption
and confusion!
By definition, a Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ! Not a follower of Moses, Peter, Paul,
Mary, Luther, Smith, White, Eddy, Peale, Schuller, Graham, the Pope, or the Anti-Christ!
Speaking of the Anti-Christ,
with such widespread disregard of, and even hostility toward, the teachings of Christ within Christianity,
the Anti-Christ may not have a lot to do when he (or she) finally arrives! Perhaps the Anti-Christ has been here, alive
and well, possibly in the form of a committee, for the past 2,000 years...
If you are ever involved in an
exorcism, try using any of the above names, other than Jesus Christ, and see what happens, or doesn't happen! Demons really exist,
and they really hate the name of Jesus Christ!
1:23 pm pst
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Gates, Trees, Houses, and the Kingdom of God"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the
Prophets.
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction,
and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By
their fruit you will recognize them. Do People pick grapes from thorn-bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree
bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the
will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and
in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me,
you evildoers!'
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like
a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that
house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does
not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the
winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
When Jesus had finished saying these
things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the
law.
--Matthew 7:12-29 New International Version
Does your pastor, priest, or rector preach the words
of Christ with authority, or as a teacher of the law, without power???
5:15 pm pst
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Live Out Thy Life Within MeHere is an alternative wording to the hymn tune Aurelia, commonly known as The Church's One Foundation:
Live out Thy life within me! O Jesus, King of kings!
Be Thou Thyself the answer to all my questionings!
Live
out Thy life within me! In all things have thy way!
I, the transparent medium! Thy glory to display!
The
temple has been yielded, and purified of sin!
Let Thy Shekinah glory now shine forth from within!
And all the earth
keep silence! The body hence-forth be
Thy silent, gentle servant, moved only as by Thee!
Its members every
moment, held subject to Thy call!
Ready to have Thee use them, or not be used at all!
Held without restless longing,
or strain, or stress, or fret,
Or chafings at Thy dealings, or thoughts of vain regret!
But restful, calm,
and pliant, from bend and bias free!
Awaiting Thy decision, when Thou hast need of me!
Live out Thy life within
me! O Jesus, King of Kings!
Be Thou the glorious answer to all my questionings!
Tune: Aurelia by Samuel Wesley
(1810-1876)
Words: Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879)
If you haven't already noticed, hymn tunes are
really poems! It's fun to just read them as poetry, without singing them! I think so, anyway!
1:43 pm pst
Monday, November 5, 2007
Jesus and Prayer"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues
and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray,
go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret,
will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their
many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
"This, then, is
how you should pray:
'Our Father' in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be
done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven
our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
"For if you forgive men
when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father
will not forgive your sins."--Matthew 6:5-15 New International Version
The forgiveness of sins was
available prior to the cross, and was behavior related, not unconditional! Doesn't forgiveness of sins equal
salvation? If that is the case, then salvation was available before the cross! By a right relationship with God and neighbor!
Not by being declared righteous while continuing to be unrighteous! The terms remain unchanged after the cross!
Also, it is helpful to really think about the words of the Lord's Prayer, and not just mindlessly say it with
the usual robot-like monotone and pauses!
1:53 pm pst
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Jesus, Perfection, and SalvationA debate that has raged for centuries is between those who say Jesus was just like us, and
those who say He had an advantage over us! Both views state that Jesus perfectly obeyed the law of God from birth
to death, and thus secured our salvation, by doing that which we could not do, and that by believing in Christ and His
sacrifice, we are accepted by God, and saved for all eternity!
If Jesus was just like us, some believe that
the substitutionary atonement is just the beginning, and that we can overcome sin just as Christ overcame sin, and indeed
we must do this at the end of time, just before the return of Christ, in order to be saved! That we must stand before
God without a mediator! They believe that if Jesus had an advantage over us, that the substitutionary atonement would not
be valid! That it would be a hollow victory! They also believe that there is no excuse for sin, and that if there is,
then the Devil is right and God is wrong!
Those who believe that Christ had an advantage over us state that Christ
is the second Adam, and that He succeeded where Adam failed, and thus secured our salvation! And that there was no taint of
sin whatsoever in Christ, both physically and spiritually! Further, that we, with our fallen sinful natures, can never, ever,
live sinless lives until Christ returns and gives us new bodies and minds! That it is only by laying hold of the merits of
the crucified Christ that we are accepted by God as though we had never sinned, and saved for all eternity!
The first option tends to lead toward legalistic perfectionism! The second option tends to lead toward irresponsibility!
What fun!
I'm going to go way, way out on a limb, and say that these two views are delusion vs delusion! They
both turn the old, old story of Jesus and His love into a fairy tale! They imply that God is a legalistic, perfectionistic,
blood-thirsty monster who doesn't think we're good enough for Him! They are both sort of logical, when isolated
from the realities of every day life, but they are utterly illogical when reality is clearly faced without distortion or rationalization!
I believe that Jesus was just like us, but that He was very, very spritually refined and developed, and that He demonstrated
to the human race, the true character of God, and what we humans are capable of achieving, and indeed must achieve, to usher
in the last great, true renaissance which will bring peace to the world! By His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus made the bloody
Old Testament sacrificial system obsolete, and made a new and living way to be right with God available to all,
by following His example of loving neighbor as self in a non legalistic-pefectionistic way! To be right with God, we
need to be right with God! Not just declared right with God! This symbolic and representational demonstration did not require
perfection! Nothing changed between God and us! The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament! When we see
Jesus, we see the Father! Perceptions changed from Old to New Testaments! That's all!!!
We must be in harmony
with the character of Christ, and decidedly part of the solution! We must not be in rebellion with the character of Christ,
and decidedly part of the problem! We need to be very good, but not perfect!!! This is an ongoing process of cooperation between
the human and the divine! We need God, and God needs us!
This is a hard saying! Who can hear it! But please don't
gnash your teeth! Crowns or implants are very expensive! Weeping and wailing is probably ok, I guess! And please put down
those stones! Go back to your homes! Everything will be just fine!
6:53 pm pst
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Jesus and the Roman Catholic ChurchMust a Red Letter Christian be anti-Catholic? Absolutely Not!! A follower of the teachings of Jesus must
be anti-corruption!! Reading through the words of Jesus reveals that He was anti-arrogance, anti-hypocrisy, anti-violence,
and that He insisted that the rich and powerful should help the poor and weak!
I believe that constructive competition
improves everyone. Destructive competition destroys everyone. One function of Protestantism is to provide constructive
competition to the Roman Catholic Church! This keeps everyone alert and on their toes! Protestants help the Roman Catholic
Church to be a better church! It's a system of checks and balances, sort of like the Democrats and Republicans in the
United States! We need each other!
Absolute power corrupts absolutely! Any organization which grows too large and
powerful quickly becomes riddled with corruption! Any organization!
I'm a fan of the Anglican/Catholic liturgy!
However, I would like to see a lectionary which features the teachings of Jesus more prominently, and with Old Testament,
Psalms, and New Testament readings directly related to the Gospel, which should be from the teachings of Jesus! The teachings
of Jesus must be featured front and center! Every homily or sermon should be from the teachings of Jesus Christ, year-round,
even at Christmas and Easter!
Then, the teachings of Jesus need to be lived every day! Every day should be a Sabbath
day! Every day should be a holy day! Not just one day a week (Saturday or Sunday)! No particular day should esteemed above
another!
The elaborate churches should be enjoyed! However, new construction should be more in line with the humble
simplicity of Christ!
7:43 pm pdt
Friday, November 2, 2007
Jesus and Albert SchweitzerThe Quest of the Historical Jesus by Dr. Albert Schweitzer, written a century ago, is not exactly a devotional
book! It is a hard reading review of several major critical studies of Jesus, and mostly negative. But in the last chapter
there are some positive gems which emerge from the darkness! The devotional aspects of the study of Jesus should not be neglected!
But the scholarly and critical studies should not be neglected either! This is an often painful process, but it
makes us strong! And don't forget to pray!
"But the truth is, it is not Jesus as historically known, but
Jesus as spiritually arisen within men, who is significant for our time and can help it. Not the historical Jesus, but the
spirit which goes forth from Him and in the spirits of men strives for new influence and rule, is that which overcomes the
world." --The Quest of the Historical Jesus pg. 401
"Jesus as a concrete historical personality remains
a stranger to our time, but His spirit, which lies hidden in His words, is known in simplicity, and its influence is direct.
Every saying contains in its own way the whole Jesus. The very strangeness and unconditionedness in which He stands before
us makes it easier for individuals to find their own personal standpoint in regard to Him."--The Quest of the Historical
Jesus pg. 401
"But in reality that which is eternal in the words of Jesus is due to the very fact that they
are based on an eschatological world-view, and contain the expression of a mind for which the contemporary world with its
historical and social circumstances no longer had any existence. They are appropriate, therefore, to any world, for in every
world they raise the man who dares to meet their challenge, and does not turn and twist them into meaninglessness, above his
world and his time, making him inwardly free, so that he is fitted to be, in his own world and in his own time, a simple channel
of the power of Jesus."--The Quest of the Historical Jesus pg. 402
"He comes to us as One unknown, without
a name, as of old, by the lake-side, He came to those men who knew Him not. He speaks to us the same word: 'Follow thou
me!' and sets us to the tasks which He has to fulfil for our time. He commands. And to those who obey Him, whether they
be wise or simple, He will reveal Himself in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings which they shall pass through in His
fellowship, and, as an ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience Who He is."--The Quest of the Historical
Jesus pg. 403
2:18 pm pdt
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Jesus and The New York TimesWhich is more important...reading the Bible or reading the newspaper? Being that this is a religiously
oriented site, one might think that this is a rhetorical question! Actually, I'm going to say that they are equally important!
Is that heresy? I don't think so!
The historical truth of the Bible, centered in the teachings of Jesus, but
without a convincing contemporary application to the events and issues in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (welcome
Rupert) is impotent!!! The Devil laughs!!!
When the character of Christ is seen in the characters of those
who are in 'Who's Who' this world will turn upside down. Wrongs will be righted, and things which are already
right will remain right! Not that religious jargon will be commonplace on Wall Street and Main Street, but that genuine goodness
will be the norm. I don't think we're even close to that now! Are we?
I'm a naive dreamer! What about
you! Maybe this is exactly what this world needs! Go naive dreamers!
10:21 pm pdt
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