On the housetop I heard a noise.
"What could it be?" I had the thought.
Maybe it's Santa with so many toys.
Toys for me which no one bought!
Not a chimney is on this house!
I thought aloud "How shall he enter?"
Santa being quiet so's not to rouse.
Working outside in this cold winter!
Santa just gets and gives things free.
From where they come no one knows!
He brings those toys to you and me.
The gifts he brings no one grows!
Santa's toys just suddenly happen.
They're not there then there they be!
He brings them while we're just nappin'.
From who knows where to you and me!
People get free stuff in their stockings..
After a time that's what they expect.
Always the free stuff they are knocking.
Stuff from people they show no respect!
That's why this nation's in much trouble!
People expecting things to them in hand.
The free stuff costs some double.
Nothing comes free in this dear land!
America's not Santa as the silly think.
The fruits within will end some day,
Things won't always be so rosy and pink.
We can't hold the wolves at bay!
Prosperity can be when we obey!
If American can set Santa aside.
It's God mankind can never repay.
It's for us that his Son died!
What have we that is free?
What can all good men do?
What one thing is the key?
What have most, but done by few?
Desire is quenched by just one thing.
It's giving others the gift of love.
Love is of what the angels sing.
The song of love is to God above!
Give a little love to all!
Quit expecting things for you.
Obeying God - just stand tall!
Give to others what God gives you!
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Friday, December 19, 2014
Litmus Tests
"Litmus tests" are often strips of paper with certain chemicals which change colors when exposed to the media to be tested. Water test strips, for instance, test the acidity or alkalinity of water, it's hardness, it's free chlorine or bromine, and the degrees of these constituents. The term is often applied to belief systems and principles as well.
Many people think of themselves as Christians. According to Pew Research 78.4% of the people in the United States are reported to be Christians. Where are they all? If we examine the characteristics of Christians, much Christian living is lacking in America! Perhaps people have different ideas on what "Christianity" means.
Christianity is not a genetic trait. No one is a Christian because their family is. Because a person's progeny is full of Christian preachers has no bearing on an individual's spiritual status, other than that they may have the advantage of being taught about Christ and have Christian behavior modeled. Despite a person's mentors and modeling, Christianity is a personal thing! If "salvation", "born-again" and "repentance" mean little to a person's Christianity, perhaps the "Christian" should reconsider. It's better to be "saved" and err than to err in thinking one is saved!
There are things to consider when testing a person's own spiritual well-being. Let me define a Christian: It's a disciple of Christ! It's a person who follows Christ and mimics him. For a person to "follow" it's obvious that their must be faith in whom they follow:
Some people work "magic". Rock musicians merely have to strum the strings of electric excitement and women, especially, swoon at their feet. However, such magic seldom happens to rational people and for the irrational, when real life sets in, the groupie is left languishing in loneliness. Their joy is short-lived because "steps" were not taken and a false picture was mentally projected.
"Grace" is a keyword in Christianity. It's God having mercy on even the worst of us. In fact the worst of the worst love him most because he forgives them the most. (More on love shortly). Grace is a gift of God; a gift that we don't deserve. Our evil nature and it's penalty are paid for by God. Christ "redeems" people. He pays the price that we should pay! Because it's grace, we can't work to receive the freely given gift. Those who are believers in "irresistible grace" believe in the magic which turns a sinner into a saint merely by his or her existence. There is nothing they are "to do" and "doing" things, according to them, opposes grace!
The "steps" above is in fact "doing". All are things which go on in the mind and soul, and are exchanges between the empty person's heart desiring to be filled, and an omniscient God ready to fill empty souls. None are actions and each are prayers, which are merely conversations with God! He tells us that we need to change and are doomed if we fail to follow him. We listen, feel guilt, learn, believe, accept, repent, etc. Our hands do nothing. Our feet don't walk. Going up front to pray isn't salvation... it's who wins the battle for your soul which makes a person "born-again". The war you fight when you desire to submit is real and whether a person is "saved" or not depends on who wins the "spirit and flesh" battle you fight in prayer as you attempt to join God's army!
Salvation isn't magic! It's a battle. It took weeks of prayer for me to submit. God was ready the first instant and before I even approached him, but it was me that had to make a decision to turn "me" over to "him". My sacrifice was me! It's always a battle between "Self" and God, or the Flesh and Spirit! Some teach that there is a magic moment when a person reaches out to God. That magic moment is only a start of a spiritual battle!
The steps above are litmus tests so a person can know whether they have become a Christian. These steps are not assurance that a person is "saved", however. The assurance of salvation is that a person's faith (all the above steps) is put into action or "works". Rather than doing the devil's deeds a new person, born-again, shows a desire to please the Lord by doing his will! Our "doing" God's will is our litmus test to check our own spiritual condition. If we have went through the process of salvation, but yet do not the things God commands, then we certainly do not love God!
God saves us because he loves us, even in our sins. However, God expects something in return. He expects us to love him back for sparing us from eternal damnation. Doing his will is the only way mankind has to show love to an invisible God. "Doing" God's will is a litmus test for us to know that we're saved!
Some introduce other litmus tests. The non-essential litmus tests make it difficult to have faith and sometimes undermine God. Here are some of them, although the list is not comprehensive:
Did you go forward to the church altar?
Did you cry?
After salvation do you feel love?
Did you testify?
Did you get baptized?
Did you speak in unknown tongues?
Did you feel differently?
Did you quit sinning afterwards?
Do you belong to the "right" church?
Do you attend church?
Have you quit bad habits?
Are all things now okay with you?
Have all your doubts been dismissed?
Were you immersed at baptism?
Where you baptized properly?
These are all "litmus tests" applied to you by others who readily judge your spiritual condition. Such judgments impede faith! Because Jesus saves, yes, a person feels the emotion of love! However, loving God is not a prerequisite for salvation. It's how a saved person thanks God!
Those who are born-again (becomes a new person in Christ) eventually are led to crying, going forward, testifying, being baptized, joining a church, etc., but all those are a result of salvation. Some are "babes in Christ" and as they mature they do more of these things. If they see no change, then they have a right to question the authenticity of their experience, but failure to do any of these things is not a test of salvation!
"Sacraments" are things you physically "do" to obtain salvation. Some of these implied sacraments are speaking in tongues, baptism, and attending the right church and sometimes some say that the preacher must be in the direct succession of Peter or John the Baptist! These are litmus tests and have no bearing on salvation. The fact that people get baptized and some people join your church, has little do do with the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice!
Some preachers ask "Do you right now believe without a shadow of a doubt if you die that you're going to heaven?" is a Baptist "litmus test". Oftentimes Christians do have doubts, but that does not diminish their salvation. It can be dangerous if it lingers in impeding the faith we have and making us "feel" lost, but with prayer, scripture and repentance our communion with God goes on! It's only when our doubt endures that we are in danger of apostasy or it never happened at all!
Never let litmus tests hamper your salvation. Never let another apply what that person has experienced and rob you of what you have experienced. You and only you know if you're right with God and he will let you know if you listen! That's half of communicating with God. We're to listen and then respond! Don't get robbed of your salvation by litmus tests other than what happened in your heart when you and God put the devil in his place!
Many people think of themselves as Christians. According to Pew Research 78.4% of the people in the United States are reported to be Christians. Where are they all? If we examine the characteristics of Christians, much Christian living is lacking in America! Perhaps people have different ideas on what "Christianity" means.
Christianity is not a genetic trait. No one is a Christian because their family is. Because a person's progeny is full of Christian preachers has no bearing on an individual's spiritual status, other than that they may have the advantage of being taught about Christ and have Christian behavior modeled. Despite a person's mentors and modeling, Christianity is a personal thing! If "salvation", "born-again" and "repentance" mean little to a person's Christianity, perhaps the "Christian" should reconsider. It's better to be "saved" and err than to err in thinking one is saved!
There are things to consider when testing a person's own spiritual well-being. Let me define a Christian: It's a disciple of Christ! It's a person who follows Christ and mimics him. For a person to "follow" it's obvious that their must be faith in whom they follow:
- Believe in the person that he is who he says he is.
- Trust what the person says is true all the time.
- Apply the person's teachings to one's own life.
- Feel remorse for not measuring up to the standards taught.
- Submit to the leadership of the person.
- Repent for not meeting the standard.
- Ask for forgiveness from the one you follow.
- Accept the forgiveness given.
- Pledge to change previous beliefs and practices which led to repentance.
- Make a commitment to rely upon the person from here on out.
Some people work "magic". Rock musicians merely have to strum the strings of electric excitement and women, especially, swoon at their feet. However, such magic seldom happens to rational people and for the irrational, when real life sets in, the groupie is left languishing in loneliness. Their joy is short-lived because "steps" were not taken and a false picture was mentally projected.
"Grace" is a keyword in Christianity. It's God having mercy on even the worst of us. In fact the worst of the worst love him most because he forgives them the most. (More on love shortly). Grace is a gift of God; a gift that we don't deserve. Our evil nature and it's penalty are paid for by God. Christ "redeems" people. He pays the price that we should pay! Because it's grace, we can't work to receive the freely given gift. Those who are believers in "irresistible grace" believe in the magic which turns a sinner into a saint merely by his or her existence. There is nothing they are "to do" and "doing" things, according to them, opposes grace!
The "steps" above is in fact "doing". All are things which go on in the mind and soul, and are exchanges between the empty person's heart desiring to be filled, and an omniscient God ready to fill empty souls. None are actions and each are prayers, which are merely conversations with God! He tells us that we need to change and are doomed if we fail to follow him. We listen, feel guilt, learn, believe, accept, repent, etc. Our hands do nothing. Our feet don't walk. Going up front to pray isn't salvation... it's who wins the battle for your soul which makes a person "born-again". The war you fight when you desire to submit is real and whether a person is "saved" or not depends on who wins the "spirit and flesh" battle you fight in prayer as you attempt to join God's army!
Salvation isn't magic! It's a battle. It took weeks of prayer for me to submit. God was ready the first instant and before I even approached him, but it was me that had to make a decision to turn "me" over to "him". My sacrifice was me! It's always a battle between "Self" and God, or the Flesh and Spirit! Some teach that there is a magic moment when a person reaches out to God. That magic moment is only a start of a spiritual battle!
The steps above are litmus tests so a person can know whether they have become a Christian. These steps are not assurance that a person is "saved", however. The assurance of salvation is that a person's faith (all the above steps) is put into action or "works". Rather than doing the devil's deeds a new person, born-again, shows a desire to please the Lord by doing his will! Our "doing" God's will is our litmus test to check our own spiritual condition. If we have went through the process of salvation, but yet do not the things God commands, then we certainly do not love God!
God saves us because he loves us, even in our sins. However, God expects something in return. He expects us to love him back for sparing us from eternal damnation. Doing his will is the only way mankind has to show love to an invisible God. "Doing" God's will is a litmus test for us to know that we're saved!
Some introduce other litmus tests. The non-essential litmus tests make it difficult to have faith and sometimes undermine God. Here are some of them, although the list is not comprehensive:
Did you go forward to the church altar?
Did you cry?
After salvation do you feel love?
Did you testify?
Did you get baptized?
Did you speak in unknown tongues?
Did you feel differently?
Did you quit sinning afterwards?
Do you belong to the "right" church?
Do you attend church?
Have you quit bad habits?
Are all things now okay with you?
Have all your doubts been dismissed?
Were you immersed at baptism?
Where you baptized properly?
These are all "litmus tests" applied to you by others who readily judge your spiritual condition. Such judgments impede faith! Because Jesus saves, yes, a person feels the emotion of love! However, loving God is not a prerequisite for salvation. It's how a saved person thanks God!
Those who are born-again (becomes a new person in Christ) eventually are led to crying, going forward, testifying, being baptized, joining a church, etc., but all those are a result of salvation. Some are "babes in Christ" and as they mature they do more of these things. If they see no change, then they have a right to question the authenticity of their experience, but failure to do any of these things is not a test of salvation!
"Sacraments" are things you physically "do" to obtain salvation. Some of these implied sacraments are speaking in tongues, baptism, and attending the right church and sometimes some say that the preacher must be in the direct succession of Peter or John the Baptist! These are litmus tests and have no bearing on salvation. The fact that people get baptized and some people join your church, has little do do with the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice!
Some preachers ask "Do you right now believe without a shadow of a doubt if you die that you're going to heaven?" is a Baptist "litmus test". Oftentimes Christians do have doubts, but that does not diminish their salvation. It can be dangerous if it lingers in impeding the faith we have and making us "feel" lost, but with prayer, scripture and repentance our communion with God goes on! It's only when our doubt endures that we are in danger of apostasy or it never happened at all!
Never let litmus tests hamper your salvation. Never let another apply what that person has experienced and rob you of what you have experienced. You and only you know if you're right with God and he will let you know if you listen! That's half of communicating with God. We're to listen and then respond! Don't get robbed of your salvation by litmus tests other than what happened in your heart when you and God put the devil in his place!
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Big Word for Today; Expediency
Big word is "expedient". It's used in the King James Version in the verses below, among other places. "Expedient" means "achieving a particular end with an opportunity for self-interest."
With salvation we are totally free of Mosaic Law. Dietary rules, ceremonial cleansing, ritual worship, animal sacrifices and the like are no longer required! In fact to do those things in trade for righteousness is viperous! We're no better than snakes! Obeying commands BECAUSE we love God is what God desires. Don't get "Christian Liberty" confused. We are free to ignore laws, but because we're saved, we should never want to disobey any command! Rather than being metrics for punishment they are standards for love!
So obeying The Law isn't necessary for Paul (nor us), but it is "expedient", or, i.e., can be beneficial! The most expediency for obedience is as a demonstration of our love of God, but we get the bonus because we get some type of "crown" for our obedience!
Likewise, some things just don't "edify" or other words, don't enhance the mind or build character for the self, nor improve our standing with God. As subjects of the King, we are to "tend the royal garden". We are to make the kingdom of God a beautiful place. It's holy ground and we are to sew seeds of salvation and grow majestic disciples of Christ!
Some things which are not lawful, but we do anyhow, causes guilt on our part and disappoints God Edifying God is lifting him up! We can't lift him up by putting him down!
1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any."Christian liberty" is freedom from the bondage of sin and the work of trying on your own. Everyone who is saved and formerly bound by sin is set free. Jesus paid the price for all our sins. He redeemed us, or one way to look at it, we were bound in slavery, but he bought our freedom! The payment was made in blood and by his death. He did that for us because our own blood is not payment enough. Our blood belongs to God anyhow, so there is no way to give God what already belongs to him!
1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
Galatians 5:1 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."There are two types of slavery: to sin and to The Law . Actually scripture speaks more harshly of dotting the i's and crossing the t's in keeping the Mosaic Law, which is the commandments and all the regulations associated with them. The problem with slavery to sin is that it separates the person from God. The problem with keepers of The Law is that they are striving to please God without loving God or anyone else for that matter!
With salvation we are totally free of Mosaic Law. Dietary rules, ceremonial cleansing, ritual worship, animal sacrifices and the like are no longer required! In fact to do those things in trade for righteousness is viperous! We're no better than snakes! Obeying commands BECAUSE we love God is what God desires. Don't get "Christian Liberty" confused. We are free to ignore laws, but because we're saved, we should never want to disobey any command! Rather than being metrics for punishment they are standards for love!
So obeying The Law isn't necessary for Paul (nor us), but it is "expedient", or, i.e., can be beneficial! The most expediency for obedience is as a demonstration of our love of God, but we get the bonus because we get some type of "crown" for our obedience!
Likewise, some things just don't "edify" or other words, don't enhance the mind or build character for the self, nor improve our standing with God. As subjects of the King, we are to "tend the royal garden". We are to make the kingdom of God a beautiful place. It's holy ground and we are to sew seeds of salvation and grow majestic disciples of Christ!
Some things which are not lawful, but we do anyhow, causes guilt on our part and disappoints God Edifying God is lifting him up! We can't lift him up by putting him down!
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Peace on Earth
"Peace on earth, good will to men" is from the carol I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. "Longfellow got it wrong" I thought, until I finished singing his song: "There is no peace on earth, For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men."!
Wesley got it right too! "Hark! the herald angels sing 'Glory to the newborn King Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!' " from Hark, The Herald Angels Sing. Jesus came to reconcile every individual to him. That's individual peace.
We get so accustomed to rattling off cliches that fictions becomes truth. Not really truth, but people accept it as such!
We've shortened the thought! It has become "Peace on earth, good will to men"! That's not true. Jesus actually said the total opposite:
Another negatively connotated warning is that those who fail to "take up the cross" are not worthy of Jesus. Taking up the Cross is having a strong belief and trust in Jesus, called faith. Those with little faith battle against God. They put the things of the world before God, just as they put family members before God! Not only do men battle against God, but they put family before God. That's warfare!
Lastly, on the negative side, is our own life! Those people who put themselves first, battle with God. However, this negative warning is followed by a positive reward "he that loseth his life for my name sake shall find it". Under persecution for being a disciple of Christ, if we hold firm, then we shall be rewarded for our battle. In this case those dying in Jesus' name place Jesus over them self!
The next are not truly warnings, but instructions. We are to receive Jesus, the prophets, righteous men, and have charity, "he in no wise lose his reward". The obstacle to all these charges are the two "S's": Self and Satan. Choosing "good" and charitable acts are war! Satan tries to deceive the Self into not listening to Jesus, the prophets, righteous men and certainly charitable acts to demonstrate love. We always have that deceiving voice saying "You're pitiful! Don't do that!", whereas the Spirit comforts and instructs us. That's the war between us and principalities being waged all the time!
The sword of the Spirit is the offensive weapon of the full armor of God. The shield, breast plate, etc. are defensive. We're not to just stand there and be struck by the forces of evil, but are to strike out against evil with the sword provided by the Spirit. If we learn, understand and live scripture, our righteousness becomes the paramount weapon against evil!
Yes, there is a war going on! It's spiritual warfare and that's because Jesus came. It was war Jesus brought to earth. It was waged in heaven, but now it's here! There will be no "peace on earth" until Jesus comes back to reign. However, in the interim, Jesus did come to bring peace to our hearts!
Wesley got it right too! "Hark! the herald angels sing 'Glory to the newborn King Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!' " from Hark, The Herald Angels Sing. Jesus came to reconcile every individual to him. That's individual peace.
We get so accustomed to rattling off cliches that fictions becomes truth. Not really truth, but people accept it as such!
We've shortened the thought! It has become "Peace on earth, good will to men"! That's not true. Jesus actually said the total opposite:
Matthew 10:32 "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household."Jesus came with a sword and with that sword a battle is to be fought here on earth! Jesus wields a mighty sword and with it, people will turn on one another! There shall be dissension in households and there will be war against principalities. What is the sword Christ wielded?
Epehsians 6:17 "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God..."The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. It's scripture which we use to receive truth, comfort and strength from the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God who remained on earth to guide and direct us. His guidance and direction are the words of Jesus, left here for posterity. Christians can only wield the sword if they read scripture and by having the sword, they excel the enemy who has nothing! Jesus went on to explain about the war he was to bring:
Matthew 10:37 "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. 40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward."The first four warnings are negative on context. People who love others before God are not worthy of him! That includes father, mother, son and daughter. If we allow others to influence or diminish any faith we might have, even though they are loved ones, then we aren't worthy of God! Our love is displaced. Love of God comes first and many, even in our home, will disparage Christ! We must defend our faith against even those we love and are not to relinquish our faith under pressure from anyone!
Another negatively connotated warning is that those who fail to "take up the cross" are not worthy of Jesus. Taking up the Cross is having a strong belief and trust in Jesus, called faith. Those with little faith battle against God. They put the things of the world before God, just as they put family members before God! Not only do men battle against God, but they put family before God. That's warfare!
Lastly, on the negative side, is our own life! Those people who put themselves first, battle with God. However, this negative warning is followed by a positive reward "he that loseth his life for my name sake shall find it". Under persecution for being a disciple of Christ, if we hold firm, then we shall be rewarded for our battle. In this case those dying in Jesus' name place Jesus over them self!
The next are not truly warnings, but instructions. We are to receive Jesus, the prophets, righteous men, and have charity, "he in no wise lose his reward". The obstacle to all these charges are the two "S's": Self and Satan. Choosing "good" and charitable acts are war! Satan tries to deceive the Self into not listening to Jesus, the prophets, righteous men and certainly charitable acts to demonstrate love. We always have that deceiving voice saying "You're pitiful! Don't do that!", whereas the Spirit comforts and instructs us. That's the war between us and principalities being waged all the time!
The sword of the Spirit is the offensive weapon of the full armor of God. The shield, breast plate, etc. are defensive. We're not to just stand there and be struck by the forces of evil, but are to strike out against evil with the sword provided by the Spirit. If we learn, understand and live scripture, our righteousness becomes the paramount weapon against evil!
Yes, there is a war going on! It's spiritual warfare and that's because Jesus came. It was war Jesus brought to earth. It was waged in heaven, but now it's here! There will be no "peace on earth" until Jesus comes back to reign. However, in the interim, Jesus did come to bring peace to our hearts!
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."Jesus came to provide islands of peace in a sea of turmoil. While mankind fights God and each other, good cheer resides in the hearts of those who trust in Jesus. We have peace in our hearts because Jesus said "I have overcome the world", and he did just that!
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Evil Lurks Well Hidden
What is evil?
Meriam-Webster Dictionary defines evil as simply "morally bad"! That raises two questions: 1) Whose morals and 2) What is bad! It would appear that bad and evil are the same thing. Therefore, the definition doesn't define! I prefer to consult a omniscient person and I only know one! "God, what is evil?"
God wrote down the "Ten Evil Things Not to Do". They are The Ten Commandments! We are to love God by 1) Placing God above all else, 2) having no idols, 3) honoring God and his name and 4) keeping the Lord's Day holy. Doing evil to God is failure to keep the first four commandments.
We are to love others by: 5) honoring our parents, 6) having sanctity for life, 7) having sex within the bounds of Holy Marriage, 8) being honest, 9) being truthful and 10) being satisfied with what's ours. Doing evil to others is failure to keep the last six commandments. Since, we do the last six to show our love for God (John 14:15), all ten are truly loving God.
What is evil? It's failure to love God and that turns back again to my earlier premise: "evil is failure to love God" period!
When was evil born?
Evil was always there for mankind. It existed in the heavens long before Adam and Eve were ever created! The devil, called the angel Lucifer, was the first evil-doer:
Who is the author of evil?
Satan who is the angel Lucifer is the author of evil. He did evil first and set the example for mankind. He desired to be King in God's place because he was proud:
Why is it important that evil be done?
Evil is necessary for Lucifer because he is a "pretender" to God's throne. His desire is to take God's place. He does evil as rebellion against God. Pretenders have their own armies and fight the legions of kings. Lucifer's angels are his army and he fights God and the angels of light. There is a war going on in heaven and humans are collateral damage. It's a numbers thing. Just as pretenders gained power by killing the most Englishmen, Lucifer gains power by murdering men who were created innocent!
Sometimes in the dark ages, pretenders became kings. At other times the king held onto his power! Our God is "Almighty God" and Satan's fate is the Lake of Fire where he and his angels shall be destroyed. Furthermore, those pawns of his, the collateral damage, will suffer the same fate!
What does evil look like?
Here's a description of what the appearance of evil is:
We can can only see one side of the moon. The far side is forever hidden! There is a dark side never seen by the naked eye!
Evil is like the moon:
On the face of it, Evil has beauty. If it revealed its ugly side, people would never choose to do it. Evil often has a sweet smile, suave ways and beauty to perfection! Only with the best technology can the backside of the moon ever be revealed. Likewise, only with the best discernment can the dark side of evil be seen!
The moon smiles at us from afar, but we are well-acquainted with it! Evil, just like the moon, may be someone or something we know very well. It may be someone who we love or with whom we work. Sometimes Evil is even near in church, sitting quietly beyond suspicion. The best of friends may even be parasites on which Evil steals a ride. We must be careful for Evil lurks around us all the time, but is as clandestine as that dark side of the moon!
Beware of Beowulf's Grendel. Don't get mooned... Grendel will get you if you don't watch out!
In short evil is disguised by beauty and other qualities. Just as the beautiful angel Lucifer did evil, evil has always assumed a pretty face. What is an evil deed? Perhaps pedophilia? Who are the "nicest" people to children? The ones who gives them candy and attention. It's the child molester! Evil works its wicked ways by assuming good characteristics. God's children should beware of Satan the pedophile!
Why do people do evil?
People do evil pretty much for three reasons: 1) pleasure, 2) power and 3) wealth. Secondary reasons are related to these. Pride can be of pleasure, power or wealth. Reason is for power. Knowledge is for power and wealth. You get the drift. Evil is pretty much described by these three components of sin and those were all offered by "The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil".
What are the consequences of evil?
Let's be brief! Here is the penalty for engaging in evil:
What are the methods of evil?
Evil paints a pretty picture for those gullible. Just as he described the "Tree" in the garden as "was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise (Genesis 3:6). The serpent described the tree as Epicurean, pleasant and able to produce reason. That translates into what I said before: evil is represented by wealth, pleasure and power!
The one who portends to love you most may be the one who leads you most astray. Satan uses evil people, puts demons in their empty souls and those pawns are the serpents which beguile you! It may even be a loved one or a close friend! Beware of Black Knights dressed in garments of white. Beware of Jezebels masquerading as angels of light! "Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing" (from Matthew 7:15).
Who is evil?
Some will be fooled! That's a leaders trick. As George Rogers Clark said as he led the rag-tag army at Vincennes, "The water is getting more shallow! as he led into deeper water! Likewise, General Satan deceives as well. Remember, he's "the father of lies":
What can we do?
Only God is good, but we can endeavor to copy God. We strive to be righteous and that is the absence of evil.
Are we protected from evil?
Those warriors of God fighting in God's army have protection. God puts a hedge around us and gives us his armor and he watches out for his obedient children:
You see the good King is our Protector. Just as kings were "Protectors of the Faith" in times of old, God is "The Protector of the Faithful" in all times, being the same King yesterday, today and tomorrow!
Meriam-Webster Dictionary defines evil as simply "morally bad"! That raises two questions: 1) Whose morals and 2) What is bad! It would appear that bad and evil are the same thing. Therefore, the definition doesn't define! I prefer to consult a omniscient person and I only know one! "God, what is evil?"
2 Chronicles 12:14 "And he (King Rehoboam) did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord."The bad king did evil by doing two things: He failed to submit to God and he failed to seek the Lord. Evil then consists of proud hearts and failing to do what's God's will. God has obliged man by giving us all a standard to live by. God wills two things: Love God and Love others! Hence, evil is failure to love... period! The "heart" part is where love should lurk, but evil does often in its place.
God wrote down the "Ten Evil Things Not to Do". They are The Ten Commandments! We are to love God by 1) Placing God above all else, 2) having no idols, 3) honoring God and his name and 4) keeping the Lord's Day holy. Doing evil to God is failure to keep the first four commandments.
We are to love others by: 5) honoring our parents, 6) having sanctity for life, 7) having sex within the bounds of Holy Marriage, 8) being honest, 9) being truthful and 10) being satisfied with what's ours. Doing evil to others is failure to keep the last six commandments. Since, we do the last six to show our love for God (John 14:15), all ten are truly loving God.
What is evil? It's failure to love God and that turns back again to my earlier premise: "evil is failure to love God" period!
When was evil born?
Evil was always there for mankind. It existed in the heavens long before Adam and Eve were ever created! The devil, called the angel Lucifer, was the first evil-doer:
Isaiah 14:12 "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High."Lucifer, the angel, was the first to do evil, then other angels followed!
Jude 1:6 "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.""The first estate" is their heavenly home! It's the kingdom of God.. Under the English monarchy at the time of King James, there were three estates: the clergy, the nobility and the commoners; the first, second and third, respectively. The clergy were emissaries or messengers of God, as were the angels which means "messengers". Hence, the angels fell out of the graces of the King (God) because they owed allegiance to a "Pretender to the throne". Lucifer was that "pretender" to God's throne just as many of the kings of the middle ages had heirs who would be king.
Who is the author of evil?
Satan who is the angel Lucifer is the author of evil. He did evil first and set the example for mankind. He desired to be King in God's place because he was proud:
Ezekiel 28:17 "Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee."It's easy to see that Lucifer became an evil-doer because of pride, but too, he corrupted wisdom. He was a liar! Jesus had this to say about Satan:
John 8:44 "He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."Satan killed angels who followed him as he did all men since who fail to repent. We all died spiritually by this murderer yet most people still follow him. Why? He's a liar and people believe him! The first evils were pride, murder and lying and Satan did them first!
Why is it important that evil be done?
Evil is necessary for Lucifer because he is a "pretender" to God's throne. His desire is to take God's place. He does evil as rebellion against God. Pretenders have their own armies and fight the legions of kings. Lucifer's angels are his army and he fights God and the angels of light. There is a war going on in heaven and humans are collateral damage. It's a numbers thing. Just as pretenders gained power by killing the most Englishmen, Lucifer gains power by murdering men who were created innocent!
Sometimes in the dark ages, pretenders became kings. At other times the king held onto his power! Our God is "Almighty God" and Satan's fate is the Lake of Fire where he and his angels shall be destroyed. Furthermore, those pawns of his, the collateral damage, will suffer the same fate!
What does evil look like?
Here's a description of what the appearance of evil is:
We can can only see one side of the moon. The far side is forever hidden! There is a dark side never seen by the naked eye!
Evil is like the moon:
On the face of it, Evil has beauty. If it revealed its ugly side, people would never choose to do it. Evil often has a sweet smile, suave ways and beauty to perfection! Only with the best technology can the backside of the moon ever be revealed. Likewise, only with the best discernment can the dark side of evil be seen!
The moon smiles at us from afar, but we are well-acquainted with it! Evil, just like the moon, may be someone or something we know very well. It may be someone who we love or with whom we work. Sometimes Evil is even near in church, sitting quietly beyond suspicion. The best of friends may even be parasites on which Evil steals a ride. We must be careful for Evil lurks around us all the time, but is as clandestine as that dark side of the moon!
Beware of Beowulf's Grendel. Don't get mooned... Grendel will get you if you don't watch out!
In short evil is disguised by beauty and other qualities. Just as the beautiful angel Lucifer did evil, evil has always assumed a pretty face. What is an evil deed? Perhaps pedophilia? Who are the "nicest" people to children? The ones who gives them candy and attention. It's the child molester! Evil works its wicked ways by assuming good characteristics. God's children should beware of Satan the pedophile!
Why do people do evil?
People do evil pretty much for three reasons: 1) pleasure, 2) power and 3) wealth. Secondary reasons are related to these. Pride can be of pleasure, power or wealth. Reason is for power. Knowledge is for power and wealth. You get the drift. Evil is pretty much described by these three components of sin and those were all offered by "The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil".
What are the consequences of evil?
Let's be brief! Here is the penalty for engaging in evil:
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death..."Not only will we die a natural death as a result of evil, but also spiritual death! Before Adam sinned he was immortal. After he did evil he died! His death was physical and spiritual, and like him, we too shall die two deaths... unless we're saved from the second death:
Revelation 20:14 "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death."Those spiritually dead and those awaiting in the wings of hell will suffer the second death. That is the consequence of worshiping the pretender... being his pawn!
Revelation 20:15 "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."
Revelation 3:5 "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."Those that overcome are those who refuse to be the pretender's pawns. They owe allegiance to King Jesus and not this cheap imitation "Price of the Air"! A name is added to The Book of Life when one pledges allegiance to the King! This person puts on the "full armor of God" and becomes a spiritual warrior for the true King. He's there when the Pretender suffers total defeat and is cast into an eternal hell!
What are the methods of evil?
Evil paints a pretty picture for those gullible. Just as he described the "Tree" in the garden as "was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise (Genesis 3:6). The serpent described the tree as Epicurean, pleasant and able to produce reason. That translates into what I said before: evil is represented by wealth, pleasure and power!
The one who portends to love you most may be the one who leads you most astray. Satan uses evil people, puts demons in their empty souls and those pawns are the serpents which beguile you! It may even be a loved one or a close friend! Beware of Black Knights dressed in garments of white. Beware of Jezebels masquerading as angels of light! "Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing" (from Matthew 7:15).
Who is evil?
Hebrews 3:12 "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God."First off, Christians are prone to evil. Satan wars against them first because they stand on The King's front line. They are wearing armor, but the evil Prince looks for a chink in it and attacks there. Once entry is made, unless the armor is sturdy, the entire attire is shredded and the naked soldiers of God mutiny!
Some will be fooled! That's a leaders trick. As George Rogers Clark said as he led the rag-tag army at Vincennes, "The water is getting more shallow! as he led into deeper water! Likewise, General Satan deceives as well. Remember, he's "the father of lies":
Isaiah 5:20 "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"In this "progressive" age this is called "spin"! Truth is twisted and falsehoods made truth. It's sort of the Orwellian concept of "doublespeak", a fictional language which disguises, reverses and distorts meanings of words. God warned Isaiah of doublespeak and Isaiah warned us. Orwell warned us again!
What can we do?
Only God is good, but we can endeavor to copy God. We strive to be righteous and that is the absence of evil.
3 John 1:11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.It seems that there are two empires: a righteous one and an evil empire! God gave us the ability to choose sides. We don't have to do evil, but yet most do! It's not that we know we're following the Pretender to the Throne, but because he tells us that wealth, pleasure and power is with him... and people believe him! If you think that's silly, Hitler did the same thing and 93% of Germans voted for him in his last election!
Are we protected from evil?
Those warriors of God fighting in God's army have protection. God puts a hedge around us and gives us his armor and he watches out for his obedient children:
1 Peter 3:12 "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."
You see the good King is our Protector. Just as kings were "Protectors of the Faith" in times of old, God is "The Protector of the Faithful" in all times, being the same King yesterday, today and tomorrow!
Monday, December 15, 2014
How to Grow a Dead Church
"Do as I say, not as I do!" is an old refrain pointing toward the hypocrisy of the speaker. Many people fail to see their own shortcomings and then point toward the actions and behaviors of others. We do that, and I sometimes do, because subconsciously we recognize our own faults. It's easy to teach against lying if a liar is speaking. Liars normally understand the mechanism quite well and is actually issuing a subliminal warning to themselves.
I've heard preachers do the same! They warn congregations to be inclusive and friendly, but they fail to do so themselves. It's offensive to listen to reproof from those who need reproof! Some teach against cliques, not recognizing their own! Church growth can be achieved by being genuinely welcoming and maintaining friendliness. Many churches are welcoming to the newcomer, but within a few weeks, the visitors find themselves estranged! Friendships should be enduring, sincere and inclusive.
When I taught Sunday School, I watched for church visitors. I immediately invited the adults to my Sunday School Class and told them where each child should go. If they failed to come, I was persistent! My goal was to put out a wide and friendly welcome mat.
It's crucial to be friendly AT CHURCH, but friendships must exist OUTSIDE the doors! If a family attended a second time, the entire family were guests of my family for lunch after church. Our ministry was treating newcomers to a fine dinner. It was beyond our tithe, but worth it for friends have intrinsic value beyond dollars! Furthermore, friendship continues in the same light. Being friendly and being friends never ends!
Studies show that "friendliness" is the primary metric for church attendance. Most churches fail. Some people are just ignorant of social grace, others are reserved, others introverted and most others just thoughtless or apathetic. It takes work and motivation to include others. Inclusion is not only those of the same economic class or social interests, but including those in your circle who aren't popular or not blessed by affluence.
Part of inclusion is sitting in different places at church. The pew doesn't belong to you and others have a right to it! People should endeavor to sit in a different location each week. That's a first step. The next step is "get to know them"! Don't tell me what to do... show me how to do it!
Many churches have organized greeting. A minute or two is taken where people are directed to greet others and shake hands. That's good, but not sufficient. That's necessary because most people don't do it on their own! Many nice people wait to be friendly and are friendly when told to be, but that's not genuine. If people came in the door and greeted others before the service, friendliness will have been achieved.
I've been to churches where people seek a good seat up front. Those are growing churches. Getting there early to get a back seat shows some type of inhibition. Before I was right with the Lord it was my secure hiding place from the call of the Holy Spirit. It took the eyes of the preacher off me because others were closer. Also, I didn't have to participate back in my safe seat. Guess what? No one makes a person participate even if they sit up front! Up front are the really safe seats because the preacher targets those who never participate in the service. Most of those sit outback! The pews need to be on an horizontal escalator. Once everyone is safely seated in back, then the preacher pushes a button and everyone is transported to the front!
People who are able to minister need to be welcomed by finding them a place to minister! Church leaders have an obligation to find newcomer's gifts and use it for the work of the Lord! Leaders shouldn't wait for volunteers because newcomers wait to be needed. With no encouragement newcomers think "I'm not needed here!". What's worse is when a newcomer continually volunteers, but no use is ever found for them.
Teachers and leaders should never be in permanent positions. Neither should they be nominated by a committee. Nominations should be open to the congregation. Rotation needs to happen so new people can be active. Also, new thoughts are taught with different people teaching.
Deacons must know how to be deacons and called to minister! Their job is to minister to the congregation. They are to be super-friends and counselors. They need to know how to pray to God and how to pray for sinners. They must know how to lead a person to salvation. People don't need deacons to take are of the budget, etc. They need super friends who are wise, discerning, selfless and dedicated to God. Deacons should never be for those seeking prestige or just fill a vacancy! Deacons should be in charge of visitation and making it happen! Deacons should be the welcoming committee at church!
When people go to a church for the first time, if they show one iota of interest, they expect a visit from the pastor and/or a deacon! After they attend the second time, most people would like a visit from a mere congregant. Better yet, the newcomer would like an invitation to lunch or to a home... not merely "come back to church".
At one church that I attended I was the visitation leader. I had as many as 30 people who came to the church on Thursday night. I would have ready a list of visitors, shut-ins and those sick. I also had maps ready so that the callers could easily find their assigned family. People were visiting the church every week. Visitation was working! However, after one or two Sundays, visitors found out our little secret: we were not a friendly and sincere church! When the leadership failed to encourage friendliness and actually defended those who were hostile, I moved on! Even I didn't want to attend an unfriendly church!
Most churches have fellowship dinners. Those are to so people can get to know others and include visitors. Examine what happens: People sit with their family and friends and visitors are left to themselves! Friendly people can be thoughtless people. Look for others who are isolated and include them in your circle! Your new friends will become your friend's friends and with that done, that's a church family!
With friendliness achieved within the church, for growth to occur it must be done in the community. Churches don't grow by merely inviting others to church. Before a family is invited, friendships must first be established! Seek out those unchurched in your neighborhood, befriend them, become real friends, then invite them to church. Your true friendship sets the example and they will desire to be part of your extended family.
John Maxwell taught church growth in my church for three months. We grew from 32 to 340 in a year. Our method was what I outlined above. However, when people felt their mission had been accomplished, attendance reversed. Friendship is not a program! Friendship is a relationship. People see the difference!
I've heard preachers do the same! They warn congregations to be inclusive and friendly, but they fail to do so themselves. It's offensive to listen to reproof from those who need reproof! Some teach against cliques, not recognizing their own! Church growth can be achieved by being genuinely welcoming and maintaining friendliness. Many churches are welcoming to the newcomer, but within a few weeks, the visitors find themselves estranged! Friendships should be enduring, sincere and inclusive.
When I taught Sunday School, I watched for church visitors. I immediately invited the adults to my Sunday School Class and told them where each child should go. If they failed to come, I was persistent! My goal was to put out a wide and friendly welcome mat.
It's crucial to be friendly AT CHURCH, but friendships must exist OUTSIDE the doors! If a family attended a second time, the entire family were guests of my family for lunch after church. Our ministry was treating newcomers to a fine dinner. It was beyond our tithe, but worth it for friends have intrinsic value beyond dollars! Furthermore, friendship continues in the same light. Being friendly and being friends never ends!
Studies show that "friendliness" is the primary metric for church attendance. Most churches fail. Some people are just ignorant of social grace, others are reserved, others introverted and most others just thoughtless or apathetic. It takes work and motivation to include others. Inclusion is not only those of the same economic class or social interests, but including those in your circle who aren't popular or not blessed by affluence.
Part of inclusion is sitting in different places at church. The pew doesn't belong to you and others have a right to it! People should endeavor to sit in a different location each week. That's a first step. The next step is "get to know them"! Don't tell me what to do... show me how to do it!
Many churches have organized greeting. A minute or two is taken where people are directed to greet others and shake hands. That's good, but not sufficient. That's necessary because most people don't do it on their own! Many nice people wait to be friendly and are friendly when told to be, but that's not genuine. If people came in the door and greeted others before the service, friendliness will have been achieved.
I've been to churches where people seek a good seat up front. Those are growing churches. Getting there early to get a back seat shows some type of inhibition. Before I was right with the Lord it was my secure hiding place from the call of the Holy Spirit. It took the eyes of the preacher off me because others were closer. Also, I didn't have to participate back in my safe seat. Guess what? No one makes a person participate even if they sit up front! Up front are the really safe seats because the preacher targets those who never participate in the service. Most of those sit outback! The pews need to be on an horizontal escalator. Once everyone is safely seated in back, then the preacher pushes a button and everyone is transported to the front!
People who are able to minister need to be welcomed by finding them a place to minister! Church leaders have an obligation to find newcomer's gifts and use it for the work of the Lord! Leaders shouldn't wait for volunteers because newcomers wait to be needed. With no encouragement newcomers think "I'm not needed here!". What's worse is when a newcomer continually volunteers, but no use is ever found for them.
Teachers and leaders should never be in permanent positions. Neither should they be nominated by a committee. Nominations should be open to the congregation. Rotation needs to happen so new people can be active. Also, new thoughts are taught with different people teaching.
Deacons must know how to be deacons and called to minister! Their job is to minister to the congregation. They are to be super-friends and counselors. They need to know how to pray to God and how to pray for sinners. They must know how to lead a person to salvation. People don't need deacons to take are of the budget, etc. They need super friends who are wise, discerning, selfless and dedicated to God. Deacons should never be for those seeking prestige or just fill a vacancy! Deacons should be in charge of visitation and making it happen! Deacons should be the welcoming committee at church!
When people go to a church for the first time, if they show one iota of interest, they expect a visit from the pastor and/or a deacon! After they attend the second time, most people would like a visit from a mere congregant. Better yet, the newcomer would like an invitation to lunch or to a home... not merely "come back to church".
At one church that I attended I was the visitation leader. I had as many as 30 people who came to the church on Thursday night. I would have ready a list of visitors, shut-ins and those sick. I also had maps ready so that the callers could easily find their assigned family. People were visiting the church every week. Visitation was working! However, after one or two Sundays, visitors found out our little secret: we were not a friendly and sincere church! When the leadership failed to encourage friendliness and actually defended those who were hostile, I moved on! Even I didn't want to attend an unfriendly church!
Most churches have fellowship dinners. Those are to so people can get to know others and include visitors. Examine what happens: People sit with their family and friends and visitors are left to themselves! Friendly people can be thoughtless people. Look for others who are isolated and include them in your circle! Your new friends will become your friend's friends and with that done, that's a church family!
With friendliness achieved within the church, for growth to occur it must be done in the community. Churches don't grow by merely inviting others to church. Before a family is invited, friendships must first be established! Seek out those unchurched in your neighborhood, befriend them, become real friends, then invite them to church. Your true friendship sets the example and they will desire to be part of your extended family.
John Maxwell taught church growth in my church for three months. We grew from 32 to 340 in a year. Our method was what I outlined above. However, when people felt their mission had been accomplished, attendance reversed. Friendship is not a program! Friendship is a relationship. People see the difference!
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Shallow Hal - Shallow Gal on Marijuana
Shallow Hal was a recent movie. It was about a man who looked only on what's obvious. He was hung up on outward beauty, but ignored what's inside. One day he saw inner beauty and fell in love with it! Thereafter, the outer beauty became insignificant to the extent that the inner beauty shined through, exceeding what met the eye. Women are that way too! It's not a gender specific malady. We also have Shallow Gals!
People only see the obvious. They turn their thinkers off and fail to examine the entire package. Humans, for the most part, are not holistic thinkers! People, every day, partake of poisons to the body because they taste good or feel good. Pleasure outweighs health!
If we look at example, there is a certain toe fungus medication with horrendous side-effects. Many people, to have beautiful toenails, endanger their health, even their life! The dangers significantly outweigh the benefits.
In nutrition shops all over the world are herbs and mixtures which purport to provide all types of benefits from sexual prowess to longevity in years. They guarantee perfect skin and vibrant health. Most of the benefits are imaginary or minimal. Many are dangerous, yet people endanger themselves for the hope of improvement. People are shallow thinkers!
Years ago, although I never ever bought one, I looked at Playboy magazines. My thinking was shallow! I received pleasure in looking at naked bodies, but never looked beyond that. As I matured as a Christian I considered the word of the Lord. It does not say anywhere "Do not look at girlie magazines", but if anyone considers texts on lust, respect, etc. discriminating thinkers will realize that wasting time looking at bawdy pictures takes time from worshiping the Lord, and can become an idol itself!
I considered this all one day after I had a child and thought "Those girls are somebody's daughters!" I quickly realized how awful it would be if it was my own daughter grown men were gaping! Furthermore, the hedonistic articles between the "spreads" are another gospel. They teach things which are an abomination to the Lord! Christians endanger their very soul gradually as they absorb Satan's gospel of pleasure!
At one time I was Shallow Hal with entertainment. I used to skip Sunday evening worship to watch Cher. With her provocative dress, I'm not even aware of listening to her music! I put Cher over God! I was shallow! Now before I buy any music album or watch a movie, I consider the whole. "Will this entertain? Will it offend God with filth, homosexuality, sex, or disrespect?" I also ask "Do I want my hard earned money to go to this actor, musician or writer who is at odds with what I cherish whether it be politics or religion?" (I will not support atheists or liberal Democrats if I am aware! I just can't ignore their antipathy to things I hold dear!).
I'm no longer Shallow Hal! I am discerning and principled. I'm not going to dishonor God for my own pleasure if I can help it. I look beyond the outward at the mechanism inside. Those people have an agenda, I'm on that agenda, but I won't go willingly to the "gas chambers" so to speak. I'm going to put up a fight for truth, right and righteousness. My money is not going to aid and abet them!
People have their priorities wrong. Much of it is directed toward wealth or the pleasure which riches can buy:
My introduction to Shallow Hal (i.e., shallow thinkers) is a prologue to comprehensive thinking on the current rage to legalize marijuana and minimize it's effects. Shallow thinkers want to legalize it. It's enjoyable to the user and is a good tax source. That is the outward beauty of Mary Jane, but I guarantee that ugly Hilda lies just beneath the surface! Shallow Hal failed to look at the inner woman. Shallow Gal fails to look beyond the beauty of Mary Jane!
Since this is a Christian blog, let's get scripture out of the way. Most users will ignore what God says because Mary Jane has already beguiled the user! Heavy users of marijuana are beyond help until they are sober. No one ever accused heavy users of marijuana to be discerning, so why would we expect them to discern? Heavy users are by definition shallow people, but read the scripture anyway; to appease me if nothing else!
Sobriety:
We are all to remain sober. Soberness is temperance and thoughtfulness. It would seem that most people use "MJ" to be mellow. Indeed that is the use of recreational marijuana. Mellow people are not thoughtful and their behavior is fogged by the somatic influence of THC. Here's what scripture says about sobriety:
Users are apathetic. That's another characteristic of marijuana. People, as they mellow, just don't care. They fail to consider or have impaired judgment due to the mental fog! Of course they care about the "Self", but that's the extent of it until even pleasure exceeds the preservation of the self. Heavy users also allow themselves to be exposed to danger in the pursuit of pleasure. Scripture tells us to beware and apathy is, well; pathetic!
Apathy:
Apathetic people just don't care. They have few strong thoughts or even emotions! Being "mellow" on MJ is being apathetic. That's what users choose to be! They are in effect shielding themselves from real life! In the book Brave New World by Aldous Huxley was this conversation:
Alertness:
Yes, we are to stay alert!
Disrespect:
God tells us many places "Don't do things the pagans do!", but yet that's what people do! It's called rebellion and shows utter disrespect for what the Lord wants for us!
Practical:
Now for discerning reasons. We must think deeply and coherently. Our thinking must be contiguous! Here is some deep thought recommendations for Shallow Hals and Shallow Gals:
Medical marijuana: It does nothing that prescribed THC will not do and contains many unknown side effects. Medical marijuana is merely putting the foot in the lions mouth. It opens the door for recreational use and sales show that in California, most people seem to have glaucoma! Surely not!
THC alone, without the tars and various untested chemicals of marijuana, can cause heart attacks and cognitive effects described in Wikipedia:
THC increases psychosis two-fold and even at an earlier age. No sane person desires to be psychotic, but that's what THC does!
Atherosclerosis is increased due to THC. This affects the functioning of the heart and brain! Furthermore, THC can have adverse reactions with other medicines. Using THC is as silly as a vain person using toe-nail fungus medicines as mentioned earlier! The risks vastly outweigh any perceived benefits! It would seem that medicinal marijuana is recreation for the sick who want to get sicker!
Now let's move on to marijuana. Even pure MJ, according to A History of Cannibus can produce "unwanted side-effects (which) can sometimes include a decrease in short-term memory, dry mouth, impaired motor skills, reddening of the eyes, and feelings of paranoia or anxiety. Who wants to be absent minded, paranoid and overly anxious, not to mention the red eyes and dry mouth?
There are over 400 chemicals in the cannabis plant, and some 61 of them are peculiar to that species. Since cannabis is low in nitrogen few have been isolated and have unknown effects; THC being the main one synthesized. What these chemicals are capable of doing to the body is unclear, but the user clearly ingests a smorgasbord of potentially dangerous drugs! On top of that, there is 18 more times tar in marijuana than in cigarettes!
A technique used by MJ pimps is to add other ingredients to joints for two reasons: 1) increase potency or 2) take low grade MJ and add by-products to increase the volume. PCP is the booster many use for increased potency and trash weeds increase volumes. Clearly, black market marijuana is laced with harmful chemicals and the user is the guinea pig!
All people who use MJ in the United States are currently law-breakers whether it's legal in their state or not. It's a federal offense! In order to bring MJ to the people criminals peddle their wares. People get killed so that users can get high! If you are a user, you're an accomplice in crime and likely murder!
Have you never thought of these things before, Shallow Hal and Shallow Gal? Think on these things now!
Let's look at things at a deeper level shallow thinkers.
Cigarettes are being banned because of their health dangers, medical treatment costs and second-hand smoke. Marijuana is certainly even more harmful to the health, will drive the cost of medical insurance sky high and second-hand marijuana smoke is worse than the smell of tobacco for most of us!
Kids use cigarettes because adults model for them. The same goes for marijuana. Kids will use MJ to be more adult-like. That's just common sense! There is no way in the world to ensure kids are MJ free. It can't be done for cigarettes because of so much ease in getting them, and it won't work for MJ.
I mentioned earlier that a reason I don't look at Playboy is because it's someone's daughter. The kid who chooses to smoke dope may be your own child or grandchild. Many people turn their heads to "other kids", but it may be your child who becomes a MJ burnout! I've been there. The entire family becomes dysfunctional and rational conversation is non-existent!
Even if MJ is legal, employers will never stand for employees to work when high. This means that potheads will eventually be weeded (ironically so) from the workforce. MJ users are a danger on the job to other people and themselves. Insurance companies will surely reject workmen's compensation claims for employees injured when using.
Then we look at careers! MJ users just don't cut the mustard when in competition with motivated people. As a manager I found it easy to spot their methods. MJ users will never be as successful as their straight counterparts unless they are in a vocation MJ friendly!
Very important is the increased medical costs for those using MJ. I've spoken of the increased chance of various diseases associated with MJ use. Someone pays for that! Under Obamacare, that's likely you! Why should you pay for others to abuse themselves?
The most dangerous outcome of MJ use is damage to others. I won't speak of pre-natal damage to the growing baby, but road accidents are of high concern. People who use MJ just are not as alert as those sober! That's why they use it; to become more mellow!
I could go on and on. In general it's stupid to use marijuana. However, the stupidity of it goes unnoticed by Shallow Hals and Shallow Gals. In fact irrational users convince themselves, relying on magazines and entertainers to teach them the "truth' when such sources have nothing to gain by truth!
Legalized marijuana is a "stupid tax" on shallow personalities. Users pay the government because they fail to consider all the issues. Unmotivated people are just not deep thinkers!
The government, when it's legalized, are the winners! It gets more of your money to waste and you become less prone to worry about freedom issues. Marijuana is the "soma" which dictatorships use to control. In effect users relent their freedom to get high. They pleasure in their slavery!
People who smoke "good" dope just can't afford it! Where do they turn? Theft! My home was broken into so juveniles could use my cameras and jewelry to buy drugs and get high. I know who did it. It was the neighborhood potheads. Any thoughtful person must know that theft costs are high and most of theft is drug related, including MJ!
Consider rape, assault and many other crimes. They are done by people who for the most part want to get high. They are either marijuana users or harder drugs, but even marijuana is a gateway drug to more potent chemicals!
Think on these things. Inhale deeply and breath the fresh air of truth buried deeply below the mainstream thoughts. Quit copying musicians and entertainers. Be an individual. People who think for themselves, don't follow the leader when the leader is insane.
Now exhale. If you are in a space without marijuana and THC isn't embedded in your brain, you may be able to consider these things. Unfortunately, users don't think straight and you may have to wait until some street peddler takes all your money before the THC clears enough to be rational. If you can abstain for about a month, think on these things!
People only see the obvious. They turn their thinkers off and fail to examine the entire package. Humans, for the most part, are not holistic thinkers! People, every day, partake of poisons to the body because they taste good or feel good. Pleasure outweighs health!
If we look at example, there is a certain toe fungus medication with horrendous side-effects. Many people, to have beautiful toenails, endanger their health, even their life! The dangers significantly outweigh the benefits.
In nutrition shops all over the world are herbs and mixtures which purport to provide all types of benefits from sexual prowess to longevity in years. They guarantee perfect skin and vibrant health. Most of the benefits are imaginary or minimal. Many are dangerous, yet people endanger themselves for the hope of improvement. People are shallow thinkers!
Years ago, although I never ever bought one, I looked at Playboy magazines. My thinking was shallow! I received pleasure in looking at naked bodies, but never looked beyond that. As I matured as a Christian I considered the word of the Lord. It does not say anywhere "Do not look at girlie magazines", but if anyone considers texts on lust, respect, etc. discriminating thinkers will realize that wasting time looking at bawdy pictures takes time from worshiping the Lord, and can become an idol itself!
I considered this all one day after I had a child and thought "Those girls are somebody's daughters!" I quickly realized how awful it would be if it was my own daughter grown men were gaping! Furthermore, the hedonistic articles between the "spreads" are another gospel. They teach things which are an abomination to the Lord! Christians endanger their very soul gradually as they absorb Satan's gospel of pleasure!
At one time I was Shallow Hal with entertainment. I used to skip Sunday evening worship to watch Cher. With her provocative dress, I'm not even aware of listening to her music! I put Cher over God! I was shallow! Now before I buy any music album or watch a movie, I consider the whole. "Will this entertain? Will it offend God with filth, homosexuality, sex, or disrespect?" I also ask "Do I want my hard earned money to go to this actor, musician or writer who is at odds with what I cherish whether it be politics or religion?" (I will not support atheists or liberal Democrats if I am aware! I just can't ignore their antipathy to things I hold dear!).
I'm no longer Shallow Hal! I am discerning and principled. I'm not going to dishonor God for my own pleasure if I can help it. I look beyond the outward at the mechanism inside. Those people have an agenda, I'm on that agenda, but I won't go willingly to the "gas chambers" so to speak. I'm going to put up a fight for truth, right and righteousness. My money is not going to aid and abet them!
People have their priorities wrong. Much of it is directed toward wealth or the pleasure which riches can buy:
1 Timothy 6:10 "For the love of money is the root of all evil"Entertainers and entertainment are driven by money. People who have money are respected, loved, and even idolized. Those people live extravagant lifestyles at your expense! I say "yours" because I make an attempt for it not to be my money which allows them to disparage me!
My introduction to Shallow Hal (i.e., shallow thinkers) is a prologue to comprehensive thinking on the current rage to legalize marijuana and minimize it's effects. Shallow thinkers want to legalize it. It's enjoyable to the user and is a good tax source. That is the outward beauty of Mary Jane, but I guarantee that ugly Hilda lies just beneath the surface! Shallow Hal failed to look at the inner woman. Shallow Gal fails to look beyond the beauty of Mary Jane!
Since this is a Christian blog, let's get scripture out of the way. Most users will ignore what God says because Mary Jane has already beguiled the user! Heavy users of marijuana are beyond help until they are sober. No one ever accused heavy users of marijuana to be discerning, so why would we expect them to discern? Heavy users are by definition shallow people, but read the scripture anyway; to appease me if nothing else!
Sobriety:
We are all to remain sober. Soberness is temperance and thoughtfulness. It would seem that most people use "MJ" to be mellow. Indeed that is the use of recreational marijuana. Mellow people are not thoughtful and their behavior is fogged by the somatic influence of THC. Here's what scripture says about sobriety:
1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour..."This verse answers why men should remain sober and alert. It's because there is a war going on between "principalities" , evil spirits and you! Those with clouded minds allow the devil to come in and fill the empty place in the minds and souls of the person. Users don't stand a chance. The devil will devour them! No one wants to be eaten by evil lions, but that's what's beyond the pleasure of MJ! The devil can steal the soul of the user right from under them. Even the casual user is intrigued to use more MJ or other stuff! Sin compounds itself gradually because Satan is patient!
Users are apathetic. That's another characteristic of marijuana. People, as they mellow, just don't care. They fail to consider or have impaired judgment due to the mental fog! Of course they care about the "Self", but that's the extent of it until even pleasure exceeds the preservation of the self. Heavy users also allow themselves to be exposed to danger in the pursuit of pleasure. Scripture tells us to beware and apathy is, well; pathetic!
Apathy:
Apathetic people just don't care. They have few strong thoughts or even emotions! Being "mellow" on MJ is being apathetic. That's what users choose to be! They are in effect shielding themselves from real life! In the book Brave New World by Aldous Huxley was this conversation:
"Six years later it was being produced commercially. The perfect drug."Controlled people in a future dictatorship were apathetic to their own slavery because they were manipulated by the drug "soma". Marijuana is that "soma" and people want you apathetic for reasons. Mellow people care little about religion, politics, freedom nor tomorrow! Soma induced people have succumbed to the roaring lion!
[…]
"Euphoric, narcotic, pleasantly hallucinant."
"Glum, Marx, glum." The clap on the shoulder made him start, look up. It was that brute Henry Foster. "What you need is a gramme of soma."
"All the advantages of Christianity and alcohol; none of their defects."
Ephesians 5:16 (ESV) "Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.Heavy MJ users are burn-outs. They make little attempt to manage time and they are slothful! Casual users show degrees of apathy whether they know it or not. Fooled by the pleasure, they fail to see that they are listless, have poorer judgment and are more self-centered. With time the casual user may graduate! People who open themselves freely to the influence of foreign substances exercise poor judgment! After all, if you don't want to shoot yourself, don't play Russian Roulette!
Romans 12:11 (ESV) "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord."
Alertness:
Yes, we are to stay alert!
1 Peter 1:13 (ESV) "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."How can you consider your well-being if you're judgment and thought processes are dimmed? The spiritual reason for remaining sober is to keep ourselves sensitive to the calling of the Holy Spirit. When he calls us to salvation, we must care enough to respond! As with Huxley's soma, MJ does negatively influence Christianity because there is no such thing as a non-caring Christian! To be a Christian one must feel sorrow, repent, believe and accept Jesus. Apathetic people feel little remorse, let alone faith!
Matthew 24:42 (ESV) "Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming."
Disrespect:
God tells us many places "Don't do things the pagans do!", but yet that's what people do! It's called rebellion and shows utter disrespect for what the Lord wants for us!
1 Corinthians 10:20-21 (ESV) "No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons."MJ, as are all illicit drugs, are tools if demons. Whereas, pagans care little for God and use drugs and so forth in rebellion to him, Christians copy pagans with little aforethought, let alone remorse! Is a listless, inhaling, roach-holding and belligerent druggie doing what Jesus would do? Only a fool would think so! MJ is drinking "the cup of demons" and by inhaling that "drink" people open themselves to that roaring lion. It is common knowledge that MJ is a gateway drug! It opens the lions cage, so to speak, if not petting the lion himself!
Practical:
Now for discerning reasons. We must think deeply and coherently. Our thinking must be contiguous! Here is some deep thought recommendations for Shallow Hals and Shallow Gals:
Medical marijuana: It does nothing that prescribed THC will not do and contains many unknown side effects. Medical marijuana is merely putting the foot in the lions mouth. It opens the door for recreational use and sales show that in California, most people seem to have glaucoma! Surely not!
THC alone, without the tars and various untested chemicals of marijuana, can cause heart attacks and cognitive effects described in Wikipedia:
"THC intoxication is well established to impair cognitive functioning on an acute basis, including effects on the ability to plan, organize, solve problems, make decisions, and control impulses. The extent of this impact may be greater in novice users, and paradoxically, those habituated to high level ingestion may have reduced cognition during withdrawal."Simply put, users don't think right! They become irrational, unorganized, indecisive and impulsive; and that's without all the other inherent dangers!
THC increases psychosis two-fold and even at an earlier age. No sane person desires to be psychotic, but that's what THC does!
Atherosclerosis is increased due to THC. This affects the functioning of the heart and brain! Furthermore, THC can have adverse reactions with other medicines. Using THC is as silly as a vain person using toe-nail fungus medicines as mentioned earlier! The risks vastly outweigh any perceived benefits! It would seem that medicinal marijuana is recreation for the sick who want to get sicker!
Now let's move on to marijuana. Even pure MJ, according to A History of Cannibus can produce "unwanted side-effects (which) can sometimes include a decrease in short-term memory, dry mouth, impaired motor skills, reddening of the eyes, and feelings of paranoia or anxiety. Who wants to be absent minded, paranoid and overly anxious, not to mention the red eyes and dry mouth?
There are over 400 chemicals in the cannabis plant, and some 61 of them are peculiar to that species. Since cannabis is low in nitrogen few have been isolated and have unknown effects; THC being the main one synthesized. What these chemicals are capable of doing to the body is unclear, but the user clearly ingests a smorgasbord of potentially dangerous drugs! On top of that, there is 18 more times tar in marijuana than in cigarettes!
A technique used by MJ pimps is to add other ingredients to joints for two reasons: 1) increase potency or 2) take low grade MJ and add by-products to increase the volume. PCP is the booster many use for increased potency and trash weeds increase volumes. Clearly, black market marijuana is laced with harmful chemicals and the user is the guinea pig!
All people who use MJ in the United States are currently law-breakers whether it's legal in their state or not. It's a federal offense! In order to bring MJ to the people criminals peddle their wares. People get killed so that users can get high! If you are a user, you're an accomplice in crime and likely murder!
Have you never thought of these things before, Shallow Hal and Shallow Gal? Think on these things now!
Let's look at things at a deeper level shallow thinkers.
Cigarettes are being banned because of their health dangers, medical treatment costs and second-hand smoke. Marijuana is certainly even more harmful to the health, will drive the cost of medical insurance sky high and second-hand marijuana smoke is worse than the smell of tobacco for most of us!
Kids use cigarettes because adults model for them. The same goes for marijuana. Kids will use MJ to be more adult-like. That's just common sense! There is no way in the world to ensure kids are MJ free. It can't be done for cigarettes because of so much ease in getting them, and it won't work for MJ.
I mentioned earlier that a reason I don't look at Playboy is because it's someone's daughter. The kid who chooses to smoke dope may be your own child or grandchild. Many people turn their heads to "other kids", but it may be your child who becomes a MJ burnout! I've been there. The entire family becomes dysfunctional and rational conversation is non-existent!
Even if MJ is legal, employers will never stand for employees to work when high. This means that potheads will eventually be weeded (ironically so) from the workforce. MJ users are a danger on the job to other people and themselves. Insurance companies will surely reject workmen's compensation claims for employees injured when using.
Then we look at careers! MJ users just don't cut the mustard when in competition with motivated people. As a manager I found it easy to spot their methods. MJ users will never be as successful as their straight counterparts unless they are in a vocation MJ friendly!
Very important is the increased medical costs for those using MJ. I've spoken of the increased chance of various diseases associated with MJ use. Someone pays for that! Under Obamacare, that's likely you! Why should you pay for others to abuse themselves?
The most dangerous outcome of MJ use is damage to others. I won't speak of pre-natal damage to the growing baby, but road accidents are of high concern. People who use MJ just are not as alert as those sober! That's why they use it; to become more mellow!
I could go on and on. In general it's stupid to use marijuana. However, the stupidity of it goes unnoticed by Shallow Hals and Shallow Gals. In fact irrational users convince themselves, relying on magazines and entertainers to teach them the "truth' when such sources have nothing to gain by truth!
Legalized marijuana is a "stupid tax" on shallow personalities. Users pay the government because they fail to consider all the issues. Unmotivated people are just not deep thinkers!
The government, when it's legalized, are the winners! It gets more of your money to waste and you become less prone to worry about freedom issues. Marijuana is the "soma" which dictatorships use to control. In effect users relent their freedom to get high. They pleasure in their slavery!
People who smoke "good" dope just can't afford it! Where do they turn? Theft! My home was broken into so juveniles could use my cameras and jewelry to buy drugs and get high. I know who did it. It was the neighborhood potheads. Any thoughtful person must know that theft costs are high and most of theft is drug related, including MJ!
Consider rape, assault and many other crimes. They are done by people who for the most part want to get high. They are either marijuana users or harder drugs, but even marijuana is a gateway drug to more potent chemicals!
Think on these things. Inhale deeply and breath the fresh air of truth buried deeply below the mainstream thoughts. Quit copying musicians and entertainers. Be an individual. People who think for themselves, don't follow the leader when the leader is insane.
Now exhale. If you are in a space without marijuana and THC isn't embedded in your brain, you may be able to consider these things. Unfortunately, users don't think straight and you may have to wait until some street peddler takes all your money before the THC clears enough to be rational. If you can abstain for about a month, think on these things!
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