Let’s Look At Pernicious

 

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. (2 Peter 2:9-10 KJV)

Paul begins this chapter:

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (2 Peter 2:1-2 KJV)

“Pernicious” is a beautifully defined word: having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way. The example used in the Google dictionary is “the pernicious influences of the mass media.” The additional information includes:

What is pernicious effect?     pernicious, baneful, noxious, deleterious, detrimental mean exceedingly harmful. pernicious implies irreparable harm done through evil or insidious corrupting or undermining.

The serpent’s conversation with Eve in Genesis was certainly pernicious:

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? (Genesis 3:1 KJV)

The serpent called attention to the one detail that would have a “No” in it. The beginning of temptation. I hope you’ve thought of a number of other “No”s that have given others temptation into failures.

Solomon is a good example – considered a very wise man, except:

But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. (1 Kings 11:1-4 KJV)

A thousand to one? Certainly it was easier to just give in and let them bring with them their comfortable things. A very wise man ending up:

Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods. (1 Kings 11:7-8 KJV)

What pernicious things have we allowed in our lives? I think there's a common list as our world has changed over the last few decades. I don't have to list them here, it's really obvious by the fact that I'm writing and you're reading. The world has more information available to the widest percentage of people since the Tower of Babel. 

There is a falling away from believing "In the beginning, God created," " For God so loved the world," and especially "I am the way, the truth and the life." There are Christian organizations that do not adhere to the fundamental truths given in the Bible, even saying the Bible is no longer relevant. How perniciously has this happened? No one person can be held accountable for such a movement.

Yet - it was prophesied. Want to know what else has been prophesied and fulfilled? Better yet, what else has been prophesied and NOT yet fulfilled?

Turned Away

 

As they rode on the bus together, night overtook them, and the child commented on how dark it was:

“Oh, sweetie,” said the white-haired lady sitting next to him. “It sure is. Did you see the sun going down when we went across the bridge a little while ago?” 

Shane looked at her with wide eyes. It was his turn to be amazed, his three-year-old linguistic system still interpreting everything literally. “Oh, no,” he replied. “The sun did not go anywhere. We just turned away from it.” (Blest Atheist)

 After a long time, mankind did realize we are not the center of the universe, nor the galaxy, nor even our small solar system. Youngster learn that our earth turns, the sun does neither rises nor sets, but we move around it without being able to change that. We just turn away - and back again.

It's easy to turn away from God. Paul worked with people that did:

For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica;  (2 Timothy 4:10a KJV)

The Bible is filled with examples of people who knew God, turned away from Him. Some of them turned back - and He was still there. The one who wrote most about that relationship was was David:

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba:

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. (Psalms 51:1-2 KJV)

How best to come to the Lord on our knees and tell Him we know how wrong we were and beg for His forgiveness, to heal the relationship.

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Psalms 51:3-5 KJV)

He broke both of the greatest commandments - he not only ignored God, denied Him the love of his heart, mind, and soul, but he failed to love his neighbor, to the point of stealing his wife and having him killed. Literally a neighbor, for it was from his window David watched Bathsheba. What hope is there after breaking the fundamental commandments God has repeated for ages?

This is what David requested from God, and offered in return:

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. (Psalms 51:10-13 KJV)

Teaching. Just what God had requested of Israel:

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:4-7 KJV)

His Son did the same to the Disciples just before He returned to His Father:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20 KJV)

One of the things we are to teach is that there is no one turned away when they come to our Father. Matthew 15:11-32 tells that story so well. Even after his father welcomed him home, the son told him:

And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. (Luke 15:21 KJV)

I've read that non-religious people are turned off by the word repent. I'm not certain why - perhaps they expect that their entire life will change if they repent, and they are afraid. Look at the people who actually lived their repentance - their lives did change when they took the path to God. They did live with consequences from their action, but once they turned back to God, their lives were better.

That's all repent means - turn away from the way you are going, back to the way God has for all of us. Come, join us and learn of the strait and narrow way. It is so rewarding.

We Are Allowed to Crawl

 

I've had the distinct pleasure of watching a number of babies crawl. Each does it in their own way, finding the best way to move about to reach their goals. I was reminded of that in a recent book where a spina bifida child asks

"Are people allowed to crawl in this house?"

"If they prefer, yes," I answered.

That made me stop and think how we press people to do what we think is best, whether it really is or not. Why shouldn't a handicapped child crawl in freedom instead of safely ensconced in wheelchair? I don't have an answer for that at all, but I do believe people often need to crawl before their next step.

And, I believe that is applicable in Christian growth, too.

There is a lot Christians are called to do. I mentioned the two greatest commandments yesterday. I do use them a lot. They are among the most important, not just my favorites. Here's a reminder, if you didn't read yesterday's blog:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40 KJV)

Did you get that part "ALL the law and the prophets." Based on that, I'm assuming this is of utmost importance. In fact, if we don't do both of these, we've definitely broken God's commandments. 

Also yesterday I mentioned there might be an unlovable person. A new Christian might find this an insurmountable obstacle, right? I believe we all know a person we do not under any circumstances want in our lives. Yet we are supposed to love them? We may be crawling awhile getting that done.

Babies are also fed milk before they are ready for meat. That makes a great analogy, and we need to understand that time may take longer than we would like, and there's a time to move from milk to meat:

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (1 Corinthians 3:1-3 KJV)

Do read the rest of this chapter where Paul defines why growth is needed. When we evidently remain mere babes in learning about Christ, have only some of the first principles, we need to continue to mature. We need not be proud of our wisdom and knowledge when there is so much more to not only learn but apply in our lives.

It is our own failing, and we need reminding, when we do not improve as Christians. When we do not keep either one of those two greatest commandments.

Which brings me to the situation that did come to mind - a long time Christian who expects a new Christian to walk and eat meat when there is still a need to crawl and drink in all the newness of accepting Jesus for what He is - God's gift to mankind:

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:1-3 KJV)

It's easier to slip when we are less mature, or when we become complacent. We always need to give heed to what we have heard, and pass them along to those who are still learning. Remember, we always have something to learn!! If you don't think so, go back and read some of the books of the Bible you haven't been spending time reading. Pray for God to show you something new in what we considered old.

We need to keep that first faith, where we understand the future holds so much more. The Bible puts it this way:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 KJV)

For new Christians, that faith gave them cause to step out publiclyy and tell people: "I believe in Jesus!" Their hope is placed in pleasing God:

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)

Let's apply our own due diligence and enjoy those who are on the same path we are, they just joined at a different time. That applies for the new Christian as it does for the mature Christian.  Our goals are the same even if our experiences vary widely.

Yes, Christians are allowed to crawl in God's house.

What Label Would You Apply?

 

Here we have a view of labels available to a pharmacy to let us know more than the names of the medication and the prescriber. I was reminded of labels when I was reading "Blest Atheist". Elizabeth Mahlou (a pseuodonym) wrote:  "I am not a label. I am a person. I have a right to be a person."

All of us wear labels - some of mine are wife, mother, tester, and the loved: grandmother. I had titles that were labels, too: Assistant Staff Manager-Contributions and Support. It was the title for a position my boss created to fit the needs of our department. I do not know if it was ever used it again since it required two separate backgrounds. Most people chose one or the other, uninterested in both.

Often labels express opposition, as in "right", "left", "centrist" but those were insufficient and "far", "activist", and other labels are added. The same works within religions. It's not simply Buddhist, Christian, Jew, or Muslim. Over the years additional labels were added.  I am a follower of Jesus as defined in the Bible:

And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:26 KJV)

I belong to a Baptist church. Centuries ago they were called other names, most familiar is Anabaptist because we believe baptism follows an individual's belief in Christ as stated in John 3:16. It is done as obedience and a public statement of faith. However, there is not a single Baptist organization. There are additional labels as Bible, Fundamental, Independent, Northern, Seventh Day, Southern, and if you start reading the list of Baptist denominations, it will take you more than a few moments. 

It used to be that belonging to a Christian church meant believing what Paul preached about Jesus' life:

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV)

As we know today there are leaders of churches who no longer accept that belief - yet call themselves Christian. That's not the same as being a wolf in sheep's clothing:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Matthew 7:15 KJV)

Or, as Paul said:

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15 KJV)

There are many examples in the Bible where a person misuses God's name, His plans, to the detriment of those who follow men rather that God. Some are not living up to the label they carry, which allows me to state: Labels do not define those who wear them. Beliefs, words, and absolutely actions speak louder than labels, no matter their source.

Jesus said it better:

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7:16-20 KJV)

We are told a couple of times not to judge people - which means not to condemn them - but we are encouragead to be fruit iinspectors and not accept sour, rotten fruit when God provides the good. How do we know it is good? There are many examples in the Bible, but my favorite is:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 

(Philippians 4:8-9 KJV)

By what standard should we find things to be true, honest, just, pure, lovely or of good report? I personally believe if they fit in these verses, we are in good shape:

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40 KJV)

Keeping these two commandments aren't easy, are they? You just thought of somone you absolutely do not love? Pray for them and yourself. It becomes easier. Loved should be our best label.

Did You Read "What I Believe"?

 

I wrote that as a foundation, as do many websites that speak to faith in a deity. There are usually specific points. I spent a few days working through what I wrote to be certain I expressed my own deeply held faith. What bothered me when I published this, and still does every once  in a while, is leading with believing that the Bible is the divinely inspired and preserved Word of God, the final authority.

As I stated then, it certainly isn’t the most important. Faith is uppermost in mankind’s lives, even in the Bible:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. {Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)

But, it does not work separate from God’s grace. Thus our faith is based on our relationship with our Father in heaven. That phrase comes from the Bible, from the lips of a man who claimed to have become human to fulfill millennia of prophecy.

1) Why would people write about Him?

2) Why should we believe them?

There are four books called Gospels that include occurrences in Jesus’ life. If you need to know what Jesus I mean, read those four gospels – then continue into the fifth book, Acts of the Apostles. After Jesus’ death on the cross, people continued to write about Him, often to explain how they saw what He meant, and how He lived.

Not how He lived while in a human body on earth, but how He was resurrected and is eternally with God, whose presence is detailed in the Torah and Talmud. The Torah is the first five books of what is included in our Bible. The Talmud contains the history of the Jewish religion and does not contain all of the other books in the Bible’s Old Testament.

Jesus said:

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. (Matthew 5:17 KJV)

And, He did as He said:

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. (Luke 4:16-21 KJV)

While the four gospels are not exact duplicates of each other, none of them deny Jesus words in any other. All at one time or another confirm that these four men considered Him to be the prophesied Messiah (or, in Greek, Christ) in the Torah and Talmud. We know that from an incident in Berea following Paul’s preaching:

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. (Acts 17:11-12 KJV)

It takes a seeking heart, though, for Paul studied those exact same scriptures that the Bereans and it still took Christ meeting him on the road to Damascus to open his heart. For me, it took several years in church before I understood that the Bible had a message that affected my life more than attending with my parents.  It’s a decision that each one of us must make on our own – we can’t do it for anyone else, no matter how much we love them.

I’ve heard many preachers who tell us being saved keeps us from going to hell. One of the saddest sermons I’ve heard was at a Youth night Revival meeting where the fears of hell were drawn in vivid detail, almost with apparent relish. I missed any of the words that convinced me what John “. . . God is love” (1 John 4:8, 4:16)

John 4 is a beautiful chapter for defining how God is love. Take time to read it. It will help understand why John earlier wrote:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

“Whosoever” means “the person or people who; any person who”, which leaves me with no doubt that my name, and your name, can be substituted in that verse: . . . that Phyllis believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. Yes – believing on Jesus as the promised Messiah is personal.

What I believe is very personal to me and I pray that those reading this understand I totally pray they will understand the message and read the Bible with an open heart to a Creator who is love.

Well, this could go on and on. Thank you for spending some time with me - now, would you please spend some time with these scriptures?

The Subject Remains On My Heart

 

Three times now I’ve used this graphic when I’ve thought of how God can create a live, beating, heart from stone:

And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you;
and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh,
and will give them an heart of flesh:
That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances,
and do them:
and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
(Ezekiel 11:19-20 KJV)

Almost a month before my “Earnestly Contend For The Faith” blog yesterday, I read this article where the question headlines: “I dare you to deny me Communion.”And lived with this, where the author:

“ . . . raises the question of why he remains in a faith with which he fundamentally disagrees on almost every issue. Yet Lieu not only retains the title of Catholic, but like many others, he seeks to change the church to match his lifestyle and the ideas of the times.”

I am not a Catholic and have no interest in denying Communion to anyone who adheres to how the Bible says to partake of it:

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. (1 Corinthians 11:23-29 KJV)

Yes, the emphasis is mine, not biblical. But, when the Bible tells me that doing something in error brings damnation, I think I should give it serious thought. The previous verses address head coverings – deemed today to be a cultural change and not necessary within a number of Christian denominations. The Catholic Church changed their response to this years ago.

However, the Catholic Church has not changed its position on abortion, which impacts receiving Communion:

According to church teachings, those who do not receive Communion in a state of grace commit a mortal sin, which is eternally damning if not confessed in the Sacrament of Penance before death.

Given this context, priests are doing Catholics like Biden a favor when they refuse to give them Communion, because they are ensuring these individuals do not commit the additional grave sin of sacrilege.

The article quotes a Representative who is Catholic, who tweeted earlier this year:

“Dear @USCCB,I’m Catholic and I support: -Contraception -A woman’s right to choose -Treatments for infertility -The right for people to get a divorce -The right of same sex marriage. Next time I go to Church, I dare you to deny me Communion.”

(USCCB is the “United States Conference of Catholic Bishops who jointly exercise pastoral functions on the behalf of the Christian faithful of the United States and the U.S. Virgin Isands.”)

Now I wish to go beyond the article and state my own non-theological position that the Bible was inspired by God to be used as a guide, not changed to fit current situations.

Mankind has followed a wide path that enters a broad gate so often in the past:

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 KJV)

As a Christian, I share a blog that praises God, His son, and the Holy Spirit as presented to us as One, the same God worshipped by Jews who affirm:

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:4-7 KJV)

It each individual’s responsibility to accept or deny God, no one can do that for any other. It is, however, my responsibility to share what I see in Him – an omnipotent entity capable of created our universe who gave of Himself in the plan He designed. I intend to keep doing that when I sit in my house (including computer time), when I’m out with others, when I lie down, and when I rise. Please come back and read more – and diligently teach children.

Preconceived Ideas

Aha! there’s not a graphic in the usual spot. Thought I’d change things up a bit. That’s because I’m going to tell you a tiny bit about two books, each one opened my mind to new ideas. The Bible expects that to happen when you open your heart to God

Instead of a couple of Bible characters who did something extraordinary, I’m going to introduce you to a couple of real ladies who are themselves extra ordinary in totally different ways. Both reminded me of opening eyes, as mine certainly were. Please read 2 Kings sixth chapter, with attention to:

And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17 KJV)

And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. (2 Kings 6:20 KJV)

My prayer is that God will open the eyes of those who seek to know Him. To see these books on Amazon, simply click on a book covers:

I purchased the Kindle edition, and a regret it a bit because I’d like to loan it out. I mentioned Elizabeth Mahlou Wednesday in my blog on this website, even mentioned this book, “Blest Atheist.” I read her blog, “100th Lamb” and the one about her family, “The Clan of Mahlou,” but both have been quiet for years. I no longer know where she is or what she is doing, and I miss her. I do find the book very interesting, though, and a handbook on how not to raise children showing the worst examples as well as how to raise children showing good examples. Both family examples did not have God at their center.

The review on Amazon is validated by the book’s core stories:

As a young child, outraged by the hypocrisy she finds in a church that does nothing to alleviate the physical and sexual abuse she experiences on a regular basis, Beth delivers an accusatory youth sermon and gets her family expelled from the church. Having locked the door on God, Beth goes on to raise a family of seven children, learn 17 languages, and enjoy a career that takes her to NASA, Washington, and 24 countries. All the time, however, God keeps knocking at the door, protecting and blessing her, which she realizes only decades later. Ultimately, Beth finds God in a very simple yet most unusual way. A very human story, Blest Atheist encompasses the greatest literary themes of all time – alienation, redemption, and even the miraculous. The author’s life experiences, both tragic and tremendous, result in a spiritual journey containing significant ups and downs that ultimately yield great joy and humility.

Not told in chronological order, please don’t expect a lot of explanation of how God’s presence touched her life, yet you will see as she ties scenes from widely separated years how that works. We cannot see our life as a blinding light in Damascus setting us on a new journey.

One line in the book will become another blog  (soon I hope) “Are people allowed to crawl in this house?" I want to expand on the thought that not all new followers of Christ are Pauls in this world – we are allowed to crawl in His house!

This book, too, is not written in chronological order. There are many books that open with sadness, then close with joy. It’s the path between the two where we often find ourselves facing preconceived ideas. I had them in “Blest Atheist,” but more so in “The Truth About Butterflies.” One I had created from the moment I opened the book threw an absolute truth in my face that had to put the book down and work through in my own life.

I do not want to put that process into words here, now, but would be more than happy to chat with anyone curious enough to Comment. Suffice it to say, it was an eye opener that still stays with me. Again, the book’s review is valid:

They belong to each other, Nancy and Nicole--mother and daughter. They're two halves of a whole, two facets of the same breath--until the day Nicole exhales. . . and never inhales again.
After the death of her daughter, and quickly losing her own battle with grief, Nancy decides to move from the house she can no longer bear to live in. While packing, she comes across a box in the attic. Inside this box, Nancy uncovers treasures she didn't know existed and evidence that her and her daughter's lives had been more divinely entwined than she could've imagined.
The Truth About Butterflies is a true story of grief, hope, and transformation, and a single enduring truth: Life cannot be restrained by death.

Both books are under $5 in Kindle editions. Neither (to my knowledge) has been on a national best sellers list.  Neither may strike a chord with you as they have with me.

However, I would appreciate your considering them, and if purchasing, please pray that God will provide what He would like you to take away from either of them.

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11 KJV)

Let's Discuss Politics

 

When it comes to what Jesus said about government, the subject was pretty much limited to:

Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.  (Matthew 22:17-22 KJV)

Paul, on the other hand not only knew how to use Caesar’s law:

Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go. (Acts 25:10-12 KJV)

But also admonished Christians to:

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.  (1 Peter 2:13-16 KJV)

Too often in the last few years, people in general (including some who are openly Christians) have forgotten that what we think does come out in our speech and writing (especially on anonymous social media.) If we follow what Paul was inspired to write, this is what we should be thinking, writing, and saying aloud:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 KJV)

Our Constitution provides for addressing a government that does not listen to its citizens. We forget that our Lord is also involved in our lives and we have a right to address Him before we begin to seek redress from governmental error:

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 KJV)

Please note that these verses do not promise immediate correction or change, but it does say every thing. Think for a moment – about what would you NOT go to God in prayer? Does your part fall under Philippians 4:8? Does someone else’s part go against Philippians 4:8?

Go to God in prayer in both instances – if yours, I believe a bit of confession and repentance would be in order. Sure is when it’s me! If it is not your error, but someone else’s, take it to the Lord in prayer – especially if it is out of your hands or has a government official involved. No, I’m certainly not promises an immediate change – except in your own life. That peace of God really does see us through personal trials.

Take a few moments to read 2 Kings chapter 20, with close attention to verse 5 where Isaiah was told:

Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. (2 Kings 20:5 KJV)

The remainder of the chapter includes how Hezekiah blew that blessing. What is your understanding of “How?”

100th Lamb / Blest Atheist

 

Australian White lamb 4 weeks old in the southeastern USA

There’s another blogger I met years ago. Unfortunately, she hasn’t posted in several years, but her testimony is awesome. I thought of it as I wrote yesterday’s post. It most certainly met the qualifications of answered prayer, as well as rendering praise.

Elizabeth Mahlou wrote several blogs. One was entitled “100th Lamb”, another blog was one about her family and it was there she shared her conversion story. She introduces it with:

I spent the first five-plus decades of my life as a confirmed atheist. It was not that I had never heard about God. I simply did not think God existed, and I felt sorry for those I considered deluded into thinking that there was a divinity that they could lean on in hard times. I prided myself on my ability to handle many different kinds of challenges -- financial crises, abusive childhood, disabled children, educational barriers -- without having to "dream up" a divinity for support.

She became familiar with the story of that 100th sheep before her experience - it's well shared verses:

How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. (Matthew 18:12-13 KJV)

Why would Jesus use this as an example? the answer is in the verse preceding this:

For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (Matthew 18:11 KJV)

And the one following:

Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. (Matthew 18:14 KJV)

Every child will have the opportunity to do God’s will. Humankind may see to it that a child dies in their innocence before they are capable of making an informed decision, but I certainly would not want to be the unrepentant person who caused that child’s death, would you?

Elizabeth Mahlou reached over five decades of life without God. Why wouldn’t she be able to continue to ignore him? What would bring her to see herself as that 100th sheep that did go astray? You’ll have to read her story and make your own decision. But I can show you story where a man set in his ways was certainly a lost sheep:

And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. . . And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. (Acts 7:58, 8:1-3 KJV)

A chapter later, Saul starts down the path to become Paul:

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? (Acts 9:1-4 KJV)

Saul not only changed his name, he changed his life. Read his letter to the churches and you’ll know how a church should be. Read his actions in Acts, and you’ll know how a missionary should be. All because Paul met Jesus, heard Him, and responded.

That’s what makes Christianity so easy – and so very difficult to understand without the Holy Spirit. So very simple that when someone asks:

. . . Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (Acts 16:30b KJV)

And the answer is given:

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31 KJV)

While that same man later writes of a reasonable service:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2 KJV)

How can we understand what is reasonable service? What is acceptable unto God? How do we learn? I like how Paul explained it to the church at Corinth:

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; (1 Corinthians 1:21-23 KJV)

An atheist acted foolishly, in a moment of jest she thought. Changed lives – that’s available to every one of those lost lambs Jesus came to save. To read more of her life's story, check her biography on Amazon: Blest Atheist by Elizabeth Mahlou.

Rendering Praise

 

Whatever we do, we run across people who are doing the same thing. “Birds of a feather flock together” isn’t wrong, no matter how trite it may sound. Thus I discovered another blogger who knows that prayer is not only supplications to but conversations with God.

King David is most likely the widest known for writing down his own conversations with God – including the verse Cynthia uses as an introduction to her Rendered Praise blog, Psalm 56:12.

The book of Psalms begins:

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (Psalms 1:1 KJV)

. . . and ends 150 Psalms later:

Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. (Psalms 150:6 KJV)

Each and every one in between is focused on being righteous with the Lord, for our own goodness. Not all are written by King David, but most are and he’s the first author that comes to mind. In my Bible, his are titled in the first verse, as in one of the most read:

A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalms 23:1 KJV)

For praising, we can open with:

To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David. I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. (Psalms 9:1 KJV)

My favorite verse for praising is repeated four times in Psalms 107 (which is titled “Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So”:

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! (Psalms 107:8 KJV)

I firmly believe we should be praising our Lord before the world, letting people know not only that we love Him, but that He is interested in us and wants us to be with Him during our daily lives. That part of what Jesus tells us:

And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him. (Mark 12:17 KJV)

Do you marvel at what God offers us? What He requires of us?

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8 KJV)

There are so many more verses that speak to me about God’s interaction with people. God desires time with us, and offers eternity with Him in exchange.

I do appreciate your stopping here and reading my thoughts about my own relationship with God, and I hope you have a similar relationship with Him. One where you find a quiet place and open your heart to our Father. It’s always good to consider the example of conversing with God that Jesus gave us:

After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.
(Matthew 6:9-13 KJV)

Pretty much a conversation we could have with any of our friends, acknowledging their position, making requests they have the ability to meet, asking forgiveness for our errors, telling them what they mean to us. Have you had some of those conversations with close friends? Ones you can count on to keep your trust confidential, yet follow through on requests?

It’s those requests that are very important to us as we build a relationship with our Lord. It’s good to think about His fulfillment of our requests. I had such an epiphany recently.

I had Covid-19 last October. There was an after effect to my leg muscles which took therapy, and a lot of my hair broke off. Eventually, I could walk without a walker, then without a cane! Definitely praise worthy answer to prayer.

I also had hair growing back. Curly. Before, I had straight hair – so straight I could tie it into knots and they would actually fall out. No body, no waves, definitely no curls!

As I looked in the mirror and remember how much my Mom wanted a curly-headed girl, and how many permanents she used on my hair that quickly grew out, I thought of how many times I wished for curly hair.

That reminded me that I actually prayed for it. I prayed on a Saturday for God to send me a young man I could be at ease with, didn’t have to impress, and I met my husband at noon on Sunday. I prayed for a multi-generation home where I could care for my parents, and had the blessing of having my father live with us – next door to my daughter’s family with two of his great-grands. Now we have four generations again, next door to each other.

Each of those is a personal example of how prayer has been answered, but I also prayed for my children’s salvation. All three have come to love Jesus as described in John 3:16, and each have children who have done so, too. God be praised for answered prayers! Others have a similar story. Tomorrow. . . .

Earnestly Contend For The Faith

 

This was Pastor’s central verse Sunday morning:

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 1:3 KJV)

It was so very appropriate, because I read beliefs written by a Christian organization that caused me serious concern:

2. Affirm that the teachings of Jesus provide but one of many ways to experience “God,” the Sacredness, Oneness and Unity of life, and that we can draw from diverse sources of wisdom, including Earth, in our spiritual journey;

That concerns me very much because this is purported to be the second of “The 8 Points of Progressive Christianity.” The Progressive Christianity Organization (PCO) words it a bit differently:

2 Affirm that the teachings of Jesus provide but one of many ways to experience the Sacredness and Oneness of Life, and that we can draw from diverse sources of wisdom in our spiritual journey.

May I remind you what the Bible says about adding to a book of prophecy:

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: (Revelation 22:18 KJV)

There is a Progressive Christian Booklet, “The Bible You Didn’t Know You Could Believe In,” and a review that includes:

The book notes that when we read the Bible in a non-literal way, the rich stories and messages of the Bible begin to open up to us in meaningful and personally transformative ways.  The book affirms how viewing the Bible as the inerrant, infallible word of God is simply inadequate to our modern experience.

As an expression of progressive Christianity, the book emphasizes:
*  Not taking the Bible literally; rather, reading the Bible in light of its historical context and mostly as metaphorical narrative.
*  Freeing God from the bonds of supernatural theism.
*  Viewing Jesus not as divine but as fully human.

I am excluded from the inclusiveness of PCO because I can only accept Jesus as being Christ and Messiah. To believe otherwise is to delete a great portion of the New Testament. Thomas Jefferson did that, and it didn’t catch on at that time. Perhaps we’ve Progressed sufficiently that people can accept “Do good, but don’t accept Jesus as necessary to God’s purpose.”

That’s what PCO does. Some of my favorite verses must disappear from their Bible:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16 ASV)

And Jesus perceiving it withdrew from thence: and many followed him; and he healed them all, (Matthew 12:15 ASV)

Start with John 14, as Jesus is giving final information to His disciples before His crucifixion, as you come to:

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6 KJV)

Actually, the New Testament becomes irrelevant in PCO. It’s not real and certainly not applicable to our culture. There would be no miracles, no resurrection, no Christianity. And, that’s why I write this. Why would a Progressive Organization take the word Christianity and place in their own name? The New Testament writers were witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection. Paul is the best example of what a preacher should be today – and he wrote:

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. (1 Corinthians 15:12-15 KJV)

If Christ be not risen, there can be no Christianity. Since PCO does not believe Christ is risen, as Paul wrote:

And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. ( Corinthians 15:17 KJV)

According to their 8 Points, PCO cannot believe:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)