Saturday, December 25, 2010
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Sunday, December 19, 2010
Ask the Religion Experts:
What role can religion realistically play in the eradications of poverty?
Rev. RICK REED is senior pastor at the Metropolitan Bible Church in Ottawa.
It’s staggering to know that over a billion people live in extreme poverty. This sad reality is the motivation behind a growing global movement to make poverty history.
Historically, Christians have been at the forefront of efforts to alleviate poverty—both locally and globally. I’ve been encouraged to see Christians in our city get involved in the fight against poverty in very personal and practical ways.
Many have committed to sponsor a child living in an impoverished family. With the help of agencies like Compassion International, we are able to provide a child with food, clothes and schooling for about a dollar a day.
Some churches have adopted an entire village, developing an ongoing relationship that allows for friendship and financial investment in the community. Over time, homes, schools, play yards and water wells are constructed as long-term relationships are formed.
On a local level, I know of several churches that cooperate to offer a welcoming place and a warm meal to needy folks who live in the downtown core of our city.
But eradicating poverty cannot be accomplished merely though the giving of food and finances. As Jesus said, “Man does not live by bread alone” (Matthew 4:4). The most crushing kind of poverty is one that starves the spirit, leaving a person famished for hope.
That’s why Christians seek to fight poverty in a holistic way. We are called to help feed both body and soul. So we bring bread to hungry people but also point them to Jesus, the one who is “the Bread of Life” (John 6:35). We drill wells but we also tell people about the “living water” that Jesus offers to every thirsty soul (John 7:37-38).
Christians are committed to helping in the fight against poverty—both the physical and spiritual kind.
ABDUL RASHID is a member of the Ottawa Muslim community, the Christian-Muslim Dialogue and the Capital Region Interfaith Council.
Unequal natural endowments result in unequal earnings and wealth. While Islam recognizes this inequality, it makes it a religious obligation to share our good fortune with the less fortunate (Holy Qur’an, 2:177). It defines true believers as those “who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer and spend out of what We have bestowed on them” (2:3).
The evil of entrenched poverty and inequality is so destructive of the social fibre that Islam provides, besides moral persuasion, legal measures for its alleviation. It prescribes a compulsory levy of 2.5 per cent, known as Zakah, on all savings retained for a year (9:60) to help the needy. It also ordains a wide distribution of inheritance to avoid entrenchment of wealth in a few hands.
The bounty and generosity of God Almighty is infinite. The way to express our gratitude and love for the Him is through expenditure to help the poor. We do not have to be very rich to spend in the way of God. Our Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, gave preference to “a dollar over a hundred dollars,” if a person with great wealth donated one hundred dollars while another person with only two dollars gave away one of these.
Nothing will bring the members of a society closer together than the fact that those who are in a position of ease are at all times willing to help so that those who are in need can always have a sense of belonging to the society. This is succinctly stated by our beloved prophet when he said, “People are the family of God. The most beloved of the people to God is he who is good to his, God’s family.”
?? Islam warns us: “And spend of your substance in the cause of God and make not your own hands contribute to your destruction but do good; for God loves those who do good” (2:195).
Rev. GEOFFREY KERSLAKE is a priest of the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Ottawa.
For change to take place, we must see the need for change and be motivated to be part of the change. Jesus Christ teaches us that the greatest commandments are love of God and love of neighbor (cf. Matthew 22:34-39). Many times in the Gospels, Jesus shows God’s special concern for the poor and oppressed of this world in not only his teachings and parables, but also in his actions. In St. Luke’s Gospel, we see what we might call a blue print of his mission leading up to his crucifixion: “[Jesus] stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’” (cf. Luke 4: 16-21). A committed Catholic Christian models her or his life on the example of Jesus Christ and seeks to help and serve the poor and oppressed. On the international level, the Catholic Church works to serve the poor in many countries by providing food banks, medical clinics and hospitals, schools and many other services. At the local level, parish communities have outreach programs to help the poor both in the community and also internationally. The Catholic Christian Church promotes love of God and love of neighbor as the two necessary foundations of authentic faith and through her many members is engaged in providing concrete aid to the poor and vulnerable but the Church recognizes the pressing need for more to be done.
Rev. RAY INNEN PARCHELO is a novice Tendai priest and founder of the Red Maple Sangha, the first lay Buddhist community in Eastern Ontario.
Poverty is not simply material deprivation but includes information, food, physical health, community, our natural environment and spiritual experience. Poverty does not exist in a vacuum, it is the flip-side of wealth. Only the most naive would ignore that the roots of poverty and its relief lie in unjust and discriminatory social and economic structures, combined with political and social values which place personal advantage over collective well-being. The belief that fostering greed will somehow trickle down to create wealth among those exploited to feed that greed is surely insane. As long as we are driven to value and strive after “bigger, better, more” — an obscene accumulation of wealth, in all its forms — indifferent to the costs for the rest of the world, we can only undermine and nullify any hope of relieving poverty.
Similarly, the most basic teaching of the Buddha is that the cause of our individual and collective sorrow is greed, clinging to what is impermanent as if we could own it. Buddhists are taught to actively express the virtue of “dana” (generosity) as part of the end of suffering. Mirroring the Buddha’s generosity in his teaching us the Way to relieve suffering, we too are directed to act generously for the same goal. It is through these habits of generous action for the benefit of all beings that we sustain a wholesome life which benefits us as it does those who receive.
Ultimately, it is selfless and virtuous action — generosity, compassion and community care — in all spheres that lead us to our spiritual goals. Poverty will not disappear through “programs” or “strategies” sponsored by well-meaning but extravagantly privileged individuals, organizations or nations. It will occur through a transformation of the meaning of our daily lives based on an understanding of our inextricable inter-connections with all life. Poverty will continue as a human catastrophe and shame until we can seek our fulfillment in serving the larger world rather than feeding personal or national greed.
Rabbi REUVEN BULKA is head of Congregation Machzikei Hadas in Ottawa and host of Sunday night with Rabbi Bulka on 580 CFRA.
There is no responsible person who would not want the elimination of poverty. This common desire to eradicate poverty is a meeting point between religious leaders and politicians of all stripes. Yet we are still trying to wrestle down the poverty demon. We could throw money at the problem, but there is no guarantee the problem will go away. Money will help, and help a lot, but the problem will likely be with us forever.
For example, food banks, which do a tremendous service to their communities, are reporting an increase in demand. People who never thought they would need to access the food bank are now requesting food. They may not suffer from abject poverty, but to a certain extent they fit into the category of those in a state of poverty.
In spite of the likelihood that poverty will be with us forever, we cannot allow this to deter us from having the issue of poverty occupy centre stage in our thinking. Religious leaders can help do this by making it a priority matter that never leaves the radar screen of those who are in a position to help.
Governments at all levels are in a position to help. Constant pressure on governments will certainly increase the chances that the problem will be addressed.
On the congregational level, religious leaders are uniquely positioned to make the assault on poverty a sermonic and programmatic priority. They can, and should, urge all the “haves” in the congregation to help the “have-nots,” by emphasizing that the blessing of plenty is only a blessing if the plenty is used in a constructive manner to help others less fortunate.
Then, as congregations, each leader can set up community outreach to the poor in effective ways, such as in collecting for the food bank, and having community lunches for the poor, among other activities.
With everyone doing a little bit, lots can be accomplished in this ongoing struggle.
KEVIN SMITH is on the board of directors for the Centre of Inquiry, Canada’s premier venue for humanists, skeptics and freethinkers.
If location were everything, than you would think that religion should be able to play a key role in eradicating poverty. Their real estate covers some of the poorest countries of the world. They are at the front line of this incessant battle.
Unless you are of the mind-set that being poor is one of those mysterious blessings from God, as some sects believe — the reality is that poverty remains a serious global problem with a complex series of causes. Environmental degradation, warfare, corruption and social inequality are a few issues that create a financial imbalance where close to half the worlds population live on less than three dollars a day.
Give religion its’ due, for years the faithful have donated time and money to the impoverished souls of the world but there is never any light at the end of the tunnel. I have three suggestions for religionists, or maybe I should call it a wish list, that would assist in their efforts.
Overpopulation is one of the prime reasons for poverty. Banning condom use almost doubles the birth rate of a country. The use of condoms as a part of sexual practice must be permitted.
A lack of education is tied to poverty. Classrooms should focus on teaching life skills over religious dogma.
Women account for 70 per cent of the world’s poor. Allow them to be treated as equals with men. Improving the lives of women has a positive effect on the health care, education and the economic development of their countries.
If the world’s religions could support these recommendations, they would be following the philosophy of humanism, although we conclude that allowing people to think for themselves, without relying on the supernatural, is a key factor in empowering humans. This, for us, is the greatest gift of all.
JACK MCLEAN is a Baha’i scholar, teacher, essayist and poet published in the fields of spirituality, Baha’i theology and poetry.
This question may be answered from two perspectives: first, the generosity that one individual shows another in need; second, a global problem that needs to be remedied systematically. Both approaches are used in the Bahá’í Faith. Regarding the individual, this scripture from Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892), the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, prescribes the ethics of generosity and justice: “Know ye that the poor are the trust of God in your midst. Watch that ye betray not His trust, that ye deal not unjustly with them and that ye walk not in the ways of the treacherous” (Gleanings, p. 251).
However, the sharing of wealth is not sufficient. The individual must be helped to reclaim his dignity and self-worth, instilled with confidence to improve his economic situation and thereby fulfill his potential.
In 2008, the Bahá’í International Community at the UN produced a noteworthy statement on poverty-- “Eradicating Poverty: Moving Forward as One”. This document was written in response to the UN Human Rights Council that called for a consultation on “draft guiding principles” that could forge a link between human rights and extreme poverty.
The Bahá’í International Community received direct input from consultants who held discussions in 6 countries: Brazil, Guyana, Haiti, India, Namibia and Turkey. In this manner, the economically disadvantaged proposed their own solutions to the eradication of poverty.
This document contends that a new framework must be adopted to replace the failed, rich nation-poor nation, donor-recipient mentality that, tragically, has not established self-sufficiency in the developing world, despite the $2.3 trillion spent on foreign aid in the post-world-war-two-period.
“Eradicating Poverty” creates instead a multi-level paradigm of interconnectedness that defines a new way forward. It steers away from reducing poverty to financial inputs alone, but sees, rather, its elimination as the interplay of 11 social, spiritual and material principles: governance, justice, human rights, individual responsibility, gender, economic activity, extremes of wealth and poverty, employment, agriculture, sustainable development, knowledge.
This document defines poverty rather uniquely as “the absence of those ethical, social and material resources needed to develop the moral, intellectual and social capacities of individuals, communities and institutions.” It calls for a long-term, workable, sustainable approach that contributes to the effective elimination of poverty.
© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen
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Sunday, November 14, 2010
Christian girls
Christian girls in a sexy world
1:00am Sunday, 14th November 2010
MESSAGES
Each day we are being fed messages about how girls and women should be. The world shouts out that all women are and should be sexy. It is in the television shows and movies we watch, the internet sites we browse, the songs we listen to, the magazines we flip through and even on the billboards we drive by every day. The world tells us that the ideal woman is hot, sexy, sassy and on the prowl.
Each day we are being fed messages about how girls and women should be. The world shouts out that all women are and should be sexy. It is in the television shows and movies we watch, the internet sites we browse, the songs we listen to, the magazines we flip through and even on the billboards we drive by every day. The world tells us that the ideal woman is hot, sexy, sassy and on the prowl.
However, these messages are not what God tells his daughters.
MEANING
Your worth and value are not based on your body nor on being sexy. We need to get real about this. Genesis 1:27, 31 and Genesis 2:23-25 express the goodness of our physical bodies which God created. We are made in the image of God and this should be where our value is found. However, we do live in a fallen world where the goodness of creation and relationship have been broken. In our obsession with our bodies and clothing
1 Samuel 16:7 expresses that while humans look at the outward appearance, God is concerned with the heart and our character more than our bodies or clothes. Furthermore, this side of the cross, our identity as Christians lies in Christ and not our outward appearance.
MODESTY
The Bible teaches quite clearly on modesty and sexuality. Ephesians 5:3 says ‘But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality.’ This ‘hint’ includes both our actions and our appearance.
Women are encouraged also to dress modestly and develop inner beauty, (1 Peter 3:3-6).
This is what God desires for his daughters – not because he is a killjoy but because he loves us and in fact knows what will bring us more joy!
MEN
Girls—we need to get real about the effect our bodies and actions have on men. If you dress sexy you may receive unwanted attention (think about wolf whistles from construction sites), or you may become involved in unwanted sexual behaviours. We need to love our Christian brothers at all times – not just at youth group or church!
MARRIAGE
Sex and being sexy has a time and place that God is all for—within the marriage relationship. Baring our bodies and engaging in sexual practices belong there.
I urge you sisters to wait till then to be a sexy Christian girl. Any hint before then is only damaging to your brothers and yourself. Be girls who seek to love God with their hearts, minds, bodies and clothes.
MEANING
Your worth and value are not based on your body nor on being sexy. We need to get real about this. Genesis 1:27, 31 and Genesis 2:23-25 express the goodness of our physical bodies which God created. We are made in the image of God and this should be where our value is found. However, we do live in a fallen world where the goodness of creation and relationship have been broken. In our obsession with our bodies and clothing
1 Samuel 16:7 expresses that while humans look at the outward appearance, God is concerned with the heart and our character more than our bodies or clothes. Furthermore, this side of the cross, our identity as Christians lies in Christ and not our outward appearance.
MODESTY
The Bible teaches quite clearly on modesty and sexuality. Ephesians 5:3 says ‘But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality.’ This ‘hint’ includes both our actions and our appearance.
Women are encouraged also to dress modestly and develop inner beauty, (1 Peter 3:3-6).
This is what God desires for his daughters – not because he is a killjoy but because he loves us and in fact knows what will bring us more joy!
MEN
Girls—we need to get real about the effect our bodies and actions have on men. If you dress sexy you may receive unwanted attention (think about wolf whistles from construction sites), or you may become involved in unwanted sexual behaviours. We need to love our Christian brothers at all times – not just at youth group or church!
MARRIAGE
Sex and being sexy has a time and place that God is all for—within the marriage relationship. Baring our bodies and engaging in sexual practices belong there.
I urge you sisters to wait till then to be a sexy Christian girl. Any hint before then is only damaging to your brothers and yourself. Be girls who seek to love God with their hearts, minds, bodies and clothes.
Edited version of a fervr.net story (eternity)
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010 12:39 PM
What will the end of the world be like? The question has intrigued humankind since, well, the beginning of the world. Evangelical Christians offer a unique and problematic interpretation of the apocalyptic scenario. And that’s exactly what the people behind the documentary Waiting for Armageddon set out to understand. Directors Franco Sacchi, Kate Davis and David Heilbroner capture the apocalypse-obsessed wing of the evangelical Christian community in scenes of plainspoken faith, theological collision, and hubristic tourism.
The film opens with a statistic set to ominous music: Roughly one-sixth of Americans are evangelical Christians. It is less specific about just how many of those evangelicals are anticipating Armageddon. It would be absurd to assume that every sixth person you run into in the grocery store has Rapture on the brain. The filmmakers only say that “many” evangelicals are end-timers. But it’s a financially and politically powerful group, which makes scrutiny of their beliefs a worthwhile exercise.
American evangelical Dr. H. Wayne House performs a baptism in the River Jordan.
Just like any other distinct community, evangelical Christians are victims of stereotypes. Calling on pastors, suburban housewives, a former ghostwriter for televangelist Jerry Falwell, and a reformed atheist, the film breaks down those stereotypes and presents its subjects’ apocalyptic worldviews candidly. Unpleasant as the end times may seem, many evangelicals are mentally and spiritually prepared.
Most of the evangelicals profiled in the film express a sense of urgency—that the apocalypse is right around the corner. “The rapture in my view will happen very, very soon,” Oklahoma-resident Devonna Edwards said. “And do I believe that I’ll hold a grandchild? No. I just don’t think we have that much time left.” Edwards’ children don’t share this same preoccupation. “It could happen . . . I mean, it will happen,” says her daughter Kristen. “But it just may not happen before my birthday.”
Israel's holy city Jerusalem.
The Promised Land
Even more frightening than the apocalypse, the documentary draws links between the American evangelical community and American relations in the Middle East, especially Israel.
Israel is a homing beacon for many evangelicals. The filmmakers follow Dr. H. Wayne House as he leads twenty-some evangelicals on a tour of the Israel and parts of the West Bank. The film portrays House and his tour as a busload of indignant, anti-Muslim and selectively naïve foreigners. On a boat tour of the Sea of Galilee, where Christians believe Jesus walked on water, they fly the American flag and pump “The Star-Spangled Banner” from loud speakers. Standing on the plateau of Megiddo, where the battle of Armageddon is prophesied to take place, House wears a Disney World t-shirt. These religious tourists bumble around like so many Clark Griswolds in hotly disputed religious geography.
Another stop on the tour is the al-Aqsa Mosque, which is situated next to the golden Dome of the Rock, the spot where Muslims believe the Prophet Mohamed ascended to heaven. To Jews it is the Temple Mount, site of the first two Jewish Temples. Regardless of what type of worship house stands there, it is an especially sacred location for Jews and Muslims alike. The site also has potent spiritual significance to evangelical Christians. As author Gershom Gorenberg says in film, the site is a “blasting cap of religious conflict.”
The Dome of the Rock.
The evangelical account of the apocalypse, based on a rigid reading of apocalyptic books of the Bible like Daniel and Revelation, depends upon the continued survival of the state of Israel and its ability to rebuild the Temple. “I don’t know exactly how it is going to be removed, but it is not a part of the end times as far as the Bible or Christianity are concerned, and I don’t think in Judaism either,” said one member of House’s tour. “There’s no place for that mosque. It has to be removed.” At a Pre-Tribulation conference, in which hundreds of evangelicals gather to discuss the state of Israel and the end of days, House proudly shows off a photoshopped image of Jerusalem. The Dome of the Rock is missing from the cityscape and an artist’s rendition of the rebuilt Jewish Temple stands in its place. The crowd goes wild.
Justus N. Baird, director of the Center for Multifaith Education at Auburn Theological Seminary, clearly articulates the overarching message of the documentary in one of the DVD’s bonus features, a roundtable discussion from the night of the film screening. “Good theology does not instrumentalize other people,” he said. “And so when Israel, either as a nation or as a people, or Jews as a people, are a pawn in someone else’s theology, then we get into dangerous territory.”
Israel’s hot sands are a long way from the white, evangelical churches of America’s heartland, but that doesn’t mean that evangelicals’ intriguing apocalyptic beliefs are free from global significance. Whether making small donations to the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry or decrying the ascent of multiculturalism and Islamofascism, as Pastor John Hagee does at the Pre-Tribulation conference, evangelicals are on the front lines of an age-old spiritual conflict.
Images courtesy of First Run Features.
Monday, October 18, 2010
the saint joseph rosary
This site was created to promote the Saint Joseph rosary. It is prayed exactly like the Marian rosary; say the following prayer in place of the Hail Mary.Joseph, son of David, and husband of Mary; we honor you, guardian of the Redeemer, and we adore the child you named Jesus.
Saint Joseph, patron of the universal church, pray for us that, like you, we may live totally dedicated to the interests of the Savior. Amen.
Mysteries
1. Betrothal to Mary (Mt 1:18).2. Annunciation to Joseph (Mt 1:19-21).
3. Birth and Naming of Jesus (Mt 1:22-25).
4. Flight into Egypt (Mt 2:13-15).
5. Hidden Life at Nazareth (Mt 2:23; Lk 2:51-52).
welcome to
JUDE Contending FOR The FAITH
76
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We Were Created For God's Purpose
If you ever want a powerful defense for the Christian Faith Jude is an excellent book to refer to. Defending the Faith is not something new. Jude teaches the importance of not compromising the Word of God! The Word of God is priceless! You cannot manipulate God nor His Word no matter who you are! There are a lot of worldly influences that from the very beginning have tried to twist the Bible and its teachings! Many have been deceived, this is still the case today! Many worldly ways, concepts and methods have been embraced and embedded into the organized church system that are not of God. This is why it is important to know God and know His Word; of Him you can be certain and sure!!!
Jude tells us to “Contend for the Faith!” What does this mean? Contend means to strive against difficulties, to be persistent and assert yourself. Faith means believe without seeing. “FAITH is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By Faith we understand that the universe was formed at GOD'S command so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible…” Hebrews 11 The Bible gives us the real facts! It is was not comprised of misconstrued circumstantial evidence. Many today attempt to use the Word to control others, justify their behavior and lifestyles but are really only promoting sin!
God is powerful as a matter of fact He is OMNIPOTENT meaning He is ALL POWER! He is SUPERIOR and SUPREME! Think about it with all the millions of organized church assemblies opened in the name of God, what is going on in this world should not be! It certainly is not because of GOD! It is because there are so many wolves in sheep clothing. “They are godless men who change the grace of God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord” Saints are supposed to be believers! Not followers of the world. But, followers of Jesus Christ! Too many want to be leaders that are served, rather than Servants of God! All too often you now find that many in the church instead follow the latest trends and adopt the ways of the world. Take some time and think about it? Who are you really following?
We must TRUST GOD! When you know that there is a lot of false teaching going on what do you do? When you know that you have helped those that no one else would help, and they turn on you, what do you do? When you know that you have been mistreated and maligned and falsely accused what do you do? PRAISE GOD!!! Know that you are in good company because this is what happened to Jesus! When you know that manipulation and deception is present you still must remain faithful to God and His Word! God is more powerful than what any man can EVER do to you! You must draw closer to God and TRUST HIM! Seek Him above all else! God will give you a strong sound mind! He CAN KEEP you from falling! "Do not be conformed to this world. But TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind!" Your true security and significance can only be found in the LORD! "If GOD is for us who can be against us!"
The Word is often used to justify lifestyles and wrong behavior that are not sanctioned by God! Minimizing sin and embracing tolerance. Often justified under the guise of unconditional love! God never intended for Christianity to become a legalistic doctrinal concept of rules and regulations. The House of God is supposed to be the Pillar of TRUTH! It is written! Christ died so we could have an abundant spiritual life! As a matter of fact it was the religious leaders that conspired to discredit JESUS and secretly sought to destroy Him. How ironic they called Him evil. Does this sound familiar? The Bible is the inspired Word of God! “It is a lamp unto our feet and a Light unto our path...”
The gift of Eternal Life is one of the most precious gifts one can ever receive! Along with that gift comes the promise of His Holy Spirit. The Comforter and ultimate internal Teacher! Jude extends to us Mercy, Peace and Love in abundance! When Jesus ascended to heaven He promised that the Holy Spirit would come. Jesus prepared His disciples for His departure. He told them “Nevertheless I tell you the TRUTH. It is to your advantage that I go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart , I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; of sin, because they do not believe in Me, of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. I still have many things to say to you, BUT you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of TRUTH, has come, He will guide you into All truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come…” JOHN 16
Jude known as the brother of Jesus Christ tells us that we have a duty to fight for God’s TRUTH! Not in a physical carnal way! Our weapons are not carnal! We must stay adorned with the spiritual armor! "PRAY also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the GOSPEL, for which I am an ambassador in chains. PRAY that I may delcare it fearlessly, as I should" See Ephesians 6 Without doubt we are in the last days and the Word of God is being fulfilled! We need not be afraid but prayerful! It is important to persevere knowing that God is with you! Jude says:“ But dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times, there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. These are the men who divide you. Who follow mere natural instincts and DO NOT have the SPIRIT. But you, dear friends build yourself up in your most HOLY FAITH and pray in the HOLY SPIRIT. Keep yourselves up in God’s LOVE as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh...
One only must watch the news, read the newspaper or search online to see that time is near! “Anything goes!” There is not only a Economic Recession but a "SPIRITUAL RECESSION" as well! Many of our churches are allowing carnal worldly teachings… Bible study on many occasions have turned to group think and mind conditioning! Respect for God and His Word all too often laid aside; carnality takes the forefront because somebody says; “I’m human” The time of increased Apostasy is definitely here! Meaning the abandoning of Faith! LORD HELP US! Anyone can be subject to error. This is why we all need His Holy Spirit to convict the heart of sin and point us to righteousness. What is righteousness? It is right living in the eyes of God! Sin is anything that separates us from God! Jude says: Remember Sodom and Gomorrah? This is why Jesus left us His Holy Spirit!
"To GOD be the GLORY!" Having an encounter with God regularly will bring you closer to Him! It will open your "spiritual eyes" This is also why we must contend for the Faith and stand firm! If you have grown slack in your commitment to God; He can speak renewal and strength to your heart! We must humbly and diligently pursue TRUTH! God can bring a plan and a purpose into your life like no other! “To HIM who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great JOY to the only GOD and SAVIOR be GLORY, MAJESTY, POWER and AUTHORITY, through JESUS CHRIST our LORD, before all ages, now and forevermore! AMEN!!!"
Jude tells us to “Contend for the Faith!” What does this mean? Contend means to strive against difficulties, to be persistent and assert yourself. Faith means believe without seeing. “FAITH is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By Faith we understand that the universe was formed at GOD'S command so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible…” Hebrews 11 The Bible gives us the real facts! It is was not comprised of misconstrued circumstantial evidence. Many today attempt to use the Word to control others, justify their behavior and lifestyles but are really only promoting sin!
God is powerful as a matter of fact He is OMNIPOTENT meaning He is ALL POWER! He is SUPERIOR and SUPREME! Think about it with all the millions of organized church assemblies opened in the name of God, what is going on in this world should not be! It certainly is not because of GOD! It is because there are so many wolves in sheep clothing. “They are godless men who change the grace of God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord” Saints are supposed to be believers! Not followers of the world. But, followers of Jesus Christ! Too many want to be leaders that are served, rather than Servants of God! All too often you now find that many in the church instead follow the latest trends and adopt the ways of the world. Take some time and think about it? Who are you really following?
We must TRUST GOD! When you know that there is a lot of false teaching going on what do you do? When you know that you have helped those that no one else would help, and they turn on you, what do you do? When you know that you have been mistreated and maligned and falsely accused what do you do? PRAISE GOD!!! Know that you are in good company because this is what happened to Jesus! When you know that manipulation and deception is present you still must remain faithful to God and His Word! God is more powerful than what any man can EVER do to you! You must draw closer to God and TRUST HIM! Seek Him above all else! God will give you a strong sound mind! He CAN KEEP you from falling! "Do not be conformed to this world. But TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind!" Your true security and significance can only be found in the LORD! "If GOD is for us who can be against us!"
The Word is often used to justify lifestyles and wrong behavior that are not sanctioned by God! Minimizing sin and embracing tolerance. Often justified under the guise of unconditional love! God never intended for Christianity to become a legalistic doctrinal concept of rules and regulations. The House of God is supposed to be the Pillar of TRUTH! It is written! Christ died so we could have an abundant spiritual life! As a matter of fact it was the religious leaders that conspired to discredit JESUS and secretly sought to destroy Him. How ironic they called Him evil. Does this sound familiar? The Bible is the inspired Word of God! “It is a lamp unto our feet and a Light unto our path...”
The gift of Eternal Life is one of the most precious gifts one can ever receive! Along with that gift comes the promise of His Holy Spirit. The Comforter and ultimate internal Teacher! Jude extends to us Mercy, Peace and Love in abundance! When Jesus ascended to heaven He promised that the Holy Spirit would come. Jesus prepared His disciples for His departure. He told them “Nevertheless I tell you the TRUTH. It is to your advantage that I go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart , I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; of sin, because they do not believe in Me, of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. I still have many things to say to you, BUT you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of TRUTH, has come, He will guide you into All truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come…” JOHN 16
Jude known as the brother of Jesus Christ tells us that we have a duty to fight for God’s TRUTH! Not in a physical carnal way! Our weapons are not carnal! We must stay adorned with the spiritual armor! "PRAY also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the GOSPEL, for which I am an ambassador in chains. PRAY that I may delcare it fearlessly, as I should" See Ephesians 6 Without doubt we are in the last days and the Word of God is being fulfilled! We need not be afraid but prayerful! It is important to persevere knowing that God is with you! Jude says:“ But dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times, there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. These are the men who divide you. Who follow mere natural instincts and DO NOT have the SPIRIT. But you, dear friends build yourself up in your most HOLY FAITH and pray in the HOLY SPIRIT. Keep yourselves up in God’s LOVE as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh...
One only must watch the news, read the newspaper or search online to see that time is near! “Anything goes!” There is not only a Economic Recession but a "SPIRITUAL RECESSION" as well! Many of our churches are allowing carnal worldly teachings… Bible study on many occasions have turned to group think and mind conditioning! Respect for God and His Word all too often laid aside; carnality takes the forefront because somebody says; “I’m human” The time of increased Apostasy is definitely here! Meaning the abandoning of Faith! LORD HELP US! Anyone can be subject to error. This is why we all need His Holy Spirit to convict the heart of sin and point us to righteousness. What is righteousness? It is right living in the eyes of God! Sin is anything that separates us from God! Jude says: Remember Sodom and Gomorrah? This is why Jesus left us His Holy Spirit!
"To GOD be the GLORY!" Having an encounter with God regularly will bring you closer to Him! It will open your "spiritual eyes" This is also why we must contend for the Faith and stand firm! If you have grown slack in your commitment to God; He can speak renewal and strength to your heart! We must humbly and diligently pursue TRUTH! God can bring a plan and a purpose into your life like no other! “To HIM who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great JOY to the only GOD and SAVIOR be GLORY, MAJESTY, POWER and AUTHORITY, through JESUS CHRIST our LORD, before all ages, now and forevermore! AMEN!!!"
Comments
Love you, sis.
Our TRUST must be in GOD! Thank you for sharing, In His Love & Blessings!
Best Wishes. :)
Indeed,indeed I love the book of Jude. Thanks for the article!
What you say is profoundly true! This is why we have chaos! You are so right about that “Lord Lord!” The wolves are everywhere. Therefore I TRUST GOD! I believe all His promises! If I seek Him above all else I know He will take care of me! Man can do no more than the Lord allows! I also have PEACE because God knows I have no hidden agenda! This is why “I contend for the FAITH!” I have learned that if I stay close to the Shepherd the wolves can’t destroy me but stay lurking in the dark. I realize they will try and but I know that the WORD of God is quick and powerful and sharper than a two edged sword!
Thank you my brother for your wise comments! It is always a pleasure much Love & Blessings!
"FAITH is the substance of things HOPED for the evidence of things not seen..." The battle is the LORD'S!!! GOD truly is GOOD! I LOVE HIM and I TRUST HIM! Thank you for sharing! Please do come again, Blessings!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Buddhism
Confession of a Buddhist Atheist
Confession of a Buddhist Atheist
Image via Wikipedia By Grant LawrenceBodhi Thunder
Buddhism is different from nearly any other religion in that it doesn’t require a belief in God.
Many Buddhists do believe in God. But the Buddha never answered the question on whether there was a God or not. When asked such questions, the Buddha maintained the Noble Silence. He said they were questions “not tending toward edification.” Meaning that there are questions. like does God exist?, that are not really helpful.'
The Buddha instead gave an analogy of a person being shot with an arrow, and there were those that wanted to help remove the arrow. But the wounded person would not remove the arrow until he found out who shot the arrow, where the person came from, why he wanted to shoot him, and other questions that would not help remove his arrow and thus his suffering.
Buddhism doesn’t require a belief in God to remove the arrow of suffering. Rather, the Buddha asks humanity to see things as they really are and to think and act in helpful ways for all of life. He wanted people to experience the truth so that they wouldn’t be misled by sources of information that are not in compliance with the truth.
Books and people can tell you of experiences of God and revelations. But each of us ultimately have to experience the truth to know the truth. See Video Below of a lecture given by author Stephen Batchelor on his book “Confession of a Budedhist Atheist”
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A great truth Deborrah, that alerts us the urgency of staying in His Word and contending for the faith.