Posts
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It was a busy day in heaven as folks waited in line at the pearly gates. Peter stood as gatekeeper checking each newcomer's name in the Lamb's Book of Life. But there was some confusion, as the numbers were not adding up. Heaven was a little overcrowded, and a bunch of folks were unaccounted for. So some of the angels were sent on a mission to investigate things. And it was not long before two of them returned, "We found the problem," they said. "Jesus is out back, lifting people up over the gate."
Shane Claiborne
That sounds like the Jesus I know, as He is the Saviour of the World!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
NUGGETS OF PRECIOUS GOLD ..... "Fenelon"
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Of all the old mystic's writings that I have read, I found Fenelon's maxims, the clearest and most practical. Last night, I stumbled across a fellow by the name of Fred, who has made a friend of François Fénelon. Below Fred and Fenelon share some wonderful insights for our advancement in God. I have highlighted that which I thought exceptional. As a last note, if there be anything I would hope others to know, it would be, "seek the map maker instead of the map." So many fretting souls are about figuring out what's going to happen, when we can be satisfied to know "God is happening ...... and He is happening within our lives right now!"
FRED'S FRIEND FENELON
1. The Presence precedes the plan.
For years younger people have asked me how they could know God's plan for their life. While reading Fénelon and other saints, I find they are not concerned with that question. Their concern is not with the plan but with the Presence. When we have a guide, we don't need a map. Without the Presence we attempt work for God instead of letting God work through us. Fénelon said: Put aside your self-interest and simply let God's will unfold around you. Everything he does for you is for your good. Worship him without having to know and see everything. Continue doing the good things that you do since you feel that you should and you can do them so easily. Be careful that all your extra energy does not lead you into trouble and, above all, live in the present moment and God will give you all the grace you need. He continues, Live your daily life out in the presence of God. He will give you all that you need. God's glory and his purpose are the end of all things. You will find happiness and salvation there but not as an end in itself. It is all for God.
2. Self-love is subtle.
"You will be tempted to speak out in a humble tone of voice to tell others of your problems. Watch out for this. A humility that is still talkative does not run very deep. When you talk too much, your self-love relieves his sense of shame a little."
Fénelon goes on to say: "Self love is proud of its spiritual accomplishments. You must lose everything to find God for himself alone. You won't begin to let go of yourself until you have been thrown off a cliff. He takes away to give back in a better way." "Self-interest and pride cause you to reject the gifts of God, because they do not come in a way that suits your taste. He asks for nothing but death, and you desire nothing but life." "Selfishly loving yourself shunts your spirit. You put yourself in a straitjacket when you are enclosed in self. When you come out of that prison you experience how immense God is and how he set his children free. Be humble. Do not trust the old nature."
He probes even deeper: So to strip self-love of its mask is the most humiliating punishment that can be inflicted. You see that you are no longer as wise, patient, polite, self-possessed, and courageous in sacrificing yourself for others as you had imagined. You are no longer fed by the belief that you need nothing. . . . You no longer think that your greatness and generosity deserve a better name than self-love. However, you are further tormented because you also weep and rage that you have cried at all. What your old nature fears the most is necessary for its destruction.
3. Suffering is useful.
Fénelon speaks of suffering as God's exercise program, his gymnasium: Suffering is necessary for all of us. You will be purified by dying to see your own desires and will. Let yourself die. You have excellent opportunities for this to happen. Don't waste them. . . . God never makes you suffer unnecessarily. He intends for your suffering to heal and purify you. The hand of God hurts you as little as it can. The yoke that God gives is easy to bear if you accept it without struggling to escape.
4. One test of relation with God is peace.
Fénelon recommended Guyon: "Encourage peace, become deaf to your overactive imagination. Your spinning imagination will harm your health and make your spiritual life very dry. You worry yourself sick for no good reason. Inner peace and the sweet presence of God are chased away by restlessness."
Or, consider, "Peace and comfort are to be found only in simple obedience. Remain at peace, for peace is what God wants for you no matter what is happening. There is in fact a peace of conscience which sinners should enjoy as they are repenting. Suffering should be peaceful and tempered with God's comfort."
And regarding the future: "Live in peace without worrying about the future. Unnecessary worrying and imagining the worst possible scenario will strangle your faith."
He warned "there never is peace in resisting God . . . . Allow yourself to be humble. If you are silent and peaceful when humiliating things happen to you, you will grow in grace." And "The point of trusting God is not to do great things that you can feel good about, but to trust God from a place of deep weakness. Here's a way to know if you are actually trusting God with something. You will not think about the matter any longer nor will you feel a lack of peace."
5. Silence brings blessings.
Fénelon: "Try to practice silence as much as general courtesy permits. Silence encourages God's presence, prevents harsh words, and causes you to be less likely to say something you will regret. Silence also helps you put space between you and the world. Out of the silence that you cultivate you will get strength to meet your needs."
6. Growth and change are the work of the cross.
Fénelon has helped me to think of the work of the cross--redemption--as the constant tension of growth and change as the old nature gives way to the new. It is a process that starts with the new birth and ends at the close of our earthly journey, by which time we are hopefully more mature in the likeness of Christ.
Fénelon said to Mme. Guyon, "Bear your cross. Do you know what this means? Learn to see yourself as you are and accept your weakness until it pleases God to heal you. If you die a little every day of your life, you won't have too much to worry about on your final day."
Then with assurance he says, "You and I are nothing without the cross. I agonize and cry when the cross is working within me, but when it is over I look back in admiration for what God has accomplished. Of course I am then ashamed I bore it so poorly."
7. The focused life is the simple life.
"Our hidden agendas can poison the simplicity of a situation. The desire to do a work for God is simple enough, but I greatly complicate it when I add the hidden agenda of wanting to be recognized and appreciated while doing it."
8. Give grace to yourself and others.
I can almost hear Fénelon say, "Lighten up." He wrote: "Do not be surprised to find yourself overly sensitive, impatient, proud, and self-willed. Realize that this is your natural disposition. Bear with yourself, but do not flatter yourself into thinking you are better than you are but wait on God's timing to transform it. Stop at once when your activities become too hurried."
Madame Guyon, a rich and beautiful widow and close friend of Fénelon, woke many souls to share her love for God. For this she was vilified, harassed, imprisoned, and her writings condemned. Fénelon stood by her at great personal cost.
For a brief biography of FENELON
Of all the old mystic's writings that I have read, I found Fenelon's maxims, the clearest and most practical. Last night, I stumbled across a fellow by the name of Fred, who has made a friend of François Fénelon. Below Fred and Fenelon share some wonderful insights for our advancement in God. I have highlighted that which I thought exceptional. As a last note, if there be anything I would hope others to know, it would be, "seek the map maker instead of the map." So many fretting souls are about figuring out what's going to happen, when we can be satisfied to know "God is happening ...... and He is happening within our lives right now!"FRED'S FRIEND FENELON
1. The Presence precedes the plan.
For years younger people have asked me how they could know God's plan for their life. While reading Fénelon and other saints, I find they are not concerned with that question. Their concern is not with the plan but with the Presence. When we have a guide, we don't need a map. Without the Presence we attempt work for God instead of letting God work through us. Fénelon said: Put aside your self-interest and simply let God's will unfold around you. Everything he does for you is for your good. Worship him without having to know and see everything. Continue doing the good things that you do since you feel that you should and you can do them so easily. Be careful that all your extra energy does not lead you into trouble and, above all, live in the present moment and God will give you all the grace you need. He continues, Live your daily life out in the presence of God. He will give you all that you need. God's glory and his purpose are the end of all things. You will find happiness and salvation there but not as an end in itself. It is all for God.
2. Self-love is subtle.
"You will be tempted to speak out in a humble tone of voice to tell others of your problems. Watch out for this. A humility that is still talkative does not run very deep. When you talk too much, your self-love relieves his sense of shame a little."
Fénelon goes on to say: "Self love is proud of its spiritual accomplishments. You must lose everything to find God for himself alone. You won't begin to let go of yourself until you have been thrown off a cliff. He takes away to give back in a better way." "Self-interest and pride cause you to reject the gifts of God, because they do not come in a way that suits your taste. He asks for nothing but death, and you desire nothing but life." "Selfishly loving yourself shunts your spirit. You put yourself in a straitjacket when you are enclosed in self. When you come out of that prison you experience how immense God is and how he set his children free. Be humble. Do not trust the old nature."
He probes even deeper: So to strip self-love of its mask is the most humiliating punishment that can be inflicted. You see that you are no longer as wise, patient, polite, self-possessed, and courageous in sacrificing yourself for others as you had imagined. You are no longer fed by the belief that you need nothing. . . . You no longer think that your greatness and generosity deserve a better name than self-love. However, you are further tormented because you also weep and rage that you have cried at all. What your old nature fears the most is necessary for its destruction.
3. Suffering is useful.
Fénelon speaks of suffering as God's exercise program, his gymnasium: Suffering is necessary for all of us. You will be purified by dying to see your own desires and will. Let yourself die. You have excellent opportunities for this to happen. Don't waste them. . . . God never makes you suffer unnecessarily. He intends for your suffering to heal and purify you. The hand of God hurts you as little as it can. The yoke that God gives is easy to bear if you accept it without struggling to escape.
4. One test of relation with God is peace.
Fénelon recommended Guyon: "Encourage peace, become deaf to your overactive imagination. Your spinning imagination will harm your health and make your spiritual life very dry. You worry yourself sick for no good reason. Inner peace and the sweet presence of God are chased away by restlessness."
Or, consider, "Peace and comfort are to be found only in simple obedience. Remain at peace, for peace is what God wants for you no matter what is happening. There is in fact a peace of conscience which sinners should enjoy as they are repenting. Suffering should be peaceful and tempered with God's comfort."
And regarding the future: "Live in peace without worrying about the future. Unnecessary worrying and imagining the worst possible scenario will strangle your faith."
He warned "there never is peace in resisting God . . . . Allow yourself to be humble. If you are silent and peaceful when humiliating things happen to you, you will grow in grace." And "The point of trusting God is not to do great things that you can feel good about, but to trust God from a place of deep weakness. Here's a way to know if you are actually trusting God with something. You will not think about the matter any longer nor will you feel a lack of peace."
5. Silence brings blessings.
Fénelon: "Try to practice silence as much as general courtesy permits. Silence encourages God's presence, prevents harsh words, and causes you to be less likely to say something you will regret. Silence also helps you put space between you and the world. Out of the silence that you cultivate you will get strength to meet your needs."
6. Growth and change are the work of the cross.
Fénelon has helped me to think of the work of the cross--redemption--as the constant tension of growth and change as the old nature gives way to the new. It is a process that starts with the new birth and ends at the close of our earthly journey, by which time we are hopefully more mature in the likeness of Christ.
Fénelon said to Mme. Guyon, "Bear your cross. Do you know what this means? Learn to see yourself as you are and accept your weakness until it pleases God to heal you. If you die a little every day of your life, you won't have too much to worry about on your final day."
Then with assurance he says, "You and I are nothing without the cross. I agonize and cry when the cross is working within me, but when it is over I look back in admiration for what God has accomplished. Of course I am then ashamed I bore it so poorly."
7. The focused life is the simple life.
"Our hidden agendas can poison the simplicity of a situation. The desire to do a work for God is simple enough, but I greatly complicate it when I add the hidden agenda of wanting to be recognized and appreciated while doing it."
8. Give grace to yourself and others.
I can almost hear Fénelon say, "Lighten up." He wrote: "Do not be surprised to find yourself overly sensitive, impatient, proud, and self-willed. Realize that this is your natural disposition. Bear with yourself, but do not flatter yourself into thinking you are better than you are but wait on God's timing to transform it. Stop at once when your activities become too hurried."
Madame Guyon, a rich and beautiful widow and close friend of Fénelon, woke many souls to share her love for God. For this she was vilified, harassed, imprisoned, and her writings condemned. Fénelon stood by her at great personal cost.
For a brief biography of FENELON
Thursday, October 15, 2009
I WAS A BLASPHEMER
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I was a blasphemer when I attended the organized hellfire churches. I worshiped a weak false god, that was afar from the sovereign God, that purposes and plans everything in love. God touched me and opened my heart to His real love. I then began to see the apostate church was not only wrong about hell, but wrong about everything else. Yes, the prideful whorish church counterfeits everything and stands herself at odds with the true bride of Christ. God help the poor souls bound by such falsity while working like the devil to escape a fictitious hell. Help them Jesus, to see that you leave the ninety nine to gather in your arms the very last one. Open their hearts to know, none will be lost, for you are the saviour of all your creation.
Before there was even a creation, the Lamb was slain. Before there was a sin problem it was solved. THINK ABOUT IT FRIEND!
That we should think that hell
is not also full
of love and mingled with compassion
would be an insult to our God.
By saying He will deliver us
to suffering without purpose, we
most surely sin. We blaspheme also if we say
that He will act with spite or with a vengeful purpose,
as if He had a need to avenge Himself.
The poem is based on the writings of Isaac of Nineveh
.
I was a blasphemer when I attended the organized hellfire churches. I worshiped a weak false god, that was afar from the sovereign God, that purposes and plans everything in love. God touched me and opened my heart to His real love. I then began to see the apostate church was not only wrong about hell, but wrong about everything else. Yes, the prideful whorish church counterfeits everything and stands herself at odds with the true bride of Christ. God help the poor souls bound by such falsity while working like the devil to escape a fictitious hell. Help them Jesus, to see that you leave the ninety nine to gather in your arms the very last one. Open their hearts to know, none will be lost, for you are the saviour of all your creation.
Before there was even a creation, the Lamb was slain. Before there was a sin problem it was solved. THINK ABOUT IT FRIEND!
That we should think that hell
is not also full
of love and mingled with compassion
would be an insult to our God.
By saying He will deliver us
to suffering without purpose, we
most surely sin. We blaspheme also if we say
that He will act with spite or with a vengeful purpose,
as if He had a need to avenge Himself.
The poem is based on the writings of Isaac of Nineveh
.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
CROWN OF THORNS
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Crown of Thorns
They pressed upon His holy brow
A wicked crown of thorns
That brow knew only innocence
From the day that He was born
He grew up as a tender shoot
A pure and gentle Lamb
And He walked among the sons of men
Salvation in His hands
He healed the sick, He raised the dead
He preached good news to the poor
A kingdom of love and righteousness
Now who could ask for more
But they pressed upon that gentle brow
A wicked crown of thorns
And nailed Him to a cross of wood
Who never did them harm
He called them brothers, called them friends
And even as He died
He prayed , "Father forgive them, they don't know what they do".
While Mary knelt and cried.
But the story does not end there, my friend
For He rose up from the grave
And His arms are opened wide , my friend
Every living soul to save.
Oh Love of God so sure and true
Oh river deep and wide
A fountain opened up for all
On the day that Jesus died
They pressed upon His holy brow
A wicked crown of thorns
That brow knew only innocence
From the day that He was born
He grew up as a tender shoot
A pure and gentle Lamb
And He walked among the sons of men
Salvation in His hands
He healed the sick, He raised the dead
He preached good news to the poor
A kingdom of love and righteousness
Now who could ask for more
But they pressed upon that gentle brow
A wicked crown of thorns
And nailed Him to a cross of wood
Who never did them harm
He called them brothers, called them friends
And even as He died
He prayed , "Father forgive them, they don't know what they do".
While Mary knelt and cried.
But the story does not end there, my friend
For He rose up from the grave
And His arms are opened wide , my friend
Every living soul to save.
Oh Love of God so sure and true
Oh river deep and wide
A fountain opened up for all
On the day that Jesus died
.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
THE PASTOR'S WIFE GETS TOSSED
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I had a yard sale this last weekend. I only had to drive one person off the property and it was a local pastor's wife. I believe there is no greater foulness in this world, than that which these hellfire pastor's practice. And because they are one flesh, the spouses of these Nicolatan* preachers, carry about a heart full of putrid pride gained by their hubby's elevated position. Oh, how these ministers ride hard the backs of their congregants while preaching their horrid punitive system of theology, where Father God is made to be a tyrant and a terrorist. Their message, in the simplest terms is, "God loves you and if you don't love Him back, he will torture and torment you for ever and ever. Now get to work and give me your money that we might show Him how much you love Him."
Yes, this self righteous woman, with her emblazoned Jackson Hole Bible College jacket, had to go, but not before I asked her a couple questions. I asked her if she believed in a hell, where there was never ending torment, to which she answered in the affirmative. Next, I pointed to the ski mountain that lays at the end of the block and I queried, "and that mountain is only six thousand years old, right?" She replied "yes" again and began a diatribe on the faulty carbon dating system. You see this woman's husband is well known not only for his belief in eternal hell but also his promotion of the ridiculous "new earth" doctrine.
After my questions, it was then I dressed her down with the statement, "because of these crazed beliefs you hold, Christendom is scoffed at by the world." I then suggested, she find a new husband that made an honest living instead of riding and living off the backs of God's children. The last I saw of this self righteous and proud lady, she was exiting the yard, while yelling over the heads of a throng of shoppers, whom carried a deaf ear to the things of God. The poor souls that came to the yard sale care nothing of Christ. This was given evidence by every one of the Spanish and English Bibles, Concordances and Christian books marked "FREE", that remained on the tables at the close of the sale. God help these poor struggling souls and I know He will. I believe Christ is about to take His bride back from these abusive pastors. And while He reclaims the church, He will also turn the world over, proclaiming all creation is His and He loves every ounce of it! I thrill to think of it!
Jack
*Note: “Nicolaitan” means “Victorious over the people; a follower of Nicolaus, a heretic”. It comes from the familiar word “nike”, which is popular in our day. The meaning can be better seen in the phrase: “to conquer the laity” (from “nikos - to conquer”; and “laos” - where our word “laity” comes from).
Rev 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
.
I had a yard sale this last weekend. I only had to drive one person off the property and it was a local pastor's wife. I believe there is no greater foulness in this world, than that which these hellfire pastor's practice. And because they are one flesh, the spouses of these Nicolatan* preachers, carry about a heart full of putrid pride gained by their hubby's elevated position. Oh, how these ministers ride hard the backs of their congregants while preaching their horrid punitive system of theology, where Father God is made to be a tyrant and a terrorist. Their message, in the simplest terms is, "God loves you and if you don't love Him back, he will torture and torment you for ever and ever. Now get to work and give me your money that we might show Him how much you love Him."Yes, this self righteous woman, with her emblazoned Jackson Hole Bible College jacket, had to go, but not before I asked her a couple questions. I asked her if she believed in a hell, where there was never ending torment, to which she answered in the affirmative. Next, I pointed to the ski mountain that lays at the end of the block and I queried, "and that mountain is only six thousand years old, right?" She replied "yes" again and began a diatribe on the faulty carbon dating system. You see this woman's husband is well known not only for his belief in eternal hell but also his promotion of the ridiculous "new earth" doctrine.
After my questions, it was then I dressed her down with the statement, "because of these crazed beliefs you hold, Christendom is scoffed at by the world." I then suggested, she find a new husband that made an honest living instead of riding and living off the backs of God's children. The last I saw of this self righteous and proud lady, she was exiting the yard, while yelling over the heads of a throng of shoppers, whom carried a deaf ear to the things of God. The poor souls that came to the yard sale care nothing of Christ. This was given evidence by every one of the Spanish and English Bibles, Concordances and Christian books marked "FREE", that remained on the tables at the close of the sale. God help these poor struggling souls and I know He will. I believe Christ is about to take His bride back from these abusive pastors. And while He reclaims the church, He will also turn the world over, proclaiming all creation is His and He loves every ounce of it! I thrill to think of it!
Jack
*Note: “Nicolaitan” means “Victorious over the people; a follower of Nicolaus, a heretic”. It comes from the familiar word “nike”, which is popular in our day. The meaning can be better seen in the phrase: “to conquer the laity” (from “nikos - to conquer”; and “laos” - where our word “laity” comes from).
Rev 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
IS GOD GOOD ?
>
I thought to add a little fare from our other blog SONSHINE .
As believers, the basic dilemma we are ever confronted with, can be simply identified in the question, "is God good?"
Joian's and my friend Roy, aka Reb, is a saint of God that has suffered greatly in this world. Still, with every correspondence, I have ever received from him, Roy would find a place to share the three words, "God is good." If it wasn't in the message it was in the salutation. I am not much of one to mimic others, but with Roy's example, I hope to follow suit.
Beloved, if God has come to you with a great trial of faith, it is that you might understand God is good. 'Tis the great paradox of the Kingdom ...... we come to know the inexplicable goodness and love of our Father God, through the experiencing and being delivered out of tribulation. This speaks even to the whole of our lives, trodden out through a fallen world.
For a surety God is good, even to the sacrificing of His only son for us, in the greatest trial, any has ever known or even imagined. In this God sets the standard of love. It is one thing lay down your life ......... yes, it is one thing, to lay your own life on the altar, but it is altogether another thing, to give up your child's life as a sacrifice. Who amongst us doesn't love our child more than our self. So it is, that all that is dear to us must eventually find it's place, given unto God, because we believe one thing above all else ...... God is good.
Joian coined the saying, "It's his life for ours. We die, he lives, and then the mystery is that we live again."
So it is the same with our children and to believe that for their lives, certainly is much harder. I personally, know what it is, to come to the place, of actually believing this concerning my two precious children. Oh, the angst, the agony and the unbearable pain I suffered before I finally came to the realization, God is good ..... God is good enough, even for my children.
Dear sweet reader, have you given all to God? Have you like our father of faith, Abraham, placed upon the altar even the promise you thought was yours? Precious brother, gentle sister, all that you have, must become His. To realize this, is the path to peace, an endless life and God All in All.
Friends, Joian sent this video to me this morning. We pray it moves you to know in greater measure, "GOD IS GOOD"
For God had such love for the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever has faith in Him may not come to destruction but have eternal life. Jn 3:16
Note: For an embellishment of this message we have an
older blog titled, "EVERYMAN A CROSS"
.
I thought to add a little fare from our other blog SONSHINE .
As believers, the basic dilemma we are ever confronted with, can be simply identified in the question, "is God good?"
Joian's and my friend Roy, aka Reb, is a saint of God that has suffered greatly in this world. Still, with every correspondence, I have ever received from him, Roy would find a place to share the three words, "God is good." If it wasn't in the message it was in the salutation. I am not much of one to mimic others, but with Roy's example, I hope to follow suit.
Beloved, if God has come to you with a great trial of faith, it is that you might understand God is good. 'Tis the great paradox of the Kingdom ...... we come to know the inexplicable goodness and love of our Father God, through the experiencing and being delivered out of tribulation. This speaks even to the whole of our lives, trodden out through a fallen world.
For a surety God is good, even to the sacrificing of His only son for us, in the greatest trial, any has ever known or even imagined. In this God sets the standard of love. It is one thing lay down your life ......... yes, it is one thing, to lay your own life on the altar, but it is altogether another thing, to give up your child's life as a sacrifice. Who amongst us doesn't love our child more than our self. So it is, that all that is dear to us must eventually find it's place, given unto God, because we believe one thing above all else ...... God is good.
Joian coined the saying, "It's his life for ours. We die, he lives, and then the mystery is that we live again."
So it is the same with our children and to believe that for their lives, certainly is much harder. I personally, know what it is, to come to the place, of actually believing this concerning my two precious children. Oh, the angst, the agony and the unbearable pain I suffered before I finally came to the realization, God is good ..... God is good enough, even for my children.
Dear sweet reader, have you given all to God? Have you like our father of faith, Abraham, placed upon the altar even the promise you thought was yours? Precious brother, gentle sister, all that you have, must become His. To realize this, is the path to peace, an endless life and God All in All.
Friends, Joian sent this video to me this morning. We pray it moves you to know in greater measure, "GOD IS GOOD"
For God had such love for the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever has faith in Him may not come to destruction but have eternal life. Jn 3:16
Note: For an embellishment of this message we have an
older blog titled, "EVERYMAN A CROSS"
.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
WHY DO SOME DAMN THEIR NEIGHBOR
.
HELL IS TEMPORAL
God is eternal;
Satan is not.
Love is eternal;
Evil is not.
Light is eternal;
Darkness is not.
Joy is eternal;
Misery is not.
Heaven is eternal;
Hell is not."
"Why is it ever important to Christians that, for their own salvation to be meaningful, some others must be ultimately damned. Do these hard souls not know that scrpture states, the judgement of God begins with His own household. If ever there be a hell, His own will taste it first.
So it is with the latter hell mentioned above; we who truly know Him have suffered judgement as our old nature is being laid to ruin. The closest one comes to hell is in suffering tribulation. Through many and diverse trials, we suffer evil, we suffer darkness, we suffer misery and this makes up hell. To free man from his carnal Adamic nature, all will suffer temporal hell before they enjoy paradise with their eternal God.
THE OLD ORDER AND THE NEW
"Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Rev 21:4
.
HELL IS TEMPORAL
God is eternal;
Satan is not.
Love is eternal;
Evil is not.
Light is eternal;
Darkness is not.
Joy is eternal;
Misery is not.
Heaven is eternal;
Hell is not."
"Why is it ever important to Christians that, for their own salvation to be meaningful, some others must be ultimately damned. Do these hard souls not know that scrpture states, the judgement of God begins with His own household. If ever there be a hell, His own will taste it first.
So it is with the latter hell mentioned above; we who truly know Him have suffered judgement as our old nature is being laid to ruin. The closest one comes to hell is in suffering tribulation. Through many and diverse trials, we suffer evil, we suffer darkness, we suffer misery and this makes up hell. To free man from his carnal Adamic nature, all will suffer temporal hell before they enjoy paradise with their eternal God.
THE OLD ORDER AND THE NEW
"Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Rev 21:4
.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
THE SEDUCER
.
"With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its entrails; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life.
And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth. Let not your heart turn aside to her ways, do not stray into her paths; for many a victim has she laid low; yea, all her slain are a mighty host. Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death." (from Prov 7:1-27)
Tonight, I saw some one had come to visit our blog by googling " universal reconciliation who is the harlot". It is with great joy, that I find more and more are being stirred and awakened to the truth of God's Universal Salvation. These poor souls are also realizing the hypocrisy in their churches and they hunger and thirst for truth and righteousness. More so, they desire the love of a benevolent Father God that cares for all His children.
So happened, I had just posted a message on a forum dealing with the the subject of the "harlot church" thus I feel led to re-post it here this evening. This is strong language but it needs to be.
SPEAKING OF THE APOSTATE CHURCH
"With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its entrails; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life.
And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth. Let not your heart turn aside to her ways, do not stray into her paths; for many a victim has she laid low; yea, all her slain are a mighty host. Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death." (from Prov 7:1-27)
And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a habitation of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird. For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury." And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues." Rev 18:2-4
The "apostate church" is of Babylonian origins and counterfeit. It is different from the "mystical bride/church." Many churches under the banner of Christ worship a different God. Their God is but a soulish invention made for self preservation and comfort. If the Father God of these churches is known to burn and torture the great majority of His offspring, the soulish love practiced there is made up of dead works which is rewarded with self righteousness. And if there are young children in the congregation the ministers of these institutions should be made to register immediately at the local court house.
When will we learn that the paganistic, terroristic hell fire beast of a God is another animal and afar from the benevolent Father who is known as Love. Let us not mince words when it comes to the apostate church system. Let us paint the Narrow Way with straight lines in black and white.
It's the poor children that are dragged into these dens of spiritual iniquity that break my heart. Many will be made to ever live a life that can never appease their angry God. In their quest to find acceptance they will do much work and by varied means keep clean the outside of the cup. For these poor deluded souls, dead works and self righteousness are as an opiate feeding the fearful spirit while dampening the love craved soul.
A dozen years of serving this horrible Deity in such a hell hole, laid waste to all that was once precious in my life. Twas in the end, all purposed and for good that I might warn others. Praise God, my two children are today free from the beast and his whore.
Dear reader, what does it mean to you when Paul commands, "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them"? What does it mean to you when Paul says, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty"?
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. Hbr 13:12,13
In His Sweet Lord Jesus,
John
.
"With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its entrails; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life.And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth. Let not your heart turn aside to her ways, do not stray into her paths; for many a victim has she laid low; yea, all her slain are a mighty host. Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death." (from Prov 7:1-27)
Tonight, I saw some one had come to visit our blog by googling " universal reconciliation who is the harlot". It is with great joy, that I find more and more are being stirred and awakened to the truth of God's Universal Salvation. These poor souls are also realizing the hypocrisy in their churches and they hunger and thirst for truth and righteousness. More so, they desire the love of a benevolent Father God that cares for all His children.
So happened, I had just posted a message on a forum dealing with the the subject of the "harlot church" thus I feel led to re-post it here this evening. This is strong language but it needs to be.
SPEAKING OF THE APOSTATE CHURCH
"With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its entrails; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life.
And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth. Let not your heart turn aside to her ways, do not stray into her paths; for many a victim has she laid low; yea, all her slain are a mighty host. Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death." (from Prov 7:1-27)
And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a habitation of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird. For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury." And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues." Rev 18:2-4
The "apostate church" is of Babylonian origins and counterfeit. It is different from the "mystical bride/church." Many churches under the banner of Christ worship a different God. Their God is but a soulish invention made for self preservation and comfort. If the Father God of these churches is known to burn and torture the great majority of His offspring, the soulish love practiced there is made up of dead works which is rewarded with self righteousness. And if there are young children in the congregation the ministers of these institutions should be made to register immediately at the local court house.
When will we learn that the paganistic, terroristic hell fire beast of a God is another animal and afar from the benevolent Father who is known as Love. Let us not mince words when it comes to the apostate church system. Let us paint the Narrow Way with straight lines in black and white.
It's the poor children that are dragged into these dens of spiritual iniquity that break my heart. Many will be made to ever live a life that can never appease their angry God. In their quest to find acceptance they will do much work and by varied means keep clean the outside of the cup. For these poor deluded souls, dead works and self righteousness are as an opiate feeding the fearful spirit while dampening the love craved soul.
A dozen years of serving this horrible Deity in such a hell hole, laid waste to all that was once precious in my life. Twas in the end, all purposed and for good that I might warn others. Praise God, my two children are today free from the beast and his whore.
Dear reader, what does it mean to you when Paul commands, "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them"? What does it mean to you when Paul says, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty"?
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. Hbr 13:12,13
In His Sweet Lord Jesus,
John
.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
CHEZANDLILLY'S
.
Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!
oy! oy! oy!
.
Seems the volume of the "Real Good News" ever increases as more and more of the whore's children are awakened from the nightmarish doctrine of " eternal torment in hell". There is no greater blessing, than to see one freed from such a foul doctrine to find the "True God of Love, making a family of all mankind."
So it is today, I share some gleanings from a friend, in Australia, who shares a great message. Her name is Cheza and she has a neat blog, titled "Chezandlilly's." I hope you take the time to visit my sister's site at:
http://chezandlilly.blogspot.com/
Here is some of the fare you will find there:
If one is willing to look, there's substantial evidence contained in the gospels to show that Jesus opposed the idea of Hell. For example, in Luke 9:51-56, is a story about his great disappointment with his disciples when they actually suggested imploring God to rain FIRE on a village just because they had rejected him. His response: "You don't know what spirit is inspiring this kind of talk!" Presumably, it was NOT the Holy Spirit. He went on, trying to explain how he had come to save, heal and relieve suffering, not be the CAUSE of it.
So it only stands to reason that this same Jesus, who was appalled at the very idea of burning a few people, for a few horrific minutes until they were dead, could never, ever burn BILLIONS of people for an ETERNITY!
True, there is a minority of statements that made their way into the gospels which place Hell on Jesus lips, but these adulterations came along many decades after his death, most likely due to the Church filling up with Greeks who imported their belief in Hades with them when they converted.
Rick Lannoye
.
Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!
oy! oy! oy!
.
Seems the volume of the "Real Good News" ever increases as more and more of the whore's children are awakened from the nightmarish doctrine of " eternal torment in hell". There is no greater blessing, than to see one freed from such a foul doctrine to find the "True God of Love, making a family of all mankind."
So it is today, I share some gleanings from a friend, in Australia, who shares a great message. Her name is Cheza and she has a neat blog, titled "Chezandlilly's." I hope you take the time to visit my sister's site at:
http://chezandlilly.blogspot.com/
Here is some of the fare you will find there:
If one is willing to look, there's substantial evidence contained in the gospels to show that Jesus opposed the idea of Hell. For example, in Luke 9:51-56, is a story about his great disappointment with his disciples when they actually suggested imploring God to rain FIRE on a village just because they had rejected him. His response: "You don't know what spirit is inspiring this kind of talk!" Presumably, it was NOT the Holy Spirit. He went on, trying to explain how he had come to save, heal and relieve suffering, not be the CAUSE of it.
So it only stands to reason that this same Jesus, who was appalled at the very idea of burning a few people, for a few horrific minutes until they were dead, could never, ever burn BILLIONS of people for an ETERNITY!
True, there is a minority of statements that made their way into the gospels which place Hell on Jesus lips, but these adulterations came along many decades after his death, most likely due to the Church filling up with Greeks who imported their belief in Hades with them when they converted.
Rick Lannoye
.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
FREE WILL ?
.
FREE WILL?
J. A. FREEMAN
BABY MOSES, tucked away in his cradle, floating on the water, {cried}. Was it God's will, or the baby's will?
It was a cry that originated in heaven. The king's daughter was attracted. The child's life was spared. He entered a palace and eventually became the greatest leader of men this world has ever known. He was entrusted with the commandments; he talked with God on the mountain top.
Is any adopted son of God restless or over-anxious? Then let him think of this minute event and its consequences, and let him watch for the Divine Hand in even life's smallest events.
Here lies peace. John the Baptist arrived exactly on time to behold the Lamb of God, and be labeled the greatest of all men born among women. Saul was at the right spot when our Lord Jesus visited him.
All is of God. Life's minutest circumstances are under His control. Therefore, be anxious for nothing. He knows. He loves. He cares. One Captain is competent enough for any ship. We are all only passengers.
FREE WILL?J. A. FREEMAN
BABY MOSES, tucked away in his cradle, floating on the water, {cried}. Was it God's will, or the baby's will?
It was a cry that originated in heaven. The king's daughter was attracted. The child's life was spared. He entered a palace and eventually became the greatest leader of men this world has ever known. He was entrusted with the commandments; he talked with God on the mountain top.
Is any adopted son of God restless or over-anxious? Then let him think of this minute event and its consequences, and let him watch for the Divine Hand in even life's smallest events.
Here lies peace. John the Baptist arrived exactly on time to behold the Lamb of God, and be labeled the greatest of all men born among women. Saul was at the right spot when our Lord Jesus visited him.
All is of God. Life's minutest circumstances are under His control. Therefore, be anxious for nothing. He knows. He loves. He cares. One Captain is competent enough for any ship. We are all only passengers.
"He worketh all things"—absolutely all things, without any exceptions—"after the counsel of his own will." Eph. 1:11
.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
A WORD TO THE ELECT
.
. You may rejoice to think yourselves secure;
You may be grateful for the gift divine -
That grace unsought, which made your black hearts pure,
And fits your earth-born souls in Heaven to shine.
But, is it sweet to look around, and view
Thousands excluded from that happiness
Which they deserve at least as much as you -
Their faults not greater, nor their virtues less?
And, wherefore should you love your God the more,
Because to you alone His smiles are given;
Because He chose to pass the many o'er,
And only bring the favoured few to Heaven?
And, wherefore should your hearts more grateful prove,
Because for ALL the Saviour did not die?
Is yours the God of justice and of love?
And are your bosoms warm with charity?
Say, does your heart expand to all mankind?
And, would you ever to your neighbour do -
The weak, the strong, the enlightened, and the blind -
As you would have your neighbour do to you?
And, when you, looking on your fellow-men,
Behold them doomed to endless misery,
How can you talk of joy and rapture then?-
May God withhold such cruel joy from me!
That none deserve eternal bliss I know;
Unmerited the grace in mercy given;
But none shall sink to everlasting woe,
That have not well deserved the wrath of Heaven.
~~~
And oh! there lives within my heart
A hope, long nursed by me;
(And should its cheering ray depart,
How dark my soul would be!)
That as in Adam all have died,
In Christ shall all men live;
And ever round His throne abide,
Eternal praise to give.
That even the wicked shall at last
Be fitted for the skies;
And when their dreadful doom is past,
To life and light arise.
I ask not how remote the day,
Nor what the sinners' woe,
Before their dross is purged away;
Enough for me, to know
That when the cup of wrath is drained,
The metal purified,
They'll cling to what they once disdained,
And live by Him that died.
"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."
You may be grateful for the gift divine -
That grace unsought, which made your black hearts pure,
And fits your earth-born souls in Heaven to shine.
But, is it sweet to look around, and view
Thousands excluded from that happiness
Which they deserve at least as much as you -
Their faults not greater, nor their virtues less?
And, wherefore should you love your God the more,
Because to you alone His smiles are given;
Because He chose to pass the many o'er,
And only bring the favoured few to Heaven?
And, wherefore should your hearts more grateful prove,
Because for ALL the Saviour did not die?
Is yours the God of justice and of love?
And are your bosoms warm with charity?
Say, does your heart expand to all mankind?
And, would you ever to your neighbour do -
The weak, the strong, the enlightened, and the blind -
As you would have your neighbour do to you?
And, when you, looking on your fellow-men,
Behold them doomed to endless misery,
How can you talk of joy and rapture then?-
May God withhold such cruel joy from me!
That none deserve eternal bliss I know;
Unmerited the grace in mercy given;
But none shall sink to everlasting woe,
That have not well deserved the wrath of Heaven.
~~~
And oh! there lives within my heart
A hope, long nursed by me;
(And should its cheering ray depart,
How dark my soul would be!)
That as in Adam all have died,
In Christ shall all men live;
And ever round His throne abide,
Eternal praise to give.
That even the wicked shall at last
Be fitted for the skies;
And when their dreadful doom is past,
To life and light arise.
I ask not how remote the day,
Nor what the sinners' woe,
Before their dross is purged away;
Enough for me, to know
That when the cup of wrath is drained,
The metal purified,
They'll cling to what they once disdained,
And live by Him that died.
"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."
1Cor15:22
.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
JESUS NEVER SAID THAT
.
Jesus Never Said That
When did you let
Your religion consume your humanity
I heard you call it
"Christianity"
Jesus never did that.
He never sold out to the rules of men
That's why they crucified Him.
His crown of thorns awarded Him
By the Keepers of the "Same"
There's nothing in a name
When the person named cannot be seen
In it.
So
When did your rules
Become his words in your mind
Vanity
Insanity
Devoid of true humanity
I heard you call it
"Christianity"
Jesus never did that
He never let them hem Him in
That's why they couldn't handle Him
Sinner
Glutton
Drunkard
Hangin out with "them"
You
Pay for the pews
With the bad news
That everyone else is going to burn
Jesus never said that
You did not listen well
He only threatened
The Pharisees with hell
He put the fire of His truth
Upon the ruthless religious leaders
He punished them
Before all men
With parables
His words were jewels
Good News
For the poor, the oppressed, the afflicted
How beautiful the feet of them
that set the captives
FREE
Love is the law of God you see
Service is the call of God so be
A friend of God
Who so loved the world
He sent His only Son
To share His life with everyone
Yea,
That's what Jesus did
Sinner
Glutton
Drunkard
Died for "them"
And when His suffering was through
Cried out, "Father forgive "them"
They don't know what they do
Yea,
He even died for you
When did you let your religion
Consume your humanity
I heard you call it
"Christianity"
Jesus never did that
"let the one with ears to hear ……….
Hear"
anonymous
.
Jesus Never Said That
When did you let
Your religion consume your humanity
I heard you call it
"Christianity"
Jesus never did that.
He never sold out to the rules of men
That's why they crucified Him.
His crown of thorns awarded Him
By the Keepers of the "Same"
There's nothing in a name
When the person named cannot be seen
In it.
So
When did your rules
Become his words in your mind
Vanity
Insanity
Devoid of true humanity
I heard you call it
"Christianity"
Jesus never did that
He never let them hem Him in
That's why they couldn't handle Him
Sinner
Glutton
Drunkard
Hangin out with "them"
You
Pay for the pews
With the bad news
That everyone else is going to burn
Jesus never said that
You did not listen well
He only threatened
The Pharisees with hell
He put the fire of His truth
Upon the ruthless religious leaders
He punished them
Before all men
With parables
His words were jewels
Good News
For the poor, the oppressed, the afflicted
How beautiful the feet of them
that set the captives
FREE
Love is the law of God you see
Service is the call of God so be
A friend of God
Who so loved the world
He sent His only Son
To share His life with everyone
Yea,
That's what Jesus did
Sinner
Glutton
Drunkard
Died for "them"
And when His suffering was through
Cried out, "Father forgive "them"
They don't know what they do
Yea,
He even died for you
When did you let your religion
Consume your humanity
I heard you call it
"Christianity"
Jesus never did that
"let the one with ears to hear ……….
Hear"
anonymous
.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
UNIVERSAL SOVEREIGNTY
.
"He worketh all things"—absolutely all things, without any exceptions—"after the counsel of his own will." Eph. 1:11
What do the Institutional Church, the New Agers and even a number of wayward ministries espousing Universal Reconciliation have in comon They all are built on a foundational belief in "man's free will." The belief in "free will" finds it origin in the carnal and rebellious soul of man. Simply said, the vain soul ever cries "I will." The doctrine of "free will" attempts to justify that wayward cry.
Think about it sweet sons of God as you read this simple treatise by A P Adams. Also keep in mind how God always deals in simplicity ....... even a child should understand and be able to take comfort in God's word.
Universal Sovereignty
Take still another illustration from the New Testament. The crucifixion of Christ is always looked upon as the most awful crime that ever was committed, and the perpetrators of it are considered as deserving the most severe retribution; and yet they simply did what God's hand and counsel determined before to be done. Acts 4:28. And Peter tells us that Christ "was delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God." Acts 2:23. Thus we see how even this stupendous crime was of God, and since we know that He worketh all things after the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11), we can readily understand from the illustrations cited how true it is that "all things are of God." Thus is God's universal sovereignty fully established by the plain teachings of the word. "He doeth according to His will, in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?" Dan. 4:35. See also Isa. 40, the whole chapter, and Rev. 17:17.
To the child of God this truth is most precious and reassuring. It teaches us how absolutely safe we are while we "abide under the shadow of the Almighty." His power extends not simply to the smallest affairs like the hairs of our heads and the birds of the air, but also to greater things--individuals, communities, states, nations, and world--and no creature moves but by His appointment or permission. "All things are of God"; therefore I can understand how all things work together for good to them that love God, and how also all things shall yet turn for good to man, since God loves him. God uses the forces of the world, whether human or otherwise, just as one would move the pieces on a chess-board. They are so many instruments--tools--in His hands. "Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? As if a rod should shake itself against them that lift up, or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were no wood." Isa. 10:15
"He worketh all things"—absolutely all things, without any exceptions—"after the counsel of his own will." (Eph. 1:11).
Sweet reader does not this scripture speak to there being only "ONE WILL"
Jack
"He worketh all things"—absolutely all things, without any exceptions—"after the counsel of his own will." Eph. 1:11What do the Institutional Church, the New Agers and even a number of wayward ministries espousing Universal Reconciliation have in comon They all are built on a foundational belief in "man's free will." The belief in "free will" finds it origin in the carnal and rebellious soul of man. Simply said, the vain soul ever cries "I will." The doctrine of "free will" attempts to justify that wayward cry.
Think about it sweet sons of God as you read this simple treatise by A P Adams. Also keep in mind how God always deals in simplicity ....... even a child should understand and be able to take comfort in God's word.
Universal Sovereignty
Take still another illustration from the New Testament. The crucifixion of Christ is always looked upon as the most awful crime that ever was committed, and the perpetrators of it are considered as deserving the most severe retribution; and yet they simply did what God's hand and counsel determined before to be done. Acts 4:28. And Peter tells us that Christ "was delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God." Acts 2:23. Thus we see how even this stupendous crime was of God, and since we know that He worketh all things after the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11), we can readily understand from the illustrations cited how true it is that "all things are of God." Thus is God's universal sovereignty fully established by the plain teachings of the word. "He doeth according to His will, in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?" Dan. 4:35. See also Isa. 40, the whole chapter, and Rev. 17:17.
To the child of God this truth is most precious and reassuring. It teaches us how absolutely safe we are while we "abide under the shadow of the Almighty." His power extends not simply to the smallest affairs like the hairs of our heads and the birds of the air, but also to greater things--individuals, communities, states, nations, and world--and no creature moves but by His appointment or permission. "All things are of God"; therefore I can understand how all things work together for good to them that love God, and how also all things shall yet turn for good to man, since God loves him. God uses the forces of the world, whether human or otherwise, just as one would move the pieces on a chess-board. They are so many instruments--tools--in His hands. "Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? As if a rod should shake itself against them that lift up, or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were no wood." Isa. 10:15
"He worketh all things"—absolutely all things, without any exceptions—"after the counsel of his own will." (Eph. 1:11).
Sweet reader does not this scripture speak to there being only "ONE WILL"
Jack
.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
I BELIEVE JESUS IS THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD
.
I Believe
I believe in "the restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouths of the prophets since the world began." -Acts 3:21-
I believe that the "good tidings of great joy will be to all people." -Luke 2:10
I believe that believers in Christ Jesus are "born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God." -John 1:13-
I believe
I believe that God appointed Jesus Christ "heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe." -Hebr. 1:2-
I believe that "no man can come to Christ unless the Father who sent Him draws him." -John 6:44
I believe "God gave Jesus authority over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as God gave him." -John 17:2-
I believe
I believe the Father "has given all things into Jesus' hands." -John 13:3-
I believe that Jesus Christ "was the true light which gives light to every man who come into the world." -John 1:9
I believe that "just as the result of one trespass was condemnation to all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification for all men." -Romans 5:18
I believe one mans sin "brought condemnation for all mankind." -Romans 5: 19-
I believe one mans righteousness brings "right relationship with God, and new life for everyone." -Romans 5:19-
I believe one mans sin made the whole of mankind sinners. I also believe the righteousness of one Man makes the whole of mankind righteous.
I Believe
I believe that Jesus is "able to subdue all things to himself." -Phil. 3:21-
I believe that Jesus came "that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are in earth in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His own will." -Eph. 1:10,11-
I believe "the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.' -2 Peter 3:9-
I Believe
I believe "God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors as though God was making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: be reconciled to God." -2 Cor. 5:19, 20-
I believe that "all nations shall be blessed." -Gal. 3:8-
I believe that "the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." -John 6:33-
I believe that Jesus commanded us to be like himself: "Love your enemies, bless those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." -Matt. 5:44,45
I believe Jesus when he said: "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw [Greek=draw, drag, impel] all mankind unto myself."
I believe that "creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but by reason of Him who subjected it in hope, because creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." -Romans 8:20,21-
I Believe
I believe "the Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hands." -John 3:35-
I believe "since by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all died, even so in Christ all shall be made alive." -1 Cor. 15:22-
I believe Jesus Christ "is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created that all in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him." -Col. 1:15,16
I believe that "all shall know the Lord, from the least to the greatest of them." -Hebr. 8:11-
I believe "the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men." -Titus 2:11-
I believe I am not to "repay evil for evil."-Rom. 12:17-
Will God ask me to do what He will Himself not do?
I Believe
I believe "If anyone's work which he has built endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved yet so as through fire." -1 Cor. 3:14,15-
I believe "of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen." -Romans 11:36
I believe "all Israel shall be saved." -Romans 11:26-
I Believe
I believe "Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died." -2 Cor. 5:14-
I believe that "the head of every man is Christ, the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God." -1 Cor. 11:3-
I believe that "all nations shall come and worship You, for your judgements have been made manifested." -Rev. 15:4
I believe that "when God's judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." -Isa. 26:9-
I believe that "mercy shall triumph over judgement." -James 2:13-
I believe that "where sin abounded, grace abounded much more." -Romans 5:20-
I Believe
I believe that "God is love." -1 John 4:8-
I believe that "love never fails." -1 Cor. 13:8-
I believe that God never fails.
I believe "herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loves us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." -1 John 4:10-
I believe Jesus Christ "is the propitiation for our sins and not for our sins only but the sins of the whole world. -1 John 2:2-
I believe "God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them." -1 John 4:16-
I Believe
I believe "every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: blessing and honour and glory and power to him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever." -Rev. 5:13-
I believe that "in the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." -Phil. 2: 10,11
I believe "all nations whom God has made will come and worship before him." -Psl. 86:9-
I believe "God's mercy endures forever." -1 Chron. 16:34-
I believe God's Spirit "will be poured out on all flesh." -Joel 2:28-
I believe that "the leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of the nations." -Rev. 22:2
I believe "that there shall no longer be a curse upon anything." -Rev. 22:3-
I Believe
I believe that if we really knew the Lord, we "would not have condemned the guiltless." -Matt. 12:7-
I believe "God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the gentiles, which is Christ in you the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." -Col. 1: 27, 28-
I believe that God beckons us to "Come and let us return to the Lord, for He was torn, but He will heal us, He was stricken, but He will bind us. After 2 days, He will revive us. On the third day He will raise us up that we may live in His sight." -Joel 2:28-
I believe "the Lord makes bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of God." -Isa. 52:10-
I Believe
I believe "the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." -Isa. 40:5-
I believe "all creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but by reason of Him who so subjected it in hope." -Rom. 8: 20-
I believe "the whole creation shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption." -Romans 8: 20
I believe that "they" and "we who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves, wait for the redemption of our body." -Romans 8:23
I Believe
I believe that "having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, does he not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost till he find it." -Luke 15:14-
I believe the Lord gathers up remnants of fish and bread, He "gathers up remnants that nothing be lost." -John 6:12
I believe God "will open His hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing." -Psl. 145:6
I believe that God is "gracious in all His works." -Psl. 145:17-
I believe "the earth is the Lord's and all its fulness, the world and all those who dwell therein." -Psl. 24:1-
I believe "all the kings of the earth shall praise You, oh Lord, when they hear the words of Your mouth." -Psl. 138:4-
I believe God "reveals Himself by those who did not ask for Him; He was found by those who did not seek Him." -Isa. 65:1
I Believe
I believe "the Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all the works of His hands. All Your works shall praise You, oh Lord." -Psl. 145:8-10-
I believe "all the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. All those who go down to the dust shall bow before You." -Psl. 22:27, 29
I believe "O You who hear prayer, to You shall all flesh come. Iniquities prevail against me; as for transgressions, You will provide atonement for them." -Psl. 66:3, 4-
I believe "through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You. All the earth shall worship You and sing praises to You." -Psl. 66: 3, 4
I believe
I believe that "through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness." -Lam. 3:21-24-
I believe that "the Lord will not cast off forever. Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. -Lam. 3:31,32
I believe "there is no God besides Me, a just God and Saviour; There is none besides Me. Look to Me and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is none other. I have sworn by Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath. He shall say, surely in the Lord I have righteousness and strength. To Him men shall come, and all shall be ashamed who are incensed against Him. In the Lord all the descendants of Israel shall be justified and shall glory." -Isa. 45:21-25
I Believe
I believe "in this mountain the Lord of Hosts will make for all people a feast of choice pieces, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of well-refined wines on the lees. And He will destroy on this mountain the covering cast over all nations and all poeples. He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord will wipe away all tears from all faces." -Isa.25-26
I Believe
I believe Jesus Christ "ascended higher than all the heavens so that He might fill the entire universe with Himself." -Eph. 4:10
I believe that Jesus Christ is destined to reign until God "has put all enemies under His feet." -1 Cor. 15:25
I believe the end consummates in "abolishing every kind of domination, authority, and power." - 1 Cor. 15:24
I believe the "last enemy to be abolished is death." -1 Cor. 15:27
I believe that "when all things are subject to Him, then the Son himself will also be made subordinate to God, who made all things subject to Him." -1 Cor. 15:28
I believe the subjection of all to Christ Jesus culminates in "God all in all." -1 Cor. 15:28
I Believe
I believe "all nations of the earth shall be blessed." -Gen. 18:18
I believe "all families of the earth shall be blessed." -Gen. 12:3 & Gen. 28:14
I believe "it shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'death is swallowed up in victory, Oh death, where is your sting. Oh, hell, where is your victory.' The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." -1 Cor. 15: 54-58
I believe "it is finished." -John 19:30
"In order that in adoration of the Name of Jesus every knee of worshippers will bow themselves and openly acknowledge with joy, celebration and praise, that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. This profession and confession of His Lordship shall be open and freely proclaimed, acknowledged joyfully by all beings in the heavens, of those on the earth, and those in the underworld. -Phil. 2:10, 11"
arranged by FineLinen
last paragraph paraphrased
by FineLinen
I Believe
I believe in "the restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouths of the prophets since the world began." -Acts 3:21-
I believe that the "good tidings of great joy will be to all people." -Luke 2:10
I believe that believers in Christ Jesus are "born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God." -John 1:13-
I believe
I believe that God appointed Jesus Christ "heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe." -Hebr. 1:2-
I believe that "no man can come to Christ unless the Father who sent Him draws him." -John 6:44
I believe "God gave Jesus authority over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as God gave him." -John 17:2-
I believe
I believe the Father "has given all things into Jesus' hands." -John 13:3-
I believe that Jesus Christ "was the true light which gives light to every man who come into the world." -John 1:9
I believe that "just as the result of one trespass was condemnation to all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification for all men." -Romans 5:18
I believe one mans sin "brought condemnation for all mankind." -Romans 5: 19-
I believe one mans righteousness brings "right relationship with God, and new life for everyone." -Romans 5:19-
I believe one mans sin made the whole of mankind sinners. I also believe the righteousness of one Man makes the whole of mankind righteous.
I Believe
I believe that Jesus is "able to subdue all things to himself." -Phil. 3:21-
I believe that Jesus came "that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are in earth in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His own will." -Eph. 1:10,11-
I believe "the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.' -2 Peter 3:9-
I Believe
I believe "God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors as though God was making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: be reconciled to God." -2 Cor. 5:19, 20-
I believe that "all nations shall be blessed." -Gal. 3:8-
I believe that "the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." -John 6:33-
I believe that Jesus commanded us to be like himself: "Love your enemies, bless those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." -Matt. 5:44,45
I believe Jesus when he said: "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw [Greek=draw, drag, impel] all mankind unto myself."
I believe that "creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but by reason of Him who subjected it in hope, because creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." -Romans 8:20,21-
I Believe
I believe "the Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hands." -John 3:35-
I believe "since by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all died, even so in Christ all shall be made alive." -1 Cor. 15:22-
I believe Jesus Christ "is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created that all in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him." -Col. 1:15,16
I believe that "all shall know the Lord, from the least to the greatest of them." -Hebr. 8:11-
I believe "the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men." -Titus 2:11-
I believe I am not to "repay evil for evil."-Rom. 12:17-
Will God ask me to do what He will Himself not do?
I Believe
I believe "If anyone's work which he has built endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved yet so as through fire." -1 Cor. 3:14,15-
I believe "of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen." -Romans 11:36
I believe "all Israel shall be saved." -Romans 11:26-
I Believe
I believe "Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died." -2 Cor. 5:14-
I believe that "the head of every man is Christ, the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God." -1 Cor. 11:3-
I believe that "all nations shall come and worship You, for your judgements have been made manifested." -Rev. 15:4
I believe that "when God's judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." -Isa. 26:9-
I believe that "mercy shall triumph over judgement." -James 2:13-
I believe that "where sin abounded, grace abounded much more." -Romans 5:20-
I Believe
I believe that "God is love." -1 John 4:8-
I believe that "love never fails." -1 Cor. 13:8-
I believe that God never fails.
I believe "herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loves us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." -1 John 4:10-
I believe Jesus Christ "is the propitiation for our sins and not for our sins only but the sins of the whole world. -1 John 2:2-
I believe "God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them." -1 John 4:16-
I Believe
I believe "every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: blessing and honour and glory and power to him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever." -Rev. 5:13-
I believe that "in the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." -Phil. 2: 10,11
I believe "all nations whom God has made will come and worship before him." -Psl. 86:9-
I believe "God's mercy endures forever." -1 Chron. 16:34-
I believe God's Spirit "will be poured out on all flesh." -Joel 2:28-
I believe that "the leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of the nations." -Rev. 22:2
I believe "that there shall no longer be a curse upon anything." -Rev. 22:3-
I Believe
I believe that if we really knew the Lord, we "would not have condemned the guiltless." -Matt. 12:7-
I believe "God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the gentiles, which is Christ in you the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." -Col. 1: 27, 28-
I believe that God beckons us to "Come and let us return to the Lord, for He was torn, but He will heal us, He was stricken, but He will bind us. After 2 days, He will revive us. On the third day He will raise us up that we may live in His sight." -Joel 2:28-
I believe "the Lord makes bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of God." -Isa. 52:10-
I Believe
I believe "the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." -Isa. 40:5-
I believe "all creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but by reason of Him who so subjected it in hope." -Rom. 8: 20-
I believe "the whole creation shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption." -Romans 8: 20
I believe that "they" and "we who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves, wait for the redemption of our body." -Romans 8:23
I Believe
I believe that "having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, does he not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost till he find it." -Luke 15:14-
I believe the Lord gathers up remnants of fish and bread, He "gathers up remnants that nothing be lost." -John 6:12
I believe God "will open His hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing." -Psl. 145:6
I believe that God is "gracious in all His works." -Psl. 145:17-
I believe "the earth is the Lord's and all its fulness, the world and all those who dwell therein." -Psl. 24:1-
I believe "all the kings of the earth shall praise You, oh Lord, when they hear the words of Your mouth." -Psl. 138:4-
I believe God "reveals Himself by those who did not ask for Him; He was found by those who did not seek Him." -Isa. 65:1
I Believe
I believe "the Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all the works of His hands. All Your works shall praise You, oh Lord." -Psl. 145:8-10-
I believe "all the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. All those who go down to the dust shall bow before You." -Psl. 22:27, 29
I believe "O You who hear prayer, to You shall all flesh come. Iniquities prevail against me; as for transgressions, You will provide atonement for them." -Psl. 66:3, 4-
I believe "through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You. All the earth shall worship You and sing praises to You." -Psl. 66: 3, 4
I believe
I believe that "through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness." -Lam. 3:21-24-
I believe that "the Lord will not cast off forever. Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. -Lam. 3:31,32
I believe "there is no God besides Me, a just God and Saviour; There is none besides Me. Look to Me and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is none other. I have sworn by Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath. He shall say, surely in the Lord I have righteousness and strength. To Him men shall come, and all shall be ashamed who are incensed against Him. In the Lord all the descendants of Israel shall be justified and shall glory." -Isa. 45:21-25
I Believe
I believe "in this mountain the Lord of Hosts will make for all people a feast of choice pieces, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of well-refined wines on the lees. And He will destroy on this mountain the covering cast over all nations and all poeples. He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord will wipe away all tears from all faces." -Isa.25-26
I Believe
I believe Jesus Christ "ascended higher than all the heavens so that He might fill the entire universe with Himself." -Eph. 4:10
I believe that Jesus Christ is destined to reign until God "has put all enemies under His feet." -1 Cor. 15:25
I believe the end consummates in "abolishing every kind of domination, authority, and power." - 1 Cor. 15:24
I believe the "last enemy to be abolished is death." -1 Cor. 15:27
I believe that "when all things are subject to Him, then the Son himself will also be made subordinate to God, who made all things subject to Him." -1 Cor. 15:28
I believe the subjection of all to Christ Jesus culminates in "God all in all." -1 Cor. 15:28
I Believe
I believe "all nations of the earth shall be blessed." -Gen. 18:18
I believe "all families of the earth shall be blessed." -Gen. 12:3 & Gen. 28:14
I believe "it shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'death is swallowed up in victory, Oh death, where is your sting. Oh, hell, where is your victory.' The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." -1 Cor. 15: 54-58
I believe "it is finished." -John 19:30
"In order that in adoration of the Name of Jesus every knee of worshippers will bow themselves and openly acknowledge with joy, celebration and praise, that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. This profession and confession of His Lordship shall be open and freely proclaimed, acknowledged joyfully by all beings in the heavens, of those on the earth, and those in the underworld. -Phil. 2:10, 11"
arranged by FineLinen
last paragraph paraphrased
by FineLinen
.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
HELL ....... Where's the Respect !!
.
http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/playback/playback-54/1327300
and we wonder why the world scoffs
.
USE ANYTHING, BUT LEAVE MY HELLFIRE DOCTRINE ALONE !!
http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/playback/playback-54/1327300
and we wonder why the world scoffs
.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
PHOBOS and TROMOS
.
" ........ work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Phl 2:12
As long as you have a hellfire fear based religion the translation above would seem to support the fear and angst that drives most Christians. How wonderful it is to discover the alternative where GRACE abounds.
A good brother named Jul, after some research wrote this concerning the familiar scripture quoted above.
"I read an alternate view of this verse which I thought seemed to be supportable. That view stated that the word “fear” can also mean “strong emotion relating to reverence”. Combined with the word “trembling” which was said to mean “trembling with JOY”.
That is to say, that we are to work out our salvation with strong feelings of JOY and REVERENCE so much so as to cause us to TREMBLE with HAPPINESS.
The reason for such a strong reaction is because our salvation is not dependant on our self motivated efforts, rather “for it is God who is working in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure” As such, we are told, “because of this do ye also rejoice and joy with me.”
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Phl 2:13
For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. Phl 2:18
With this view of the verse there is the feeling of REJOICING AND JOY in respect to our salvation. As opposed to the feeling of ANXIETY and QUAKING IN APPREHENSION in respect to our salvation.
To give credence to Jul's discovery this is another writing on the same subject.
Those two words "fear and trembling" are from the Greek "PHOBOS and TROMOS."
A funny thing with those words, it all depends on the intention or motive of the writer or reader as to what thought is being conveyed. The Greek philosophy was their psychology, this philosophy dealing with mind and emotion was rather simple. The emotion would be a single word, but that single word was the median of two-meanings.
PHOBOS has a positive and negative meaning to the same emotion, the two-sides of the same emotion either mean "dread" or "reverence. The same for TROMOS, it either means "shake nervously in fear", or "shake excitedly in anticipation."
PHOBOS, once again means either "reverence" or "dread", two sides of the same emotion depending on the perspective at the time. The Apostle Paul was genius, because out of the many other words Paul could have used to represent fear, terror, dread, caution, weary, and the like, he used PHOBOS.
In light of this discovery how apropos is this proverb.
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. Pro 25:2
Brother Jul with some of my thoughts intertwined again writes, "as you read this word think of how those, with ETERNAL HELL AS PART OF THEIR DOCTRINE DOCTRINE, ARE ENGULFED IN DEAD WORKS THAT ONLY BRING FORTH SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS. CONVERSELY THE MAN WHO KNOWS GOD AS LOVE REALIZES IT IS ONLY BY GRACE THERE IS SALVATION". Composing my thoughts, I am thinking in terms of giving an answer to my non Universal Salvation friends. Many of them are stuck in gross legalism. When they read “fear and trembling”, they have feelings of anxiety.
So what does it mean to you, to work out your Salvation with Fear and Trembling?
The way I understand, to put it in technical terms, my salvation is a process of impartation of sanctification. The active ingredient being the Blood of the Lamb. As such the “working out my Salvation” is by Grace alone, not of myself.
I will not be appearing before our Judge with the boast, “Lord I did this....and Lord, I did that.... Far be it from me to bring anything before His Majesty except the cry of, “Grace!, Grace!”. I would feel so ashamed to direct His attention to anything I have done. I totally, without reservation or addition, identify with my Messiah and his righteousness alone.
This I do with great joy and trembling of happiness.
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, Joy to you and me.
My dear friend how will you stand before Our Righteous Judge, when your life is over. Will you stand in fear and trembling trying to convince God your dead works are righteous. Or might you be found before His Majesty, trembling with happiness and full of great joy. As you point to Jesus will you cry Grace! Grace! O My Father, the Lamb is worthy for He has borne all my sins and performed all my good works. Glory be to the Lamb "who taketh away the sin of the world!"
Oh sweet reader, give up your works of self effort as you try to appease the Hellfire God. Instead, join us as we embrace Jesus who paid the price and gave us GRACE. Discover this Jesus "Who is the Savior of all men, especially those who are believers." 1 Tim 4:10
Jack
" ........ work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Phl 2:12As long as you have a hellfire fear based religion the translation above would seem to support the fear and angst that drives most Christians. How wonderful it is to discover the alternative where GRACE abounds.
A good brother named Jul, after some research wrote this concerning the familiar scripture quoted above.
"I read an alternate view of this verse which I thought seemed to be supportable. That view stated that the word “fear” can also mean “strong emotion relating to reverence”. Combined with the word “trembling” which was said to mean “trembling with JOY”.
That is to say, that we are to work out our salvation with strong feelings of JOY and REVERENCE so much so as to cause us to TREMBLE with HAPPINESS.
The reason for such a strong reaction is because our salvation is not dependant on our self motivated efforts, rather “for it is God who is working in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure” As such, we are told, “because of this do ye also rejoice and joy with me.”
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Phl 2:13
For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. Phl 2:18
With this view of the verse there is the feeling of REJOICING AND JOY in respect to our salvation. As opposed to the feeling of ANXIETY and QUAKING IN APPREHENSION in respect to our salvation.
To give credence to Jul's discovery this is another writing on the same subject.
Those two words "fear and trembling" are from the Greek "PHOBOS and TROMOS."
A funny thing with those words, it all depends on the intention or motive of the writer or reader as to what thought is being conveyed. The Greek philosophy was their psychology, this philosophy dealing with mind and emotion was rather simple. The emotion would be a single word, but that single word was the median of two-meanings.
PHOBOS has a positive and negative meaning to the same emotion, the two-sides of the same emotion either mean "dread" or "reverence. The same for TROMOS, it either means "shake nervously in fear", or "shake excitedly in anticipation."
PHOBOS, once again means either "reverence" or "dread", two sides of the same emotion depending on the perspective at the time. The Apostle Paul was genius, because out of the many other words Paul could have used to represent fear, terror, dread, caution, weary, and the like, he used PHOBOS.
In light of this discovery how apropos is this proverb.
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. Pro 25:2
Brother Jul with some of my thoughts intertwined again writes, "as you read this word think of how those, with ETERNAL HELL AS PART OF THEIR DOCTRINE DOCTRINE, ARE ENGULFED IN DEAD WORKS THAT ONLY BRING FORTH SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS. CONVERSELY THE MAN WHO KNOWS GOD AS LOVE REALIZES IT IS ONLY BY GRACE THERE IS SALVATION". Composing my thoughts, I am thinking in terms of giving an answer to my non Universal Salvation friends. Many of them are stuck in gross legalism. When they read “fear and trembling”, they have feelings of anxiety.
So what does it mean to you, to work out your Salvation with Fear and Trembling?
The way I understand, to put it in technical terms, my salvation is a process of impartation of sanctification. The active ingredient being the Blood of the Lamb. As such the “working out my Salvation” is by Grace alone, not of myself.
I will not be appearing before our Judge with the boast, “Lord I did this....and Lord, I did that.... Far be it from me to bring anything before His Majesty except the cry of, “Grace!, Grace!”. I would feel so ashamed to direct His attention to anything I have done. I totally, without reservation or addition, identify with my Messiah and his righteousness alone.
This I do with great joy and trembling of happiness.
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, Joy to you and me.
My dear friend how will you stand before Our Righteous Judge, when your life is over. Will you stand in fear and trembling trying to convince God your dead works are righteous. Or might you be found before His Majesty, trembling with happiness and full of great joy. As you point to Jesus will you cry Grace! Grace! O My Father, the Lamb is worthy for He has borne all my sins and performed all my good works. Glory be to the Lamb "who taketh away the sin of the world!"
Oh sweet reader, give up your works of self effort as you try to appease the Hellfire God. Instead, join us as we embrace Jesus who paid the price and gave us GRACE. Discover this Jesus "Who is the Savior of all men, especially those who are believers." 1 Tim 4:10
Jack
.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
CAST YOUR WHOLE CARE UPON HIM
.
Today, Ellie and I were moved and encouraged by an ancient message we were blessed to read today. This excerpt taken from a second century writing is wondrously made for this very hour in which we live.
"The Shepherd of Hermas" (sometimes just called "The Shepherd") is a Christian literary work occasionally considered canonical scripture by some of the early Church fathers. Recorded in this book are five visions granted to Hermas, a former slave. This is taken from the fourth and is sub- titled: "Of the trial, and tribulation that is about to come upon men."
The lesson of this vision is first and foremost that we should cast our whole care upon Him. Should you dear reader be troubled today, please find the time alone laying upon the breast of Our Father. Dare not remove yourself until all your cares are His. Oh, He so desires this of you, dear child of God.
John and Ellie
As I was walking alone...behold somewhat like a voice answered me, Doubt not, Hermas. I began to think and say within myself, Why should I doubt, seeing I am thus settled by the Lord and have seen such glorious things?
I had gone but a little farther, brethren, when behold I saw a dust rise up to heaven. I began to say within myself, Is there a drove of cattle coming, that raises such a dust?
It was about a furlong off from me. And behold I saw the dust rise more and more, so much that I began to suspect that there was something extraordinary in it.
The sun shone a little, and behold, I saw a great beast, as it were a whale, and fiery locusts came out of his mouth. The height of the beast was about a hundred feet, and he had a head like a large earthen vessel.
I began to weep, and to pray to the Lord that he would deliver me from it. Then I called to mind the words which I had heard: Doubt not, Hermas.
Therefore, brethren, putting on a divine faith, and remembering who it was that had taught me great things, I delivered myself bodily to the beast.
Now the beast came on in such a manner, as if it could have devoured a city at once.
I came near to it, and the beast extended its whole bulk upon the ground, and put forth nothing but its tongue, nor once moved itself till I had quite passed by it.
Now the beast had upon its head four colors: first black, then a red and bloody color, then a golden, and then a white.
After I had passed by it and was gone forward about thirty feet, behold there met me a certain virgin, well adorned as if she had just come out of her bridal chamber, all in white, having on white shoes, a veil down her face, and covered with shining hair.
Now I knew by my former visions that it was the Church, and thereupon I grew more cheerful. She saluted me saying, Hail, O Man! I returned the salutation, saying, Lady, Hail!
She answering said to me, Did nothing meet you, O man? I replied, Lady, there met me such a beast as seemed able to devour a whole people, but by the power of God and through his singular mercy, I escaped it.
You escaped it well, she said, because you cast your whole care upon God, and opened your heart to him, believing that you could be safe only by his great and honorable name.
For this reason the Lord sent his angel who is over the beast...and stopped his mouth, that he should not devour you. You have escaped a great trial through your faith, and because you did not doubt for such a terrible beast.
Therefore go and relate to the elect of God the great things that he has done for you. And you will say to them that this beast is the figure of the trial that is about to come.
If therefore you will have prepared yourselves, you may escape it, if your heart be pure and without spot, and if you will serve God all the rest of your days without complaint.
Cast all your cares upon the Lord, and he will govern them. Believe in God, you doubtful, because he can do all things; he can both turn away his wrath from you, and send you help and security.
(sources Wikipedia & Cheryl)
(note: "The Shepherd" fellout of
disfavor because it's doctrine of
'adoptionism' whichis erroneous.
Still a beautiful lesson with this
visionary account.We learn to eat
the hay and spit out the sticks)
Today, Ellie and I were moved and encouraged by an ancient message we were blessed to read today. This excerpt taken from a second century writing is wondrously made for this very hour in which we live."The Shepherd of Hermas" (sometimes just called "The Shepherd") is a Christian literary work occasionally considered canonical scripture by some of the early Church fathers. Recorded in this book are five visions granted to Hermas, a former slave. This is taken from the fourth and is sub- titled: "Of the trial, and tribulation that is about to come upon men."
The lesson of this vision is first and foremost that we should cast our whole care upon Him. Should you dear reader be troubled today, please find the time alone laying upon the breast of Our Father. Dare not remove yourself until all your cares are His. Oh, He so desires this of you, dear child of God.
John and Ellie
As I was walking alone...behold somewhat like a voice answered me, Doubt not, Hermas. I began to think and say within myself, Why should I doubt, seeing I am thus settled by the Lord and have seen such glorious things?
I had gone but a little farther, brethren, when behold I saw a dust rise up to heaven. I began to say within myself, Is there a drove of cattle coming, that raises such a dust?
It was about a furlong off from me. And behold I saw the dust rise more and more, so much that I began to suspect that there was something extraordinary in it.
The sun shone a little, and behold, I saw a great beast, as it were a whale, and fiery locusts came out of his mouth. The height of the beast was about a hundred feet, and he had a head like a large earthen vessel.
I began to weep, and to pray to the Lord that he would deliver me from it. Then I called to mind the words which I had heard: Doubt not, Hermas.
Therefore, brethren, putting on a divine faith, and remembering who it was that had taught me great things, I delivered myself bodily to the beast.
Now the beast came on in such a manner, as if it could have devoured a city at once.
I came near to it, and the beast extended its whole bulk upon the ground, and put forth nothing but its tongue, nor once moved itself till I had quite passed by it.
Now the beast had upon its head four colors: first black, then a red and bloody color, then a golden, and then a white.
After I had passed by it and was gone forward about thirty feet, behold there met me a certain virgin, well adorned as if she had just come out of her bridal chamber, all in white, having on white shoes, a veil down her face, and covered with shining hair.
Now I knew by my former visions that it was the Church, and thereupon I grew more cheerful. She saluted me saying, Hail, O Man! I returned the salutation, saying, Lady, Hail!
She answering said to me, Did nothing meet you, O man? I replied, Lady, there met me such a beast as seemed able to devour a whole people, but by the power of God and through his singular mercy, I escaped it.
You escaped it well, she said, because you cast your whole care upon God, and opened your heart to him, believing that you could be safe only by his great and honorable name.
For this reason the Lord sent his angel who is over the beast...and stopped his mouth, that he should not devour you. You have escaped a great trial through your faith, and because you did not doubt for such a terrible beast.
Therefore go and relate to the elect of God the great things that he has done for you. And you will say to them that this beast is the figure of the trial that is about to come.
If therefore you will have prepared yourselves, you may escape it, if your heart be pure and without spot, and if you will serve God all the rest of your days without complaint.
Cast all your cares upon the Lord, and he will govern them. Believe in God, you doubtful, because he can do all things; he can both turn away his wrath from you, and send you help and security.
(sources Wikipedia & Cheryl)
(note: "The Shepherd" fellout of
disfavor because it's doctrine of
'adoptionism' whichis erroneous.
Still a beautiful lesson with this
visionary account.We learn to eat
the hay and spit out the sticks)
Saturday, April 25, 2009
LOVE NEVER GIVES UP
.
"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
Romans 11:36
Everything and everybody that came out of Him is going to end up going back into Him. This is the "Real Good News." Aren't you glad our God loses nothing and all is filled with His glory. That is the "true love of God."
With humility and with much prayer I believe I have my finger on the pulse of God's workings with the world and the organized church. For some time now I have been sharing that we who know the "true triumph of the Cross of Christ" worship a different God than those that espouse a terroristic God that assigns most of mankind to "eternal torment in a place called Hell." Surely this difference will eventually bring about great persecution as it did with Jesus and the early church. You can touch a lot of things in Christian orthodoxy but you dare not touch the "Hellfire doctrine" where "justified payback" trumps "mercy and love."
Shamefully orthodox Christianity for the most part is but another hate religion in a world gone mad. Nominal Christians believe that it is the fear of Hell that causes a man to eschew sin and follow God. Nothing could be further from the truth, as it is the "payback philosophy of God's damnation" that is borne and bred of a demonic "inward payback spirit" ........... a payback spirit that decries the forgiveness of the "seven times seventy" that Jesus taught.
If one holds within their heart a beast of a God, that throws most of his children into the tormenting infernos of a pagan Hell, what does this say about them?
"For as a man thinks in his heart, so he is" Pro 23:7
We are at the end of the age and I believe as the darkness grows we will see the spirits of this false God, with a payback economy, emerge as never before. God help us and more so, Lord shelter our children in your merciful abiding Love.
Last night I was led to visit a site of a friend of mine, that I used to trade thoughts with some years ago. I pulled some material out of one of his articles to illustrate the foulness of this "pay back Hellfire doctrine." The first part lays out some quotes by leaders of the organized church, both of centuries past and today. Lastly we'll close with Seth's message where he asks, "Eternal Torment: Godly Love?"
May God bless you my friend, as you partake of and share the immeasurable depths of His love toward all His creation,
Jack
The perpetrators
Introduction: The following quotes from early philosophers and Church Fathers prove where the modern concept of a "Hell of everlasting punishment" came from. The quotes also expose those who are still perpetuating those concepts. The first group of quotes represents proof regarding the originators of the concept. The second group of quotations are from Christian leaders who have been instrumental in perpetuating these diabolical thoughts.
Polybius, the ancient historian, says: "Since the multitude is ever fickle, full of lawless desires, irrational passions and violence, there is no other way to keep them in order but by the fear and terror of the invisible world; on which account our ancestors seem to me to have acted judiciously, when they contrived to bring into the popular belief these notions of the gods, and of the infernal regions."
Strabo, the geographer, says: "The multitude are restrained from vice by the punishments the gods are said to inflict upon offenders, and by those terrors and threatenings which certain dreadful words and monstrous forms imprint upon their minds...For it is impossible to govern the crowd of women, and all the common rabble, by philosophical reasoning, and lead them to piety, holiness and virtue - but this must be done by superstition, or the fear of the gods, by means of fables and wonders; for the thunder, the aegis, the trident, the torches (of the Furies), the dragons, &c., are all fables, as is also all the ancient theology. These things the legislators used as scarecrows to terrify the childish multitude."
Tertullian (considered by many to be the father of modern church doctrine) "At that greatest of all spectacles, that last and eternal judgment how shall I admire, how laugh, how rejoice, how exult, when I behold so many proud monarchs groaning in the lowest abyss of darkness…"
Gerhard "The Blessed will see their friends and relations among the damned as often as they like but without the least of compassion.”
Jonathan Edwards "Reprobate infants are vipers of vengeance, which Jehovah will hold over hell, in the tongs of his wrath, till they turn and spit venom in his face!" "The view of the misery of the damned will double the ardour of the love and gratitude of the saints of heaven."
Charles Spurgeon (Commonly called the "Prince of Preachers" for being a preacher of great eloquence) "I further believe, although certain persons deny it, that the influence of fear is to be exercised over the minds of men and that it ought to operate upon the mind of the preacher himself."
Thomas Aquinas "That the saints may enjoy their beatitude more thoroughly, and give more abundant thanks for it to God, a perfect sight of the punishment of the damned is granted them."
Jeremy Taylor "Husbands shall see their wives, parents shall see their children tormented before their eyes…the bodies of the damned shall be crowded together in hell like grapes in a wine-press, which press on another till they burst…"
Richard Baxter "It is not a terrible thing to a wretched soul, when it shall lie roaring perpetually in the flames of hell, and the God of mercy himself shall laugh at them; when…God shall mock them instead of relieving them; when none in heaven or earth can help them but God, and he shall rejoice over them in their calamity ." – (The Saint's Everlasting Rest” 1846)
Reverend J. Furniss, C.S.S.R "The fifth dungeon is the red hot oven. The little child is in the red hot oven. Hear how it screams to come out; see how it turns and twists itself about in the fire. It beats its head against the roof of the oven. It stamps its little feet on the floor." (The Sight of Hell - Quoted from Christ Triumphant by Thomas Allin)
Reverend E.B. Pusey, D.D. "Gather in one, in your mind, an assembly of all those men and women, from whom, whether in history or in fiction, your memory most shrinks, gather in mind all that is loathsome, most revolting * * * conceive the fierce, fiery eyes of hate, spite, frenzied rage, ever fixed on thee, looking thee through and through with hate * * * hear those yells of blaspheming concentrated hate, as they echo along the lurid vault of hell; everyone hating everyone * * * Yet a fixedness in that state in which the hardened malignant sinner dies, involves, without any further retribution of God, this endless misery." (Quoted from Christ Triumphant by Thomas Allin)
I believe the words below, of the French philosopher, succinctly echo the Proverbs scripture I used in my introduction; "For as a man thinks in his heart, so he is" Pro 23:7 . It may take a bit, but that which is demonic will eventually manifest itself.
Voltaire "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."
Eternal Torment: Godly Love?
Let's just face the question head on. How many have wondered? Why would a loving God make people he created burn forever and ever for not knowing Him or believing in Him? How can a loving God subject billions of people he loves to endless torment? It's a fair question.
Some Christians will recoil from answering it, fearing an offense to God by showing doubt. Others may jeer, rolling their eyes, having heard that one before, and open their response with "Who are you to..." Some may have a thoughtful reply on hand (complete with a metaphor), having worked it out in their minds that it somehow makes sense. They may point to God's justice, as if polar opposite to his Love. They may even suggest that their version of God's justice is more supreme than God's love.
Yet, deep inside, most of us have wondered at some time. Must God do such a thing? Can't true justice be fulfilled without such a merciless act?
It is not a new question. Many non-Christians openly ask the same thing before renouncing Christianity altogether: How can a loving, all-powerful God let people burn alive forever if he does have the power to stop it? Is that love? It seems strange in light of how the Bible characterizes it:
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.
According to this high standard, does Love keep no record of being wronged, or does it keep an infinite, never-ending record? How often we resolve that we cannot truly understand the way God loves, and it is better to not even ask these questions. Have you heard that before? Have you said it? Do you understand the way God loves? And the unbeliever goes his own way, bewildered, having been given no satisfying answer from the Christian ministry.
It seems pretty clear that if God were to send people to unrelenting torment for not saying the right words or believing the right thing, then he would not be patient and certainly not kind. He would be keeping a record of us having wronged him. My friends, He would be disregarding the Bible's very own meaning of Love - in addition, failing to save all men, Christ's very purpose in life.
However, if every person is to be saved, nobody is forever lost, and no suffering is eternal, then his death on the Cross would be completely fruitful, and triumphant in what it was meant to do. God would dwell in a fullness. "Love never gives up." (1 Corinthians 13:7)
Seth Tipton
The rest of this article can be found at this link (below). I also hope you explore Seth's site as there is a plethora of great material exposing the "pagan doctrine of Hell." What a blessing to know Seth is a little past thirty and is part of an emerging generation that have had their eyes opened to the "enduring mercies of God" in contrast to the "diabolical absurdities taught by the organized church."
http://mercifultruth.com/the-real-hell.htm
.
"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.Romans 11:36
Everything and everybody that came out of Him is going to end up going back into Him. This is the "Real Good News." Aren't you glad our God loses nothing and all is filled with His glory. That is the "true love of God."
With humility and with much prayer I believe I have my finger on the pulse of God's workings with the world and the organized church. For some time now I have been sharing that we who know the "true triumph of the Cross of Christ" worship a different God than those that espouse a terroristic God that assigns most of mankind to "eternal torment in a place called Hell." Surely this difference will eventually bring about great persecution as it did with Jesus and the early church. You can touch a lot of things in Christian orthodoxy but you dare not touch the "Hellfire doctrine" where "justified payback" trumps "mercy and love."
Shamefully orthodox Christianity for the most part is but another hate religion in a world gone mad. Nominal Christians believe that it is the fear of Hell that causes a man to eschew sin and follow God. Nothing could be further from the truth, as it is the "payback philosophy of God's damnation" that is borne and bred of a demonic "inward payback spirit" ........... a payback spirit that decries the forgiveness of the "seven times seventy" that Jesus taught.
If one holds within their heart a beast of a God, that throws most of his children into the tormenting infernos of a pagan Hell, what does this say about them?
"For as a man thinks in his heart, so he is" Pro 23:7
We are at the end of the age and I believe as the darkness grows we will see the spirits of this false God, with a payback economy, emerge as never before. God help us and more so, Lord shelter our children in your merciful abiding Love.
Last night I was led to visit a site of a friend of mine, that I used to trade thoughts with some years ago. I pulled some material out of one of his articles to illustrate the foulness of this "pay back Hellfire doctrine." The first part lays out some quotes by leaders of the organized church, both of centuries past and today. Lastly we'll close with Seth's message where he asks, "Eternal Torment: Godly Love?"
May God bless you my friend, as you partake of and share the immeasurable depths of His love toward all His creation,
Jack
The perpetrators
Introduction: The following quotes from early philosophers and Church Fathers prove where the modern concept of a "Hell of everlasting punishment" came from. The quotes also expose those who are still perpetuating those concepts. The first group of quotes represents proof regarding the originators of the concept. The second group of quotations are from Christian leaders who have been instrumental in perpetuating these diabolical thoughts.
Polybius, the ancient historian, says: "Since the multitude is ever fickle, full of lawless desires, irrational passions and violence, there is no other way to keep them in order but by the fear and terror of the invisible world; on which account our ancestors seem to me to have acted judiciously, when they contrived to bring into the popular belief these notions of the gods, and of the infernal regions."
Strabo, the geographer, says: "The multitude are restrained from vice by the punishments the gods are said to inflict upon offenders, and by those terrors and threatenings which certain dreadful words and monstrous forms imprint upon their minds...For it is impossible to govern the crowd of women, and all the common rabble, by philosophical reasoning, and lead them to piety, holiness and virtue - but this must be done by superstition, or the fear of the gods, by means of fables and wonders; for the thunder, the aegis, the trident, the torches (of the Furies), the dragons, &c., are all fables, as is also all the ancient theology. These things the legislators used as scarecrows to terrify the childish multitude."
Tertullian (considered by many to be the father of modern church doctrine) "At that greatest of all spectacles, that last and eternal judgment how shall I admire, how laugh, how rejoice, how exult, when I behold so many proud monarchs groaning in the lowest abyss of darkness…"
Gerhard "The Blessed will see their friends and relations among the damned as often as they like but without the least of compassion.”
Jonathan Edwards "Reprobate infants are vipers of vengeance, which Jehovah will hold over hell, in the tongs of his wrath, till they turn and spit venom in his face!" "The view of the misery of the damned will double the ardour of the love and gratitude of the saints of heaven."
Charles Spurgeon (Commonly called the "Prince of Preachers" for being a preacher of great eloquence) "I further believe, although certain persons deny it, that the influence of fear is to be exercised over the minds of men and that it ought to operate upon the mind of the preacher himself."
Thomas Aquinas "That the saints may enjoy their beatitude more thoroughly, and give more abundant thanks for it to God, a perfect sight of the punishment of the damned is granted them."
Jeremy Taylor "Husbands shall see their wives, parents shall see their children tormented before their eyes…the bodies of the damned shall be crowded together in hell like grapes in a wine-press, which press on another till they burst…"
Richard Baxter "It is not a terrible thing to a wretched soul, when it shall lie roaring perpetually in the flames of hell, and the God of mercy himself shall laugh at them; when…God shall mock them instead of relieving them; when none in heaven or earth can help them but God, and he shall rejoice over them in their calamity ." – (The Saint's Everlasting Rest” 1846)
Reverend J. Furniss, C.S.S.R "The fifth dungeon is the red hot oven. The little child is in the red hot oven. Hear how it screams to come out; see how it turns and twists itself about in the fire. It beats its head against the roof of the oven. It stamps its little feet on the floor." (The Sight of Hell - Quoted from Christ Triumphant by Thomas Allin)
Reverend E.B. Pusey, D.D. "Gather in one, in your mind, an assembly of all those men and women, from whom, whether in history or in fiction, your memory most shrinks, gather in mind all that is loathsome, most revolting * * * conceive the fierce, fiery eyes of hate, spite, frenzied rage, ever fixed on thee, looking thee through and through with hate * * * hear those yells of blaspheming concentrated hate, as they echo along the lurid vault of hell; everyone hating everyone * * * Yet a fixedness in that state in which the hardened malignant sinner dies, involves, without any further retribution of God, this endless misery." (Quoted from Christ Triumphant by Thomas Allin)
I believe the words below, of the French philosopher, succinctly echo the Proverbs scripture I used in my introduction; "For as a man thinks in his heart, so he is" Pro 23:7 . It may take a bit, but that which is demonic will eventually manifest itself.
Voltaire "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."
Eternal Torment: Godly Love?
Let's just face the question head on. How many have wondered? Why would a loving God make people he created burn forever and ever for not knowing Him or believing in Him? How can a loving God subject billions of people he loves to endless torment? It's a fair question.
Some Christians will recoil from answering it, fearing an offense to God by showing doubt. Others may jeer, rolling their eyes, having heard that one before, and open their response with "Who are you to..." Some may have a thoughtful reply on hand (complete with a metaphor), having worked it out in their minds that it somehow makes sense. They may point to God's justice, as if polar opposite to his Love. They may even suggest that their version of God's justice is more supreme than God's love.
Yet, deep inside, most of us have wondered at some time. Must God do such a thing? Can't true justice be fulfilled without such a merciless act?
It is not a new question. Many non-Christians openly ask the same thing before renouncing Christianity altogether: How can a loving, all-powerful God let people burn alive forever if he does have the power to stop it? Is that love? It seems strange in light of how the Bible characterizes it:
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.
According to this high standard, does Love keep no record of being wronged, or does it keep an infinite, never-ending record? How often we resolve that we cannot truly understand the way God loves, and it is better to not even ask these questions. Have you heard that before? Have you said it? Do you understand the way God loves? And the unbeliever goes his own way, bewildered, having been given no satisfying answer from the Christian ministry.
It seems pretty clear that if God were to send people to unrelenting torment for not saying the right words or believing the right thing, then he would not be patient and certainly not kind. He would be keeping a record of us having wronged him. My friends, He would be disregarding the Bible's very own meaning of Love - in addition, failing to save all men, Christ's very purpose in life.
However, if every person is to be saved, nobody is forever lost, and no suffering is eternal, then his death on the Cross would be completely fruitful, and triumphant in what it was meant to do. God would dwell in a fullness. "Love never gives up." (1 Corinthians 13:7)
Seth Tipton
The rest of this article can be found at this link (below). I also hope you explore Seth's site as there is a plethora of great material exposing the "pagan doctrine of Hell." What a blessing to know Seth is a little past thirty and is part of an emerging generation that have had their eyes opened to the "enduring mercies of God" in contrast to the "diabolical absurdities taught by the organized church."
http://mercifultruth.com/the-real-hell.htm
.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Confession and Repentance of a former Hell Teaching Pastor
.
An Open Letter to My Former Parishioners:
Dear Ones,
I am so very sorry. I hear the pain in your hearts when you tearfully admit you have a hard time believing God could love you. I now realize I bear a good bit of the responsibility for it. Some of the things I taught and did when I was your pastor harmed you and were a great disservice to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Early on I simply didn’t know any better. I taught you what I had been taught. I was the product of a form of Christianity that has dominated for so long—an institutionalized, clergy led, power preserving perversion of what Jesus intended for his followers. It’s true I had not done the critical research for myself. But, after all, who was I to question what my instructors said was the correct way to believe and “do” church?
When life experiences and personal Bible study exposed some cracks in my rigid doctrinal foundation, I began to suspect there was more to knowing God than I knew. But I deviated little from the denominational tradition in which I was trained and continued to teach things of which I was no longer convinced. It was too important for me to preserve my good standing and keep my denominational star on the rise.
We claimed our mission was to save lost souls from hell by getting them to “make a decision for Christ” and become one of us. More candidly, we were mostly focused on growing the church. By means of sermons and programs of all sorts, I pressured you to try harder. I exhorted you to demonstrate “deeper commitment” to God and the church. I called upon you to be “faithful” and give more money. I taught you that if you wanted to please God you would have to strive to be a better church member. In a thousand different ways I made you think you were still lacking in God’s eyes.
No, I wasn’t mean about it. I usually did it with a smile. I found entertaining ways to say it. Nonetheless, speaking on behalf of God, I made it clear I expected more from you and so did He. No matter how hard you tried I had to keep you motivated and centered in the church. I needed you to fill your seat and bring someone else along to fill an empty one. The church (and I) had bills to pay.
The outcome for so many of you has been learning almost nothing about the abundant life Jesus promised. You live in constant doubt that God could ever be pleased with you. The abundant life is simply not compatible with constantly worrying we might be disappointing God. I taught you he was ready to banish to eternal torment everyone who didn’t find his or her way into his grace. Trying to measure up was why we did most things. Guilt and shame was really the glue that held us together.
Most of our time was spent striving to earn favors from God by praying more, reading the Bible more, doing more in the church and “witnessing” more. I never taught you how to live in the knowledge God unreservedly loves us because of Jesus.
Our church environment was a chronic breeding ground for hypocrisy. We played comparison games and excluded ourselves from anyone who sinned differently than we did. We were hard on each other whenever one of us failed. We thought it was our duty to keep each other in line and maintain impossible standards of “holiness”. We occupied ourselves with debates about whether Christians should dance, go to movies, use alcohol, sleep in on Sunday and miss going to church, wear certain types of clothes, or listen to certain types of music. We quarreled over Bible translations, hymnals, sound system volume and carpet colors. Conformity to group standards was a very high value, as was compliance to membership policies and the pastor’s authority. In the name of maintaining order I rebuked and “disciplined” those who did not comply.
When I began to realize the magnitude of God’s grace through Jesus Christ. I kept it to myself. Not until I was off the church payroll was I willing to declare in no uncertain terms, “that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19 NIV). And, because of this, our mission is to go lovingly into the world around us with liberating good news rather than with preachy judgment pressure people to withdraw with us into our own little subculture.
My constant prayer for you today is that our merciful Heavenly Father will undo the damage I caused in your spiritual development. I pray that God will make himself known to you as the essence of love that he is. Should our paths cross again, think only of me as a fellow traveler—no title, no pedestal, please. And, remember, God loves us and will never give up on us. He has included all of us in his grace through Jesus Christ and never has a single condemning thought toward us, ever. Be at peace.
Repentantly yours,
(Name withheld)
An Open Letter to My Former Parishioners:Dear Ones,
I am so very sorry. I hear the pain in your hearts when you tearfully admit you have a hard time believing God could love you. I now realize I bear a good bit of the responsibility for it. Some of the things I taught and did when I was your pastor harmed you and were a great disservice to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Early on I simply didn’t know any better. I taught you what I had been taught. I was the product of a form of Christianity that has dominated for so long—an institutionalized, clergy led, power preserving perversion of what Jesus intended for his followers. It’s true I had not done the critical research for myself. But, after all, who was I to question what my instructors said was the correct way to believe and “do” church?
When life experiences and personal Bible study exposed some cracks in my rigid doctrinal foundation, I began to suspect there was more to knowing God than I knew. But I deviated little from the denominational tradition in which I was trained and continued to teach things of which I was no longer convinced. It was too important for me to preserve my good standing and keep my denominational star on the rise.
We claimed our mission was to save lost souls from hell by getting them to “make a decision for Christ” and become one of us. More candidly, we were mostly focused on growing the church. By means of sermons and programs of all sorts, I pressured you to try harder. I exhorted you to demonstrate “deeper commitment” to God and the church. I called upon you to be “faithful” and give more money. I taught you that if you wanted to please God you would have to strive to be a better church member. In a thousand different ways I made you think you were still lacking in God’s eyes.
No, I wasn’t mean about it. I usually did it with a smile. I found entertaining ways to say it. Nonetheless, speaking on behalf of God, I made it clear I expected more from you and so did He. No matter how hard you tried I had to keep you motivated and centered in the church. I needed you to fill your seat and bring someone else along to fill an empty one. The church (and I) had bills to pay.
The outcome for so many of you has been learning almost nothing about the abundant life Jesus promised. You live in constant doubt that God could ever be pleased with you. The abundant life is simply not compatible with constantly worrying we might be disappointing God. I taught you he was ready to banish to eternal torment everyone who didn’t find his or her way into his grace. Trying to measure up was why we did most things. Guilt and shame was really the glue that held us together.
Most of our time was spent striving to earn favors from God by praying more, reading the Bible more, doing more in the church and “witnessing” more. I never taught you how to live in the knowledge God unreservedly loves us because of Jesus.
Our church environment was a chronic breeding ground for hypocrisy. We played comparison games and excluded ourselves from anyone who sinned differently than we did. We were hard on each other whenever one of us failed. We thought it was our duty to keep each other in line and maintain impossible standards of “holiness”. We occupied ourselves with debates about whether Christians should dance, go to movies, use alcohol, sleep in on Sunday and miss going to church, wear certain types of clothes, or listen to certain types of music. We quarreled over Bible translations, hymnals, sound system volume and carpet colors. Conformity to group standards was a very high value, as was compliance to membership policies and the pastor’s authority. In the name of maintaining order I rebuked and “disciplined” those who did not comply.
When I began to realize the magnitude of God’s grace through Jesus Christ. I kept it to myself. Not until I was off the church payroll was I willing to declare in no uncertain terms, “that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19 NIV). And, because of this, our mission is to go lovingly into the world around us with liberating good news rather than with preachy judgment pressure people to withdraw with us into our own little subculture.
My constant prayer for you today is that our merciful Heavenly Father will undo the damage I caused in your spiritual development. I pray that God will make himself known to you as the essence of love that he is. Should our paths cross again, think only of me as a fellow traveler—no title, no pedestal, please. And, remember, God loves us and will never give up on us. He has included all of us in his grace through Jesus Christ and never has a single condemning thought toward us, ever. Be at peace.
Repentantly yours,
(Name withheld)
Oh Lord that more pastors would see the light and
be given the heart to repent and apologize.
.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
HOPE BEYOND HELL
.
Christians, We Have A Problem
With Our "Good" News
Picture yourself as a missionary to the Muslim nation of Senegal, West Africa. The date? September 26, 2002. About a year prior, you befriended your neighbor, Abdou Ndieye, a Muslim merchant. Only a few weeks ago, he graciously accepted your invitation to study the Bible with you. You are thrilled. Abdou is the first Muslim with whom you have begun sharing the Good News.
Today you prepare to explore another portion of God's Word with him, but something terrible has happened. You cannot believe what you are hearing and seeing on the news. The Joola, a Senegalese ferry, has capsized killing almost 2,000 people. You remember Abdou's wife, Astou, and his 14 year old daughter, Fatou, are on that ship. You are in shock and cannot believe - you are seeing—a ship's underside sticking up out of the sea with helicopters hovering overhead. You hurry next door. As you knock on the door, you hear deep groans and wailing. You slowly enter. Abdou is prostrate on the floor. He pleads before Yalla (Wolof for Allah), "Why? Why? How could you let this happen?" He goes into spasms of weeping, beating his hands against the floor.
Feeling utterly helpless, you pray, "God help me comfort my friend."Abdou lifts his eyes, hardly able to recognize you for the tears. "My wife and daughter have died a terrible death! Tell me I will see them again. Tell me they are safe in God's arms! Has your Jesus taken them to His heaven?" You are lost for words. The silence is deafening. "Answer me, Christian, will I see them again? Are they in a better place? Tell me!" You remain speechless. What can you say? Where is the "Good News" when you need it most?
Introduction
Are you at peace regarding the eternal destiny of your children, parents, brothers, sisters, grandfather, grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends? Are you experiencing abundant joy in your "personal" salvation while unsure if some of your loved ones might suffer throughout all eternity? How is that possible? You see, we Christians have a problem, a very serious problem. The problem is in our belief that hell is "eternal" and that most of humanity will go there. Deep inside we know something is not right, but we suppress our questions and doubts because we "think" the Bible teaches it. What inner conflict rages within! It is futile to find satisfying answers to the problems it raises. For example:
*How can an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving God create billions of people knowing most will be tormented in hell forever?
With Our "Good" News
Picture yourself as a missionary to the Muslim nation of Senegal, West Africa. The date? September 26, 2002. About a year prior, you befriended your neighbor, Abdou Ndieye, a Muslim merchant. Only a few weeks ago, he graciously accepted your invitation to study the Bible with you. You are thrilled. Abdou is the first Muslim with whom you have begun sharing the Good News.
Today you prepare to explore another portion of God's Word with him, but something terrible has happened. You cannot believe what you are hearing and seeing on the news. The Joola, a Senegalese ferry, has capsized killing almost 2,000 people. You remember Abdou's wife, Astou, and his 14 year old daughter, Fatou, are on that ship. You are in shock and cannot believe - you are seeing—a ship's underside sticking up out of the sea with helicopters hovering overhead. You hurry next door. As you knock on the door, you hear deep groans and wailing. You slowly enter. Abdou is prostrate on the floor. He pleads before Yalla (Wolof for Allah), "Why? Why? How could you let this happen?" He goes into spasms of weeping, beating his hands against the floor.
Feeling utterly helpless, you pray, "God help me comfort my friend."Abdou lifts his eyes, hardly able to recognize you for the tears. "My wife and daughter have died a terrible death! Tell me I will see them again. Tell me they are safe in God's arms! Has your Jesus taken them to His heaven?" You are lost for words. The silence is deafening. "Answer me, Christian, will I see them again? Are they in a better place? Tell me!" You remain speechless. What can you say? Where is the "Good News" when you need it most?
Introduction
Are you at peace regarding the eternal destiny of your children, parents, brothers, sisters, grandfather, grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends? Are you experiencing abundant joy in your "personal" salvation while unsure if some of your loved ones might suffer throughout all eternity? How is that possible? You see, we Christians have a problem, a very serious problem. The problem is in our belief that hell is "eternal" and that most of humanity will go there. Deep inside we know something is not right, but we suppress our questions and doubts because we "think" the Bible teaches it. What inner conflict rages within! It is futile to find satisfying answers to the problems it raises. For example:
*How can an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving God create billions of people knowing most will be tormented in hell forever?
*Why must our free will to damn ourselves be "absolute," greater than God's free will to save us, His property?
*How can Adam's power to condemn us be greater than Christ's power to save us?
*Please do not accept pat answers to these critical questions. Jesus commands us to judge for ourselves what is right (Lu 12:57). What is right about a punishment that never ends? How has this teaching affected the spread of "Good News" - the Gospel? Think about it, an "eternal" hell...
.
*Maligns God's character before the world.
*Contradicts His unending and unfailing love for all people.
*Makes our worship stem from fear instead of true affection.
*Denies His unlimited power to accomplish His will.
*Makes man's will greater than God's will.
*Infinitely minimizes Christ's triumph over Satan.
*Denies Christ fully accomplished His mission on earth.
*Violates the divine witness revealed in every conscience.
*Negates the most glorious promises in the Bible.
*Ignores the testimony of the early Church.
*Robs us of peace and joy.
*Affects what we become; - like Father like son.
*Hinders world evangelism. (Remember Abdou?)
"Test all things" (1Th. 5:21). Have you tested this teaching? For most of my life the fear of hell stalked me, ever waiting for an opportune moment to raise its ugly head. Just the idea was like a sword slicing through me. It has been the greatest stumbling block to my faith. In fact, I almost gave up on Christianity because of it.
Hell is a horrifying thought. Millions have been terrorized by it. Some have even killed their children to spare them such a fate. If we would truly grasp the horror of it, we would go insane. Our every waking moment would have to be spent snatching whoever we can out of the fire or nothing but constant guilt would torment us. Can you imagine the horror of suffering "forever?" What is a billion years? It is but a second in eternity. Who could possibly imagine such horror? What if you or one of your loved ones should go there? Does this thought affect how you feel about God?
This theme has gripped my heart as it afflicts millions of people and dishonors God before the world. After years of wrestling with this topic, studying the Bible, and reading the works of others, I have found that hell is a judgment given from the disciplinary hand of a loving Father. Though severe, it serves a good and remedial purpose.
One of our greatest presidents agreed. In the book "Abraham Lincoln the Christian", William Johnson stated:
"Abraham Lincoln did not nor could not believe in the endless punishment of anyone of the human race. He under-stood punishment for sin to be a Bible doctrine; that the punishment was parental in its object, aim, and design, and intended for the good of the offender; hence it must cease when justice is satisfied. All that was lost by the transgression of Adam was made good by the atonement."
That is the message of this book. It is indeed good news for those tormented over the destiny of lost loved ones! Millions in our land can relate. Though the subject is hell, the book is really about God. What is He like? Have you heard the cliché: "God is good all the time?" Well you will find solid support for it here. God is good even in His judgments. They are not infinite and horrendously cruel, but just, righteous, and remedial.
If you find I am manipulating the Scriptures in this book, then please leave it. But if not, be ready to fall in love with an amazing and wonderful God!
The author of the book, "Hope Beyond Hell", Gerry Beauchemin has been involved in full time missions since 1988. He is not only an author but a man with a wonderful and compassionate walk in Christ.
Beauchemin is a Dentist that founded "The Dentistry For Missions"
I was in awe as I read the testimonies of what Gerry is accomplishing in the field of missionary dentistry. Here is one testimony and the link to many more:
*Maligns God's character before the world.
*Contradicts His unending and unfailing love for all people.
*Makes our worship stem from fear instead of true affection.
*Denies His unlimited power to accomplish His will.
*Makes man's will greater than God's will.
*Infinitely minimizes Christ's triumph over Satan.
*Denies Christ fully accomplished His mission on earth.
*Violates the divine witness revealed in every conscience.
*Negates the most glorious promises in the Bible.
*Ignores the testimony of the early Church.
*Robs us of peace and joy.
*Affects what we become; - like Father like son.
*Hinders world evangelism. (Remember Abdou?)
"Test all things" (1Th. 5:21). Have you tested this teaching? For most of my life the fear of hell stalked me, ever waiting for an opportune moment to raise its ugly head. Just the idea was like a sword slicing through me. It has been the greatest stumbling block to my faith. In fact, I almost gave up on Christianity because of it.
Hell is a horrifying thought. Millions have been terrorized by it. Some have even killed their children to spare them such a fate. If we would truly grasp the horror of it, we would go insane. Our every waking moment would have to be spent snatching whoever we can out of the fire or nothing but constant guilt would torment us. Can you imagine the horror of suffering "forever?" What is a billion years? It is but a second in eternity. Who could possibly imagine such horror? What if you or one of your loved ones should go there? Does this thought affect how you feel about God?
This theme has gripped my heart as it afflicts millions of people and dishonors God before the world. After years of wrestling with this topic, studying the Bible, and reading the works of others, I have found that hell is a judgment given from the disciplinary hand of a loving Father. Though severe, it serves a good and remedial purpose.
One of our greatest presidents agreed. In the book "Abraham Lincoln the Christian", William Johnson stated:
"Abraham Lincoln did not nor could not believe in the endless punishment of anyone of the human race. He under-stood punishment for sin to be a Bible doctrine; that the punishment was parental in its object, aim, and design, and intended for the good of the offender; hence it must cease when justice is satisfied. All that was lost by the transgression of Adam was made good by the atonement."
That is the message of this book. It is indeed good news for those tormented over the destiny of lost loved ones! Millions in our land can relate. Though the subject is hell, the book is really about God. What is He like? Have you heard the cliché: "God is good all the time?" Well you will find solid support for it here. God is good even in His judgments. They are not infinite and horrendously cruel, but just, righteous, and remedial.
If you find I am manipulating the Scriptures in this book, then please leave it. But if not, be ready to fall in love with an amazing and wonderful God!
The author of the book, "Hope Beyond Hell", Gerry Beauchemin has been involved in full time missions since 1988. He is not only an author but a man with a wonderful and compassionate walk in Christ.Beauchemin is a Dentist that founded "The Dentistry For Missions"
I was in awe as I read the testimonies of what Gerry is accomplishing in the field of missionary dentistry. Here is one testimony and the link to many more:
http://www.dentaltrainingformissions.com/testimonials.htm
"I am a medical practitioner working in Senegal. I have known Gerry Beauchemin for 10years. When we first arrived in Senegal it soon became obvious that dental problems were a bigger felt need than medical. This was because the medical system is easily accessible but most people are too afraid and cannot afford to go to dentists who are few and far between. People travel up to 50 km to see me. Dentistry has proved to be a very useful adjunct to our ministry, providing contact with the community and a means to express Christ's love to them.
I have sat under Gerry to add to my skills through his Dental Training For Missions course. Through the course, missionaries with no previous dental or medical experience are taught to provide basic dental hygiene teaching, and learn to recognize and treat dental caries using a state of the art technique for filling cavities which only requires simple hand instruments and easily obtained materials. Students are personally tutored through the theoretical material and given practice on dental dummies before treating the dental caries of real people under supervision. All students are supplied with a full kit which will enable them to fill teeth safely in their countries of ministry at the end of the course..
Dr Richard Shawyer
Senegal
These are a few 'Hope Beyond Hell' Book Reviews
(yes, I teared up with the first one.
My God such relief, such love! May we ever delight in spreading this message, until all have found relief from the angry God and found a new Love with a God worthy of all adoration.
Jack)
Hi Gerry,
I downloaded the book and read it. It was one of the best well thought out books I've read regarding the true nature of God and his purpose for us. I lost my son a year and a half ago. I went to an evangelical church that believed in hell. But when my son died he wasn't following Christ. The pain it caused me was unbearable.
I cried out to God to tell me where my only child had gone. I begged God not to desert me, to please tell me where he is. God was so awesome and loving to me. He gave me so much comfort. The thought came into my mind, do you trust me? I gave all my pain to him and he took it, showed me how loving and kind He really is. I began searching intensely, almost ravenously to know the truth….I want to thank you for all your effort. You have been a true blessing from God for me. God Bless You.
Denise McDuff
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I read Gerry Bauchemin's 'Hope Beyond Hell', I cried for joy. This disarmingly simple yet full-bodied presentation of the whole gospel of the total restoration of all mankind through Christ's cross was a direct answer to prayers I have prayed for many years! I have longed to see a book on this subject that is clear, easy to read, yet scholarly--and a book that deeply impacts the heart as well as the intellect. And I'm convinced that this book you are now holding in your hands is it!
Charles Slagle
Psalmist, evangelist, worship leader, and author.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Friends and family listen to two preachers at the old man's funeral. One of them describes the man as a saint who never did any wrong. The other speaks of an eternal torture chamber and suggests that, most likely, that is the current residence of the deceased. Which is right? after all... both preachers are professionals.... they both went to seminary. The family of the deceased needs peace and comfort... How will these "professional" opinions help them? How will each of them wade through this quagmire of emotions and doctrinal contradictions? How will they get past the monster of religion that threatens to steal their peace... and hope? Is there a book you could place in their hands that could, step by step... present the truth to them that could set them free?... give them peace?... offer them hope?... There is, now! 'Hope Beyond Hell' is the single best book in print that explains the facts of God's limitless grace and boundless love. If you're interested in learning the truth.... here it is! Gerard Beauchemin has, painstakingly, put together a book that truly offers hope beyond hell to every man. Buy this book in bulk and carry a case to all funerals!! This is the book I've been waiting for!"
Robert W. Rutherford
Pastor - Teacher Singer/songwriter, author
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gerry Beauchemin has succeeded in rescuing the Bible from long misunderstood concepts of an angry and vindictive God. His research of scriptural language translation and interpretation is well documented so the reader can follow up personally to make his own decision. Gerry uses scripture to prove that God is completely loving and forgiving and would never condemn anyone to an eternity of endless, senseless torture. Thank God and Gerry for this enlightening book!
Janet Meschi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As an instructor in Church History, in my opinion Gerry Beauchemin's Hope Beyond Hell is one of the most balanced studies available today of the remedial judgements of God, and the great truth of the restoration of all things in Christ. Quite simply, this is a book about the love of God. Thank you, Gerry, for making such a splendid work available for the perusal of the wider church family. Many will be challenged as they "think on these things". Because of their traditions, some will kick against the pricks, but many others will come to "see" Him as He really is, in all of His Glory and Majesty.
Tarryl Miller
Minister of the Gospel
Former President, Bethesda Mennonite Institute of the Bible
Member, House of Representatives (South Dakota), 1980's
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto that perfect day." Prov. 4:18.
May we come to know in our hearts, that our God is good all the time,
Jack
The Links to Gerry's site and the free on line book "Hope Beyond Hell"
"I am a medical practitioner working in Senegal. I have known Gerry Beauchemin for 10years. When we first arrived in Senegal it soon became obvious that dental problems were a bigger felt need than medical. This was because the medical system is easily accessible but most people are too afraid and cannot afford to go to dentists who are few and far between. People travel up to 50 km to see me. Dentistry has proved to be a very useful adjunct to our ministry, providing contact with the community and a means to express Christ's love to them.
I have sat under Gerry to add to my skills through his Dental Training For Missions course. Through the course, missionaries with no previous dental or medical experience are taught to provide basic dental hygiene teaching, and learn to recognize and treat dental caries using a state of the art technique for filling cavities which only requires simple hand instruments and easily obtained materials. Students are personally tutored through the theoretical material and given practice on dental dummies before treating the dental caries of real people under supervision. All students are supplied with a full kit which will enable them to fill teeth safely in their countries of ministry at the end of the course..
Dr Richard Shawyer
Senegal
These are a few 'Hope Beyond Hell' Book Reviews
(yes, I teared up with the first one.
My God such relief, such love! May we ever delight in spreading this message, until all have found relief from the angry God and found a new Love with a God worthy of all adoration.
Jack)
Hi Gerry,
I downloaded the book and read it. It was one of the best well thought out books I've read regarding the true nature of God and his purpose for us. I lost my son a year and a half ago. I went to an evangelical church that believed in hell. But when my son died he wasn't following Christ. The pain it caused me was unbearable.
I cried out to God to tell me where my only child had gone. I begged God not to desert me, to please tell me where he is. God was so awesome and loving to me. He gave me so much comfort. The thought came into my mind, do you trust me? I gave all my pain to him and he took it, showed me how loving and kind He really is. I began searching intensely, almost ravenously to know the truth….I want to thank you for all your effort. You have been a true blessing from God for me. God Bless You.
Denise McDuff
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I read Gerry Bauchemin's 'Hope Beyond Hell', I cried for joy. This disarmingly simple yet full-bodied presentation of the whole gospel of the total restoration of all mankind through Christ's cross was a direct answer to prayers I have prayed for many years! I have longed to see a book on this subject that is clear, easy to read, yet scholarly--and a book that deeply impacts the heart as well as the intellect. And I'm convinced that this book you are now holding in your hands is it!
Charles Slagle
Psalmist, evangelist, worship leader, and author.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Friends and family listen to two preachers at the old man's funeral. One of them describes the man as a saint who never did any wrong. The other speaks of an eternal torture chamber and suggests that, most likely, that is the current residence of the deceased. Which is right? after all... both preachers are professionals.... they both went to seminary. The family of the deceased needs peace and comfort... How will these "professional" opinions help them? How will each of them wade through this quagmire of emotions and doctrinal contradictions? How will they get past the monster of religion that threatens to steal their peace... and hope? Is there a book you could place in their hands that could, step by step... present the truth to them that could set them free?... give them peace?... offer them hope?... There is, now! 'Hope Beyond Hell' is the single best book in print that explains the facts of God's limitless grace and boundless love. If you're interested in learning the truth.... here it is! Gerard Beauchemin has, painstakingly, put together a book that truly offers hope beyond hell to every man. Buy this book in bulk and carry a case to all funerals!! This is the book I've been waiting for!"
Robert W. Rutherford
Pastor - Teacher Singer/songwriter, author
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gerry Beauchemin has succeeded in rescuing the Bible from long misunderstood concepts of an angry and vindictive God. His research of scriptural language translation and interpretation is well documented so the reader can follow up personally to make his own decision. Gerry uses scripture to prove that God is completely loving and forgiving and would never condemn anyone to an eternity of endless, senseless torture. Thank God and Gerry for this enlightening book!
Janet Meschi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As an instructor in Church History, in my opinion Gerry Beauchemin's Hope Beyond Hell is one of the most balanced studies available today of the remedial judgements of God, and the great truth of the restoration of all things in Christ. Quite simply, this is a book about the love of God. Thank you, Gerry, for making such a splendid work available for the perusal of the wider church family. Many will be challenged as they "think on these things". Because of their traditions, some will kick against the pricks, but many others will come to "see" Him as He really is, in all of His Glory and Majesty.
Tarryl Miller
Minister of the Gospel
Former President, Bethesda Mennonite Institute of the Bible
Member, House of Representatives (South Dakota), 1980's
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto that perfect day." Prov. 4:18.
May we come to know in our hearts, that our God is good all the time,
Jack
The Links to Gerry's site and the free on line book "Hope Beyond Hell"
.
(note) Intro. was fictional account set in the
..backdrop of Senegal's greatest tragedy.
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