Posts
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excerpted from Christ Triumphant by Thomas Allin:
So long as the popular creed and the Bible are held together, so long must this system of untruth continue. We pray to "our Father," to Whom in the next breath we assign acts towards His own children more cruel than any to which the worst earthly parent would stoop. We thus degrade the Godhead below, FAR BELOW, THE LEVEL OF HUMANITY. What is left for us to worship if the truth be a lie - if love essential be cruelty itself - if God be that, which I dare not write? Nor is this all. Having thus assigned to God acts of infinite cruelty, the popular creed goes on to assure us of His tenderness that never wearies - His love that never fails. What falsehood, what cruel mockery is this, coming from those who really mean, that this unfailing, eternal Love watches to all eternity, callous and unsympathising, the undying evil, the endless agony of its own children.
A merchant who has two contradictory measures is dishonest; but what of the theologian, of whom the same is true, is he less dishonest? It is cruel to torment a cat or a dog for five minutes, but to be callous to all eternity about the endless misery of a wife or a child, is quite right and good. The transient wrongs of a chimney-sweep excite the sincerest pity; but the eternal anguish of the lost human spirit awakes not even a passing gleam of pity in the Blessed. Let a criminal be tortured for an hour by human law, and all the civilized world is roused; but let the same criminal pass to torture without end, and these endless pangs do not disturb for a moment the raptures of the inhabitants of heaven. Vivisection is odious on this earth, but is most just in hell. Is it, then, odious when temporary, and most righteous when endless? e.g., is it most righteous for Eternal Love to vivisect for ever, or at least permit to be vivisected, His own children, in the sight of the Lamb, and the Holy Angels - Rev xiv. 10, (for the true meaning of this passage see p. 278-9.)
That Philanthropists (whom we honor) should be unable to bear the sight of the momentary suffering of the outcast here, while they are prepared to accept heaven's joy unmoved by the endless agony of the outcast hereafter, fills the mind with thoughts, for which amazement is too feeble a term.
The apologies offered for the traditional creed are truly worthy of it. Thus many shelter themselves under the phrase, "God will do His best for every man" I can only suppose such an apology meant, not as an argument, but as an ill-timed piece of pleasantry. For what are the admitted facts? An Almighty Being, Who is, on any possible hypothesis, perfectly free to create or not, yet forces on myriads of hapless children of His own the fatal gift of existence, knowing that in fact this life of theirs will ripen into endless misery and woe. To call this doing His best for them is an abuse of language -- could He do worse for them?
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
THE ABSURDITY
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I write and share many messages within a number of venues on "the absurdity" of the Greco-Roman pagan doctrine of "Hell." There are so may ways to show how ludicrous this accepted belief is and this old writing but demonstrates another rightful point of view. I pray you are enlightened by this anointed message on "pre-mortem only salvation" by M.J. Steere (1861). Truly God's mercy extends beyond the grave.
ABSURDITY: MEN FIX EACH OTHER' S DOOM
Your creed plainly implies, that men, both good and bad, may, and often do, determine the endless destiny of their fellow beings, by determining the length of their probation, virtually putting them into heaven, by cutting off all liability to lose it, or into hell by cutting off all opportunity to escape it. And this, also, seems to me an absurdity.
We have already presented one illustration of the above proposition, in the supposed case of the mother who made the "calling and election" of her infant sure, by taking its life. Another is found in a sad accident, which occurred at one of our New England seminaries a few years since. Two young gentlemen were in their room, amusing themselves with a musket, quite unconscious of its being loaded, when the one innocently shot the other, thereby determining his soul at once to heaven or to hell forever.
And still another illustration is found in the death of the drunken rowdy, who fell, at the head of the rum-sellers' mob, at Portland, a few years ago. The balls which, at the order of the resolute city marshal, laid him low, cutting off all opportunity for repentance, carried his soul directly to endless torment. Illustrations to our purpose are also presented in war. Two armies meet. Fearful are the imprecations! Dreadful is the carnage! Balls and bayonets are the swift instruments of everlasting death!
The soldier perishes forever, who might reform and be saved if permitted to return to his home of piety. At the hand of his fellow man, he falls lower than the grave. Nor may any tell how many of our revolutionary colonists are now, in endless despairs sent there by the hired Hessians of George the Third. Nor how many of those whose bones have been brought from the plains of Waterloo, as a fertilizer of British soil, are now in the endless despair to which they were consigned by British swords.
And this, especially, when it is considered, that, of all conditions, that of a soldier, in active service, seems least adapted to promote fitness for heaven. Of course, it is a mystery to us how orthodox Christians can advocate war, or their chaplains kneel mid guns, and swords, loaded and barbed with everlasting death! For these, in their view, are the terrible arbiters of souls' destiny, cutting off their probation, and thereby saying, as with the authority of the Infinite, You shall have no more chance to escape.
These are they that rise up in the place of God, and "shut to the door" against their victims forever. Alas! for the orthodox advocate of war! Let me do him the justice to say, that I think he believes in his creed less than in humanity and common sense.
But, further, our point finds illustration under the operation of the code duello, — that miserable product of dark ages, — that most foolish, meanest mode of settling difficulties — that wretched footman of chattel slavery, accompanying its desolating car, as it dashes into the fair fields of Christian civilization.
The duel settles more than questions of chivalric honor. Instance a case. A and B meet at a public house, drink, altercate, challenge, and accept, choose their seconds, retire and fight. The question of honor is settled by the death of B. And not only that, but the question of B's endless damnation also. The fatal ball settles both. For, while A blows the smoke from his pistol, and retires a victor, leaving the body of the slain to his surgeon and friends, its spirit, prematurely driven out, and thereby excluded all chance of salvation, is met by evil angels in the threshold of eternity, and dragged down into the pit forever.
Thus, according to your penal view, is a question greater than honor settled by the duel. And what does the highwayman do? He meets the moneyed worldling in the way, robs him of his treasure and his life, and throws his body into the thicket, or leaves it in the ditch. But is that all? O no! He also robs his soul of all chances to repent, and tosses it into the thick darkness of despair — buries it alive in hell forever!
So your creed. But the absurdity we are exposing finds a fuller illustration, in cases in which the murderer repents in prison, and finally dies, regretting that he sent the murderer into perdition. Such cases used to be, by no means, very infrequent.
We recently read of one, but have not the details now at hand. Let us suppose such a case, and see its bearing upon the subject in hand. A young lady, respectable, but not converted, is met and ravished, under a dark night, by a villain, who destroys her life to escape detection. Sent thus hurriedly to her God in sin, she is, by the conditions of your creed, of course, lost. No cycle of eternity but shall witness her unrelieved despair. Her soul is assassinated. Out of a dark night of time, she is hurled into a darker night of eternity. The brutal hand that cut her probation short off, thereby plunged her infinitely below the sphere of possible life, shut her up in woe, bolted the door upon her, threw away the key, and left her to pine in anguish forever.
So your creed! And now, leaving her there in her woe, let us turn to look after her murderer. As "murder will out," he is detected, arrested, executed. But, while in prison, blessed with a probation which he forbade to his victim, he comes to himself, heeds his spiritual advisers, repents, exhorts the multitudes from the scaffold, and swings from it into Paradise. And there, because he had much forgiven, he loves much, and never ceases to give thanks for the prison confinement through which the mercy of God reached him.
Thus in heaven the murderer sings. But the young lady, his victim, where is she all this time? Lost! lost! He may have time for repentance, but not she. That was forbidden her, by the red hand that plunged the dagger to her heart. Mercy may come to his prison, but not to hers. That red hand of his may live to be washed, and forever twine wreaths for the immaculate brow of Him whose wrath she must forever bear.
Now, brother, your creed, taken in connection with the history of crime, obviously involves multitudes of cases, similar to any and all which we have stated above. This, you will admit. And, admitting this, can you, as the heart of a man beats in your bosom, fail seriously to query whether that creed is not at fault? Can you be confident in that theology, which thus makes the frantic mother, the officer of justice, the warrior, the duellist, the highwayman, and the libertine, the arbiters of the eternal destiny of their victims; so that, in the case last stated, if it was the hard fate of the young lady to be abused, scared into frenzy, and murdered, it was her harder one to be, by her murderer's hand, consigned to the bottomless pit; while he, by the grace of God, which he denied to her, has space for repentance, and goes up to sing in heaven!
Be your own commentator upon what I have said. The notion that the Living Father has made the endless weal and woe of men thus dependent upon the frenzy, ambition, lucre, lust, and brutality of their fellow beings, well, "he that can receive it, let him receive it."
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. 1Ch 16:34
God bless you,
Jack
ABSURDITY: MEN FIX EACH OTHER' S DOOM
Your creed plainly implies, that men, both good and bad, may, and often do, determine the endless destiny of their fellow beings, by determining the length of their probation, virtually putting them into heaven, by cutting off all liability to lose it, or into hell by cutting off all opportunity to escape it. And this, also, seems to me an absurdity.
We have already presented one illustration of the above proposition, in the supposed case of the mother who made the "calling and election" of her infant sure, by taking its life. Another is found in a sad accident, which occurred at one of our New England seminaries a few years since. Two young gentlemen were in their room, amusing themselves with a musket, quite unconscious of its being loaded, when the one innocently shot the other, thereby determining his soul at once to heaven or to hell forever.
And still another illustration is found in the death of the drunken rowdy, who fell, at the head of the rum-sellers' mob, at Portland, a few years ago. The balls which, at the order of the resolute city marshal, laid him low, cutting off all opportunity for repentance, carried his soul directly to endless torment. Illustrations to our purpose are also presented in war. Two armies meet. Fearful are the imprecations! Dreadful is the carnage! Balls and bayonets are the swift instruments of everlasting death!
The soldier perishes forever, who might reform and be saved if permitted to return to his home of piety. At the hand of his fellow man, he falls lower than the grave. Nor may any tell how many of our revolutionary colonists are now, in endless despairs sent there by the hired Hessians of George the Third. Nor how many of those whose bones have been brought from the plains of Waterloo, as a fertilizer of British soil, are now in the endless despair to which they were consigned by British swords.
And this, especially, when it is considered, that, of all conditions, that of a soldier, in active service, seems least adapted to promote fitness for heaven. Of course, it is a mystery to us how orthodox Christians can advocate war, or their chaplains kneel mid guns, and swords, loaded and barbed with everlasting death! For these, in their view, are the terrible arbiters of souls' destiny, cutting off their probation, and thereby saying, as with the authority of the Infinite, You shall have no more chance to escape.
These are they that rise up in the place of God, and "shut to the door" against their victims forever. Alas! for the orthodox advocate of war! Let me do him the justice to say, that I think he believes in his creed less than in humanity and common sense.
But, further, our point finds illustration under the operation of the code duello, — that miserable product of dark ages, — that most foolish, meanest mode of settling difficulties — that wretched footman of chattel slavery, accompanying its desolating car, as it dashes into the fair fields of Christian civilization.
The duel settles more than questions of chivalric honor. Instance a case. A and B meet at a public house, drink, altercate, challenge, and accept, choose their seconds, retire and fight. The question of honor is settled by the death of B. And not only that, but the question of B's endless damnation also. The fatal ball settles both. For, while A blows the smoke from his pistol, and retires a victor, leaving the body of the slain to his surgeon and friends, its spirit, prematurely driven out, and thereby excluded all chance of salvation, is met by evil angels in the threshold of eternity, and dragged down into the pit forever.
Thus, according to your penal view, is a question greater than honor settled by the duel. And what does the highwayman do? He meets the moneyed worldling in the way, robs him of his treasure and his life, and throws his body into the thicket, or leaves it in the ditch. But is that all? O no! He also robs his soul of all chances to repent, and tosses it into the thick darkness of despair — buries it alive in hell forever!
So your creed. But the absurdity we are exposing finds a fuller illustration, in cases in which the murderer repents in prison, and finally dies, regretting that he sent the murderer into perdition. Such cases used to be, by no means, very infrequent.
We recently read of one, but have not the details now at hand. Let us suppose such a case, and see its bearing upon the subject in hand. A young lady, respectable, but not converted, is met and ravished, under a dark night, by a villain, who destroys her life to escape detection. Sent thus hurriedly to her God in sin, she is, by the conditions of your creed, of course, lost. No cycle of eternity but shall witness her unrelieved despair. Her soul is assassinated. Out of a dark night of time, she is hurled into a darker night of eternity. The brutal hand that cut her probation short off, thereby plunged her infinitely below the sphere of possible life, shut her up in woe, bolted the door upon her, threw away the key, and left her to pine in anguish forever.
So your creed! And now, leaving her there in her woe, let us turn to look after her murderer. As "murder will out," he is detected, arrested, executed. But, while in prison, blessed with a probation which he forbade to his victim, he comes to himself, heeds his spiritual advisers, repents, exhorts the multitudes from the scaffold, and swings from it into Paradise. And there, because he had much forgiven, he loves much, and never ceases to give thanks for the prison confinement through which the mercy of God reached him.
Thus in heaven the murderer sings. But the young lady, his victim, where is she all this time? Lost! lost! He may have time for repentance, but not she. That was forbidden her, by the red hand that plunged the dagger to her heart. Mercy may come to his prison, but not to hers. That red hand of his may live to be washed, and forever twine wreaths for the immaculate brow of Him whose wrath she must forever bear.
Now, brother, your creed, taken in connection with the history of crime, obviously involves multitudes of cases, similar to any and all which we have stated above. This, you will admit. And, admitting this, can you, as the heart of a man beats in your bosom, fail seriously to query whether that creed is not at fault? Can you be confident in that theology, which thus makes the frantic mother, the officer of justice, the warrior, the duellist, the highwayman, and the libertine, the arbiters of the eternal destiny of their victims; so that, in the case last stated, if it was the hard fate of the young lady to be abused, scared into frenzy, and murdered, it was her harder one to be, by her murderer's hand, consigned to the bottomless pit; while he, by the grace of God, which he denied to her, has space for repentance, and goes up to sing in heaven!
Be your own commentator upon what I have said. The notion that the Living Father has made the endless weal and woe of men thus dependent upon the frenzy, ambition, lucre, lust, and brutality of their fellow beings, well, "he that can receive it, let him receive it."
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. 1Ch 16:34
God bless you,
Jack
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Monday, January 16, 2012
Agape-Love: The Substance of God
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The little group stopped along the highway and looked in silent horror, some queasy with disgust, others growing fierce with rage. A short distance off the road, at the top of a gentle rise, a man had been viciously attacked. The grizzly scene glinted red with blood where the hapless victim had been mortally wounded and left to die. It appeared there was nothing more to be done, as already a small crowd had assembled at the site, presumably to administer first aid.
The travelers stood entranced, caught in the despair of senseless waste. “This is the work of Satan,” the businessman finally thought aloud.
“No, this evil comes from wicked men,” the housewife responded, her eyes transfixed on the scene.
“You don’t know that,” interjected her girlfriend excitedly. “This could be the work of God. It could be that the victim was wicked and this was God’s righteous judgment.”
Another stepped in to calm them, “But then again if God caused this, maybe he meant it for some higher purpose, unknown to us. He might even somehow use this terrible act for his glory!” he offered hopefully.
“Are you crazy?” retorted the preacher. “We worship a God of love! Our God would never allow this!” he stormed, eyes flaring with anger.
The little group buzzed with concurrence, then slowly turned back to the road and resumed their journey, affirming their denunciation of the crime as they continued on their way. All of them oblivious to the Roman soldiers who were gambling for a cloak.
Love is the most misunderstood word in existence. To many it means little more than a physical craving. To others it is an intense emotional dependency.
To some people love is a character trait of God, which is manifest in peace, success, and happiness. It is that special blessing of God that meets their needs and fulfills their wants. Because God loves them, he gives them all the good things of earth to enjoy. To them, anyone who is smiling, or lounging in earthly wealth, is obviously centered in the love of God. For these people, God’s love creates a fondness for the things of earth and a coddling affection for all its creatures, in a soupy, mind-numbing bliss.
But to a few of earth’s voyagers, love is something entirely different, something not of this world. It is a wisdom that energizes every action in the universe, whether it appears as good or evil.
If you had stopped along the road and witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus, would you have recognized it as the supreme love of God? How is the love of God displayed in his slanderous betrayal and murder? Would this be the love of God if it happened to you?
G Russell
The little group stopped along the highway and looked in silent horror, some queasy with disgust, others growing fierce with rage. A short distance off the road, at the top of a gentle rise, a man had been viciously attacked. The grizzly scene glinted red with blood where the hapless victim had been mortally wounded and left to die. It appeared there was nothing more to be done, as already a small crowd had assembled at the site, presumably to administer first aid.The travelers stood entranced, caught in the despair of senseless waste. “This is the work of Satan,” the businessman finally thought aloud.
“No, this evil comes from wicked men,” the housewife responded, her eyes transfixed on the scene.
“You don’t know that,” interjected her girlfriend excitedly. “This could be the work of God. It could be that the victim was wicked and this was God’s righteous judgment.”
Another stepped in to calm them, “But then again if God caused this, maybe he meant it for some higher purpose, unknown to us. He might even somehow use this terrible act for his glory!” he offered hopefully.
“Are you crazy?” retorted the preacher. “We worship a God of love! Our God would never allow this!” he stormed, eyes flaring with anger.
The little group buzzed with concurrence, then slowly turned back to the road and resumed their journey, affirming their denunciation of the crime as they continued on their way. All of them oblivious to the Roman soldiers who were gambling for a cloak.
Love is the most misunderstood word in existence. To many it means little more than a physical craving. To others it is an intense emotional dependency.
To some people love is a character trait of God, which is manifest in peace, success, and happiness. It is that special blessing of God that meets their needs and fulfills their wants. Because God loves them, he gives them all the good things of earth to enjoy. To them, anyone who is smiling, or lounging in earthly wealth, is obviously centered in the love of God. For these people, God’s love creates a fondness for the things of earth and a coddling affection for all its creatures, in a soupy, mind-numbing bliss.
But to a few of earth’s voyagers, love is something entirely different, something not of this world. It is a wisdom that energizes every action in the universe, whether it appears as good or evil.
If you had stopped along the road and witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus, would you have recognized it as the supreme love of God? How is the love of God displayed in his slanderous betrayal and murder? Would this be the love of God if it happened to you?
G Russell
Forgive Them
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There was this kid who came from a poor family. He had no good options in life so he signed up for the military. After a few years he was deployed to a conflict infested, god-forsaken desert outpost. It was the worst tour of duty he could have been assigned. It was going to be hot and dangerous. Everyday he had to live with a hostile populace who hated his presence and the very sight of his uniform. Plus, the place was swarming with insurgents and terrorists.
Anyhow, one morning the solider goes to work and finds that he's been assigned that day to a detail that is supposed to oversee the execution of three convicted insurgents. The solider shakes his head. He didn't sign up for this. His life just totally sucks. "They don't pay me enough," he thinks, "for the shit I have to do.
"He doesn't know he's going to be executing the Son of God that day. He's just going to work, punching the time clock, keeping his head down. He's just trying to stay alive, get through the day, and send some money back home to Rome.
And this is why, I think, Jesus prays, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
"Few of us do.
(copied from R. Beck's blog http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/2011/06/tales-of-demonic.html )
There was this kid who came from a poor family. He had no good options in life so he signed up for the military. After a few years he was deployed to a conflict infested, god-forsaken desert outpost. It was the worst tour of duty he could have been assigned. It was going to be hot and dangerous. Everyday he had to live with a hostile populace who hated his presence and the very sight of his uniform. Plus, the place was swarming with insurgents and terrorists.Anyhow, one morning the solider goes to work and finds that he's been assigned that day to a detail that is supposed to oversee the execution of three convicted insurgents. The solider shakes his head. He didn't sign up for this. His life just totally sucks. "They don't pay me enough," he thinks, "for the shit I have to do.
"He doesn't know he's going to be executing the Son of God that day. He's just going to work, punching the time clock, keeping his head down. He's just trying to stay alive, get through the day, and send some money back home to Rome.
And this is why, I think, Jesus prays, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
"Few of us do.
(copied from R. Beck's blog http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/2011/06/tales-of-demonic.html )
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
For the Life of Me, I Couldn't Sell a Church Bond!
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Twenty-five plus years ago, I was appointed to a position as the "motivational personage" for our church bond sale. We were selling bonds, that we might build a new church. Of course, I volunteered to motivate my church mates, in our endeavor. I mean, I was a Gideon and I hobnobbed with all the wealthy Christian businessmen in town. I figured, I had a cornered market and certainly could set an example for others in the "hows and ways of selling of church bonds."
Yeah right!
For the life of me, I couldn't sell a dime's worth of those damn church bonds.
To make a long story short, let me say, God had been dealing with me for some time to quit the organized church system, and the embarrassment, of being the "motivation guy" that could only shoot blanks was the last straw!
Any way, such is my personal introduction to this video below, a message, which I now realize to be wonderfully true. I also know, He works in mysterious ways! I almost want to say, He even works in devious ways - heck I will, because, "God works ALL things to Christ's Glory."
Ain't He the Greatest. Oh, how I love Christ. To Him be all the Glory!
Twenty-five plus years ago, I was appointed to a position as the "motivational personage" for our church bond sale. We were selling bonds, that we might build a new church. Of course, I volunteered to motivate my church mates, in our endeavor. I mean, I was a Gideon and I hobnobbed with all the wealthy Christian businessmen in town. I figured, I had a cornered market and certainly could set an example for others in the "hows and ways of selling of church bonds."
Yeah right!
For the life of me, I couldn't sell a dime's worth of those damn church bonds.
To make a long story short, let me say, God had been dealing with me for some time to quit the organized church system, and the embarrassment, of being the "motivation guy" that could only shoot blanks was the last straw!
Any way, such is my personal introduction to this video below, a message, which I now realize to be wonderfully true. I also know, He works in mysterious ways! I almost want to say, He even works in devious ways - heck I will, because, "God works ALL things to Christ's Glory."
Ain't He the Greatest. Oh, how I love Christ. To Him be all the Glory!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Evil Transformed into Good
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We understand and recognize Jesus, as the Saviour of All Men and All of Creation, yet we still ponder the purpose of evil and suffering in the world. I certainly don't know, why the prescription of evil, but I do know evil and suffering will one day be recognized, as having been worked toward a perfectly constructed benevolent end. This morning I read this (below), as a morning meditation and I was thrilled. My hope is ever in the "Goodness of God" which is Christ. And Hallelujah, we know Christ is where and in Whom, all things are summed up and find their glorious end.
Christ’s Complete Victory
God is able to turn the wickedness of men into the greatest good … For, when wicked men crucified the Lord, little did they know “that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them” (II Corinthians 5:19). Little did they know, that this event in history – the crucifixion of Christ – would bring “to nought” all this world’s wisdom. Little did they know that God had a secret eternal purpose in Christ:
“Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (I Corinthians 2:8).
Study God’s Word, especially the Epistles of Paul, and discover that Christ is the great Victor over sin, death, the grave and hell. You will also be rejoicing in all that He accomplished on Calvary – “the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (II Timothy 2:10), and His “more excellent sacrifice,” to which all the types and shadows pointed. ~ Russell S. Miller
We understand and recognize Jesus, as the Saviour of All Men and All of Creation, yet we still ponder the purpose of evil and suffering in the world. I certainly don't know, why the prescription of evil, but I do know evil and suffering will one day be recognized, as having been worked toward a perfectly constructed benevolent end. This morning I read this (below), as a morning meditation and I was thrilled. My hope is ever in the "Goodness of God" which is Christ. And Hallelujah, we know Christ is where and in Whom, all things are summed up and find their glorious end.
Christ’s Complete Victory
God is able to turn the wickedness of men into the greatest good … For, when wicked men crucified the Lord, little did they know “that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them” (II Corinthians 5:19). Little did they know, that this event in history – the crucifixion of Christ – would bring “to nought” all this world’s wisdom. Little did they know that God had a secret eternal purpose in Christ:
“Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (I Corinthians 2:8).
Study God’s Word, especially the Epistles of Paul, and discover that Christ is the great Victor over sin, death, the grave and hell. You will also be rejoicing in all that He accomplished on Calvary – “the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (II Timothy 2:10), and His “more excellent sacrifice,” to which all the types and shadows pointed. ~ Russell S. Miller
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
NEAT LITTLE JOKE
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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!
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, 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
.
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
.
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
.
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
.
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