Sunday, January 29, 2012

He was not

  Enoch - walked with God and he was not.
 A strange somewhat mysterious thing happened- Enoch disappeared. Could he have been abducted by aliens or angels so to speak. Did he enter another dimension or did Enoch find the gate , the narrow gate spoken about in the bible that few will find. It is written that God took him away.
We also read of the transfiguration of Jesus , where Moses and Elijah appeared. Elijah the second person in the bible to have disappeared.It is written chariots of fire appeared and that he was taken in a whirlwind. We also find that Moses had died but the Lord had taken him and buried him, no one knew where his grave was.
  We see later where Jesus died and was resurrected from the dead. He stayed for awhile upon the earth , had conversations with his mother and also the apostles. He is said to also return again some day, the second coming. What can we depict from all this, that those who had walked with God were taken and some returned or will return. Death really had no power over these men , they were of faith. Now what also amazes me is that  some were able to describe the kingdom of heaven even before they died or were taken. To be able to describe something you had to have been there.
 That is why I believe heaven is an actual place that exists it amazes me how some believe heaven was not created yet. It has always been there and Satan was cast down from heaven. We can see Elijah was taken , so was Enoch where did they go? heaven. I also am amazed at those who think they are going to have to wait till they die to be cleansed from sin. The fact that Isaiah was cleansed by a heavenly being and Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles to cleanse them. Many men and woman today have received the Holy Spirit and been cleansed, my experience can also tell you - this is real.
 Have some been taken by God , since Enoch - perhaps some are taken from this world and may return in another time.We live in the bubble of time but does God? What we experience first hand is precedent over what we read or others suppose. I believe Enoch was taken by God as the bible states. I also believe in a narrow passage or gate where heaven is able to be visited by persons even today. The people in the bible did not all just have visions - some went there.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Study and smile

 


http://www.doctormacro.com/Images/Cole,%20Nat%20King/Annex/Annex%20-%20Cole,%20Nat%20King_02.jpg Nat King Cole -  smile.

What I did not know then and know now. Many years ago after accepting Christ and being very excited about new found faith, I was willing to give up everything and study. Everyone was encouraging - my brother and I left home to study at an accredited Bible Institute. Giving up years of our lives solely to this purpose - we did.

   2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show yourself approved.

  Upon returning home to the church we left , something strange occurred. We were no longer the young men full of vigor and hope. Now we were learned men of the scriptures - we were a threat to the powers that be. Would we challenge their authority - steal their flock. It never occurred to me they were more comfortable with the ignorance of a child like faith , than that of a learned leader. Had we remained sheep it would have been more acceptable to them.
  Acceptable to the group but is ignorance acceptable to God. I pondered this because when Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil- she was asked to leave the garden of Eden, along with Adam who also partook. It had been a question why do we study to show ourselves to be approved of God when in the beginning this knowledge got them in trouble. This question often is asked - is ignorance bliss? What is acceptable to some may not be to others.
 I found knowledge is not a curse, ignorance is not bliss. For if we allowed others to dictate to us only because we were not educated - we would never be liberated from the mob. Most people define themselves by the mob which they inhabit. To be truly independent is to have the knowledge to come to your own conclusions. Independent thinkers are not welcome in a dominant society, I for one do not want to be dominated.
 If you do not feel like studying a book , study insects or birds. Study yourself , I have done this and actually laughed at myself a lot, not that I am a funny person but why not laugh once in awhile instead of criticizing. Laughter really is good medicine, as long as it is not at someone else expense. When does being a christian become impractical - when we lose inner peace, when we condemn ourselves. When we lose our joy it is time to re-think our position , listen and find it again.
 Does knowledge of scripture bring us closer to God , or does faith. I guess you can say scripture is supposed to build our faith, we can also build our faith by prayer and fasting, listening, praising and giving thanks. We can allow God to use us in building faith maybe it might be something simple like being kind. Smile when you do not always feel like it, I had days where it was hard to do just that. It was Nat King Cole that sang that wonderful song smile though your heart is breaking.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I85ApzR43jU

A man once said, smile though your heart is breaking.
He sang it in tenor, yes- he was the great Nat King Cole.
If your always  down, and wear a frown -your face will pay a toll.

Through all your trials, keep your smiles;
Life may not be full of bliss.
Whatever comes your way my friend remember this.

The face we share, is the one we wear.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Perspective and Perception

 When it comes to examining the worlds religions , we see many different perspectives. We see in aboriginal culture the hunter or gatherer god. When rain is needed for the crops a rain dance is performed for the gatherer, when a good hunt is desired often another dance depicting the wild beasts and the hunter. We see in religion from an emotional perspective where offerings were made for infertility or for a relationship. When a marriage took place it was always desired to seek a blessing from a higher being.
 The different perspectives always driven by society or culture, a perspective of God in a worldly sense. Because many of the worlds religions were formed from only what could be seen , felt and touched. God was only what the natural eye could envision , the God of nature -not the nature of God. The only thing about nature it was created and is not the Creator.
 Romans 1:21, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

 We see another way in which religions are formed - through perception. What is not necessarily seen with the naked eye but is perceived. Almost like looking through a kaleidoscope, we could all be seeking the same objective but as the glass is turned slightly we perceive a different image. Perception is scriptural.
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
My view is not to judge others on their beliefs as they may have a different perception than I do. We are all so different and Jesus always taught not to be a judge of another. We are to judge only our own actions.
Romans 2:1  Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
We see Paul tries to expound on the teachings of Jesus to the various churches in judging one another and it is very much like the various denominations having differences and even though all claiming Christ judge by their differences. I can say it makes no sense from a person looking from the outside why the protestant would attack the catholic , or another protestant or reformed. Why would an orthodox route a non-orthodox , a pentecostal judge a baptist. A Baptist condemn a Lutheran and it goes on and on. We see condemnation of others within their own church and division of the divided.  You may actually not even have to speak, a person can be offended by rolling your eyes or think you might be staring at them , when you may be looking out a window.
  It has been my experience to try not to offend others but some live on the defensive because of guilt they carry. A person may be offended because you smile and they are in grief, it is impossible to please God without faith - yet alone men or women. Living to please others is a trap, what is important is what you think.
People will respect you more for being yourself , it is a signature of honesty.
Galations 1:10  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
 What was taught in the old testament through law we cannot please God, yet in the old testament it was Habukkuk 2:4 that stated the just shall live by faith- he was wise to see beyond the law. We also see in Romans it is impossible to please God , he is only interested in faith.  What is perceived by all these denominations and divisions is that God is pleased by their religious practice but actually , he is only pleased by faith. One God many perceptions, is anyone right- is one better than another. I would say Habukkuk had it right - the just shall live by faith. We see through a glass darkly and if anyone says they have the only true religion the chances are they are the ones to avoid- I think we call them cults.
1 Corinthians 2-11 For what man knows the things of a man, except the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God.
 We cannot be expected to know the things of God, we can only ask the Spirit of God to lead us. My experience is not to get caught up in trying to please others, I make an effort to be a gentleman and try to be active and healthy for my own sake. I have had spiritual experiences which may have led me to be a christian - but I will never condemn someone with a different view. Have faith, be humble and maybe you will see the answer.


http://www.worldwidehippies.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kaleidoscope1.jpg      
            RELIGION
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Sunday, January 8, 2012

Observation or Reading

 I was always intrigued with observation and in studying the scriptures it is important that we not only read but observe. Matthew chapter 7 deals with observation in various forms , we are told to ask, to seek and to knock. We are taught the golden rule, we are told  about expectations , we are told how to discern the good from the bad. Almost like going to a grocery produce department and knowing what fruit to select. But also what tree the fruit bears tells a lot about the tree.
Matthew 7:16
You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
 Of course we are being told of false prophets in this verse , what we observe is not always in the reading of a book but in the life of the book. I recently heard a christian women say - she was disgusted with negative people and was going to avoid them. Yes- it would be a perfect world if that were even possible. The fact is there are negative forces within ourselves , and we will certainly find them in others if we look for them. The power of observation and discernment makes us aware of them and a sudden realization they exist. They exist on different planes , at a personal level, social level and political level or dominion.
 In an earlier writing on Gravity and the Grave- Isaac Newton one of the greatest scientist of all time observed and discovered gravity and many other things. It is not enough to read but we should observe and discover. Reading we see words but in observation they come to life. Discovery is understanding the fullness of this life, it is like when Columbus sailed to America until he actually reached the shoreline and saw the awesomeness of what he was seeking did he truly understand the extent of it.
  I read not to merely gain memory of scripture or to be able to recite it but in full observation mode. I like to consider the source , who wrote it. We are told all scripture is written by inspiration of the Holy Spirit and is good for instruction. I however would like to know what is at the shore. There are many religious  books that claim a holy origin. I would like to see what the fruit they produce is and determine for myself. We are told the gate is very narrow and only a few will enter in. Millions if not billions of humanity are religious , yet only a few will find the narrow gate and enter. This is what the bible teaches, many are called but few are chosen.
Matthew 7:14
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
 Yes - just before we are told about the fruit , we are told only a few will find the gate that leads to life.
What is life - maybe the discovery at the end of  observation, when the words actually become alive.  It is written in scripture:
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
  We are told many things about God, but here is a definite theme from Genesis to Revelations that the Word was God. It is clearly stated in many verses as we observe and discover not just read. This is the fullness of life. We can also observe through nature the many wonders or in the celestial sky, these are things that are like an opus or musical composition - endless music written by someone.

 

Celestial Opus

Musical compositions written in the sky,
One such constellation is the one we call Libra.
Are stars just musical notes written for the wise,
Or are we just a peeping Tom admiring sweet Godiva.

The wise read the stars as maps to holy places,
Hidden portals and the manger of baby Jesus.
Romantics adore their light in admiration,
Sharing with their lovers astral presentation.

Celestial art far beyond our comprehension,
How great thou art! To create such a view.
A gift to billions of people on earth and afar,
Celestial Opus, Father-the great conductor you.