Reflections - 2003 to 2007

Annoucement: Blog Closed & Moved

2007-09-30T15:07:00.001-07:00

I would like to take this opportunity to announce the close of this blog and the introduction of my new website and blog.
If you have been reading my blogs you may have noticed a progression over time.

The first blog that I started I kept from March 2003 to September 2004. It wasn't necessarily public, but just something I shared with family and friends. Back then I tended to write about the everyday things that were happening in my life, mostly whatever project was distracting me at the time - playing and recording music, writing novels, and marathon training.

It was at the end of the September of 2004 that I began to have a spiritual awakening which lead to my being born again in 2005. During this time I didn't really keep a blog, save for a few scattered entries.

When I picked up blogging again in August 2005, the subjects I would write about reflected this change in my life. I occasional still spoke of the everyday things of life but began focusing more in more on what I was reading and learning in Scripture through the Holy Spirit.

At that time I will still active within the Jehovah's Witnesses organization, the religion I was born and raised in. Because I had been tipped off that the congregation elders were monitoring my blog to make sure my views were invariance with the official teachings of the Watchtower's governing body I tended to censor myself somewhat and to be careful at how I worded things.

Despite my care, eventually my blog did become part of the evidence that lead to a judicial committee (religious tribunal) being brought against me. Incidentally, it was the statement from the February 26, 2006 entry Rock or Sand? that was seemed to be the problem:

"We recognize that the brotherhood that we love so much does not belong to a legal body or any men taking the lead among us; but rather it belongs to Christ who is the head of the congregation."

After being disfellowshipped from the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses in the Spring of 2006 I had more freedom to express myself and the things I was learning. Since then began to write less and less about the everyday things of my life and more about Bible topics of Christian spirituality.

Now as I look back that the older parts of this blog I don't feel that it really represents where I am right now so much as the path I've taken. At first I thought about closing and removing this blog entirely. However I discussed this with a friend and they suggested that I keep it as perhaps some may benefit from reading through this progression. I'm inclined to agree.

For what it is worth while I will no longer be posting anything new to this blog I will be leaving it up. Additionally, I have added most of the contents of my previous blog that has been off line for some time. (All entries prior to August 2005)

I plan to continue blogging at my new home at anthonymathenia.com. It will continue the general format of the last few months - though with less focus on my personal life, unless it specifically relates to my discipleship and life in Christ.

Yours in Christ,

Anthony

Simplicity is Beautifully Deep

2007-09-13T19:06:00.001-07:00

It was on the drive back from the creek where I was baptised that I reflected on the simplicity of that act of immersion. You simply go under the water and you come back up.

When I wrote to my friends and family to tell about my baptism my sister wrote back, "Looks like all those years of practicing at Sugar Shack paid off."

"Sugar Shack" was what we called my grandparents' cabin in rural Missouri. It had a creek nearby where we would swim and play. How many times have I went under the water at a creek playing baptism?

Baptism - so simple a child could emulate it.

It is the same with the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. The elements are common table items, bread and wine. The breaking of the bread, the passing of the cup - these were something that Jesus' disciples had done numerous times before. Yet this is what Jesus gives them to remember his sacrifice and his coming. Something old. Something new.

But these simple acts unfold to have a depth of meaning.

How deep?

So deep that 2,000 year later I still don't think we have the complete picture. It seems we can meditate on the symbolism and the meaning endlessly. And maybe that is why religious denominations have felt the need to dress these simple acts up with a bunch of pomp and ceremony. But really that is not necessary.

Regarding the Lord's Supper, Paul says, "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; ... and in the same way took a cup" - 1 Cor 11:23

The apostle gives just as he received and felt no need to add decoration and tinsel. It is already beautifully simple and simply deep.

One of things I have recently begun to appreciate about the Old Testament scriptures is even in the everyday accounts and stories of people there is so much symbolism. People back then were just living their life but fast forward thousands of years and we see all these little things point to bigger realities (or perhaps the bigger reality, Jesus). In the OT Jesus' is found in the most normal of places. He is in people watering sheep and feeding flocks and growing grain and making tents and kneading bread and fighting battles and getting married and ...

A friend once jokingly asked, "Why do we need to know that Esau was a hairy man and Jacob was a smooth man?"

Because it means something.

And here is a secret -- your life means something too. If we could teleport thousands of years into the future and look back at your life . Yet if our eyes are open today,I know that God can give us peeks. In looking back at my own life I have seen the greater realities of things that seemed insignificant at the time.

What happens when we keep our eyes open to find God in the simple things of everyday life? We make interesting discoveries. Such as --

The Kingdom of Heaven is like scrambled eggs.

My friend had that revelation in a cabin as we were making breakfast. As she explains it:

"First he break us out of our shells. Then whips us together. The yolk of spirit overwhelms the egg white flesh, and colors our live. He applies heat, and we become a mixture of cooked and partially cooked. The longer the heat is applied, the more even and of substance we become. All the seperate eggs, are now of one body, one existence, a new creation."

It may sound crazy but Jesus was constantly using little things like dough, scattered seeds, and fishing nets to explain big concepts like the Kingdom.

Once Jesus told this parable:

"Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search thoroughly until she finds it? Then when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.” - Luke 15:38

Think about a woman that actually had this happen to her. When she was busy sweeping the floor searching for her coin she didn't know that secretly she was acting out a divine truth about God's nature. How often in your life are you simply going about your simple business unaware there is a grand mystery in what you are simply doing?

Your life is a parable.

Paul is aware of this fact. To the Ephesians he begins by giving what seems to be advice for marital relationships between a husband and wife but then concludes by saying, "It is a great mystery ... I speak concerning Christ and the church." - Ephesians 5:22-32

Imagine that. Humans had been getting married for ages completely unaware that the everyday concept of marriage concealed a great mystery about Jesus and his congregation. This is just a small bit of a larger whole because as Christians everything in our lives has spiritual meaning. Our whole life becomes a sacrifice and an act of worship and even in simple everday things like eating and drinking we can glorify God.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship." - Romans 12:1

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31

Look A Body Of Water ...

2007-08-28T17:17:00.000-07:00

It is my joy to say that I underwent water baptism this Sunday. Before I speak about it I would like to talk about what brought me to this point in my life.

It was actually the second time I have been baptised by water. I was originally baptised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses as a young teenager. When your parents are Jehovah's Witnesses typically there is subtle pressure for a young Witness to get baptised, around the age of sixteen, if not sooner. This is particularly true when the father in the family is serving as a Ministerial Servant (Deacon) or an Elder. If their children do not take a public stand of faith by baptism the congregation may view the parent as not "presiding over his household in a fine manner" and thus they may be pressured to step aside from their congregation responsibilities. There is also pressure in a peer group. It is not unusual that if one teenager in a congregation decides to get baptised that his friends will follow. Again, sometimes this segways into parental pressure. If a Witness youth puts off baptism they may begin to be viewed as "bad association" and their peers in the congregation may be discouraged from spending too much time socializing with them.

Personally, I recognized that there was an expectation for me to get baptised. A few of my friends had already taken that step and because my natural father was the Presiding Overseer of the congregation there was always the undercurrent that we, his children, had to set an example. Though, I can't say that I really felt pressure to get baptised. Since I was raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses I always assumed that at some point I would get baptised sooner or later. What really motivated my decision to do so was actually a bus trip.

Jehovah's Witnesses are often encouraged to make it a point to visit the religion's world headquarters and printing facility, called Bethel, in Brooklyn, NY. Because of this congregations sometimes will arrange bus tours to visit Brooklyn Bethel. One such occasion there was a bus trip coming up and a couple of my friends were going and I was really wanting to go too. However, the tour group organizer had set the stipulation that only baptised children would be able to go on this particular trip. This prompted me to go ahead and get baptised. Again, I always assumed that I would get baptised and this trip only provided the impetus for me to go ahead with it. At that time I had a love for God and felt that baptism was the right thing to do.

Witnesses have three large gatherings annually, called assemblies and conventions, during which there is time set aside for public baptisms. The majority of those getting baptised will be Jehovah's Witness' children along with a few converts from their "door-to-door" ministry work. Before being "approved" for baptism, a baptismal canditate will have undergone a series of meetings with congregation elders to go over a set of questions. The questions are arranged to make sure that any one getting baptised into the religion will have a general knowledge of the moral and theological teachings of the Jehovah's Witness religion. At the assembly or convention they will listen to a talk about their baptism and then will be asked to rise and publically affirm their faith by answering "yes" to two questions. Since, 1985 the questions have been as follows:

On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?

Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization?

I got baptised at a circuit assembly in St. Louis, MO that would have had an attendence of about 700. On my baptism day, I was surprised to find that my natural father was giving baptismal talk, a secret that he had kept. At the appointed time I rose and answered "yes" to the two questions not knowing what the ramifications of such would later prove to be.

It would be about fifteen years later that the second question would come back against me. At that time I was undergoing a judicial committee (religious tribunal) under the charges of apostasy. In a private discussion with a couple of congregation elders I had revealed that I didn't believe some of the religion's teachings on matters of organizational arrangement and prophecy. This set me up to the potential of being disfellowshipped (excommunicated) from the religion if I did not repent during a judicial meeting.

It was during this judicial meeting and the subsequent appeal meeting that I was continually told that by disagreeing with "God's organization" I was reputiating my baptism and the second question that I had publically said "yes" to. I tried to explain that I was just a child and that I thought my baptism was simply out of love for God and that I didn't recognize that it would legally bind me to the religion and its ever-changing beliefs and prophetic interpretations.

I was disfellowshipped and in the aftermath I really had to give thought to my baptism therein. In the eyes of the religion and those in it my baptism was into an organization - an organization I was no longer a part of and had no desire ever to be a part of again. I did some study on baptism and compared what I was seeing in Scripture and Christian history to what I had raised to believe. These studies were written up into the following blog entries:

Into Who or What are We Baptised?
Is Baptism a Symbol of Dedication?
Is the Baptism of Children Scriptural?

What I've found is that many former Witnesses in my situation have gone back and questioned their baptism - particularly if they were baptised since 1986. (Prior to 1986 the second baptismal question focused on the holy spirit but afterward it was changed to the "spirit directed organization") I was no different. I thought about it from time to time; but, I wasn't moved to be re-baptised. I reasoned that since I had since been baptised in Holy Spirit that there was no need for me to have a water baptism again. But even then I always left open the possiblity that I might sometime have a "look a body of water" moment.

(This is in reference to the Ethiopian eunuch of Acts 8:26-40. In the account this Ethiopian eunuch is in a chariot, leaving Jerusalem, and reading from Isaiah. The spirit moves Philip the evangelist to join himself to the eunuch and strike up a conversation. Upon hearing about Jesus the eunuch believes and seeing a body of water he asks, "look a body of water! What prevents me from getting baptised!" Philip agrees and baptises him in the name of Jesus.)

Recently a friend and I were looking at baptism again and she was speaking about her desire to get rebaptised in the name of Jesus. I shared my feelings about how I had received the spirit baptism and she pointed out how Cornelius and his family received the baptism of the spirit before being water baptised. This stirred my thinking and over the next few weeks I continued to get that spirit "prod" about water baptism.

So just Sunday I was happy to get baptised with my friends - of course they are more than friends and are really my only family. We went out to the country and after traveling down rock roads we found a spot a deep spot in a creek and took the plunge. It was a beautiful, wonderful experience. In looking at the pictures I doubt we could have bigger smiles.

Later that night Rebekah was questioning me about my feelings. She knew that up until a month ago that I wasn't really considering baptism. She asked if I felt different, more complete. I said mostly I just felt happy and at peace. But, I think there was something more to it for me.

I think about those in the first century that had been baptised by John the baptist; but, later got baptised in the name of Jesus. Was my first baptism a symbol of something? Yes - love for God, a dedication to him, and as much repentance as a child can manifest. However, in the Scripture baptism in all about Jesus and honestly I didn't even consider him in my original baptism. But this baptism was completely about him and my death and life in him. My first baptism was into a religious organization and my second into the Son of God. And in this way it feel likes a "rite of passage". I feel that just as my first water baptism was into a religion my second baptism was out of it. In truth, although I've been officially out of the Jehovah's Witnesses religion for over a year there was something that changed when I went under that water. I feel like that former life is finally behind me and I'm happy for the future.

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I wasn't the only one to get baptised that day! My friends' account are here and here.

Fruitage of the Spirit - Part 5 "Patience"

2007-08-07T07:04:00.000-07:00

This month the Spiritual quality that we will consider is patience. The Greek word for patience is makrothymia and it literally means "longness of spirit". This quality encompasses being slow to anger and purposeful endurance and forbearance while suffering. A person who is patient can be considered as being steadfast - reliable, faithful, and true to the end.

Almighty God is the ultimate example of patience and forbearance. The Old Testament scriptures continually refer to God as one who is "slow to anger". (Exodus 34:6; Joel 2:13) Paul refers to Him as the "God of endurance" (Romans 15:5)

From the time of the fall of Adam forward mankind was under a death sentence. Yet the patience of God was made manifest by his redemptive plan for humanity. Peter encourages us to "regard the patience of our Lord as salvation" (2 Peter 3:15) God is not quick to anger to destroy anyone but allows time for repentance. (2 Peter 3:9,10) Similarly Paul writes, "Or do you have contempt for the wealth of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, and yet do not know that God's kindness leads you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4)

As Christians we need to be conforming ourselves to the Word of God, the teachings of Jesus. Thus we are not allowed to defend ourselves as Jesus commands, "Do not resist an evil person" (Matthew 5:39) When confronted with adversarial individuals the natural, fleshly reaction is self-defense. Even if we are not prone to physical violence our tendency may be to verbally stand up for ourselves. It is at times like this that we need to seek the spirit and manifest supernatural patience. James encourages us, "My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience." (James 5:10)

The biggest opportunity to show patience is in the face of suffering, adversity and persecution. In this, Jesus is such an amazing example of patient endurance. He embodied patience under severe trials. In prophetically writing about him the prophet Isaiah said, "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth." (Isa 53:7)

From a fleshly perspective such a seemingly complacent attitude may be viewed as a sign of weakness but according to God's word it is actually greater than physical strength. "Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city." (Proverbs 16:32, NIV) Jesus proved this to be true. When he was crucified in weakness he triumphed over the enemy. Of him it is said, "Disarming the rulers and authorities, he made a public disgrace of them, triumphing over them by the cross." (Col 2:15)

Patience is an identifying mark of Christians as God's servants. (2 Cor 6:4-6) As the "elect of God" we are required to clothe ourselves with patience. (Col 3:12) Patient endurance is a vital component of our salvation. (Mat 24:13) When we experience suffering we can rejoice knowing that our suffering, produces endurance along with character and hope. (Romans 5:3,4) The author of the epistle to the Hebrews encourages them to endure in the faith while suffering instead of shrinking back. It is through such faithful patience that we preserve our souls. (Hebrews 10:32-39) In Revelation Jesus himself commends his congregation for their "steadfast endurance" (Rev 2:2,19) This patience is not something that comes naturally from within the fallen flesh but rather it is a gift from God for it is he who is able to "direct [our] hearts … toward the endurance of Christ." (2 Thess 3:5)

Patience does not just come into play when dealing with those that we might consider as enemies but also with our brother and sisters in Christ. Within the congregation patience is required in our "putting up with one another." (Eph 4:2) We all are works in progress and at different points in our spiritual walk and within the Christian family there are both mature and young. So again we are urged by Paul, "be patient toward all." (1 Th 5:14) Because God is patient with us we are required to be patient with one another. (Romans 15:5)

In dealing with his disciples, whom he considered as friends, Jesus manifested such patience. His apostles were often slow to understand the lessons that Jesus was trying to impart and they were quick to break into squabbles and arguments. The Lord patiently dealt with them and the outcome was positive. These ones became good examples in imitation of Jesus and the foundation of his congregation. (Eph 2:20)

A key element then in patience is hope. Whether we are enduring on behalf of friends or foes we do so with the hope of a change in the situation. And this hope is not just for our personal relief. Just as God is patient with us in hope that we will change our hope is that even an enemy will turn around and seek repentance. We also hope in our own salvation that is promised to those who endure to the end.

Worms in my Manna

2007-07-29T11:38:00.000-07:00

When hurricane Katrina hit I was a bit thrown off-guard and filled with fear. The hurricane was bad enough but the aftermath was brutal. The media painted a picture of horror; where the lawlessness of people was only matched by the failure of government. The whole situation made me anxious and I began at that time to read up on survival and started making a store of food and supplies. I even called up my family and frantically suggested they do the same. After the turmoil of the disaster I continued to add to our food stock, though less zealously.

On a later occasion my daughter had run out of ramen noodles and we raided our survival store for a package for her. Upon opening and cooking it we discovered worms. We thought it may have just been an accident, but another package revealed the very same thing. Our food store was contaminated with larvae! In this I believe that God was teaching me an important lesson I would like to share.

Recently I've begun to get a deeper appreciation of the Biblical account of Israel's exodus from Egypt and trek through the wilderness toward the promised land. Throughout this, God was bringing the nation to himself as a collective son and preparing their hearts to receive him as Father and enter into his rest. With the ten plagues he brought against Pharoah he was proving his power and superiority over all the false gods of the Egyptians. He then brought his chosen people to a place of weakness in order to prove himself as a savior and provider. At the Red Sea he proved that he could save them from Pharoah's army. In their journey through the wilderness he was proving that he could provide their needs for food, water, and clothing. The wilderness was designed to bring the people into complete dependence and trust in Jehovah.

Reading the book of Numbers, it describes the nation of Israel's absolute failure to learn these lessons and believe in God. At each leg of their travel we are faced with their hardened hearts and incessant complaining. This culminates in a total failure as they reached the promised land of Canaan. Of twelve spies that were sent across the Jordan river to scope out the land, only two, Joshua and Caleb, expressed confidence that the Lord would give them the land. The others expressed fear that couldn't take the land from the inhabitants. The nation of Israel sided with the ten spies that brought an unfavorable report and refused to trust in God's promises. As a result that entire generation, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb, had to wander the wilderness until they perished. Their failure is rooted in the sin of disbelief.

The New Testament book of Hebrews contains an encouragement for Christians not to be like that unbelieving generation. The author writes, "Take care, brethren, that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. ... Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobediance as theirs." (Hebrews 3:12) In our lives today we need to learn from that group's failure and believe and trust in the Lord.

The Word of God prophecies to a time of great turmoil and tribulation; a time when the people of God will not even be able to buy and sell. (Matt 24:21; Rev 13:17) In looking ahead at the potential of great global upheaval it is the natural reaction of the flesh to become axious and want to make physical preperations for salvation. I have found this to be particularly true in some Christian circles that focus on the "end times". For instance some ministries have been sponsored by companies that sell survival gear and foods. Some Christians are even laying up weapons for protection. Personally though, I'm increasingly of the opinion that laying up and putting our trust in such supplies can run contrary to the Word of God.

When I was faced with worms in my ramen I was reminded of what happened to Israelites in the wilderness. Having run out of food they complained to Moses saying, "If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this desert to kill this whole assembly with hunger!” (Exodus 16:3) God heard their complaint and told Moses that he would bring bread down from heaven, which the people called "manna".

In providing manna, God stipulated that each person was to gather only what their family could each that day; nothing was to be left over until the next morning. They were not to store up but had to manifest faith that God would continue to provide manna each and every morning for them. The people, being hard in heart, did not listen. The Scriptures describe what happened saying, "But they did not listen to Moses; some kept part of it until morning, and it was full of worms and began to stink, and Moses was angry with them." (Exodus 16:20) In much the same way, my stock of ramen was full of worms and virtually inedible.

Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, gives us these similar life lessons. He teaches us to be content with what we have each day and not to worry about storing for the future. He tells us to pray, "Give us today our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11) He says, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own." (Matt 6:34) Jesus says, “Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal." (Matt 6:19,20)

We may reason that this advice is well and good for everyday living; but, that desperate times call for desperate measures. With this in mind, it is important than to look at what Jesus said regarding the coming destruction of Jerusalem which was the worst tribulation ever to befall the nation.

"So when you see the abomination of desolation – spoken about by Daniel the prophet – standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. The one on the roof must not come down to take anything out of his house, and the one in the field must not turn back to get his cloak." (Matt 24:17,18)

It is noteworthy that Jesus did not encourage his disciples to store up emergency rations in order to last through the time of trial. Such supplies would have been short lived when the Romans barricaded the city. At that time, a famine set in and things got so desperate that children were being eaten by parents. But even if they had stocked up supplies, they would have done no good, because Jesus commanded the people to instantly flee to the mountains without regard to any such provisions. According to Jesus, if a man was outside of his house he shouldn't run back inside for anything, including food and clothing. Similarly the man in the field shouldn't go back to get his cloak. This is an important detail because In Jesus' day the cloak was essential, minimal survival gear for travelers. It kept them warm in the elements and was also used as bedding. Thus, following Jesus' command during that day of disaster would have required total depedance on God and belief that he would provide and take care of their needs.

The Scriptures time and again call for us to trust in God and not in the arm of the flesh. Though some measure of provision may be practical it would be a mistake for us to put our faith and trust in such. Jesus tells us to store up treasures in heaven. When we believe and allow our Heavenly Father to provide for us now it is like storing up everlasting provisions for the future. If we build trust in reliance in Him today we will be prepared for any trial that can come upon us, great and small. We need to manifest faith that if necessary in times of trial our Father can even miraculously feed us by raining bread from heaven or by having ravens bring us food. (1 Kings 17:6) In Revelation when the "woman" flees to the wilderness it is to a place prepared by God where she is taken care of by him - not by her own devices. (Rev 12:6, 14)

Again God is ready to bring to ruin all the false gods of the world, represented by Egypt. Anything that man has put his trust in such as money, insurance, government, banks, medicine, and secular employment will be brought to nothing. And again God will bring his people into a wilderness where they will have to rely on him. At that time we will have no choice but to believe in God or perish. Those that have faith will be lead into the promised land and enter into God's rest.

Truth, A Screenplay

2007-07-10T04:43:00.000-07:00

What follows in an introduction to a screenplay I wrote in 2002. It is available with the original screenplay as a 6x9 paperbook book for $10.00. It can be ordered here.

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The other day my wife and I were engaging in spring-cleaning. Finding ourselves running short on needed storage space we decided to tackle "the drawer". I suspect that every house has one or two of these drawers that seem to collect all things, lost and forgetten about – the at-home equivalent of a black hole. As we dug through the drawer we found checks to bank accounts we no longer had, a DVD borrowed from a friend that we have since lost track of, and several magazines we no longer read. As we neared the bottom I unearthed an early draft of the screenplay you are holding in your hand.

My interest in filmmaking ultimately goes back to my childhood friend Casey. Casey had a father who was a movie buff and made little Super-8 films as a hobby. As kids, Casey and I started playing with his dad’s camera and having just seen an “edited for TV” version of Terminator 2, were particularly enamored with special effects. Our effects were very low-tech and consisted of stop-motion clay "slugs" dripping out of faucets and crawling into my brother's nose. Around that time we got involved in pyrotechnics and began filming model buildings that we blew up. (I'm quite fortunate to have both hands to type this.) Like most projects that Casey and I were involved in, the Super 8 filmmaking kind of fell by the wayside for other passing interests, such as music, video game programming, and to some extent girls. I don’t know whatever became of that Super-8 film footage. Perhaps it is lost the bot-tom of a drawer in his parent’s house.

With Casey and I, hobbies went in cycles and some years later when we were teenagers we again got interested in film-making and special effects. Casey had upgraded from stop-motion claymation to computer animation and digital effects software. We talked somewhat about making a Star Wars “fan film” and did some brain storming sessions of plot-points and performed limited location scouting. (I envisioned that with some added decoration the oil refineries that dotted my backyard might look just like a spaceport.) In the special effect department Casey had figured out how to rotoscope the all important light saber glow over our homemade PVC lightsabers. I admit that I was pretty excited when I saw that test footage of us stepping through a choreographed lightsaber duel with spot-perfect lazer effects. Yet ultimately my heart wasn’t really into that sort of moviemaking. At this time I was much more interested in doing a smaller, personal film.

This change in preference was mainly because I began to take an interest in Independent Cinema. I would often go to the Tivoli theatre in University City and see the latest indie films and attend the annual St. Louis film festival. It was at this time that ultra-low budget films like Slackers and Clerks were begin-ning to make filmmaking more accessible to the everyman. Whereas before making a movie was a bit of a daydream at least now it was practical if you had enough credit cards. This be-came even truer when digital video became an option. Suddenly making a film was immediately feasible with a minimal amount of money and a prosumer DV camcorder. This caused me to really start looking seriously at the possibly of making a feature film. But, before I could have something to put up on a screen, I needed a screenplay.

The first screenplay that I ever wrote was called Knocked Up. It was a comedy revolving around a young married couple that is suddenly faced with the possibility of an unexpected pregnancy. Because my wife and I were just in such a situation it was familiar subject matter. When I wrote it my favorite writer/director was Kevin Smith and my script was heavily in-fluenced by his style. That is to say it contained rapid-fire dialogue and was heavily punctuated with four-letter words and crude humor.

I held the idea that I would one day film it; but since I was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses I knew there would be serious repercussions if I ever did so. In the United States, Jehovah’s Witnesses unofficially, yet very forcefully, shun R-rated films and if Knocked Up was ever made it would have been pushing the limits of an R – and for that matter good taste. So I settled on the idea that I would try to sell it as a spec screenplay and hide behind a pseudonym. In the end, I never really pursued it and I put it to bed. After multiple computer changes and hard drive failures I lost track of that screenplay. All things said, that is a good thing. When I came to Christ in 2005 I probably would have burned it anyway.

Because I still wanted to make a film I decided this time to make it on a subject matter that I could actually bring to the screen without getting expelled from the Watchtower Organiza-tion in the process. I thought what better way to do it than to write about being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Since I was born into the religion and was a devout JW this was something I knew all about.

At the time I had been married for a few years and was, I guess, transitioning into adulthood and looking back at my teen years. I was working with my dad doing home improvement and there was a considerable drive time to and from the job during which I daydreamed about what my story would look like. I thought I might center it around the annual District Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses; which, for Witnesses was an important event.

I finished the first draft of Truth in 1999, which was then called Fall in reference to the season the film takes place and it also served as a subtle foreshadowing of the dramatic center-piece of the story-arc. Whereas Knocked Up took me many months to complete Fall took only about a month. It helped that much of it was based on my own recent experience-though greatly distilled and then embellished.

Finding it again this year prompted me to sit down and read through it. After finishing the first draft I renamed it Truth as I wanted to give a truthful account of what it meant to be "in the Truth", a phrase that Jehovah's Witnesses use describe being in their organization. To say you are "in the truth" is to say you are one of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Though this work is fiction many of these characters are amalgams of people I know or situations I have been in. Be-cause, I would never be able to film at a District Covention I decided to keep things small and instead center the events around a house party. Apart from the weekly religious meetings and ministry service, parties and gatherings were generally the high points of our lives.

This particular party takes place in "the city". Growing up we often joked about "city witnesses"; because they tended to be a little less strict with their morals. Outwardly the confessed the same moral code that we did but their lifestyle was much more divergent with their beliefs.

All things considered our lives were relitively care free and I feel that the script reflects that childhood naievity. Of course there was the typical girl-boy drama; but the only major trauma that we tended to face was losing friends who were dis-fellowshipped, removed from the congregation. This may seem relatively minor to an outsider but to one of Jehovah's Witnesses being disfellowshipped is the equivalent to dying. If a friend got disfellowshipped you knew there would be a good chance you would never seem them again, they may as well be dead.

For me it would be interesting to look at these characters now ten years laters. What would have become of them? Most of the characters seem pretty confident in their religion and strong in their faith. They love being Jehovah's Witnesses and envision no other future apart from their religion. Yet that is how I once was and now I see things quite differently and therein lies the biggest irony. When writing Truth the character I mostly indentified with was Ash. While Ash argues hard against "leaving the truth", I have now done just that very thing.

In restrospect looking at the script, the character of Felicia stands out. In writing the screenplay I was on a certain level working out my feelings that I had about a friend of mine that had been disfellowshipped a couple of years earlier. Though in looking at the character of Felicia I believe she made some wrong choices in life she was at least honest about it and in that way is perhaps more true than others "in the Truth".

Regretably, in real life I cut her off after she was disfel-lowshipped and thought little of it thinking I was doing the right thing. When I was disfellowshipped myself some ten years later I was moved to contact her and apologise for dropping her so quickly and shunning her. I wish I could say that she ac-cepted my apology; but as might be expected she had some animosity toward me for my cruel treatment of her over the years and for that I am sorry.

While I started out attempting to write a screenplay that I could put on film and not get removed from the religion I won-der how ultimately Truth would have been received had I finished the project. In my attempt to make it honest and truth-ful to my personal experience I didn't hold back from painting a picture that may have been poorly received by Jehovah's Wit-nesses who are generally not use to anything but glowing portrayals of their religion as some sort of moral utopia or “spiri-tual paradise”. It would no doubt have been shocking to hear a character confess to premarital sex and admit that it was enjoy-able to them. Even more to have a character confess to homosexual feelings, though not acted upon, was definitely ta-boo and would have made many extremely uncomfortable.

When I originally set out to write the dialogue my goal was to speak the truth and now I still want to keep things true to my perspective back then as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Though I have been removed from the religion and will have detractors because of that, my desire is to honestly say in pre-senting this screenplay that it was written by one Jehovah’s Witnesses. I may not agree with it but it still stands as an honest portrayal of how things were then, or at least how I perceived them to be.

So why release a screenplay to a film that was never made? I guess rather than put the script back in the drawer and lose it again to time I decided to make it available in this printed format so that at the very least it can move from my junk drawer to my bookshelf. In preparing this screenplay for print I made the decision not to make any changes to the last draft I wrote in 2002, with the exception of correcting spelling and punctuation. This was not an easy thing at times as in retrospect some of things the characters say now make me cringe.

I've given up any dreams of ever making this film (or any film) as I'm quite content and busy in other efforts in quiet serv-ice of the Lord. In putting this out to the public I hope that some may find it of interest to read. In particular if you were one of Jehovah's Witnesses and a young adult in the 1990's you may be able to relate to some of the characters and the feelings they express.

Looking back at my life a teenager and young adult within the Jehovah's Witnesses religion I have few misgivings. I cherish my old friends and think fondly of many good times we had. Compared to many of our peers we tended to live a better life and were highly moral. When it came to the Bible we were educated and literate - albeit, from a Watchtower-centric per-spective. My one real regret though is that while we were outwardly moral and heavily involved in a religious system that we too often missed having a true, inner relationship with God and even more so with Jesus Christ. Today my relationship with the Father and the Son is the most precious thing in my life and for me it took leaving the Watchtower organization to gain them.

As previously mentioned, when the characters in the screenplay speak about “the Truth” they are talking about the Jehovah’s Witness religion, as is the title. What I’ve come to discover is that ultimately “the truth” is not an organization, or a set of religious teachings, or even a concept of right – “the Truth” is an individual, Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus says about himself, “I am . . . the Truth” (John 14:16)

In the opening scene of the screenplay, the character Ash says, “It never fails that the most dramatic upheavals in my life always take place during the fall.” At one time this was true for me but in the last few years this has shifted from the fall to the spring. Spring is typically the season for renewal and it was dur-ing that season that I came to the Lord. Religions tend to call such an experience by different terms such as being “anointed, “born again”, “receiving the Holy Spirit”. I don’t really know what to call it but I know it happened and it was powerful and it turned my life around and ultimately lead me right out of the Je-hovah’s Witness organization into the arms of Heaven. It gave me an initial glimpse of Jesus and like the apostle Paul the goal of my life since then is to ultimately “know Him” (Phil 3:10) Today I am very happy to be free in getting to know that real Truth that exists outside of religious organizations.

Paul's "Thorn In The Flesh"

2007-07-06T06:59:00.000-07:00

Even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me – so that I would not become arrogant. I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. But the Lord said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. - 1 Corinthians 12:7-10, NET

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A common interpretation about this passage is that when Paul speaks of having a "thorn in the flesh" he is speaking of some kind of physical sickness or infirmity. Poor eyesight is often suggested. However, in the looking at this scripture that appears to be a misconception.

It is helpful first to look at the different occasions in Scripture where similar terms to "thorn in the flesh" are used. In each of these cases the term very clearly relates to human adversaries and not physical illness.

"But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, then those whom you allow to remain will be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your side, and will cause you trouble in the land where you will be living." - Numbers 33:55

"know for certain that the Lord our God will no longer drive out these nations from before you. They will trap and ensnare you; they will be a whip that tears your sides and thorns that blind your eyes until you disappear from this good land the Lord your God gave you." - Joshua 23:13

"Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be thorns in your side, and their gods shall be a snare to you.’" - Judges 2:3

Viewing this "thorn in the flesh" as adversaries also works more in harmony with the verse itself. Paul also calls this "thorn in the flesh", a "messenger of Satan". The Greek word here translated as "messenger" is angelos. It is alternatively rendered as "angel" by some translators in cases where they believe the context indicates a spirit messenger rather than a human. The word here transliterated as "Satan" literally means "adversary, accuser".

Paul says that this "thorn in the flesh" and this "messenger of the Adversary" caused him "weakness". Some Bible translators cause confusion by using the English word "infirmity" rather than "weakness". This makes the impression that Paul is referring to physical sickness. However within the whole context of chapters eleven and twelve in 2 Corinthians we can see that weakness is the proper word choice.

Paul uses the same terminology in 2 Corinthians 11:30 where he speaks about "boasting in his weaknesses (infirmities)" In his listing of these "weaknesses" in verse 24-27 never once does he mention physical sickness. These "weaknesses" are various persecutions and tribulations that came upon Paul throughout his ministry. Going now just a few verses later to our subject passage 12:7-10, we can continue the same line of thought as he speaks about "being content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ." Physical sickness is not implied here.

With this in mind let us look again at this "messenger of Satan" that Paul writes about. In understanding this there are a couple of options. If this is an angelic messenger from Satan then we might understand this as being a spirit of the Adversary that stirred up persecution and opposition to Paul's ministry. It is my opinion though that the context of 2 Corinthians chapter 12 lends this more to being human agents of Satan standing in opposition and slandering Paul. The reason is if we continue on to the very next verse, eleven, we see that Paul is speaking about "super-apostles" who caused severe problems for him and the Good News. If we jump back to Chapter 11 we can get even more clarity on these. Paul writes of such ones saying:

For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will correspond to their actions. - 2 Cor 11:13-15

In these verses Paul likens these "super-apostles" as being servants (or ministers) of Satan. Because in scripture angels are also described as servants (see Hebrews 1:7) I think that this gives much support to Paul's "angel of Satan" being one (or all) of these "servants of Satan". This works in the larger context of Chapter 11 and Chapter 12, which is a direct defense of Paul's ministry against the charges of these false apostles.

This also clears up why God allowed this "thorn in the flesh" to remain and did not remove it at Paul's request. Unlike sickness Christians are not redeemed from persecution. Paul later writes to Timothy saying, "all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12) This fulfills Jesus' words when he said, "If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you." (John 15:8)

In looking at this, it is interesting to note that Paul prayed three times that this persecution might be lifted. It struck me that this is the same number of times Jesus in prayer requested that the cup of persecution be removed from him. When it comes to our prayers John writes, "And this is the confidence that we have before him: that whenever we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." (1 John 5:14) It was not God's will to remove the persecution from Jesus and the Lord submitted to that. Likewise, as a follower of Jesus, it was not according to the will of God to remove Paul's persecution. Instead the Lord offered his grace to help Paul endure and overcome these persecutions - not that Paul would be glorified but that the Lord would be.

When we follow after Jesus we can equally expect distressing trials and even human adversaries. We may have to contend with our own "thorn in the flesh" or "messenger of Satan" while we declare the Good News. Almighty God allows such things to happen for a reason. Paul understood that these weaknesses helped to make him "perfect" or "complete". Along these lines James writes, "My brothers and sisters,consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. (James 1:2-4)

While these trials serve to refine us they also bring glory to the Lord. Peter writes, "Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold – gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away – and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:7) When it speaks of Jesus Christ being "revealed" the apostle points to the coming day of the Lord. However, even today when Jesus grants us the power to overcome adversaries and obstacles his glory is revealed in us. As Paul writes, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves. ... For we who are alive are constantly being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our mortal body" (2 Corinthians 4:7,11) No wonder James encourages us to consider such "thorns" as "nothing but joy"!

The Lord's Prayer, Answered

2007-07-03T07:21:00.000-07:00

The Lord's Prayer (or the Our Father) is a well-known prayer in Christianity. Jesus gave this prayer in response to a request from his disciples that he teach them how to pray. (Matthew 6:9-13) Today many pray this entire prayer either personally or part of liturgical routine. Others may use elements from it as the basis for their own prayers. What may be surprising though is to find that the requests Jesus made in this prayer have already been answered spiritually in the lives of believers. In looking at the individual elements of Jesus' prayer I wish to take nothing from their natural application but hope to just add some appreciation for what has already been accomplished in our lives through Jesus. The fulfillment of this prayer has opened up many wonderful blessings and those that believe can by faith many now enter into them.

Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored

While on earth Jesus came in the name of the Father and thus brought great honor to him through the works he performed in that Name. (John 5:43) Toward the end of Jesus' ministry he requested that the Father "glorify" his name. A voice called down from Heaven saying, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." (John 12:28) In what way would he "glorify it again"? One way is that even after his death Jesus promised that he would continue to make the Father's Name known. (John 17:26) This was accomplished through the disciples that believed upon him.

When we do works in the name of Jesus and are recipients of his grace, we in turn bring glory and honor to our Father; just as when we honor the name of the Son we also honor the Name of the Father. (John 5:23) Jesus affirms, "I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son." (John 14:13) The apostle Paul thus writes, "And in this regard we pray for you always, that our God will make you worthy of his calling and fulfill by his power your every desire for goodness and every work of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thess 1:11,12)

May your kingdom come,

When John the Baptist began his ministry his message was of the impending coming of the Kingdom of God. In the wilderness he cried out, "Repent! The Kingdom Is Near!" (Matthew 3:2) John heralded the coming of Jesus who was the embodiment of God's Kingdom as its Messianic king. The chief message of Jesus' ministry was the "good news of the Kingdom" and those who heard that gospel message and believed in it received its benefits, including the deliverance from disease, sickness, and demons. (Matthew 9:35; Luke 8:11) Jesus made clear that his powerful works provided a witness that the Kingdom of God had arrived. To unbelievers he said, "If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has already overtaken you." (Matthew 12:28) Similarly when his disciples healed the sick they were to make clear that, "The Kingdom of God has come upon you!" (Luke 10:11)

In his passing Jesus transferred the "keys of the Kingdom" to his apostles. (Matthew 16:19) He granted to them the same kingdom that his Father had given him. (Luke 22:29) These apostles would bring many into that Kingdom. To such ones Paul wrote affirmatively, "[God] transferred us to the Kingdom of the Son he loves" (Col 1:13)

Just as Jesus represented the Kingdom of Heaven, we today as "ambassadors of Christ" do the same (2 Cor 5:20) Although the Kingdom is yet coming, it is already come in the lives of those who believe in Jesus Christ and enter right now into that Kingdom through faith. Wherever Jesus was on Earth the Kingdom was made manifest in the people's very midst. (Luke 17:21) If we receive Jesus into our hearts the Kingdom comes into our midst. This is particularly when two or three are gathered in his name as a congregation. (Matthew 18:20) When we exercise Jesus' power over the dominion of Satan's world and administer the blessings of the Kingdom, its domain and sphere of influence reaches out to "come upon" those around us.

May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven

As we have already considered, Jesus worked the will of his Father by administering the blessings of the Kingdom to God's covenant people. He said, "I do nothing of myself" (John 8:28) Though from Heaven, Jesus was obedient unto death so that he could fully submit to the will of God on earth. (Matthew 26:39) For it was for this very purpose that Jesus came into the world (John 12:27) And as he died he said, "It is finished" (John 19:30) It is through this that God's will was done on earth.

In his death Jesus brought atonement between man and God and today we have been given the responsibility of declaring this same message of reconciliation. (2 Cor 5:18) We speak not of what will be but what has already come to pass. Paul writes, "So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away – look, what is new has come!" (2 Cor 5:17) When we enter into this relationship as a new creation, a son or daughter of God made in his image, we allow God's will to be worked through us. Paul writes, "More than anything else . . . we want to please him, whether in our home here or there." (2 Corinthians 5:9) We seek to make manifest God’s will on Earth just as it is done in heaven.

The writer of Hebrews says, "For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my anger, ‘they will never enter my rest!’” And yet God’s works were accomplished from the foundation of the world." (Hebrews 4:3,4) Jesus, as the sacrificial Lamb of God, was "slain before the foundation of the world" (Rev 13:8) The Sovereign God exists outside of time and from his perspective all these things have already been accomplished. When we believe in what God has already brought through Jesus we enter into that place of rest where we cease from our own labors and enjoy what God has already brought to pass on Earth for us his covenant people. We become participants in the unfolding purpose of God and in our lives on earth his will is done just as we have been chosen in connection with Jesus even before the "foundation of the world" (Eph 1:4)

Give us today our daily bread,

Taken from a natural point of view it is appropriate to pray that our daily physical needs be met. However, again when we view things spiritually we understand that we have already received our daily bread once and for all. How so? In the gospel of John, Jesus likens himself to living bread. Speaking of himself, Jesus said, "For the bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven to give life to the world." (John 6:33)

This peaked the interest of those that were listening so they made a similar request as is in the Lord's Prayer saying "Sir give us this bread every day of our lives." (John 6:34, NLT)

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. The one who comes to me will never go hungry, and the one who believes in me will never be thirsty" (John 6:35)

If we physically received a piece of bread that filled us up so that we would never be hungry again would be continue to pray for more? No, because our daily physical need for food would have been met and we would be eternally satisfied. When we come to Jesus we are given such bread. We receive him but once and as long as we keep hold on him he cannot be taken away. We receive this bread as children of our Heavenly Father. (Luke 11:11) And as Jesus says, "It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs." (Matthew 15:26) The only way we lose this bread is by rejecting Jesus. Jesus fulfills all of our needs and when we walk in his Kingdom we will not lack. (Matthew 6:32) It is appropriate then to show our appreciation by continuing to give thanks that Jesus has been given to us once and for all time. (Hebrews 9:26)

And forgive us our debts, as we ourselves forgive others

Speaking in the past tense, Paul encourages the Colossians to "Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Col 3:13) This work of redemption has already been accomplished when Jesus' conquered sin at Calvary. Speaking of Jesus, Paul writes, "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace." (Ephesians 1:7)

Jesus has already provided forgiveness; but in order to continue to be recipients of it we need to continue to forgive others. At another time Jesus emphatically states this saying, “But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:15)

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one

Again we turn to Paul's letter to the Colossians to find the fulfillment of this request. He writes, "[God] delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves" (Col 1:13) In his calling Paul was given the commission by the Lord Jesus “to open their eyes so that they turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God," (Acts 26:17,18) When we enter into his Kingdom we enter a realm of unending light and are delivered from the darkness. Paul testifies to this as he writes, “You were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” He encourages us, “Walk as children of the light.” (Eph 5:8)

That we have been delivered from the "evil one" is shown in that we have authority over all of his power. Jesus gave us this when he says, "Look, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions and on the full force of the enemy, and nothing will hurt you." (Luke 10:19) That authority has never been rescinded and it may be exercised today.

Even the “last enemy” death has no hold over us. To Timothy, Paul writes, “[Jesus] has broken the power of death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel!” (2 Timothy 1:10) He who believes that believes in Jesus, “has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24)

All of what we have discussed is just some of the many ways that the Lord’s Prayer has already been answered in the lives of believers bringing us rich blessings. May our hearts be overjoyed by what has been accomplished on our behalf! May we join in thanksgiving with our brother Paul when he says, “Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ!” (Eph 1:3)

AMEN

Katamari

2007-06-17T21:32:00.000-07:00

Mina stayed up last night and constructed this brilliant piece of craft about 95% by herself! It is a "cousin" from the Katamari series of video games. She intended it for Father's day which I typically don't observe but it was a sweet gesture and I accept gratefully. (Besides, even the JW City Overseer of St. Louis said Father's day was a conscience matter last month. :-) )

Anthony vs. The Spider Roll

2007-06-16T20:14:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a meal so good that you felt the need to pray a second time afterward to thank God!? Mina suggested Japanese food tonight so we went to Yoshi's in Chesterfield. We found out about this place through a friend. (She is a missionary girl that grew up in Japan so when she recommends a Japanese restaraunt you tend to listen.) Yoshi's doesn't have great decor or atmosphere. It's just an unassuming spot in a strip mall; but, brother the food is exquisite! Along with my typical sushi staples I decided to try the spider roll which is the house specialty. Here's a pictorial account. Pay close attention to the look of utter contentment in number 3!

Fruitage of the Spirit - Part 4 "Peace"

2007-06-01T06:55:00.000-07:00

The next quality in the fruitage of the Spirit that we will consider is peace. When Jesus, as Israel’s Messiah, was born into the world the heavens split open and an angelic chorus declared, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

The idea of a Messianic Age where peace was to prevail was not new to the Jewish nation. Throughout its history the descendents of Israel were routinely engaged in warfare. In the Old Testament “peace” is primarily the absence of war and it this kind of a peace that the Messiah was expected to deliver. After finally subduing the inhabitants of the land of Canaan there was a brief reign of peace under the kingship of Solomon; but shortly after his death civil war split the nation into two. Thereafter Israel and Judah were conquered and controlled by a succession of world governments, Assyria and Babylon, Greece, and finally the Romans. Periods of real peace were short-lived.

The Jews looked forward to a king from the line of David that would throw off the yoke of enemy rule and usher in an everlasting peace. The prophet Isaiah wrote about this coming Messiah and how he would bring peace among the nations saying, “They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up the sword against other nations, and they will no longer train for war.” (Isaiah 2:4) The extant of this coming age of peace would even bring peace and harmony to the animal kingdom. (Isaiah 11:7,8) Therefore, one of the titles that the Messiah carries is “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6)

At the time when Jesus came into this world the Jews were chaffing under the yoke of the Roman occupiers. Years before, in 165 BCE, under the leadership of the Maccabean family, the Jews pushed out the hated Hellenistic-Syrian rulers from the land and brought national liberation. Now the people hoped for a Messiah that would do the same for the Romans and would usher in a time of peace that might be enjoyed forever, thereby fulfilling the word of the prophets. As the Messiah, Jesus did come to bring peace, but it was a different kind of peace then what they had expected. In his first advent, Jesus came first, not to deliver us from enemy beast nations, but the enemy beast nature that had held humanity in bondage since mankind’s fall in Garden of Eden.

Before peace could be brought among the nations it first had to be made between individuals and God. The apostle Paul says quite emphatically regarding Jesus, “He Himself is our Peace.” When humanity fell from grace in the Garden of Eden we became naturally estranged from God; because, our fallen flesh is an enemy of God. (Romans 8:7) Jesus abolishes this enmity by destroying his flesh and putting it to death. (Eph 2:15, 16) As followers of Christ in order to enter fully into his peace we must put to death our own flesh. (Galatians 5:24)

Through his teachings Jesus sought to bring peace between humans. During his sermon on the mount he pronounced, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) Jesus’ teachings brought freedom from natural animosity and moved toward maintaining peace between enemies. He said, “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on the check, off the other as well, and from the person who takes away your coat, do not withhold your tunic. Give to everyone who ask you, and do not ask for your possessions back from the person who takes them away. Treat others in the same way that you would want them to treat you.” (Luke 6:27-31) Far from simply teaching passivity, Jesus has us counter those who come against with a positive reaction. In this way not only do we work toward peace; but, also put to death our own flesh that seeks retribution and retaliation.

Jesus lived out his teachings and engaged in positive non-violence. Even when his physical life was threatened he forbid his followers from retaliating. On the night of his arrest when his disciple Peter used a sword against one of the arresting party, Jesus rebuked him saying, “Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place! For all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52) Jesus submitted to God’s purpose that he should be crucified and through his flesh restore peace between the Father and his estranged children.

Sadly, the Jews as a whole did not welcome this cherished gift of peace and thus they rejected Jesus as a Messiah. During one of his final trips to Jerusalem he observed this. “Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.” (Luke 19:41,42) Though Jesus did come to bring peace into the world not everyone would accept that peace – for it would only come upon men upon who God’s favor sat. (Luke 2:14) For their rejection of Jesus, instead of peace they received a sword and had their nation and temple thoroughly conquered and destroyed by the Roman war machine.

In contrast, Jesus’ disciples proved to be such favored individuals. On the night before his arrest Jesus granted his disciples peace saying, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) Here the Lord gifts peace, or freedom from anxiety and peaceful relations with others to those who would accept him and his cross. Whereas the Jews were continually at odds with their Gentile neighbors, in the Christian congregation both groups found a common bond of peace in Jesus. Paul says that Jesus made “both groups into one” and brought reconciliation “in one body to God” (Ephesians 2:14,15)

The apostle Paul likens our daily walk to a spiritual battle and he admonishes us to take up spiritual armor to protect us. He says that we should "shod [our] feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15) In this world it is his peace that would mark our path. As followers of Jesus, we are ambassadors of him and his peace. (2 Cor 5:20) It is true that not everyone will receive our peace, just as the majority of the Jews rejected Jesus’ peace. Yet among those whom God’s favor rests peace will prevail. Even when we face difficulty and trial the spirit of the Lord can grant us the ability not to let evil prevail and seek retaliation but rather that we could put down the thoughts of the flesh. Best of all, today we enjoy the incredible peace that Jesus brought between our Heavenly Father and us. Though we were once far off from the Father we are now brought near by Jesus’ blood and we have become sons and daughters to him. (Ephesians 2:13)

50/50

2007-05-24T17:52:00.000-07:00

I accomplished all of two things this weekend. I did my 4-mile run/walk/jog/stagger/crawl on Saturday morning. I'm now running 75% of the time instead of the 50/50 split that I'd been doing. So all and all I'm pretty satisfied with my progress. I doubt I could honestly hope for more.

We also cleaned the house. It's been a degenerative state of clutter for a while now. I'm looking forward to the Spring city cleanup. I've got a lot of stuff in the basement ready for the curb.

Nothing much more going on that I haven't mentioned before. I'm still working more than ever. I'm still fiddling with the new song 4(give/get). I'm still waiting on my new car (the boss decided to wait for an '05). I'm still alive.

Eyes to See - The Risen Lord

2007-04-14T18:29:00.000-07:00

The scene of the crucifixion of Jesus stands as the preeminent picture in the Christian landscape. When you think about that event what image does it bring up in your mind? What do you see? Depending on your religious tradition you may see Jesus on a simple stake, a cross, or a tree. His body is wounded and cut. A cruel crown of thorns digs into his scalp. Nails are driven through his hands or wrists. You see a dying man hanging under a sign reading "the King of the Jews".

It is interesting to take notice of what an eyewitness saw, because he observed something radically different. He didn't see a dying man. Who is this eyewitness? It is one of the criminals who were executed alongside Jesus. As he was dying he put faith and Jesus and said to him, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42) Upon cursory glance this statement of faith may not seem all that extraordinary. In order to get the full impact we have to contrast the attitude of the criminal with Jesus' disciples.

Unlike this criminal, Jesus' disciples knew him very well. They had sat and listened to him teach. They had seen him perform many miraculous signs and wonders. Only a short time earlier Jesus had even brought his disciple Lazarus back from dead. The disciples knew Jesus and this was particularly true of the twelve apostles who were selected to fulfill special assignments. These twelve spent the better part of three years in Jesus' intimate company. They traveled with him. They ate with him. They slept alongside him. They got to know Jesus' up close and personal and they were given the ability to really grasp who Jesus' was. This is shown in an account recorded at Matthew 16:13-17

"When Jesus came to the area of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They answered, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven!"

When Peter looked at Jesus what did he see? At that moment, Heaven opened his eyes and he saw that Jesus was the promised messiah, the Christ, the Son of God. However, even though Peter and the other disciples knew Jesus to be the Christ their eyes were still closed in many respects. To the Jewish mindset of the day they expected the messiah to be a king and military leader who would liberate their nation from the Romans. After subduing all enemies, the messiah would usher in a time of worldwide peace and prosperity. Because of these expectations, the furthest thing from an option that they would accept is that the messiah would be handed over to their enemies and be killed. But, just after Peter made that declaration of faith in Jesus as Christ, Jesus began telling them that this very thing was to befall him. The Gospel records, "From that time on Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and experts in the law, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.". But old expectations were so ingrained in these Jewish men that even with Jesus telling them matter-of-factly about his death and subsequent resurrection Peter still had difficulty comprehending such a thing. The scripture continues, "So Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him: “God forbid, Lord! This must not happen to you!” (Matthew 16:21, 22)

With these Messianic expectations in mind we have to put ourselves in the minds of Jesus' followers during his triumphal entry into Jerusalem in his final days. Jesus sits upon donkey colt and rides it from the Mt. of Olives down to Jerusalem in the manner of a Jewish king coming in peace. Matthew tells us this was to fulfill what the prophet Zechariah spoke saying,

Tell the people of Zion,
‘Look, your king is coming to you,
unassuming and seated on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey. - Matthew 21:5

So as Jesus rode into Jerusalem what did the disciples see? It may be that they saw a king, riding to power, on the road to vanquish the Romans from Jerusalem. How then, their hearts must have raced as they saw the crowds welcoming Jesus with palm branches shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!” (John 12:25) Their enthusiasm was fever-pitched and filled with dreams of the coming Kingdom.

We can imagine then how their hopes and dreams ended at Calvary, where Jesus was executed. Though warned repeatedly about it, this seemingly tragic turn of events completely caught the disciples off-guard. When the Jewish authorities arrested Jesus and the Romans his disciples abandoned him and fled. Peter, who had been so perceptive earlier to put faith in Jesus as the Christ, disowned him. Their overall, disheartened attitude is well encapsulated in a conversation that two disciples had just days after Jesus death.

Now that very day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking to each other about all the things that had happened. While they were talking and debating these things, Jesus himself approached and began to accompany them (but their eyes were kept from recognizing him).

Then he said to them, “What are these matters you are discussing so intently as you walk along?” And they stood still, looking sad.

Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that have happened there in these days?”

He said to them, “What things?”

“The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied, “a man who, with his powerful deeds and words, proved to be a prophet before God and all the people; and how our chief priests and rulers handed him over to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. Not only this, but it is now the third day since these things happened. Furthermore, some women of our group amazed us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back and said they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.”

So he said to them, “You foolish people – how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Wasn’t it necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things written about himself in all the scriptures. - Luke 24:13-27

We notice here the utter devastation and confusion that comes through in these disciples of Jesus. When they are asked what they are talking about, they stand still looking sad. They confer that they had hoped that Jesus would have been the one to redeem Israel. And even though some women had reported that Jesus was alive they were not filled with joy but were perplexed. To them Jesus was dead and the hopes for the Kingdom had vanished.

Now we go back to the criminal crucified next to Jesus who asked, "Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” When this man looked over at Jesus he didn't see a dying man. When Jesus' disciples hope in his Kingdom was just ending this man's was just beginning. He knew that for Jesus, death was not the end; but that he would come again in his Kingdom. When he looked at Jesus he didn't see a dead man - he saw the King of Israel - the very thing the sign proclaimed! Now when we think of Jesus what do we see? Do we see a dead man or a risen king?

When it comes to seeing Jesus in this way I can think of no better example than that of the apostle Paul. The recorded account doesn't tell us whether Paul had any dealing with Jesus prior to his death. Since Paul was such an important figure in early Christianity we can probably conclude that this omission indicates that he did not. He only knew of Jesus after the fact when the risen Lord revealed himself to him. This glimpse of the resurrected Jesus stirred him so much that it brought an immediate change for this one time persecutor of the Christian congregation. After retiring to Arabia for an undetermined length of time, Paul returned and began boldly preaching the name of Jesus' in the synagogues. That first look of Jesus totally changed Paul's goals in life and he spent the rest of his earthly existence pursuing the risen Lord. As he writes to the Philippians,

My aim is to know him, to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, and to be like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. - Phil 3:10,11

We are blessed to today to have some of Paul's writings in our collection of scriptures. What continues to impress me is how determined Paul is of the present reality of Jesus Christ and how the Lord is found in a central position. Paul paints beautiful pictures of Jesus as he is, enthroned on high, with a name above every name. (Phil 2:9-11) His desire is that the eyes of our heart be opened to know Jesus as he is - in all his fullness, splendor, and glory. (Eph 1:15-23)

As we already considered, Jesus' first-hand followers had difficulty understanding his resurrection. Even when faced with compelling evidence of the empty tomb and testimony from the women they still did not grasp his resurrection. It took a face-to-face appearance with the apostles for them to fully understand. The gospel of John records that one of their number, Thomas, was not present at this time. When the other apostles related to Thomas how they had seen Jesus; their joy was met with his doubt. Thomas skeptically replied, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." - John 20:25

A week later, Thomas got his wish. Jesus appeared before him and he was forced to acknowledge the glorious truth, Jesus was not dead. He was alive! Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." - John 20:29

We are so blessed to have the testimony of those that saw Jesus with their eyes of flesh just as they were blessed to see him. However, we who have not yet seen Jesus physically are particularly blessed. As Jesus said, "blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." This well describes the criminal that hung beside Jesus and put faith in his resurrection. It also describes us who have yet to see Jesus as he is, but have spiritually perceived him. Peter thus writes about us, Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:8,9) Because we have put faith in Jesus and his resurrection we are strengthened in our own hope of one day seeing him. As John writes, "We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2)

May our God and Father grant us the spiritual eyes to see Jesus, the risen Lord, and keep us safe in the hope of one day seeing him face to face!

Open Letter to the Wood River Congregation - 2007

2007-04-12T14:52:00.000-07:00

April 9, 2007

As I sit down to write this I know it very well could be an exercise in wasted envelopes and stamps; but I’m moved to keep in touch. Without any exaggeration I can say that I dream about the Wood River congregation often, at least once a week, but sometimes as often as every other day. As much as I would like to move on and put the past behind I get the sense that my Heavenly Father doesn’t want me to forget. So if I could trouble you once a year I hope you can tolerate me.

Since I’m physically disconnected from you I don’t have knowledge of all of your current pains and trials. However, I know that a lack of good shepherds continues to wear you down. I was incredibly sad to hear about your loss in the passing of Bob Biggerstaff. He was a fine man and even though his age kept him down in these last few years he continued to be a good, positive influence on the congregation. Even in his old age he was very vibrant. I look forward to seeing him soon in the New Earth. I can just close my eyes and picture his large orchard and perhaps a whole, herd of beautiful, wild horses.

Equally I was very sad to hear that Rich Bailey is no longer an elder at the Wood River congregation. Despite our differences I can say that Rich is above all a man of integrity and I know that he really cares for the afflicted. I remember when Rich was first coming to our Kingdom Hall and certain ones, even among the elder and servant body, were callously bad mouthing him before he ever set foot in the door. Regrettably, I was quite ready to loathe him myself based on what was being said. However, in the end I had to apologize to him for thinking such thoughts. He was an asset to the congregation, truly.

If I could get you to reflect just a moment on those elders that in recent years you have lost – Mark Solle, Jim Donahue, Phil Honnen, Rich Bailey – a sad pattern emerges. I remember the reaction to when Mark Solle left our hall and how sad it made us all feel. I know that some of you were quite ready to quit coming to meetings or perhaps change Kingdom Halls. We encouraged you stay and were happy that you stuck it out; because, you would have been missed. I know it’s hard. I also know that some of you are still suffering under the current elder body. I know your hurt.

To that end I feel that the 23rd chapter of Jeremiah is a source of great comfort because it deals with this very situation you face. I would like to consider it briefly. It begins with these strong words:

“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasturage!” is the utterance of Jehovah.

If we could stop and reflect very carefully on the message that Jehovah is giving here. I ask, who are Jehovah’s sheep? If you believe that they are Jehovah’s Witnesses then we have to understand when the prophet speaks about the “sheep of [Jehovah’s] pasturage” he is talking about the Christian congregation, the brothers and sisters. If that is true, then who are the shepherds that he is speaking about? Would it not be abusive shepherds within the congregation? The prophet continues:

Therefore this is what Jehovah the God of Israel has said against the shepherds who are shepherding my people: “YOU yourselves have scattered my sheep; and YOU kept dispersing them, and YOU have not turned your attention to them.”
“Here I am turning my attention upon YOU for the badness of YOUR dealings,” is the utterance of Jehovah.

Brothers and Sisters if you have suffered from the hand of those that were put in place to shepherd you take heart. Jehovah has heard your cries and he knows your pain! The neglect and abuse from your shepherds has not gone unnoticed by Heaven. He will deal with them in time but more importantly he will soothe your pain.

“And I myself shall collect together the remnant of my sheep out of all the lands to which I had dispersed them, and I will bring them back to their pasture ground, and they will certainly be fruitful and become many. And I will raise up over them shepherds who will actually shepherd them; and they will be afraid no more, neither will they be struck with any terror, and none will be missing,” is the utterance of Jehovah.

Sadly some today are scattered. Perhaps they have been beaten down to the point where they no longer attend meetings. Some float from congregation to congregation aching to find someone to care for them. Others like myself may have been forcibly removed from the congregation unjustly. If this is true for you, please understand, these shepherds may have given up on you but you are not lost. Jehovah gives his promise that he will collect all his scattered sheep and provide them with new shepherds. These will be different and they will take care of you gently and compassionately. More importantly Jehovah will give you his own son as a shepherd as the prophet continues:

“Look! There are days coming,” is the utterance of Jehovah, “and I will raise up to David a righteous sprout. And a king will certainly reign and act with discretion and execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel itself will reside in security. And this is his name with which he will be called, Jehovah Is Our Righteousness.”

Jesus is that sprout from David. Jesus said of himself, “I am the fine shepherd, and I know my sheep and my sheep know me, … I surrender my soul in behalf of the sheep.” (John 10:14,15) Just a few days ago you reflected on that great sacrifice that Jesus made on behalf of his sheep. When he was alive on earth Jesus expressed that he was “sent for to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 15:24) His concern was for those little sheep that were kicked around and neglected by the shepherds of his day. When he looked at the people, what did he see? The Bible answers, “On seeing the crowds he felt pity for them, because they were skinned and thrown about like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36) I ask you, now that Jesus is ruling in heaven do you think he cares any less for those that are skinned and thrown about within his modern-day sheep fold? Do you think he cannot see your pain and that he doesn’t care about your plight? Nonsense! He gave his life for you and he loves you and wants to care for you. It was for this purpose he came into this world and it is for this purpose he reigns as king. To you he gives the following invitation:

"Come to me, all YOU who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh YOU. Take my yoke upon YOU and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and YOU will find refreshment for YOUR souls. For my yoke is kindly and my load is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30

I have found that refreshment and it is beautiful! It has been one year since my disfellowshipping and I am happy to report that we are doing very well and continue to offer up prayer on your behalf. I do look forward to the time when we can be together again; in the meantime my Father continues to bless us daily through his Son Jesus. The wilderness is never fun but it is not a bad place to be. It seems to be a popular place for God’s servants to be tested and refined for a period. Out here I have experienced His faithfulness and his love. I have also seen his power, miraculous signs and wonders. I’ve had to leave much behind for the sake of following Jesus; but I’ve received so much more than I could ever dream. I have everything in Him and I want for nothing – only to know him more and more.

I give you his love. I love you very much and so does He. Our love for you is unconditional; you don’t have to love me back. Even if you hate me I still love you. Just as he laid down his life on behalf of us, I gladly do the same. I pray that you would know his love. I pray that you would have his peace. I pray that at his hand you would find satisfaction and joy. I pray that in his arms you would find comfort and security. I pray that you would hear his voice in your life and it will quiet your fear. I pray that you would know him more and more. He is the true shepherd and overseer of our souls. (1 Peter 2:25)

Growth, by Holy Spirit or Leaven?

2007-04-10T18:18:00.000-07:00

On Saturdays I participate in a systematic Bible Study with some friends. We just started a reading of the Acts of the Apostles. Chapter 2 describes the birth of the Christian congregation and the phenomenal growth it experiences. It started with just 120 disciples of Jesus who had the power of the Holy Spirit given to them. The power of the Spirit manifested itself in the gift of tongues which caused quite a scene and many unbelieving Jews to gather to investigate. Peter stands up and filled with Holy Spirit speaks to them about Jesus and asserts that he is both Lord and Christ and that in order to be saved you must call on his name. The result is on that very first day, 3,000 are immediately baptized and become a part of the Christian congregation. The account concludes that, "the Lord was adding to their number every day". (Acts 2)

It would be reasonable to conclude that the Lord was behind such sudden, fantastic growth and gave evidence that this fledgling body had his blessing.

Let's flash-foward about three-hundred years to another time when the Christian congregation was experiencing tremendous growth. The Edict of Milam was just issued which legalized the Christian worship in the Roman Empire and the Emperor Constantine himself converted to Christianity and bestowed state favor toward Christianity. Writer David W. Bercot comments,

"Christianity had grown rapidly in the first three centuries, but after the coversion of Constantine the church mushroomed. At the the time of the Edict of Milan (A.D. 313), probably about a tenth of the Roman Empire had converted to Chrstianity. But that had taken nearly three hundred years. In less than a hundred years after the Edict of Milan, nearly all of the other 90 percent had been "converted." The church believed that this rapid growth was a sure sign of God's approval. Having accepted this premise, the church quickly adopted virtually any practice that resulted in growth, including the use of images in worship - a practice utterly loathsome to the early Christians." - Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up, p. 129

From these two examples of rapid growth we can see that not all comes from God's blessing and that corruption can bring about fantastic numeric growth just as Holy Spirit can.

This ties into another discussion that I have been having in our group about "leaven".

In Scripture "leaven" is a common figure of speech and is routinely used to signify corruption. Jesus thus warns his follows against the "leaven" of the Pharisees and of Herod. (Mark 8:15) The "leaven" of the Pharisees can be seen as their teachings that corrupted the true meaning of the Law. The "leaven" of Herod may be seen as a wordly political element that corrupted the Jewish way of life with foreign practice. In a similar way, the apostle Paul used "leaven" to signify "sin" that had crept into the Corinthian congregation and threatened to contaminate the entire congregation. (1 Cor 5:6-8) Equally he warns that Jewish legalism can act as leaven, corrupting and transforming the "whole batch". (Gal 5:9)

Since these scriptual references to "leaven" have a negative connotation it may be surprising to consider how in one parable Jesus compares the work of leaven to the Kingdom of God. At Matthew 13:33 he says, "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of flour until all the dough had risen.". Generally,people conclude that this is a good thing that Jesus speaks of. They may understand this parable to mean that just as a tiny bit of leaven can work its way through a whole batch of dough, so too the Kingdom of God can start small, perhaps with one individual, and slowly grow to influence a whole community, and even transform the world. However, since in every other account leaven is used as something that is impure, sinful, and corrupting we have to question whether or not this is really a good thing that Jesus is speaking of at Matthew 13:33.

Some may feel that there cannot be anything unclean and corrupting within the Kingdom of God. But, if we look at the thrust of the other "Kingdom" parables Jesus provides in the 13th of Matthew we can see how in some of them there is a bad element present along with the good. For instance he compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a field of wheat that an enemy sneaks into and oversows with weeds. (Matthew 13:24-30) He speaks of the Kingdom as being a net filled with all types of fish, both bad and good. (Matthew 13:47,48)

[It can also be considered in his parable the women hides the leaven. There is element of stealth involved in the same way in the parable of the sower the enemy sneaks in while the field owner is sleeping and hides his weeds among the wheat.]

So if this leaven in the parable is a bad thing how are we to understand Jesus' parable? A good help is to consider an account provided by Mark 8:14-21. It reads:

"Now they had forgotten to take bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. And Jesus ordered them, "Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod!" So they began to discuss with one another about having no bread. When he learned of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you arguing about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Have your hearts been hardened? Though you have eyes, don’t you see? And though you have ears, can’t you hear? Don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of pieces did you pick up?" They replied, "Twelve." "When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of pieces did you pick up?" They replied, "Seven." Then he said to them, "Do you still not understand?"

At first glance the transition here seems somewhat disconnected and jarring as Jesus quickly goes from speaking of leaven to talking about his miraculous multiplication of the loafs. However, what is the common connection between the two? For me it has to do with growth. If you've ever made bread you know that when yeast is added to dough it can greatly increase in size - a handful can expand to fill an entire bowl. Similarly Jesus was able to take just a few loaves of bread and expand them to satisfy the needs of thousands. Outwardly both appear to be an expansion; however, the similarities between the two there end.

When making yeast bread you have to "punch" down the risen dough before forming it into a loaf to bake. When you do so the mound of dough quickly deflates just like a baloon because it is really just filled with air. The yeast adds no grain to the bread, only air. The growth is merely superficial. However, when Jesus multiplied the loaves by the power of the Holy Spirit he created something of substance, something solid.

When it comes to the Christian congregation growth can come in these two ways. When the Holy Spirit produces growth it is in the same manner of Jesus multiplying the loaves. Each loaf is essentially a duplication of Christ (his body being represented by the bread). It is substancial, solid food. However, when outside corrupting elements produce growth it is not a replication of Christ. It simply produces an impressive looking body of believers that has very little of Jesus' substance but it is filled mostly with other elements, like air.

Many religious organizations today cite their growth as evidence of God's blessing and the working of His Spirit. How can we discern if it is true growth and multiplication or false expansion produced by corrupting leaven? One way is to examine the body of believers that makes up that religious association. Do they give evidence of being solid Christians manifesting the mind and qualities of Jesus Christ? Or do they only superficially wear the name Christian and very little of Jesus is present admist a bunch of hot air?

Memorial Observance 2007

2007-04-06T19:53:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken at the cabin where I and a few others celebrated the annual observance of the Lord's Supper on the night it was originally instituted, Nisan 14 on the Jewish calendar. It was a wonderful time of communion and fellowship that lasted to the wee hours of the morning. No one felt like going back to our individual cabin rooms so we just ended up crashing on the living room floor in down comforters, the candlelight dancing in the darkness. It felt like home and family.

I was reminded of this promise that Jesus made me,

"I tell you the truth, there is no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive in this age a hundred times as much – homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, fields, all with persecutions – and in the age to come, eternal life." - Mark 10:29,30

I can say this ...

I have everything. I lack for nothing.

This time last year I was being disfellowshipped and it was hard and it felt like such a loss; but, really in comparison I've lost nothing and gained everything - including life.

That's the trick - you have to be willing to lose it all to gain what you need. For every one you'll have to temporarily leave behind you'll get so many more in return.

With His Love,

Anthony

The Pearl of High Value

2007-03-20T19:27:00.000-07:00

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he found a pearl of great value, he went out and sold everything he had and bought it." - Matthew 13:45,46

I was recently listening to a woman relate her experience ministering to drug addicts in Hong Kong. One of the things that her experiences have impressed upon me is the simplicity of the good news.

As one of Jehovah's Witnesses the common practice was to give people a head full of knowledge over the course of a year or two of Bible study and then have them pass a three-session Bible quiz before allowing them to become a part of the Christian congregation.

But this is not the case in Hong Kong where these drug addicts come to Christ quickly and things happen more along the lines of the Ethiopian eunuch that we read about in the Acts.

What I found interesting was that she said even after they come to Christ they still do not try to pump their heads full of knowledge. They leave room for the Spirit to work and lead them gently to the Truth. So as the addicts detox over the next few days they only read to them accounts from the Gospels of Jesus' parables and miracles.

She related something interesting about Matthew 13:45,46. She said that when they read that parable she always asks these spiritual babes who is "the man who sold everything" and what is "the pearl of high value". She relates that 100% of the time the men reply that Jesus is the man that sold everything and the pearl of high value is us.

Perhaps you've always heard it the other way around; but I can't discount the purity of their interpretation. That is that Jesus gave up everything, including his life, so as to pay the price to buy us; because he sees us as a beautiful pearl.

The other day we were talking about the value of Bible scholars; but, I'll take one homeless, illiterate, drug addict with the holy spirit to one hundred Bible scholars any day.

"I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children." - Matthew 11:25

Get You Feet Wet

2007-03-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

The disciples of Jesus were in a small boat traveling by night across the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had stayed behind on the other side of the shore to pray in a secluded spot. It had been a busy day of ministering to a crowd of thousands.

The wind blew strong against the boat, and the disciples struggled hard against the oars. They were most grateful for the expert skill of the former fishermen among them, the Sons of Zebedee, Peter, and his Brother Andrew; though at times even their abilities seemed no match for the storm they fought against. There would be no rest this night.

As the morning light rose over the horizon the weary wind-battered disciples looked out across the sea and spotted a very strange sight. It looked like the form of a man skirting over the surface of the water. Some thought perhaps it was a trick of the rising sun's rays across the water. A couple rubbed their eyes convinced it was just the lack of sleep getting to them. The spector came closer into view and it was definately a man - or something. Judas seemed to sum up the opinion of the others as he cried, "A g-g-g-g-ghost!"; simultaneously scurrying backwards like a crab to the bow of the boat.

The seeming apparition came into view and it called to them, "Don't be scared. It is me."

Peter knew the voice of his Master. "It's Jesus", he said in an excited manner to the others who were yet in various states of disbelief. Peter himself was amazed. He had seen Jesus do many things like heal people of their sickness and raise the dead. Prophets and holy men were expected to do that sort of thing. Jesus had just multiplied some loaves and small fishes to feed an entire multitude. Elisha had done something similar; albeit on a smaller scale. But, this was something new - strange and unusual. Was such a thing even possible? He couldn't believe his eyes so he decided to settle it once and for all.

He stood up at the edge of the boat and called out to Jesus, "Lord if it is you, command me to walk across the water!"

Jesus was the picture of tranquility and peace. The strong wind didn't even seem to rustle his garment. The Lord met his challenge and called out to him, "Come".

So without giving it a second thought Peter sprung over the side of the boat and began walking across the surface of the waters. As he headed toward Jesus there was such a mix of thrill and joy in his heart and a slight queasy feeling in his gut. His mind was trying to tell him this was impossible but it was hard to argue with his feet as they moved across the water's surface.

Jesus awaited him with open arms; much like a parent watching their child walk for the first time. A smile spread across the Lord's face; Peter always had that affect on him.

--

I've been thinking about this story lately. I'm particularly stirred by that picture of Peter leaping over the side of the boat - throwing all care to the wind. What possessed him to do such a thing? Sure it was one thing to expect Jesus to walk on water; but, what in the world made him think he could do the same? After all, he was just a man, not the Messiah, not the Son of God. But, that was really the point. His faith wasn't in himself; he just knew that as long as he had Jesus he could do anything - even the impossible.

I think about what Peter didn't do. He didn't try to intellectualize the situation. He didn't pause to check the direction of the wind and the airspeed. He didn't try to figure out if it would be better to run, or walk, or crawl. He didn't reach over the edge of the boat and test the water with his hand or his big toe. He didn't do some practice runs. He didn't stop and hold a theological conference with his fellow disciples to determine if it was possible. He didn't stop and pull out a scroll and see if any of the prophets had anything to say about walking on water.

He just did it.

He didn't ask that Jesus would catch him up and teleport him across or whisk him out of the boat with a whirlwind. He didn't ask that Jesus' would take over his legs and drive him out of the boat. He took the first step and then another and other. He took the initiative. He jumped out in the water and got his feet wet.

And he walked across the water ...

... at least for a short while; but, that is another story.

Good Gifts

2007-03-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

If you want the Gifts of the Spirit - all of them - they are yours.

Paul writes, "And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, who calls “Abba! Father!”" - Gal 4:6

Has God sent that spirit into your hearts?

If so you are a son or daughter of God and your Dad wants to give you perfect presents because he loves you. He is yours and you are his.

So Jesus tells you

"Ask, and it will be given to you;
seek, and you will find;
knock, and the door will be opened.

What father among you, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish?
Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

- Luke 11:9-13

We have nothing to fear when we ask our Father for such presents. If you ask for the Holy Spirit he will not give you an evil spirit, a scorpion or a snake. His gifts are good! "Every perfect present is from above, coming down, from the Father of light." - James 1:19

Paul says, "earnestly desire the greater gifts." (1 Cor 12:31) and again "desire spritual gifts" (1 Cor 14:1) This was written for you. Are we to earnestly desire something that we cannot have? Is Paul subjecting us to futility or an empty chase?

Jesus says, "you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you" (Acts 1:8)

Believe him.

Jesus testifies, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." (John 16:7)

Believe him.

The time is now. This day. This hour.

Pray. Ask. Seek. Knock.

If you believe in anything, believe in Jesus.

Fruitage of the Spirit - Part 3 "Joy"

2007-03-01T17:30:00.000-08:00

Following Love the next virtue that we consider is “joy”. The original Greek word is xara, which carries the thought of joy, gladness, happiness, delight. It was the word that was used by the Greek’s to express satisfaction.

The desire for joy and satisfaction in our lives in quite universal and inherent. Solomon writes that finding enjoyment in our work is a gift of God. (Ecc 5:19) This is recognized by Thomas Jefferson who listed, “the pursuit of Happiness” as one of the God given, unalienable rights, of all men in the “Declaration of Independence.”

However, the “pursuit of happiness” has lead many astray if they do not seek after the right kind of joy. The Scriptures thus condemn those that would seek pleasure, happiness, and joy in sin. Those that “live for pleasure” are considered as “dead”. (1 Timothy 5:6) Hebrews refers to this as the “fleeting pleasure of sin” (Hebrews 11:25)

In life we are often met with the momentary nature of sinful pleasure. The joy of a night spent “partying” and binge drinking is quickly overshadowed by the next day’s hangover. But even more awful than physical sickness is the emotional sickness that accompanies such living. A hollow morning-after and a “dead” feeling can follow a night spent “hooking-up” for a chance sexual encounter.

The joy that the Holy Spirit brings is different in that it not only brings happiness it brings satisfaction and contentment that is everlasting. This is because our joy is rooted in our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus who are both everlasting.

The prophet Nehemiah writes, “The joy of Jehovah is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) The pure joy that God supplies give us power; especially when we need it the most such as when we experience sorrow. In ancient times people expressed their mourning by wearing a garment, called sackcloth. According to Psalm 30:11, God can remove our sackcloth, or sign of sadness, and clothe us with his resplendent joy. What a joy is found in God! The Psalmist again writes “You lead me in the path of life; I experience absolute joy in your presence; you always give me sheer delight.” (Psalm 16:11) And again we read, “I will be happy and rejoice in you! I will sing praises to you, O sovereign One!” (Psalm 9:2)

Through Jesus, God’s joy was made manifest to humankind. When he came into the world the angels heralded the joy that his birth brought. The messenger declares: I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10,11)

Those who receive Jesus as God’s Word are recipients of his joy. The prophet Jeremiah writes, “As your words came to me I drank them in, and they filled my heart with you and happiness because I belong to you.” (Jeremiah 15:16) The Psalms prefiguring Christ put into song the joy we experience in God’s Holy Word, Jesus. The writer of Psalm 119 repeatedly uses the word “delight” to express his feelings toward God’s commands, laws, statutes, and instructions. It is Jesus that we experience true satisfaction!

In the scriptures, satisfaction is generally in the context of eating and drinking. But when Jesus is our food and our drink it brings a superlative satisfaction beyond anything that mere food can bring about. Food and drink may satisfy our body but it cannot nourish our soul.

Let us reflect on this by thinking about a time when we were really hungry and we ate. The food brought joy and satisfaction but it was only temporary and after a short while we are hungry again. That meal only sustains for a few hours but that which Jesus provides is eternal. To a Samaritan woman Jesus contrasted ordinary water with the eternal water he supplied when he said, “But whoever drinks some of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again, but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.” (John 4:14) Jesus is the “true bread” and whoever eats of him will receive “everlasting life”. He says, “The one who comes to me will never go hungry, and the one who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:32,35)

Sin is like that meal in that it only temporarily satisfies us and we are left again in want. Jesus though satisfies and us and provides joy for the soul that is complete and permanent. So it is question of what we are hungry for. Jesus says, “blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6) Those that hunger after the flesh are never satisfied. The apostle Paul understood this principle as he writes, “For the kingdom of God does not consist of food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17) Our satisfaction is not in food and drink but righteousness and joy!

As we live in the spirit though we receive joy and it is in surprising places that we find it. James writes, “My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials.” (James 1:2) As we read this we can’t help but to notice how contrary to common thought it runs. Is it true that we can find joy in trials and suffering? Yes, but, not in our own. It is only through the power beyond what is normal that God gives. (2 Cor 4:7) This power is linked with our joy and is gifted through the Spirit. Paul thus prays, “May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Notice what the author of Hebrews says about “Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” He says “For the joy set out for him he endured the cross.” (Hebrews 12:22) When we reflect upon the brutal nature of Christ’s crucifixion it may be hard to see a reason for joy. In order to find his joy we have to put ourselves in his head and see what he saw when looked out from the cross. What did he see that filled him with joy? I invite you to look in the mirror. He saw you. You are his joy. “There is greater happiness and giving than in receiving.” (Acts 20:35) Certainly the greatest happiness that was experienced was experienced on cross as our Lord gave us all life.

It is in serving others in the pattern of Jesus that we receive his joy into us and this makes us “complete” (John 16:11) Now when we experience hardship and trials for the sake of others and for the sake of the Lord we may find ourselves filled with that same joy as we embody Christ. This was true of the saints that experienced joy in persecution for the sake of Jesus. After being beaten by the Jewish high court Peter and the other apostles, “left the council rejoicing.” (Acts 5:41) Later in the Acts of the Apostles we read how after Paul and Barnabus stood in the face of persecution, “they were filled with joy and holy spirit” (Acts 13:52) The author of the letter to the Hebrews comments how the Jewish Christians had “shared the sufferings of those in prison” and they "accepted the confiscation of [their] belonging[s] with joy" (Hebrews 10:34)

Today we can stand with the same confidence that even in the worst of times we can have joy in our service to God. As Paul writes, “May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father.” (Col 1:11,12) Peter invites the congregation to, “rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice and be glad” (1 Peter 4:13)

As Christians we also draw strength from one another. The faith of the Corinthian congregation caused Paul and his missionary companions to be “overflowing with joy in the midst of all [their] suffering.” (2 Cor 7:13) As members of the common body of Christ, our brothers and sisters are essential to our maintaining our own joy. It is in this body that we, “rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, and persist in prayer.” (Romans 12:12) On two occasions Paul refers to the congregations he help to plant as his crown of glory and his joy. (1 Th 2:20; Phil 4:1) We can picture the apostle beaming with delight as he writes to the Phillipians, “I always pray with joy in my every prayer for all of you.” (Phil 1:4) We cannot help but to feel the his earnestness when he writes to his traveling companion Timothy, “I long to see, so that I may be filled with joy.” (2 Timothy 1:4) Regarding those that John brought to a knowledge of Jesus he wrote, “I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are living according to the truth.” (3 John 1:4) Just as these older men derived great joy from those that they brought to the Truth there was a confidence that this joy would be reciprocated. (2 Cor 2:3) It is in this way that we share the common joy; that we “rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15)

In this world we are faced with promises of joy each and everyday. In many ways we are like Eve looking at the forbidden fruit, which was “attractive to the eye” and “desirable”. (Genesis 3:6) In order to lay hold of the real joy of Christ we have to refocus our eyes and have our gaze fixed ever upward to the unseen spiritual. Paul writes, “what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.” (2 Cor 4:18)

The unseen Kingdom of Heaven and Jesus our King is our pleasure and our delight. Laying hold of it worth losing everything else. Jesus describes it as a hidden treasure that one would be sell everything else to gain. (Matthew 13:44) Peter tells us about Jesus, “You do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy.” (1 Peter 2:8)

To us Jesus gives the invitation that we can experience his joy and have it be made complete in us. (John 17:13) You can look forward to the time when you will see our Lord again and your “hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away.” (John 16:20) The Psalmist writes, “one may experience sorrow during the night but joy arrives in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5) Even at the worst times in our lives we await that “morning”, that new day. We press forward to our hope of the time where our Lord Jesus will say, “enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21,23)

Jesus Juice?

2007-02-21T17:30:00.000-08:00

Recently I have been exposed to different traditions of the Lord's Supper - of which there seem to be an endless variety. One thing that puzzled me is the predominance of the cup (or cups) of Welch's grape juice in place of red wine. Since unfermented grape juice is a fairly modern-day convenience I wondered where and why this tradition began.

In a nutshell, the "grape juice" tradition originated with the Welch's Grape Juice company against the socio-religious backdrop of the late 1800's prohibition movement. The father of the communion grape juice is Thomas Branwell Welch, a physician and Methodist lay-communion steward from New Jersey. Like many Methodists of the day, Mr. Welch was opposed to the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages and an advoccate of the temperance movement.

Since grapes have naturally occuring yeast it is impossible to prevent stored grape juice from fermenting and turning into wine. Thus wine was the staple of the Lord's supper table for nineteen centuries until a way was discovered to preserve the juice of grapes in an unfermented state. This came when Louis Pasteur invented his namesake preservation process in 1882. After the pasteurization process was successfully applied to milk in 1886, Welch wondered if the same process could be used on grape juice. In 1869 Welch successfully pasteurized grape juice and began marketing it to the local Church's as "Dr. Welch's Unfermented Wine". His son Charles would later join him in the juice venture, leaving behind a dentistry practice.

Their product was successful and caught on in both the secular and religious world. It was renamed, "Welch's Grape Juice" and the "Welch's Grape Juice" company formed. The Methodist church ruled that grape juice would officially replace wine in communion services. Other denominations followed in this regard. For instance Pastor Charles Russell, founder of the Watchtower Society, was also opposed to alcohol and argued for the appropriateness of having grape juice at the Lord's Supper instead of the traditional wine; though, he ultimately left it to the decision of the local groups.

So the tradition of the grape juice is fairly modern and grew out of the political, prohibition movement that was spearheaded by religious denominations, particularly the Methodists. Schools out.

Next up the secret origin of the waffle.

Psalm 107

2007-02-03T10:50:00.000-08:00

I've been meditating on the 107 Psalm and what a beautiful picture it paints of Jesus, God's loyal-love.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
and his loyal love endures!
Let those delivered by the Lord speak out,
those whom he delivered from the power of the enemy,
and gathered from foreign lands,
from east and west,
from north and south.

When the Lord Jesus Christ crucified and raised he triumphed over the power of his enemy. As he was lifted up, first in on the cross and then as a lifegving spirit, he gathered people to him. He says, "Now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth will draw all people to myself." (John 12:32) We, who put faith in Jesus, are delivered from this enemy too. As it is written, "He gave himself for us to set us free from every kind of lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are truly his, who are eager to do good." - Titus 2:14

We are his and participants in our Father's eternal purpose. This great "mystery of his will" is "to gather up all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth." (Ephesians 1:10) Today he gathers together his believers as one body under his headship. When Christians come together in this manner is called church or congregation - in Greek the word is Ekklesia, a gathering. When we come together it is around our risen Lord for as he says, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20)

They wandered through the wilderness on a desert road;
they found no city in which to live.
They were hungry and thirsty;
they fainted from exhaustion.
They cried out to the Lord in their distress;
he delivered them from their trouble
He led them on a level road,
that they might find a city in which to live.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his loyal love,
and for the amazing things he has done for people!
For he has satisfied those who thirst,
and those who hunger he has filled with food.

When John the Baptist came to the earth it was to prepare a straight path, a highway to Heaven. He came to prepare the people for the appearance of Jesus, the Anointed One. Jesus is our rest from weariness as we cross the desert. He is the rock that provides the water. Jesus gives us the true water - "those who drink the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life." (John 4:14) He is also the true bread that comes down from heaven and it "gives life to the world" (John 6:32) Abraham, the father of our faith, left Babylon to wander the deserts for he had faith in a promised heavenly city. (Hebrews 11:16) Today we are lead to this wonderful City as recipients of that promise. "You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem," (Hebrews 12:22)

"They sat in utter darkness,
bound in painful iron chains,
because they had rebelled against God’s commands,
and rejected the instructions of the sovereign king.
So he used suffering to humble them;
they stumbled and no one helped them up.
They cried out to the Lord in their distress;
he delivered them from their troubles.
He brought them out of the utter darkness,
and tore off their shackles.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his loyal love,
and for the amazing things he has done for people!
For he shattered the bronze gates,
and hacked through the iron bars.

Jesus frees us from the shackles of the Law, from sin, from death. He brings light into the world and opens our eyes so that we can see that light.

They acted like fools in their rebellious ways,
and suffered because of their sins.
They lost their appetite for all food,
and they drew near the gates of death.
They cried out to the Lord in their distress;
he delivered them from their troubles.
He sent them an assuring word and healed them;
he rescued them from the pits where they were trapped.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his loyal love,
and for the amazing things he has done for people!
Let them present thank offerings,
and loudly proclaim what he has done!

Our Father is loyal in love. "God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8) Even when we were like fools he sent his assuring Word, Jesus, and through him we are healed. "By his stripes you were healed" (1 Peter 2:24) He is the good shepherd who seeks out his lost sheep and draws them out of the pit. We live through him and even the pit of death is not too deep for our Lord to reach down and rescue us. Jesus is the living embodiment of God's loyal love - let us praise God for the lamb! Let us approach Mt. Zion! Let us sing before the throne! "Through him, then, let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to his name" (Hebrews 13:15)

Some traveled on the sea in ships,
and carried cargo over the vast waters.
They witnessed the acts of the Lord,
his amazing feats on the deep water.
He gave the order for a windstorm,
and it stirred up the waves of the sea.
They reached up to the sky,
then dropped into the depths.
The sailors’ strength left them because the danger was so great.
They swayed and staggered like a drunk,
and all their skill proved ineffective.
They cried out to the Lord in their distress;
he delivered them from their troubles.
He calmed the storm,
and the waves grew silent.
The sailors rejoiced because the waves grew quiet,
and he led them to the harbor they desired.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his loyal love,
and for the amazing things he has done for people!
Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people!
Let them praise him in the place where the leaders preside!

I'm reminded of that great sea-storm that tossed the boat. The disciples struggled against it but Jesus calmly slept at peace They roused him and frantically inquired, "Don't you care we are going to drown." Jesus turned and ordered the storm to be silent and the waves grew quiet. Let us have faith that Jesus will calm down the storms in our lives. Let us be at peace. The hope we have in Jesus is an "anchor for our soul, sure and steadfast" - it has chain reaching even up to the secret place of God. (Hebrews 6:19) Let us sing of his praise before the entire assembly of heaven!

He turned streams into a desert,
springs of water into arid land,
and a fruitful land into a barren place,
because of the sin of its inhabitants.
As for his people, he turned a desert into a pool of water,
and a dry land into springs of water.
He allowed the hungry to settle there,
and they established a city in which to live.
They cultivated fields,
and planted vineyards,
which yielded a harvest of fruit.
He blessed them so that they became very numerous.
He would not allow their cattle to decrease in number.

The redeemed of God have been brought into the Holy City. From the throne of God and the Lamb streams the life giving water that transforms the land, it brings forth live-giving fruit. Righteous fruit, the fruit of the Spirit of God, bring lifes to our dead body. Jesus gives us the live giving water that springs up from parched places. Let the spirit bubble forth and bear fruit.

As for their enemies, they decreased in number and were beaten down,
because of painful distress and suffering.
He would pour contempt upon princes,
and he made them wander in a wasteland with no road.
Yet he protected the needy from oppression,
and cared for his families like a flock of sheep.
When the godly see this, they rejoice,
and every sinner shuts his mouth.
Whoever is wise, let him take note of these things!
Let them consider the Lord’s acts of loyal love!

When Jesus came into the world the people were beaten down and oppressed. Our Lord "had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36) Jesus is "the good shepherd." and he "lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:11) "The Lamb in the middle of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Rev 7:17)

Praise Jehovah, our God and Father for his loyal love!
Praise our Shepherd, Jesus who rescued us and freed us - who heals us and feeds us!
Let us sing praise before the Throne of God and Before the Lamb!

Fruitage of the Spirit - Part 2 "Love"

2007-02-01T17:13:00.000-08:00

The first quality of the composite “fruit of the spirit” is “love”. The Greek word used here is agape. Agape is just one of the many Greek words for love. While it is seldom found in non-Biblical, ancient manuscripts in the Christian scriptures it is the most frequently used word for “love”, appearing over one hundred times. Agape was also the favored Greek word for love in the Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Scriptures.

In the Septuagint, agape is used in a variety of different ways. It is used for romantic love between a man and woman as used throughout Solomon’s Song of Songs. It is employed for family love; such as that that exists between fathers and sons (Genesis 22:2; 25:28; 44:20) It is used to show affection that one might have toward his countryman (Lev 19:18) his master (Exodus 21:5) his king (1 Sam 16:21) or his friends (1 Sam 20:17). It also extensively used to describe the special affection that God has for his people (Deut 7:8; 1 Kings 10:9) and the deep love that they should have for him in return. (Duet 6:5). It is in this way that the agape is fully realized. Thus in the Psalms agape is used numerous times to describe affection between humans and Heaven. The author of the 119 Psalm uses agape thirteen times to describe his love for God’s laws, his words, his commandments, and his reminders.

In the Christian Scriptures agape love is further elevated as the ideal to which disciples of Christ strive for. It is the composite love that is manifest throughout the entire family of God, from Father to Son, from Christ to his body, from believer to believer, from God to the world. It is the very essence of God himself.

Before Jesus came to earth no man knew the heights of God’s love and this prohibited any man from really coming to know God. Jesus, as God’s Word, his chief messenger revealed this love to us and allowed us an unobstructed view of the Deity himself. (1 John 4:9; John 1;18) In his life our Lord physically embodied love. As he loved those put into his care he was living example of his Father’s own love. (John 15:9)

When Jesus came to earth, God’s people were burdened by the religious teachers of the day. Instead of teaching the Law of Moses, the legalistic sect of the Pharisees added to it numerous human traditions disguised as law. In doing so they ignored the spirit of the law and neglected important elements like love for God. (Luke 11:42) Jesus provided relief from that religious system of bondage and provided an easier, gentle yoke. (Matthew 11:29,30) Instead of adding to the Law he distilled it down to its very basic elements – or spiritual essence. When asked by an “expert in religious law” about the greatest commandment in the Law Jesus answered affirmatively, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” The second greatest was, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37,39) The apostle Paul, himself once a Pharisee, came to realize this important point from the Lord for he too summarized, “love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:10) Jesus stated that he came to earth to fulfill the Law. (Matthew 5:17) He did so by loving perfectly down to the end as he lay down his life for the sake of the world.

Furthermore on the night before his death Jesus commanded his followers three times to, “love one another”. (John 13:34; 15:12, 17) Jesus stressed that this agape love was to be the identifying mark of his true disciples. (John 13:35) Jesus referred to this as a new commandment and he instructs his followers to, “love one another. Just as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)

It could be asked, in what sense was this a new commandment? After all, as we have noted, love was commanded in the Law of Moses and Jesus had earlier called attention to the superiority of law of love above all others. The answer is that it was a new commandment in the intensity of the love that would be displayed. Jesus called them to love “as I have loved you”. Further elaborating on his own powerful love, Jesus stated, “No one has greater love than this - that one lays down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) Jesus would prove his love by willingly giving his own life so that others would live. Agape is a self-sacrificing love so deep that a person will gladly lay down their life for others. The Law commandment that Jesus cited earlier required that a person love their neighbor as they loved themselves. Jesus now gives the superior standard of loving others more than we love ourselves.

The scope of our love is also extended along with the intensity of it. Jesus amplifies the Law when he said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew 5:43,44) Our love is no longer restricted to those who will love us back - those who we would normally be inclined to love. It’s not even confined to just family or neighbor. From Jesus’ perspective “our neighbor” becomes anyone within the scope our lives – even those that we may consider to be our enemies. He illustrated this in his parable of the “good Samaritan”. Therein, it was the Samaritan, the religious enemy of the Jew who proved to be the neighbor of the Jew, by showing love that transcended national animosity, bigotry and prejudice. (Luke 10:29-37) Such non-discriminate love brings great rewards. Loving our enemies allows us be seen as “sons of the Most High, because he is kind to ungrateful and evil people.” (Luke 6:35)

When we reflect on Jesus’ command to love as he had loved our mind may naturally look toward his sacrificial death; and rightly so, for this was the greatest example of love in the entire history of the Universe. However it is important to note that he spoke in the past tense saying, “love … as I have loved you”. This was before his death so we must take notice of how his entire life course was one of self-sacrificing love. Paul later commented upon Jesus’ unselfish way of thinking, saying,:

“You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped but emptied himself, by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8)

Jesus' entire earthly life course was marked by that noble love. He was willing to forgo comfort and totally expend himself in the service of others. (Matthew 8:20) As Paul writes to the Corinthians “love is not self-serving” - 1 Cor 13:5

As disciples of Christ we are entrusted with this sacred task of showing love to the world; but, within the community of believers such love should burn with a holy intensity. This is the essence of Christianity. John is sometimes called the “apostle of love” as he above all others really seemed to grasp the divine revelation of love in Jesus’ life and death. He was especially endearing to Christ himself for John was referred to as “the disciple whom he loved”. (John 19:26) In a letter to a congregation John distills the gospel message to, “we should love one another” (1 John 3:11) Loving our fellow Christians is the testimony that we “have crossed over from death to life.” (1 John 3:14) Jesus’ own death is how we have “come to know love” and we are thus called to “lay down our lives for our fellow Christians”. (1 John 3:16) And while we would gladly die for our brother or sister our whole life course should be of loving self-sacrifice and putting the interests of others ahead of our own. Love is more than just a lifeless theological concept but a motivating force for good. As John writes, “Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue but in deed and truth.” (1 John 3:18)

Through Christ we are brought into a community of believers, called the church or ekklesia and it is in this forum that we are tested in perfecting our love as fellow children of God. It is here that we show our love for Jesus by taking care of those who are his own. After his resurrection, Jesus stressed to Peter that if he truly loved him that he would shepherd and feed his sheep. (John 21:15-17) Peter therefore gives admonition to “love one another earnestly”, to “love the family of believers” (1 Peter 1:22; 2:17) He raises the prominence of love when he says, “Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8)

Likewise in the apostle Paul’s letters to the congregation, love is held high above all other things and is the tonic for keeping the Christian community alive and fruitful. A prime example is at Galatians 5:6 where Paul states that in the body of Christ the only thing that matters is “faith working through love.” One of the more passionate discussions of love by Paul is in 1 Corinthians 13. He begins by saying:

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I give over my body in order to boast, but do not have love, I receive no benefit.” (v. 1-3)

In the first three verses Paul shows the superiority of love over other Christian pursuits and emphasizes how without love all of our works of faith are null and void. Like tongues and prophecy, love is a gifted through the Spirit of God; it the prime gift superior to all others. He continues:

“Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (v. 4-7)

In his listing of the fruitage of the spirit, love is first and foremost. We here notice how some of the other qualities of the “fruit of the spirit” such as kindness, joy, peace, and long-suffering, are summed in love.

“Love never ends. But if there are prophecies, they will be set aside; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be set aside. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but when what is perfect comes, the partial will be set aside. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. But when I became an adult, I set aside childish ways. For now we see in a mirror indirectly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (v. 8-12)

Paul shows the enduring, permanent quality of love. God is everlasting and since God is love, love too is eternal. As we grow toward maturity and fullness in the Christ we are gifted by the Holy Spirit to build up others in love. When we all reach complete maturity we will be love just as God is love. At that time our faith and hope will be met with the reality of the transcendent love that is God.

Paul wrote those words to a congregation that was plagued by division and their gatherings instead of building up were tearing down the body of Christ. (1 Cor 1:12,13; 11:18) As Christians we are encouraged to meet together with our brethren in order “to spur one another on to good works.” (Hebrews 10:24, 25) The Corinthian Christians had failed in that fundamental purpose in meeting together. As a congregation they had lost sight of the body of Christ and with it began to devalue each other. (1 Cor 12) The appropriate antidote to this bitter poison was manifesting the love of God and Christ.

Similarly, to the congregation in Colossae Paul wrote, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others. And to all these virtues add love, which is the perfect bond.” (Colossian 3:13-14) Again Paul here stresses the preeminence of love over Christian qualities. The entire body of believers is likened to a building, specifically that of Almighty God. (1 Peter 2:4,5) With the temple of Solomon no mortar was used and the stones where chiseled and cut to fit and held in place by friction. It is expected that in our relations with fellow “living stones” we will rub against each other from time to time; but, love, the “perfect” or “complete” bond, will hold us together and cause us not to divide. Love is essential to the success and growth of any body of believers as love is the uniting force between us. (Phil 2:2)

In John’s writings we have and unbridled view of fullness of the shared love between the Father and his children, and between believers. He calls to our attention how God has loved us by calling us to be his children. (1 John 3:1) Likewise when we “love one another” we reflect God’s love and this provides evidence that we have been fathered by God and know him. (1 John 4:7) Jesus opened the way for us to enter God’s family as children of God. (John 1:12,13) The same eternal love that flows back and forth from Father to Son is extended to us as fellow family members. When we generate that love in our lives we prove that we are part of this family and we have confidence in our relationship with God.

Love frees us from fear. Fear of death previously held mankind in slavery until we were released by Jesus’ loving sacrifice. (Hebrews 2:14, 15) Love releases mankind from fear of others and fear of death. We have confidence that our eternal lives, our soul is secure in God’s gracious hands and in the power of Jesus’ triumph over death. If called to, our love will take us to the death of our own physical body. Paul writes, “God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and self-control.” (1 Timothy 1:7) Love also frees us from the fear of not measuring up and falling into judgment. John writes, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears punishment has not been perfected in love.” (1 John 4:18) We can be confident of God’s love for us despite the darkness of our personal past. As it is written, "God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) God’s love tells us that we are good enough and thus we have faith in our eternal security.

The love that Jesus showed was in reflection of his Father. John writes, “For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life”. (John 3:16) Just as Jesus proved his love for mankind by dying for all, our Father in heaven proved his. He unselfishly gave his very best, his only son, to the world. Few humans would willfully die for another, and even fewer would give up their child for the sake of others; but God did this very thing for us. Who can argue against the awesome, resplendent love of our Heavenly Father? Paul asks, “If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all us, will he not with him also give us everything else?” (Romans 8:31,32)

One of the most wonderful concepts in the revealed Word is that God can live in us and through us when we love others. Peter calls this “his most magnificent and precious promise … that we may become partakers of the divine nature.” The essence, or divine nature is love for “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) “God is love, and the one who resides in love resides in God, and God resides in him.” (1 John 4:16) Regarding Jesus, Paul writes, “For in him all fullness of the deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9) So in Jesus, the fullness of God’s love was made manifest and yet the sacred truth is that we ourselves can become conduits for God’s love. Paul prays that church in Ephesus would, “know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that [they] may be filled up to the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:19) The same fullness that dwelled within Jesus is manifest in those who believe and love him. “The love of God has been poured out into our hearts” (Romans 5:5) By practicing the truth in love we grow into a more pure bodily manifestation of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 4:15)

Love then becomes the binding force at work within the family of believers and it is a reflection of that love that is the eternal force within the Godhead. There is a powerful unity that exists between Father and Son; indeed, they are one. (John 10:30) We as children of God are invited into that union so that we too become one with the Father and the Son. (John 17:21) Through love, God resides in us just as he dwells in his Son Jesus. John confirms this when he writes, “God is love, and the one who resides in love resides in God, and God resides in him.” (1 John 4:16) Though no one has seen God when we love others we bring a visible representation of him in the same manner that his Son showed him to the world.

Our love for others should be the natural reflection of the intense love that we have for our heavenly Father and his Son, Christ Jesus. “We love because he loved us first.” (1 John 4:19) For example, we manifest our love for Jesus by obeying his commandments, chief of which is his command to love one another. (John 14:15) By loving Jesus, our Father loves us in response, and Jesus loves us and reveals himself to us. (John 14:21) This is because Jesus’ commands come from God the Father. When Jesus followed his Father’s commands he proved his love for him just as when we obey these commands we in turn become recipients for that same love. (John 15:10) Love of Christ brings is resounding satisfaction and leads to our salvation, as Peter writes “You have not seen him, but you love him. You do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, because you are attaining the goal of your faith – the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8,9) And for those who manifest love for God and Christ we are brought into a bond that no man can sever. Paul asks rhetorically, “Who will separate us from the love of the Christ?” The answer is no one and nothing for Jesus’ devotion to those who love him is intense and perfect. “[Nothing] will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39) This love then is everlasting and the future is only bright for those who have come to know the love of God and we have just been given a token of what awaits us in the future for it is written “Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined are the things God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Cor 2:9)

The Tabernacle of David - Our Freedom

2007-01-23T19:23:00.000-08:00

A friend and I have been discussing King David. I'm finding him quite fascinating. Some writers have made observation that he is like the New Testament in Old Testament times. For David and his companions there was no barrier between them and the holy - it just didn't exist. David is a forgleam of the freedom that we experience in the New Covenant!

Shewbread - Bread of Presentation

In Ancient times the shewbread or bread presentation was set before Almighty God in the holy compartment of the tabernacle or temple. (Exodus 25:30; Leviticus 24:5,6) Only the priests could enter the holy, only consecrated priests could eat the showbread. To the contrary in the recorded account in 1 Samuel 21:1-8 David and his men eat the bread of presentation. They broke the law - surely they should be condmened! They weren't. They weren't condemmed by the priesthood then. Jesus didn't condemn them either but rathered used this account of David of eating the shewbread as a favorable example in defense of his own action. (Luke 6:1-5)

The example of the shewbread pales in comparison to the "Tabernacle of David" and what went on there which is absolutely MIND-BLOWING!

Tabernacle of David

Have you heard of the Tabernacle of David? The Tabernacle of Moses is very familiar as is the temple of Solomon but I didn't really know too much about the oft-overlooked "tabernacle of David". In fact I didn't even know it existed. When I was recently told about it from another Christian it bowled me over. It is so FASCINATING and very important I would like to share this information with you.

First why is it important?

Amos prophecies, "On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old;" - Amos 9:11

Then in the early days of the Christian congregation a problem arises over the gentiles coming into the Church and the problem manifested itself over the issue of circumcism. This issue was dealt with in Jerusalem and is recorded in Acts 15. In coming to a decision James under Holy Spirit references this prophecy of Amos - the restoration of the tabernacle of David!

Why? The Tabernacle of David refers to unfettered and completely accesible worship in the presence of God without any barriers, barricades, blockades, doors, or dividing walls!

To understand the Tabernacle of David we first have to go back to the Tabernacle of Moses in how it was arranged. There were three areas.

1.) The Courtyard

The courtyard contained the brazen altar for sacrifices and the lever for the cleansing of the priests. Everyone is Israel was permitted to enter the courtyard. They could worship God freely there.

2.) The Holy Place

Within the courtyad was the Holy Place. This was where we find the altar of incense, the lampstand, and the table of the shewbread. Entrance was restricted to just the priests.

3.) The Most Holy Place

Within the Holy Place was a veiled area called the Most Holy Place. It contained only one item. The ark of the covenant which represented the throne of God and his Holy presence. Entrance was limited to just one person - the High Priest, once a year.

This was how it was down to the days of Eli the High Priest. The traveling Tabernacle of Moses was now stationed in Shiloh. Eli had two good for nothing sons named Hophi and Phineas who served with him as priests in the tabernacle. These were the guys who were having sex relations with women at the gates of the tabernacle and eating the fatty portions of the offerings reserved for God. (1 Samuel 2:22-25)

One day Israel gets into a battle with the neighboring Phillistines. Israel had always had success against the Phillistines but on that day they were defeated and lost 4,000 men! So the people are confused. "Why didn't God fight for us?" they wonder. So they hatch this "brilliant" idea to go get the ark of the covenant and bring it into battle. They reason if God doesn't want to show up for the battle we will just go get him and bring him to it. So Hophni and Phineas violate the Most Holy Place and take the ark of covenant into battle. And surprise, surprise God still doesn't show up. Hophni and Phineas die along with 30,000 Israelites! Worst of all the ark of the covenant is taken by the Philistines! When Eli hears the news about the ark he falls over backward and dies. (1 Samuel 4)

Now the Phillistines take the ark and station it in their chief city of Ashdod, but it brings plagues so they pass it to Gath. The same things happen in Gath so the people of Gath send it to Ekron. Ekron is terrified so they wise up and say, "Enough, let's send it back to Israel". So they load up the ark in cart and drive it back to Israel. (1 Samuel 5)

Israel of course is overjoyed to receive the ark back. It was a dark day when it was stolen and "the glory had departed". The ark is pulled into Besh Shemash and the people are really, really happy. But they do something incredibly stupid. They decide to take off the lid of the ark, the mercy seat, and peek inside. When the mercy seat is removed, the broken law is uncovered by the blood of atonement and they are condemned to death and instantly die. So the people get frightened and call for some people from Kiriath Jearim to come get the ark. (1 Samuel 6)

Interestingly the ark is not brought back to the tabernacle of Moses in Shiloh. Instead it is taken to the house of Abinadab in Kiriath Jearim where it is guarded by his son Eleazar (1 Samuel 7:1) And there it stays during entire the reign of Saul until the days when David reigns as King.

David loves God and wants to bring him back. So he calls upon the people to go get the ark from Kiriath Jearim and bring it back to Israel. A wonderful idea with just one problem -- they load up the ark on a cart. Remember that the cart idea was originally the brain-child of the heathen Philistines. As the ark travels upon this rickety invention of man it hits a bump on a threshing floor (The place where the wheat is seperated from the chaff). The ark wobbles so a man named Uzza reaches out to steady it and is struck dead. So David gets frightened and doesn't bring the ark back to his city but they store it in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. (1 Chronicles 13)

The ark is in the house Obed-Edom, blessing his family for for three months, and during that time David reads up on the Law and figures out that only the God ordained way to transport the ark is carried on staves by sanctified priests. So all the priests assemble and prepare to bring the ark to the City of David. And it is the biggest party in all of Israel. There are musicians and singers and even David himself strips down to a linen shift and dances in the presence of God. (1 Chronicles 15)

They bring the ark back, not to the Tabernacle of Moses which is now in Gibeon, but to the simple canvas tent David has erected upon Mt. Zion. David makes burnt offerings and then stations people to sing songs and play music in the presence of the ark of the covenant daily - there was even a night shift! (1 Chonicles 16:1-6)

At this time there was an anomaly in Israel - there were two tabernacles of God in existance simeultaneously. There was the Tabernacle of David on Mt. Zion and the Tabernacle of Moses in Gibeon. (Some of the Psalms even reference "Tabernacles" in the plural) David and the singers and musicians served on Mt. Zion before the ark in the Tabernacle of David. In Gibeon Zadok and the priests served in the prescibed manner of the Law with the sacrifices in the Tabernacle of Moses. At David's Tabernacle there was only a one time sacrificial offering and then 24/7 sacrifices of the fruit of the lips. At Gibeon there are daily animal sacrifices upon the altar. Mt. Zion is the new wineskin. Gibeon is the old wineskin. One had the presence of God, the wine, unfettered and accesible for all to drink. One didn't have it all. (1 Chronicles 16:37-42)

In the tabernacle of Moses only the High Priest could come before the presence of God in the Most Holy place. In the tabernacle of David it was completely open and accessible to all morning, noon, and night. Can you just picture David nestled up under the shadow of the wings of the cherubim on top of the ark writing, playing, and singing songs? Can you picture the people worshipping freely and uncondemned before God?

David was just a sneak preview of the joy that we realise today! Today we are free to eat the bread of presentation. Today we worship in the very presence of the Lord unrestricted! Through Jesus we have boldness to enter into the holy place, uncondemned! Jesus destroyed the barriers and not just those that existed between Jew and Gentile; but also those between priest and non-priest. The tabernacle of David is restored and what a sweet freedom we have!

You Are What You Read

2007-01-08T12:33:00.000-08:00

Jumping on the "blog a picture of your bookshelf" bandwagon:

6a2 on YouTube

2007-01-03T10:45:00.000-08:00

I've jumped on the YouTube bandwagon. We've been using the new Internet browser on the Wii to watch videos to our TV. I was organizing our personal video tapes and found some videos to upload to YouTube.

These are of me and Rebekah's old band 6a2 from our one and only live performance:

4(give/get)
Cannonball
Mr. Tough Guy

And two from my favorite band Pop Riveter taken in 2004 at the October Ridge fest:

Good Day
Cracklin Rosie

Fruitage of the Spirit - Part 1

2007-01-02T06:14:00.000-08:00

In 2007 I will be contributing an article for each monthly edition of the Common Truth e-newsletter. The articles will be part of a systematic study of the "Fruitage of the Spirit" found at Galatians 5:22, 23. My original intention was to write a book on the topic as part of a personal study. That is still my goal but having a monthly obligation to the newsletter should keep me on track so that I don't slack off. (God willing)

--

The overall aim of Paul’s shepherding activities throughout the congregations he helped to plant was to build believers into full-grown maturity within the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13) This was true within the Roman province of Galatia. In writing to them he spoke to them as his “little children” and told them, “I am again in childbirth pains until Christ is formed in you.” (Galatians 4:19) Ultimately he wanted them to be able to make the same assertion that he himself made, “It is no longer I that live, but it is Christ who is living in union with me.” (Galatians 2:20)

After leaving the church in Galatia though, those newborn Christians suffered a serious setback in their progress toward fullness in Christ. Certain ones from the church in Judea were infiltrating their congregations and teaching a works-based perversion of the Gospel. This caused the Galatians to turn away from the spirit and start living toward the works of law. After losing their focus on the spirit some were perhaps even falling back into fleshly tendencies. In writing the letter, Paul hoped to bring them back in line with the spirit they began with.

This provides the backdrop for which we obtain our theme scripture.

"the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." - Galatians 5:22, 23

Before we can begin a discussion about bearing fruit though, we must consider what is meant by the term “fruits”. Some may confuse bearing fruits as works such as evangelizing and making converts. Sadly, we don't have to look too deeply at the contemporary Christian landscape to see that even though a person may manifest good works their inner person may be void and lacking of Christ. For example, a dynamic "pastor" may lead a church of thousands; but secretly be involved in sexual sin.

Furthermore, even ungodly men can manifest good works. To illustrate we can consider briefly one aspect of the fruitage of the spirit: Generosity. A greedy business executive may give to charity to increase his worldly status or to alleviate a tax burden. Certainly we wouldn't conclude that such a man was bearing good fruitage in doing so.

So when speaking about the fruits we are not talking about what we consider good works or deeds but instead are looking at a good Christ-like personality. The spirit produces Godly characteristics in a person and as a result they will inherently have good actions. And just as Jesus cautions that from an evil heart all manner of wickedness may spring forth, the converse is true that from one having a pure heart all sorts of good fruitage will be brought forth. (Mark 7:23) Paul cites this principle when he writes to the Galatians, “Whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7) Thus when we look at developing the "fruitage of the spirit" in our lives we are not seeking works but seeking to develop the spirit of Christ within us that will naturally lead to virtuous action.

In his letter to the Galatians Paul lists the fruitage, or the good qualities, that the spirit produces within us. While this listing of the fruitage of Spirit is a wonderful round look at the “mind of Christ” we must keep in mind that it is not meant to be comprehensive and complete.

In speaking about the contrasting works of the flesh he doesn't produce an exhaustive list because they are, in his words, "obvious" or "apparent". In dealing with the works of the flesh at Galatians 5:19-21, Paul quickly enumerates a few and says, "and things like these." Likewise the list of aspects of the fruit of the spirit at Galatians is a general overview of what is manifest in the personality of a spirit lead person.

In his letters to the congregation at Ephesus, Paul provides even a broader summary of the fruit of the spirit saying, it is "found in all that is good and right and true". (Ephesians 5:9) These attributes are the part of the new personality that we take on as Holy Ones of God. (Colossians 3:10-14)

Paul was not the first to use the word picture of fruit when dealing with spiritual life. Jesus often used fruit in his parables and teachings. He emphasized the importance of bearing good fruit by showing that the quality of fruit produced will determine the true man of God and show up those who are false. Furthermore he taught that those who do not bear good fruit are to be judged and destroyed in fire. (Matthew 7:19) As Christian disciples of Jesus bearing good fruit is imperative. But how can we develop good fruit in our lives?

Illustrating aspects of the Christian personality as fruitage shows how these virtues develop in a person - that is organically and not mechanically. They are not prepared as one would an apple pie; rather they are cultivated like an apple tree. To further illustrate, when baking we generally have control over the process from start to finish. The end product is therefore solely determined by our selection of ingredients, our ability to follow a recipe, and our culinary skill.

When gardening we only have partial control over the end result. A skilled farmer can do much to produce a good harvest; however there is a certain element that is left in the hands of God. Paul calls to mind this principle at 1 Corinthians 3:6,7 where he writes, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who give the growth."

By comparing the production of these qualities to a bringing forth a harvest of fruit it clues us in to the optimal way they will develop in us - that is organically grown in tandem with God. While it is possible to try to work on these individual aspects of the Christian life, our best success will be achieved when we allow them to naturally spring forth as the result of germinating the seed of God's Word planted within us, watered by his Spirit. In considering how we can have a bountiful spiritual harvest it comes down to these three symbolic elements: Soil, seed, and water.

Soil

Soil represents us as individuals as we are made from the ground. We were originally created in the image of God and still within our hearts there lies fertile ground that may produce a rich crop of spiritual fruitage.

Jesus illustrates the principle of good soil in his illustration of the seed sower in Matthew 13. In his parable he likens a person who is receptive to the seed of God’s Word as good soil that would produce an abundant crop. Such a person willingly receives God’s Word and cherishes it in their hearts. On the opposite side, poor soil is manifest by those that have no lasting interest in the Word of God, who fall away in times in tribulation or who allow secular interests to encroach upon their spirituality. Therefore, in order to have good soil we need to have a deep love for God's Word; such an everlasting love that overshadows all other things in our lives.

Seed

In Jesus’ illustration the seed is God's Word. When we think about God’s Word we may have the tendency to just think about God’s written word the Bible. But when we speak about God’s Word we are ultimately talking about Jesus Christ who is the revealed Word of God. ( John 1:14) Jesus Christ is the channel by which God speaks to us today. (Hebrews 1:2) And because the “testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” we can understand that the entire inspired written Word is a revelation of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 19:10) Jesus then is the seed that will produce “righteous fruit” in our lives. (Philippians 1:11)

The seed may also compare to our individual nature. When we are born as humans, sin implants the fleshly nature, or seed of sin, into our hearts. If we allow such a seed to germinate it will bring forth a corrupt harvest that withers and dies. Fortunately though, we have the opportunity to plant a new seed within us, Jesus, God’s living Word.

When we accept Jesus into our hearts we can begin “sowing with a view to the spirit” and we “will reap everlasting life from the spirit". (Galatians 6:8) At this time we are “born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring Word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23)

Water

Soil and seed have great potential for growth but they need water to cause germination. While a fruit tree requires only the one time planting of a seed, it will require water throughout its maturation and on through that its entire life.

The water that God provides is the Holy Spirit that he rains down upon us bringing us growth. Joel prophetically spoke of a time that God would bring rain in full measure, even a downpour upon his people and that he would “pour out [his] spirit on all kinds of peoples” (Joel 2:23,28) This rain shower started to pour on Christians on Pentecost 33 CE when God poured out his holy spirit upon a group of gathered believers.(Acts 2:17-21)

This was in accord with Jesus’ promise that his Father would send them the Holy Spirit. (John 16:7; Acts 1:4,5) Like rain, the Spirit is poured down into the soil of our hearts and causes the seed of Jesus to grow within us. (Galatians 4:6; Romans 5:5) This water enriches our lives.(Psalm 65:9) The Spirit forms “living water” that flows out of the hearts of believers. (John 7:37,38) And the living water brings forth a rich crop of Christ-like fruitage - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22,23)

Prophets within the Christian Congregation

2006-12-31T16:33:00.000-08:00

After the exodus from Egypt, Moses was feeling the heavy burden of having to lead an entire nation of people by himself. Jehovah God instructed Moses to select seventy older men to help him shoulder the load. The seventy were brought before the tent of meeting where God’s spirit came down upon them and “they proceeded to act as prophets”, but this ecstatic prophesying was just a one time event to affirm that God had indeed anointed them and his spirit was upon them. The account states, “they did not do it again.” (Numbers 11:24,25)

However there were two men, Eldad and Medad, who were numbered among the seventy that had not gone to the tent but had stayed in the camp. God’s spirit came to rest upon them as well and they proceeded to act as prophets within the camp. This caused quite a stir because it was viewed as a possible affront to Moses’ leadership. Certain young men ran to report to Moses how Eldad and Medad were acting as prophets. Joshua urged Moses to restrain them.

Moses’ response shows the depth of his humility. He asks Joshua, “Are you feeling jealous for me? No, I wish that all of Jehovah’s people were prophets, because Jehovah would put his spirit upon them!” (Numbers 11:29)

Throughout the Old Testament prophets are found. In many accounts they appear in groups or are collectively spoken of as “the prophets”. (1 Sam 10:5; 2 Kings 4:38) Certain prophets who Jehovah’s spirit was upon in extraordinary ways are specifically mentioned and distinguished from the general company of the prophet such as Samuel, Nathan, Elijah and his companion Elisha. Later prophets wrote their messages directly down such as Isaiah and Jeremiah.

Often times when we hear prophecy or prophet we have the tendency to think of a prediction about a future event. However in the Bible prophecy was more general in that it encompassed whenever God spoke to a human whether about a contemporary or future event. God used these prophets in various ways for the benefit of the nation.

The prophets therefore were the voice to God among the people. Sometimes their word was sought when the nation was facing a decision and they needed God’s say on the matter. (1 Kings 22:5,6) At other times they were used to deliver reproof when the nation or a leader was in error. (2 Samuel 12:1-12) On occasion they gave foreknowledge of future events such as the coming of the Messiah.

The prophets were instrumental in the compiling and writing of the Holy Scriptures. Prophets such as Moses, Samuel, and Nathan composed historical books. Many of David’s psalms speak prophetically about the coming Messiah. Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel and others wrote their prophetic messages down in the books that today bear their name. In a general sense all who penned down the Scriptures can be spoken of as prophets since all the entire Holy Word was formed under Divine inspiration. (2 Timothy 3:16)

With the advent of the Christian congregation in 33 CE, Moses’ desire that Jehovah’s Holy Spirit touch all of God’s people was realised. Holy spirit was poured out upon a group of congregated believers in a wonderful way. This was in fulfillment of another prophecy spoken by Joel where God says, “I shall pour out some of my spirit upon every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy and your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams.” (Joel 2:28)

Unlike the former days where the prophets were limited to a group or individuals within the nation, the entire Christian congregation was spirit anointed and able to prophecy, to receive and speak the word of God. Even the young women were gifted in this regard as was true with Philip’s four daughters. (Acts 21:9) Paul also acknowledged the role that women played in prophesying in the congregation of Christ. (1 Cor 11:5)

While the Holy Spirit imparted gifts to all believers not all had the same gift and not all acted as prophets. (1 Cor 12:29). Yet the gift of prophecy was not off limit to the entire congregation for Paul encouraged them to “keep zealously seeking the greater gifts” (1 Cor 12:31). In seeking these greater gifts Paul preferred that all in the congregation would be able to prophecy because of the upbuilding effect that it had on the assembled body. (1 Cor 14:1,4)

How were the Christian congregations to view those who prophesied? Paul instructed the congregation of the Thessalonians to, “not treat prophesying with contempt” (1 Thess 4:20). Prophets were to be listened to attentively so that those assembled could “discern the meaning” of what they spoke (1 Cor 14:29) Prophecy encouraged the congregation; therefore, those who were gifted with prophecy needed to use that gift to for the benefit of the body of Christ. (1 Cor 14:31; Romans 12:4-6)

While prophesying is not to be held in contempt the congregation needed to exercise caution because Jesus said, “that many false prophets will arise and mislead many.” (Matthew 24:11) The apostle John confirmed that this becoming true within the Christian congregation. He wrote, “Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

The congregation then is implored to not accept every prophecy but to test them to see if it is indeed a word from God. In a vision, Jesus commended the congregation of Ephesus for putting to test those who made claim to be apostles. (Rev 2:2) Similar judgment needed to be used in evaluating prophetic utterances. The discernment of spirits then is a necessary and beneficial gift to the congregation. (1 Cor 12:10)

As with many aspects of the Christian life, prophecy then is a gift that is to be exercised within the context of the Christian congregation. While some may wish to pattern themselves after the Old Testament prophets such as Ezekiel to do so is to ignore the fact that God’s spirit now operates corporately within a body of believers. Those with gifts such as prophecy are not meant to dominate over other Christians. Paul instructs them to yield and keep silent if a revelation is given to another during their prophesying. (1 Cor 14:30) The hearers of such an inspired expression are meant to evaluate it and test it out. (1 Cor 14:29; 1 John 4:1)

We need to keep in mind that even those with a powerful gift of prophecy are nothing if they do not manifest love. (1 Cor 13:2) Having love causes us to know that our various gifts are provided for the “building up of the body of Christ”. (Ephesians 4:11,12) Love would prevent someone with a spiritual gifting not fall into the trap of becoming puffed up or self-centered in their attitude. (1 Cor 13:4,5)

Choose the Good Portion

2006-12-23T12:17:00.000-08:00

"Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he said. But Martha was distracted with all the preparations she had to make, so she came up to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work alone? Tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the best part; it will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:28-32

I was meditating on this passage the other day and I got a new perspective. In the past I had just considered the obvious physical application. For instance we shouldn't allow the various things in life, such as household responsibilities, jobs, etertainment distraction from spiritual pursuits. Yesterday, though, I was thinking about how even in spiritual pursuits we can neglect the best part, or the good portion - Jesus Christ.

I was thinking about Martha. Certainly she felt she was keeping Jesus in mind as she hurried about the kitchen fixing food for him. I'm sure the meal that she was preparing to feed him would have been fabulous and praise worthy. However such a thing had to be secondary to focusing directly on Jesus and listening to the Great Teacher.

It could happen easily to us. We may do a bunch of charitable works in the name of the Lord but in the process lose focus on Jesus himself. Or purely in terms of learning we can get distracted with doctrine, theology, history, or eschatology. These things may be done with Jesus in mind but in chasing after them we always run the risk of gradually losing sight of our teacher.

I think about what a powerful apostle Paul was. Being a disciple of the esteemed teacher Gamaliel he had a great background education. Being filled with holy spirit he was given extensive wisdom and revelation. These qualities are certainly reflected in his letters but the primary thing that stands out is his near constant focus on Jesus. I'm mindful of what he told the Corinthian congregation, "And so I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come with an extravagance of speech or of wisdom declaring the sacred secret of God to you. For I decided not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ, and him impaled." - 1 Cor 2:1,2

In my personal study I'm often left wishing Paul had went into more details on such subjects as the "man of lawlessness", "the resurrection of the dead", and "third heaven". However, I'm beginning to appreciate his brief treatment of these intriguing subjects is intentional. As he told them Corinthians he decided, or made the conscious decision just to proclaim Jesus Christ.

Later on in that letter to the Corinthians Paul puts it all into perspective:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels but do not have love, I have become a sounding [piece of] brass or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophesying and am acquainted with all the sacred secrets and all knowledge, and if I have all the faith so as to transplant mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my belongings to feed others, and if I hand over my body, that I may boast, but do not have love, I am not profited at all. - 1 Cor 13:1-3

Paul here highlights a danger. We can focus on pursuing spiritual gifts, discerning divine mysteries, gaining knowledge or being charitable at the expense of losing out on love. And we don't have love we don't know our Heavenly Father or Jesus. (1 John 4:8; John 13:35)

Frank Viola in his article The Deep Ecclesiology makes this personal observation regarding how by persuing things such a doctrinal correctness that we can lose sight of love. He writes:

"But during that season, I made another discovery. Namely, that Christian doctrine can make a person downright mean! I observed that the men who were the most schooled in Christian doctrine and the most concerned about “sound theology” did not resemble Jesus Christ at all in their behavior. Instead, they seemed to center their lives on making the unimportant critical. The spirit of the Lamb was altogether missing. They were harsh personalities who appeared to almost hate those with whom they disagreed. Granted, there is a doctrine in the New Testament. But majoring on Christian doctrine and theology can turn Christians into inquisitors."

The Corinthians congregation that Paul wrote to was racked with division. (1 Cor 1:11) Since this is the first thing he mentions in his letter we may conclude that was the primary purpose for his writing to them on that occassion. One specific divisive area that is mentioned is how different ones were developing camps around certain spiritual teachers. (1 Cor 1:12) However that wasn't the only problem dividing this congregation. Reading through the letter we see that there were may other divisive areas:

Some were "going beyond the things written." 4:6
Some were showing favoritism. 4:6
Some were prideful. 4:18
They were tolerating gross immorality. 5:1
Some were taking their brother to court. 6:7
There was conflict over the eating foods sacrificed to idols. chap. 8
They were observing the Lord's Supper without consideration of others and with excess. chap. 11
They weren't giving consideration to all members of the body of Christ. 12:14-18
Their meetings were a free-for-all as the members were unyielding to one another. 14:26-33

Paul provides the appropriate remedy to this divisive situation. He says that they should be "united in the same mind and in the same line of thought." (1 Cor 1:10) What mind is this? It is the "mind of Christ" (1 Cor 2:16) Our unity is in Jesus Christ and in order to have unity all must have the "mind of Christ" and focus on him.

Maybe like Martha we have our hands full with many things, physically or spiritually. If so perhaps we just need to set it aside for a season and like Mary position ourselves at the feet of Jesus, the good portion, focusing just on him.

Of Note

2006-12-20T08:11:00.000-08:00

My sister passed this on to me this morning and I'm passing it on to you.

Tonight @ 7:00pm eastern, CNN is airing a special program called After Jesus. It promotes itself as a look at the first Christians and the history of the Church. Church history fascinates me so I'll take a look.

Also ...

Kristin Hersh does guest blog entries at Powells from time to time. I just had a chance to take a look at her December 15th entry Vodka and Chocolate. It was very touching piece about loss and love. Kristin humbly denies that she is a writer but these entries reveal such a talent. Would it be wrong to suggest she put down her guitar for a spell and pick up a pen? These days I find her writings to be more compelling than her music. Though I certainly won't hesitate to pick up her new album Learn to Sing Like a Star when it comes out in January.

Killing In The Name Of ...

2006-12-14T14:51:00.000-08:00

The only thing worse than killing people in a video-game is doing so in the name of Jesus.

The new "Left Behind" video-game is seriously in error.

What would Jesus say to the "Tribulation Force"?

Maybe something like this:

“Return your sword to its place, for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword."

Give Me Jesus

2006-12-12T20:37:00.000-08:00

I'm tired. Prayers have been said and my child is tucked into bed. I was on my way but then remembered that I was going to write a blog entry tonight.

I spent tonight writing. I've been working on a book. I have it all outlined and it just seems like it should be simply fill-in-the-blanks but more often than not I find myself studying for hours just to crank out a sentence. Tonight I was really productive and put down a couple of paragraphs.

What I really wanted to share though was an article written by Frank Viola,The Deep Ecclesiology of the Body

This is is one of those articles that I find myself shaking my head in agreement with quite a bit. I enjoyed reading about his perspective have changed throughout his religious experiences. He warns:

"Attention young Christians: You can get ridiculously obsessed with rapture fever! I was taught, “This is important. We have to know prophecy. We must study prophecy. 90% of the Bible is prophecy. We have a duty to understand it.” Let me confess. I was pathetically into eschatology. So much so that I could discuss it for hours with wild-eyed fascination."

"But I made a discovery. That all of those hours I spent pouring over Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelation . . . trying to put the end-time puzzle together . . . did not help me one iota to come to know my Lord better. It was largely an academic, intellectual exercise. And a sterile one at that!"

Frank admits that he stopped studying end-times prophecy. I'm not quite ready to give it up but I do know where he is coming from. Every Sunday afternoon I get together online with friends and we churn through this stuff. And in my personal studying for a long time I was constantly going through Revelation and Daniel. I've learned a lot and there have been some specific instances where God has given me direct insight into certain things so it hasn't been a completely fruitless endeavor. However my experience is that too often we can so bogged down in the details and questions that we can't see the forest for the trees. The forest is Jesus. Revelation 19:10 says that "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy"

Frank's journey seems to have lead him though to the same place I've found myself - Jesus.

"I made the striking discovery that I don’t need an it. I have never needed an it. And I will never need an it. Christian it’s . . . no matter how good or true . . . eventually wear out, run dry, and become tiresome.

I don’t need an it . . . I need a Him!

And so do you!

We do not need things. We need Jesus Christ!"

When I was in a religion I was taught that the theme of the Bible "The vindication of Jehovah's sovereignty by means of the Messianic Kingdom." It may be true - and it's truly a mouthful. I wonder why can't the theme just be "Jesus"?

Jesus was absolutely central to the early Church. The saddest thing in religions in how Jesus is minimized, just given lip service, and pushed to the side. We have spiritual ADD and can't focus on the most important element to our faith - Jesus.

We were talking to some friends recently from the same religious background as us. They were talking about their experience with one of the local mega-churches. They remarked how it had a club for everything, like "kayaking for the Lord". I've got no problem with kayaking but I just wonder about the ratio between kayaking and Jesus that the group provides.

One of the most common charges leveled at Jehovah's Witnesses is "You don't believe in Jesus". Ask a JW if this is true and they will scoff and say, "Of course we believe in Jesus." I know I used to. Afterall our religious literature had numerous references to Jesus.

But one of things I'm seeing is that while we did speak about Jesus he kind of got hidden in the mixed. It is almost like there was a fear of giving too much attention to Jesus. The general focus was on the organization, organization, organization. We focused on the body so much that we practically beheaded the Christ. What is worse is that we supplanted the leadership of Christ with some Frankenstein head construct called "the Faithful and Discreet Slave".

Christianity without Christ is a very empty faith indeed. What's the point?

You can keep your religion just give me Jesus.

Good night Friends.

Crash

2006-12-05T15:35:00.000-08:00

This morning I was involved in a crash on the Interstate. Wrecks are scary enough but are frightening at 65 mph. I was in morning rush hour traffic which had come to a slowdown. The guy coming up behind me didn't stop in time and plowed into me causing my car to bump the guy ahead of me.

I pray every morning for protection because some days those angels really come in handy.

Wii

2006-12-01T17:33:00.000-08:00

Rebekah and I celebrate our 10-year anniversary today!! That's a decade!! It's been a good run that's for certain. We don't really exchange gifts but we splurged on a Wii a couple of weeks ago so we have been having fun with it. Tomorrow we will get to enjoy a nice night out. I'm taking Rebekah to her favorite restaurant then we'll probably go see a movie that we'll end up leaving half-way through.

If anybody has a Wii and wants to add us our console code is: 6164 4778 8914 2690. Reply with yours.

And when we aren't getting sore muscles playing with the Wii I got a bunch of new books that have kept me busy:

The Apostolic Bible Polygot - The printed version of a new Greek/English interlinear translation of the Septuagint and the Christian scriptures that has been available online. The publication quality is kind of flimsy but the content is wonderful. I've been having fun cross-referencing using the built in Strong's number concordance. This will probably become my primary study Bible.

A Short History of the Early Church - Harry R. Boer

Saint Saul; A Skeleton Key to the Historical Jesus - Donald H. Akenson

The Twelve; The Lives of the Apostles After Calvary - C. Bernard Ruffin

Life Everlasting - in Freedom of the Sons of God, Watchtower Bible & Tract Society.

Rethinking the Wineskin - Frank Viola

I love books. I don't celebrate Christmas but I gleefully accept books all year round. Check out my wish-list! But if you think I should read something that is not on the list I'll take it too! *nudge *nudge *wink *wink

'Tis a silly blog posting - I know.

Love,

Anthony "Anathema" Mathenia

On Relationships

2006-11-17T10:36:00.000-08:00

"Consequently many more believed on account of what [Jesus] said, and they began to say to the woman: “We do not believe any longer on account of your talk; for we have heard for ourselves and we know that this man is for a certainty the savior of the world.” - John 4:41, 42

I realized last night that I'm kind of getting to that point in my relationship with Jesus.

When I originally put faith in Jesus it was faith by proxy. I believed in the things I heard about Jesus through what the Bible said about him. My faith was first in the Bible and through it I had faith in Jesus. While this vicariously introduced me to the persona of Christ and it didn't allow me to know him directly.

It has only been by experiencing him personally that I have been able to grow my faith in him and start to get to really get to know him.

I believe the difference can be illustrated by two translation approaches to John 17:3

"This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." - NWT

"And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" - NRSV

These two approaches to the text may seem interchangable on a surface level but look closer and the difference is evident. You can take in knowledge about a person all your life and still never really know them. "Taking in knowledge" is done indirectly; whereas, knowing a person comes from a direct relationship.

At this point in my life I hate to continue to harp on my past experience within the Watchtower organization. I only do so now because it provides a convenient reference point - maybe in the same way Paul discusses his pre-Christian past in his letter to the Phillipians. (3:5,6)

I used to pride myself that my religion and "faith" was based on knowlege and grounded in systematic study. I considered other religious experiences hollow ecstatic, emotional affairs. I remember a time when as a teen I brought a school-mate to my congregation for our annual observance of the memorial of Christ's sacrifice. For a Christian, commemorating the passion of our Lord should be a hugely compelling and moving event. At the Kingdom Hall it traditionally had all the affectivity of a lecture on home economics. After the meeting ended I asked my guest how he enjoyed the memorial. He said it wasn't like other churches and commented that the service reminded him of school. What shames me now brought me great satisfaction back then. I thought, "Wow! We are not like other churches - we are like school! Awesome!"

But a faith that is all head and no heart is anemic and powerless; because, in the hierarchy that Paul sets out in 1 Corinthians "heart" trumps all. As he writes, "If I have the gift of prophesying and am acquainted with all the sacred secrets and all knowledge, and if I have all the faith so as to transplant mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ... there remain faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." - 1 Cor 13:2,13

Love. For me that's what started this process of moving from head knowledge to heart experience. All my life I never knew how to love, really love, and yet I felt like I knew a lot about God. Yet little did I realize that I while I could endlessly recite scriptural factoids regarding God and his ways and his dealings I couldn't even claim to say I knew him. Because as John writes, "He that does not love has not come to know God, because God is love." (1 John 4:8) Furthermore it is through love that we can even begin to know the invisible God, "At no time has anyone beheld God. If we continue loving one another, God remains in us and his love is made perfect in us. ... God is love, and he that remains in love remains in union with God and God remains in union with him." - 1 John 4:12,16

Being in union with Jesus and in turn his Father is such a powerful thing and it works like a marraige in that you continue to grow into it. Along these lines Paul writes about the relationship between Christ and his Church saying, "For this reason a man will leave [his] father and [his] mother and he will stick to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This sacred secret is great. Now I am speaking with respect to Christ and the congregation." - Ephesians 5:31,32

In thinking about this marraige relationship we return to the earlier contrast between "taking in knowledge" and "knowing" someone. We can illustrate it like this. You may have a favorite actor. You may take in a lot of knowledge about them by reading magazine articles and biographies written on them. You may have seen all their movies. You may have even met them once in person. But can you really say you know them as well as their wife? Certainly not.

Again we look at it like a marraige. When you first get married it is something that is foreign to your core personality - something that is external to you. You wake up and say, "Wow. I'm married" and there is great joy and excitement that comes from that. Yet as the days, weeks, months, and years pass by, "married" moves internal and it becomes who you are. You less indentify with yourself - as you merge into this new unit - the "one flesh" with your spouse. The excitement transitions to a lovely comfort and you find that you know your husband so well that you can finish his sentences. You know what pleases him and you know what pains him.

Oh, to have that kind of relationship with the Lord! To know him so well that we could we could have his thoughts! Indeed this is entirely possible for Paul assures us, "we do have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16) And imagine not having to constantly search the scriptures for direction in our daily affairs! We can know what is pleasing and displeasing to our Lord and follow. Hebrews 8:10 calls attention to this where it quotes Jeremiah, ‘I will put my laws in their mind, and in their hearts I shall write them.'

Lately I've been reading some information by scholars who attempt to get to know the "historical" Jesus - which seems to mean any Jesus other than the Jesus that is presented by the Scriptures. In this quest each historian seems to find the Jesus that supports their personal feelings or thesis, be it, Jesus the peasant, Jesus the rabbi, Jesus the magician, Jesus the Essene, Jesus the homosexual philospher, or Jesus the Egyptian mystic. It seems there are no shortages of different Jesus' you can conjure out of pulling select passages of Scripture, ignoring others, mixing in worldly wisdom and inserting a dubious dose of fraudulent texts.

To the contrary Peter writes, "No, it was not by following artfully contrived false stories that we acquainted you with the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but it was by having become eyewitnesses of his magnificence" (2 Peter 1:16) By their approach, these so-called "Jesus Questors" will never know Jesus. Rather those of us who are "eyewitnesses of his magnificence", who have seen and experienced him will be blessed to know the man. But, even those of us who shun "empty speeches" and stick to the recorded Gospels are at risk of missing out on Jesus.

The Gospels are a blessed gift from Heaven and have served us well for these hundreds of years. They are a wonderful way to introduce us to Jesus and cause us to put faith in him. As John writes regarding the purpose of his gospel account, "To be sure, Jesus performed many other signs also before the disciples, which are not written down in this scroll. But these have been written down that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, and that, because of believing, you may have life by means of his name." (John 20:30,31) With personal relationships we are first introduced to someone and then the relationship grows from there. Like with a marraige the day you met your husband will always be special and hold a dear place in your heart but that is just the start of lifetime relationship. It the same way with Jesus. We are introduced to Jesus through the Gospels and put faith in him. From there we can begin to develop a first-hand relationship with Christ. However just reading the Gospels is like being introduced to someone but not progressing any further in personally knowing them.

What is interesting is that if you look at Paul's letters to the Christian Congregation, unlike the Gospels you find that he speaks very little about Jesus' teachings and even less about his miracles. The gospel he preached was mainly focused on Jesus' dying for our sins and being raised from the dead.

"For I decied to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified" - 1 Cor 2:2

"For I handed on to you, among the first things, that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, yes, that he has been raised up the third day according to the Scriptures;" - 1 Corinthians 15:3,4

What strikes me about Paul's letters is you don't really see him looking back at Jesus' life as some dead historical figure fading from glory into antiquity. Rather Paul is seized with the present-day reality of Jesus raised from the dead and exalted at the right hand above all majesty! He writes to those in Ephesus, "God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church,which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." - Ephesians 1:20-23

Paul's letters existed in the present in the first century and likewise they still speak to us in the present in the twenty-first just as, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) Through his epistles, Paul is telling us, the Christian Congregation, what it means to be living in the reality of Jesus Christ. They speak about knowing and experiencing Jesus through first-hand unity with him rather than just learning about him from secondary sources.

"I am impaled along with Christ. It is no longer I that live, but it is Christ that is living in union with me. Indeed, the life that I now live in flesh I live by the faith that is toward the Son of God, who loved me and handed himself over for me." - Galatians 2:20

Consequently if anyone is in union with Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away, look! new things have come into existence. - 2 Cor 5:17

Yet the question remains, how can we develop a personal relationship with someone who left this earth nearly two-thousand years ago? Jesus assured us before he went back to the Father, "I will ask the Father and he will give you another helper, to be with you forever." (John 14:15) In saying that the Father would give another helper Jesus is indicating that the Father had already sent one previous. This first helper was none-other then Jesus himself. What about the second helper?

Jesus indentifies the second helper as the Holy Spirit saying, "But the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you." The Holy Spirit then comes in the absence of being with Jesus "face-to-face".

At John 6:40 Jesus says, This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day." But how is that we today can "see the Son" who went back to the Father so long ago? It is through revelatory Spirit of Jesus that opens the eyes of our heart toward him toward him. (Ephesians 1:17,18) The Spirit is still with us today, even as it will be with us forever. (John 14:15) It is through this Spirit that we know that we are in unity with Jesus as John writes, "By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his spirit." (1 John 4:15) And it is through seeing and experiencing Jesus by the indwelling of spirit that we are assured of our ressurrection to eventually be with him face-to-face, forever. Accordingly Paul writes,

"However, you are in harmony, not with the flesh, but with the spirit, if God’s spirit truly dwells in you. But if anyone does not have Christ’s spirit, this one does not belong to him. But if Christ is in union with you, the body indeed is dead on account of sin, but the spirit is life on account of righteousness. If, now, the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his spirit that resides in you." - Romans 8:9-11

The gift given to those who develop a relationship with Jesus through his spirit in this world is to be able to see him as he is and be with him in the world that is to come. The apostle John writes, "When [Jesus] is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is." (1 John 3:2) Jesus gives his word of truth promising, "I will come again and will take you to myself so that where I am, there you may be also." - John 14:3

Like with every marraige our relationship only will get deeper as the years pass by. We can be assured that our relationship will continue to grow with he who loved us on through eternity. This then is our hope, sure and steadfast like an anchor for the soul. (Hebrews 6:19) Today we press upward and onward to the goal of knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection as Paul says, "I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own ... I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:10,12,14) We press on putting faith in Jesus not on the account of the saints before us who believed and wrote about him, but because we are ourselves have come to know him through his spirit that dwells in all fullness within us as he is being formed in us. (Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 4:13; Galatians 4:19)

You Can Leave Your Past Life Quicker Than It Will Leave You

2006-11-14T05:46:00.000-08:00

I awoke this morning and looked at my e-mail. Amazon had sent me a little sales note proclaiming

"Save 34% on "Clerks II (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition)"

Amazon informs me because I purchased the original Clerks on DVD than surely I might like to indulge in the sequel. I guess there's some truth to that. There was a time I would've leapt at their discount offer.

I used to love Kevin Smith movies - but that was the old me. The old me used to revel in vulgarity. The old me used to be quite the sharp wit and when it came to tossing out a well-timed, off-coloured quip I was deadly. But in the beginning of my walk with God I really put forth an effort to leave that behind and so I had say adieu to Mr. Smith and his penchant for blue humour and four letter words.

In truth I still have the tendency toward this - though reduced considerably. Sometimes profane words still come into my mind (but thankfully not as often). Sometimes profane words come out of my mouth (but just when I bash my head into something). Sometimes I think of a really funny joke that I know would just kill but I have to bite my tongue. And sometimes a part of me looks at the advert for Borat and thinks briefly about going to see it. But I'm getting better day by day, year by year with a little help from above.

You can leave your past life quicker than it will leave you.

I look at my Amazon "Clerks II" e-mail and wonder if it is a temptation by the Devil.

You laugh and call my a religious nut-case.

I tell you this story:

I'm not going to go to the sordid details but I used to have a major addiction to pornography. It was a serious addiction that lasted for over ten years and I couldn't stop. But a couple of years back when I started having a relationship with my heavenly Father things changed. One day I just committed myself to leaving it behind and my Father blessed me with his spirit and there was no turning back. The addiction melted away - I mean vanished - overnight. I still had the occasional desire come into my mind but it wasn't overpowering. I just prayed for the holy spirit and I was able to push it way. I've learned many important lessons while growing in the Christ but one of the first was the truth to what is written at Galatians 5:16 -"Keep walking by spirit and you will carry out no fleshly desire at all."

When I was a couple months into my new porn-free, spirit-filled life UPS delivered a big, unmarked box to my front door. Do you know how exciting it is to get a package you didn't order! You think, "Wow! A Present! From who?" I quickly opened to box to find that it was full of pornographic magazines, books, and videos. I checked the address label and it was supposed to have been delivered to the next street over. I turned my head, closed the box and then took it over to the house it was supposed to have gone to.

You think that the Devil does not try to tempt us? I'm sorry but I'm a believer.

Now I'm really wondering why I just shared that little embarrasing story. I guess by being candid and sharing my struggles and victories I might be able to encourage others? Or is it to appease Rebekah who has been lamenting that I don't ever update my blog anymore?

I still do quite a bit of writing for my blog but I seldom publish my entries to the Web. It seems like I can never complete a Blog entry and I have so many entries in draft form that are like five pages long and still not complete. I think I'm unintentionally writing a book or something.

Rebekah asked me what the book was about.

"Sonship ... I think"

"Sun Chips?", she asked.

Sonship - it seems like all these half-written Blog entries are leading toward this idea of what it means to be God's children. This idea about being children of God seems rather ho-hum. Most people just take it as a given that we are all God's children without understanding exactly what this implies. But as I read and research and learn more about it I'm just awestruck. I'm floored by it. So I continue to plug away on the writing - trying to somehow take all these glorious, heavenly concepts it put them in writing. My Father is spoon feeding me though so it is going slow. There are some ideas that I feel he is leading me to but he hasn't quite revealed to me yet. Like I know there is something there that I can't quite get my mind around. I think sometimes he just drips little bits so that our head doesn't explode or something. "I have many things yet to say to you, but you are not able to bear them at present." - John 16:12

I guess I will conclude this with some sad news. It does seem like the elders of my old congregation have turned their attention toward my wife for some reason. They had already abused my family quite a bit when they persecuted and expelled me and now they are attacking Rebekah. Perhaps they feel like their job is unfinished?

You can leave your past life quicker than it will leave you.

I'm sad not so much for my family because I know this persecution is only to fulfill Jesus' words, "A slave is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also" (John 15:20) Rather, I'm sad for our persecutors because their actions reveal that they do not know or love the Father. "But they will do all these things against you on account of my name, because they do not know him that sent me." (John 15:21) That is a sad thing.

Additionally, after they were done excoummunicating me I kind of wanted to hold onto the hope that perhaps they felt some regret over what they had done and would leave Rebekah alone. I honestly prayed for their forgiveness and will continue to do so but it is difficult when they want to compound their judgment by repeating their sin. I wish they knew just how strongly God feels about what they are doing. Jeremiah speaks God's Word against the shepherds,

“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasturage!” is the utterance of Jehovah.
Therefore this is what Jehovah the God of Israel has said against the shepherds who are shepherding my people: “You yourselves have scattered my sheep; and you kept dispersing them, and you have not turned your attention to them.”
“Here I am turning my attention upon you for the badness of your dealings,” is the utterance of Jehovah." - Jeremiah 23:1,2

Wood River Body of Elders I'm going to use this opportunity then to speak directly to you since I know you continue to keep tabs on me by reading this blog. I ask you to stop and think about what you did to me and what you are doing now to Rebekah. Do not intesify your error and your guilt. You are being judged by Heaven. My family is not a threat to you or your congregation. We just want to be left alone. You have abused, hurt, betrayed, and lied to us enough. Now let us heal in peace. Nevertheless, I ask in Jesus' name that your sin against us and Heaven not be charged against you.

So, Are You Gonna Celebrate?

2006-10-04T16:39:00.000-07:00

So, are you gonna celebrate?

Yesterday, I turned thirty and the question on everybody's mind was, "So, are you gonna celebrate?" (When I say everybody, I really mean two people. Stay with me - I'm building toward something.)

Today members of the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (The official Corporate name of the religion) obstain from birthday celebrations. Being raised as a "Witness" it has been common in the past for me not to celebrate my birthday. Now that I am no longer under the yoke of the Watchtower organization I guess these ones were wondering if I would start celebrating. It's a good question.

First I should explain why "Jehovah's Witnesses" do not observe birthday celebrations.

As explained by their topical Bible guidebook Reasoning from the Scriptures the Bible only references two birthday celebrations and in both cases they are held in somewhat of a negative light. The accounts are that of Pharaoh's birthday where his chief of Bakers is hung (Gen 40:20-22)and Herod's birthday where in the aftermath John the baptizer is executed. (Matt 14:6-10) They reason then that this constitutes God's statement on birthday celebrations and officially shun them as a result. Origen, writing in 245AD reached a similar conclusion. (Note: The Witness injuction on birthday celebrations is not binding on Baby showers which are celebrated festively, but I digress.)

Now certainly I can understand that a person may not wish to celebrate their birthday or that of others based on these two accounts; however, because birthdays are not directly condemned in God's word it would be hard for me to support some sort of blanket ban on them. (Additionally it may be that the Bible does reference another birthday celebration in the book of Job where it speaks of his children feasting on each one's "appointed day". [Job 1:4-5] However whether this "appointed day" should be read as "birthday" cannot be said with any certainty.)

A second reason that "Jehovah's Witnesses" reject birthday celebrations is that certain reference works point out that the early Christians did not observe birthdays. For example Augustus Neander writes "The notion of a birthday festival was far from the ideas of the Christians of this period in general." (The History of the Christian Religion and Church, During the Three First Centuries)

It should be noted though that while birthday celebrations are common place in the general populace today, in the early-Church era birthdays were not universally observed, by Christians or otherwise. In the past only kings, nobles, and other creatures with God-complexes feasted and celebrated on their birthdays. Though in time the birthday celebration was introduced to the common Roman-world through soldiers influenced by the Persian cult of Mithras who held personal birthday celebrations. Birthday celebrations lost popularity as Christianity gained ground in Rome; however they would later experience a resurgence with the Protestant Reformation as a way of supplanting the celebration of the various "Saint's days". And thus concludes a brief history of the birthday celebration courtesy of the contributors at Wikipedia.

Well now you are getting somewhere with me because on a personal level I make an effort to follow the customs of the early Church to the best of my imperfect knowledge, understanding, and ability. The difficulty is that because our culture is very different from theirs we have to make certain judgment calls as to how exact we follow their example. For instance it would have been uncommon for a Christian in the first or second century to wear a wedding ring (particularly a gold one) however Jehovah's Witnesses today routinely keep that practice. So once again I would find it very difficult to have a blanket ban on birthday celebrations based on the practises of the early Church.

So did I celebrate?

Yes.

It is my custom these days to celebrate each and everyday. My current practise is that the first words out of my mouth upon waking up - generally my first waking thoughts - is a word of praise and thanks to my God for giving me another day. As Stuart Murdoch sings in If You Find Yourself Caught In Love, "Say a prayer to the man above - Thank him for every day you pass - Thank him for saving your sorry ass!"

Yeah, personally I cannot see making much of a fuss over my birthday; because, ultimately what am I? Nothing really. Nothing special. As Paul writes to the Church in Rome, "For through the undeserved kindness given to me I tell everyone there among you not to think more of himself than it is necessary to think; but to think so as to have a sound mind, each one as God has distributed to him a measure of faith." - Romans 12:3

Too I feel that it would be particularly fleshly of me to celebrate the day of my physical birth and pay little mind to the day of my spiritual rebirth. I can almost hear Paul now, "So what say we? Should I honor myself on my born again day? Never may that be so!"

What of my born again day?

Well in Paul's inspired terminology it is an "undeserved kindness" (grace) on God's part that he "saved [my] sorry ass", as Murdoch says in the French. Really I didn't do much of anything but just sit there and someway, somehow God saw fit to give me a Spirit baptism. Glory, glory, glory to Him and none to me! Give him the cake and the gifts!

So how did I spend my birthday?

My sister came over and we had a lovely meal of white chili. We then went into the living room and played some songs including the new love song I wrote to the Lord. After that we watched some videos on Church (humorous and serious). Then we shared from God's Word about inviting people to the marraige feast. (The real celebration I'm dying to be a part of!) We next shared a nice plate of chocolate chip cookies and spoke of about practical ways we could bless others. Finally we joined together in thanking God for all he is doing in our lives.

I'll take that over a cake, balloons, and an off-key, throaty rendition of "Happy Birthday©" any day!

Should you celebrate your birthday?

My buzz-word this entry has been personally, and personally I don't care if you celebrate your birthday.

But as for me on my birthday, well I'm ... I'm just happy to be here. Glory and Praise to Almighty God on Highest!

Anthony in Disney Dilemma

2006-09-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

"If a brother or a sister is in a naked state and lacking the food sufficient for the day, yet a certain one of you says to them: “Go in peace, keep warm and well fed,” but you do not give them the necessities for [their] body, of what benefit is it?" - James 2:15,16 NWT

If you know us then you know that we are Disney World nuts. A highlight of our last four years has been our annual one week trip to "the World". About a month ago we began planning a 2007 Disney vacation. Everything seemed favourable for us going. Usually we are struggling to pay our property taxes well down to the deadline which leaves little time for saving for a February trip. But this year we were a little more fiscally reponsible and payed our property taxes on time and had gotten an early start on tucking aside some dollars in savings for vacation.

Rebekah takes care of our finances and she mapped out our budget for the next few months. She wrote down how much we could spend each week on groceries, fuel, utilities, etc. and how much we would be setting aside each week for the trip. And like every year I'm amazed at just how much we are able to save when we buckle down and watch our spending.

The other night Rebekah asked me something about the trip. I can't really remember what - probably because I had my nose in a computer screen or a book. I said something like "I don't know if we'll be going - something just seems off about it." But I brushed it away and said that we should continue to save and see what happens.

Now when I say that something was "off" about it I was referring to my conscience that has been giving me some grief about going. However, for me when I really, really want something I will sometimes not listen to what the spirit is telling me. So I do what I can to ignore the voice; yet at times the sound grows too loud and you just want some relief. ("here, here! -- it is the beating of his hideous heart!")

Well here is the problem that we are facing. As Christians, our eyes are being opened to the obligation that we have within our community and neighborhoods to provide for the needs of others. Yes, this is primarily their spiritual needs but just as Jesus taught AND fed, healed and had a money box for the poor, we have a duty as well to take care of the physical needs of others -- "especially toward those related to us in the faith." (Galatians 6:10)

There have been time recently when I have felt compelled to provide some aid to others or perhaps just give them some small token as brother or neighbor. That is the good impulse of the Spirit. However then the Flesh comes in and says well we need to be saving that money for the vacation. After all, we have a budget!

And quite recently I ran across a situation where someone I know is falling upon a difficult financial situation and out of work. We have been making sure to include them in our prayers. In speaking with the individual I mentioned that we were praying for them and their difficult circumstances. A short time thereafter I was doing some thinking about this person's situation and what I had said to them. God then put in my head the scripture from James that I started this blog entry with.

In reflecting on that scipture I believe that it was exactly what I was doing. I was basically wishing somebody well and not offering some measure of practical help that I could easily provide. What good is it to offer prayer and ask for God's help when you are unwilling to give the assistance that is within your power?

Now don't get me wrong - I'm not saying that praying is powerless or useless. To the contrary James later writes, "A righteous man’s supplication, when it is at work, has much force." (James 5:16) I guess the question is how are prayers answered? Well God certainly uses us to answer some prayers. When the unexpected check comes in the mail it is sent by someone. And not just anyone - someone who was moved to do something good and did not allow fleshly desires (greed) to smother the pure spiritual impulse.

So this is where we sit right now. I've talked it over with Rebekah and she has been feeling the same way. I really think that we need to make the sacrifice this time round and give up the vacation. There are just so many places where we could be using our unrighteous riches per Luke 16:11.

"So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?"

(Even Mina last night mentioned that we should be sending money to China to the people that make her toys and don't get paid very much.)

We haven't come to a conclusion yet but are in the middle of the thought process. As I find that writing helps me to clarify things in my mind I'm sharing this with you.

An Update - Yes I'm Still Alive

2006-09-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

I have nothing world changing or life altering or even interesting to say . . . but I would like to add this update to let my friends know that I'm still alive and running the race.

During the month of August leading into early September I fasted for various reasons - but a part was the desire to move on from the past and enter into a new phase of my personal ministry.

Now for two weeks we have been blessed to be able to open our home up for a tiny fellowship. It wasn't really something that was planned - it just kind of sprung up. (I really need to quit trying to plan anything and just let my Father do His work.)
I have been inviting people and think tonight we may have someone new with us. (YAY!) My prayer now is that we will be able to grow spiritually and that God will lead us to the purity of the agape feasts of the early Christian Church. I also hope that I can be good friend, brother, and shepherd to those who God is bringing into our lives.

I can say this road that I'm on has been really, really crazy - but never, ever dull.

I really hope to begin writing some more soon but really we have quite a bit going on with the planting - please bear with me.

Yours in the Christ,

Anthony

Fun with Animals

2006-08-28T06:16:00.000-07:00

Outside the Camp - Part 1

2006-08-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

In the law of Moses a protection was arranged for the purity of the people who lived within the camp of Israel. For example:

The physically "unclean" such as lepers were excommunicated and had to dwell outside the boundaries of the camp. (Leviticus 13:46; Numbers 12:14,15; 14:3)

Individuals who were defiled by running discharges or infection were quarantined outside the camp. (Numbers 5:1-4)

The unused remains of sacrificial bulls and animal waste was disposed of outside the camp. (Exodus 29:13)

Criminals and law breakers were executed outside the camp. (Leviticus 24:14; Numbers 15:35,36)

Outside the camp was where human excrement was buried. (Deutoronomy 23:12,13)

And yet an anomoly exists in the book of Exodus - because outside the camp is also where Moses pitched the "tent of meeting", the sacred place where an individual had to go in order to commune with God. (Exodus 33:7) It is interesting to see just how this situation developed.

Jehovah had lovingly lead the children of Abraham out of Egyptian bondage, displaying His awesome power in a way never before seen by them, first through the ten plagues and later at the Red Sea where he delivered them from Pharoah and the army of Egypt. He lead them to the base of Mt. Sinai and revealed His pleasure to conclude a contract with them to make them His special people.

"And now if you will strictly obey my voice and will indeed keep my covenant, then you will certainly become my special property out of all peoples, because the whole earth belongs to me. And you yourselves will become to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." - Exodus 19:5,6

The Israelites responded unaminously in agreement to enter into this sacred covenant with Jehovah saying, "All that Jehovah has spoken we are willing to do." (Exodus 19:8) Preparations were then made before Jehovah - with everyone sanctifying themselves and becoming clean. (Exodus 19:10,14,15)

On the third day of the preperation Moses ascended to the top of Mt. Sinai. It was there that he received the ten commandments and law of Jehovah which he relayed to the People and again the people again answered, "All the words that Jehovah has spoken we are willing to do" - Exodus 24:3

Since the people had accepted the Law that Jehovah had put before them it was His will to set up a very special arrangement by which He could spiritually dwell directly in their midst. Jehovah again called Moses to the mountain in order to transmit instructions for the building a special structure called the "tabernacle" or "tent of meeting" where he would reside in among them.

In Exodus 29:45,46 Jehovah says, "And I will tabernacle in the midst of the sons of Israel, and I will prove to be their God. And they will certainly know that I am Jehovah their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I may tabernacle in the midst of them. I am Jehovah their God."

While Moses was yet a top the Mountain receiving instructions for this wonderful provision from God the people below grew restless feeling that perhaps Moses had perished. The account reads, "So the people congregated themselves about Aaraon and said to him: "Get up, make for us a god who will go ahead of us, because as regards this Moses, the man who led us out of the land of Egypt, we certain do not know what has happened to him" - Exodus 32:1

Aaron relented and constructed an idol in the form of a golden calf saying "This is your God, O Israel, who led you up out of the land of Egypt." He then built an altar before it and declared: "There is a festival to Jehovah tomorrow". (Exodus 32:4,5) Earlier the next day the people got up and began offering sacrafices before the calf statue and celebrating.

Jehovah was incensed at this rebellion. His anger was so great that He told Moses that He was desiring to destroy all of the sons of Israel and start a new promised line from the sons of Moses. (Exodus 32:10) Moses pleaded with God not to do such a thing and to keep his promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. This served to momentarily abate Jehovah's great anger.

Moses descended down the mountain carrying the two "tablets of Testimony". These tablets were a gift given to Moses directly by God who made them as it reads, "and the tablets where the workmanship of God, and the writing was the writing of God engraved upon the tablets". - Exodus 32:16

As Moses got near the camp he heard the celebration of the people's idolatrous revelry. (Exodus 32:18) Upon coming near enough to see the calf image and the people dancing about it Moses' anger blazed like Jehovah's had before. Moses' anger was manifested in his throwing down the tablets. The second commandment written upon them expressely condemned the making of "a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth underneath or that is in the waters under the earth." (Exodus 19:4) In as much as the people had broken this command the stone tablets shattered in symbolism at the base of the mountain. (Exodus 32:19)

Moses then took his stand before the camp and "Who is on Jehovah's side? To me!" With this the Levites seperated themselves to Moses' side and after receiving divine instruction put to death 3,000 men who were engaged in the idol worship." (Exodus 32:26-29) By doing so they became dedicated as priests. "Moses said, 'Today you have ordained yourselves for the service of the LORD, each one at the cost of a son or a brother, and so have brought a blessing on yourselves this day'" - Exodus 32:29, NRSV

Moses then attempted to intercede on behalf of the people who had sinned because they were under a death sentence for their disobediance. Jehovah affirmed that they would die saying "I shall certainly bring punishment upon them for their sin". It was then that a plague manifested itself in the camp." (Exodus 32:30-35)

Sin carries consequence, in this case a plague. However, as bad as the plague was what was worse was that people had lost their special privilege of being able to dwell right in the midst of God. Their lawlessness caused Jehovah to withdraw from them. He no longer indentified them as "my people" and instead began referring to them as "your people" when talking to Moses (Exodus 7:1; 33:1) Ultimately, Jehovah declares that he will not continue with the people saying, "I shall not go up in the midst of you." - Exodus 33:3

The Israelites are cut to the heart over this; thus, the people began to mourn over their sin and would not put on their gold ornaments. Jehovah in his graciousness took note of this turning around and outlined that this action needed to be taken by the entire people to show their repentance. He said through Moses. "So now put down your ornaments off yourself." (Exodus 33:4-6) The people obeyed.

[We may wonder how is it that removing these ornaments show repentance for their earlier idolatry? For one thing it was similar pieces of jewerly that were used to mold into the calf image. In ancient times jewelry was often linked with false gods and worship. (Compare Genesis 35:1-4; Ezekiel 16:17; Hosea 2:13) These pieces of jewelry may have been taken from the Egyptians as the Israelites were leaving Egypt. (Exodus 12:35)]

Before God had purposed to pitch his tent directly in the middle of the camp but now the Scriptures have this tent being place far outside the camp.

We read: "As for Moses, he proceeded to take his tent away and he pitched it outside the camp, far away from the camp; and he called it a tent of meeting. And it occurred that everyone inquiring of Jehovah would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp." - Exodus 33:7

By putting the tent outside the camp it served as a visible symbol as to how Jehovah had distanced himself from the nation. Their uncleaness was severe and God could not dwell with them. Yet complete approach to God was not blocked off from the people. Due to their repentance and His great love, He didn't turn away from the totally. They were gifted a provision to speak with Him; but in order to do so they had to seperate themselves from the camp and seek him outside the camp.

It would take another intercession by Moses before God would agree to accept the Israelites back again as His people and continue with them. (Exodus 33:12-17) Later on in the recorded record the tabernacle of God was placed in the center of the camp and God's presence was manifest there as a cloud by day and fire by night. (Numbers 2:17; Exodus 40:33-38) Jehovah had returned to dwelling with them!

The Winged Lions of Babylon

2006-08-08T06:09:00.000-07:00

“The first one was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I kept on beholding until its wings were plucked out, and it was lifted up from the earth and was made to stand up on two feet just like a man, and there was given to it the heart of a man." - Daniel 7:4

In the prophet Daniel's vision of four world powers represented by beasts, Babylon is described as a winged lion. In the Babylonian religion the winged-lion represented their chief diety Bel/Marduk. Sculptures of winged lions, such as the one pictured to the left, were present in ancient Babylon. It is said that the winged lion was the national symbol of the empire. Therefore, in the vision given to Daniel the winged-lion was an appropriate representation of ancient Babylon.

Jesus and the Divine Name

2006-08-05T09:15:00.000-07:00

Righteous Father, the world has, indeed, not come to know you; but I have come to know you, and these have come to know that you sent me forth. And I have made your name known to them and will make it known, in order that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in union with them.”- John 17:25,26

On the night prior to his execution Jesus prayed those words. Taken as a whole they are a beautiful reminder of the way that we can come to know the Father through the Son. This thought is detailed in John chapter 14. Verse 6 well sumarizes it, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

However the purpose of this discussion is to key in on Jesus expression, "I have made your name known to them and will make it known".

A Brief History of the Divine Name

God's Name appears thousands of times in the Hebrew Scriptures. In the original Hebrew text it appears as four consonants, commonly called the the Tetragrammaton -- YHWH when transliterated into English. In the original Hebrew writings vowels were not used and it was up to the reader to supply the vowel sounds.

Sometime after the Babylonian exile and before Jesus came to earth (during Alexander the Great's reign according to Rabbinic tradition) God's Name was held to be too sacred to pronounce and it dropped out of common usage. The Hebrew word Adonai, or Lord, was used as substitution for the name of God.

Thereafter the original Divine Name was only pronounced once a year by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement. Pronoucing God's Name outside these times carried severe penalties. It was considered blasphemy and any who pronounced it were subject to death by stoning.

With the destruction of the temple in 70AD the priestly services were forcibly discontinued and the Divine Name was no longer invoked. Thus overtime the original pronunciation of the Name was lost with only the four consonants of the Tetragrammaton remaining in the Scriptures as a clue to the original pronunciation.

Eventually the Tetragrammaton was removed from the common Greek translation of the Bible called the Septuagint where it was generally replaced with the Greek word Kyrious or Lord. This translation tradition has carried over to English Bibles where God's Name is rendered as The LORD.

There is evidence that in the early Christian communities the Name of God still remained in the Hebrew writings. The oldest fragments of the Greek Septuagint contain the Hebrew Tetragrammaton. The Hebrew Tetragrammaton appears in the Christian Scholar Origen's Hexapla - a parallel version of the Hebrew Scriptures in six versions. Additionally Jerome writing in the late fourth century commented that the name of God was still around in certain Greek volumes.

What about the New Testament? The Christian Greek Scriptures contain numerous references to the Hebrew Scriptures. For the most part these citations suggest the Septuagint as the source material. In the available texts of the Greek Scriptures we find the Greek word Kyrious, or Lord, used as a substitution.

However there is one interesting text available that suggests the early use of the Divine Name in Matthew's Gospel. Christian tradition has it that Matthew was originally written in the "Hebrew tongue (Hebrew or possibly Aramaic) as testified to by Papias, Irenaeus, Origen, Eusebius, and Jerome.

In Shem-Tob's Hebrew Matthew the Divine Name appears twenty times as "The Name". Use of "The Name" is not limited to just scriptural citations where the Tetragrammaton appeared. It also is used in phrases such as the "the House of The Name" and "an angel of The Name". Additionally it is used when scriptures are introduced, "All this was to complete what was written by the prophet according to The Name". There is debate as to whether or not Shem-Tob's Hebrew Matthew represents the original Hebrew version of Matthew. However the appearance of "The Name" in the text suggests that Shem-Tob's Matthew may have roots with an early pre-Greek version.

Did Jesus Use The Divine Name?

While there are no explicit references to Jesus uttering The Name in the Greek Scriptures there are hints and suggestions that he probably did so.

In the Greek Scriptures Jesus referred to God as Father and Abba. However he often made reference to God's "name". From these we can see that God's Name was very important to Jesus and essential to his ministry.

The Lord's prayer begins, "Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified." Matthew 6:9

"Father, glorify your name." John 12:28

At John 17:6,26 Jesus prays, "I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world ... I have made your name known to them."

"I have come in the name of my Father" John 5:43

These scriptures do much to suggest that Jesus made use of God's Name. However further scriptural proof is found in the charge that was used to condemn Jesus to death, namely, blasphemy. From a legal standpoint, blapshemy was pronouncing the Tetragrammaton for some forbidden purpose. The fact that Jesus was declared guilty of blasphemy strongly appeals to the idea that he used it in some fashion.

In a Jewish retelling of the gospel account Toledot Yeshu it is stated that Jesus performed wonders by abusing the powers of God's name. Further in the Talmudic Sanhedrin is found an account of Balaam, which later Jewish interpreters feel is a codified name for Jesus. Regarding Balaam Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish says, "Woe to him who makes him to live with the name of God." Some understand this to mean that Balaam resurrected himself by pronouncing the ineffable name of God.

Granted these Jewish works were written with the intent of smearing Jesus however the Bible does seem to harmonize with the idea that Jesus did use the Name of God, that he peformed miracles in the Name of God, and that he was charged with blasphemy because of it.

First we consider Jesus words at John 10:25 that "The works that I am doing in the name of my Father testify to me."

So here Jesus says that he is performing miraculous works in the name of his Father. Now we may feel that when he says he is doing something in the name of his Father it is only in a representative sense that his works had the backing of his Father. However there seems to more to this account as we pick up at John 10:31-38.

"Once more the Jews lifted up stones to stone him. Jesus replied to them: “I displayed to YOU many fine works from the Father. For which of those works are YOU stoning me?” The Jews answered him: “We are stoning you, not for a fine work, but for blasphemy, even because you, although being a man, make yourself a god.” Jesus answered them: “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said: “YOU are gods”’? If he called ‘gods’ those against whom the word of God came, and yet the Scripture cannot be nullified, do YOU say to me whom the Father sanctified and dispatched into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, I am God’s Son? If I am not doing the works of my Father, do not believe me. But if I am doing them, even though YOU do not believe me, believe the works, in order that YOU may come to know and may continue knowing that the Father is in union with me and I am in union with the Father.”

Now we consider that when the Jews attempt to stone Jesus he asks them if they are stoning him in response to his works and they say they are stoning him for blasphemy. Once again we call to mind that strictly speaking blasphemy was uttering God's Name for a forbidden purpose.

If it does prove to be true that Jesus made use of the Divine Name when working miracles the egnimatic account of Jesus accusing the Scribes blapheming against the Holy Spirit takes a greater meaning. We read in Mark 3:22,28-30

Also, the scribes that came down from Jerusalem were saying: “He has Beelzebub, and he expels the demons by means of the ruler of the demons.” ... Truly I say to YOU that all things will be forgiven the sons of men, no matter what sins and blasphemies they blasphemously commit. However, whoever blasphemes against the holy spirit has no forgiveness forever, but is guilty of everlasting sin.” This, because they were saying: “He has an unclean spirit.”

If we imagine that Jesus was expelling demons by means of God's Name and the scribes took offense and said that Jesus was instead expelling demons by means of the ruler of the demons then they would be in effect calling God, Satan. Furthermore if he was being accused of blasphemy for using God's Name when expelling demons he is here turning it around and saying that Scribes are the ones who are really committing the blasphemy, first by denying the power of God and second by saying that it orginates with the Devil.

Another interesting account where Jesus is charged with blasphemy in connection with performing miracles is at Mark 2:5-7 which reads:

"And when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic: “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now there were some of the scribes there, sitting and reasoning in their hearts: “Why is this man talking in this manner? He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sins except one, God?"

Earlier on we spoke the only occasions in Jesus day where the Divine Name was allowed to be spoken and that was on the Day of Atonement - the ceremonial day linked with the annual atoning of sins for the people. On that day the High Priest presided over the offerings and spoke the ieneffible Divine Name after each offering. Hence in Jesus' day the Divine Name was specifically linked with the forgiveness of sins. Indeed only in this connection and on this one day of the year was it spoken.

The simplest straight forward meaning to this account is that by forgiving sins the scribes felt that Jesus was making himself God. However once again if it holds that blasphemy was making use of the Divine Name then we have to consider whether or not Jesus made use of The Name in connection with forgiving sins and healing the paralytic.

In Mark is found another intriguing incident. Mark 11 & 12 records Jesus' run-ins with the religious teachers of Judea who are trying to trap him wih their questionings. The focus of the narration is on Jesus successfully overturning these tricks with his wisdom, first to the priests & scribes (11:27-32), then the Pharisees and party of Herod (12:13-17), and then the Sadducees (12:18-27). Our specific focus is on the account of the priests & scribes found at Mark 11:27-32.

And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the older men came to him and began to say to him: “By what authority do you do these things? or who gave you this authority to do these things?” Jesus said to them: “I will ask you one question. you answer me, and I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism by John from heaven or from men? Answer me.” So they began to reason among themselves, saying: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why is it, therefore, you did not believe him?’ But dare we say, ‘From men’?”—They were in fear of the crowd, for these all held that John had really been a prophet. Well, in reply to Jesus they said: “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them: “Neither am I telling you by what authority I do these things.”

Now what we have to consider is what kind of damning response did the priests and scribes wish to solicit from Jesus and why did Jesus not give them a straight answer. As we considered previously there is the idea that Jesus healed and forgave sins by use of the Divine Name. So when the priests and scribes asked Jesus by whose authority did he do those things where they trying to get him to commit "blasphemy" by uttering the Divine Name? It seems quite possible.

Now for the sake of completing this study I would like to look at John 8:58,59.

"Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am" So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple."

When reading this account we have to ask what was it that caused the Jews to attempt to stone Jesus. John 8:58 finishes up a lengthy passage where Jesus judges the Jews in no uncertain terms calling them among other things liars. So perhaps they were so angry with Jesus words that they attempted to physically attack him. That is certainly feasible.

Alternatively we can consider whether or not it was Jesus using the phrase "I AM" as a reference to the Name of God as found in Exodus 3:14 and since this was perceived as blasphemy they attempted to stone him. What we have at John 8:58 is a Greek translation of what Jesus originally spoke in Aramaic. Thus we can't be sure of whether or not Jesus did refer to the Divine Name in his expression and John chose the equivalent Septuagint phrasing of the Name recorded in Exodus 3:14.

With this in mind we consider Jesus arrest as recorded in John 18:4-6

"Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked the, "Whom are you looking for?" They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus replied, "I am he." When Jesus said to them, "I am" they stepped back and fell to the ground."

We have to consider what was it about Jesus expression, "I am" that literally caused these men to fall to the ground? It doesn't seem likely that they were so stunned by Jesus forthrightness that they fell to the ground. If we do interpret this as Jesus saying God's Name then the reaction of the men and their falling to the ground seems very likely.

Continuing to Jesus' trial as recorded at Mark 14:61-63:

"Again the high priest began to question him and said to him: “Are you the Christ the Son of the Blessed One?” Then Jesus said: “I am; and YOU persons will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power and coming with the clouds of heaven.” At this the high priest ripped his inner garments and said: “What further need do we have of witnesses? YOU heard the blasphemy. What is evident to YOU?” They all condemned him to be liable to death."

Once again we have Jesus being charged with blasphemy. Casually looking at it this scripture we may assume that his blasphemy was saying he was the Messiah (Christ) or that he was the Son of God or the Son of Man. However legally neither of these technically constituted blasphemy. So why is that what Jesus said that so enraged the High Priest that he said, "you heard the blasphemy". Well once again we may have Jesus making reference to the Divine Name when he said "I am."

In conclusion we can summarize the evidences that Jesus used the Divine Name that we have considered.

1.) Jesus' words that he had made God's Name known.
2.) Rabbinic and Jewish sources that said that Jesus worked magic by using God's Name.
3.) That Jesus was repeatedly charged with blasphemy which was literally using God's Name in any way.
4.) The possibility that Greek expression "I am" eigo eimi is a codified form of the Divine Name and a reference to the Septuagint rendering of Exodus 3:14.

Remember The Poor

2006-08-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

When the apostle Paul and Barnabas were separating from the Church in Judea, in order to continue missionary work among the people of the nations, they were given an additional instruction by the Judean overseers to "remember the poor". Paul reports in his letter to the Galatians that, "this very thing I also was eager to do." (Galatians 2:9,10 NIV)

It is interesting, on reading this account, that this was the only specifically-mentioned instruction these "pillars" of the faith sought to give to Paul. It is even more remarkable when you think about all the missionary instructions that could have been provided and recorded in God’s Word. It really encapsulates just how highly giving to the poor is esteemed in the Holy Scriptures.

Regrettably, the poor can sometimes be lost in the mix whilst we are fulfilling our Christian activities and ministry assignments, or even worse, neglected all together. As Christians, though, we do well to consider deeply, just how well we are doing in our obligation to remember the poor.

For starters let us consider the nature of the God whom we worship, since we are called to be holy in imitation of him. (1 Peter 1:15,16) The Scriptures show that our Heavenly Father cares very much for needy ones. Psalms 68 beautifully declares of Jah,

“A father of fatherless boys and a judge of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.”

The Law that God gave the nation of Israel illustrates his care and concern for the poor. Therein, God instructed, "you must not harden your heart or be closefisted toward your poor brother." (Deut 15:7) Furthermore The Mosaic Law regulated different ways that the poor should be provided for. For example:

• The poor were allowed to glean the leftovers in the fields after a harvest. (Deu 24:19, 21)
• If they had to sell their possessions because of poverty they received them back during the Jubilee year. (Lev 25:28)
• The poor had a share in the tithes given to the priests. (Deu 14:28)

To the Hebrews, such action was not seen as charity, it was considered an act of justice and righteousness. To them the poor were owed a portion of the provisions of those richer than them by right. Thus, we find that righteousness, justice and almsgiving share the same Hebrew word tzedakah. The Hebrew Scriptures, consequentially, characterize the righteous by their willingness to give to the poor and to lend without interest. (Ezekiel 18:5-9)

The importance of taking care of the poor was something that carried over from the Jews to the Christians through the teachings of Jesus. Jesus as a perfect reflection of his Father too had deep compassion for the poor. (Hebrews 1:3)

In his Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, "Give to the one asking you, and do not turn away from one that wants to borrow from you." (Matthew 5:42), he also tells us that, "there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving,"(Acts 20:35) and when speaking on giving, Jesus said, "But when you spread a feast, invite the poor people, crippled, lame, blind; and you be happy because they have nothing with which to repay you." (Luke 14:13-14)

Jesus told his followers to be "perfect, as [our] heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48) Now in order to be perfect, or complete, we need to care for the poor just as Jesus told a young rich man, "If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, and come be my follower.” (Matthew 19:21) Sadly the rich man would not do this but other disciples of Jesus answered this call to give their possessions to the poor. One notable example is the tax-collector Zacchaeus who declared “Look! The half of my belongings, Lord, I am giving to the poor" (Luke 19:8)

Jesus stressed that our everlasting reward would have basis on our treatment of the poor. In the 16th chapter of Luke Jesus provided parables to his disciples to illustrate the eternal rewards of using our "unrighteous riches" to provide for others. Jesus instructed them, "Make friends for yourselves by means of the unrighteous riches, so that, when such fail, they may receive you into the everlasting dwelling places." (Luke 16:9)

The account continues that the Pharisees who were "money lovers" sneered at Jesus' teaching. So Jesus provides them another parable of comparing them to a "certain rich man" who did not help the plight of a poor beggar named Lazarus. At the time of their death the poor beggar received his reward of being considered righteous by being placed in the bosom position of Abraham; however, the rich man found himself in a position of anguish and judgment. (Luke 16:19-31)

Similarly, in his Olivet discourse Jesus equates righteousness with providing for the poor and shows that judgment is dependant on our taking care of their needs. Jesus says that when he arrives to judge mankind, the righteous "sheep" will be characterized by their providing for the needs of the poor, the least of his brothers. (Matthew 25:34-40) By giving to these ones they are in turn giving to Jesus. (Compare Proverbs 19:17)

Jesus not only taught giving but he put his words into action. While Jesus' primary purpose was to care for the everlasting spiritual needs of the people, he didn't hesitate to provide for their immediate physical needs. Recorded in the Gospels are two separate occasions where Jesus provided food for thousands. (Mark 6:40-44; Mark 8:6-9). The Scriptures bring out that he carried a moneybox to collect alms for the poor. (John 12:4-6; 13:29)

The Christian Scriptures continue to show that those taking the lead in the early Church, such as the apostle John, followed Jesus' example. They taught giving and made sure that the material needs of the poor among them were being met. Thus, in a letter, the apostle writes, "But whoever has this world's means for supporting life and beholds his brother having need and yet shuts the door of his tender compassions upon him, in what way does the love of God remain in him?" (1 John 3:17)

The Acts of the Apostles provides a remarkable example in the openhanded giving of the early Christian Church. It records how "all those who were possessors of fields or houses would sell them and bring the values of the things sold and they would deposit them at the feet of the apostles. In turn distribution would be made to each one just as he would have the need." This giving was so generous that it is boasted that, "there was not one in need among them." (Acts 4:34-35) The apostles also appointed the first servants (deacons) in the Church to oversee that all of their widows were receiving a share in the daily distribution of food. (Acts 6:1-3)

Supporting this, James, an overseer of the Church in Judea, characterizes true and pure religion as, "looking after orphans and widows in their tribulation" (James 1:27) He illustrates that true faith would be evidenced by charitable works when he says, "If a brother or a sister is in a naked state and lacking the food sufficient for the day, yet a certain one of you says to them: "Go in peace, keep warm and well fed," but you do not give them the necessities for their body, of what benefit is it? Thus, too faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself." (James 2:15-17)

The apostle Paul likewise couples the Gospel message with charitable giving in his letter to the Corinthians saying, "the ministry of this public service is not only to supply abundantly the wants of the holy ones but also to be rich with many expressions of thanks to God.” He further complimented their obedience and bigheartedness saying, “you are submissive to the good news about the Christ, and you publicly declare you are, and because you are generous in your contribution to them and all." (2 Cor 9:12,13)

[It is interesting to note Paul’s use of the Greek word leitourgia (public service) in the aforementioned scripture. This word is used three other times in the Christian Scriptures in relation to the priestly service. (See Luke 1:23; Hebrews 8:6; 9:21) So by using it here Paul equates giving to the needy with the sacrifices that the Jewish priests offered to God. Since the entire Christian Church is called to be priests (1 Peter 2:9) our priestly service is to give thanks to God and provide for the needs of others. (Compare Hebrews 13:15,16).]

Paul gave pastoral instruction to Timothy in taking care of the needs of needy widows. (1 Timothy 5:9, 10) He also wrote to the Church in Ephesus regarding the need to work hard so as "have something to distribute to someone in need" (Ephesians 4:28) Furthermore he wrote to two congregations regarding his personal desire to hand carry their material gifts to poor Christians residing in Jerusalem. (Romans 15:25,26; 1 Cor 16:1-4)

With the passage of the first-century Church era giving to the poor did not end. The writings provided by 2nd century Christians show that they continued to "remember the poor" in apostolic tradition.

Regarding such, Christian apologist Justin Martyr wrote, "The wealthy among us help the needy. . . . Those who are prosperous, and willing, give what each thinks fit. And what is collected is deposited with the president, who gives aid to the orphans and widows." (Justin, Apology, chap. LXVII)

Likewise Tertullian in his apology wrote, "Though we have our treasure chest, it is not made up of purchase money, as of a religion that has its price. Rather, on the monthly day, if he likes, each puts in a small donation. . . . to support and bury poor people, to supply the needs of boys and girls destitute of means and parents, and of old persons now confined to the house. These gifts also help those who have suffered shipwreck. And if there happens to be any of us in the mines, or banished to the islands, or shut up in the prisons - for no reason other than their faithfulness to the cause of God's Church - they become the nurslings of their confession." (Tertullian, Apology, chap. XXXIX)

Sadly though, the extreme generosity in taking care of the needy that marked the early Church diminished over the next centuries turning for the worse when Roman Emperor Constantine granted State favor to Christianity. Because there were no “church” buildings or salaried clergy in the early Christian congregation all of the money donated by the congregants could be used in the caring of others, particularly the poor. Under Constantine things would change.

Originally the Christians met in private homes; however, in order to legitimize and popularize the Christian religion Constantine started constructing “church” buildings. These were built over the burial sites of Christian martyrs and were far from modest. Porphyry, a pagan critic of Christianity, noted that these buildings were "worthy of an Emperor".

Among the early Christians for an elder to receive a salary for his ministerial duties was seen as a heresy. [Eusebius Ecclesiastical History, vol. V, chap. XXVIII] However Constantine would institute a salaried clergy whose wages came in part out of the church funds. Originally the funds that were earmarked for the poor were not encroached upon, however later the clergy would dip in there as well.

Also at the time of Constantine many new converts that were not fully committed to the Christian way of life inundated the church. Some of these individuals only converted to Christianity in order to share the religion with the head of the State and have all the privileges thereof. As such they did not fully embrace the kind of radical giving that was the hallmark of the early Church and required by Christ. Over the centuries giving and taking care of the needy, while not being abandoned totally, diminished to something of lesser importance.

Today we are left with this legacy of misappropriation of donated funds and an overall lack of generosity in taking care of the needy. Even if Christians would return to selling all of their superfluous possessions and donating the receipts to their denomination only a portion of these moneys would be given to the poor. A large, or even the majority of congregation receipts would be used to sustain bigger and better “church” buildings and maintain salaried clergy. We have to look at this situation and see if such misappropriation could be considered outright theft from the moneybox for the poor, exactly in the same manner that Judas stole from the poor. (John 12:6)

As Christians we too need to examine our giving and see if our attitudes reflect that of our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus as well as the early Church. Are we conscious of the needs of the poor? Are we generous with our unrighteous riches? And whether we are giving half of our possessions or only two small coins of little value we need to consider if our donations are being used to really help the poor. Upon close scrutiny we may find that our money is being used to maintain “church” buildings and salaried clergy, practices that have no basis in Christian Scripture or the early Church example.

--

This is an article that I wrote during July. It appears in the August 2006 Common Truth newsletter.

When You Fast

2006-08-01T18:11:00.000-07:00

Two times in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus says, "When you fast . . ." and proceeds to give instruction regarding fasting. What is interesting is that Jesus does not say "If you fast" as if fasting was an option. (Matthew 6:16-18) The text assumes that the disciples would fast in the same manner that was expected that they would give to the needy (v. 2-4) and they would pray. (v. 5-8)

Yet today in the Church, unlike prayer and charitable giving, fasting is not a familiar element of the Christian lifestyle. This is strange because Jesus said that his disciples would fast, saying: "But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast." - Luke 5:35

As Christians we are in a constant spiritual war "against the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 4:12) We recognize the absolute necessity the role that prayer plays in aiding us in this battle because we are told to, "pray in the Spirit on all occassions with all kinds of prayers and requests." (v. 18) Fasting can further equip us in times of great trial or particular challenge.

A interesting variant reading of Mark 9:29 says that "prayer and fasting" were required to expel the toughest of the demons. It is certainly true that supplementing our personal prayers with a period of fasting can be highly effective in our stand against the evil forces around us. By example, when Jesus was preparing himself for his ministry and readying himself to face the tempations of the Satan, the leader of the demons, "he fasted forty days and forty nights". (Matthew 4:1,2)

The Acts of the Apostles records that the apostolic Church fasted as a course of religious observance, in preparing for ministerial assignment, and seeking God's direction. Acts 13:2,3 reads, "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Baranabs and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off."

(Likewise the writings of Clement from Alexanderia & Tertullian document that fasting, particularly on Wednesday and Friday, was routinely observed by the Christian Congregation in the 2nd century.)

Infestation

2006-07-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

Yuck!

Our house is plagued with tiny flies.

They started appearing about a couple of weeks ago and we couldn't figure out where they were coming from. It was very sickening because we could only guess that Mina had left some piece of food somewhere in the house that was breeding flies.

Blech!

However we never could trace the origin of the little insects. We did notice that they were generally appearing in the bathroom which was strange because there was absolutely no source of food . . . or so we thought.

I kept figuring they would go away but since they looked like they had gone from being house guests to permanent residents I checked the Internet to try to figure out the problem.

I think they are drain flies that breed in plumbing; laying eggs in the film that collects inside of bathroom and kitchen pipes. We also been suffering from slow drains so that lead me to believe that we had some gunky organic something or other in our pipes that they were feeding off of.

Gross!

On Sunday I did what I could to clear the pipes with an auger which is always a digusting task. After that we boiled pots of of water and poured them down all the drains in an effort to kill the eggs and larva. I need to go to the store still and buy some foaming drain cleaner to try to clean out the food source. This may be a "rinse and repeat" type of affair so I may have to try again if the situation does not clear up.

I hope you weren't eating while reading this.

Storms

2006-07-22T08:24:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday night I had just grilled a couple of burgers and we had sat down to eat when we heard a storm brewing outside. So we went outside and the sky was crazy and everything was blowing and some tree branches were flying. We had the TV on and it didn't say anything about a tornado so I felt comfortable standing on my porch and watching. Rebekah had went around lighting candles However the wind really started picking up and slammed against the tree across from us and I heard it crack so we went to our basement. We lost power.

After the storm was over we went outside and there were tree branches and limbs down everywhere Since we don't have any trees we just had some that blew into our yard but we had one big one hanging on the wire that goes to the street-light in front of my house. Our neighbor came over and climbed on our roof and cut down that the limb and then we cleaned up our yards. Rebekah and I then drove around the neighborhood picking up branches where we could. But it was incredible there were many, many trees knocked down.

After it got dark we went home and did our best to try to sleep in the sticky heat. It wasn't a very good time to lose power with it being the hottest weather of the year. At about 5:30am our power came back on. At the time little did we know how fortunate we were to have power. As I drove to work Thursday I was listening to the radio news and they were saying that 450,000 people were without power in the St. Louis area. Bad news especially on a day that would have a heat index rating of 115. We had no power at our office so after I did some running around and cleaned up around building I went home.

Friday was the same scenario with power out nearly everywhere. At around 4:00 another storm blew through and hit some of the areas that the last storm had missed this monster did produce a tornado in another part of our county. Rebekah and I had tickets to Les Miserables so we left and tried to find somewhere to eat dinner but couldn't due to everything being closed. So we just headed to the theatre getting there about an hour before hand. The Lounge was open so we went there and ordered some chicken tenders and fries.

After Les Miz we drove to Wal-Mart back home to get a few items to eat over the weekend. Wal-Mart's parking lot was dark. When we went inside many of the shelves were empty. There was no meat, no fruit, no dairy products, no frozen foods. Another couple had been searching for C and D batteries which there seem to be no more in the area. Strange.

I've Got An Idea

2006-07-18T07:51:00.000-07:00

I've been in the spirit for two days now and it just feels good to be firing on all four? six? howabout seven cylinders. I'm just glad to be feeling positive.

Over the weekend I spent some time working on an article for a friend's newsletter. I chose the topic of giving to the poor and was just absolutely floored about how much I have missed the point of many, many scriptures. I wish I could share them right now but all things in time. But needless to say I was absolutely mortified by my personal failures.

And really what rotten people Rebekah and I are. We talk about simplifying our lives by going from 60 television channels to 40. Don't get me wrong . . . it's a start but how very sad.

So really I was looking at ways to help out and really I'm so detached with the world around me that I had no idea where to start.

But I needed to start somewhere - even if it isn't the best thing I chose to sponsor a kid from Compassion International. Now I'm not looking for praise like I did anything extraordinary. It is only $32.00 a month and compared to the amount we spend each month on eating out or television or Internet it really is pathetic and so much less then what Jesus is asking:

“If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, and come be my follower.” - Matthew 19:21

So I sponsored a girl from Guatemala named Marisol. (Rebekah and I had written a song about a little mexican girl named Marisol so that is why I selected her.) It's nothing big - nothing that will save the world - but it is just a start because I couldn't live with myself one more day without doing something somewhat righteous with my money even if it is a drop in the bucket.

When I speak of "starts" there is something starting in my mind - a little germ of an idea that has just put a perpetual grin on my face. I'm going to be praying about it and see if it can get legs - that is if my Fathers blessing is behind it. It's simple and a little silly, maybe even foolish - crazy - insane - ridiculous - but since my God called the foolish things of the world he will just have to deal with nutters like me and our feeble attempts to promote His Kingdom.

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." - 1 Cor 1:27

Oh boy . . . I'm excited.

Your pal,

Anthony

Praise

2006-07-17T08:13:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling OK - mentally. (Physically my stomach is hurting.)

Today seems to be starting out as one of those days where I should just stay on my knees cause I keep wanting to pray.

Thank you Father for every good gift you have given me. Thank you for your mercy. Thank you for not giving up on me.

Yesterday Mina and I went to eat and then went to the store for some groceries. It was a nice time. She is getting a lot more pleasant these days. Is it growing up or training?

Rebekah and I have been giving lots of spiritual attention to Mina. I'll read a Bible story to her before I go to bed. Rebekah has been reading out of the Gospel of John with her. Admittedly their study is a little more in depth. Rebekah tells me they looked up some information together on the Pool of Siloam. We have enjoyed saying a nightly prayer together as a family and praying before meals.

Really though we are just trying to plant a seed and water it and so God can make it grow. (1 Cor 3:6)

I hate to keep harping on the past; however it just amazes me how different things have become. We used to hardly ever pray together. Now it is our habit and we even pray in public before meals whereas before we would've been too embarrassed. Also with personal Bible reading - it used to be like pulling teeth to stick to a Bible reading program but now it just such a welcomed part of our lives. Again with studying God's word with Mina we could never seem to get a routine of doing it once a week and now it is more or less nightly.

I know when the Elders disfellowshipped me they assumed that my spirituality would suffer. They actually told me as much. They were so wrong. I guess it is that they cannot imagine any relationship to God without the Watchtower Society. But as I told them in one of my judicial meetings I feel like I'm tapped directly into God through his son Jesus. So whether I'm worshiping here or there I'm still in contact with my heavenly Father. As it is written:

"Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him. " - John 4:23

And I don't say this as if I'm looking for justification. It is more of joy, peace, and happiness that I feel like sharing this morning.

Again,

Thank you Holy Father. Thank you for this powerful work you are doing in my life. Thank you for allowing me to come to know you through your son Jesus.

Back On The Horse

2006-07-10T05:59:00.000-07:00

"It doesn't matter whether you're selling Jesus or Buddha or civil rights or 'How to Make Money in Real Estate With No Money Down.' That doesn't make you a human being; it makes you a marketing rep. If you want to talk to somebody honestly, as a human being, ask him about his kids. Find out what his dreams are - just to find out, for no other reason. Because as soon as you lay your hands on a conversation to steer it, it's not a conversation anymore; it's a pitch. And you're not a human being; you're a marketing rep." - The Big Kahua

I just read that quote from an article "The Gospel: For Here or to Go?". I haven't seen that movie but I would say that that quote really captures my old door-to-door ministry with Jehovah's Witnesses. It was all about the sales-pitch.

Really when you look at it the Service meeting that I attended was nothing more than a sales meeting. You learned similar tactics that were taught at any multi-level marketing seminar. You are told to smile, take a personal interest, look a person in the eyes, call them by name. But all this was geared toward distributing magazines or studying a book.

As I began becoming more and more disillusioned with the Watchtower Organization I slowly dropped the sales pitch. After finding out that the Awake! magazine had been used in the past to support a political obligation to the United Nations I stopped offering the magazines. When people began to notice I would simply say, "I'm trying to use the Bible more." Through my personal Bible study it began to be harder and harder for me to reconcile some of teachings of the Watchtower Society with what is said in the Scriptures. The result was that I was no longer comfortable offering "home Bible studies". It was also getting to the point that despite that positive aspects of the Organization I couldn't in good conscience bring somebody into it.

Those circumstances caused me to lose the sales-pitch aspect of the ministry. At that point I really had no agenda other than to get out and get to know people. What was interesting was how much my ministry opened up. I wasn't selling a product I was just there to share a thought, a scripture, a prayer. It was neat to begin offering prayers right on the door step of an intial call or maybe just give a hug to a stranger. (Most Witnesses that I knew where timid about praying with a person even after many weeks of Bible study sessions.)

I'll say this that I finally started to find joy in the ministry. I was becoming more productive - not in selling but in sharing and feeling. Not everyone was receptive but I did get to contact some really nice people in the work. And then I got disfellowshipped from the Organization and my field ministry activity came to a grinding halt.

On Sunday I went out in the field ministry work for the first time since being removed from the congregation in April. No time sheet, no tie, no magazines - just me and a Bible. I mainly wanted to touch base with some of my old return visits. The first house I went to was put up for sale and appeared to be vacant. At the second house the lady was asleep.

At the third house I knocked and there was no answer. Next door there was a boy watering plants on his porch. I felt the spirit nudging me to go next door. The boy tells me, "She's over here." So I go next door and the lady I wanted to call on was next door watching these neighbor kids.

It was kind of an awkward introduction because I had to explain why I was missing for the last few months. I tried to explain that I was no longer representing the denomination of Jehovah's Witnesses. She asked me, "Who are you with now?" I paused and said, "well I guess I'm a Christian."

We had a nice little chat by way of catching up. She related a little problem she had with having to deal with a squabble between her daughter and another relative. We went to the book of James and I shared some verses about how dangerous our tongues can be. We also looked at Galatians about manifesting the fruitage of the spirit such as mildness and self-control. I concluded with a prayer.

Since this woman isn't able to get to a church on Sunday she said she was happy that I return. It felt really positive to get out and get some face-to-face time with individuals to be able to try to offer some assistance and a prayer. I'm not really a good teacher but I love shepherding.

I don't really know where I go from here but I'm eager to find out.

--

I've started re-reading the Christian Scriptures again, this time in the King James Version. It is a really difficult version to read but the plus side is that it causes me to have to slow down and really concentrate on what is being said.

May 15, 2006 Watchtower

2006-07-07T18:23:00.000-07:00

A couple of people have written to me questioning about the Society's new teaching regarding the "cities of refuge" alluded to in my last Blog entry. I wrote:

"I honestly wept over a recent Watchtower study article that presented a new teaching that the Cities of Refuge in the Hebrew Scriptures represent the organization and not Jesus' life-saving sacrifice. When they reject or downplay the basis for forgiveness by what basis can they be forgiven?"

This was reference to the May 15, 2006 Watchtower study article, "Are You Prepared For Survival?". It was studied by the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses in mid-June. The whole article presents what I feel is an idolotrous image of the Organization. While faith in God and Jesus is given token mention in regards to salvation the primary thrust of the article is that in order to be saved you need to be active in the Organization as illustrated from the following quotes:

"Just as Noah and his God-fearing family were preserved in the ark, survival of individuals today depends on their faith and their loyal association with the earthly part of Jehovah's universal organization."

"Sticking close to and staying active with one of the over 98,000 congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses will help us prepare ourselves for survival."

Now when I spoke of an updated understanding of the "cities of refuge" that comes from paragraphs 11, 12 which I will quote in full:

"To survive the end of the present system of things, we must do more than believe that it will be destroyed. We must exercise faith, taking full advantage of God's provisions for survival. Of course, we need to exercise faith in the ransom sacrifice of God's Son, Jesus Christ. (John 3:16, 36) However, we do well to remember that only those actually inside Noah's ark survived the Flood. Similarly, the cities of refuge in ancient Israel provided protection for the unintentional manslayer only if he first fled to such to such a city and then remained inside it until the death of the high priest. (Numbers 35:11-32) In the tenth plague upon Egypt in Moses' day, the firstborn of the Egyptians were killed, but those of the Israelites were spared. Why? Jehovah had instructed Moses: "They [the Israelites] must take some of the blood [of the Passover lamb] and splash it upon the two doorposts and the upper part of the doorway belonging to the houses in which they will eat it. . . . and none of you should go out of the entrance of his house until morning." (Exodus 12:7, 22) Which firstborn among the Israelites whould have dared to ignore such God-given instructions by going outside a house marked with the blood splashed on the two doorposts and the upper part of the doorway."

"We therefore have reaason to think carefully about our personal situation. Are we actually inside Jehovah's arangement of spiritual protection? When the great tribulation strikes, tears of joy and thankfulness will stream down the faces of those who have sought such protection. For others, there will be only tears of sorrow and regret."

For starters it is upsetting to see the flippant way that Jesus sacrifice is treated. It is mentioned briefly and then kicked to the way-side to focus on the salvation through being inside the organization.

In the 11/15/95 Watchtower article "Stay In The "City of Refuge" An Live!" it identifies faith in Jesus sacrifice as the antitypical modern-day city of Refuge saying:

"What is the antitypical city of refuge? It is not some geographical location like Hebron, one of the six Levite refuge cities and home of Israel’s high priest. Today’s city of refuge is God’s provision for protecting us from death for violating his commandment about the sanctity of blood. (Genesis 9:6) Whether willful or unintentional, every violator of that command must seek God’s forgiveness and the cancellation of his sin through faith in the blood of the High Priest, Jesus Christ. Anointed Christians with heavenly hopes and the “great crowd” with earthly prospects have availed themselves of the benefits of Jesus’ sin-atoning sacrifice and are in the antitypical city of refuge.—Revelation 7:9, 14; 1 John 1:7; 2:1, 2."

So evidentally the May 15, 2006 Watchtower presents a change view. It is now implied that the modern-day city of refuge is the organizational arrangement of Jehovah's Witness that one needs to stay inside of and thus gain salvation. (It is interesting that the Watchtower does not come right out and present this as a new understanding. Lately they have subtly introduced new ideas without the fanfare that used to come with "new light".)

Sadly too the Society totally presents a warped view of the Passover. The focus of the Passover observance was on the lamb and the blood of the lamb which represented Jesus. However the Society spins the account so the focus is on the staying in the house, a small detail, which once again it implies to be illustrative of staying active within the organization. We must keep in mind that it was the house that was sanctified by the blood of the lamb and not the other way around.

I hope these comments helped to answer your questions. Thanks for reading.

Update - I scoured the 2006 CD-ROM to see if this was indeed a new teaching. References in the 60's, 70's and 90's (95 Quoted Above) have the antitypical City of Refuge being salvation through Jesus. However, the earliest reference in 12/1/1955 Watchtower seems to paint a different picture equating the City of refuge to some extent to the organization saying:

"What is the antitypical city of refuge today? As the typical refuge cities were cities of the temple servants, including the high priest of Jehovah, the antitypical city must be Jehovah’s provision for protecting us from death for violating the divine covenant concerning the sacredness of blood by our coming and remaining under the benefits of the active service of Jehovah’s High Priest Jesus Christ. That provision of protection is to be found with Jehovah’s theocratic organization of his people."

"Likewise those fleeing to the Christian’s city of refuge may not be idlers within the New World society. They must show an appreciation of the divine mercy to them and keep in touch with the remnant of the “royal priesthood” and especially with the High Priest under whose covering they find protection. They must not be burdens, drags, on the New World society, retarding its activity, draining away its spiritual prosperity. They must learn a trade in that organization, and in view of the divine obligations laid upon it the only “trade” suitable within that organization is to learn to preach the Kingdom message and declare the “day of vengeance of our God.” (Matt. 24:14; Isa. 61:1, 2) This makes the time within bounds fly by most happily before Armageddon in praise of Jehovah and it results in salvation both to the refugee and to others."

Thus this seems more of a case of reverting to a previously held viewpoint. This progression in the light of God's word is what the 12/1/81 Watchtower refers to as "tacking". "By maneuvering the sails the sailors can cause a ship to go from right to left, back and forth, but all the time making progress toward their destination in spite of contrary winds. "

4th of July

2006-07-04T07:28:00.000-07:00

Here I am this morning on my day off from work. I'm drinking orange crush out of a glass bottle and nothing much beats soda out of a glass bottle.

I'm typing this and I don't know if when I'm done I'll just "save as draft" or "publish". These days I tend to just write things for myself and keep them private.

But I was looking at my Blog and it has been empty so I'm needing to write something to those that are reading. Maybe I'll let you know that I'm still alive and kicking and growing.

I have been writing about things that I'm studying or learning or experiencing in my walk with God. (I'm learning some awesome things. I can remember as a JW being so excited about "new light" that came every so often. Now every day that I open the Bible I am hit with revelations big and small. God feeds me in a way that no man ever could.)

This morning I'm looking at God and wondering, "What is this work that you are doing?" Because for those of us who are seeing what is happening in the church system it definately appears like something is up.

It feels strange to talk to individuals who feel that they were called out of apostate church systems. Was I called out or kicked out? Perhaps I was like Lot and dragging my feet in Sodom so God pulled me out.

But as one of Jehovah's Witnesses I look around and see how brothers and sisters are walking way or taking a stand against apostasy and being kicked out of the organization.

I have to ask my Father, "What is this work that you are doing?"

You then suddenly realise that this is just happening with Jehovah's Witnesses but this is happening all over Christendom. People are seperating from a church and choosing to be THE CHURCH by millions. (Talk about an increase!)

It does appear that the problems within the different church systems are becoming more and more manifest and their waters are drying up.

I honestly wept over a recent Watchtower study article that presented a new teaching that the Cities of Refuge in the Hebrew Scriptures represent the organization and not Jesus' life-saving sacrifice. When they reject or downplay the basis for forgiveness by what basis can they be forgiven?

Father, how long can such gross disrepect and idolotry stand?

I have prayed that judgment be held off to give my brothers and sisters time to wake up and repent. I just don't know if there is enough time. I guess I need to hope and pray. I only hope that the organization's apostasy will continue to worsen just so it will become intolerable for Christians to be a part of it.

I guess more than anything I get the feeling that we are being positioned for the final act in this age old drama.

Shortly the entire system of false Christianity will come crashing down. Thank God that he has shown us the way to the wilderness - the place of protection under the wings of God and here we are fed the bread that came down out of Heaven.

The wilderness the place of protection, the place of refinement, the place of preperation.

Holy Father Keep us safe, make us strong - keep us awake and ready.

My love to all the Saints scattered about in the dispersion.

Updated - Bethel Elder Arrested, Watchtower Farm Raided

2006-06-27T06:11:00.000-07:00

"Therefore do not fear them; for there is nothing covered over that will not become uncovered, and secret that will not become known. " - Matthew 10:26

50-year-old Jesus Manuel Cano was arrested in Middletown, NY on Monday. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, Cano would have regularly engaged in distributing Watchtower literature however on the day of his arrest Cano was passing out pamphlets that included graphic pictures of himself, such as the one pictured to the right.

According to Police, Cano had given the pictures along with his cell phone number to young boys in Middletown in order to lure them into sexual encounters. After receiving one such phamplet a boy gave it to his parents who immediately called the police. A police officer then contacted Cano posing as a 15-year-old boy and arranged a meeting where he was arrested.

Found in Cano's car at the time of the arrest was two cold cans of beer, condoms, and petroleum jelly. Also discovered were photographs of boys and a shocking videotape that Cano apparently took of men and boys using urinals in the Chicago O'Hare International Airport. On Cano's person was an ID card verifying that he was a member of Bethel, the World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in New York.

Afterwards police conducted an overnight raid of Cano's home at Bethel's, "Watchtower Farm" printery and farm facility in Walkhill, NY. They were directed by Cano's roommate to his living area where they retrieved four computers, hundreds of photographs, memory sticks, and DVD's including one labeled Chicago O'Hare Airport. Police reported that it will take days to look through the thousands of images that have been recovered.

J.R. Brown, Organizational Spokesman for Jehovah's Witnesses, comfirmed that Cano was a minister of Jehovah's Witnesses serving as an elder at Bethel and also in the Newburg, NY congregation. Cano had been a member of the Bethel family for 16-years until Monday when he was removed from the Bethel family and as an elder.

Police have commented that they now suspect that Cano allegedly took pornographic photos of children while traveling throughout the US and South America in his activities as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Bethel elders, such as Cano, are often used as guest speakers at Watchtower conventions and Witness assembly days throughout the world. The investigation has extended to the Caribbean. Police theorize the pictures may be part of an international child pornography ring.

--

The original news story and news video clip can be found at CBS Chicago's web-site: Man Allegedly Videotaped Boys In Airport Bathrooms - Jehovah's Witness Minister In Custody In New York

November 15, 1952 - Questions from Readers

2006-06-10T09:24:00.000-07:00

Oh my! I had to do a double-take in reading this Questions from Readers from the November 15, 1952 Watchtower. As bad as it is being disfellowshipped for "apostasy" and shunned by my family members, at least they can't kill me. Hopefully there won't be any "new light" on this.

"We are not living today among theocratic nations where such members of our fleshly family relationship could be exterminated for apostasy from God and his theocratic organization, as was possible and was ordered in the nation of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai and in the land of Palestine."

"Being limited by the laws of the worldly nation in which we live and also by the laws of God through Jesus Christ, we can take action against apostates only to a certain extent, that is, consistent with both sets of laws. The law of the land and God’s law through Christ forbid us to kill apostates, even though they be members of our own flesh-and-blood family relationship."

-November 15, 1952 Watchtower "Questions From Readers". Emphasis is mine.

Oral Law

2006-06-04T13:16:00.000-07:00

The Hebrew word "Torah", meaning law, is often used as a reference to the Hebrew Scriptures, in particular the first five books of Moses, also known as "the Law of Moses". However in Jesus' day, as today, Torah also included the so-called, Oral Torah or oral traditions. (After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70CE these oral traditions eventually were trasmitted to written form into what is today known and the Talmud.)

The Oral Torah or traditions were alleged to be handed down from God to Moses and in turn in Joshua and so on and so forth. For the Jews it is believed that the Scriptures are incomplete by themselves, a cryptic puzzle and thus the Oral Tradition is necessary to understand them. In time the Oral Torah came to be held as more important than the Written Torah. And thus the Scriptures were minimized and the traditions of men were amplified.

Jesus ministry in contrast rejected the oral traditions saying "you have made the word of God invalid because of your traditions." (Matthew 15:6) Therefore in violation of the Oral Torah Jesus:

told a man to carry a cot on the Sabbath (Mark 2:11)
healed on the Sabbath using a prepared salve (John 9:6)
oversaw his disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath (Mark 2:23)
taught his disiples to pray in private (Matthew 6:6)
instructed those fasting to anoint their head and wash their face (Matthew 6:17)
rejected hand washing rituals (Matthew 15:2)

As a teacher of the law Jesus was recognized as a Rabbi. (John 1:38) The way that Rabbis, or Scribes taught was by expounding on the Oral Traditions handed down. Jesus teaching was different as noted in Matthew 7:28,29

Now when Jesus finished these sayings, the effect was that the crowds were astounded at his way of teaching; for he was teaching them as a person having authority, and not as their scribes.

Instead of simpling citing the teachings of past Rabbis, Jesus authoritatively taught "a new teaching". (Mark 1:28) The famous Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5) well illustrates this method of teaching:

"You heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You must not murder' ... However, I say to you that everyone who continues wrathful with his brother will be accountable to the court of justice. (v. 21,22)

"You heard that it was said, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (v. 27,28)

"Moreover it was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ However, I say to YOU that everyone divorcing his wife, except on account of fornication, makes her a subject for adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. (v. 31,32)

"Again you heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You must not swear without performing, but you must pay your vows to Jehovah.’ However, I say to you: Do not swear at all, ..." (v. 33,34)

"You heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ However, I say to you: Do not resist him that is wicked; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also to him." (v. 38,39)

"You heard that it was said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ However, I say to you: Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those persecuting you;" (v. 43,44)

So while Jesus rejected the traditions of the Rabbis he held strictly to the law as recorded in the Scripture. Not only that, he outlined a more righteous way to follow these God given laws, highlighting the spirit behind the law. "For I say to you that if your righteousness does not abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter into the kingdom of the heavens." - Matthew 2:20

So while the purpose of the Oral Law was to clarify the Written Law Jesus made clear that they were in fact "overstepping" the law with their traditions.

"In reply he said to them: “Why is it YOU also overstep the commandment of God because of your tradition? For example, God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Let him that reviles father or mother end up in death.’ But YOU say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother: “Whatever I have by which you might get benefit from me is a gift dedicated to God,” he must not honor his father at all.’ And so YOU have made the word of God invalid because of your tradition." - Matthew 15:3-6

In our day the children of God are not under law. As it is written, "For such freedom Christ set us free. Therefore stand fast, and do not let yourselves be confined again in a yoke of slavery." As Paul makes clear to the Romans and Galatians - Christ put an end to law and law does not produce righteousness. (Galatians 2:15-21)

However be that as it may religious leaders today do not manifest Christ's spirit but instead the spirit of the scribes and Pharisees. For such ones scripture is not enough. Holy spirit is not enough. In order to protect their flock they feel the need to make numerous laws and regulations and guidelines in order to keep ones from works of flesh.

At Galatians 5:19-21 Paul writes a brief list of various works of the flesh saying:

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, and they are fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, envies, drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these.

Now what is of interest is that Paul does not set out to detail in a legalistic manner any of the above nor to set out an exhaustive list of "works of the flesh". After listing a few he says, "and things like these". Christians didn't need to be versed in all the different ways the flesh manifests itself in order to avoid them. He instead opts for a more beneficial course of action, as he says in verse 16 "Keep walking by spirit and you will carry out no fleshly desires at all."

Yet today in a legalistic fashion numerous works have been written to enumerate all the different types of works of the flesh. One recent example is found in the July 1, 2006 issue of the Watchtower magazine's "Questions From Readers" as it sets out to define what is considered "fornication", verses "loose conduct", verses "uncleaness" as well as the punishments that each act warrants.

The legalistic nature of article is welled summed up by its treatment of pornography as follows:

"Some Christians have become involved in the viewing of pornography. This is offensive to God, and the elders may be shocked that a fellow believer has done this. But not all viewing of pornography calls for a hearing before a judicial committee. For example, suppose a brother view so-called soft-core pornography on several occasions. He is ashamed, confesses to an elder, and is determined not to repeat this sin. The elder might well conclude that the brother's conduct did not escalate to the point that he engaged in "uncleanness . . . with greediness"; nor did he display a brazen attitude, indicating loose conduct. Although no judicial action would be warranted, this type of uncleanness would call for strong Scriptural counsel and perhaps follow-up help from the elders.

However, supppose a Christian has secretly viewed abhorrent, sexually degrading pornography for years and has done everying possible to conceal this sin. Such pornography might feature gang rape, bondage, sadistic torture, the brutalizing of women, or even child pornography. When others become aware of his conduct, he is deeply ashamed. He has not been brazen, but the elders may determine that he has 'given himself over' to his filthy habit and has practiced 'uncleaness with greediness,' that is, gross uncleanness. A judicial committee would be formed because gross uncleanness is involved. The wrongdoer would be disfellowshipped if he did not display godly repentance and the determination never to view pornography again. If he invited others to his home to view pornography-in effect, promoting it-he would give evidence of a brazen attitude characterizing loose conduct."

We contrast the above legal construct with Jesus' simple words "But I say to you that everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" or Paul's instruction to "deaden therefore your body members that are on earth with respects to fornication" or James' words "But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn, sin, when it has been accomplished, brings forth death." (Matthew 5:28; Colossians 3:5, James 1:14,15)

The problem with laws and rules is that there can never be enough to cover every breed of wrongdoing. As for the above example it may be asked what is considered "soft-core pornography"? For that matter what constitutes pornography at all? Is a sex scene in a movie, pornography? If there is nudity? If there is not?

Wouldn't it be so much better to focus instead on helping Christians to keep walking by the spirit so as to carry out no fleshy desire at all? I cannot emphasize Paul's word enough, "Furthermore, if you are being led by spirit, you are not under law." - Galatians 5:16,18

Jesus rejected the oral law and traditions and gave us something better - something purer - something more righteous. Laws are cheap and easy and in the end do not produce moral people. As we discussed laws do not produce righteousness. Please consider the anarchy that quickly develops in times of disaster where law enforcement suddenly disappears. So to in a Christian congregation we would ask what would happen if suddenly there was no threat of disfellowshipping or so-called "judicial" action? What would happen if there was no elder body or governing body to enumerate what was right or wrong?

If the only thing keeping the congregation clean is such laws and expulsion threats that would be a pretty sad thing. On the other hand for those who are trained to be lead by the spirit the scripture is enough. They don't need self-styled scribes to tell them what is loose conduct, what is uncleaness. They are lead by a Bible trained conscience and the spirit of Christ in them.

"However, YOU are in harmony, not with the flesh, but with the spirit, if God’s spirit truly dwells in YOU. But if anyone does not have Christ’s spirit, this one does not belong to him. But if Christ is in union with YOU, the body indeed is dead on account of sin, but the spirit is life on account of righteousness. If, now, the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in YOU, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also make YOUR mortal bodies alive through his spirit that resides in YOU." - Romans 8:9-11

On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus impaled the flesh together with its passions and desires.

If we are living by spirit, let us go on walking orderly also by spirit. - Galatians 5:22-26

What are the Requirements of True Christianity

2006-05-24T06:58:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed reading this essay recently written by a brother and thought I would share the link.

What are the Requirements Of True Christianity

Spirit and Truth

2006-05-17T06:18:00.000-07:00

So now that I've got more people reading this than ever before I feel a certain obligation to try to write deep meaningful posts. Like it would be a let down to write about my high Tetris score or my love of tacos or the new Daytrip record I just downloaded. Even so, most days I can't get my thoughts together coherently so I haven't been updated. But I do feel a certain need to write down what's been happening, more as a record than anything else.

All and all things have been going great for my family. There have been certain unavoidable complications since my disfellowshiping, mostly from extended family, and it hurts to be shunned by friends but I think on up side our spirituality has increased quite a bit. Mina and I have been pretty steady about doing a Bible study every night. As a family we are making it out habit to say a family prayer before bed so that has been really nice and helping us draw close as a family and toward our God.

I'm studying quite a bit, as usual I'm so ADHD when I study. It seems like I'm learning so much and yet each new thing I learn opens up a whole new arena of questions. Usually I am in Revelation and that book is being opened up quite bit to me. And seems like so many of us are arriving at the same conclusions and yet there are some chapters that we really have a variety of opinions on, such as Chapter 12. I've also fallen into a study on the Divine Name, not pronunciation or syntax, but in use and importance historically, in Jesus' ministry, the Greek scriptures (New Testament) and in these days. At night I'm reading Isaiah from the Dead Sea Scrolls.

I've been praying really hard about my personal ministry. My Heavenly Father has told me to be patient but I'm eager to get going on something. Yesterday though I really had to look back and realise that I was having a ministry but since it wasn't as obvious going door to door distributing magazines I didn't recognize it at first. Lots of interesting doors open up when you are not officially a JW. I've noticed that people are more inclined to talk to you about the Bible. For some reasons JW's are perceived as being arrogant so that tends to create walls. (In all honesty though I can admit that when I went door to door I tended to have superior attitude toward those I talked to.) So with the barriers down there have been some good experiences.

I've been helping out this one guy at work with some personal challenges he's been going through. He says that God sent me to help him. When someone says that it really makes it a challenge to say the right thing - because you really don't want to mess up. All I could think to do was give him some scriptures to read because I honestly didn't no what kind of advice to give him. Anyhow he called me last night and told me how much those scriptures really helped him. As he said, "You can't argue with the word. It's all there in black and red." (He's got a red-letter edition of the Bible, btw.) I think he will be joining me in a Bible study this Saturday which will be neat.

So I'm really having nice little successes despite myself. It's really nothing that I'm doing. But as much as my Father cares to use me I'm willing to be used. Sometimes I think about how easy it would be to just go out and receive instructions from a burning bush and know exactly what to do. But really even looking back at Exodus I wonder if it was just that explicit to Moses. It seems like there was a whole lot of wandering around in the wilderness before he was told what to do and then even thereafter it came it bit by bit.

Well I'm here in the wilderness, wandering around. I think about Moses when he fled Egypt. I think about David hiding out from Saul. I think about Elijah running away from Jezebel into the wilderness. Oh man do I think about Elijah. Like when he felt he was the only one and how God said that there were 7,000 others that hadn't bent their knee to Baal. (1 Kings 19:18) Talk about encouragement!

That has been the most encouraging thing lately is realising that I'm not the only the one. I'm not the only one sighing and groaning over the detestable things in my former denomination. (Ezekiel 9:3) In fact this isn't even limited strictly to the Watchtower society. Right now there is a definate exodus out of apostate Christianity. People are being called outside the camp to the true Congregation/Church - the Ecclesia that literally means "called out ones". This is so beyond anything that could ever be confined to a church building or a religious corporation/organization. As the Samaritan woman asked Jesus at the well, "Where should I worship? On this mountain or Jerusalem?" Where did Jesus direct her to worship? It wasn't a "where" it was was a "how" - He said, "the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth". - John 4:1-54

Is Baptism A Symbol of Dedication?

2006-05-06T13:59:00.000-07:00

Let any man who would say that Christian baptism is a symbol of our dedication to God produce one scripture that would substantiate that view. If no scripture can be produced then we have to concede that this view is not Biblical.

That there is no supporting evidence in the Christian Greek scriptures for Christian dedication is evidenced by the "Sing Praises to Jehovah" song book where the two songs concerning Christian dedication (13 & 202) are forced to cite Exodus 39:30 as the song's supporting scripture.

What is Baptism a Symbol of?

Baptism is a symbol of repentance and the means by which we receive forgiveness for our sins.

"Peter [said] to them: “Repent, and let each one of YOU be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of YOUR sins, and YOU will receive the free gift of the holy spirit." - Acts 2:38

"And now why are you delaying? Rise, get baptized and wash your sins away by your calling upon his name.’" - Acts 22:16

"owing to no works in righteousness that we had performed, but according to his mercy he saved us through the bath that brought us to life and through the making of us new by holy spirit." - Titus 3:5

"That which corresponds to this is also now saving YOU, namely, baptism, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the request made to God for a good conscience,) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 3:21

If Jesus Was Sinless Why Was He Baptised?

Jesus answers the question himself at Matthew 3:15 "Let it be, this time, for in that way it is suitable for us to carry out all that is righteous"

In order to be sanctified as high priest under the old covenant Aaron had to be cleansed with water and anointed with oil. (Exodus 29:4,7)

Aaron as High Priest was a type for Jesus Christ.

In order to enter into his role as our High Priest Jesus too had to be cleansed with water and anointed with oil. (Hebrews 2:17) Both conditions were fulfilled at the time of his baptism, "After being baptized Jesus immediately came up from the water; and, look! the heavens were opened up, and he saw descending like a dove God's spirit coming upon him." - Matthew 3:16

As firstborn among many brothers Jesus set the example by which we too would be born again as Spiritual sons of God. (Romans 8:29)

In speaking to the Pharisee Nicodemus Jesus described the method by which one would be born again as a son of the Kingdom. "Most truly I say to you, Unless anyone is born from water and spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. What has been born from the flesh is flesh, and what has been born from the spirit is spirit. Do not marvel because I told you, YOU people must be born again." - John 3:5-7

At the time of his baptism he was born from water and as the Holy Spirit came upon him as a dove he was born from spirit and then the voice called from heaven declaring him, "my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved." (Matthew 3:16,17)

Into Who or What Are We Baptised?

2006-05-06T12:04:00.000-07:00

"Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved" - Acts 4:12

The Scriptures show we are to be baptised in the name of Jesus alone.

"Peter [said] to them: “Repent, and let each one of YOU be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of YOUR sins ... " - Acts 2:38

"For it had not yet fallen upon any one of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." - Acts 8:16

"With that he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they requested him to remain for some days." - Acts 10:48

"On hearing this, they got baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." - Acts 19:5

Did Jesus command that we be baptised in the name of the father, son, and holy spirit?

Many churches use a variation of the baptismal formula found at Matthew 28:19 which reads, "Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit,"

This has been called the trinity formula since it contains the three person of the Godhead.

At present time we do not have any complete manuscripts of Matthew prior to the 4th century. All existing manuscripts written thereafter contain this phrase.

However there is evidence that this reading was a later corruption of the original text. Early Church historian Eusebius appears to quote from a different manuscript then any we have presently. Eighteen times in between 300 to 336 he cited Matthew 28:19,20 as:

"Go ye and make disciples of all the nations in my name, teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I commanded you."

It is interesting that the traditional trinitarian reading of Matthew 28:19 does not appear in Eusebius' writings until after the council of Nicene wherein the trinity began to formally held as official doctrine.

Evidence strongly indicates that this is a spurious scripture inserted by later Trinitarians in the same vein as 1 John 5:7-8

Are we baptised under men or into a man-made organizations?

"What I mean is this, that each one of YOU says: “I belong to Paul,” “But I to A·pol′los,” “But I to Ce′phas,” “But I to Christ.” The Christ exists divided. Paul was not impaled for YOU, was he? Or were YOU baptized in the name of Paul? " - 1 Corinthians 1:12-13

"Or do YOU not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" - Romans 6:3

"For all of YOU who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." - Galatians 3:27

Is The Baptism of Children Scriptural?

2006-05-06T07:16:00.000-07:00

"Do not go beyond the things written," - 1 Corinthians 4:6

As Christians it is our solemn obligation to hold to the Word of God as our ultimate authority and in doing so we rightfully reject the traditions of men when there is a conflict between the two.

As Jehovah's Witnesses we have come to an understanding of the manner of baptism that is scriptural and rejects traditions of some denominations. Thus we have rejected infant baptism and baptise by full bodily immersion instead of a mere sprinkling.

However by our insistance on baptising children we are going beyond both the Scriptures and the early example of the Christian congregation.

What do the Scriptures teach us?

At Acts 2:37-38 we read of 3000 men being baptised, "Men, brothers, what shall we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins,"

At Acts 8:12 in regards to the Samaritans, "they proceeded to be baptised, both men and women"

What does the example of Jesus teach us?

At Luke 2:21,23 "Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized . . . Futhermore, Jesus himself, when he commenced [his work], was about thirty years old"

What does the first-century Christian congregation teach us?

From the April 1, 2006 Watchtower page 27,28 "Regarding first-century Christians, historian Augustus Neander states in his book General History of the Christian Religion and Church: "Baptism was administered at first only to adults, as men were accustomed to conceive baptism and faith as strictly connected."

Why then does the Watchtower teach us:

"In the case of youths, some develop a measure of spirituality at a relatively tender age, while others take longer. Before getting baptized, however a youngster should have a personal relationship with Jehovah, a sound understanding of the fundamentals of the Scriptures, and a clear comprehension of what dedication involves, as is the case with adults." - Watchtower. April 1, 2006. page 28, par 9.

Did first-century Jewish children meet the Watchtower's criteria for child baptism?

The first converts to Christianity came from the Jews. Could it be said that no jewish children in the first-century met the above criteria established by the Watchtower, namely a personal relationship with Jehovah, a sound understanding of the Scritpures, and clear comprehension of dedication?

We consider point-by-point:

Did Jewish children have a relationship with Jehovah?

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 answers "And you must love Jehovah your God will all your heart and all your heart and all your soul and all your vital force. And these words that I am commanding you today must prove to be on your heart; and you must inculate them in your son and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up."

Did Jewish children have a sound understanding of the Scriptures?

In answer, Alfred Edersheim in his book Sketches of Jewish Social Life says regarding the education of Jewish children in the days of Christ, "home teaching ordinarily began when the child was about three years old. ... Verses of Scripture, benedictions, wise sayings, etc., were impressed on the child, and mnemonic rules devised to facilitate the retention of what was so acquired. ... At five years of age the Hebrew Bible was to be begun."

Could Jewish children comprehend a dedication to God?

"In 1513 B.C.E., the ancient Israelites came into a dedicated relationship with Jehovah. (Exodus 19:3-8) After that, Jews were born into that dedicated nation under the Law covenant. - w03 8/15 p. 30 Do you Remember?

We see then that Jewish children would have fulfilled all of the Watchtower's criteria for child baptism and yet only men and women got baptised in the first century.

If not on Scripture on what basis then do we baptise children?

Are we going beyond the things written?

Jason

2006-04-28T06:40:00.000-07:00

I've known Jason practically all of my life since we have been in the Wood River congregation since we were children. Growing up we never really did much together. He was into sports and I was into Star Wars so we never really clicked. He was a very brave kid - when I say "brave" perhaps it would be more appropriate to say "reckless". He was the kind of kid that always seemed to have a broken bone or crutches.

Thinking back I can only remember one time that he came over to my house when we were kids. (Of course there may have been other times, my memory is selective at times.) When we lived in Alton we didn't have a nice flat backyard, instead it was a steep hill. At the bottom of the hill was what we used to call "the pit". How can I describe it? Sort of like a sinkhole. So "the pit" was on one side and next to it there was a row of trees for the wooded area behind our house. I remember Jason came over one day and took my bike down the back hill - he had so much speed that he went crashing into the trees - he was lucky he didn't go over the edge into "the pit". Brave? Reckless? A little of both, no doubt.

Many years later there was a time in our life that Jason and his wife Teri really gave Rebekah and I a boost. It was during a time we were kind of down in spirit. One day we had just got done visiting an old friend that wasn't doing too well and we were sad and sort of moping around the house. Jason called us up out of the blue and asked if we wanted to come over to their house for a Watchtower study and also if we wanted to go with them to Sears as Jason had gotten a gift-certificate that he wanted to use to buy some tools. Now as I write this I know that this doesn't sound like a very fun way to spend an evening - but Rebekah and I really enjoyed ourselves and it made a bad day so much nicer. We appreciate that they took an interest in us.

It was around this time that Jason gave me some practical help. I had lost my job at Dial and was coming down on my last month of unemployment when Jason offered me a position at the company he worked for as a Lead Paint Remover technician. When winter rolled around and work was getting slow Jason got me a position working in the office. I'm still there today. It is such a great job and provides for my needs. I consider this job a blessing from Jehovah and I'm thankful to Jason that he helped me get it.

Rebekah and I have also gone on a couple of trips with Jason and Teri. They invited us to go canoeing with them a couple of times which was a really good time. On one trip Jason still proved to be just as brave/reckless as an adult as he was a child. There was this cliff that some people were base jumping off of so we climbed to the top. He didn't hesitate to run and jump off the cliff into the water. I on the other hand was paralysed with fear and questioned what in the world made me climb to the top of this cliff. I wanted to climb down but it was too dangerous - more so than jumping. .... and so I jumped and scared myself to death! Despite that it was a really fun time. Jason and his wife Teri are such enjoyable people to hang around with.

Another time I will never forget happened a little over a year ago. Rebekah and I decided that we would send "Thank-You" cards to every member of the congregation. It was to be just a little note to say, "Hey we appreciate you." This was toward the beginning when we were struggling to figure out how to draw closer to the congregation but didn't know how to do it. So we just mailed out those cards and our Heavenly Father blessed us because they opened the way for developing and renewing tender relationships with several in the Hall. I still remember Jason and how appreciative he was about his card. He never strikes me as a very emotional person, sometimes he seems rather hard, but he had tears in his eyes when he told us how he enjoyed receiving his card and how he said it was very "loving". In turn that made Rebekah and I feel very, very good.

I really miss good friends like Jason.

--

"And if you won’t apologize
If you can’t look me in the eye
I forgive you ..."
- Juliana Hatfield, Noblesse Oblige

Happy

2006-04-20T20:34:00.000-07:00

“Happy are YOU when people reproach YOU and persecute YOU and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against YOU for my sake. Rejoice and leap for joy, since YOUR reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to YOU. - Matthew 5:11,12

Tonight was one of those nights were you realise just how much your Heavenly Father really, really cares for you. Rebekah and I are glowing and happy and just want to praise our God.

Believe me when I say that it took every bit of my strength to go the meeting tonight and then when I had no more strength left I had to pray for enough to get out the door. Because I'm timid by nature and who really wants to go have abuse raked on them? And it is because I am timid that I needed to do this to go and suffer just as Christ suffered - to be slandered and ridiculed - and stand up and take it.

I knew that tonight they were going disown me with a simple sentence, "Anthony Mathenia is no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses". That would've been bad enough but little did I know exactly how far it would go. The gloves came off and in an expanded local needs part (30 minutes long) they called me a liar. They said that my acts of affection to the members of the congregation were the insincere kisses of betrayal of Judas. They said I was a stranger leading sheep away to kill them. Their encore was calling me "Satan" and a "child of Satan". Suffice to say I've never been so abusively spoken of in my entire life.

So now I know why it was so important for me to go tonight. Because my Heavenly Father wanted to teach me some lessons about how He will take care of me even in the worst of situations. When I arrived at the meeting and I went and sat down I was feeling pretty awkward and down. I said a little prayer and then my Father answered me and confirmed His love for me. He then showered me with Holy spirit - it was so strong that it was instant joy and peace. I couldn't help but to smile and bask in His love. Rebekah got the Spirit too.

And so when the time came we just sat there aglow with the Spirit and let them say all their evil, twisted things against me. It didn't matter - they could rail and rail away cause we had such a beautiful inner calmness and strength. Their verbal attack meant nothing as the Large Shield of Faith kept deflecting their blows.

It is such pure, unadulterated joy tonight ... we came home and offered up praise to the Father for His goodness and underserved kindness. I'm so blessed to suffer as did Christ and yet at the same time I feel so unworthy to follow in his footsteps. I'm nowhere close to being in the same league.

What next? I really don't know ... but I'm looking forward to the future. I'm blessed to follow my Shepherd. Wherever Christ wants to lead me I'm willing - maybe this whole episode of my life was just a warm-up for the Big Leagues.

I do know that there isn't nowhere that I need to go because tonight I have arrived. Where am I? I'm outside the camp with Jesus.

"Hence Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Let us, then, go forth to him outside the camp, bearing the reproach he bore," - Hebrews 13:12,13

Resolution - An Open Letter

2006-04-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Wood River Congregation,

It is with great sadness that I write you this letter. You may have noticed over the course of the last two months that I have been missing from some of the meetings and that I have not been able to share in commenting. Many of you have lovingly inquired if anything was the matter. Unfortunately we weren't able to be completely open with you as to what was going on. Now that the matter has been resolved I would like to take this opportunity to address your concerns.

The other day as I was going over the memorial Bible reading I thought quite a bit about Jesus’ last night with his friends. He had spent 3 ½ years with them attempting to teach them many important things. On that last night when time was ticking away what was interesting was what he chose to focus on, namely love, selflessness, enduring under tribulation, and prayer. It is with a similar outlook that I’m writing this letter as I’m to be killed in a spiritual sense is just a few days and would be remiss if I didn’t give you some parting words of love and encouragement.

Regrettably, I have been disfellowshipped from the Organization on the grounds of apostasy, and it will soon be formally announced to the congregation that I am "no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses". I completely reject this false charge and I appealed the decision of the Body of Elders. Unfortunately, my appeal was to no avail and therefore I am left with no other option at this time but to wait for Jehovah to straighten this out in His own due time.

I still feel in my heart that I am one Jehovah's Witnesses and I'm quite confident that our Heavenly Father still accepts me as such although from the standpoint of the Organization I am not. I have been reading the Psalms lately and they have been really encouraging in this regard. One in particular that warms my heart is Psalm 27:10 that reads, "In case my own father and my own mother did leave me, even Jehovah would take me up."

I know that what I am going through, though hard, is agreeable to my Heavenly Father, as the scriptures say, "For if someone, because of conscience toward God, bears up under grievous things and suffers unjustly, this is an agreeable thing. For what merit is there in it if, when you are sinning and being slapped you endure it? But if, when you are doing good and you suffer, you endure it, this is agreeable with God." - 1 Peter 2:19, 20

I wanted to write you this letter to let you, the Congregation of Wood River, know that I have thoroughly enjoyed this last year growing in love and faith with you. I spent the greater portion of my life in this congregation and yet painfully before last year I never took the time to really be a part of it. I cherish each conversation and the mutual affection that we have shared – this "interchange of encourage" has done much to build my faith and I hope it has built yours. (Romans 1:11,12) Despite all my difficulties lately I would not exchange one day of this past year for relief from my situation.

In particular, with quite a few of you, I've grown extremely close and my only worry throughout all this mess is how I may hurt you by being disfellowshipped, and slanderously labeled as an apostate. Please do not see this as a betrayal to you. My love for you was always sincere and I have meant every word that I spoke in your presence, from the stage, in comment, in prayer, and in our conversations. I know for the foreseeable future we will be apart – and that is painful – but I look forward to the day when we can reunited again; if not in this world, in the world to come – the new heavens and earth that we are awaiting according to a promise. (2 Peter 3:13)

I wanted nothing more than to continue in your midst longer - to continue to grow in widening out my tender affection for all of you. (2 Cor 6:13) I had hoped that I could be a support to you right down to the very end. Now that this is not possible, I only hope that in memory I could continue to help you in perhaps some small way.

I know that you have noticed a change in me, from what I was, to what I became to you. Quite a few of you have expressed positive thoughts toward this change. I could only direct all praise to Jehovah. Last year our Father was gracious enough to give me an anointing, though I didn't deserve it all. It is an undeserved kindness on His part to allow me a small measure of His Holy spirit that was able to transform me and turn my life around. My brothers and sisters I can attest to the power and the reality of the Holy spirit. If you are having difficulties in any area please pray for the spirit and believe that it can help you. Our Father will give it to you just as it written, "Therefore if you, although being wicked know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will the Father in heaven give Holy spirit to those asking him!" – Luke 11:13

Additionally I would encourage you to make it a habit to read your Bible daily. God's Word is such an absolute treasure and if you read it to come to know Him it will open your eyes and your heart. As the Psalm says, “Your word is a lamp to my foot, and a light to my roadway.” (Psalm 119:105) And speaking of the Psalms, we are just getting ready to go through them in our weekly Bible reading and it will be such an excellent time to really dig deep. The Psalms are full of such beauty, affection and understanding. What a treat it will be to listen to the friends offer up praise to Jehovah during the answer portion of the Bible Highlights in the weeks to come!

Please use every opportunity possible to speak of Jehovah's goodness to one another. The one thing I regret is how in our gatherings outside the meetings how little is said regarding our God. Additionally, it is painful that once the meeting ends, we are quick to begin talking about the mundane things of life. I've been guilty of this too but I think that if we would try to make an effort to speak of good things, then that small seed might blossom into something truly beautiful in the Wood River Hall. I know you appreciate what Jehovah and Christ Jesus have done for us – please don't hesitate to talk about it and “to offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which make public declaration to his name.” (Hebrews 13:15) The world beats us down so much that we could all use a little lift.

Friends please take time to show interest in the older ones at our hall. They are so lonely. Some even think that they might be abandoned during the Great Tribulation just as they feel abandoned by the congregation now. I know you love them and don't feel this way. Please let them know how much you love them and value them. Include them in your activities and meals. I want to see hugs and kisses and cheerful faces. Remember that James characterizes true worship by our willingness to "look after orphans and widows in their tribulation" – James 1:27

Support the body of elders in what is good as they are shouldering a heaven burden. (1 Timothy 5:17) No doubt you have been pained to lose so many good men recently such as Brother Solle, Brother Donahue, and Brother Honnen. This loss continues to be felt in our hall. It would be a shame to suffer even more - so be supportive wherever possible.

And since the elders are so loaded down please look for ways to minimize their weight by helping one another. Continue to grow in love for the congregation. In the spirit of 1 Peter 3:8,9 "Finally, all of you be like-minded, showing fellow feeling, having brotherly affection, tenderly compassionate, humble in mind, not paying back injury for injury or reviling for reviling, but, to the contrary, bestowing a blessing, because you were called to this course, so that you might inherit a blessing."

Around you are your brothers and sisters who would die for you, just as you would die for them. Our Lord Jesus tells us, "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves." (John 13:35) Really how can we be true Christians if while we won't go to war and kill our brothers, we then kill them daily by our hateful speech and gossip? As Jesus said on the Sermon on the Mount continuing wrathful with a brother and speaking abusively of them is as good as murdering them. (Matthew 5:21,22)

We can't let petty differences drive us apart and cause us to fade away. Of what benefit is it if we spend 6,000 hours in the field service to bring one person to a knowledge of the truth when in the meantime twenty brothers and sisters have slipped out the backdoor due to discouragement or lack of attention? Our ministry would be in vain! Please remember that we are to "work what is good toward all, but especially those related to us in the faith." - Galatians 6:10

It should not be a secret to you how close we are to the end. The great tribulation comes closer by the day. The only thing that is going to get us through that challenging time is our reliance on Jehovah God. Severe trials await us in the future and only those knowing their God will be able to act effectively. (Daniel 11:32) Now is the time to grow in faith and love for our Father, Jehovah God. Sure we know about Him but do we really know Him?

When we experience day-to-day trials we need to use these opportunities to perfect our faith and build our endurance. As James says, "Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet with various trials, knowing as you do that this tested quality of your faith works out endurance. But let endurance have its work complete, that you may be complete and sound in all respects, not lacking in anything." (James 1:2-4) Endurance is such a vital quality as far as salvation goes because as Jesus says, "he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved." – Matthew 24:13

We are so close we just need to hang on. No matter what happens in the future do not allow it to pull you away from your God. Hang your complete faith and trust in Jehovah and Jesus alone. (John 14:1) "Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs." (Psalm 146:3)

My love for you continues to burn strong. I will not cease offering up prayers on your behalf. I am here for you if ever you need me, but I completely understand if you will feel compelled to shun for the time being. I will not hold this against you. I'm confident that all wrongs hidden will be uncovered and these betrayals of justice will be straightened out soon. As Jesus says, "And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly." - Luke 18:7,8a; NIV

So therefore let us continue to look forward with hope, not looking back with sorrow. Can you imagine what joys await us in the future? Imagine the entire universe united in perfect love and speaking only words of truth. Heaven and earth joined in praising our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Our King, Christ Jesus. (Psalm 96) No more pain. No more tears. No suffering. No abuse. "The former things have past away." (Revelation 21:3,4) Can you picture that perfect day?

True there is a lot of pain and hardship now; but did we expect anything less, so close to the end, in a world controlled by the wicked one? Hold on friends – we are going to make it through! I love how Paul puts it, "Consequently I reckon that the sufferings of the present season do not amount to anything in comparison with the glory that is going to be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18)

I will now end this in these important words of the Apostle John -- "Little children guard yourselves from idols." - 1 John 5:21

Yours through the love of the Christ to the end and beyond,

Anthony Mathenia

Our King And Savior

2006-04-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

Hiatus

2006-03-26T17:33:00.000-08:00

Consider it all joy, my brothers, when YOU meet with various trials, knowing as YOU do that this tested quality of YOUR faith works out endurance. But let endurance have its work complete, that YOU may be complete and sound in all respects, not lacking in anything. - James 1:2-4

Well my difficulties persist and this blog will still hang out in limbo until some issues get resolved. But I'm feeling quite good tonight so I just wanted to pop in here and update a wee-bit.

Our Heavenly Father is absolutely wonderful! You never know how much He'll carry you along and sustain you until you absolutely get down and out and have nowhere to go and no way to move. I have trials and I feel nothing but joy right now. Hopefully it is building endurance because as Jesus tells us at Luke 21:19 "By endurance on your part you will save your souls."

I'm keeping busy in study. I fell into the book of Exodus a couple of days back and haven't left. It is absolutely amazing the level of detail that lurks just under the surface of these Bible accounts. The incident with the golden calf is very, very provocative. So many questions to ponder and hopefully get some answers.

I just wanted to post this and let you all know that I'm doing good and have never been happier despite it all! The loss that I'm experiencing right now is absolutely staggering but I feel like Paul who wrote, "On account of [Jesus] I have taken the loss of all things and I consider them as a lot of refuse, that I may gain Christ" (Phillipians 3:8) And as Jesus tells us at Mark 8:34-36, "If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake and follow me continually. For whoever wants to save his sould will lose it; but whoever loses his soul for the sake of me and the good news will save it. Really, of what benefit is it for a man to gain the whole world and to forfeit his soul?"

My love to all the holy ones scattered about outside the camp.

Hang on we are going to win in the end.

Yours in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Anthony

Psalm 5:7

2006-03-25T11:11:00.000-08:00

"As for me, in the abundance of your loving-kindness
I shall come into your house,
I shall bow down toward your holy temple in fear of you"
-Psalm 5:7

When Solomon inaugurated the newly built temple in Jerusalem he indicated that when a person prayed to Jehovah they would pray toward the temple. Since Jehovah's name rested on the temple by positioning facing His house they were in affect praying before Him.

"And you must turn toward the prayer of your servant and to his request for favor, O Jehovah my God, to listen to the entreating cry and to the prayer with which your servant is praying before you today; that your eyes may prove to be opened toward this house night and day, toward the place of which you said, ‘My name will prove to be there,’ to listen to the prayer with which your servant prays toward this place. you must listen to the request for favor on the part of your servant and of your people Israel with which they pray toward this place; and may you yourself hear at the place of your dwelling, in the heavens, and you must hear and forgive." - 1 Kings 8:28-30

Even after the destruction of Jerusalem in 587 by the Babylonians captives like the prophet Daniel were in the habit of praying toward where the temple once stood.

"But Daniel, as soon as he knew that the writing had been signed, entered into his house, and, the windows in his room chamber being open for him toward Jerusalem, even three times in a day he was kneeling on his knees and praying and offering praise before his God as he had been regularly doing prior to this." - Daniel 6:10

It was in Babylon that the synagogue arrangement of worship and instruction was developed in absence of having a temple available. Synagogues were situated in such a way that those there faced toward Jerusalem - a tradition that has exists today.

"The Ark in a synagogue is positioned in such a way that those who face it, face towards Jerusalem. Thus, sanctuary seating plans in the Western world generally face east, while those east of Israel face west. Sanctuaries in Israel face towards Jerusalem. Occasionally synagogues face other directions for structural reasons, in which case the community may turn to face Jerusalem when standing for prayers." - Wikipedia; Synagogue

Discontinued

2006-03-04T19:26:00.000-08:00

I'm pulling my blog offline for the time being. I'm going through some challenging times right now but Jehovah is helping me along. If you've got room for it please include me in your prayers.

"Jehovah is my strength and my shield
In Him my heart has trusted,
And I have been helped, so that my heart exults,
And with my song I shall laud him." - Psalm 28:7

Say Goodbye

2006-03-04T19:06:00.000-08:00

No telling how this came to be
You ending up here when you didn't agree
But now that you're gone, when people fall wrong
You'll be the one who's missing the fun

No turning back to what you do
You'll float in the air and you'll savor the view
And when you get down, just look all around
It's all or none in what's to come

Picture so perfect you'll want to give
So lonesome a soul
Some reason to live
That's just how it goes, you and your wings exposed
You didn't ask for the part
It's all just breaking your heart
Your will is dying and they are crying out to you

Say goodbye to all your friends
Say goodbye to all your friends and all your lovers until the end

Who needs a myth when you're young and free
But you are the angel you're smiling at me
It's all just breaking your heart

Now that this time is feeling so new
You'll know what to do
Not to lose
The love you left behind

-Say Goodbye, Papas Fritas

difficult days ahead

2006-03-01T09:10:00.000-08:00

But because of the false brothers brought in quietly, who sneaked in to spy upon our freedom which we have in union with Christ Jesus, that they might completely enslave us— to these we did not yield by way of submission, no, not for an hour, in order that the truth of the good news might continue with YOU. - Galatians 2:2-5

. . .

“Happy are YOU when people reproach YOU and persecute YOU and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against YOU for my sake. Rejoice and leap for joy, since YOUR reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to YOU - Matthew 5:11,12

. . .

“Obstinate men and uncircumcised in hearts and ears, YOU are always resisting the holy spirit; as YOUR forefathers did, so YOU do. Which one of the prophets did YOUR forefathers not persecute? Yes, they killed those who made announcement in advance concerning the coming of the righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers YOU have now become, YOU who received the Law as transmitted by angels but have not kept it.” - Acts 7:51-53

. . .

“But before all these things people will lay their hands upon YOU and persecute YOU, delivering YOU up to the synagogues and prisons, YOU being haled before kings and governors for the sake of my name. It will turn out to YOU for a witness. Therefore settle it in YOUR hearts not to rehearse beforehand how to make YOUR defense, for I will give YOU a mouth and wisdom, which all YOUR opposers together will not be able to resist or dispute" - Luke 21:12-15

. . .

Because if they do these things when the tree is moist, what will occur when it is withered?” - Luke 23:31

. . .

Hence Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Let us, then, go forth to him outside the camp, bearing the reproach he bore, for we do not have here a city that continues, but we are earnestly seeking the one to come. - Hebrews 13:12-14

. . .

Will The Real Heretics Please Stand Up

2006-02-24T06:19:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading an excellent book by David W. Bercot entitled, "Will The Real Heretics Please Stand Up; A New Look at Today's Evangelical Church in the Light of Early Christianity".

Mr. Bercot, like me, has a big interest in the so-called "Church Fathers" of the 1st and 2nd centuries. His reasoning is that since these Christians had a living link to Jesus and the Apostles that their testimony for how early Christianity operated is highly valuable. What he set out to do is to show just how far removed the modern Christian Evangelical movement is from early Christianity. What we discover is that even those who claim they are "conservative" would be considered spiritually weak in the early church. I particularly enjoyed the section on baptism and what it meant for them to "carry the cross".

Later in the book it discusses how Christianity became corrupted. Really it wasn't so much early apostate sects like the Gnostics or external persecution. The congregation had stood firm against these things for many years. But the church was broken when it disregarded Jesus' advice to be "no part of the world". When it sided with the Roman government it was all over. It was through that means that Satan weakened the congregations and then introduced moral corruption, foreign concepts and unbiblical ideas.

The only criticism I have of this book is that it skirts around the issue of the trinity doctrine. From my reading and research it is apparent that the early Christians believed that though the Father and the Son had the same essence or quality that they were seperate beings. The Father was greater than the Son, as Jesus had expressed. "When Jesus Became God: The Struggle to Define Christianity during the Last Days of Rome" by Richard Rubenstein does good job of showing how the trinity concept became the official doctrine of the Catholic Church.

Rock or Sand?

2006-02-23T06:33:00.000-08:00

“Therefore everyone that hears these sayings of mine and does them will be likened to a discreet man, who built his house upon the rock-mass. And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and lashed against that house, but it did not cave in, for it had been founded upon the rock-mass. Furthermore, everyone hearing these sayings of mine and not doing them will be likened to a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and struck against that house and it caved in, and its collapse was great.” Matthew 7:24-27

Last night I had the privilege to talk to a couple of sisters who are having great difficulties in their life. For them the rain has poured down, the flood is coming in, and the wind is howling at the door.

For one of these sisters the problem is a financial one and due to gross injustice in the world she is suffering. While it would be a mistake to say that she isn't anxious over her situation it would be wrong to say that she is fearful of the hurricane that is about to rip through her life. I admire her faith and when she tells me, "I'm not scared" I sincerely believe her.

Sadly she has been abandoned in her time of need by those who should be blood bound to take care of her. I think of David who was no stranger to adversity and I secretly wonder if there will ever come a time that finds us running around and living in caves like David - our house having turned on us. But should I really wonder when the Lord Jesus tells Christians to expect that very thing? "Indeed, a man’s enemies will be persons of his own household." (Matthew 10:36) As for David I doubt any of us could match the beauty of the lyrics to his song recorded at Psalm 27.

"Jehovah is my light and my salvation.
Of whom shall I be in fear?
Jehovah is the stronghold of my life.
Of whom shall I be in dread?
...
In case my own father and my own mother did leave me,
Even Jehovah himself would take me up.
...
Hope in Jehovah; be courageous and let your heart be strong.
Yes, hope in Jehovah."

Today, in particular those who hope in Jehovah and those who follow the sayings of His son are being targeted by the accuser and his children on the earth. (Rev 12:10) But no one said that this Christian life would be easy. To the contrary our master Jesus asks us point blank at Matthew 20:10, "Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?" He tells us, "pick up [your] torture stake day after day and follow me." (Luke 9:22,23) Following Jesus does not come without hardship and sometimes it may even mean that we have no place to lay down our head. (Luke 9:58)

But the storm of such tribulation can be met as courageously as Jesus met it. And though our house may shake a little bit in the driving wind and battering rain, and though we may startle at the crack of thunder we are confident when the morning star shines our house will still be standing; that is if our house is built on faith - faith in the Son and faith in the Father who sent him.

We are in a long-distance race "pursuing down toward the goal for the upward call of God by means of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:1) And as is true with physical marathon anyone who wishes to run such a spiritual race must build up endurance - not just in the short stretch but in the long haul. The scriptures constantly motivate us toward endurance as is found in James 1:2,3, "Consider it all joy, my brothers, when YOU meet with various trials, knowing as YOU do that this tested quality of YOUR faith works out endurance."

The Bible book of Revelation prophetically calls for a special time for endurance in the future. It speaks of a period when a worldwide government, symbolized by a seven headed wild beast, will put under compulsion all persons of the earth to receive its "mark" by submitting to its rule and rejecting the Kingdom of God. Regarding this the prophecy reads, "And it [the wild beast] puts under compulsion all persons, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the slaves, that they should give these a mark in their right hand or upon their forehead, and that nobody might be able to buy or sell except a person having the mark, the name of the wild beast or the number of its name." - Revelation 13:16,17

This prophecy indicates tests and trials for all for those who will not worship this beast-like Government and will remain loyal to God's Kingdom. We can only imagine what financial hardships will come upon those who would are not able to participate in the day-to-day commerce of buying and selling. Revelation 14:9 therefore contains a call for endurance saying, "Here is where it means endurance for the holy ones, those who observe the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

Each day we are given opportunities to build this kind of endurance and faith. But too often we may find that we have spent a lot of time, perhaps all of our lives, building a hollow, lifeless faith - a sand foundation that can in no way last what is to come upon us. We may have built a beautiful sand castle. It looks impressive and yet when the waves wash ashore it instantly dissolves. If water has that effect how then will it be when the day of fire comes upon us? (2 Peter 3:5-7)

Going back to our starting scripture Matthew 7:24-27 our foundation is built on hearing and then doing the sayings of Jesus Christ. Paul says this same thing to the Corinthian congregation, "For no man can lay any other foundation than what is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood materials, hay, stubble, each one’s work will become manifest, for the day will show it up, because it will be revealed by means of fire; and the fire itself will prove what sort of work each one’s is. If anyone’s work that he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward; if anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved; yet, if so, [it will be] as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:11-14)

The second sister I talked to is going through a difficult time in discovering that her foundation might not be as solid as she had once thought. I hesitate to put words in her mouth so I will speak of my own example as it is somewhat similar and in doing so I will attempt to be sensitive to those who read this. I was raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses and was taught many wonderful Bible truths from an early age. I was excited by the resurrection hope and the thought of living forever in a paradise on Earth. I recognized a God of love who sent his own son to die for us. I was also given a Bible based moral code to live by and while I had my failings all and all I lived a life morally elevated from those around me. Too I was also raised with a set of works that was ingrained in me from an early age - most Witnesses can easily recite this recipe for everlasting life, that is, meeting attendance, field service, personal study, Bible reading, and prayer. I did all of those things - sometimes a lot and sometimes less and occasionally not at all.

The one thing I lacked was endurance. It was not uncommon for me to pioneer for many months and then quickly become irregular in service or I would have a spurt of meeting attendance and then suddenly become absent. I had a history of numerous failed Bible reading programs. (As a result I think I have probably read Genesis more than any other book of the Bible) My prayers were spotty, hit and miss, and normally relegated to times when I felt that I needed something, mostly material. It just didn't seem like I could maintain any one area let alone manage them all.

And even when I was doing these things it was rather hollow and mechanical. The extent of my personal study was underlining a Watchtower magazine. My Bible reading was covering a prescribed amount of chapters each day and counting them down like a prison sentence. When I prayed to God I resorted to a standard set of clichés, saying the same things over and over again. My ministry activity was just passing out literature or quickly blasting through a thirty-second sermon without ever really getting to know my neighbor. And when I met together at Christian meetings I never used these opportunities for Christian fellowship. There too I missed opportunities to get to know my brothers and sisters and to demonstrate the love that was supposed to be the mark of true Christians (Hebrews 10:24,5; John 13:35)

Most of the time I just went through the motions and had fooled myself thinking that I as long as I was doing what was asked of me by an organization of men and fully relying on them that my future was secure. But the things that I was doing to build and demonstrate faith, while good and noble things, were just hay and stubble and sand. I did not have a foundation that would get me through even the smallest of life's problems, let alone the big things that shake us to our core.

One of those big things happened to me in 2004 and it resulted in my house not just giving way a bit but also completely collapsing. It feels weird to think of me then. As it is, I still remember anecdotally how it was for me and yet that person seems so foreign and strange. Was that really me who doubted the existence of God? Was that really me that flagrantly thumbed my nose at God's moral commands? My problem was when I lost my faith - I just didn't lose it a little - I lost every scrap of it. Sadly, a foundation that I had spent twenty-seven years building simply vanished overnight.

And yet here I am now by the grace (underserved kindness) of God assured of His love for me and determined to follow his commands and the words of His son, Jesus. My life has improved so much since then and in every way possible my spirituality has increased to levels I never knew. I don't blow my own horn for it was God who did the calling and the building up. As Paul put it, "You people are God's field under cultivation, God's building." (1 Corinthians 3:9) and again, "For YOU behold his calling of YOU, brothers, that not many wise in a fleshly way were called, not many powerful, not many of noble birth; but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put the wise men to shame; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put the strong things to shame; and God chose the ignoble things of the world and the things looked down upon, the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are, in order that no flesh might boast in the sight of God. But it is due to him that YOU are in union with Christ Jesus, who has become to us wisdom from God, also righteousness and sanctification and release by ransom; that it may be just as it is written: “He that boasts, let him boast in Jehovah.” (1 Corinthians 1:27)

Now in retrospect I can see why things went wrong for me. My faith was exclusively in imperfect men. I didn't listen to God who told me again and again and again at Psalms 146:3 "Do not put YOUR trust in nobles, Nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs." and yet it was in these noble men that I absolutely staked my salvation. It is so easy to become of follower of men because to some extent it relieves us of any obligation to answer for our own decisions. At 2 Corinthians 13:5 we are told to, Keep testing whether YOU are in the faith, keep proving what YOU yourselves are.. Unfortunately we can rely too much on others to prove to us "whether we are in the faith" and focus ourselves in "pleasing men". (Galatians 1:10) After all it is men who attempt to make us accountable to them, it is men that we can see, and sadly it is these men who can become an idol standing in the way and blocking our vision to "the spiritual realities not beheld" - these very men cutting us off from the "kingdom of the heavens" (Hebrews 11:1; Matthew 23:13) Here we are living the hour, "when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth." and yet we still are tempted worship through the physical people, places, and things as if Jesus never came to earth and showed us the better way. (John 4:21) And although Jesus Christ set us free from law we still seek to gain salvation by an extensive set of rules, codes, and structured systems of works. This can become a "yoke of slavery" that can prevent us from "walking by spirit" in the very same way it proved to be a fatal stumbling block for many Christians in the 1st century. (Galatians 5:1,16-18) All of this constitutes "a form of godly devotion" and yet it is completely powerless and ineffectual. (2 Timothy 3:5)

It is not uncommon upon making these realizations to ask a hard question, "Where should I should I go now?" I asked that question and I'm sure that I wasn't the first nor will I be the last. Some who discover that their system of worship may be flawed are quick to hastily exchange it for another system of worship that is even more flawed then the one they left behind. To me this is contrary to the words of our Lord, Jesus Christ and our obligation to those related to us in the faith.

I ask this, If I were to say, "I'm in the Truth", what would that mean to you? Well you may relate "the truth" to our organization, our religion. But "the truth" as presented in the Bible is none other than Jesus. For Jesus says at John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." We would be quite foolish to attempt to come to the Father through men or an organization when Jesus is the only way. And to say that we are "in the truth" should only mean one thing to us - that we are "in union with Christ" (Galatians 3:26-29)

Again we may ask the question, "Where should we go?" However in truth it is not really a question as to where to go as it is a question of to whom to go to. The apostle Peter answers thusly, "Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life" (John 6:68) How wonderful it is to come to know our Heavenly Father through His representative, Jesus! (John 5:43) How can one not be impressed with the qualities that Jesus displayed, in particular his love and his selflessnes? It was in these things that Jesus set the example and the path for us, such as it is written in 1 Peter 2:21 "In fact, to this [course] YOU were called, because even Christ suffered for YOU, leaving YOU a model for YOU to follow his steps closely. He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth."

We recognize that the brotherhood that we love so much does not belong to a legal body or any men taking the lead among us; but rather it belongs to Christ who is the head of the congregation. (Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 1:12,13) Having affection for Jesus means taking care of those whom he loves and we show this by tenderly feeding and shepherding his little sheep. (John 21:15-17) Each and every occasion for gathering together as Christians provides us a beautiful opportunity to build each other’s faith, to encourage one another and "incite to love and fine works". (Hebrews 10:24,25) We strive to provide a good example of Godly conduct so that others can imitate our faith. (Hebrews 13:7) Doing so we build our own foundation by doing the words of Jesus and at the same time we help others to build a solid foundation of faith. Not that we as imperfect men become masters over the faith of others but our aim is to help others stand by means of their own faith. (2 Corinthians 1:24)

So for me I found that after going to the Father through Jesus I really had nowhere else that I needed to go. I was blessed to be in association with a group of people of who for the most part are generally interested in God and the Bible. I'm happy to attend the spiritual meetings and minister on their behalf and serve shoulder to shoulder with them as God's fellow workers in the ministry work. My hope is that in some small way I could serve them, to impart some spiritual gift, and to have a real "interchange of encouragement" through mutual expressions of faith. (Romans 1:11,12). There is an urgency in this because I realize there may come a time when I'm not able to. (John 16:2) In the meantime, I try my best to keep in mind Paul's words at Galatian 6:10, "Really, then, as long as we have time favorable for it, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to [us] in the faith."

Under the knife, the chisel, the file, the drill ...

2006-02-22T07:41:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had my dentist appointment to remove two very, very bad teeth. The oral surgery went well enough - the worst part being the numerous numbing shots in my gums and the roof of my mouth. My wisdom tooth came out rather quickly. It came in about five years ago and broke off at the gum line. The doctor then went to work on my abcessed tooth. I felt a little pain so we went with another round of shots that left me slackjawed. It took alot of work to get out the tooth out. I left with two prescriptions for pain medicine and my disgusting, corrupted teeth in a little envelope. It wasn't a bad experience and the dentist was nice enough - I would definately go there again but let's hope I don't have to!

New Bible

2006-02-20T07:08:00.000-08:00

I've decided to read the Christian-Greek Scriptures through again. (As opposed to my normal routine of reading Revelation over and over and over again.) I read a nice suggestion in the past to read-through using different Bible translations so on Friday at the book store I took some time to check out a couple versions. In particular I looked at a parallel Bible that contained two very popular versions of the Bible, the New International Version (NIV) as well as the "The Message" paraphrase. Since we are currently studying Galatians I read through it in both versions.

The Message Bible was incredibly loose in how it rendered things and was greatly coloured by the translators bias. For instance when Paul enumerates the works of the flesh in Galatians chapter 5, "The Message Bible" subsituted, "repetitive, loveless, cheap sex;" for fornication. Instead of reflecting the Spirit of God the Message Bible reflects the spirit of the world, the improper idea that sex outside of marriage is ok so long as the couple loves each other. Sadly The Message Bible is extremely popular today, especially among young people.

I settled on the NIV translation which seems to be pretty good although I don't like how God's name is removed from the Hebrew Scriptures. Right now I really looking forward to going through the scriptures again. Last night in Matthew I was just absolutely floored by the beauty of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. I was really encouraged by verses 10-12 of chapter 5.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."