To Turn To God?

We read a lot in The Bible about "Turning" to God.
For some of us turning to God will be a slowerprocess than for others. We each, when called by God are given an opportunity to accept Him and then a measure of Faith when we do, either much or little or of some amount of faith anyway.

For those of us who are weaker in Faith, try to think of "Turning" to God somewhat like trying to turn a large ocean liner at sea going full speed. It takes time for that ship (Us) to turn around. Like the Titanic, we try to turn ourselves around (Like we are in control!) while going too fast, but we only have a very small rudder (Our Faith or Will). And, if we are such kind of people who have lived long in sinful ways we too can (And usually do) hit the Ice berg and sink. But, if we slow down, even a small rudder can slowly help turn us around back to God.

I've been such a person much of my life. It has taken me a very long time, and I still feel I'm turning. The point is to just begin. Take time to slow down and draw near to God and He will draw near to you. He will turn you around in His time and His way with Jesus at the helm if you let Him.

Remember that old story about "The Tortoise and the Hare"? (I believe it was a Aesop's Fable long ago). Do you remember (If you read it) who won the race? Slow and steady Turtle won and he didn't let Rabbit or anyone else stop him with their jokes and criticisms about him. Well, being a Christian to me is a lot like that story!

Now, I do not want to sound flippant or boastful. But, the fact is, that I can't help what I write about. I really do not even like to write! But, I have to do it. I avoid writing at almost any cost, but for me, I know it is The Holy Spirit making me write. He is like a giant that bursts into my home, grabs hold of me  and forces me to write. It's kind of like that old joke that says, "When you dance with a Gorilla you don't stop until the Gorilla is done dancing." So, likewise, The Holy Spirit is a lot like that Gorilla for me when writing.

Also, rarely do member's of God's true Family grow up under the same roof. Even Jesus' half-Brothers, James and Jude and it seems none of his Half-Sisters (But the Bible doesn't really say about them) and even His Step-Father and His Mother Mary didn't quite understand Him for a long time. Later, His Mother Mary and James and Jude believed He was the Christ. But, while Jesus walked the earth among that generation no one really fully believed him much. Even His disciples has doubts of His Divinity.

Jesus spent His life on earth misunderstood, doubted, rejected and friendless by people. Most of the people just wanted something from Him in a material way, like a miracle, food, healing or rescue from the Roman's. Some did believe, but would not do what He said (Like Nicodemus) for fear of public disapproval. From what I read only John, one of the twelve really loved Him. He was the only one present at the crucifixion (Along with His Mother Mary and Mary Magdalene it seems).

So are you feeling lost? Desperate? Don't know what to do? Empty inside when you look into your mirror? Do you feel like God isn't answering your prayers and He seems distant? I hear that a lot.

Well, welcome to our World of the Church of Christ! We are only human now and this earth is not our home. All men and women throughout the history of the Holy Bible Scriptures have felt and asked these kinds of "Why" questions. We are no different, in fact, we are right where God wants us to be for now and feeling and having troubles as He decides necessary to purify us and reward us later. We are already SAVED! Please do not forget that! (John 3:16). But, trouble is OFTEN the Way toward The Kingdom of God. So, don't think you are being picked on! You are being made perfect (In fact, God already sees you as perfect in Heaven). What God began He WILL finish! And it is GOOD! You may not like the way you are or feel or do or say or think or anything about what you are going through right now. And you may not even understand it at all (I know I don't). But, remember, Jesus above anyone or anything has already suffered more than we can imagine to rescue, redeem and save us. He can turn your ship around and make even your present existence better.

PATIENCE is important. Perseverance is important in spite of seemingly real appearances that all is not well. Reach down deep within yourself and TRUST that God IS leading you to a fantastic future! That is a FACT! Hold on to that. Abraham was over one-hundred years old when God called him. Moses was around 80. Just read what they accomplished and they were pretty human too. Made awful mistakes too! But, in God's sight they were (As we are) righteous because of their Faith in Him. And God always showed up eventually and blessed them all. He will you also.

So, do not worry it only cause you and other's harm. Jesus will (And has) save you and turn your ship back to the Father God (Maybe it's even sinking like He did for His disciples on the Sea of Galilee during that storm way back then). In Fact, He already did save you 2000 years ago, but you may not yet know it! Stay close in prayer, trust and obey Him and your life and yes, your suffering, will have a future and a hope and a meaning and purpose!

Our Church For Fools

I just returned from one of our local church Christmas celebration services. The children sang a nice song, a young woman sang a nice cowboy tune about Christmas and the congregation sang the usual Christmas songs, "Star of Bethlehem" and "Three wise kings".
Then, the senior pastor started talking about John chapter 1 and moved back to Matthew Chapter 1-2 about Jesus's birth.I left then because it was the typical "Baby stuff" for Christians. I've heard it a thousand times and it does not move me to worship the true event of the Bible.

I also noticed how feminine everything was (Not that I am anti female) but because it did not appeal to me or to men. Even the church decor was all feminine. Not one item showed that Jesus was a man.
So, why would a guy like me, or any guy who is a sinner want to look and listen to mushy feminine stuff? What I need (And I think other men need) is a manly Christ to identify with and communicate with. We need His forgiveness, and acceptance as men who fall far short of the obedience Christ taught. So many men (And and Woman) still drink, smoke and do other stuff that is obviously not practices that God would like. We admit it. But, we still love God. And, we know we are not like Christ yet and far from it! I am only trying to find some honest people who are like me.

I need to know that foolish people like me are really trying to find God in a real way despite my messed up ways of living. Where are all the other sick and messed up people who need Jesus? I can not seem to find them in our local church congregations. I'm sure, like me, some of us are going to local churches seeking God's help, forgiveness, love and acceptance, but if you are a man anyway, they just don't seems to fill the empty void within you.

I don't know about you guys (And maybe gals) but, what I need is a place where I can go even if I am drunk (Now, I'm in recovery), loaded or even clean and sober and hear that God still loves and accepts me just as I am at present. That's what Jesus did when He was here on earth 2000 years ago. He made it a priority to call, spend His time a lot with and use people who were outcast from society.

I'm a social outcast too. I don't make friend's easily nor do I conform well to organized religion or other social institutions. But, the way I read the Bible, God loves the outcasts the most because they need saving the most. In fact, Jesus as God's Son incarnate came to earth to rescue and save people who were messed up like me(And maybe you).

So, why do our churches seem to cater to and encourage conformity to being nicely dressed, nicely pleasant to each other? If a person enters a church nowadays drunk or dressed poorly or who smells badly they are usually avoided. Isn't that Hypocrisy?

In my church group all people are welcome and we show in action that we care for them. We go out of our way and take the time from our schedules to make sure that they are treated equal and are respected and have their basic living needs met. We share everything we have among us as did the early church did. Also, we don't exclude people who have wealth or dress well either. To us, all are respected if we have a unity of purpose to help our fellow suffering Brothers and Sisters (Believer's or not) to endure the hardships of this life so to bring them to the future coming Kingdom of God.

The only problem we have is room for all the needy. But, that is only a temporary problem, because we are trying to teach people that once they have God's Holy Spirit to move outward to their communities to make disciples for Christ (The Great Commission). We do not want to be just a Christian day care center. What we want is for broken people who know Christ to move out with the "Good News" of Jesus Christ.

And, that is all we are about.

The Mayan End of Time Day is Over!

Well, well, well!
It seems that another false prophesy from paganism failed today!
The Mayan Calendar predicted that December 21, 2012 would end the age on earth. Well, then why are we still here?
Jesus said that there would be many such false prophets and predictions. Read in the Holy Bible Matthew Chapter 24.
Also, read Daniel chapters 7 and 12, Isiah 13:10; 34:4, Zech. 12 and Rev. chapters 1, 6, and 7. These ought to get you started in the truth.
I am never surprised by such false predictions of man. Remember Y2K? And, so many people claiming a date for the end of the world in recent years? All lies! Only the Father God knows the time when Jesus will return and the new Kingdom of God and New Earth and the New Jerusalem Capital City will come. Will you be there to see it? I pray and hope so. God will save you if you ask Him.

Are The "Holiday's" Holy?

These are the days many people are preparing for the "Christmas" and "New Year" celebrations. For those of you living in the Western Judeo-Christian cultures, Christmas will be celebrated on December 25, 2012. And, for those of you living in the Eastern Judeo-Christian cultures Christmas will be celebrated on January 7, 2013 (Eastern Orthodox). For the rest of the world there will be no celebration at all on these days.

So, what is it we in the west and east Christian cultures are celebrating on those days? We both call it "Christmas" or "New Year's" in our own languages. But, just what does that mean? What truth or facts are inherent in the idea and celebration of these two so called, "Holidays"? Have you ever wondered why we have them or where they came from? Do they mean anything or are they just for fun?

Could it be possible that Christmas and New Year celebrations are in fact evil? Oh boy! Now I've got your attention!

Evil? Well, one does not often hear or associate that term with our so called, "Holiday Season." However, I submit in fact that it is true and they are evil. That in fact, they are Pagan in origin. That in fact, they are hated by God. That in fact, they are manmade idols and have nothing to do with God, Jesus Christ or what is Holy or part of the true Church.

Many people do not know the truth yet. Many do know but celebrate them anyway but by using human rationalizations and self-justifications. Most people just observe them because they were taught to or like to observe traditions of men. Some people mix all these with Christian religion. But, all these ideas and acts are in fact misunderstandings of the Truth. And, the Truth is, they have nothing to do with Jesus Christ!

You do not have to be a Christian or even a believer in God to understand the origins and history behind these so called, "Holidays." But, you do have to be a Christian (A disciple student follower) of Jesus Christ to really understand the Truth. For most people, Truth is not what we want. For most people, lies are what we like best. Lies are seemingly more fun than Truth. So, the lie that Christmas and New Year (And many other celebrated days of the year) have truth in  "The Way" of Christ seems easier to believe and do than what is True and what God wants and pleases Him. And what does God want and what pleases Him? But, to love Him, Worship Him and do good; to have a "Heart" for God and not for idols. But, these so called "Holiday's" are in fact idols.

Am I saying not to celebrate these days? No, go on ahead and do it. They mean nothing to God even though He hates them and they are meaningless to Him. God still loves you anyway!

The primary point I wish to make is that doing evil brings evil consequences, just as doing good brings good consequences. To celebrate evil pagan days will bring evil consequences. And, that is what most people are doing on those days.

Now, I challenge anyone who calls themselves a Christian to comment on what I have written. We can prove that the human assumptions are not based on The Word of God, if you in truth want to know. And, I expect all my Melancholy temperament types of disciples to reply!

There Is No "Leading" To Christ

As you may have noticed in reading my blog articles I like controversial subjects, especially concerning man's ideas about God. So, here is another one to ponder.

All too often I have heard it said from ministers or Christians something as follows, "I am going to Lead (Or Bring) that person(s) (Or someone) to Christ/Jesus." In my opinion, such a statement is a total misunderstanding, even if a well intentioned one, of what is Not being referred to in the Old and New Testament of the Bible or much other Christian literature. To say such things is truly arrogant and prideful and contrary to the truth of God.

Even the terms, "To Bring" or "To Witness" as it is used in most Christian religion is of the same sort of misrepresentation of truth. You can study the Holy Scriptures from front to back and never find statements like these. But, you will find (If permitted by God) to read and understand much said about "Following, going or changing (Repenting)". You will find "Preaching, carrying or teaching." You will even find "Choosing" (Read my last article, but choosing only in context with a spiritual and direct spoken word from God Himself and not by human mental choice alone).

Leading is done only by God Himself by means of His Holy Spirit and the physical manifestation 2000 years ago of His New Adam (The Son of God named Jesus). Other than these there is no other way to "Lead" or even follow God to good effect. People are merely used by Him for His own Pleasure and His own Purpose. If we speak or act or even think as living beings everything is due to Him alone.

We are so confused by the lies we have been told and accept that only God can break us free. Yet, our human nature will fight to the death to discard those lies. And anyone, including me can be and is infected with lies. In fact we are liars (And worse), but we would rather die than change our thoughts about that (And we will die before we change them). That is harsh truth also. But, also very good news once accepted.

When a person "Hears" God (And not only by using their natural hearing) then they will begin to know God. Following that experience we will respond to the ideas and can make real choices and changes. A person then wills to convey, and other people willing to hear will accept truth. Both parties then become observer-experiencing persons (Or Witness's) of what God says or does. We are not able to go out like little god like beings to convert or change anyone at all. No, we do things already pre-destined of God's and by God's power alone. Sometimes against our will or our personal choice, but we will do it eventually anyway His way. And that also is very good news! Why? because we are evil and cannot obey or find God on our own in any way. He must choose (The one and only choice available to us really). As a great man once said, "God make me a channel of Yours" (Read Saint Francis of Assisi). Well, I could go on but time limits me now. But please post your comments because I also as Michelangelo once said when 92 years old, "I am still learning".

Choices?

Most people believe and are taught to believe that we have choices. In discussing the topic of "Choices" I am at this time only trying to help define the "Physical", not any "Meta-physical" definition(I shall discuss that a bit later).

First of all, let me ask a question, "What is a choice?" We must begin by defining our terms. The word "Choice" is a term used to convey an idea of a mental thought. It is only relative to the person(s) thinking about it in relation to their personal experience or training within the context of their particular society, group, race or other aspect of human civilization as we presently know it. In any case, terms and ideas are only meaningful within the natural human mind. And, people's minds are uniquely variable because each one may think it can choose to believe and/or do whatever is put into it. What is put into a human mind (Or Brain if you prefer) varies greatly depending upon some outside force or event that is perceived by the individual mind involved.

In reality "Choice" is always made by the physical mind in most humans. We make choices solely upon our own personal perceptions and beliefs. These kind of choices are really not true choice at all. They are made and acted upon purely by individual experience (Much like a programmed computer does). The responses to a thought triggers a reaction of some sort. So, it is the experienced or trained thought that determines a choice to act. This is no theory, but proven scientific fact. I need not go further into the proof of that fact now. It can be found easily by your own research into human psychology or history. Any secular psychologist will affirm the previous proven assumptions. I cannot and will not now due to time limitations.

The primary point I wish to make is to try to bring attention that we actually do not have a choice about anything even though we would argue and even fight to refute the idea (And most of us do!). And no, I am not saying that we are mere machines doomed to make or repeat a choice against our own will. But, what is most important to know is that a choice is not solely our own to make. In fact, I say we only have ONE choice based on human will. And, I am sorry to inform you, but even that one choice is not a person's natural right to choose at all! (Now here is where I get into trouble with many people). But, I accept the trouble and welcome differing opinions respectfully. So, fire away!

I will be glad to point anyone further along the way to the real truth whenever I may. Please post your comments. I will reply when time is given to me to do so.

Bad Choices Equal Good News

What we Need is change, not more empty words or false promises. For ages people have sought, suffered and died seeking solutions to their basic troubles stemming from the human condition and it's choices for change. Good and evil do exist both inside and outside of ourselves, everyone knows that. We never know if our choices of good virtuous actions will pay off to advantage or not. Evil seems to triumph even when we sometimes can push it away for awhile. It will return and often with a greater vengeance. That is history.

If not for some good actions of some people evil would always prevail. But, even our so called good actions are not so good after close inspection. As in war, no one really wins. When millions of innocent people are slaughtered as "Collateral Damage" to win, is there really victory for the human race? And, on an individual level we all still struggle with the same kind of warfare with ourselves and with each other. In churches we see conflicts between individuals and among various sects, groups, denominations and religions. Among these we see envy, strife, gossip and rivalry. In work we see the same thing. In play too. In every kind of gathering among people there is seldom acceptance of the individual who is different. Conformity to society is forced upon us without choice, even when it is for the so called good of the majority. And people who are sensitive become prey for the insensitive members.

We in this country are desensitized to virtue. We are segregated and disunified trying to maintain our uniqueness as individuals and at the same time killing ourselves trying to "Keep up with the Jones's" (Social Conformity). We are ever so gradually becoming a "Socialized" state, losing our equality while denying it does not exist. We are lost, stumbling in the dark maelstrom of industrial conformity and greed of self aggrandizement. Yet, ever mindful of the, "Dog eat dog" culture we choose to eat the crumbs from the table of our "Fat Cat" leadership. and are content and even grateful for the few meager crumbs we get.

So, what is it that keeps us asleep at the wheel? I propose it is NOT, "We the People." causing this abhorrent situation in our society. I say WE are NOT the problem. We are the victims. We have been lied to and we have believed the lies.

We have been taught either that God exists or that there is no God. If we do believe in God we wonder why there is so much evil rampant in our lives and in our world. If we do not believe in God we wonder the same. Oh yes! Both sides have reasonably sound ideas, assumptions, explanations and theories for trying to come to terms with the misery in our world that all agree exists. But, do wordy explanations or theories or even faith or belief really change the harsh realities of our life here? Even the so called good acts or beautiful things we see are always inevitably in decline, discolored, polluted or destroyed in time. And, it would do so even if the world were void of humankind. Even our science has proved that with their theories of evolution and paleontology.

The truth of our existence is just too awful for us to accept for the honest thinker. The best most of us can do is to try and ignore it. And to ignore truth is to join in with the walking dead, which most of us are. The fact is that we are dead! We just do not know it yet, and we are OK too, and that is the strangeness of the mystery we call living. It is the paradox we live with.

All this may seem foolish or nonsense to many readers. In fact, even I admit I often think the same thing. But, I realize it is only my natural temperament and human thinking trained from youth to doubt truth when it comes to me. Truth can seem weird and against every fiber of my mind, but I cannot, and dare not withhold it regardless of criticisms. Let's be honest (If possible). Do you really know if we are alive or not? Is it pure proof that because we have a body that we exist? Is it possible we are merely what we think we are and in the thinking create what we may really have no control over? How much control did we have when we were born? If we believe in choices or control then who or what is controlling our experiences for good or ill? Is it us, them or something else? And can we really change it one way or the other forever? As it was once said years ago, "Stuff Happens." What caused the stuff to happen? Do we really have a choice?

If most of us were honest with ourselves we would admit we have no choice, except one. The only choice we have to deal with the realities of life is to accept it just as it is or fight against it based upon our own individual or collective preconceptions of good and bad. I submit that few of us can or will accept life as it is. Most will choose to try to fight or change it to suit their own self. But, in my opinion, both ways fail to answer the  question of how to satisfy our needs or our so called free will choices.

Our needs as humans we know are really very few and basic. We need air, water, food, shelter to survive the natural elements. Beyond that, what we think we need is really irrelevant. The things we think we need more are really only wants or desires for more than our basic survival.

Now, do not misunderstand me please! I do not deny that wants or desires are unnecessary. In fact, they are absolutely necessary to be a whole person. The problems is in, "The wanting." We will not get what we want based upon our own personal or societal desires for more than is allowed us. If you have lived a long time (As I have) you already know that this is true. The fact is, we will never be satisfied in this life regardless of our circumstances. And, we really cannot determine our circumstances or choices anyway! That is also a lie we were taught. We are not, as Nelson Mandela of South Africa who quoted an English poet, "The captain of our fate and the master of our destiny." We can believe that idea yet still must endure the uncontrollable and often terrible adversity and misery as he did. But, the terrors are real and continue anyway someplace else on earth despite a localized victory over them.

The real truth is that we are all victims (Or beneficiaries) of powers greater than ourselves and we rise or fall under them regardless of our choices. Our thoughts about or circumstances may be ours alone (Beautiful or ugly), but the conditions are not of our choice (Read Victor Frankle's book about that). Briefly he stated, "If a man has a why to live for, he can put up with any how." And he should know, he was a prisoner in a WWII Nazi concentration camp and survived. What choice did he have really? Except in his mind.

All this may sound defeatist or negative. And in fact it is! But, there is some good news to add. So, what is left? I say only one thing, and it is a personal choice that I believe is the only choice worth making. To choose to hope in a Creator who is in control of everything, even our choices. As a Christian pastor I choose to hope in Jesus Christ, the only perfect God-Man to direct my life and my choices. I admit, it is not an easy or even popular way to live, but it is the only choice that explains perfectly my existence, gives me hope in despair when I know I am an evil and imperfect creature. It is a hope for the future and a meaning in a meaningless world of suffering and evil.

Belief and hope in Jesus Christ the Son of the One and only God Creator does not make me perfect as a human. It does show me my imperfections and evil nature. It does not make me a better person than others, but shows me daily just how bad I really am. It makes me suffer, not feel good about myself. It makes me question, even doubt, yet have hope in the virtues of love, kindness, mercy and justice anyway, even when there seems so little around or in myself. It makes me try to be a better man when I know that I am selfish. It gives me the feeling that I am accepted no matter how many mistakes or evil things I have or will do. It makes me a success when I have failed in so many things. It gives me the only choice I have, to look to a higher standard of goodness beyond the evil that exists. God, Jesus the perfect Son and new Adam man is what I am destined to become one day and I do not deserve it nor have I done anything to earn it. It is a free gift to accept by my one choice if I so desire. No one can have this unless it is given from God. Only God decides who can seek and find, not us. The absolute CHOICE is God's and not ours. But, we can ask for it and maybe we shall have that choice to be in love with Him and He with us.

I found my answer to my prayer, my asking. I found it in the Bible one day in the New Testament book of Romans in Chapter 11 and verse 36 (New Living Translation). Whatever you are suffering or enjoying, it is God's will for you! Pretty simple isn't it? Maybe hard to accept, but it is the truth. I find truth to be simple if The Holy Spirit reveals it (But it's not always easy to apply!). Just ASK God (So simple).

My definition of a miracle is really simple. JUST ASK GOD. Ask Him to control and choose for me what He wants. He will, but you may be shocked or puzzled how He will do it! (That's the fun of it really). From the time you ASK Him to enter you then after that He will choose your destiny. Good or bad will still happen, but you will KNOW you are being cared for and whatever you do or become will be what He wills for you. God chooses, not us. We ask, he decides if he will choose (Call) you to His service. Doesn't matter what you think or do after that moment of honest asking. He will make you come to Him and make you learn to love and obey Him. You may be sick or a criminal or hate yourself or any other feeling or thought or circumstance, but God, when He choose you will either quickly or slowly enlighten you to know Him and His ways. For those of you (And myself) who think we are not good enough or are too bad I have good news for you. YOU are just the exact kind of person that God wants! In fact, He already knew you would become so bad before you ever were born! But, there is a diviner purpose for you even if you do not know it yet. Just ASK! you will be drawn and quartered, then comforted, then moved to choose right actions. What have you got to lose by just asking? If it does not help you are no worse off! But, if it does help you then welcome to our Family!