How others are viewing us Conservatives?

Lately, I have been thinking of switching parties (from Republican to Libertarians.) The Republican party have too much damages in the last 15 years. We have our internal fights within our Conservative brethren. The conservatives I am talking about are those who have this "over-idealism" in a control issue and that it is at the root of our need to over-control situations, people, places, or things in order to ensure that they come into compliance with our ideal image of the way reality is supposed to be. Negative perceptions of Christians are on the rise that people continues its drift away from Christian values. We live in a very sinful world and there is NO WAY we will be able to legislate our way into becoming a holy and pure nation. That’s not going to happen. We will never have a theocracy government. The tougher issues require reaching people’s hearts and minds and doing the things Scripture actually tells Christians that they should do, which is not political related.

Lately, conservative's image have been on the negative side and we all know it should not be. Many are seeing us as "Those who follows their resolutions according to their understanding of the Scriptures that being radical and focusing on agendas to accomplish God’s will, they will impose on others even though they do not believe with their interpretations." Lately, many conservative Christian leaders are hypocrites and they are no help to the people of America.

If the conservatives want people to see them with approval when they are displaying that Jesus is infinitely valuable to them, but they dare not make the opinion of others the measure of their faithfulness. They may be blind and resistant to truth because I am seeing discrimination, wrong attitudes, ignorance, stereotyping, and alienation. We need to change idealism of the conservatives. They have adopted about how things "should be done" which often gets challenged by the way things are in reality. Conservatives will make rules that will make them feel very safe by imposing standards on others. If they are not following their formula of legalistic beliefs, then they are not true Americans. We should all take a long hard look at what things we consider to be important from God's perspective rather than man's perspective. Extremists will ignore God desires and break God's spiritual harmony. If you look back that Jesus rebuked religious leaders who had extreme doctrines that intimidated others who don't follow their rules.

I am having a major problem with people today using God for their own interests into man-made political issues. Jesus said "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence" (John 18:36). Christ have not given us a political agenda, but a spiritual mandate to proclaim the Gospel and disciple the nations (Matthew 28:19-20). Politics and ideology have come in the form of the separation in our minds of "sacred vs. secular".

Let me say it this way. There is a huge difference in well-balanced doctrines and being off-balance zealousism. God never gives us discernment in order that we may criticize, but that we may intercede. Christian will pursue the will of God actively and be enthusiastic and the attitude toward Christ, a Christian will manifest love and burning devotion from the heart. A true Christian zeal is not based on works but proves only that the one who manifests it is healthy, balanced, energetic and actively interested in serving God's will.

I have learned that politics not give us any real power at all because in God's providence, He allowed every country basically swamps each of us Christians among non-believers together for a purpose. Christ have not given us a political agenda, but a spiritual mandate to proclaim the Gospel and disciple the nations (Matthew 28:19-20). The world who are without Christ also have their own views. More often than not, the secular world view is in conflict with the bible. To Christians, this should NOT be a surprise. To the world who are without Christ, this conflict is not a surprise either. I think both Republican and Democrat have Christian attributes if each removed non-Christian attributes. By removing the non-Christian attributes, you will see the actual listing of Christian attributes. As Christians, we can commit ourselves to work more actively for public policies that reduce militarism, war, and political and economic inequities. We must work persistently and faithfully for a more peaceful and equitable world community. That means we if we do not like what the Government is doing, GET INVOLVED and make it change (if God is willing).

Every Christians have their own definition of "morality" and this is where Grace comes in. Christian Grace is about loving other people who are very different and that we have the freedom to do so but at the same time, respect how they practice their beliefs. A Christian life in this world should be different from the world, being in the world but not of the world.

Moral reasoning is individual or collective practical reasoning about what, morally, one ought to do. How do we sort out which moral considerations are most relevant? Morality basically means a code of conduct held to be authoritative in matters of right and wrong. Morality is a very broad and complicated topic due to the fact that it is based primarily on individual opinions. We are morally obligated to treat everyone with respect, regardless of who they are and what they have done. Hate what is wrong and stand on the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

A Christian's life and standard of moral living are not private matters but rather they are critical issues of faith and discipleship for non-believers around us who are "watching" us because they believe we are hypocrites. Moral decline is a spiritual problem due to depravity of sin, not a political one, and its solution is the gospel, not partisan politics.

The bottom line, politically, there ARE NO easy answers EXCEPT CHRIST.

By the way, this is for the Americans: Historians have stressed Lincoln's use of and redefinition of republican values that he highlighted the moral basis of republicanism, rather than its legalisms.

Its just that we need to understand what are roles really are and how we behave. Faith and Grace are at the foundations of all Christian living, and because faith has to do with the character of God, not on Christian's faith. The paradoxical character of the Christian is revealed through life and seen by many. Every Christian is a citizen of heaven and to that sacred citizenship even though each Christian lives in a sinful world. Christians have a duel citizenship however earth is a sinful place while Heaven is beautiful and sinless that we are to remember that we are citizens of heaven even though we live in a foreign world. We CAN'T live here on earth as we will in Heaven. we are in Christ His position is our position, His privilege is our privilege, His possessions are our possessions, and His practice our practice. We are significant not because of who we are, but because of who we are in Christ.

We Christians see ourselves surrounded by a culture that embraces sin and rejects God that we KNOW that only God working through the Holy Spirit can change their hearts. Yet, the Lord can also use us Christians to fight abominations like legal abortion and homosexual marriage.

Conservative Christians are against immorality. It's about what do we view as the solution. That's the issue. I am not against anyone who hate evil and wickedness. I am among them. It's not about that. It's about the solution and how we approach this to others. Morality saves no one. We bring people to God through Christ. Christian Conservatives are not interested in making this country moral. We are to be interested in bringing people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, so that He can recreate them so they will become moral. Cultural morality is dangerous because it has no New Testament model to follow except the Pharisees. So if you're going to try to find a New Testament pattern for this effort, you're going to end up with the Pharisees. They were the moral ones. And you know what Jesus said about them? Matthew 23:15: He said when you are through making somebody a convert to your morality, you have made him "twice as much a son of hell as yourselves."

The sinful society is hostile to godliness because it is dominated by carnal ambition, pride, selfishness, greed, lust, and a desire for evil. Even though we live in a hostile world that hates Christ because they are very depraved by their sins. Lutherans and Calvinists agree that Man after the Fall has no ability to cooperate with God's grace in conversion. Many Christians do NOT see the total depravity of man due to sin because they treat the symptoms of sins instead of the heart (where sin is actually located); and they aim for change that is not true sanctification. Is behavior modification more helpful than sanctification? According to Romans 8:9, the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the mark of all who are truly born again: "You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him."

There are to be Christians like "a Joseph in Egypt", or "a Daniel in Babylon and Medo-Persia" that would represent God in a diplomatic way. The Scripture calls us ambassadors to the world (2 Cor. 5:20) and pilgrims in the world (1 Pet. 2:11). Paul told the Philippians that our citizenship is not here but in heaven (Phil. 3:20). And, we are sojourners in the world (1 Pet. 1:17). So, there is a purpose for our individual existence as believers in the society in which we live, to turn depraved sinners to God through Christ. We are a witnessing community a group of people placed in the world to draw the attention of the world to God.

United States government is a democracy which every citizen within the country gets to have a say in what decisions are made. The sovereignty which democracy grants to law (higher than custom or the whim of individuals or the rights of groups) creates a moral problem like must we logically accept a decision of the people to make a law which approves abortion? How to handle people with disabilities? Like for an example, recently, a federal appeals court ruled that the U.S. discriminates against blind people by printing paper money that makes it impossible for them to distinguish the "bills' value". How do we handle this?

The America people are seen as the ultimate source of legitimacy in democracy and while making laws, many cannot all agree to propose legislation. Democracy is very complexed and its not that simple. Democracy is popularly associated with the principle of majority rule and it is the expression of the sovereign will of the people, however there is no easy method by which that "will" is deemed to be defined must consist of majority rule.

We have to understand God's will and His Sovereign. The concept of Romans 8:28-29 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." God governs (controls) the world (Isa. 40:22-24), the nations (Isa. 40:15-17), and us (Proverbs 16:9). I cannot and will NOT dispute God's word how He manages this world. God will take advantage of Satan's evil desires and motives to accomplish His will. The Bible clearly teaches that God knows beforehand what we will need and He will provide beforehand according to His will. God is absolutely powerful, that God is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, that God is immutable, never changes, that God is all wise, perfectly just, holy, righteous. God is ruling all things to work together for our good and His purpose.

we are not to abstain from political system because if we did, we are not responsible citizens. We all have own political opinions and we ought to vote but that is not the mandate that God has given us. Instead of political agenda, Christ gave us a gospel agenda which is changing the lives of the people in it through the transformation to the gospel of Christ, not by electing different leaders. I am involved in politics but I am not loud in politics. We are to influence people with the help from God who is in us. We do not have to be loud but we have to be involved. Jesus taught that the government should work in harmony with the church and should recognize its sovereignty in spiritual matters (Matt. 22:21).

Its not always our fault that we allow liberals to get more powerful because we have to understand God controls everything. J.I. Packer said "Man is a responsible moral agent, though he is also divinely controlled; man is divinely controlled, though he is also a responsible moral agent."

Here's another good quote:"If God is not in some sense responsible for bad things, then he is not responsible for good things either. If we do not "blame" God for death, we should not praise God for life. We cannot have it both ways." Joseph Hill

Knowing God as Lord requires our sincerely committing ourselves to God as follows: “Not my will be done, but Your will be done,” “Not my kingdom come, but Your kingdom come.” We must careful not to identify Christianity with any political parties because Jesus Christ have HIS OWN Party which is HIS KINGDOM. Christ stands alone, above and outside of every ideology of any political parties. Jesus does not and will not join any of our parties. Jesus said "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence" (John 18:36).

When we line up Christianity with right-wing politics, we lose, because we are not a political organization.

We are now utterly identified with right-wing, hard-line, traditional politics of a Republican nature, very conservative. We may agree with that, but that is not a definition of the Christian faith. We are not a political, sub-group. This is like of Jesus' days with the Pharisees who were political traditionalists, purists regarding the law, and very nationalistic. We are not like the Pharisees.

We have diverted ourselves from our main message which is the good news of God's grace and Jesus Christ. Our morality is not determined by human means but rather determined by the Word of God through Jesus Christ. Our goal is not to make sure that our government adheres to a national policy that equates to biblical morality. That is not our goal. We are not involved in altering social morality. We are to be interested in people becoming saved. That is our only agenda. If we're going to change our culture we're going to change it from the inside out. Instead of political agenda, Christ gave us a gospel agenda which is changing the lives of the people in it through the transformation to the gospel of Christ, not by electing different leaders.

I hold conservative positions on most issues but have an underlying worldview of what is happening and make decisions based on them. I am against abortion but in relation to my fellow citizens, who am I telling them what to do? To me, idealism is freedom without people telling me what to do or how should I live my life.

I believed we are to obey God that we are to VOTE since all government are God's ordained. We have the privileges and blessings to be part of the government process. If we don't vote, we are telling the government, we want someone to take control of who get to become a leader. The world who are without Christ also have their own views. More often than not, the secular world view is in conflict with the bible. To Christians, this should NOT be a surprise. To the world who are without Christ, this conflict is not a surprise either.

Being a Christian is being a person whose primary form of witness is by their spiritual life, but they do not hide the fact that they are Christians and that they show their spiritual light through deeds first and then words. In our Christian fellowship (not individual), we must recognize that the Holy Spirit desires to take us and lead us, and use us as instruments through which He can express Himself in the community. I have learned that democracy does not give me any real power at all because in God’s providence, He allowed democracy to basically swamp each of us Christians among non-believers.

Sabbath and Grace

The Sabbaths were symbolic of the rest and holiness salvation brings through Christ. Just as the Old Testament sacrifices pointed to the Lamb of God, so also the whole sabbath system pointed to Christ, who gives ultimate rest and holiness. In reading Isaiah's prophecy Christ was saying, "I am the true Sabbath rest, the One who proclaims a spiritual Jubilee by freeing sinners from bondage to sin. " That's why Christ said, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). Through His atoning work on the cross, Christ inaugurated a new covenant, which did away with the sabbatical system (Col. 2:16-17). The righteous have entered Christ's salvation rest and look forward to ultimate rest in His presence (Heb. 4:9-11).

Being Content and understanding God's Sovereign

God’s Sovereign
What do you think of these quotes?

One of the hardest lessons to learn comes from our stubborn refusal to refrain from interfering in other people’s lives. It takes a long time to realize the danger of being an amateur providence, that is, interfering with God’s plan for others. Oswald Chambers

Faith recognizes the fact that God is in control of my life. Whether I believe it or not, it’s a fact that God is in control of the world. If I don’t believe it, I”m just robbing myself of the enjoyment of the fact. Paul Little

Within the broad field of God’s sovereign, permissive will the deadly conflict of good and evil continues with increasing fury. God will yet have His way [but] as responsible beings, we must make our choice in the present moral situation.” A.W. Tozer (1897-1963), from The knowledge of the Holy

I want to look into God’s sovereign,hidden will which I viewed as God’s “ultimate” will. This facet of God’s will comes out of the recognition of God’s sovereignty and the other aspects of God’s nature. This expression of God’s will focuses on the fact that God sovereignly ordains everything that comes to pass. In other words, there is nothing that happens that is outside of God’s sovereign will. His sovereign will does not imply that God causes everything to happen. This aspect of God’s will acknowledges the fact that even when God passively permits things to happen, He choose to permit them, because He always has the power and right to intervene. God can always decide to either permit or stop the actions and events of this world. Therefore, as He allows things to happen, He has “willed” them in this sense of the word. God’s will acknowledges that while we have the power and ability to disobey God’s commands, we do not have the right to do so. Therefore, there is no excuse for our sin, and we cannot claim that by choosing to sin we are simply fulfilling God’s sovereign decree or will.

God’s Word are backed by His authority as the supreme and sovereign in all situations. The circumstances surrounding our lives are no accident: they may be the work of evil, but that evil is held firmly within the mighty hand of our sovereign God.

Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

Proverbs 20:24 A man’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?

Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

Jeremiah 10:23 I know, O LORD, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.

All of the Old Testament verses are summarized by Paul in Romans 8:28-29 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”

God rules over all things and controls all things. ‘Providence” means God’s faithful, moment-by-moment control over everything He has made to ensure that everything He has created are going according to His will. He is active in every detail of it. He’s active at every moment. He doesn’t stand back and let things happen because He decides to intervene if something or someone is not going according to His will. He governs the world moment-by-moment through providence, so that everything that happens, every detail of our life occurs by God’s divine providence or by God’s express permission. He is in control of everything. Even the bad things that happen to us are circumscribed by a loving providence and God promises to use them all for our and HIS ultimate good.

For an example, in Exodus 4: 11 God told Moses: “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him dumb or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?” Stated that simply and directly, the idea sounds repulsive. Why would he make a man dumb, deaf, or blind? Yet again and again in Scripture we see that there is far more to God’s sovereign plan than our finite minds can comprehend. Take me for an example, I was born deaf. God knew me before the conception. That’s eternal. God created my inmost being and knitted me together in my mother’s womb. This is what the LORD says— “He who made you, Who formed you in the womb, and Who will help you and that before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.

With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God. I was DEAF before I was born so God knew that while my body was being formed. Therefore, time should be eternal because God’s time is eternal.

The truth is in the biblical fact that our God good causes and/or allow sickness and suffering. Job is a classic case of this truth, as well as Jesus Christ on the cross. God’s purposes could be many and one of them could be for the good of the person enduring it, as in the case of both. Or it can be for punishment, as in Leviticus 26:15,16; Deuteronomy 28:61; Psalm 107:17,17; 2 Kings 5:27; Micah 6:13; Acts 5:4-6, 9-10; 13:11; and 1 Corinthians 11:30.

God does everything–He governs everything. Within the broad field of God’s sovereign, permissive will, both good and evil continues with increasing fury. God will yet have His way while as responsible beings, we must make our choices in any situations we may face.

When we pray…..On earth as is in heaven. God’s kingdom in heaven is established, the prayer is let it come to this earth. God’s name is hallowed in heaven it isn’t always hallowed on earth, although His will is done in heaven it isn’t always done on earth. God’s hallowed name, God’s kingdom, God’s will. we are then coming to a holy God, to an Almighty God, to a righteous God, to a sovereign God, to the great God of the universe and yet He is a loving Father. Father in heaven which means the eternal resources are at His disposal for the granting in behalf of His children. Our prayers the bottom line is God’s will be done. We never desire to usurp His will; we never desire to change His will, to force His will, to be conformed to some thought of ours.

Amy Carmichael said, “And, shall I pray to change Thy will my Father, until it be according to mine? But no Lord, no. That shall never be, rather I pray Thee blend my human will with Thine.”

In Ephesians 1:9, “Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good purpose which He purposeth in Himself.”

The potter (God) is working with this soft, yielding clay (us). If this clay does not submit, the potter may not be able to do what I should do according to His will. The potter still could make anything except for useful and beautiful (spiritual fruitful) out of an unyielding blob of clay. If God is going to make those kinds of vessels out of clay (us), however, we are going to have to yield to the spiritual law of surrender.

The key thing is are we willing to let Him do His will in the clay of earth, as it is done in heaven? That’s the heart of our prayers.

Considering Libertarian?

Why am I considering Libertarian Party? I am one Republican who wants to see a return to traditional values that must come from the people, not the government. "We the People" are the true government. Historians have stressed Lincoln's use of and redefinition of republican values that he highlighted the moral basis of republicanism, rather than its legalisms. However, I don't see this happening because of the "far right" members of the party. Some Christians want government set up their way, which mean they want Theocracy rather than Democracy. Political and Christianity will always be divided no matter how hard we try. We need to change idealism of the conservatives. They have adopted about how things "should be done" which often gets challenged by the way things are in reality. I have learned that democracy does not give me any real power at all because in God's providence, He allowed democracy to basically swamps each of us Christians among non-believers. Lately, many conservative Christian leaders are hypocrites and they are no help to the people of America.

Christians would realize that initiating coercion to achieve desirable social goals is out of accord with true Christianity and we should not be advocating a kind of theocracy. For an example, homosexuality is condemned outright in both the Old and New Testaments. In the United States, Christians have the right, in a free society, to make their case against homosexual conduct. What Christians should not do is advocate force to be used against homosexuals. The main issue would be that I look at "what morality is being legislated" more than if morality is being legislated. My problem with the Republican Party is that if the politicians can't control their own moral, why should the average Americans? Moral reasoning is individual or collective practical reasoning about what, morally, one ought to do. How do we sort out which moral considerations are most relevant?

The United States Constitution endorses no religion or set of moral codes. The U.S. Constitution do not mention of Christianity or Jesus Christ. In fact, the Constitution refers to religion only twice in the First Amendment. Many founders were believers themselves and they were well aware of the dangers of church-state union. Our nation's governing document ensures religious freedom for everyone.

Christianity is not United States Government.

Christianity is Jesus Christ.

I believe that Libertarian Party will help Christians set up the government the way it should be. I am thankful that I do not live in an oppressive narrow kind of government however, you may notice that we live in a very oppressive narrow kind of society. Christian Grace is about loving other people who are very different and that we have the freedom to do so but at the same time, respect how they practice their beliefs. A Christian life in this world should be different from the world, being in the world but not of the world. There are religions teach that God is all justice while others say that God is all love. People become arrogant like the philosophers who have their own concepts, views, ideas and theories of what the world can be or should be. When we conceive ourselves to be honest seekers who cannot accept such myths (or truth) that we are in a state of dangerous self-deception which is a grave situation. Our flaw, blunder or shall I frankly say our sin is to follow what we are born with and ignore what we can be born-again with. It is not the Bible but rather the Spirit of God within us leads us to better understanding of the Living Word. If a spiritually dead person tries to read the Bible, is the Bible working for them? Jesus did not promise any of us that consistent Christian living would be easy!

Christian Grace is about loving other people that we have the freedom to do so but at the same time, respect how they practice their beliefs. A Christian life in this world should be different from the world, being in the world but not of the world. A humbled Christian is a Christian with flaws which humbles them that is more useful to God than hypocrite action that puffs them up. Charles Elliot said it nicely, "Hypocrites we are: but we are on the way to liberation even from our own hypocrisy". James 1:26 says, "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."

What God hates

The problem is sin because those who rejected the conviction of the Holy Spirit loves living in sinful life while God hates it. God loves everything that He has created but He hated what Satan has corrupted. God is good and God is also Just. The Bible teaches that God is love; some have interpreted this in such a way as virtually to deny that He is just, which the Bible also teaches. The biblical doctrine of God's goodness so far that it is made to contradict His holiness.

God is love so we have to understand what God really hates. I have learned that God loves but He also hates. Psalm 97:10 "Ye who love the LORD, hate evil." Hate what is wrong and stand on the side of the good. A right time to love and another to hate. (Ecclesiastes 3:8).

God is love and at the same time, He hates SIN. Grace and LOVE forgives. Love hopes all things (1 Corinth 13). Love refuses to take human failure as final.

I thank God that gives me faith on my behalf which is through GRACE. I want certain people to know about it because they CAN have the faith to activate the power of God through God's GRACE. In Ephesians 4:23, the Greek word translated "renewed" (ananeoo) is used which means "to create again" or "make new." According to His grace, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit that being justified by His grace I might be made heir according to the hope of eternal life. In Ephesians 4:23 says, "Be renewed in the spirit of your mind" which means I am not to think the way I did before I knew Christ. I am no longer controlled by a self-centered mind but rather I learn from Christ through grace. The life I live is not mine but Christ living in me (Gal. 2:20). Like a baby is born with a fresh, new mind even though I live in an aging body, my spirit is being renewed daily.

Losing Touch Due to Lack of interest?

I am not blogging as much as I usually do. Maybe it appears that I getting content with my life. I am happy with new home church in which my wife and one of our kids are joins me every Sunday. At times, I go alone. Now, things are falling into place in my life. My struggle with Multiple Sclerosis is improving. My deafness is not affecting my life and people around me. I have less than 3 years before I am eligible to retire from work (getting closer to 30 years). I love having a close relationship, especially with my family. I messed up my relationship in the past and now I look back and regretted.

In the past 5 years, I have been looking for some answers in my Christian life. Before I married Carole, I got a book called "The Purpose Driven Life" which at first was appealing and sounded good. Over the years, I have discovered to many doctrinal errors in that book. The book maintains and promotes a poor theology stemming from an inadequate bibliology. It is not God-centered because it promotes self-centered good feelings theology. The old self is everything we were in Adam. Our sin was crucified with Christ. As believers we are so united with Christ that when He died, we died. When Jesus died He was paying the penalty for our sins. The great enemy of faith is a complacent spirit, an attitude of self-satisfaction with the status quo.

In Ephesians 4:23 says, "Be renewed in the spirit of your mind" which means I am not to think the way I did before I knew Christ. I am no longer controlled by a self-centered mind but rather I learn from Christ through grace. The life I live is not mine but Christ living in me (Gal. 2:20). Like a baby is born with a fresh, new mind even though I live in an aging body, my spirit is being renewed daily. One of my favorite verses is in Philippians 4:11-12 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

So,I need to remember this verse,Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He (Jesus) Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

I probably won't blog as much until I retire. Right now, I am so content and don't really have the desire to blog as much.

Rights versus Privileges

In the Bible, the Corinthians were busy defending their rights. Today, in America as well as many parts of the world, we are still doing it. God has designed all of human life to revolve around relationships. Everyone is involved in a relationship, and within those relationships are differing roles. However in our society the emphasis is not on relationships, but on individuality. People focus on their rights and seek to satisfy themselves. I don't think God think we all have any "rights" but rather "privileges".

During our sanctification as Christians in this sinful world, we are go grow in spirit and truth. We are to continuing being spirit-filled and spirit-lead by allowing His grace to transform us what He wants us to be. Our task is to faithfully pursue His will. God’s lessons have taught me what Spirit-filled really means and how to practice Spirit-filled virtues. Being filled with the Holy Spirit means I am to refrain from using my rights and privileges I am entitled to by God's grace because I desire to do God's will out of love and obedience as if I am after God's own heart. Great faiths in the Bible were willing to let go of their rights, privileges and lives in the interests of doing God's will. Faith in Jesus has replaced my temporal doubts and fears with eternal hope when I present my body "as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God" (see Romans 12:1-2).

She is BACK (well, in June)

One of my favorites will be back in June. WBNS TV 10 Anietra Hamper

Back in December 2008, I posted about her leaving another News station and thinking I would not see her again. Old Post about

Battling with my Theological bias doctrines

The other day, for the fun of it, I tested myself to see where the doctrines I am in line with today. It has been interesting because the first part of my Christian life, I was Baptist (non-Calvinist) and Anabaptist (somewhat Calvinist) that many of the "minor" doctrines are still within my heart. However, the major doctrines have changed. It took me almost 40 years to change because I was victimized because I grew up in a certain theological system and I become indoctrinated by what I have learned over the years that I have struggled by defending what I have learned and can't seem to let go of it.

However, one thing I have learned over the years relating to the "doctrine of salvation". I have to remember that the Bible does not present faith as simply "mental assent to the facts of the gospel" but rather true saving faith involves repentance from my own sin and a complete trust in the work of Christ to save me from sin and make me righteous. Through the doctrine of Soli Deo gloria: All glory is due to God alone, since salvation is accomplished solely through His will and action—not only the gift of the all-sufficient atonement of Jesus on the cross but also the gift of faith in that atonement, created in the heart of the believer by the Holy Spirit.

The atonement is the work of God from beginning to end. God alone provides the means of salvation through the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Christ; through the call of God for all to repent and don't reject; and through the God-given restoration.

One of the major reasons I moved away from Reformed (Calvinist) is the mystery of God's salvation for us. No matter how much knowledge we have in the Mystery of God, we will never fully comprehend God until we die. In Isaiah 55:8-9 God says, "My thoughts are completely different from yours, and my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. We are to judge through, to see through to the truth, to truly evaluate something what what we are hearing is biblical or not. Knowledge of the mystery is having the reality of an experience of knowing God personally and consciously. I have learned through the years that God don't need me but I do know He uses my life. My own faith is not self-effort or anything I can do for God but rather from within that my faith is a gift from the Holy Spirit by the conviction to submit into action. The outcome is not based on my faith or my will but rather God's will for my life as I serve Him on this earth as I serve for Him in heaven. The Spirit is our intercessor, our personal indwelling intercessor interceding according to the will of God. Jesus had said to His disciples, "Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave" (Matthew 20:26‑27). The life of a local church is made up of spiritual attitudes and spiritual motivations, spiritual graces that come from deep within the community. Its a reminder of this verse in Ephesians 4:4, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all."

(100%) 1: Lutheran
(90%) 2: Presbyterian/Reformed
(87%) 3: Congregational/United Church of Christ
(82%) 4: Church of Christ/Campbellite
(80%) 5: Anglican/Episcopal/Church of England
(80%) 6: Methodist/Wesleyan/Nazarene
(77%) 7: Eastern Orthodox
(75%) 8: Baptist (Reformed/Particular/Calvinistic)
(65%) 9: Roman Catholic
(62%) 10: Baptist (non-Calvinistic)/Plymouth Brethren/Fundamentalist
(57%) 11: Pentecostal/Charismatic/Assemblies of God
(50%) 12: Seventh-Day Adventist
(37%) 13: Anabaptist (Mennonite/Quaker etc.)

http://www.selectsmart.com/plus/select.php?url=denomtradition

Reason, Logic and God

God reveals Himself primarily through the pages of Scripture. God's Word are backed by His authority as the supreme and sovereign in all situations. Often we make decisions we think that it is God's will however, circumstances will make us change directions. The circumstances surrounding our lives are no accident: they may be the work of evil, but that evil is held firmly within the mighty hand of our sovereign God. We are to allow the Holy Spirit do what He will through us and see what He does with us.

Often we battle with issues according to flesh's reasoning. The concept that is is called "begging the question in logic", which is the Latin name petitio principii, is an informal fallacy found in many attempts at logical arguments. Such an argument is valid in the sense in which logicians use that term, yet provides no reason at all to believe its conclusion. Often people will use "logic" and "argument from analogy" (relating things to novel other situations) to prove their case. Thinking logically is a tough thing to do because it works against our human and horizontal perspective on true salvation. One thing I have learned is that God's will don't appear to be "logic". God is good and God is also Just. The Bible teaches that God is love; some have interpreted this in such a way as virtually to deny that He is just, which the Bible also teaches. The biblical doctrine of God's goodness so far that it is made to contradict His holiness. The biblical doctrine of God's compassion cancel out His truth. People will view God is ALL good, which is true but the definition of "good" in God's point of view is different than our human point of view.

Faith is accepting God's Will. Often we make decisions we think that it is God's will however, circumstances will make us change directions. The circumstances surrounding our lives are no accident: they may be the work of evil, but that evil is held firmly within the mighty hand of our sovereign God. Truth is so obscure in these times, and falsehood so established, that, unless we love the truth, we cannot know it. nothing is too small in us or in any other creature, not to be ordered by the all-knowing and all-powerful providence of God.

We all can claim to be a Christian, and we all believe that the root of the matter is in us and the seed of God is in our hearts. To understand reality is not the same as to know about outward events. It is to perceive the essential nature of things. The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential.

My life through denominations.

I have had issues with Tradition which is why I often distrust churches that focus on Tradition more than the Bible. I grew up in various Baptist denominations but I left due to their legalism system and lack of sound doctrines. I went into Anabaptist since it is so similar to Baptist and their doctrines are more sound. The term anabaptist was used to describe and define certain Christians during the Reformation however they were not part of the Reformation (Protesting against the Catholics). These Christians regarded the Bible as their only rule for faith and life. Because of their radical beliefs, the Anabaptists were persecuted by other Protestants (i.e. Luther, Calvin and others) as well as by Roman Catholics. Anabaptists were radical due to their doctrines as Luther did with Roman Catholic Church. Many Catholics viewed Luther a radical heretic. In the early days, which is when the Anabaptists established their reputation, they often challenged the Reformers publicly as did Luther challenged the Roman Catholic Church publicly.

Much of the historic Roman Catholic and Protestant literature has represented the Anabaptists as groups who preached false doctrine and led people into apostasy. persecuted the Anabaptists, resorted to torture and other types of physical abuse, in attempts both to curb the growth of the movement and bring about the salvation of the heretics (through recantation). The Protestants under Zwingli (Reformed) were the first to persecute the Anabaptists. On May 20, 1527, Roman Catholic authorities executed Michael Sattler. King Ferdinand declared drowning (called the third baptism) "the best antidote to Anabaptism".

The Anabaptists, the most persecuted people of the Reformation, were not allowed the luxury of extensive written records. They were known to history for centuries mostly from the writings of their enemies, and Calvinists have been among the worst offenders in this regard.

Other offenders were,Felix Manz became the first Anabaptist martyr in 1527, ten short years after Luther had nailed up his theses. He was drowned in the river right in the middle of Zurich. Other Anabaptists were beaten or banished.

There is no single defining set of beliefs, doctrines and practices that characterizes all Anabaptists. The Anabaptist I was involved in followed reformed doctrines (Luther/Calvin). The very first Anabaptists were Continental, those who were radical and persecuted. The Anabaptist bodies of today are no longer comprised mostly of descendants of the Continental Anabaptists. The Anabaptists were early promoters of a free church and freedom of religion which includes separation of Church and State. The Anabaptists were one of several branches of "Radical" reformers (i.e. reformers that went further than the mainstream Reformers) to arise out of the Renaissance and Reformation.

So, here I am, I love the Reformers, Puritans and I love the Anabaptists as well as the Baptists. I view both theologies of the Reformers and the Anabaptists to clearly define the most comprehensive Evangelicalism today.

One of the main reasons I love the Anabaptist is because resistance is a central practice for the Anabaptist heritage of Christian witness and discipleship. Remember The Amish school shooting that happened at the West Nickel Mines School, Lancaster County, PA? One grandfather of one of the murdered Amish girls was heard warning some young relatives not to hate the killer, saying, "We must not think evil of this man." Another Amish father noted, "He had a mother and a wife and a soul and now he's standing before a just God."

Marie Roberts, the widow of the killer, was one of the few outsiders invited to the funeral of one of the victims. Marie Roberts wrote an open letter to her Amish neighbors thanking them for their forgiveness, grace, and mercy. She wrote, "Your love for our family has helped to provide the healing we so desperately need. Gifts you've given have touched our hearts in a way no words can describe. Your compassion has reached beyond our family, beyond our community, and is changing our world, and for this we sincerely thank you." Amish school shooting - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Anyway, knowing your true enemy is important and that enemy is Satan who can easily become the tool of Satan, who is called the accuser. One of his chief weapons is discouragement. My perspective from what I am reading from the Scriptures, that if we desire honor and glory from God, we must display humility first. That is contrary to our earthly philosophy, which exalts pride which is often used through works of choice.

In this life it is inevitable and it is useful because it produces the evidence of your true spiritual condition, humility and intimacy with God and allows God to put Himself on display in His grace. If we forgive those who sin against us, our heavenly Father will forgive us. But if we refuse to forgive others, our Father will not forgive our sins. We are to forgive seventy times seven. We must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. I have discovered through this forum (especially here), there is lack of forgiveness and lack of love.

Satan have successfully sowed seeds of discords between believers so that there won't be any spiritual and relationship restoration for unity. Relationship will be restored once that sinner comes to me and told me that he repented to God and he wants to restore the relationship. I don’t want to bear a grudge. If you sin against me, I have to forgive you in my heart even as God, for Christ’s sake, has forgiven me. So, I do that willingly. But I will never be able to have a right relationship with you until you come to me and seek the forgiveness that opens up the relationship. I always forgive and always give a person an amicable, companionable, comradely, cordial, hearty, neighborly, warm, warmhearted invitation without being cold, cool, frigid; bellicose, belligerent, contentious, quarrelsome. If I am not amicable and being cold, then I am not behaving like Christ who is ALWAYS amicable and inviting.

Colossians 3:13...........Forgive one another
Colossians 3:16.......... Counsel one another
Galatians 6:2..............Bear one another's burdens
Titus 1:13.................Rebuke one another (with love)
1 Thessalonians 4:18....Comfort one another
Hebrews 10:25...........Exhort one another
Romans 14:19............Edify one another
Romans 15:14............Counsel one another
Galatians 5:13............Love one another
Ephesians 4:12...........Love one another
1 Peter 1:22..............Love one another

All men through their sinful nature have corrupted Tradition through their persecutions. All great Christian leaders are guilty in one form or another. Only Christ, His Church and Holy Scriptures are perfect.

I grew up in Duxbury, MA which is part of Plymouth Colony. I know alot about the history of Puritans. Regarding the witch trials, the Puritans themselves repented of the way the trials were conducted. Their confession was then made: "...as to the Guilt contracted, upon the opening of the late Commission of Oyer and Terminer at Salem (to which the order for this Day relates) he is, upon many accounts, more concerned that any that he knows of, Desires to take the Blame and Shame of it, Asking pardon of Men, And especially desiring prayers that God, who has an Unlimited Authority, would pardon that Sin and all other his Sins; personal and Relative: And according to his infinite Benignity, and Sovereignty, Not Visit the Sin of him, or of any other, upon himself or any of his, nor upon the Land. . . "

Governor William Phips put an end to the Salem witch trials precisely because there was the recognition that innocent people were being prosecuted without sufficient tangible evidence of their guilt. Innocent people were being incriminated based upon unsubstantiated accusation. Salem trials have brought down Puritanism in New England.

We can learn from history, including Church history that includes Tradition. Some of my favorite Quotes about "Learning from History".

"What I am great advocate of looking into the past, I could warn everybody against living in the past. The only justification for looking to the past is that we may learn great lessons from it and apply them" (Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

By avoiding the mistakes of the past: "Those who fail to remember the past are condemned to repeat it" (George Santayana)

By repeating the victories of the past: "Those who fail to remember the past are condemned not to repeat it" (David B. Calhoun)

Reading Ecclesiastes helps alot. Hearing stories from my elders (old relatives and older Christians) reminded me that their experiences speaks the truth. As they say, "History repeats itself in every generation."

Some 22 members of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Mets fans have marked Opening Day at Citi Field with a pregame protest over the nearby subway station.

Audism, Struggles and Growth

Audism basically means those who discriminate or stereotyping against Deaf culture or hearing-impaired individuals. Audism means a system of practice, behavior, belief, or attitude. In the deaf culture, calling someone an audist is akin to calling someone a racist. People who have audist attutides are considered to be audists. Many of us are sharing our insights from our first-hand experiences with deafness. Often when we think of the disabled, we often think only of those who are in wheelchairs or are otherwise, visible physically impaired. However, the word can also refer to the deaf community, though many deaf persons do not consider themselves to be disabled. Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults. Mostly, we deal with socially and professionally disabled more than deafness.

Many disability obstacles such as discrimination, attitudes, ignorance, stereotyping, or alienation are still around by all of us whether we realized them or not. Stereotypes, biases, and misconceptions leap into one’s mind. Stereotyping has created by showing incorrect judgment of a possibility by making people into stereotypes that leads to myths. Audism, like racism and sexism, is discrimination against deaf and hearing-impaired individuals. However, I do acknowledge that there is a significant difference between ignorance and audism. Nowadays, it is hard to tell the difference but I believe that with today's technology and disability discrimination laws that are out there, there should not be any ignorance. My only conclusion is that people are doing audism rather than being ignorant.

In spirit, the purpose of Christianity with disabilities is not to avoid difficulty, but to produce a character adequate to meet it when it comes. It does not make life easy; rather it tries to make us great enough for life. Paul wrote in Romans 5:3-5, “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.”

A Christian who is rooted deeply and very fruitful, who concentrates on the eternal root system of his or her life is going to bear fruit upward, but if he or she concentrates on the eye-appealing temporal things, he or she may end up a rootless failure. A person who is elated by success and is cast down by failure is still a carnal Christian. At best, his or her fruit will have a worm in it. God's timing is infallible. He takes every factor and contingency into account. We often want to pluck unripe fruit, but He will not be pressured into premature action. A mature Christian disciple will not stumble because of apparently unanswered prayer. A mature Christian disciple will not, however, adopt a fatalistic attitude when he or she examine his or her prayers and seek to discover the cause of failure.

Jesus said in John 15:1-2, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more." With the Holy Spirit and love, we can and will walk in the Spirit because Christ produces the fruit in us through His GRACE. In "the sufficiency of God’s grace" in the worst of human circumstances is that when a person is weak in a temporal sense while the person is strong spiritually by God's Grace in eternal sense.

Jesus also said in John 15:5, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing." Carlo Carretto explained it nicely, “We are the wire, God is the current. Our only power is to let the current pass through us”. We must remember that we are still in the flesh even though we have Christ in us. It is the Holy Spirit's conviction that God’s design for us is to be radically transformed by the renewing of our minds. (Romans 12:2) Our hope for this radical transformation is by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13). With the Holy Spirit and love, I will walk in the Spirit, Christ produces the fruit. It is Christ through the Holy Spirit produces power, love, sound mind through us. Christ helps us. Without Christ, we are nothing. Our faith is not in our works. Our faith is the generator of our works. Faith produces works. Works reveal faith or the lack of it. Being is expressed in doing. Faith is a gift from the Holy Spirit, without the Holy Spirit, we can't have faith and without the Holy Spirit, we can't be spiritual. Faith will express itself in faith deeds not just words alone. Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

In my own experiences, God lead me to what I call "coincidences" in my life which perhaps God will make sure that His wills will be done at His right time and place. God will yet have His way while at the same time, as responsible forgiven sinner, I also must make my choices in any situations I may face. Often I make decisions when I think that they are part of God's will however, circumstances will make me change directions. Someone has said “Life is God’s novel. Let Him write it.” (Isaac Bashevis Singer). My life is like a pencil in God’s hand, He does the writing and the pencil has nothing to do with God’s writing. We often try to alter our circumstances to satisfy ourselves, instead of letting God alter us. God does not desire to destroy our will, but to sanctify “our will into His will”.

The circumstances surrounding our lives are no accident: they may be the work of evil, but that evil is held firmly within the mighty hand of our sovereign God. We are to allow the Holy Spirit do what He will through us and see what He does with us. God tests His real disciples more severely than lukewarm ones.

True life is:
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way? The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 16:9, Proverbs 20:24, Proverbs 21:1, Jeremiah 10:23, Romans 8:28-29, Matthew 10:29-30)

Our faith should recognize the fact that God is in control of our lives. Whether we believe it or not, it's a fact that God is in control of the world. If we don't believe it, we are just robbing ourselves of the enjoyment of the fact.

Advocacies for Deaf and hearing loss.

Why many deaf people do not want to be a member of AG Bell's organization?

Hearing loss experiences differ individually. There are those who have been born with hearing loss (like me). There are those who lost their hearing later in life. To many, hearing loss is more of a social and professional disability rather than a physical disability. Many keep forgetting that the majority of the deaf community is often late-deafened, and especially with the baby boomers now entering the old age, we are seeing declining hearing and it is unlikely we’d see them rushing to learn another language like ASL.

Last month, Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) denounced repeated demonstrations against the association and its members by several groups claiming that AG Bell discriminates against individuals who are deaf who use sign language, specifically American Sign Language (ASL). One group for an example is “Audism Free America”. I found that there are some hard-core deaf idealists out there. Organizations like this are wasting time and money on divisive activities rather than looking for ways to give all people with hearing loss the ability to achieve their dreams, whatever they may be. Idealism basically means holding on to a set of beliefs which are a rigid system of the way life is "supposed to be" or "should be". Idealism belief system basically means you have adopted about how things "should be done" which often gets challenged by the way things are in reality. Many idealists find it difficult to fully accept anyone the way they really are and chronically attempt to control them so that they can become the way they "should ideally be" which often leads to become fatalistic, hostile, pessimistic, and negativistic attitudes. I truly believe that "over-idealism" is a control issue and that it is at the root of our need to over-control situations, people, places, or things in order to ensure that they come into compliance with our ideal image of the way reality is supposed to be.

Historically, there is a large degree of mistrust between the Deaf community and the AGBell because their philosophies are different. Depending on each individual, some may continue to use ASL after.CI surgery along with other forms of communication within their society. They can enjoy both deaf culture and hearing. There are those who will continue to be against AGBell unless they are willing to change. It is up to each individual (or parents) that a deaf person should learn to interact with other people in the most effective way. It’s up to the parents to help encourage a deaf child to interact with society as well as possible. All parents have the RIGHT to make decisions about cochlear implants and communication methodology for their own children.

I can understand as parents, they find it very tough for parents to find the "right" path for their deaf and hearing-impaired children when their parents are not getting ALL of the information about deafness. AG Bell should be sharing all aspects of what can help parents of deaf children regardless how we think should be the right way. Deaf and Hearing loss advocacies are to be very diverse who are very open minded and willing to learn everything unconditionally whether they "communicate orally, with signs, cue, and/or combined methods". What can parents of deaf children can do for their kids? They can make sure that their children can communicate effectively so they can have a "normal" relationship. I have learned that many children with hearing problems will face both experiential and language deficiencies. My speech is so good that no one will ever know that I am deaf but if they listened to my grammar and/or my speech, they will figure me out.

From birth up to until I was about 4 years old, my family didn't know I was deaf until I had a hearing test in a famous hospital in Boston. I could hear loud noises but I could not communicate or even talk normally. As soon as they found out that I have a major hearing loss, my grandparents got me a new hearing-aid and I actually remembered the first day I actually HEARD anything including my mother's voice and of course a TRUCK outside the hearing-aid store. My first hearing-aid was a Zenith.

Then before attending deaf school, I was in speech therapy and then soon, I was able to talk basic words but not really having a conversation. Soon, I started attending the Boston School for the Deaf for 7 years which was an oralist deaf school (now closed). I was not to learn or use sign language until I was about 19 years old. I really wished I learned better english grammar, even through sign language because I wanted to communicate effectively. Today, even though I can hear and can communicate effectively. My grammar will always be off and words I say will always be off the mark.

In "person", I am mildly reserved and low-key person because I am usually afraid of saying something wrong grammar or speech. I am not big on small talk. I usually prefer in-dept discussion about important issues rather than small talk. Along with my deafness, I had to struggle with the conditions that affect the development of my communication skills within personality and intelligence. Today's experts say that "Age of onset plays a crucial role in the development of language". It took me YEARS to overcome my lack of understanding in english grammar as well as sign language.

Christianity and Hypocrisy

If anyone remember Daniel in the Old Testament, Daniel's actions were basic part of genuine integrity and the uncompromising life. Christian life in this world should be different from the world, being in the world but not of the world. We should be a humbled Christian because we are Christians with flaws. God uses humbled Christians than hypocrites. Charles Elliot said it nicely, "Hypocrites we are: but we are on the way to liberation even from our own hypocrisy". James 1:26 says, "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." As Christians in new creature in Spirit within us as for example Jesus are not to be like the religious Pharisees to a group of dishwashers who clean the outside of a cup while leaving the inside dirty.

Often when some Christians try to reassign God’s authority to themselves; they seek to be ultimately self-governing and self-defining. There are those who believe and teaches “joining with Christ though a mixing of our supposed divinity with His” by placing their minds into their faith that whatever they desire will be received. Their theology sees the Holy Spirit as a power to be put to use for whatever the believer wills, we have to understand it is clear such teaches opposite do not mean that. Many typically favor their own kingdom over the true God for maintaining authority, or lordship, over their lives that they seek success, happiness, honor, and self-approval. They exchange God’s supreme reality for a false substitute. An emphasis on subjective feelings or experience rather than objective truth; a tendency toward self-centered rather than God-centered worship; a lack of appreciation for church history and the ancient creeds; an emphasis on pragmatism as the basis for church work; an anti-intellectual attitude and even an openness to mysticism. Non-God-Centered doctrines (i.e. covetousness) are supremely serious, which may be why the commandments against it are first two on 10. The worst form of idolatry is to make a god in our own image, and then worship it.

Self-centered desires affects our minds through deception and that we begin to justify and rationalize our right to possess what we desire. Our society (sinful world) is characterized by lies, it is characterized by deception which lead by Satan’s agenda. This sinful earth is characterized by what is temporal as people can “see” that fulfills their desires, but what is for time only, what is physical, what is passing, what ultimately will be destroyed.

Christians are to focus on God-centered on faith as OUR SOURCE of faith is from God alone. Reading Romans 8:14 says, “Those who are led by the Spirit are the sons of God.” Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (See also: Ecclesiastes 9:10; Romans 12:11; I Corinthians 15:5-8; Ephesians 6:7,8.) If we lack wisdom, we are commanded to ask God for it. “It will be given to him“, the wisdom we seek will be ours (cf. Matt. 7:7-11). James says: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5). Scripture reminds us that we must be sound in the faith through the Holy Spirit and Word of God (1 Tim. 4:6; 2 Tim. 4:2-3; Tit. 1:9; 2:1).

I am still struggling and that I need to be reminded that God really does love me and that His love does not depend on my performance.

Phillip Yancey says "there is nothing we can do to make God love us more, and nothing we can do will make Him love us less".