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There is a certain sense of satisfaction in being right, and even a notion of superiority.

I’ve got it

Want you to have it

Unless you get it

You just might not make it

To Heaven.

The problem is, we can’t all be right. 

Christians today go on and on about how the world is not a good place… the end is near… the tribulation is coming… we are all supposed to respect and honor everyone else’s truth even though we disagree.  Yet, as Christians we know that we cannot—that God is the truth, that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior… that He lived and died and rose again though we didn’t deserve His free gift of salvation.

So then… what about us?  What are we Christians doing to ourselves?  We judge, though told not to do so.  We lump whole bunches of people together by denominational name and non-denominational name and decide the whole lot of them aren’t saved because they don’t hold to the exactly the same theological tenets that we do.

Do you know what the biggest detriment to the furthering Christianity in the world is today?  It’s us Christians.  Jesus said when he was accused of being beelzebub, A house divided cannot stand.  Yet, we Christians are very divided—and by what?  I invite you to think hard about what exactly really is important for each of us to believe without compromising what Jesus taught.  I invite you to not judge others in groups, and to leave who is truly saved up to God.   

Jesus said, a new commandment… to love as I have loved you…. Are we really doing that when we discount anyone by our group’s rules of who and who is not a Christian?  Jesus gave us the Great Commission to go out into the world…  how are we to do that when we are seen as smug, filled with superiority and rightness?  Do any of us really believe others don’t know what we are thinking?  If so, we are not serving God honestly.

Oswald Chambers, in his Studies on the Sermon on the Mount put it this way:

Another truth we do not sufficiently realize is the influence of what we think over what we say.  A man may say wonderfully truthful things, but what he thinks is what tells.  It is possible to say truthful things in a truthful manner and to tell a lie by thinking.  I can repeat to someone else what I hear you say, word for word, every detail scientifically accurate, and yet convey a lie in saying it because the temper of my mind is different to the temper of your mind when you said it.  A lie is not an inexactitude of speech, a lie is in the motive.   I may be actually truthful and an incarnate liar.  It is not the literal words that count but their influence on others. (p. 29)

Let us hold to what are the truths of Christian faith, loving each other and witnessing honest love for all, respecting differences that are not essential, and leave salvation in the hands of the Lord who will call every one of us to account on the day of his choosing when He will judge each one of us individually.  Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus.    … babamarusia

Mary (babamarusia) & Rick May are owners of the webstore, www.QualityMusicandBooks.com.  

Quality Music and Books as a retail store is being moved to a new location and currently open only by appointment.

The foundation of Christian life is: Prayer and the Living Word.  It is not interesting, but sad when the Christian in society as a whole places such emphasis upon physical health through diet and exercise, yet barely acknowledges the importance of inner well-being.  This is not a judgement upon others exclusive of myself, because I am as guilty as the next guy.  Yet, the fact is, that without consistant, purposeful attention to what we hold inside our hearts and souls, the life that is Christian is and always will be sorely lacking.

“People judge others by what they look like,
but I judge people by what is in their hearts.”  (1Samuel 16:7b, CEV)

Taking care of our bodies is important, but it is also temporal.  Taking care of the soul is care for the self right now and also for eternity.  As water is the necessity of sustaining human life, so is the Living Word of God–that is, the Holy Bible–the necessity of sustaining the soul.  This doesn’t include reading inspirational, theological and devotional writings, though very useful.  What it includes is one volume, the book holding the Word of God, and time alone in prayer and mediation.

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear…
Take it to the Lord in prayer
   … from the hymn, What a friend we have in Jesus by  Joseph Scriven.

What do you see in your soul?  God sees the truth.  Has he nurtured you today?  Has he adding Living Water to your well of being?  Has he taken you  from where you are at and raised you up to a higher level?

The sixteenth chapter of 1Samuel is the story of David finding out that he is the one who God chose to be king.  The larger picture within the story is not that difficult to figure out.  God chose David for his character, by what was in his heart.  David was the shepherd in the family, just as Jesus would become our shepherd.  David’s music soothed and healed Saul, just as Jesus’ purpose would be to heal and restore.

A healthy body does not mean a healthy inner spirit.  But a healthy inner spirit, given by God through regular time in prayer and Scripture, will mean a joyful heart even when the body gives out, even when circumstances that happen in life are trying, even in the midst of tragedy. 

Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care ofyou.  He will not permit the Godly to slip and fall. (Psalm 55:22 NLT)

Have you ever wondered how some Christians seems to be so wise?  Have you ever thought, how did she figure that out?  People who do this don’t have an “inner pipeline” to God’s thoughts any more than anyone else.  What they have done is what God tells every one of us to do, and that is… daily reading their Bibles and time in prayer.

          …. babamarusia

babamarusia is Mary Katherine May, owner of www.QualityMusicandBooks.com.

There is perhaps nothing more divisive within the Christian church than issues regarding baptism–when to baptize and how to baptize.  Though many faithful find the directives explicit in their intent, after making a careful but brief study of Scripture, history and traditional practices I must respectfully disagree.

Those who take the approach of The Bible, The whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible … often imply or just plain out state that there are many who call themselves Christians who don’t do this, and are unknowingly damned by not heeding their warnings.  For this reason, there must be a starting point before any type of reasonable, intelligent discussion can begin.  I choose to begin with the word tradition.

Whether or not acknowledged, tradition plays a role in every Christian’s life.  Some Christian groups title themselves non-denominational, not being a part of a larger group.  Whatever one wishes to call their group — congregation, … I can’t think of another.   Anyhow, as soon as any part of worship or governance assumes a regular pattern or routine there is a tradition.  For baptism, to say that one must always be baptized after a certain age, or an age of accountability, is to establish a tradition.  To celebrate communion using grape juice only is establishing a tradition.  It’s one of those semantic things.

I have always found it curious for groups to say that others are not Christian because they don’t have the motto, The Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible, since I know for a fact that many of the groups on the receiving end of the negative, damning comments are thoroughly based upon biblical principles though perhaps not in complete agreement on the traditions practiced–and I use the word many  because I have not studied every Christian group.  I suggest that a better approach to biblical authenticity is to put into use the phrase put forth by the great Swedish theologian, Paul Petter Waldenström, who believed in asking, where does it stand written (in the Bible)?

What then should also be used in determining true Christianity?  That is something needing to be decided upon by each person or group with great caution, for this is where the line will be drawn which cannot be compromised.  It will be a promise between you and God.  For most Christians, that Jesus Christ must be confessed as being Savior and Lord (John 3:16), that there is One God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit (the Holy Trinity–the Gospel of John), and that there are a minimum of two sacraments or ordinances as commanded by God– Baptism and the Sacrament of the Altar, or Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper.

This is where it begins to get sticky– we are back to baptism.  That baptism is a commandment is of no doubt, though some do doubt it to be necessary.  Jesus said it Himself.  He didn’t say to think about it and maybe do it, He said to go and make disciples and to baptize.  The two key verses normally used, Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:16, give the same basic, simple, two-part command.  As such, God is telling us first that we are to be a mission church, wherever and however we serve–within our families, at work, as witnesses through our lives, clergy, as called missionaries, or in another role .  Sometimes we look too far into the field and should stick closer to our own environments.  The statistic given that only 60% of all children raised in the faith continue on as adults is quite alarming.

It may interest those who are so set against Martin Luther to find out that he believed immersion to be the best way to baptize.  It may interest those who say that baptizing infants is a Roman Catholic tradition to discover that the practice dates back to before the Roman Catholic Church ever existed–but it does.

In my opinion, those who believe and practice baptism only when people are older are A-Okay in my book.   That they disagree with my belief in infant baptism is A-Okay, too.  What I don’t understand, however, is why I am often not shown the same respect.  To that end, I am going to examine the most-used Bible verse used to prove their point.

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16 NIV)

I cannot tell you how many times in discussion the phrase believes and is baptized has been used as the absolute, positive proof of their right-ness and my wrong-ness.  Taking a closer look …

• The easiest is the word baptized.  We may begin by agreeing it means dip and immerse, though there is at least one New Testament verse that uses the word wash. 
• It is important to point out the context of this verse within the whole chapter.  More than once there is the comment made that Jesus’ followers didn’t believe he had risen.  As a matter of fact, Jesus had just rebuked their unbelief before giving the command to make disciples and baptize.
• Note that the conjunctive word is “and” and not “then.”  There is no indication of which is to be first or last–faith>baptism, or baptism>faith. 
• In Mark 16a, the word believes has a different meaning than the second use in the sentence.  Here it means to have faith or entrust on’e spiritual well-being to Christ. 
• The second half of the verse, Mark 16b, says nothing of the baptism, and is only against those who do not believe.   Other meanings (very similar) are unbelieving and disbelief.  The point that needs making is that the Greek word used for “not believing” is the same as for the strong word “apostasy” which means to reject or turn one’s back on their faith.  Here “condemned” means to receive a judgment against oneself, or to receive a (prison) sentence.
• Verse 17 gives further indication of what this verse is about, describing the signs of faith that will accompany belief–drive out demons, speak in new tongues, etc., which sounds very much like Baptism of the Holy Spirit, not of baptism with water.  This makes the ”immersion” point so often called the touchstone reason for not baptizing by dipping or sprinkling with verse 16 as the proof irrelevant.    In this context, 16b makes good sense, for the one unforgivable sin, according to Scripture, is to blaspheme the Holy Spirit.
• Another point of view that can be assumed in verse 16 has to do specifically with infants and young children. The verse definitely states the necessity of baptism for salvation.  Nowhere does it exclude infants and young children.  As a matter of fact, not a single Bible verse about baptism excludes infants and young children from the command to be baptized.   As another matter of fact, the issue of not baptizing the very young when it is commanded creates the issue of whether their salvation is at risk.  This leads to another point–that is, if you are a believer who insists on adhering to only to what is specifically in Scripture, then to insist on an age of reason or accountability, to insist on infant baptism leading those who practice it to perdition, is to go on implied and assumed meaning.  You just can’t have it both ways, folks.   As Waldenstrom insists on asking, “Where does it stand written?”  
• Using this verse while excluding Matthew 28:19 (The Great Commission) may be convenient but not practical, since it should have an impact on belief.  The Matthew verse (a) says nothing about children being in- or out- of baptism, and (b) baptizes in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Baptism is not symbolic, it is not proof of salvation, it not only a command.  Baptism happens by the will and desire of God.  Baptism in God’s name tells us all we need to know.  It is a saving act, an act of grace performed through people by God.  We are not the baptizers, God is…. in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  As such, all other issues stand beneath–good for discussion, but in the long run not as significant.

Historically, infant and child baptism has been performed from the earliest days of the Christian Church.  Writings from as early as the third and fourth centuries prove this.  By this time, the first faithful who had accepted the Disciples of Jesus Christ’s invitation would have birthed children of their own.  These children would have been raised as Christians from infancy, and as an entry into the church of the faithful it makes sense to baptize.  We need to remember that baptism is an entry into the church, and as such the beginning of one’s faith journey.  If someone questions their faith following baptism or rejects it entirely and then returns to the fold, should another baptism be necessary?  Here I agree with Martin Luther completely.  Baptism as God’s act, not ours, need not be repeated because it stands.  What is needed instead is a return to the promise of grace given at the time of baptism.

I wonder at the reasoning for waiting on baptism for those children born to Christian parents who without a doubt will bring them to church and teach the Bible.  Don’t we believe that we are created by God in His image?  Don’t we believe that children are a gift from God?  In this case, why would we not baptize children, removing the stain of Adam’s sin?  Do we know for absolute fact that children, gifts from God, do not know Him?  Using myself as an example, there is no time in my life, from my earliest memories, when God’s existence wasn’t true. 

A final comment on one last argument against not only Martin Luther but other protestant Christians needs to be made, that is on baptismal regeneration.  Baptism is regenerative, because it comes from God as a salvatory act of grace.  As such, it is not a work of anyone, and is not to be taken as necessary along with faith.  Our faith saves us.  Returning to Mark 16:16, the second part of the verse said to not believe is to be condemned, with no mention of baptism. 

As a saving act, baptism is a beginning.  It is the transformation into a new life.  It may be a saving work, born anew into Jesus Christ followed by ever increasing faith (belief) in the One who will provide for every need if we let Him into 100% of our life.

Through exegesis of Mark 16:16 within the context of surrounding verses, it is clear that using this verse as proof for baptism by immersion in water is in need of further thought.  Also regarding this verse, the conjunctive word “and” leaves room for ”baptize” and “believe” to be reversed.  Regarding age of baptism, Scripture nowhere states specifically what that may be.  The necessity of baptism as given by Jesus allows for the possibility that without baptism infants and young children may not receive salvation, because there is no Scripture stating that they will.  Baptism as the beginning of life in Jesus Christ and as a saving act of grace brings into question why young children of believing parents would not be welcomed into the Family of God at an early age.

Sources

• Martin Luther’s Small Catechism http://www.lutheran.co.uk/docs/Small%20Catechism.pdf
• Christian Dogmatics Volume Two, Carl E. Braaten and Robert W. Jenson, Editors, copyright © Fortress Press 1984.
• Complete Sermons of Martin Luther Volume II, John Nicholas Lenker, editior, copyright © 2000 by Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI.
• The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, Commonly Called The DIDACHE, http://www.ccel.org/ccel/richardson/fathers.viii.i.iii.html
• The Meaning of Baptism by Ray C. Stedman, http://www.raystedman.org/misc/0278.html
• New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, King James, James Strong, LL.D., S.T.D., Copyright © 1996 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN, 2000.
• Luther’s Large Catechism with Study Questions, copyright © 1978 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO.
• Institutes of the Christian Religion, On Baptism 4:16 by Dr. John Calvin, http://www.apuritansmind.com/Baptism/CalvinInfantBaptism.htm
• Baptism: Definition from answers.com
• Notes on “Faith Alone” by J. W. Roberts, http://www.freedomsring.org/New_Index/Abraham%20Was%20Justified%20by%20Faith,%20No.%203.htm
• Subjects of Baptism by John A. Battle, Ph.D., http://www.wrs.edu/Materials_for_Web_Site/Courses/Theology_4/Chapter_7-Subjects_Baptism.pdf
• Baptism Questions and Answers, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=2590
• Congregation for Doctrine of Faith: Infant Baptism (Roman Catholic) http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDFINFAN.htm

What is ADIAPHORA?  Actually, it’s an important subject — something that theologians ponder and discuss, and something acutely important to all Christians.  It has a lot to do with agreeing to disagree.  What does one group of Christians, not wishing to compromise important Christian truths, agree to be allowable (respectfully disagreeing) in another Christian group?

I invite all of us non-theologians to ponder this important topic.  To do so, you must be very clear about what you DO believe.  Then, it will be necessary to find out what others believe and compare. 

Where do you draw the line?  Where are you willing to compromise without giving in?  I invite you to do the research, think and draw conclusions with the Holy Bible as your guide.

I have thought about yesterday’s post today–not too long, because I believe in living in the here and now and not dwelling on the future too much–and it seems clear thus far that the blending of faiths, the pluralistic philosophies, all leading to one unified, worldwide church is part of satan’s plan.  Underlying the one church will be the theology of individual divinity, or each person as god.  As gods, people will feel empowered to believe that all choices they make are failproof. 

With a worldwide church filled with gods, there will come satan masquerading as the one supreme god who will sound divinely wonderful to all.  This will usher in a worldwide police force to keep everyone under control–maybe with devices inserted under the skin, maybe with the 666 numbers on the forehead. 

At this point, anyone claiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, claiming the one true God, will be shunned, killed, starved–who knows what? 

Seems like something straight out of a horror movie, doesn’t it?  It seems ridiculous, crazy and bizarre, and I know many will think the same of me for saying so. 

Do you know that only 60% of all children raised as Christians are still walking the Godly walk of faith?  I have children, too, and grandchildren.  Let us pray without ceasing for our church, our children, our families, and our world. 

These times may come soon, they may not.  We must live our lives as witnesses to what is true and free.  God called all of us for this purpose.   Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus.

Do you wonder why those who aren’t Christian continue to bring up atrocities performed in the name of Jesus Christ from the past–most of them centuries ago?  What do you say to those who do this?

Suggestion: Respond by inquiring who is doing the persecuting to whom in our present age?  Insist upon staying current.  There are no more Crusaders.  Queen (Bloody) Mary has long been dead.  The Reformation ended almost 500 years ago.

Do you ever feel uncomfortable as a Christian when you agree that all religions should be respected for their truths?  That if you don’t you hate those who practice other religions?

Suggestion:  Separate the issues of respecting those who practice religions other than Christianity vs. the issue of what is truth and true religion.  We are called to love and respect everyone.  We are called to proclaim only the one truth faith, one true God.

Do you find yourself on the short end of the stick when others are discussing religion and you offer your Christian beliefs?  Do you understand that Jesus said this would happen?

Suggestion:  Insist on sticking to the subject at hand.  A common way to deflect away the argument, since often in the face of Christian biblical truths there is no argument, is for the person(s) with whom you are speaking to attempt to turn the conservation away from themselves by attacking you.  If others will not discuss rationally back and forth, walk away.

Please be clear about the following:
The goal is not respectful pluralism with its many truths, respect for many religions.  The goal is ONE WORLD RELIGION where all compromise themelves for ONE UNIVERSAL TRUTH.  This is within the theology of Deep Ecumenism.

Here is the problem: (a) Unless force is used, such as what is named in the Bible,  one world religion is impossible.  (b)  The notion of one religion, one belief system, people each being divine and a god–not only cannot ever be true but also impossible.  How does anyone ever expect to get billions of people, all over the world, who think they are each God to agree on anything (without force)????

HERE IS THE TRUTH:  God IS within us, but we are not Gods.  There is absolutely not one Scripture, despite what anyone says, that states that people can be the same as God.

God is within us, be we are NOT gods.

HERE IS ANOTHER TRUTH: Father, Son, Holy Spirit: The Trinity: One God.  The Holy Trinity cannot now or ever be defined as Father, Mother and Child.

TRUTH 3: We are stewards of all God’s creation.  We have been given dominion over this earth and all that it contains.  WE SEE THE BEAUTY OF GOD’S CREATING POWERS, what we don’t see is God being every lump of dirt and blade of grass.

TRUTH 4:  THERE IS, HAS AND EVER WILL BE ONLY ONE GOD.  God has not incarnated himself as Budha, and Mahareesh Yogi, or anyone else.  GOD HAS ONLY INCARNATED himself as human in Jesus Christ.

TRUTH 5:  Be in the world, minister in the world in your called role, but do not compromise your faith.

UNTRUTH:  It is okay for Christians to not love homosexuals because they are sinners.  WRONG!!  Last time I reflected, I am still a sinner (and I think you are most likely in the same sinner category as me).

UNTRUTH:  It is my “duty” to tell gays, Catholics and whoever else some Christians decide to “lovingly” tell others they are going to hell.  (A)  They would have to be extremely simple-minded to not figure out on their own what the score is. (B)  It is very UNChristian to act in this manner.  (C)  Unless you live an absolutely perfect Godly life, you may want to check yourself out.  (D)  We are ALL sinners. (E)  Catholics ARE Christians.

CHRISTIAN ARMOR:  Part of your armor is to know what is going on, what people are thinking, what they are promoting as truth that is not truth at all.

The message of salvation is this:  John 3:16.  No reincarnation necessary–forgiveness and salvation is yours for the asking. 

Please remember, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the true Christian life respects, nurtures, and testifies to God’s will.  If the people of our world would claim Jesus as Lord and Savior and truly live the Christian life there would be no hunger, inequities of payment compensation, need for movements to save the earth, whale or anything other animal.  War would cease and persecution would stop.

Let us all remember to keep it simple, testify and witness our faith with our lives, not compromise our faith under difficult circumstances, duress, or to fit  with the crowd.  Let us pray without ceasing, know our Scripture, and know what is out there so we don’t unknowingly succumb.

Blessings,   babamarusia

Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God…..

If nowhere else can it been seen that we are children of God by– and only by God’s will, it is in the life of Apostle Paul.  Before God came to Paul, there was no sinking down to the depths of despair, there was no yearning for what was missing–no empty hole in his soul that needed filling that Christians witness and testify to as what brought them to Jesus.  Saul was present when Stephen was stoned to death.  He actively pursued permission to arrest Christians for their beliefs, his passion against Christians was unequaled.

Plain and simple, one day Jesus came to Saul.  He came with such powerful force that Saul was laid to the ground and his sight taken away.  It was then he heard Jesus’ voice filled with sorrow and love.  Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?  The resurrected Savior of the World spoke not only out of sorrow for those that Saul had arrested or caused to die, but for Saul himself.  It was no different than when Christ had called from the cross, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Three days Saul’s blindness continued.  Was he in spiritual death the entire time while Jesus taught him what he needed to know?  Was it one or the other?  We don’t know.  What we do know is that when Ananias arrived after three days, Saul’s sight was restored, he received the Holy Spirit and was baptized, now taking the name of Paul.

That Paul brought with him from his old life a zealousness for his convictions and and energy to work tirelessly is without question.  His very nature was to endure anything that came his way for his cause.  Before, however, his zeal was out of anger and vengeance, and now all that he suffered was counted as joy.

When God chose Saul he chose well, and not only for the saving work he did among the Gentiles.  He chose well also as an example to be lifted up for us to follow.  Saul to Paul is a transformed life.  It is an old life that is gone forever and a new life begun.  There was no going back for Paul.  Once Paul’s new life had begun, with consequences he was far too intelligent to ignore, he knew exactly where his new life would lead.

Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God…

If there is any doubt in the mind of a believer that the old life is gone and a new life begun, then the journey to Christ is not complete.  If there is any question that there is no turning back, the journey is not over.  There is a difference between believing in Jesus and receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in your life.  One is a promise, the other a promise fulfilled. 

Yes, there is a choice given to us–the choice is to accept or deny the invitation, and that is of our own human endeavor.  It is God and God alone, however, that imparts the grace and power to become His child.  It is He who enters, He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit, He who will bring us by his strength to our heavenly home.

How then, can we have this gift by the will of God and continue to sin?  Why is it so easy to be praying in church within the Spirit one moment, and exhibiting sinful behavior the next?  I think that to use the age-old excuse of because we are still human is far too simple.  There must be something else that needs correction. 

For me, there is always the realization that what has been done is wrong–and that’s a good thing.  If there was no conviction of sin committed it would be even a more serious problem.  Why does the conviction come after the fact?  When it does come during the act, why do we choose to ignore the warnings?  Is it because we feel so righteous for the path that we are upon as to be above God in our justifying the act?  Certainly, should this be true there would be no following remorse.

Another very valid question is this: What exactly does the will of God mean?  We who call ourselves Christians believe that our lives are lived within His will, that every part of our time spent here on earth is according to His plan. 

Where then does the will of God then begin and end?  If we believe this completely, what then do we say to the man, woman or child who is being abused?  Why then do some Christians say that illness is not part of God’s plan?  Certainly, we must die from something, because death still exists.  What of the child left alone through the death of a parent?  What of the parent who loses a child?  Are we to pick and chose what is, and is not within the will of God?  How are we to discern the difference of being in God and being outside of the will of God?

Some of the answers to difficult questions such as these will not be answered in anyone’s lifetime.  To say that God uses all experiences for His glory is far to simple of an answer when one is living through a difficult situation, as is saying that it is God’s will.   To say that horrific events are a test of one’s faith is ridiculous–why would God need to prove to Himself our faith through tragedy?  Perhaps a test is for strength or endurance–but then the question needs to be asked of how it can be at someone else’s expense who might be involved.  I supposed a test’s purpose could also be to prove to one’s self that faith is true, but that at another’s expense surely is a God-less act.   

Though there are some who do find comfort in such pat phrases, many do not–to the point of it being a stumbling block to continuing faith–which is definitely not within God’s will, as He desires all to come to salvation.

Where does this leave us then?  What does one say to someone who doesn’t understand the necessity of their situation within God’s plan when extreme situations are not even present – to the husband and wife who fight constantly, to the man or woman who for survival stay in a marriage, to the child who receives no unconditional love from anyone, to the person in an unjust situation where all who know of it do nothing to remedy it with justice?

These types of questions, may or may not shake a person’s faith, yet need some sort of an answer that goes beyond the concept of accepting at face value circumstances that are called God’s will.  And perhaps, this is where true faith proves itself, by believing even when understanding of facts that present themselves just don’t make any sense.

Christmas = Christ Mass or Christ Festival (the Free Dictionary online)

Christmas for Christians, if one should give in to emotions, can actually be a fairly isolated place.   It’s like swimming against a strong current.  The easiest way would be to hop onto a raft and go with the flow of the world.  If you say something like… Christmas is about Jesus Christ…. you may meet with blank stares, anger or being accused of forcing your religion.  You also might come across those that will say an Amen! or Praise the Lord!  How wonderful it is when it happens!

What about it, folks? What is Christmas all about?

Okay, you might be thinking right now. Here we go again. Another yada yada lecture about Christmas. Pl…EASE! Turn of the record! It’s stuck and keeps repeating itself!

Well, yes. It does. The message is repeating because very few are getting it.

Winter holidays are fine – get together, have parties, give and get presents, laugh and have good cheer, decorated trees. But please, don’t call it Christmas.

Singing winter songs – Jingle Bells, Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, Sleigh Ride – Great! But please, don’t call it Christmas.

Santa Claus and telling him what you want, little elves making presents, flying through the sky… don’t call it Christmas, but we are getting closer to the truth.

The Santa Claus we know to day is based upon a real person by the name of Nicholas. He was a very devout and caring Christian man. He is known as having been a very caring man, and for that he was elected to be Bishop of Myra. Although very little is known about his daily life, there are many stories (legends) of his good deeds.

One of those stories is about three sisters who lived with their father, a poor man. Back then—the 4th Century, that is, when a lady married she was expected to bring a dowry that included many things, one of them being money. Because the father was poor there wasn’t a dowry for the sisters, not even one. Nicholas, hearing of their plight, was supposed to have secretly delivered three bags of coins to their home by throwing the bags through an open window.

Here is where the secret comes …. Do you see it?

Why did Nicholas do it this way? Because …. That is what the Bible says to do!

When then you give money to the poor, do not make a noise about it, as the false-hearted men do in the Synagogues and in the streets, so that they may have glory from men. Truly, I say to you, They have their reward. But when you give money, let not your left hand see what your right hand does: So that your giving may be in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will give you your reward.
Matthew 6:2-4 (Bible in Basic English)

Now, the idea of giving in secret is biblical, and in a way St. Nicholas/Santa Claus/St. Nick is too.  The manner in which Bishop Nicholas of Myra lived his life shows us not only an example of good living—we have an example of how Jesus Christ works through us and we see His glory. I venture to say with a fair amount of confidence that Nicholas didn’t want to be known for his good deeds, rather, he wanted others to given thanks to God for everything.

Let your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 CEV

Drawing closer to Christmas, let us reflect now upon who God gave us, a child who would be king. Not just any king though, this king would go on to give all of us the most wonderful present—that is, to be free of the burden of all that is sorry in this world—the sorry within ourselves, the sorry of mean and spiteful deeds, and the sorry of all injustice.  He gave and still gives us the opportunity to say that we are sorry once-and-for-all of our mistakes, our sins, and offers us a brand new life as a brand new person with a fresh start.   

The gift of Jesus … This is the greatest and bestest gift of all.

Giving from the heart with no expectation of return – how can we do that this Christmas? By doing the same. 

• Give to those who will not be able to return the gift, send a card to an elderly person or shut-in who can’t send one back.
• Be cheerful to the cashiers and store help and say a warm thank you even if they are crabby.
• Take a plate of cookies to a group home or office.
• Call up someone who is lonely and not really that much fun to talk to and be pleasant. Give a secret gift and never tell.
• There are more ideas, and you have them in your heart.
• Give a gift because it is needed, even if it means that you will be giving part of yourself.

This is Christ-like giving.
It’s not how much money or how elaborate, or what you receive in return.
This is Christmas giving with Christ right at the very front of the word.

When you say Merry Christmas, do it with a joyful heart. Say a prayer from your for the person. Send cards with a Christmas message. Promise yourself that everything done with the word Christmas attached will be Christ-like and have Christ in the middle.

There is a church that I worked for as a musician quite awhile ago. Behind the altar on the wall is a large brass cross, and surrounding the cross is a manger. The manger leads to the cross, and the empty cross began in the manger.  It’s a package deal, and you don’t have a Christmas holiday without the cross.  As Jesus said, we are to be His lights in this world—and most of us will never have to give our lives as proof of what we believe.  Be a light this Christmas.  Be the light with how you live your life.

May your light shine before others as Christ lights your soul.
May the joyful celebration of Jesus birth be in your heart now and always.

        …. babamarusia

One of the most rewarding endeavors of my many college years was to persist in reading some of the great philosophers until the intention of their messages became clear.  What most people take for granted at a basic level, the perception of the world they see, philosphers take upon themselves to explain in minute detail.  A very good question is to ask why.  Why does it matter?  How does any of what these people think and write affect my daily life? 

On a conscious level, the meaning is not so visible, and thus the reason for the question.  Yet it does matter a lot, for the ideas and thinking processes that philosophers ponder over for lifetimes change the way we think in hidden, subtle ways.  That’s why we don’t notice it.  A very clear example of this is with the scientific need for empirical proof.  Today’s world for the most part takes nothing at face value without this type of proof–and in many cases this is rightly so.  After all, who would want a physician basing diagnosis and treatment upon vague symptoms when often a simple test can provide conclusive information?

There is the current notion coming from philosophy, pluralism, that has the guise of making the world a better and more harmonius, homogenous agreeable society.  The model, however, falls far from its intended mark and in reality actually causes more division and more anger.

Pluralism is based upon a concept of truth.  The concept says that no truth is absolute.  Truth that exists only is true for the social group who holds to the tenets that make their truth reality for themselves.  Herein lies a first issue among the truth brokers.  Let’s take for example Christians, who all say that the Bible is their guide and ultimate truth, for it is through the Living Word of God as found in Scripture, that is the Holy Bible, that God comes to us through the Holy Spirit. That is, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, speaks to us in a personal, intimate way.  Unfortunately for Christians, though the One Truth is proclaimed as the only truth, they cannot agree upon which Christians actual really know the truth.

So, here we have it.  One truth in the world of pluralism, that is One God as the Holy Trinity is the truth for all who name themselves Christians, but the truth exists–where and how?  Within the group who believes as all in the group believe.  WHO THEN are the Christians?  Here is a real sticky wicket.  There are many, many groups who call themselves by name, Christian, and multiple groups named Christian who believe that the group they are in holds the only true truth.  I ask again, WHO THEN are the Christians?  We could add another name to each group–if each group had an additional name to add, but that isn’t the case.

Continuing on religion-wise, should we take another group (looking at only the huge-member major groups) who call themselves by one name, we would again find the same problem.  Hindu, Muslim, Budhist, all have groups within their groups.  How far does the watering down supposed to go, before a group as a whole splinters so fine that the unit no longer exists?

A belief system of any sort requires a group to have at least one belief.  That one belief or multiple beliefs, howsoever far the group has thought the beliefs through, will at some delcaire “This is what I believe,” thus forming for the group their credo.  Certainly, the word Credo does have particular religious connotations, as the word has evolved over time, that being Christian credos, such as the Apostles and Nicene creeds.   Even so, just by stating, “I don’t believe,” or “I don’t believe in anything,” there has been the formation of a credo.

It is very safe to conclude that for there to be a group there must be a basic agreement of what is true.  This statement of what a particular belief system uses as an agreement for normalcy is the group’s credo.   The credo is what the group represents to others, their ultimate truth.

It is quite a circle of confusion, isn’t it, when a group has multiple sub-groups that declare their own truth?  How can that be, though?  If we agree to have groups with their own truth, and many groups with many truths, what are we to do with the truths that allow for no other to be agreeable as another truth?  What will be the acceptible truths, the unacceptible truths?  If a belief is a truth then can it be unacceptible?  Does truth by nature of its definition have to be acceptible?

If there are multiple truths, what happens in a court case when a person must promise to tell the truth?  Does the person need to add on a claim form stating which truth is true in their belief system?  If a truth is only true if it can be emperically proven, where then do all of the truths go that stem from perception, experience, and conclusion through the process of thought?  What of the truth of any religion without logic?  None can be proven by any defintion of empirical evidence.

Another example has to do with creation.  Though the process of evolution is used to differentiate between two groups of thought regarding the origin of life and its development, many who belief that all was created by God initially believe also in evolution–only with a different definition than the one used by evolutionists.  From this debate has come a new term, that of “intelligent design.”  This doesn’t contain the truth into two groups, however, since there is still more dissenting opinion that divides and splits the two groups.

Also regarding creation is the “how” of how it happened. With multiple true religions, each with its own creation story, are there then multiple creations?  Well, the answer is … of course not!  What of the god or gods that each religion believes is the creator?  Do we have multiple creations? hmm…. back to the same answer. 

Here is an example.  There was an item stolen in Osseo, Minnesota recently, and the police were called.  The truth is, there was a theft, for which under any law in the United States of America is a punishable act.  When the police came, however, they defined the theft act by adding another term to what the truth was that happened, that of “cultural differences,” and thus nothing has been done.   Where then does this stop?  How far do we go in adding definitions to truth, changing essentially laws that have been in place since the dawn of time (and certainly in the U.S.A.) regarding property, before it brings harm on many?  What then is the purpose of law?  Are our laws now follow the pluralistic definitions within truth also?  How does this benefit all who are affected?  It seems to me that it can’t. 

Another example is the proposition 8 voted upon in California.  The voters placed their ballots to continue to define marriage as between a man and a woman.  Yet, there are people who didn’t like it and don’t accept what the majority of voters voted in–who are now vocally and disruptively seeking to have their truth put into place.  Where does that leave truth?  Is it in the largest group who was agreeable, or in the smaller group who seem to get their point across in a stronger voice?

There are valid reasons for concluding that pluralism of truth doesn’t equate with a more respectful, tolerant society.  With everyone having their own unit with its own truth, there must be equal respect for all.  Yet, that isn’t the way it’s going, is it?  One group speaks their belief, another disagrees.  The first claims lack of respect and feel insulted.  The other group feels slighted for not being able to speak their truths without being defamed.  Where does it all end?  Why hasn’t this system where every group has the right to believe, live and speak as they wish created one big happy family of citizens?  Why are so many slighted, emotion dripping from their eyes, feeling secluded and not understood?

It’s time to look at the definition of “truth” or “true.”  Here is a fact, folks.  The “great thinkers” throughout the ages cannot even agree upon what it is–to the point of there being five major theories about how to define/describe what is true  CLICK HERE to read more about TRUTH at Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia.

Continuing on this pass that at present is seeming to go anywhere but forward, let us attempt to move on.  I suggest looking at truth from more of a sideways angle.  If the possibility exsists for concurrent truth, why then is there such disagreement over what is true–what is acceptible as truth?

As an example, I will use the eBay discussion board conversation that went on for several day.  A thread was opened up to put forth “principle wiccan beliefs.”  The intended purpose was to clear up misconceptions, as the the original poster (OP) indicated are common.  In our pluralistic society, the unspoken rule is to accept all truths as agreeable, or the disagreeable person will be subject to the denunciation of the opinion presented.

At the same time, though, to be accepting is also the underlying premise of agreement.  It cannot be helped–with any form of discussion there is agreement, neutrality or disagreement. 

Taking a different position, for lack of a better representation, SIDE B  offers a response to the wiccan beliefs from the Christian point of view.  Following the Christian’s presentation an outcry rises up–and it is the normal of circumstances–not only between Christian and non-Christian, but anywhere opinion is voiced that disagrees with someone else’s truth.  The reason for using this particular discussion is because I was a participant.  The opposition viewpoint (mine) was for the most part denounced quite thoroughly.

Herein is the first problem.  Either all truths held by each individual group are allowable, or none are allowable.  Why?  Because, for pluralism to be viable it is the way it must be or the model of a plural society doesn’t work.  If one group decides that how their views differ from someone else’s beliefs, that should be quite alright. Surely, a person should be able to put forth viewpoints that differ without being called judgemental, not respectful or closed minded.

Why?  Because all truth has been made acceptible–not some, but all.  When denying the right to speak, the denier has chosen a superior role.  When one truth is acceptible and another is not, the group has been denied.  When no truth or the group defining that truth is denied, the whole notion of plural truths is negated.

Yet, it cannot be.  When, such as the city of Osseo ignores the law, they have set themselves up as (a) lawbreakers and (b) deniers of a group or party’s validity to exist.  When one group denounces another’s truth they become that which they have denied exists, which is that a truth is either a single entity only, or that there is superior truth.  To not discuss differences in truth is a silent acknowledgment that the truth a group has taken as their own is not defensable, and therefore not a truth.

Where does respect for the truth end?  How far is this notion of multiple truths supposed to extend?  Are we to accept the ideology of street gangs as their truth and acknowledge their right to live as they see fit?  Are we to extend the notion of cultural differences to the point of breaking the law?  If one law is to be broken and it is okay, then how many laws are breakable?  Should we accept terrorism because it is part of a groups culture?  Should we accept forms of abuse of diverse groups who might accept their behavior as the norm? 

The question is this: Where does it end? When does acceptance turn into compromise of a moral, ethical society that coexists at least on a most basic level harmoniously?  Without a doubt, I believe that compromise has demonstrated itself to not be the viable answer and humanly impossible.  From a societal point of view, it is impossible without ramifications  that will damage and endanger society as a whole.

A very good example of this was this year’s presidential election.  All agree that never before has there been such polarity in our country, never have such extreme opinions come to the fore and produced physical violence over who would be president.  This model of behavior exhibited here in our United States of America is what the philosophic blanket of pluralism has produced, and the election is no isolated occurrance, it is ongoing and happening across the board.

There is one more element that is very important.  It is that there is a difference between the acceptance of one truth as the only truth by a group or society as a whole, and being able to converse, live and interact with all or some who enter our lives.  That this difference is not recognized is one of the three reasons why Christians are constantly bombarded with insults and hatred–and why the premise for pluralism is flawed.  It may even be what will be the downfall of the United States of America.

America, built on the concept of many freedoms for all had turned its back upon the one truth necessary to make it work.  That truth is One Nation Under (One) God.  We are the country that accepts many cultures, accepts the right to worship as one sees fit for all, the right to live a life in freedom within our laws–these rights are not the same as pluralism.  The unified whole under the one supreme truth with the same rights for all from many cultures has become skewed.  It is to the point of a speeding train going down a dark tunnel with no light on the other side unless we change.  We are now so focused on group and individual rights that there is no place for God anymore.  It has allowed for greed that is destroying us financially, and rights that are killing us physically and emotionally.  God help us before it is too late.

********************************************

There certainly are many in today’s society who believe that multiple truths are not only feasible but completely doable.  What this does from a religious standpoint, however, is make for many gods who created the same universe, life, and world.  It makes for the possibility of believing our world came to be by chance, or essentially from nothing–yet, something can’t come from nothing.  It allows not only for multiple theologies with differing essential beliefs, but for the enactment of those beliefs whatever the consequences may be to society as a whole.

The Christian God, as the First Commandment tells us, is the one and only God, creator and maker of all that is seen and unseen.  He is a jealous God, allowing for no other Gods–whether universally spatial or an object or a thing.  The Christian must answer as Peter did when asked, “Who do you say I am?”  If the answer is anything but “Thou art Christ, the son of the Living God,” then the person has a problem.

It is not always easy, folks, but it is way it is.  To acknowledge or acquiesce to another way of thinking is to deny God.  To do any less than love all, including those who don’t believe, by praying and caring for them when sick, poor, or in need of basic life necessities, is also to deny God, as Jesus said… “To have done to the least of these, you have done it unto me.”

It may seem harsh, but believe me when I tell you this: that by acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life is in no way forcing your beliefs upon anyone.  Just by someone stating that you can’t force your beliefs is the person telling you that you are not doing it.  Second, each person must come before the Father, ask forgiveness of their sins and accept the invitation to life with a future.

It would be really nice to say that all groups with their only set of truths are okay, opening the door to universal salvation–that is, everyone being saved.  That, however, is not what the Bible states.  It says that the invitation is open to all, but that are those who have and will deny God.  God is faithful to His promises, and he is for justice.

The harshness that seems to be is just that–an appearance of what is not real or true.  The reality of God is a world of beauty in all circumstances, richness in all that is before us through the fact that its very existence glorifies the One who created all.  It is the hope of a future filled with brilliant light and harmonious peace that we cannot even imagine possible.

There is no reason to limit ourselves to a world with multiple truths where everyone and anything goes.  God is limitless.  There is a past with no beginning and a future with no end.  I invite you to come out of the here-and-now world and enter the world of truth–that there is One Father, One Son, and One Holy Spirit–forever!

Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus.
    ….babamarusia

Christian publishers are no different than other publishers, their business is producing books that they believe will interest a target audience, with the goal to either (a) cover costs, or (a & b) cover costs and make a profit.  As a bookseller, others may think that I read a LOT of books, but it is the opposite.  I am so busy putting books for sale that I must MAKE TIME to read.

What do I find is a good book?  How do I know it will be, or is a good book?
Some books published are just so awesomely powerful that as soon as they are released to the public they become instant bestsellers and stay that way for years into the future.  Books might be popular by nature of relation to other bestsellers written by the same author, and if not of the same quality sales soon dwindle.  There are books that could be called “sleepers” because they don’t receive recognition immediately, and then there are books that reach only a certain “niche” audience for the most part due to content or type of writing.

Certain books I have in stock though they need to wait for the right buyer.  These I keep in stock because it’s just a good thing to do–books on grief, abuse, and other self-help topics.  One book of which I had purchased many copies sat on the shelf for a good healthy year–then, they all sold at once and mostly in one state.  A storybook about getting children to talk about bad things that have happened to them, they just about all went to schools, perhaps a curriculum directive.

From a Christian perspective, I wonder how many books on certain Christian topics would sell if Christians actually did what they are supposed to be doing–which is reading and meditating upon the Living Word of God in the Holy Bible.  If I may suggest, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, there are a lot of answers to questions right in the Bible.

There IS, all of this being said, great blessing that can come from reading a good book.  It might be fiction that entertains and relaxes, or maybe has an underlying truth within.  It might be a book about a book in the Bible, or a how-to, whodunnit, or get-into book, that will get those juices in the brain flowing with thought.  This is where I am this evening.

Today I read On Living Simply: The Golden Voice of John Chrysostom, A Book of Ancient Christian Wisdom compiled by Robert van de Weyer, published by Ligouri/Triumph, 1996.  It’s a pretty little book, and the pages all have lots of space that is empty–and at that, it is full of wisdom and thought that is as useful and functional today as it was in the 4th century.  Beginning with a brief biography of John the “golden-mouthed,” name for his eloquence and the outspoken truths in his sermons, John was eventually forced to leave the city where he lived because the rulers and the rich didn’t care for what he was saying.  There are 84 writings–very easy to read in one sitting, and also marvelous read one each day for 84 days.  However it is done, it’s a good read.

Now for today.  After reading this book, I understand better the nature of being a steward of all that belongs to God–which is…. EVERYthing. 

Why should I take care of my home and yard, my possessions?  I should take care of them as a steward, keeping all in good order for the next steward to come.

Is it possible to be humble and meek, and be wrong?  Most definitely so, and here is how.  As John Chrysostom points out, humility and meekness can become an idol, a worship of attitude instead of a reflection of the Christian’s nature in relationship to God.  When humility and meekness, and other forms of visible display–such as living frugally, relying on other for transportation and the like create a situation where someone else is put out in an yway–cause others to inconvenience themselves in an unnecessary manner, then the humble person has elevated him- or herself to a position above others.

Why did I speak out in response to a list of principal wiccan beliefs?  The book doesn’t answer this question.  I really don’t know my initial motive.  After reading this little book, however, I understand now the need to do it.  Wiccans, witches and their magick need to be exposed for what they are really all about, because they promote it as a harmless religion and lifestyle –and it is far from that.  It is a worship of self and nature through the eyes of oneself, not as a reflection of God and goes nowhere.

Christians need to use discernment and caution, taking care that love and witness doesn’t turn to compromise.  We need to teach our youth and young adults what it is about, and pray diligently that they don’t get caught in its web.  My pastor had a very good point, and that is to leave witches alone, and I agree 100% that he is correct.  Thus the conclusion of this is that I feel it was relevant to write what  I did on the eBay discussion board.   Parents: Do you really know what your children are reading?  Take a look at New York Times Bestseller Children Chapter Books.  There are a lot of books with psychic subjects, evil, and the like on the list.  This is not about censorship, it’s about knowing and either discussing with your children what they read, or having a say in what they read.

A lot of topics are covered by John Chrysostom, taken and written in current English usage by the author.  There are strong words spoken out of love, that come across as loving rather than harsh.  Whether this is the nature of John’s message or the creativeness of Mr. Van de Weyer’s writing, I don’t know.  The author worked from pieces and fragments as you might expect he would, given the age of the original manuscripts.
I encourage you to read this book that I now recommend to you.
…. babamarusia

The Holy Bible > The New Testament > The Book of Matthew > Chapter 16

“Who do you say that I am?” is what Jesus asked His disciples.   And they replied.

Some say you are John the Baptist.  Others say you are Elijah, and still others say you are Jeremiah or one of the prophets. (NCV)

Again, Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?”  Peter answered.

You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. (NCV)

This answer given by Peter, given to Peter by God as Jesus stated, were the most important words of his whole life.  Peter declared Jesus to be the Son of God, the Christ, the Savior for whom the world had been waiting.  With those words, Peter commited himself to Jesus forever. 

It was his declaration of independence, so to speak, from the world, and his declaration of dependence to live forever within the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Now in 2008 we find ourselves living in what is called the postmodern world.  It’s a world where anything and everyone is to be tolerated, upheld as correct as true.  Every group is allowed to carry it’s own “truth.”  What is right for me is okay, and what is right for you is okay too.  It is called pluralism, and it has diluted our faith.

Who do  you say that I AM?  Jesus is asking you right this very minute, and your answer is as important as the one Peter gave.  

We have moaned, and we have groaned about what is happening in our world, but God is not.  He is saying to His children that the time for your answer is right now, and he is demanding it at a time in our world when there are a whole lot of people who won’t like your answer.   From now on, when you are asked a question about what you believe, when you are offering your view in a converstation, use language that what you declare as your faith makes it the one faith with One God, One Savior, One Lord.

Time is running out.  Jesus is asking, demanding you to make a commitment that allows for no turning back. 

Who do YOU say that I am? 

Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.  (KJV)

Time IS running out.  Jesus speaks to each one of His children through His Living Word, the Inspired Text of the Holy Bible.  For several weeks now, since I have been studying the book of Matthew as part of my preparations for the Bible study of which I have been a part, every morning I wake up right about 3 a.m., and today it was even earlier.

It occured to me as soon as I awoke that God is using the pluralism of today’s society to send a message to His Church.  That message is this:  You must declare your faith.  It is time for you to say who you believe I am.  What came on the heels of this message was the answer to why I have been waking at 3 a.m., and this is the answer: 

Wake up! …. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. (Revelation 2 KJV)

Jesus is warning us, His children, His world.  He is coming, and His coming will be like a thief in the night when we least expect it.

The time is right now.  Do not tary, do not delay  Declare where you stand before it is too late.  When Jesus will return–no one knows.  Do you want to be caught sleeping without having stood your ground for Him?  Are you willing to play the roulette game of taking your time?  Or, is your faith only lip service with no true belief at all?

This is the message I have been given.  The Lord has declared:  Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus.

     …. babamarusia