Live Free

The apostle Peter wrote,

"Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God." 1 Peter 2:16.

With all the freedoms we here in North America enjoy it is easy to use those freedoms to cover up evil.

Here we have laws that guarantee our freedom of speech. Thus we can within reason say anything we want. That being said, there are men and women particularly in the political and religious communities that say things that are wrong or blatant lies. Then threaten those who try to correct them with libel. Saying it’s their right to free speech that allows them to say what they did.

At the same time there are those who would use the freedom they have to take away the rights of others. This is especially I find used by those calling themselves Christians. Who would seek to restrict the freedoms of people who’s lifestyle they disagree with.

As Christians we have do not have the right to restrict the rights of those we disagree with. Jesus said,

"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20.

It is our job as believers in Christ Jesus to go out in love and reach people for Christ. If we are trying to restrict others rights we will never win them for Christ.

Jesus said,

"So in everything, 

do to others what you would have them do to you, 

for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." 

                                                                  Matthew 7:12.

You dear reader would not like your rights and freedoms restricted. But by trying to restrict the rights and freedoms of others you are giving them the right to try and restrict you rights.

The late American Evangelist Billy Graham wisely said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                             Billy Graham

Please think about it.

Freedom began

  Freedom began

 The writer of Genesis states,

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." 

                                                                                            Genesis 1:1.

  The Bible dose not debate the existence of God. It simply says "in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" and leaves it there.

   Abba Hillel Silver wrote,

 "Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority." Abba Hillel Silver.

As I look at individuals around the world be they from primitive tribes to the most advanced society on earth, each person seems to instinctively know what is right and wrong. I cannot believe this is because of evolution, or a group of stone age men sitting around a rock and deciding what should be right and wrong.

Knowing right and wrong seems to be in our very DNA. I believe put there by God Himself.

In order to have true freedom we need to acknowledge there is a God and that God has given us freedom to do as we wish. That includes the right to do what is right or wrong according to Gods law.

Even Adam and Eve had complete freedom. They had the right to choose to obey God with respect to not eating of the tree of “the knowledge of good and evil”(Genesis 2:16). They chose to eat of it and suffered the consequences for doing so.

The same is true of people today. We have the choice to follow the basic rules God has set down for mankind or ignore them. Leaving us to accept the consequences of our actions. 

Thus my question for you the reader are you following Gods most basic of rules as listed in Exodus 20:2-17. Paraphrased here,

1/You shall have no other gods before Me.

2/You shall make no idols.

3/You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

4/Keep the Sabbath day holy.

5/Honour your father and your mother.

6/You shall not murder.

7/You shall not commit adultery.

8/You shall not steal.

9/You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

10/You shall not covet.

Please think about it.

The Bulwark

The Bulwark
The Psalmist writes,

"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

Worship the LORD with gladness; 

come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the LORD is God. 

It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, 

the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;

 give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations." 

                                                                                Psalm 100

The Bible is written to believers. It therefor does not debate the existence of God. Believers know that God exists. Believers also recognize that there is a need for God within our society.
Abba Hillel Silver at the height of world war two wrote,
"Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.
Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority." Abba Hillel Silver.
History has shown us that when people turn from the basic principles God has laid down for mankind society suffers. We only have to look at world war two to see this. Hitler and his henchmen had no fear of God. They turned away from God and lived by their own rules. The result was world war two, the worst conflict in human history with upwards of 60,000,000 men, women, and children killed senselessly.
The same thing is happening today. There are nations around the world that do not recognize God or His moral code. They say that say they are free yet persecute, imprison or murder, not only Christians but anyone that disagrees with them. There are many terrorist groups around the world that are murdering people. Some even having the audacity to say they are doing it in the name of God.
That being said on the streets of the cities of western democracies there are men and women murdering others daily. Men and women who do recognize God or the moral code He has laid down.
The murdering aside. There are many more things happening that are against God’s laws.
The apostle Paul wrote,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—”2 Timothy 3:1-4.
This is happening today and society is the worse for it.
As a believer in Christ Jesus I believe it is the obligation of every Christian to present the gospel message of unconditional love to all people. For I believe it is this message and this message alone that can change people for the better.
Please think about it.

Do not Judge

Do not Judge
Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
If you claim to be a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus you must obey what he said here. We as Christians have no right to judge. Especially those outside the church.
The American evangelist Billy Graham said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                       Billy Graham

Baruch Sinoza wrote,
“It is imperative that freedom of judgment should be granted, so that men may live together in harmony, however diverse, or even openly contradictory their opinions maybe.  In proportion as the power of free judgment is withheld, we depart from the natural condition of mankind." Baruch Spinoza.
God has given everyone complete freedom to do as they wish. As Christians we may not agree with what others my do but we have no right to judge them. I’m sure Paul and the other Apostles did not agree with what they seen around the Roman world of their day. Yet they never spoke against it. They never judged anyone outside their faith.
The apostle Paul said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. 
Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13
The apostle Paul also told believers,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”Romans 12:18.
Jesus, and the Apostles knew that the only way to reach a person for Christ is to live at peace with them.
If we as Christians judge anyone then we run the risk of pushing them away, potentially into a Christless eternity.
Please think about it.

The Strongest Bulwark

The strongest Bulwark
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.” Abba Hillel Silver.
When God is forgotten by society, society runs the risk of falling apart. While God in creating man gave him complete freedom to do as he wished. He, I believe placed in mans heart rules to live by. Devine rules that allow a free society to function well. Those divine rules in a nutshell being the ten commandments.
When man disobeys those rules and refuses to believe in God, or fear God, society can fall apart. We only have to look at Nazi Germany in the 1930's and during world war two to see this in its extreme.
Hitler and his supporters did not fear God. Instead they lived by their own rules that led to the death of millions of men women and children in the death camps. In a world war that claimed in excess of fifty-six million people, soldiers and civilians.
The same is true on a smaller scale around the world today with respect to terrorist groups. Most do not fear God. Some even have the twisted belief they are doing God’s work.
Throughout our society we see murderers, rapist, thieves and others who commit crimes who do not give God a second thought.
Whether mankind wants to admit it or not. Mankind needs God and the basic set of rules for living life to it’s fullest. Mankind needs to acknowledge that the writer of Ecclesiastes is right when he said,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Please think about it.

A Bulwark for a Free Society

A Bulwark for a free society
The Psalmist writes,

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked 

or stand in the way of sinners 

or sit in the seat of mockers. 

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

 and on his law he meditates day and night.” 

                                                          Psalm 1:1,2.

Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.” Abba Hillel Silver.
Rabbi Silver is correct. Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
When man loses his fear of God or refuses to believe God exists society can go down hill. A quick look at Nazi Germany proves this. Hitler and his henchmen had no fear of God’s judgment. This led to a war that killed in excess of fifty-eight million innocent people men, women and children, soldiers and civilians.
Man needs God and the moral compass He provides. That compass in it’s simplest form is the ten commandments found in Exodus 20:2-17 that states,
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 
“You shall have no other gods before me. 
“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.  
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,  but showing love to a thousand  generations  of those who love me and keep my commandments. 
“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.  
Six days you shall labor and do all your work,  but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.  
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 
“Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 
“You shall not murder. 
“You shall not commit adultery. 
“You shall not steal. 
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” 
Exodus 20:2-17
These commandments lay down the basics for a civil society. It makes clear how God expects individuals to act with respect to God and to other individuals.
Please think about it.

Thoughts from Ecclesiastes

Thoughts from Ecclesiastes
The writer of Ecclesiastes makes several important statements. He writes,

“What has been will be again, 

what has been done will be done again; 

there is nothing new under the sun”

                                           Ecclesiastes 1:9

“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; 

all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”

                                                            Ecclesiastes 1:14

“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; 

I refused my heart no pleasure.

 My heart took delight in all my work, 

and this was the reward for all my labor. 

Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done 

and what I had toiled to achieve, 

everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; 

nothing was gained under the sun.” 

                                                           Ecclesiastes 2:10,11

The writer here notes the futility of life. Life being an endless cycle of gathering and scattering. No matter how many material possessions we acquire in our lifetime at the moment of our death those possessions are scattered among others.
We enter eternity pennyless. We only take into eternity the knowledge of our deeds and our faith, or lack of faith in God.
It is our faith, or lack there of that will determine where we will spend eternity. The writer of Hebrews telling us,

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

                                                                      Hebrews 11:6.

Jesus speaking of himself put it this way,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18.
I firmly believe when God created mankind he gave each individual complete freedom to do as they wish. That freedom includes the right to believe in God or not to believe in Him.
Thus the choice is yours.
Please think about it.

Faith in God

Faith in God
The writer of Hebrews states,

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him

 must believe that he exists 

and 

that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

                                                              Hebrews 11:6.

Do you believe in God? Is God central in your life?
Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver wrote
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.” Abba Hillel Silver.
When I look at the world around me. I see a natural world that is perfect. A world designed by God so that we can exist. A world that by simply looking at it we can see the hand of God.
As I look at mankind I see the same thing. Individuals know instinctively what is right and wrong. It seems to be ingrained into our DNA. Something that can to my mind only be there by design.
One only has to look at the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17) to see God’s hand.
It is a moral code unmatched by anything man has come up with.
The first five commandments tells us how to relate to God. The last five how to relate to our fellow man.
These commandments are the basis for a free and orderly society. Take away any of them and society suffers.
Take God out of society and society suffers. We only have to look at Nazi Germany and any other atheistic government that has ever ruled to see this.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
It is my belief we as both individuals and as a society need to draw near to God. For if we do not, and turn away from God instead, society as we know it will ultimately suffer.
Please think about it.

Judged by the Law

Judged by the Law
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13.
If you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus do you act as one “who (is) going to be judged by the law that gives freedom”.
Remember James here is writing specifically to believers in Christ. His call is to make sure believers are living the life Jesus would want them to live.
Jesus made several statements that all who believe in Him must do. Jesus when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment. 
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Prior to him saying that Matthew quotes Jesus as saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,...” Matthew 4:43,44.
In telling us to love God, our neighbours, and our enemies. Jesus is telling us to love all people unconditionally. Jesus summed this up in one sentence, saying,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
Put this way Matthew 7:12 means,

If you are

demonstrating against anyone. 

You are telling them 

they can demonstrate against you.

If you are 

speaking out and trying to restrict the rights of others 

given to them by the lawfully elected government.

You are telling others 

they can try to restrict your rights.

If you are 

imposing your morals however good they may be on others.

You are telling them 

they can impose their morals on you, 

even if they are not as good as yours.

If you are 

trying to impose your faith on others rather than presenting your faith.

You are telling others 

they can impose their faith on you.

If you are

judging others.

You are telling others 

they can judge you in the same way.

If you 

are telling the world you are a Christian

You should be telling the world 

I love you as Jesus loves you,...

unconditionally. 

To quote the warning of James to Christians once more,

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  

because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13.

Please think about it.

A Need for God

A Need for God
The Psalmist writes,

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; 

all who follow his precepts have good understanding.

 To him belongs eternal praise.” 

                                             Psalm 111: 10

Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.” Abba Hillel Silver
The Psalmist states,
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1.
Someone once told me after quoting Psalm 14:1. “When enough fools get together society suffers.”
As I look throughout history I see when a society turns away from God bad things can happen. Nazi Germany is the prime example. In Nazi Germany men turned away from God’s truths and imposed their own misguided beliefs. The result Millions suffered and died.
As Rabbi Silver put it
“Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...” Abba Hillel Silver.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states.
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Society and individuals need to know there is a God who will one day hold them accountable for all of their deeds good and evil.
For as Nazi Germany shows us dramatically, when individuals and society do not fear God and his judgment many suffer.
Please think about it.

Freedom of Judgement

Freedom of judgement
“It is imperative that freedom of judgment should be granted, so that men may live together in harmony, however diverse, or even openly contradictory their opinions maybe.  In proportion as the power of free judgment is withheld, we depart from the natural condition of mankind.” Baruch Spinoza.
I as a Christian believe God has instilled in each and every person a freewill to do as they wish. That freedom even extends to whether the individual believes in God or not.
God did not make robots. God crated human beings with a free will. God allowed man freedom to judge for themselves what they believe and what they do not.
I believe that no matter who you are Christian, Muslim, Jew, or those of other faiths, even Atheist must have the right to choose what they believe. Free from the judgement of others.
I believe the words of Jesus,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Matthew 7:1.
We do not know what is in the heart of another person. We do not know why a person does what they do. Or why they are the way they are. Thus we have no right to impose our morals or lifestyle on them.
In fact the apostle Paul warns Christians,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?” 1 Corinthians 5:12.
Christians are called to present their faith to others not try to impose it on them.
As a Christian I believe the words of the writer of Hebrews who said,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.
Still however ultimately you the individual must Judge for yourself who Jesus is. Upon it I believe rests your eternal destiny.
Please think about it. 

A Need For

A Need For
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.” Abba Hillel Silver.
Man needs God’s moral absolutes in order for society to function correctly. A society without moral absolutes cannot function correctly. A society without moral absolutes is a society without freedom.
That is one of the many reasons I believe in God. I think it’s lunacy to think all men developed the same moral code at the same time globally. Yet people all over the world have common morals.
Irrespective of where a person grows up it is never right to kill, steel, commit adultery and such. These are moral absolutes that all men recognize.
These are absolutes I believe God wrote on the hearts of men from the beginning of time.
The ten commandments say it all. Half tell men how to interact with God. While half tell how man must act with his fellow man. No atheist group has ever come up with a better moral code than is written in the ten commandments.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Each person in this world must I believe decide for themselves if God is real or not. The way I see it deciding whether God is real or not is the most important decision one can make.
Thus I suggest to anyone who is searching for answers about God to first at least read the New Testament if not the whole Bible.
Take time and even ask God in prayer to show you that He is indeed real.
Please think about it.

Lesson from a Blacksmith

Lesson from a Blacksmith

“Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door,

And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;

Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor

Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.

“How many anvils have you had,” said I,

“To wear and bater all these hammers so?”

“Just one,” said he, and then, with twinkling eye,

The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.”

And so, thought I, the anvil of God’s Word,

For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;

Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,

The anvil is unharmed - and hammers gone.”

                                                                                     Anonymous

It seems more and more we hear people in the media telling us there is no God. I say telling because they never seem to want to listen to those of us who believe in God. They have their mind made up and no amount of speaking to them will change it. Some go as far as ridiculing Christians and others of faith for their beliefs.
I believe it is the right of those who do not believe in God to have their opinion. It is a God given right. In creating mankind, God gave each person complete freedom to do as they wish. That includes the right not to believe in God.
Over the centuries people have spoken out about the church. Many have predicted its demise. Some have called out “God is Dead” others “God never was”.
Dictators and others around the world have persecuted the church. Imprisoning and killing its members, yet the church still continues preaching God’s word.
God’s word continues on because it is the truth. A truth God wants the world know.
Isaiah the prophet states,

“A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” 

“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” 

Isaiah 40:6-8.

The word of God is true. What is written in the Bible is true and truth will never be extinguished by anyone.
All who have ever tried have passed on as footnotes in history. While the word of God still goes out to the world stronger than ever.
Please think about it.

Christians and Rights

Christians and Rights
“To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.”
Nelson Mandela.
Here is something Christians need to think seriously about. What Nelson Mandela said is true. Christians should know this as we are according to numerous sources the most persecuted group in the world.
 Yet those “claiming” to be Christians in North America with all it’s freedoms seek to deny the rights of others they disagree with, in the free and democratic society in which we live.
Those “claiming” to be Christians in North America need to get out of their heads that the United States and Canada are Christian nations. They are not. They may have been founded on some Christian and Jewish principles but our society is not a Christian one as a whole.
Even if they are Christian nations, God has given individual complete freedom to do and think as they wish. That freedom even extends to not believing in God. Such is the meaning of true freedom.
We here in North America as with all other western democracies, are secular democracies who’s leaders do their best to accommodate every law abiding group of people.
It is not the Christians job to judge those outside our faith or impose our beliefs on them. The apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
As Christians we are to present the good news of Jesus to the world around us not judge them. Tony Campolo wrote,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”Tony Campolo.
That’s what every Christian should do.
The writer of Hebrews said,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
Judging and protesting against those we disagree with, especially if they are not hurting anyone is wrong. It is not living a holy life.
As I said, God gave man a freewill. That freewill allows every individual the right to live life as they see fit even if it is contrary to the way God would have them live. Christians must honour that freedom.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.”Titus 3:1,2.
This is how a Christian is to live.
Sadly however not everyone who claims to be a Christian is truly a Christian. Jesus noting,
“Many will say to me  on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:22,23
Please think about it.

Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

Life liberty and the pursuit of happiness
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.
                                                                                                                                Abba Hillel Silver.
The framers of the United States Declaration of Independence recognized what Abba Hillel Silver wrote. They wrote,
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Words from the United States Declaration of Independence.
Freedom perhaps is mankind’s most sought after ideal. But freedom is much more than to be free to do as you wish. Freedom is more than freedom from government oppression.
Freedom is the ability to let others do what they wish no matter how much you disagree with them. Provided that is they are not harming anyone or any thing. As it has been said,
 “your freedom stops short of your fist hitting my face.”
When God created man, He gave man complete freedom to do as he wished. That freedom included the right to believe in Him or not.
That freedom included the right to live life they way the individual whished. Even if it is a life not pleasing to God.
Sadly many Zealots, be they Christian, Atheist, those of other faiths or Terrorist, are blind either deliberately or without realizing it to what true freedom means. They want things their way.
You cannot impose freedom on anyone. Like I said true freedom is allowing people to do as they wish providing they do not cause harm to anyone or any thing.
We as people living in a free democracy need to realize that fact, and be willing to stand up for the rights of even those with whom we vehemently disagree.
Rabbi Benjamin Blech wrote,
“In the aftermath of Nazi Germany we must once and for all understand that culture and crematoria are not mutually exclusive.  Scientific progress does not ensure moral protection, nor can secular humanism produce saints.  People will always find reasons to justify any kind of behaviour.
-Rabbi Benjamin Blech, congregational rabbi and ancient professor of Talmud, Understanding Judaism.  The Basics of Deed and Creed (1991).
Martin Niemoller wrote,
“When they came for the Communists, I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist. When they came for the Jews, I did not stand up, because I was not Jewish. When they came for the Catholics, I did not stand up, because I was not a Catholic. When they came for me, there was no one left to stand up.”
                 Martin Niemoller
Niemoller knew what he was talking about. He seen first hand what happened in Nazi Germany.
For me the best way to ensure freedom is to practice what Jesus taught. To love God, our neighbour and even our enemy.
To do follow the words Jesus said when he said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets”
Matthew 7:12.
Please think about it.

God, Time, Freedom, Man, Events

God, Time, Freedom, Man, Events

“God created time and gave man complete freedom,

to make the events.”

                                                                            Author Unknown.
I make no apologies I am a Christian. I believe God created the universe and everything in it. I believe God gave man complete freedom to do and believe as he wishes. That includes the freedom not to believe in him.
I believe God gives each and every person a lifetime to decide whether they will accept Him into their lives.
I believe that we as individuals through interaction with other individuals and our environment decide our own fate. No one can decide for us.
I believe that God in the form of His Son Jesus Christ reached down to us and offers us life eternal with him if we would just have faith in him.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
                                                                                                                              Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.’
                                                                                                        Hebrews 11:6.
The apostle Paul writing to the Athenians said,
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”  
                                        Acts 17:24-27.
I know there are many who says there is no God. There are others saying if God is real then why doesn’t he show himself to us?
The answer to the second question is simple God has in the form of His one and only Son Jesus.
God however wants more. He I’m sure realizes it easy to have faith in something you can see. To believe in something you can touch. It takes a great deal more trust to believe in something you cannot see. Thus the need for faith.
Not necessarily blind faith. God shows himself in various ways. Through the world around us. Through the words of the Prophets in the Bible and of course through Jesus.
Jesus in a nutshell gives man the choice he must make saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. 
                                                                                                                               John 3:16-18.
Thus the choice is yours dear reader. Believe Jesus is all He said He is or not. No one can decide for you. Your fate and eternal resting place is in your hands.
If what the Bible says is not true then you have nothing to fear. If however it is true then you have at the very least something to seriously think about.
Please think about it.

God People freedom and Democracy

God, people, freedom  and democracy.
The Talmud states,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
                                                                                                             The Talmud.
A good democracy depends on not only the government treating all its people with respect, dignity and honesty, but on all people within that democracy doing the same.
Germany in the 1920's, 30's and early 40's showed how a cultured people living in a democracy can go astray in a big way.
Germany for a myriad of reasons lost hope and turned to a man who offered them hope. Sadly that man was Adolf Hitler.
Hitler and the Nazi party came to power, destroyed German democracy, brought death and suffering on people both inside and outside German society and no one stood up to him.
Even the other democracies of the world, some if not all of whom were responsible for placing Germany in that situation, refused to intervene until it was too late and world war two was inevitable.   Martin Niemoller a German cleric and anti Nazi wrote,

“When they came for the Communists, 

I did not stand up, 

because I was not a Communist. 

When they came for the Jews,

 I did not stand up, because I was not Jewish. 

When they came for the Catholics, 

I did not stand up, because I was not a Catholic. 

When they came for me,

 there was no one left to stand up.”

                                                                                         Martin Niemoller
 I am a Christian and I firmly believe that Christians and others of faith and even those individuals without faith, are responsible before God to stand up for injustice wherever it may be.
Tony Campolo the American Evangelist wrote,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo
Francis of Assisi said,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” 

                                                                                Francis of Assisi
Jesus said,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” 
                                   Matthew 25:34-40.
You may not be a Christian but I believe what I have said above is a universal truth.
No matter who people are it is a simple human right that they should have access to ample food, clothing, shelter and medical care.
I also believe the words written by the writer of Proverbs who said,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” 
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Please think about it.

On Rights

On rights

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
                                                                                                            Romans 12:18.
Over the past few years there have been several court cases in the United States that have caused scripture quotations to be removed from the walls of schools, public buildings and courtrooms.
To my knowledge these cases have been brought before the courts by Atheist groups not religious groups.
One Atheist I heard interviewed on the news said she was offended because it came from “the bible”.
Christians particularly in the United States do the same.
They demonstrate and use the court system to strike out against things they believe wrong.
I think people no matter who they are Atheist, Christian, or those of other faiths who are offended by some words on a wall are out of line.
Particularly when it comes to Christian saying on the walls of courthouses and other government institutions here in the west.
Those words were put there when Christianity was much more a part of our western heritage than today.
I would even go as far as saying some of the people at least, that voted to put the word on the wall were not even Christian. For them it was a cultural thing.
The words sounded nice and appropriate to the situation at the time.
Judeo-Christian thought has contributed much to western culture as a whole over the centuries. Today other religious and ethnic groups are starting to contribute to our culture. This in many ways makes it richer.
I personally find it disturbing that someone would want to remove any religious quote or symbol from any public place.  This to me shows a lack of tolerance. The “I HAVE MY RIGHTS” syndrome.
It’s like Christians wanting to restrict the rights of groups they object to.
An extreme example of removing “offensive symbols and words” is happening in Syria and  Afghanistan where the Taliban and Islamic state are destroying religious images and icons that had been around for centuries simply because it offends them.
I know it seems extreme to compare the actions of an Atheist and some Christians in North America who is using the courts to stand up “for their rights”to the Taliban and Islamic State, but whether done through the courts or violence it is being prejudicial.
I as a Christian see things daily in the media and where I travel that I disagree with but that is a fact of life in a free and democratic society.
I personally and I believe every true Christian would never demonstrate against the rights of others unless it restricted my rights as a Christian to worship and practice my faith.
Those who claim to be Christians and demonstrate against the rights of others are in my opinion not following the teachings of Christ. They should take a closer look at the life and teachings of Christ.
Jesus and his disciples lived in a multicultural society. The Roman empire. Yet Jesus never spoke against the secular Roman authority.
He a Jew, spoke against the teachings of other Jewish teachers of the law. Men who were not following God’s teachings. But never against those outside his faith.
I’m sure the framers of the Constitution of the United States never wished to restrict anyone’s right. The bill of rights was to ensure freedom for all. To promote tolerance.
Sadly over the years, and particularly in this century people have become it seems self centred. They regard their rights above all others. Rather than showing tolerance and understanding. And that goes for both Christians and Atheist alike.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
                                                                                                            Romans 12:18.
This is a truth everyone can appreciate.
Please think about it .  

Seeing God

Seeing God.

“He (God) shows much more of Himself to some people than to others-not because He has favourites, but because it is impossible for Him to show Himself to a man whose whole mind and character are in the wrong condition.”
                                            C.S. Lewis.
Over the years I’ve met many Atheist and frankly most are closed minded. Most simply dismiss God out of hand. They say you can believe in Him that’s your choice, but I’m not.
If you have already made up your mind about God all the words in the world will not change most peoples minds.
God is always their waiting patiently for the individual to seek Him out, to acknowledge Him. Yet so many people miss out on what to me is the most important thing in my life. They miss out because they fail to acknowledge there is a God who loves them.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.” 
                                                                                             C. S. Lewis.
The fact that the majority of people do believe there is an afterlife and God is to me evidence that God exists.
God gave man a freewill. This meant that he can believe what he wants. That still doesn’t change the fact that there is a God. That’s the definition of freewill, to believe what you want irrespective of the facts.
Each person must decide for themselves if there is a God.
Not only that but from a Christian perspective the individual must decide in his or her own mind just who Jesus is.
Jesus made it clear we have two clear cut choices when he said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. 
                                                                                                                                    John 3:16-18.
The choice is yours. To quote C. S. Lewis one more time,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
                                                      C. S. Lewis.
Please think about it

The Universe, God and You

The Universe, God & you

“The grandeur of the Universe is always commensurate with the grandeur of the soul that surveys it.”
          Henrich Heine
The Bible says,
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 
                                                                              Genesis 1:1.
Job without the benefit of modern science said,
“He spreads out the northern  skies  over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing.” 
   Job 26:7
The Psalmist wrote,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 
                                                                                                  Psalm 19:1.
For me there is a God who created the universe and everything in it. He made it orderly and that order proves there is a God.
Mathematicians, physicist, astronomers, and scientist of all types realize there is an order. Mathematics proves the order. Using math science has been able to discover everything from planets orbiting distant stars, to the smallest subatomic particle.
I cannot believe this order simply happened randomly.
Additionally when we look at moral values of people around the world. The basic moral values of do not kill do not steal and so forth are common values. These values have existed for millennia in all societies world wide. This to, to me proves there is a God who placed in the hearts and minds of all men these moral values.
What to me however is more amazing is the God that created the universe actually came and entered His creation in the form of Jesus Christ.
The gospel of John recording,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” 
                                                                                         John 1:1-4, 12-14.
This I know is a remarkable statement. A belief held only by Christians. The God of creation, almighty, all powerful God, chose to enter the universe, the world that he created.
Its quite a statement but if not true it destroys the Christian faith because Christians believe that God took a small part of his infiniteness made it corporeal and entered the world. Not only that He did it to reconcile man to Himself.
In other words God reached down to the man. He reached down I believe to give each and every person a choice.
When God created man He had already gave man a freewill and for that will to be truly free it had to include the ability to believe there is a God or not to believe.
Choosing not to believe in God and falling short of what God would have for your life is what is referred to as sinning. And since we are as human beings far from prefect we all sin.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
                                                                                Romans 3:23,
That’s why Jesus came. He came to show each and every person how far He would go to reconcile man to himself.
If Jesus had not come we would have had to follow closely the laws laid down in the Old Testament. However Jesus came to be the Saviour of mankind.
Not only that but if Jesus had not entered this world we on the day we stand before God to be judged could I believe honestly say to God, “you don’t understand what it is to be human, because all you have ever known is absolute power.”
However since Jesus came to the world and lived life as an ordinary man. We cannot do that.
 Jesus understands fully what it is to be a man. He experienced the mundane things like the sun and rain against his skin, he attended at least one wedding that we know of. He experienced the love of family and friends, temptation, the fleeting glory of fame as a great teacher. At the same time he experienced the wrath of his enemies who tried him in what amounted to a kangaroo court and passed him on to the secular Roman authorities.
    Authorities who found no wrong in what he was doing, yet for political expediency had him brutally flogged and put to death on a cross.
This is the Jesus we all will one day stand before and be judged, because death did not hold Him. Jesus rose from the dead walked briefly on this earth again then ascended to be with God the Father. Where he will all one day stand before him as either Judge or Saviour.
Until that day we all have a choice to make. The gospel of John records the choice Jesus himself gave us when he said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. 
                                                                                                       John 3:16-18.
The choice dear reader is yours. C. S. Lewis said,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
                                                      C. S. Lewis
Please think about it.