Who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus?
C. S. Lewis speaking about God said,
“He 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.
There are many out there in the world who say “why doses God not show Himself to me. If he did I’d believe in Him.”
When anyone says that I quite often think they quiet often have already made up their minds. They don’t believe God exists.
When Jesus was crucified there were many who didn’t believe He was the Son of God. Even though He had performed miracles and wonders. Miracles and wonders that were well known around the area.
Luke’s gospel records this incident that happened at Christ’s crucifixion.
“The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” 
The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar  and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”  Luke 23:35-37.
Paul writing to the Corinthians explains
“Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,  but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”  1 Corinthians 1:22-24.
I firmly believe that it doesn’t matter how much proof a Christian offers regarding Jesus and God either from inside the Bible or from outside, people will not believe. They have simply made up their minds and nothing will change it.
In the parable of Lazarus and the rich man told by Jesus there is this point made.
“He (the rich man) answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:27-31.
Well some one did rise from the dead His name was Jesus and He speaking of himself 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.
Thus the decision is up to you. Jesus said to Martha,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,26
Do you believe in God? Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God the Saviour of mankind?
Please think about it.

The Cross

The Cross

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.  
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,  but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” 
                  1 Corinthians 1:18-25.
The cross, the death and resurrection of Jesus does not seem right to many in the world today. Many ask the question, Why would God come into the world? Why would He become a man? And especially why would He choose to die for the man he created? Couldn’t he just wave a hand and show His power to everyone?
It’s true God could show his power to everyone in a miraculous way but that would not necessarily create true followers.
God does not want to force people to follow Him. He asks people to do that voluntarily.
God wants true followers. That’s why he asks that we exercise our faith.
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 reminds us,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.”
                                                                   Ephesians 2:8,9. 
Our salvation and our eternity with God is determined by our faith in him not necessarily our intellectual knowledge.
It’s easy to say “I believe there is a God.” but not have faith in Him.
True followers believe in something even if they don’t necessarily have physical proof.
Scientist do this all the time. Look at Albert Einstein. He believed in his theories all his life. Yet it is only recently a hundred years after he proposed the theories that some of them are being proved.
So it is with faith in God. We may not see God but we can by deduction say there is a God. The psalmist states,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 
                                                                                                                         Psalm 19:1.
By looking around us from the smallest subatomic particle to the largest galaxy all are in order all are mathematically perfect allowing scientist to predict not only their presence but how they work.
This I believe is the hand of God the creator pointing man to himself. So no one can deny there is a God.
C. S. Lewis said,
“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God.”
                                                                                               C. S. Lewis.
Lewis also 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.
The choice is up to you.  The gospel of John records Jesus putting a question to Martha we all must answer in our life,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
John 11:25,26.
What do you believe?
Please think about it.

What if?

What if?
Jesus asked,
“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?  
  Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”  
                                                                   Mark 8:36,37.
My brother a none Christian, has a saying he likes, “Life’s rough but he who has all the toys at the end wins”.
Nothing could be further from the fact. At the end of you life all your toys are divided up among others, you leave this world with the material wealth you entered it with, nothing.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“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
From a strictly human stand point if all we are to do on this earth is live procreate and die then it too me seems a waste. What good is a few decades of life in light of eternity.
I think of those millionaires on the Titanic when it sunk all their millions did not save them as good at those people may have been.
The Writer f Ecclesiastes notes,
“To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” 
                                                        Ecclesiastes 2:26.
It seems like earthly things are meaningless. All that we work for all our lives, ultimately is given away to others.
Jesus tells us,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 
                                                                     Matthew 6:19-21.
I as a Christian believe there is a God and an eternity and whether you spend eternity with God or not is determined in this life. Jesus speaking of himself 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.
Please think about it.

Against God?

Against God?
The book of Acts records,
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!  
The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  
God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.  
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.  
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.  
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.  
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.  
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.  
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these.” 
                                                                                  Acts 5:28-39.
Here is the story of two of Christ’s disciples after being told by the authorities to stop preaching in the name of Jesus were caught doing so and brought before the religious authorities.
The authorities demanded now wanted to put them to death. However cooler heads prevailed. With a Pharisee named Gamaliel standing up giving them a brief history lesson on how other men had claimed to be the Messiah and after their deaths their followers had dispersed and the movement come to nothing.
He then states,
“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these.” 
Two thousand years have gone by and today Christians number close to three billion world wide depending on what estimates you look at.
Christianity is surviving and even flourishing around the world both in democracies and in places were they are heavily persecuted. Not only that Christians have done this without resorting to the sword. Napoleon said of Jesus,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. 
Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“ I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel.  Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
                                                                                              Napoleon Bonaparte.
Jesus is extraordinary because He is the Son of God the Saviour of the World. And this Jesus offers all people everywhere a choice. Speaking of Himself 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.
You dear reader therefor have a choice.
Please think about it carefully.

A Message

A Message
The Gospel of Luke records this parable of Jesus,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” 
                                                   Luke 16:19-31
No matter what I or any Christian may say some people will not believe in God. I also believe that the more wealth a person has can make it harder for them to know Christ. Jesus said,
“Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 
                             Matthew 19:24.
That’s not to say a rich man can’t go to heaven. And it’s not to say that having wealth is bad. Quite the contrary there are a lot of wealthy people who are Christians and doing the work of the Lord.
The problem I believe with having riches and power is that a person can rely too much on what they have materially.
In 1929 when the stock market crashed there was a spike in suicides because people put their trust in the stock market then when it collapsed found themself broke and in debt.
There are also those in power that take advantage of others as the rich man in the parable did. Power can and frequently is wrongly used. All of this is against God’s law and the person will have to give account to God, whether they believe in Him or not.
C. S. Lewis said,
“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 Problem of Pain.
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.
The Talmud tells this story,
“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.
While the Talmud is not considered an inspired work of God by Christians the truth of the above story could happen. God will hold all people to account.
That being said anyone can get to heaven good or bad and can have assurance of getting to heaven here in this life.
The apostle John states,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” 
1John 1:9-10.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” 
                                                                        Ephesians 2:8,9.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”
                                                                                                                                   Romans 10:9-13.
The key to getting to heaven is believing in God and that Jesus is the one and Only Son of God.
Confessing your sins to Jesus and turning from the wrong you have done. A true Christian is someone who has accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, truly confessed their sins to God and turned from them. Replacing that wrong with Love for God, their neighbour and even their enemy.
The question is do you believe this?
Please think about it.

The exact representation

The exact representation
The writer of Hebrews states,
"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.  
So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. 
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father’” ? 
Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son” ? 
  And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.” 
But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will scepter for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. 
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” 
                                                                                    Hebrews 1:1-9.
The writer of Hebrews make it abundantly clear what true Christians believe of Jesus.
1. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being”
2.  He provided purification for sin.
3. He is superior to the angels.
4. He is God’s Son.
5. He is God’s first born brought into the world.
6. His throne will last for ever and ever.
7. Righteousness is His sceptre 
8. God, has set Him above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.
That in a nutshell is what Christians believe about Jesus.
John’s gospel records what Jesus said about himself. 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.
Christians present these beliefs to people every day. To accept or reject.
C. S. Lewis made an interesting statement when he 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
There is no middle ground with Christianity, you either believer Jesus is the Son of God, God in the flesh and accept Him as your Lord and Saviour or you do not.
If what Christians believe is true and I believe they are. Your decision has eternal consequences.
So what do you believe?
Please think about it.

Let Love

Let Love

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.  

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  

Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” 

                                                                                                              Romans 12:9-18.
Do you Love? If you claim to be Christian do you love in the way the Bible intended you to love?
The apostle Paul gave Christians the standard for Christian love in 1 Corinthians 13 he wrote,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

 Love does not delight in evil

 but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes,

 always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                                                         1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
It seems our society is becoming less loving. As connected as we are through technology we are I think a less loving society. One just has to look at the murder rate. One figure I heard was ninety-nine people die from gun violence in the United States every day. On top of that there are thousands of other violent crimes that show a lack of love.
Politicians argue in the United States about whether to give affordable universal  health care to all, something considered a human right in all other western democracies. While they themselves have good health care.
In Canada as I write this there are several Native communities in Canada’s north that have declared a state of emergency due to a rise in suicides. Many Native communities lack safe drinking water, and adequate housing. Again something considered a human right.
All of this could be solved by a government who acted swiftly out of true love for their citizens.
Canada and the United States are not alone. Every country around the world has their problems. Places where if only Love is shown the problem could end quickly.
The Talmud has a story I like to quote. One which I can see happening to all people eventually it 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.
I believe not only politicians but all people will one day be held accountable to God for all we do. For our lack of love toward our fellow man.
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.
I believe all of us want to be loved therefor we should be doing to others as we would have others do to us.
Please think about it.

On Giving

On Giving

The Talmud tells these two stories
“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.
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?”  He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
                                                                             The Talmud.
We here in the western nations live in societies that have great wealth. At the same time there is a lot of poverty and need.
Question: what have you done lately to help the less fortunate around you?
Everyone can do something even if it’s just a simple act.
The Judaism has a concept called Tzedakah. It is a concept that I believe all people can understand and practice be they Jewish, Christians or of any other faith.
The following is as good an explanation of Tzedakah. It comes from a Jewish website. It explains,
“Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy.
The word “tzedakah” is derived form the Hebrew root Tzadei-dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply and act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.
The Obligation of Tzedakah
Giving to the poor is an obligation in Judaism, a duty that cannot be forsaken even by those who are themselves in need. Some sages have said that tzedakah is the highest of all commandments, equal to all of them combined, and that a person who does not perform tzedakah is equivalent to an idol worshipper. This is probably hyperbole, but it illustrates the importance ot tzedakah in Jewish thought. Tzedakah is one of the three acts that gain us forgiveness from our sins. The High Holiday liturgy repeated states that G-d has inscribed a judgement against all who have sinned, but teshuvah (repentance) tefila (prayer) and tzedakah can alleviate the decree.
According to Jewish law, we are requiered to give one-tenth of our income to the poor. This generally interpreted as one-tenth of our net income after payment of taxes. Taxes themselves do not fulfill our obligation to give tzedakah even though a significant proportion of tax revenues in America and many other countries are used to provide for the poor and needy. Those who are dependent on public assistance or living on the edge of subsistence my give less but must still give to the extent they are able; however, no person should give so much that he would become a public burden.
The obligation to perform tzedakah can be fulfilled by giving money to the poor, to health care institutions, to Synagogues or educational institutions. It can also be fulfilled by supporting your children beyond the age when you are legally required to, or supporting your parents in their old age. The obligation includes giving both to Jews and gentiles; contrary to popular belief, Jew do not just care for our own. Quite the contrary a study of reported in the Jewish journal indicated that Jewish ‘mega-donors’ (who give more than $10 million a year to charity found that only 6% if their mega-dollars went to specifically Jewish causes.
Judaism acknowledges that many people who ask for charity have no genuine need. In fact, the Talmud suggest that this is a good thing: if all people who asked for charity have no were in genuine Need we would be subjected to punishment for G-d for refusing anyone who asked. The existence of frauds diminishes our liability for failing to give to all who ask. Because we have some legitimate basis for doubting a beggar’s sincerity. It is permissible to investigate the legitimacy of charity before donating to it.
We have an obligation to avoid becoming in need of Tzedakah. A person should take any work available, even if he thinks it is beneath his dignity to avoid become a public charge.
However, if a person is truly in need and has no way of obtaining money on his own he should not feel embarrassed to accept tzedakah. No person should feel to proud to take money from others. In fact it is considered a transgression to refuse tzedakah. One source says that to make yourself suffer by refusing to accept tzedakah is equivalent to shedding your own blood.
Levels of Tzedakah
Certain kinds of tzedakah are considered more meritorious than others. The Talmud describes these different levels of tzedakah, and Rambam organized them into a list. The levels of charity from the least meritorious to the most meritorious, are: 

Giving begrudgingly

Giving less than you should, bu giving cheerfully,

Giving after being asked

Giving before being asked

Giving when you do not know the recipient’s identity, but the recipient knows yours

Giving when you know and the recipient’s identity, but the recipient doesn’t know yours.

Giving when neither party knows the other’s identity.

Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant. 

As Christians the above is something I know I can understand it lines up perfectly with Christian thought.
But even from a strictly human stand point tzedakah makes sense. I believe is something we should all be practising irrespective of your faith. It is the humane and right thing to do.
Please think about it.

A Christian

A Christian

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
                                                                                                           Mahatma Gandhi.
I know little of Gandhi. However I can see why he made the above statement. He grew up with many who called themselves Christian and were far from Christian.
It happens today. Many in the west and particularly in North America where I live call themselves Christians that are not.
O they go to church. They may even read the Bible each day, even pray. But they are not Christians.
A Christian is someone who has confessed their sins directly to God and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
It however does not stop there. Being a Christian is an on going process. A Christian needs to pray and read the Bible daily. Then put what they have learned into action in their life.
Christians, true Christians are doing their best to be Christ like. They are following the examples of Christ and the teachings of the apostles.
They are exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit as Paul explains,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  
                                                                                  Galatians 5:22,23.
A true Christian follows the teachings of Jesus who told us to Love, God, our neighbour, and even our enemy.
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 that Matthew’s gospel records,
“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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
                              Matthew 5:43-45
They are following the teaching of the apostle Paul who wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
                                                                                                                Romans 12:18.
A true Christian believes and practices what the apostle Peter wrote,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.’"
                                                                                         1 Peter 2:9-12.  
A true Christian believes Jesus who said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 
                                                                               Matthew 6:19-21.
A true Christian does not Judge those outside his or her own faith. The apostle Paul saying,
“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.
A true Christian obeys the words of Jesus who 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.
A true Christian follows the words of the writer of Hebrews who wrote,
“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.
A true Christian obeys Jesus who 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
This to me is in brief what it is to be a true Christian.
Please think about it.

"Headed to Hell?"

Headed to Hell?
My wife at one time was a librarian and to say she has a few books is an understatement. The walls of our house are lined with books.
One book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written yesterday.
   It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... 
For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency  courage."
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"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
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with fire and brimstone.
   We only have to look around us to see the world is filled with people who are out to feed their lusts. Men and women who seek power no matter the cost.
We look to the terrorist of the world who wish to force their ideologies on people. Who seek power by the sword.
There are also such people within the western world. Men and women who use their power and influence to feed their greed.
While there are many super rich and others of wealth that have pledged to help the poor. There are many, many more that are using the poor and weak of our society to fill their pockets.
Many owners of industry have refused to think about the environment or worker safety until laws were passed forcing them to think about it.
Our society has fallen away from God and the further it falls the worse it gets. Man needs God. Man needs to realize that there is ultimately a God to answer too.
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.
 Until all men realize there is a God to answer to however our world is destined to get a lot worse.
I truly believe the answer to the worlds problems lies in having faith in God and following his precepts who Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 
                                                         Matthew 11:28-30.
Please think about it.

Not so distant drummer

Not so distant drummer.
“Human beings vegetables  or cosmic dust. We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible player.”
                                       Albert Einstein 
From what I understand Einstein did not believe in God. Yet in the above statement he, from the way I see it at least, said there is a common thing that binds all things, vegetable, mineral, animal and humans.
I believe Einstein and in deed all scientist can make the discoveries they make because God created the universe to be mathematically perfect.
Mathematics is a pure science. Properly used I believe it will one day link all things in one unified formula.
As I look around me I am astounded by the universe. From the smallest subatomic particle to the largest galaxies and stars all were predicted through mathematics.
There is nothing random in the universe even though at first we may think so. Everything has a purpose.
As I understand it the very earth we live on is the perfect distance from not only the sun but from other objects in space thus allowing life to exist on it.
The psalmist writes,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 
                                                                                                                                Psalm 19:1.
I believe that statement.
I believe that science done correctly can prove there is a creator or at least the mathematical formula God used to created the universe we live in.
I also believe that even when that formula is found there will be people who say there is no God.
It takes faith to believe in God. Faith defined is,
“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.
What as always amazed me is that scientist and brilliant men who have had faith in their scientific theories for decades (or as in Einstein’s case a century), cannot have faith that there is a God who created the Universe.
Still whether to believe in God or not, is a freedom God has given all of us.
C. S. Lewis said,
“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God.” 
                                                                                                 C.S. Lewis.
The Apostle Paul speaking to the learned men in Athens said,
"Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 
“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.  
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.  
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” 
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”  
At that, Paul left the Council.  
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others."
                                                                                           Acts 17:22-34.
Whether to believe in God and the fact Jesus is God’s one and Only Son is up to you. Jesus speaking of Himself gave us all a choice 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.
Please think about it.

Jesus is

Jesus is

“Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  
If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?  
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.  
Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.”
                                                John 14:5-11.
Hear Jesus makes a statement that makes it clear who he is.
Jesus said,
1/ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  
2/ “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father...”
3/ “I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me”
4/ “The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”
These are basic beliefs of Christianity. Christians base their faith on the fact that Jesus is the One and Only Son of God. God incarnate.
We believe what the apostle Paul said,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 
Romans 5:8
Jesus died for us even though we were sinners separated from Him. As C. S. Lewis puts it,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.” 
                                           C.S. Lewis
We believe what Simeon said as recorded in the book of Luke.
“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” 
                                                                                                  Luke 2:28-32.
Jesus is God’s salvation, for all people. A light to show Gentiles (non-Jews) the way to heaven. And to glorify the People of Israel.
  We Christians believe the apostle Paul who wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” 
                                                                     Ephesians 2:8,9.
It is by the grace of God we get to heaven not our works. Our salvation is an act of faith. The writer of Hebrews stating,
“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
  We also believe in what Jesus said when speaking of him self 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.
We believe God showed his love for each individual by sending His One and Only Son down to earth to save us from our sins.
In doing so he offers all people everywhere the opportunity to enter heaven by simply believing Jesus is The Saviour of man. The one and Only Son of God.
The choice however is up to the individual.
Will you pray and ask Jesus into your heart and life today. Will you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour?
The choice is up to you. It requires nothing more than a simple prayer like this.
Dear Heavenly Father
I believe Jesus is your one and Only Son. That He came to earth to pay the price for my sins. I admit that I am a sinner and ask your forgiveness in the name of Jesus.
Please Lord Jesus come into my heart and life right now. Show me your ways and direct my life from this day forward.
                           Amen.
If you truly believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of Man and have prayed that prayer, I would ask that you start praying directly to God and reading the Bible. Ask God to direct you to a good church congregation.
Even if you don’t believe in Jesus I would ask that you at least visit a church and learn more about Jesus. Talk to the pastor of the church and ask him any questions you might have.
An honest pastor will readily answer all the questions you have.
I recommend that you visit a Baptist Church as I have found them to be well balanced, knowledgeable, and firmly rooted in the basics of Christianity.
Please think about it.