MB is gaining all sorts of wisdom this summer. Never squirt orange spray directly up your anus is an important one. So is not standing directly over the squirting water fountains when you are a boy.
As usual, crying and hysterics ensued this evening. And a rash-like spot was discovered on his boy bits. Bathtime and gentle anti-bacterial washing (just in case) brought more tears. We then talked about how, when playing in the fountains, we shouldn't let the water shoot directly into the delicate areas.
Stay tuned for more of life's most important lessons brought to you by a ever-wiser five-year-old.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
My Answer
I thought that I would go on a little rant today. I’ve thought about why I believe that my God is the one true God. This is a somewhat disjointed answer, and could be easily disputed by “religious experts”, but this is what I have concluded. (And, like a good Christian, I’ve thrown in some scripture!!)
First, I want to say that, like most people that truly follow Christ, I do not believe in “religion”. I believe that it is the way you live your life, the relationship you have with Him and with those around you that defines a Christian. I do hesitate to even use that word since it has such a troubled connotation to it. I do not believe in denominational rules and regulations. Unless God’s word says it, don’t tell me what I can and can’t do. He demands our love, not perfection, and rules show neither. (Pharisees and Sadducees anyone?)
So, I look no further than the worlds reaction to confirm my belief in the one true God. Tell me what other “religion” is so frowned upon and persecuted as Christianity? What other belief system is so untolerated in such a “tolerant” world? The world instinctively rejects the truth. A world ruled by flesh is going to turn its back on the thought that the things of the flesh aren’t always right.
Those in Muslim countries are forced to practice Islam. Many regimes will kill those who do not want to bow down to Allah. They may be given a chance to "repent", but Christianity is automatic death. No second chances. A religion started by a delusion most likely caused by a mental illness? Sign me up.
Jeremiah 23:16 - This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.
Jeremiah 50:36 - A sword against her false prophets! They will become fools. A sword against her warriors! They will be filled with terror.
Hinduism worships pretty much anything that moves. Cows are big, and trees, rivers, probably cats. I’m not sure what can be gained by spreading yourself so thin. Spend too much time trying to please the wind and the sun could get mad. It sounds complicated.
Matthew 7:15 - Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
Mark 13:21-23a - At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. So be on your guard…
Buddhists spend more time and food for their offerings to one of many bald statues, while in many cases their families do not have enough to eat.
2 Peter 2:1 - But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
1 John 4:1 - Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
China is an atheist country. But, only the Christians are harassed and arrested and jailed. How often have you heard of a Muslim being jailed in China?
Deuteronomy 12:31 - You must not worship the LORD your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.
Which brings me back to America. For such a “tolerant” nation, we are very intolerant of all things Christian. Let’s dive right to the extreme. 9/11. Muslim extremists. The media was very careful to make sure that we know that it was extremists and that it did not reflect on the entire Islam religion. Thousands of people lost their lives. Terrorism in its worst form. A horrible tragedy all in the name of Allah. One so-called Christian kills an abortionist, and the entire Christian community is painted as fanatics. I realize that there is more than one of these sad crimes, but they are individuals acting alone. Not terrorism, just stupidity and false beliefs.
I have rarely, if ever, heard of any other belief system being so rejected. If all gods are the same god, including the Christian God, why are they not treated equally? Why is the God of the Bible the one that is branded as the wrong one (Micah 6:8)? Why aren’t the gods that seem cause the most turmoil (hello, Middle East and India) the ones that are questioned (Isaiah 57:21)? Why the God of peace (Psalm 85:8; Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 14:33), the God that sacrificed so much for us (Hebrews 10:10; the whole Jesus dying on the cross thing), the God that loves us unconditionally (Deuteronomy 7:9; Nehemiah 1:5; Psalm 66:20; John 3:16)?
I am not an expert. My ramblings can be argued with, probably pretty convincingly. I only know what I believe. That’s just one more wonderful thing about God – the right to choose (Joshua 24:15). I know the world will never honor the choice of God as my Lord, but He will.
First, I want to say that, like most people that truly follow Christ, I do not believe in “religion”. I believe that it is the way you live your life, the relationship you have with Him and with those around you that defines a Christian. I do hesitate to even use that word since it has such a troubled connotation to it. I do not believe in denominational rules and regulations. Unless God’s word says it, don’t tell me what I can and can’t do. He demands our love, not perfection, and rules show neither. (Pharisees and Sadducees anyone?)
So, I look no further than the worlds reaction to confirm my belief in the one true God. Tell me what other “religion” is so frowned upon and persecuted as Christianity? What other belief system is so untolerated in such a “tolerant” world? The world instinctively rejects the truth. A world ruled by flesh is going to turn its back on the thought that the things of the flesh aren’t always right.
Those in Muslim countries are forced to practice Islam. Many regimes will kill those who do not want to bow down to Allah. They may be given a chance to "repent", but Christianity is automatic death. No second chances. A religion started by a delusion most likely caused by a mental illness? Sign me up.
Jeremiah 23:16 - This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.
Jeremiah 50:36 - A sword against her false prophets! They will become fools. A sword against her warriors! They will be filled with terror.
Hinduism worships pretty much anything that moves. Cows are big, and trees, rivers, probably cats. I’m not sure what can be gained by spreading yourself so thin. Spend too much time trying to please the wind and the sun could get mad. It sounds complicated.
Matthew 7:15 - Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
Mark 13:21-23a - At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. So be on your guard…
Buddhists spend more time and food for their offerings to one of many bald statues, while in many cases their families do not have enough to eat.
2 Peter 2:1 - But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
1 John 4:1 - Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
China is an atheist country. But, only the Christians are harassed and arrested and jailed. How often have you heard of a Muslim being jailed in China?
Deuteronomy 12:31 - You must not worship the LORD your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.
Which brings me back to America. For such a “tolerant” nation, we are very intolerant of all things Christian. Let’s dive right to the extreme. 9/11. Muslim extremists. The media was very careful to make sure that we know that it was extremists and that it did not reflect on the entire Islam religion. Thousands of people lost their lives. Terrorism in its worst form. A horrible tragedy all in the name of Allah. One so-called Christian kills an abortionist, and the entire Christian community is painted as fanatics. I realize that there is more than one of these sad crimes, but they are individuals acting alone. Not terrorism, just stupidity and false beliefs.
I have rarely, if ever, heard of any other belief system being so rejected. If all gods are the same god, including the Christian God, why are they not treated equally? Why is the God of the Bible the one that is branded as the wrong one (Micah 6:8)? Why aren’t the gods that seem cause the most turmoil (hello, Middle East and India) the ones that are questioned (Isaiah 57:21)? Why the God of peace (Psalm 85:8; Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 14:33), the God that sacrificed so much for us (Hebrews 10:10; the whole Jesus dying on the cross thing), the God that loves us unconditionally (Deuteronomy 7:9; Nehemiah 1:5; Psalm 66:20; John 3:16)?
I am not an expert. My ramblings can be argued with, probably pretty convincingly. I only know what I believe. That’s just one more wonderful thing about God – the right to choose (Joshua 24:15). I know the world will never honor the choice of God as my Lord, but He will.
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