Love and Death

When I ordered this book I wasn't aware that the author was a Universalist minister, which means he doesn't take the evangelical stand on the Bible being the final word, and quotes other religious scriptures, such as Buddhism. He doesn't believe "God's pulling all the strings."

I disagree with him there, but but can't discount this book because of some theological differences of opinions. There are too many wonderful insights in this book. The author is dealing with a cancer diagnosis that will ultimetly end his life. Thus, the book is about dying and death. "When a loved one dies, the greter the pain, the greater love's proof. Such grief is a sacrament. Sacraments bring us together. The measure of our grief testifies to the power of our love."

Two months ago I lost my niece and this statement was comforting to me. He talks about the universal truth that everyone suffers, and that the shares are not allotted evenly.

In conclusion he didn't feel he could pray for himself for healing, nor did he feel for sure there was a heaven, which I thought rather sad for a minister who spent 30 years in the service of our Lord. But, I would totally recommend reading this book even if you have theology differences; there is still rich meaning in this author's book and something for everyone.

Want what you have

Do what you can

Be who you are

Sin-sational!

Our world is so full of sin. Today I watched a woman sobbing on TV because her beautiful daughter was struck down by a car at her college, driven by someone who ran a red light and didn't stop. Now her life is destroyed by the senseless, selfish, horrible act of sin. Yesterday, a semi-truck driver was driving recklessly, lost control and careened into several cars, slid into three stores leaving several dead, including a father and daughter, and many injured, and today a hostage murder situation in New York.

Sin is everywhere, not just what's in our hearts. We open the newspaper, and read about robberies, homicides, affairs, drunken drivers, and criminals who seem to run the world. Not so. We must not be deceived by the publicity that sin receives. Sin, by its nature, is sensational.

We must remember that we ourselves are not sinless and cannot expect others to be. We might not sin in the horrific ways noted in the news, but sin comes in many shapes and forms, and the most dangerous is rebellious pride.

I generally gear my writings toward those who follow misleading spiritual teachings, because that's what I did for 30 years, or to those who do not believe in Jesus Christ. When I say, "don't believe," I mean that person who only believes Jesus Christ was a man, a saint, a guru, or a rabbi, but not the Son of God, our Savior.

So, coming from this direction, the number one question asked to try and "trick" a Christian in relationship to sin and suffering is: "If God is all-powerful and could stop sin, and so loving (as you claim) why does he allow sin to harm people in the first place?"

God is all-powerful and is all loving. God allows sin because free will is necessary for the true worship of God. God gives human beings the freedom to either worship him or reject him.

The idea of worship is problematic for many but, think about it, we "worship" many things in our human lives, such as food, relationships and money. These objects of worship are not questioned. Yet, worshiping a God who is the creator and sustainer of our lives is downright offensive to some.

People (in general) want to do what they want to do, period, with no accountability in their lives to anyone, and certainly not to a God. They would rather worship their own reflection. There is a large sector who believe in their own moral obligation, that they have the strength of mind to "do the right thing" in every situation and that a God to watch over them is not necessary and not believable, anyways. What we believe or don't believe matters to God. Just because a person does not believe in sin, does not mean it isn't accrued.

What happens when we sin? God will attach criminality to our accounts, which is a moral worth attached to the acts of our rebellion (sin). Whew. That doesn't sound good, does it? Criminality? I've never heard that word on Sunday! Sin is, simply put, death. That statement is so heavy!

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord," (Rom 6:23).

Sin = action. Something is going to happen with the sin in our lives if we're not "washed" clean by the blood of Christ.

Conversely, dharmic religion does not believe in sin or that it can be pardoned by Christ, or that we'll live a sinless life in heaven with Him. They believe in karma (cause and effect) which is burned away (provided you no longer create karma). Through many lifetimes of work, hence, Yoga postures, diet restrictions and non-attachment, a person frees the soul from ego to fade back into God, losing all its original, unique self-awareness. Why would we want this? One reason, control. Or so we think.

So, if we buy into sin, what's the root cause of all this suffering? As Christians we know it's related to the fall of mankind through rebellion. But, this explanation has taken on a fairytale narration over the past 50 years, and more recently by unbelievers who "scoff with scientific impossibility!"

What most people believed for hundreds of years came under critical examination during the 1960's when drugs and eastern influences barraged our youthful culture. They began to rebel against everything their parents believed to be true, including Christianity, and sin was replaced by the idea that we could make up our mistakes by living many lives to get it right. This idea of expanded consciousness meant personal freedoms never before considered. Sin was taken from behind closed doors to the streets, and we began demanding the "right" to sin.

I, myself, gave up Jesus Christ for an Indian guru. Baptized by the Holy Spirit at 16 was thrown away for a false prophet. There is no sin greater than the one I committed. It was easy enough to do it because I wanted something "different" and "special," a "personal experience of God," having been told by this guru that I'd never had one. I was promised by him that I had control of my destiny, and that I was part of God, that I was God, a "bubble" in the sea of God. That everything living and inanimate thing was Gods vibration that linked all of us to God's consciousness. It sounded so, well, wonderful, so 1960's. Beatles! Om. Peace. Amen! I bought into this philosophy (blasphemy), hook, line and sinker without ever questioning it, without ever opening my Bible and carefully taking into careful, soul consideration what I was willing to throw away.

Satan offered Eve the "tree of knowledge of good and evil," and promised her that she could know all that God knew. Sound familiar to my own experience? Modern man tends to think "he (or she's) different" and that those old scriptures are not relevant to their lives, and yet, like me, turn their lives over to idol scriptures that are even older, such as Hinduisum.

As you can see, the desire to be God is very innate in our natures, and that's why promises of "God like status," is so desirable.

Though I wasn't raised in a Christian home, I knew about sin, and wanted nothing to do with it's condemning nature. My best friend from age 5-11 was what we called a "Bible-Banger" in those days and she told me on a regular basis that everything I did and said was a sin.

My guru promised me utopia. No sin, simply karma. No worries.

Though sin has always been prevalent in ages prior, it wasn't dismissed as something implausible until the culture rebelled, as I did, against the "establishment." This extraordinary change in our cultural beliefs continued to meld into many forms, from basic eastern religions, such as Hinduism, to "New Age" religions or "blended religions" that teach both Christian and Krishna in the same sentence (as did mine). Peace, love and Harmony. No sin. No worries.

But, let us remember this scripture: "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matt 1:21).

Jesus Christ was sent to this earth to save "his people" from their sins. If this is the cornerstone of Truth, how can sin be omitted, ignored and denied? How can anyone say, "I believe in Jesus Christ," but not sin?

Sin, then, was "sifted" out of popular religion, as distasteful, and has even become absent in some Christian churches. Talking about sin is not popular. We use more socially acceptable words like, "broken," "addicted," or "dysfunctional to describe living in sin. Without being aware of sin, we sin easily. If we don't learn what sin is, then how do we know when we're sinning?

The Lord spoke to Cain in this way: So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” (Genesis 4:6)

Now playing: Angels

I touched on angels (no pun) in my past article. It seemed right to give equal time to angels. Rather than repeat myself, you might read the previous post on what angels are not. This is what angels are, and how they interact in our lives.

When I practiced eastern religion (a form dharmic religion with Christianity), there was no mention of angels. We were taught about hobo souls who came to wreak havoc in our minds and bodies. These ethereal characters would fall more under demons than hobo souls.

Learning about God's true Kingdom was a steep climb for me and I'm still on the ladder. Religions that fish from east and west to create a blended theology are dangerous. My blog is full of information about the dangers of following false gods and gurus.

Angels seemed too fantastic an idea, but the more I've read about them in the Bible and study other Christian writings, I've come to appreciate their role in our world. Angels appear as humans who help us out. They're not floating winged beings who illuminate and create spectacular side-shows. Being human, of course, we want the spectacular side-show, and God knows that!

Angels can also help us while we travel, and they don't need GPS. In Exodus 23:30, God sent an angel ahead of the trip, promising Moses protection. But he warns him to "pay attention to him and obey him." Angels are not going to put up with our bad behavior.

This doesn't mean we'll always have help from angels. We still don't know how their work load is distributed, or why, but we can read the Bible and learn some things that will give us a sense of assurance that we're not alone, and they do, indeed exist.

In Genesis 28:12 Jacob has a dream about angels, and this reveals a lot. "He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending. " Therefore, it is evident that angels come and go freely from heaven to earth.

One of my favorite stories about angels is in Genesis 19:19 when Lot leaves Sodom. The set up is God had heard many complaints about Sodom and Gomorrah and decided to check things out personally. I love that God will come and investigate situations. He certainly doesn't leave everything to others. He's a True Ruler and King. In earlier times the leaders of nations led the charge. They didn't hide behind a bunch bureaucrats who did all the reporting (and decision making) for the King. If the King died in battle, how much greater was he to his people? I am digressing but it's important to know that our King does come down into the nitty gritty life we live and if he was willing to go to Sodom and Gomorrah, he'll show up anywhere we ask. Remember he was "hearing complaints," which must mean people were praying about this terrible situation!

God is willing to help, but suddenly we have Abraham (Lot's nephew) bargaining with God. He wants to know if God is going to get rid of everyone even if there's some good people there. Don't we always wonder about that? I do. I hear about terrible situations where someone evil caused the downfall (or death) of good people. So, Abraham has my attention in this story. Plus, can you image asking God something like that? It's almost a bit rebellious.

Our Lord didn't get exasperated by the question. He simply said, "Look, you find me 50 people who are good and I'll save them all." It gets rather hysterical here. Abraham then asks him, "Well, okay, but what if there are only 45 people who are good?" Well, this goes on and on until the bargaining gets down to 10 good people. I just love that conversation! What a wonderful reminder that God can be approached and spoken too. Though Abraham was very respectful while asking these questions. Isn't it like us to weasel the situation into our favor?

After the conversation with Abraham, God sends two angels. From here things get wild, and if you're not familiar with the story, I'll let read about it yourselves, but nevertheless, the angels prove they worry, they understand urgency, danger and the know how to "RUN" from trouble! The angels were in the thick of things in this story. They weren't floating around with wings observing and playing harps. They were doing "God's Work" and sometimes that work is dangerous! If you want to read the entire escapade: Genesis 19:1-29.

Who are these angels and what do they want with us in our modern society? Some might find it disconcerting that angel beings hang around at all, and would rather forget about them, or not believe in the possibility someone is watching. Most of us like our privacy. Be assured angels aren't peepers, and they're not going to spy on us. They have amazing ability to bow out, stage left, at just the right time. Nor are angels like the old TV show Touched By an Angel. Angels do not witness nor try to change the minds of unbelievers. Angels will send for a human to do this job.

The Bible says those who do not believe do not have angels watching over them, at least not righteous ones. There are evil angels, and they will bear you harm. That doesn't mean God won't send an angel to someone to help that unbeliever get on the right track! God NEVER gives up on us.

Angels have a job, just like everyone in God's kingdom. They work for God directly. He sends them to deliver messages, and they deliver them to him, as we saw with Abraham.

When angels make themselves known, they greet us. Remember Mary was greeted by the angel Gabriel. (Luke 1:28). He had a conversation with her, so it's evident that angels can talk to us and they have manners. If angels can talk to us, why don't we hear about these chatting angels? First off, they appear as humans, and they're not likely to say, "hey, bub, I'm an angel." They know we won't believe them and call a paddy wagon (do they still have those?). Then there is the issue that they don't want the Glory. They know, that us being human, we're going to tell everyone we know that an angel helped us. We're not likely to say God helped us, rather, angels. It's' cooler in today's culture, anyways. If we say, "God helped me," the response will be something like, "Uh, oh, which God do you follow?" Of course there is only one God.

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some have unwittingly entertained angels." Heb 13:2. They don't want attention drawn to them, lest the power and glory be taken from God. That answers a lot of questions.

Angels are wise, but they don't know everything. I was surprised to learn that. I thought they were Omnipotent, and could read our thoughts. They have limitations. Matt 24:36 tells us that angels do not know the time Jesus will return. Angels also learn from us. "The things angels desire to look into." (1 Peter 1:12). Angeles can't read our minds, only God knows all things at all times. Angels can protect us (Psalm 34:7). Angels are sent when God knows we're in trouble (Matthew 18:10). An angel is put in charge of every believer, providing we do not drive them out by sin.

Angels our guardians. God protects his people. Sometimes we ask why some one's angel didn't protect them, but maybe the situation was one of sin and the angels were not there. Angels can't stay where there is sin. They are by nature driven away from sin. In Exodus 23:21 NIV, God tells Moses, "Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him." If we stay in of sin, we lose our angel protection. This was news to me!

Angels were created during creation and their nature is set. The angels (1/3) that fell with Satan, are equally yoked with evil. They can not do good and they can't remain were Christ is welcome.

Angeles protect the physical aspect of our lives, whereas the Holy Spirit protects the spiritual aspect of our lives.

Unsaved people do not have angels: "All angels are spirits who serve God and are sent to help those who will receive salvation." (Heb 1:14 NIV). Angels can appear as any nationality. (Heb 13:2)

Angels do not have wings, but appear as regular humans, and they are men, not women. You will have to ask God why he chose this to be this way.

Angels minister for God. Angeles bless God. (Psalms 103:20)

We can rely on our guardian angel if we rely on the Word. How wonderful is our God to give us our own bodyguards! Wouldn't you love to just stick your thumb back and say, "talk to him," when things are going against us? Well, in a way, we can. We're not alone if we're in Christ.

Heaven Sent - The death of a daughter

Just a little over a week ago, my niece, passed away and joined the Lord's Kingdom in Heaven. She was just 27. Before I talk a little about heaven, let's talk a bit about death. God knows what we're experiencing when we lose a loved one. He says, "There is no pleasure in death," (Ezk 18:32), but he also promises the Lord is near in the valley of death, and we pass from death into life (1 John 3:14).

Her passing has me wondering more about heaven than usual and how we get there.

We're promised we're not alone at the time of death. Each of us has a guardian angel. Angels deliver us at our deaths into the presence of God. Angles also deliver messages to God, and we're assured God doesn't need Twitter to keep abreast of all the goings on down here!

Jesus is omniscient and knows with certainty the coming deaths, and the suffering the families experience. Some might lose hope and have doubts about our loved one's salvation, but remember this thinking is a tool of the devil's, to fill our minds with lies. A Christian will go to heaven even if their sin leads to their death. No one is saved because of what he or she does in this life. A person is saved when he or she trusts in Jesus Christ, as my niece did. Amen.

When trying to find any comfort, we can know for certain that our loved ones who are in Christ, and go ahead, are not suddenly out of our lives. Hebrews 12:1 talks about running the race as we are observed by believers in heaven. They can't see everything in our lives, but God allows them to share in our joys, victories and anything that glorifies God. People in heaven do not see the failures, sins, and defeats of their loved ones on earth, nor do they remember theirs. Everything in heaven is for the glory of God. Heaven is not affected by the fall of man.

But what happens at death? According to Genesis 35:18, the soul and body separate "as the soul is departing...." Angels escort us to heaven (Luke 16:22), and we are immediately entered into the presence of God. "...to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" (2 Cor. 5:38). And in heaven? We are spirit beings, with active personality (intellect, emotion, and will), and thus we will still be US.

When we enter heaven, all the tragedies and sorrows and sufferings are permanently erased from our minds. God will wipe away every tear," (Rev. 21:4). Also, we will know many people in heaven. Of course there will be many people we don't know, but we'll make new friends. Heaven is God's throne (Is 66:1). There are clouds in heaven, (Matt 26:64) and Jesus uses them to travel, in fact, that's how he's coming back! (Dn 7:13)

There's joy in heaven (Lk 15:17). Heaven is a country (Heb 11:16) and we have a community in heaven (Phil 3:20) There's hope in heaven (Col 1:5). There's steadfast love in heaven (Psalms 108:4), and there's splendor in heaven (Hab 3:3). I can't think of any place on earth as wonderful as heaven.

I'm so happy my niece is in the presence of the Lord, and that she's with so many people she loved (and who loved her) but went before her. She's not alone at all. We'll see her again, that's God's promise, and when we do we won't remember all the heartache we are suffering now.

We're remembering Brooke with butterflies. Each time we see one, we'll know it's a reminder she's safe, loved and waiting for us.

Modern Day Guru’s Part III - Buyer Beware

“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.” Matthew 13-14 Message

For the sake of this article, I am using the term guru, in its more modern term. Meaning anyone who supposedly has knowledge of religious subjects.

God is very clear who the Boss is, and everyone knows He’s the boss, and if we’re not following Jesus Christ, we’re rebelling. Everyone hates to hear that, and people get up on their laurels wanting to “do their own thing.” Okay, I get that--I’m simply trying to advise you that gurus make money on their followers, and they don’t really care about anyone but themselves. I know this because I followed one. I got into dharmic religions through the counter-culture of the 60's, the "do your own thing" era. Plus, I wasn't raised a Christian, and the ones I knew were not redeeming so, though I was saved by the Jesus Movement, I bailed out too soon. I discovered early in my Christian walk hypocrisy in my small band of Christians, and quit without seeking truth from Christ. Plus Christianity sounded very conforming to me, and my generation didn't want to conform. The first time I registered to vote I did so as a Libertarian Party just to raise some eyebrows, and it did at the local polling place.

Most people don't want to be told what to do--or believe in, and the idea that we're free to choose what we want to be acceptable as our God, is an American right. I get that too. Yet, when we try on religions, we're apt to be greatly disappointed in our choice. The idea of a hell is so distasteful to most Americans (it was to me!) that they'd rather turn their spiritual life over to a famous syndicated talk show host by following her spiritual choice rather than crack a Bible and see what it has to say. The devil is laughing all the way to the bank. The idea of a devil isn't popular, either. Satan knows this and uses it to his advantage.

I swore an allegiance with an eastern guru without ever knowing about the truth in Christ.

Did I know that there was salvation in life through Christ before signing up with a Guru? Yes. I knew, I'd been told. I willingly left the side of Christ for a Guru. I walked away for something that seemed mystical; something that might show me more than what the Christians were showing me. Therein was my problem. I wanted the Christians to show me something...not Jesus. And that's what happens, we want a show.

My guru, who was dead since 1952, still had quite a show. For being dead, his organization had grown world-wide. There were temples, meditations, incense, Indian music, and all the eastern mysticism which is very beautiful. They owned beautiful gardens and properties overlooking the ocean. I can't deny even now how peaceful those places were, but they're not only for eastern religions. Christians can have gardens and beautiful retreats, and yet, most Christian churches lean toward a more austere environment with little or no Christian elements. Nature draws us in naturally, and many eastern religions are in touch with the beauty in nature and use that to attract members.

My church had famous movie stars, a president or two, a Beatle, all the trappings that seem to qualify them as God's representative. It was tied up in a nice package. It was appealing. But many things are appealing to our flesh that isn't good for us.

The guru I had made an investment with couldn't give me unconditional love because he wasn't God incarnate, though we were told he was, and many stories where shared either in his writings or amongst devotees, of his divine quality. There was a kind of love affair going on there... A divine love affair. Affairs don't last, and neither did this one. As long as I was young and idealistic, this religion worked for me, but life isn't young and idealistic forever.

I really thought that the history of the Bible and Jesus was too inconceivable to believe and written by the church to manipulate people. This is what we were told, if not from the pulpit, certainly within smaller groups. On the other hand we were told so many goofy stories, completely unprovable by science and history, that it’s embarrassing to admit I believed any of it, and yet we didn’t believe the Bible! And that’s how these gurus want things to run. They don’t want you poking your nose into the Bible, lest you find some truth there. The only Bible they want you to read or know about is their version.

Recently a talk show host began to support a new-age German philosopher. Her stamp of approval escalated him into mainstream media. He teaches non-ego and enlightenment states (which is impossible to attain) so what he’s really spewing is ancient philosophy and eastern teachings—claiming them modern, and using his hypnotic German accent as part of his persuasive presentation. After watching a few of his videos I was captivated by his sheer sense of bloated self-worth. He needs to kill his own ego.

Why am I picking on TV personalities? Well, I’m not. I’m just stating a fact and it's disturbing to me that people I love are starting to follow this fake. Why didn’t this A-lister talk show host support Jesus Christ whose given her the blessed life she now enjoys? Because she's come to believe she's God. Being taught we are God is the number one ticket for guru's.

I did the same thing! I was born again in 1971 and took up with a Hindu guru in 1973. The idea that I could control my own destiny was too seductive for me to turn and run. The devil has his ways.

The Bible warns us to be wary of those motivated by fame, power and money, or plain rebellion. Satan is a deceiver and extremely motivated to use these phony teachers to get what he wants, our soul. Don’t take the word of anyone over the Word of God.

Jesus warns us of the cost of following him and many people don’t want to pay the Cross.

All gurus teach a self-directed life, which means results are promised to one self--you're never to look outside of yourself for your happiness. These gurus put themselves on a throne and promise their followers the same throne. From my own experience, I'm telling you, this does not work. We can't be God, we can't control anything but our own choices.

A guru's premise is ALWAYS that you’re flawed and what they’re selling will make you feel better, look better or have a closer relationship with God. For some reason they have been allowed to talk to God and get it right, whereas the rest of us must take their word.

We are not flawed.
We were born into sin.
Only Jesus Christ can free us.

Gurus want you to believe you’re more than human or less than human. To be more than human is to make a mistake, and to be less of human is to believe you are the mistake. Their techniques shame us when they fail to work and keep us preoccupied with our flaws. The more mistakes we make as human, the more money they make when we strive to be less human. People idolize their gurus and make themselves bad.

Modern day gurus do not believe in the true Jesus Christ. To believe in Christ is to believe everyone has sinned; the penalty for our sin is death; Jesus Christ died for our sins; to be forgiven for our sin; we must believe and confess that Jesus is Lord. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ.

Modern day gurus will correct you if you quote scripture as truth. They believe they have the answer, not Jesus Christ, because they have a better way, a life full of strict details where there's no freedom in the doing, doing, doing...

Jesus says to beware of those whose words sound religious but who are motivated by money, fame, or power. You can tell who they are because in their teaching they minimize Christ and glorify themselves.

Further proof that Christ is the way and the truth and the life:

Word of Christ –Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Col 3:16 Message

Word of God - Jesus commented, “Even more blessed are those who hear God’s Word and guard it with their lives!” Luke 11:28 Message

Word of Life – “so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing.” Phil 2:16 Message

Word of Truth - “Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple.” – Tim 2:15 Message

Abides forever – “Sky and earth will wear out; my words won’t wear out.” Mark 13:31 Message

Endures forever – “God’s Word goes on and on forever.
This is the Word that conceived the new life in you.” 1 Peter 1:25

Soul Saving – “It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else!” Romans 1:16 Message



**Photo National Geographic

Modern Day Guru’s Part II - Big Sale Today!

All modern day gurus are selling something. It might be a service, a get rich quick scheme, mediation techniques, flat abs, shoes or a fountain of youth.

Today’s gurus are honed pitchmen that know how to manipulate the general public, usually through physiological methods. They make promises that work for a small percentage of the population (usually when diet is concerned). For the most part what they’re selling is a hoax, usually repackaged from older hoaxes, and it’s perpetuated on a suffering group of people, as Thoreau said, “the mass of humanity live lives of quite desperation,” and the modern day gurus bet on this pain—not plan, pain.”

Modern day gurus use a method to sell their products and their religions. They’re master pitchmen (or women).

Jesus Christ is free.

Modern day gurus all follow a pattern for top marketing.

Brand Description - Usually a symbol
Personality – Modern gurus have dynamic and charismatic personalities
Key attributes – Usually enthusiasm and interest in your well-being
Packaging – Study guides, lessons, books that always cost money
Presentation or persuasive presentation – This can range from a guru walking down a blue carpet and rose peddles tossed by veiled women to an austere stage, a fashionably dressed person with a German accident, or full blown tattooed maniac in the spirit revival. However he/she’s packaged her “stuff,” you need it to be skinny, happy, saved or healed.
Mission Statement – Usually to unite something, or enlighten you, help you lose weight, change your life, become one with God.

This is the pattern of Jesus Christ:

Everyone has sinned
The penalty for sin is death
Jesus died for our sins
To be forgiven we must believe and confess that Jesus is Lord
Salvation comes through Jesus Christ

There is no money to be made from Jesus’ marketing plan, so modern gurus think up a different plans—or marketing strategies to sell their ideas, religion or products. Sometimes they mix up several other programs, religions or philosophies, but they’re never a unique idea but an uneducated person won't know this--they'll think this guru is phenomenal, unique, modern, it. All eliminate truths that will not attract followers.

Sin and hell is removed from false religious lexicons. There is no hell or damnation. Doesn't exist, just what's inside of your bliss mind -- Jesus just got nailed on a cross for nothing other than he "staged it" and "man" wrote the Bible so it's flawed.

The do not advise you to read the Bible but they'll surely miss quote it.

Your failure is their cornerstone to success. It’s your fault and you need to take step two, or buy this book, teaching, food, whatever they’re selling. It then requires your study and application, usually filling all of your free time so you have no time to think about the insane thing you're involved in, and when you fail they’ll blame your inability to understand the program. You’ll leave and find another modern day guru who will promise you the same thing.

In what ways will you fail?

You will not lose those ten pounds - and keep them off forever
You will not find the truth inside of you
You will not free yourself from your mind without a lobotomy
You will not find cosmic consciousness
You will not be stress free
You will not appreciate every moment of your life
You will not see a flower growing

Jesus Christ does not make promises he can’t keep. Once he said it, it’s done, so strong is his promise.

He gives assurance that you’re saved eternally. “These things I have written to you so you believe on the Son of God; that you know you have eternal life.”1 John 5:13

If gurus promise you’ll feel “something” as proof their brand of religion is real, remember this: “Do not say, I don’t feel it? Feeling is not the evidence, or proof for you to trust. Your feelings may change like the wind, but God’s Word never changes. He says: Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away.” Matt. 24:35

Which words would you rather trust? God’s unchanging Word, or your ever changing feelings?

Jesus promise is simple – accept Him and be saved.

Guru’s programs are complex and there’s a lot to do and remember. Gurus will tell you it’s an inner world to strive for, but Jesus says we are not saved by trying, but by trusting in what He has done for us.

Stay tuned for part III - Who are Modern Day Guru's

The Value of Friends

I have lost friends, some by death... others through sheer inability to cross the street.

Virginia Woolf (1882 - 1941), The Waves (1931)

According to a new study, scientists at the University of California at Los Angeles are claiming that women live longer than men and now believe that close bonds between women may be part of the reason why. But from the beginning God’s told us about the importance of friendship. We don’t need a study. It’s right in the Bible! The value of friendship is revealed throughout, even stressing the importance of having friends over family in Proverbs 27:10 (Message) “Don’t leave your friends or your parents’ friends and run home to your family when things get rough; better a nearby friend than a distant family.”

The UCLA study doesn’t mention what kind of friends we should have, or how we get them, or how we keep them, just that we need them.

The Bible teaches us to pick our friends wisely. “A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Proverbs 12:26 (NIV)

We make many friends in childhood when we don’t know anything about good character and the same can be said for early adulthood when we’re “forever young” and sometimes running around with the wrong crowd. Later in life, we find friends through our children, befriending their moms and dads and having the kids in common, or we saddle-up with people from work, simply because we’re in the same building 8 hours a day. We meet people in our church groups, sewing circles, book clubs and sport activities. But meeting someone is just the starting line. Will they get into the race and will it last very long?

Will we turn to look at the lineup and wonder how we’ve surrounded ourselves with, wondering if they’ll be treacherous (Psalm 41.9), of God, (Ex. 33:11) or mutual in consideration (Prov. 18:24)?

A recent poll found the average American doesn't have time for friends. Friendship is cultivated, nurtured and far from the depiction we see on television shows like the fabulously famous TV show, Friends, where the lives of six people are woven as tight as yarn on a loom. But there aren’t many tender sacrificial moments shown, only characters who bump and grind their way through a maze of self-centered egos.

Friendship can't be culled in thirty minutes in a coffee shop, or a bar, nor can it be about us, instead it’s a lifetime of nurturing and sacrifice. When was the last time we sacrificed something for a friend? Or when was the last time someone was there for us? When was the last time we took stock of our friends?

In James 4:4 (NIV) warns, “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”

We might think this is about material things, but this goes deeper. Are we hanging out with a bad crowd thinking it doesn’t matter if they live an ungodly life; after all, we’re doing the right things? Are our friends selfish? Are they needy? Do they bring us more strife than friendship? Even Christian friends can drain us dry.

We have to turn back to the Bible and see what God defines as a friend. In Judges 11:37 (NIV), God clearly states what is expected in a friendship. Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, which unfortunately meant sacrificing his daughter. When he told her this terrible news, she said: “But grant me this one request," she said. "Give me two months to roam the hills and weep with my friends, because I will never marry." What friend do we have who would “roam the hills” for two months to weep with us? We’re lucky to find one to go to dinner with us and really listen to our problems. People want to talk about themselves, and some friends want it to be all about them, and the minute we have a problem, they’re gone.

It seems the older I get the fewer my line of friends. The Lord reminded me that even Jesus lost friends. “But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.” Matthew 26:56 (NIV)

Now I think about how God wants me to have life-long friends. Friends for eternity. 1 Samuel 20:42 (NIV) is such a reminder: Jonathan said, "Go in peace! The two of us have vowed friendship in God's name, saying, 'God will be the bond between me and you, and between my children and your children forever!”

In today’s world we can’t imagine having a friend for life, or one that would befriend our sons and daughters and the generations to come. But this is what God wants for us. He doesn’t want us to have willy-nilly friends that have “conditions on the relationship.” If friendship is conditional, it’s not friendship.

In Deuteronomy 23: 4-6 (NIV) God says, “Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them as long as you live,” making it clear that he doesn’t want us to continue with difficult friendships, hang around with those who aren’t there for us, or cause hurt. Sadly, some friends will betray us, but remember that even while his dear friend, Judas, betrayed him, Jesus was calm and simply told him to do what he’d come for: “While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Friend, do what you came for.” Matthew 47:50 (NIV)

What a beautiful example he left us, that even in the worst of situations with friends, we can be strong and steadfast.

Our first friendship is with God. He wants to be our friend; he wants to lead us into righteousness through his name sake. His friendship is unconditional, loving and for eternity. He can also help us make the right friends if we but ask for help.

But I'm a Good Person!

Something was said at Bible study this week that struck a cord in me:

“Jesus allows us to stand on our own merit if we don’t accept him as Savior.”

What merits would I have without the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ! None!

If we set the scene, and visualize ourselves at time of death, when we’re standing before God, how would we argue our merits? How are we going to answer God’s questions? Many people who don’t know God have no idea that they’re going to be judged. Instead they think God (or some divine being) is going to note what good parents they were, how they worked hard and were wonderful providers, how they went to church (maybe) or at least on Easter and Christmas, never murdered or robbed, nor raised a fist against a brother. God will be pleased that they worked their way into heaven, hand us them E ticket and off they go.

But God knows all that we’ve done (or not done), it’s been recorded, and he knows that we have no merits before Him without the blood of Christ to wash away our sins. He also knows that we had encounters with Jesus that we ignored. We were offered the gift of Christ but arrogantly felt we didn’t need Jesus, only our own self sufficient ways. We never concerned ourselves with death or what might happen then (Satan does a good job of helping us forget that we all die), and minded our own business and wished Christians would do the same!

We tend to think death happens to others, the same way in youth that we think old age is never going to happen, and when it does, it's such a betrayal. The world is full of illusions, and the general population is hypnotized by them, putting off for tomorrow or perhaps never, that which is most important. Their salvation. Instead we’re obsessed with staying young, avoiding death at all costs by not enjoying our lives!

But death comes, and when it does, there we stand at the gates of paradise, and maybe we can get a glimpse of it, which will be even more torturous if we can’t get in! A gated community and no pass! We might look around and see what company we have, and think, I’m in...these look like good people. Then it’s our turn, and we make our way to God and suddenly we’re not so sure and we’re terrified. The fears we’re going to feel is crushing and likely drop us to our knees.

God is going to ask a question we might not be prepared to answer: “What did you think of my son, Jesus?”

Truthfully, you didn’t give Jesus much thought, other than at Christmas time, and then, not too seriously, what with all that had to get done that time of year.

You’ve figured out real quick God can read your mind before you speak.

“Did you hear about Him?” he’ll ask, even though he knows you dodged your cousin John every Christmas just so you’d not have to hear about Jesus, or how you were lost and needed salvation.

“Well, yea, I guess I did, but salvation, it sounded weird. My cousin used to say I was lost, but he didn’t have a good argument.”

“If you knew my Word, you’d know my good argument: You’re lost because of your rejection of biblical revelation (Ps. 19:1; Acts 14:17; Rom. 1:19, 20). You’re lost because of disobeying your own conscience (Rom. 2:14-16). You’re lost because of your relationship to the world (Eph. 2:2; Jas. 4:4; 1 Jn. 2:15-17). You’re lost because of your relationship to Satan (Mt. 4:8, 9; Jn. 8:42-44; 12:31; 2 Cor. 4:4; Col. 1:13; 1 Jn. 3:10; 5:19). And finally, you’re lost because of your relationship to sin (Gen. 2:17; 8:21; Job 14:4; Eccl. 7:20; Jer. 17:19; Mk. 7:20-23; Rom. 5:12; 7:14; Eph. 4:18).

By now you’re slumping, realizing too late that you should have listened to John and opened the Bible he gave you years ago.

God may continue this way: “But you felt you could navigate the world and all its woes alone without the Cross? You felt you didn’t need the privileges of church membership, all the blessings of the new covenant, pardon of sin, favor of God, peace of conscience, the promises of the gospels, and all the riches contained in them, access to the throne of Grace, the comforts of the spirit and the well grounded hope of eternal life?”

You’d never heard it put that way. Maybe if you had you might have considered it more. “But I lead a good life,” you say feebly. “Doesn’t that count for something?”

“Why didn’t you feed Him when he was hungry," God will ask, "or clothe Him when he was cold, or stop and give him a dollar on the street?”

This where we might feel justified in our answer: “I never saw him hungry, or naked, cold or begging! Of course I would have helped Jesus!”

“Whenever you failed to do one of these things to another human being who was being overlooked or ignored, that was Jesus—you failed to help Jesus.”

“Okay, I can see we’re all connected in a metaphysical sense, but I was a good person!” You can hear the desperation in your voice, because you begin to realize you’ll never see cousin John again, or Grandma Parker, or your own daughter who accepted Christ just this past year.

It’s unlikely we’ll get the chance to have such an enlightened conversation with God, instead we’ll be judged, on our “merits alone,” on our “goodness” which will fall short of the Glory of God, and be herded off with all the others who led good lives, separated from those who accepted Christ, to live in damnation and hell forever.

The number one excuse I’ve heard in my walk with Christ is, “I’m a good and person, and a moral person, and I don’t need to believe in Christ.”

Hell and damnation don't resonate with people nowadays--but nether did it in the time of Christ.

On Golden Pond

God asked me to move.

Not to a new neighborhood.

God asked me to help my father who didn’t particularly want my help, and as the good daughter I’ve always been I took on a heavy yoke of straightening out his house, his finances and eventually his health.

And now he’s good and mad at me for it!

There are over 500 references to “father” in the bible, so the role of a father is important to God. Bloodline is also important to God, and that’s why the bible is loaded with “begets.” God puts parenting high in His order of things, and when our parents fail his decree, he promises:

Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. Psalms 27:10 NIV

I’m not saying my earthly father failed me entirely. He did his duty as a father. Food on the table and a roof over my head, but not much more, certainly no emotional vulnerabilities, and nothing spiritual, but I still loved him unconditionally.

And I still do.

It’s not like I’m quoting scripture and finding peace left and right. Instead, I’m in the darkest valley since my mother died of cancer. After she passed, he shortly met and became involved with another woman who he solely and unequivocally bestowed all his money and attention upon without much concern or interest in his still grieving family of 50 years. He dealt with our mother’s death by withdrawing from his past, including his children and grandchildren. They made obligatory visits on some pivotal occasions, such as graduations and a few holidays, but not without bringing with them a whirlwind of drama and hurt, always late, never with a gift ready, never with a kind or loving word and usually heading straight for the vodka or V.O. My grown daughter recently said, “Grandpa missed so much of our lives.”

“I’m helping the father I had for forty-two years, the father who would play Beach Boys on the radio on the way to hunt grunion at midnight, talk about ‘back at the ranch,’ and grill steaks on Sunday night.” I said, “I don’t know this old cuss.”

Several years into dad’s new autumn romance he had a few Ischemic strokes, which are sometimes called mini strokes. We learned later he’d had others, but he hid them from the family. He also developed a high-speed temper and for about five years spoke to me with vile bitterness. At the time I didn’t know his personality change was due to his illness, I just coiled on my therapist sofa, filling up the trash can with tissues every Tuesday afternoon. Dad isolated himself from his bloodline and took up camp with his girlfriend’s family. He ignored all my pleas to seek better medical attention, to perhaps follow up on his mini stroke. Dad’s idea of medical care was E.R. visits and short stays in the hospital. I was unable to penetrate the fortress they’d built, and trying only caused me pain.

He eventually developed Broca’s Aphasia, meaning he understood you but couldn’t respond beyond brief yes and no answers, and Apraxia, or problems with simple tasks, such as remembering to eat. His lady friend wasn’t mom. She didn’t cook, clean or do care giving things, so in the past two years, Dad grew weaker, lost weight, seemed to be struggling more with everything and when the incontinence started it flooded his need of living without his family. She wasn’t about to change his diapers.

It was this backdrop that God told me to take responsibility for dad’s life.

God said move, and I moved.

Now my father is bitter, angry towards me as he recovers in a sophisticated skilled nursing facility with top notch medical care I’ve coordinated. He doesn’t understand that the State of California intervened when he arrived at the E.R., suspecting elder abuse. According to the doctors, I saved his life, yet he’s not said thank you, or even given me a smile.

I’m still waiting for my On Golden Pond moment, where my father will tell me how grateful he is to have me to navigate his care, say thanks for spending hundreds of hours repairing his house, funding his trust and organizing and managing his finances…for saving his life. To tell me, “I love you.”

It’s not going to come. But God’s promised he’d be with me, that he knows I’m afraid. He’s promised to show me which way to go—having never been this way before.

Yet still I tremble.

Update: Eugene died Sept 14, 2009