tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79607467079645576632024-02-26T02:36:59.201-06:00The Mary Diane A gazette, of sortsMary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-40925635102219803672014-04-06T16:06:00.000-05:002014-04-06T16:08:57.968-05:00The Temptations of Christ: Self-EmpowermentTempting God<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In this installment of our Lenten Series, let's look at the second temptation of Jesus:<b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaZ4HTT_-uNgAJ94jgCHk3XUlEqxhS9b7sSSoAjubHI-eAqgpalh0m2iRG-3Nfk9SGEo11_XclK6PHnFn7XQkRTFhyphenhyphengMfEp4o4GLV16Zyn78OdZLAKwiia_gwgBLDu4wZ8lLjU2UtY2I/s1600/F%C3%A9lix_Joseph_Barrias_-_The_Temptation_of_Christ_by_the_Devil_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaZ4HTT_-uNgAJ94jgCHk3XUlEqxhS9b7sSSoAjubHI-eAqgpalh0m2iRG-3Nfk9SGEo11_XclK6PHnFn7XQkRTFhyphenhyphengMfEp4o4GLV16Zyn78OdZLAKwiia_gwgBLDu4wZ8lLjU2UtY2I/s1600/F%C3%A9lix_Joseph_Barrias_-_The_Temptation_of_Christ_by_the_Devil_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg" height="400" width="267" /></a></i></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the
highest point of the temple. 'If you are the Son of God," he said,
"throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his angels
concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you
will not strike your foot against a stone'."<br />
<br />
Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test'."</i></b><i> </i>(Matthew 4:1-7)</span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> In an earlier post, we examined how each temptation falls into one of three categories:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Lust of the Flesh (self-gratification)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pride of Life (self-empowerment) </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lust of the Eyes (self-promotion)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Adam and Jesus faced these temptations head on. Our human forefather failed; Jesus--both man <i>and</i> God--won the victory, thereby breaking the curse of spiritual death over us and regaining our authority in the earth.<br />
<br />
Although temptations continue because satan has yet to be <i>literally</i> bound, he has nevertheless been <i>legally</i> stripped of his authority at the Cross. Any success he garners with mankind must be done through cooperating vessels.<br />
<br />
Our key is not in resisting temptation by ourselves, but remaining in
Christ...abiding in the One who already faced the devil and triumphed
over every temptation!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <br />
Any time we step outside of Christ to act upon a temptation, we step
away from our protection and power. This is another way to look at
"sin"--anything we seek to fulfill outside of God's Will (the what) and
Way (the how's and when's) for our lives.<br />
<br />
The <b>Pride of life</b> causes us to act presumptuously. We become so
full of ourselves that we rarely consult God for direction. Highly
intelligent and talented people fall easily into this trap. Many
anointed men and women with great ministries have become enamored of
themselves and run aground.<i><br />
<br />
"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you,
not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to
think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith."</i><br />
<br />
Pride was the original sin:<br />
<br />
"<i>How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how
art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations.<br />
<br />
"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will
exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount
of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the
heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." </i>(Isaiah 12:12-14)<br />
<br />
How many "I's" of Satan do you count ?<br />
<br />
Satan was the covering cherub over the Throne of God. He was called
Lucifer...so beautiful and stunning as the light bursting through at
dawn! His name meant "Day Star" or "Shining One".<br />
<br />
But what cut him down? Pride.<br />
<br />
He was THE Archangel over all the angelic host, yet that wasn't enough.
He wanted to take God's place. Pride blinded him into thinking more of
himself and his ability...so much so that he actually thought he could
defeat God and seize Heaven.<br />
<br />
What did God say to this rebel?<br />
<br />
"<i>Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted
your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I
made a spectacle of you before kings."</i> (Ezekiel 28:17)<br />
<br />
His strengths--not his weaknesses--caused him to sin!<br />
<br />
Struggles keep us desperately dependent upon God, but our impressive
strengths can lead us away from Him. Although we may generally pray,
worship and read our Bible, we draw upon our own strength (not divine
grace) as we encounter daily challenges. It is subtle, and it is
dangerous.<br />
<br />
Satan lost his ability to correctly reason and grasp reality. Prideful
people will not only be blinded to their own ways, but will lead others
into a ditch as well.<br />
<br />
What is the end result? We will be "thrown to earth". Look at Proverbs 16:18:<b><br />
<br />
"<i>Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."</i></b><br />
<br />
(Conversely: <i>"The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility." </i>Proverbs 15:13)<br />
<br />
Pride and haughtiness go hand in hand. An arrogant attitude reveals a
person who often stumbles through life, blaming others whenever things
don't pan out as planned. Such consistent, lofty grandstanding swells
the inner pride until some sort of destruction is inevitable. stripped
of his authority at the Cross. Any success he garners with mankind must
be done through cooperating vessels.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
When we look at the Hebrew meanings for the word <i>destruction</i>--breaking,
fracture, crushing, breach, crash, ruin, shattering--we can't help but
think of something intense happening very swiftly.<br />
<br />
With hindsight, all of us can look back and clearly see the warning
signs posted prior to a fall. We were blinded during our pursuit of
self-empowerment--convinced we were "ten feet tall and bullet
proof"--too talented to fail, too smart to get caught.<br />
<br />
Christians with successful ministries that grow under a season of
blessing can easily forget the source of favor. The pedestal becomes
comfortable, along with the adulation of admirers. The head swells as
the heart darkens.<br />
<br />
Sins become excusable for these exceptional people in unusual
circumstances. Adultery, cooking the church books, taking money for
personal needs from the offerings, spinning lies and constant blame
shifting to protect one's reputation become routine and rationalized.<br />
<br />
Can't you just hear Satan urging Jesus<i>? </i>(my paraphrasing)<i><br />
<br />
"Hey, I know that Moses wrote that Psalm for accidental encounters, but
you're special. Why, you're God's own son. You are, aren't you? You of
all people ought to be able to take His word and apply it to your
situation!<br />
<br />
"I mean, all this stuff you've been saying and doing...can you back it
up? If you're who you say you are, I bet you can take the ultimate risk
and come out fine. Surely God would make an exception in your case--yes,
a man with your calling and anointing, someone as gifted and important
as you!<br />
<br />
"Of course, you may just be blowing smoke, bud. Just another one of those nut jobs claiming to be the Messiah</i>. <i>We'll never know unless...</i><br />
<br />
Jesus didn't buy it, knowing that to jump would circumvent God's plan
for all of humanity. He wasn't thinking about His reputation. His
proving would come at the Cross--and not one minute before. In fact, He
cried at the moment upon redemption's completion, "It is finished"!<br />
<br />
But how many of us have stepped off the ledge in an effort to prove or protect ourselves, only to find that God <i>didn't </i>shield us from the consequences after all. He didn't pretend not to notice; God didn't wink an understanding eye in
our direction. And compounding the calamity is the innocent people
around us who are forced to suffer from our follies. <br />
<br />
<i>We</i> tempted <i>Him </i>to make an exception to His Word!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whatever
the idol, therein is the fall--fame, money, beauty, ministry, power,
status, a successful business or career, the attention and praise of
others. These inordinate desires tempt us to take more and more risks to
obtain them--even tempting God in the arena of life and death where He
alone is sovereign.<br />
<br />
If the object of your devotion (and the matter you often pray about)
looms bigger in your vision than the One you are praying to, read what
happens:<i><br />
<br />
"Now some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me. And the
word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Son of man, these men have set up
their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them
to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by
them?<br />
<br />
"Therefore speak to them, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD:
"Everyone of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, and
puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, and then
comes to the prophet, <b>I the LORD will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols.</b>"</i> (Ezekiel 14:1-4)<br />
<br />
In other words, you may hear exactly what you want to hear! God turns
you over to your own devices. He gets out of the way, and lets your idol
"answer" your prayers. Frightening, isn't it?<br /><br />Just recall the numerous headlines involving church-related sexual and
financial scandals, and you will agree people will try to justify
anything to consume their lusts...even special permission from God.<i><br />
<br />
"For if any person thinks himself to be somebody when he is nobody [of
superiority except in his own estimation], he deceives and deludes and
cheats himself." (</i>Galatians 6:3)<br />
<br />
The Bible contains many examples of the sin of self-empowerment:<b><br />
<br />
Abram and Sarai</b>: tried to figure out how God was going to give them
a child in their old age, only looking at the natural obstacles. They
cooked up their own plan to bring God's will to pass. Sarai gave her handmaid, Hagar, to Abram so that a legal child could be born.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <br />
Later on, when God supernaturally energized the couple's bodies and the
child of promise (Isaac) was born, the son of his own strength and
planning, Ishmael, became an enemy to his brother. (Genesis 15,16,18, 21<b>)<br />
<br />
Joshua: </b>was successfully conquering Canaan. The nearby Gibeonites
heard of his campaign and feared for their lives. They devised a plan
and approached Joshua's camp as ambassadors from a far away
country--dressed in dirty, worn clothing and carrying old food.<br />
<br />
They claimed that had come to make a pact of servanthood based on their
admiration for all they had heard about God and His people. Joshua,
blinded by his military successes, overconfident and puffed up, made a
snap decision based on natural perception, rather than consulting God as
before.<br />
<br />
When the deception was exposed, it was too late.The Covenant had already
been made. The Gibeonites were spared from destruction, and Joshua's
decision stood in defiance to God's preceding word to thoroughly cleanse
the land of all idolaters. (Joshua 9)<b><br />
<br />
Moses: </b>attempted to fulfill God's call on his life to liberate God's people from Egyptian bondage in <b>his </b>way and time. His way was to exert his own physical strength and courage through cold-blooded murder.<br />
<br />
God's way was a lengthy time of tempering and humbling in a desert
experience, then a return to Egypt in God's power and demonstration.
(Exodus 2-12)<br />
<br />
Moses, after leading a rebellious and stiff-necked people out of Egypt
and through the wilderness, succumbed to the pressure and stepped
outside of his rest in and reliance on God to handle his challenging
position. The people once again complained about being abandoned by God
to thirst, although once before the Lord supernaturally provided water
from a rock.<br />
<br />
God instructed Moses to simply speak to the rock this time and water
would flow to satisfy the wandering nation. However, angered over their
faithless murmurings, Mose, picked up his staff and struck the rock
instead, saying, "Hear now you rebels; must WE fetch you water out of
the rock?"<br />
<br />
This action cost Moses to stop short of his personal entrance into the
Land of Promise because he "believed Me not, to sanctify ME in the eyes
of the children of Israel." (Number 20)<br />
<br />
When we rashly strike out in exalted self-empowerment-even to meet
legitimate needs-we deny God the credit, thereby failing to sanctify Him
in the eyes of those watching us.<b><br />
<br />
Samson</b>: was a judge of Israel. An angel appeared to his previously
barren mother and announced a son would be born, but he must never cut
his hair (part of the Nazarite Vow that separates a person to a special
work for God).<br />
<br />
The extremely strong Samson was smitten with a woman named Delilah. His
enemies paid her to find out the secret of her lover's strength.<br />
<br />
Delilah's obvious probings were like a game to Samson. He ignored the
danger signals in order to be with her, believing as God's chosen man,
he was insulated from any real harm. One night he finally gave into
Delilah's pleadings, and he told her the truth.<br />
<br />
As he lay asleep in her arms, she had a man cut Samson's hair. His
enemies crept in and began to hit him. Startled, he awoke and rose to
fend them off as presumptuously as before, but found himself powerless
before attackers. He was taken captive, his eyes were poked out, and he
was publicly mocked. (Judges 13-16)<b><br />
<br />
Saul: </b>was Israel's first king. Because of his position and earlier
popularity, he justified his disobedience to the Lord, claiming that his
willful adjustments were actually intended to bring greater glory to
the Lord.<br />
<br />
Even after a rebuke from the prophet Samuel, he still asked the man of
God to walk with him out of the tent to make the people think everything
was okay. His anointing was removed, and a demonic spirit filled the
void that corrupted his reasoning and reduced him to paranoia and
violent outbursts. (1 Samuel 13,15)<b><br />
<br />
David: </b>was well acquainted with God's Word; he was the sweet
psalmist of Israel. Yet, he coveted Urriah's wife Bathsheba. He stepped
outside of God's Law to commit adultery with her while her husband was
far away on the battlefield.<br />
<br />
When she became pregnant, David took matters into his own hands and had
Urriah placed in the hottest point of the battle on the front line
where, according to plan, he died. David then took Bathsheba as his
wife. David's pride and lust had so blinded him that he felt no
conviction for his sins (adultery and murder)!<br />
<br />
He was oblivious to the fact that everyone around him, and even
neighboring nations, were fully aware of his actions and mocked him as a
"godly leader". Only after a cunning confrontation by the prophet
Nathan did David repent. (2 Samuel 11,12)<i><br />
<br />
"Therefore <b>humble yourselves</b> [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time <b>He may exalt you</b>."</i> (1 Peter 5:6)</span></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-3206459575491647272014-03-23T14:54:00.001-05:002014-03-23T14:56:05.487-05:00 The Temptations of Christ: Self-Gratification (Turning Stones into Bread)<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9h3_Qi1hdu77JnxzfheU4MTW-CJ1Ttk639EGuS6AQ3Zw8-n83iaSjR8k0nXZavP51ZTqUYLfBEe_XveIdHdYLs-VzIhhGBq2cVczVf5tdZopJcTqNxJYf6Gi53NnD_8GsxD5fFobqK4/s1600/stones+into+bread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9h3_Qi1hdu77JnxzfheU4MTW-CJ1Ttk639EGuS6AQ3Zw8-n83iaSjR8k0nXZavP51ZTqUYLfBEe_XveIdHdYLs-VzIhhGBq2cVczVf5tdZopJcTqNxJYf6Gi53NnD_8GsxD5fFobqK4/s1600/stones+into+bread.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> St. Paul warns us to <i>"not be ignorant of the devils' devices, lest he gain an advantage over us."</i> ( 2 Corinthians 2:11)<br /><br />Successful
generals study their enemy's tactics. The Bible gives us a clear
picture of satan's strategy throughout human history.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Do
not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the
world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the
world -- <b>the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life</b>
-- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing
away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides
forever"</i> (1 John 2:15-17)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">From the above passage, we see that people <i>of</i> the world and their systems are held sway by three dynamics:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Lust of the Flesh</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lust of the Eyes</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pride of Life</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">These
forces are governed by satan, meaning he is the prevailing influence in
the philosophies, opinions, and views of the unbelieving world, which
affect the educational, commercial, political, and religious systems of
nations.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b><i>"...In whom the <b>god of THIS world </b>hath blinded the minds
of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of
Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." </i>(2 Corinthians 4:4)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i>Note the use of the word "this" not "the"...signifying that satan
does not have absolute authority in the earth, but operates deceptively
with limited power primarily over those who do not believe, and <i>only</i> in this current age.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When
satan rebelled against God in Heaven, he was full of pride; he coveted
God's Throne (which he covered continually with his wings) and desired
to possess its power at any cost.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">His rebellion was characterized by a) lust of the flesh, b) lust of the eyes, c) pride of life. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He
and his angelic followers were cast to earth, doomed to wander their
"penal colony" while they watched mankind, created in God's image and
likeness, spread the Father's glory over all the earth. It was to be
eternally tormenting!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Satan
soon realized that if he could find a legal way to gain the mandate of
earthly authority granted to Adam, he could reanimate into the physical
world and work to steal, kill, and destroy God's beloved humanity.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Could he tempt man to also rebel and be kicked out of Paradise? Could he persuade man to follow his lead and forfeit his estate?</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
all know the story as recorded in the third chapter of Genesis. Let's
pick up where Eve succumbs to the same three dynamics in verse 6:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. She "saw" the tree was good for food (flesh)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. It was pleasant to look at (eyes)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. She desired it in order to become wise (pride of life)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">All temptations--then and now--land in one of these three areas.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Although Christians are not <b><i>of</i></b> the world, we are nevertheless <b><i>in</i></b> it; and when our hedges are down, we become the devil's prey, as well.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What do I mean by "downed hedges"?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="versetext" style="display: inline;"><span class="versenum"><br />
</span><i><span class="strongs">"Let</span> no <span class="strongs">man</span> <span class="strongs">say</span> when he is <span class="strongs">tempted</span>, I am <span class="strongs">tempted</span> <span class="strongs">of</span> <span class="strongs">God:</span> <span class="strongs">for</span> <span class="strongs">God</span> cannot be <span class="strongs">tempted</span> with <span class="strongs">evil,</span> <span class="strongs">neither</span><span class="strongs"> tempteth</span> <span class="strongs">he</span> any <span class="strongs">man:</span></i></span><i><span class="versetext" style="display: inline;"><span class="strongs"> But</span> every <span class="strongs">man</span> is <span class="strongs">tempted</span> when he is <b>drawn <span class="strongs">away</span> <span class="strongs">of</span> his <span class="strongs">own</span> <span class="strongs">lust,</span></b> <span class="strongs">and</span> <span class="strongs">enticed</span>. </span><span class="versetext" style="display: inline;"><span class="strongs">Then</span> when <span class="strongs">lust</span> hath <span class="strongs">conceived</span>, it bringeth <span class="strongs">forth</span> <span class="strongs">sin:</span> <span class="strongs">and</span> <span class="strongs">sin,</span> when it is <span class="strongs">finished</span>, bringeth <span class="strongs">forth</span> <span class="strongs">death." </span></span></i><span class="versetext" style="display: inline;"><span class="strongs">(James 1:13-15)</span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When
we are tempted, we can't blame God. He doesn't have anything to do with
it! Even satan has to seek an opportunity to tempt; he cannot
indiscriminately pick a victim:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"Be
sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring
lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in
the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your
brethren that are in the world."</i> (1 Peter 5:8-9)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Unbelievers
do not live within secure spiritual parameters; Christians do.
Nevertheless, we can find ourselves compromised due to careless
neglect. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Conversely,
as James tells us, we may linger and listen to voices outside the hedge
that speak to the needy areas of our heart, drawing us away from our
safe place. Ultimately, <b>we step out</b> to embrace the tempter.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
are blinded under temptation, unable to see a vicious predator--only
beauty, desire, and personal fulfillment. In other words:<b> lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life</b>.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">James tell us to resist temptation "stedfast IN the faith"...not with the faith. This is important, saint.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Remember, you are IN Christ, and He is your faith--not a set of rules and regulations. The only place you can win is <b>in</b> Christ!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"In
Christ" is where you positionally, legally reside at all times, but you
have to make that truth a daily reality here on earth--in your mind, in
your sexuality, at your job, in your choice of friends and
entertainment. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
Why is this important?<br />
</b><br />
God, the Son assumed human flesh in order to undo man's disobedience by becoming what Adam was not--a <i>trustworthy</i>
representative of God to all creation. The Incarnation was a radically
brilliant plan that would not compromise the integrity of a just God nor
deny mercy to the fallen. </span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">After
Jesus' baptism, the Holy Spirit led Him into the desert to face the
three temptations that Adam and Eve failed. Satan used his standard M.O.
to try to disqualify this new representative--the SAME methods he uses
against you and me as God's representatives in the earth today.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Although
Jesus was God in the flesh, the temptations He faced were very real.
His divinity was willingly submitted to serve the Father's purpose,
thereby manifesting <i>only by permission </i>as it fit into
redemption's plan, such as with healings and miracles. (Jesus explained,
"I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only
what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also
does." John 5:19)<br />
<br />
The temptations were aimed at pressing Him to question His Heavenly
Father's intents and goodness while in His human condition, thereby
compelling Him to step outside of God's provisions and into
self-attainment.</span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, it was not the humanity of Jesus that answered those temptations, but God within. As a result, He passed the test.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With
his sinless life and sacrificial death, He ransomed us from the curse
of rebellion, paid its penalty in our place, and credited that obedient
life to our account. Our statement is stamped "Paid in Full"!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That's
what being IN CHRIST means. In the Kingdom, we reside IN His
righteousness, His perfection before the Father, His faithfulness to
God. We trust what He has done for us, not what we do for Him (which can
never measure up to His holiness).<br />
<br />
However, in the material world that has yet to see the full
manifestation of Christ's Kingdom, we are the visible representatives of
that which is to come and its Sovereign.</span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<i>"The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but
is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known
among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ
in you, the hope of glory."</i> (Colossians 1:26-27) </span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Therefore,
as refractions of the life and ministry of our Lord, we face our
temptations in the same way. The battles are very real, <b>but Christ <i>within</i> makes the final decision</b>!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
minute we 'step outside' of that protective place by doubting God's
ways of relating to us and caring for our needs, we choose to take
matters into our own hands; we want to determine what's good and
evil...we want to control the how's and when's of getting what we want.
We take the bait again--just like Adam and Eve--and open ourselves up to
unnecessary trouble and consequences.<br />
<br />
Let's look at how the Bible records the temptations of Jesus:<br />
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Then
Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the
devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He
was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the
Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”<br />
<br />
But He answered and said, “It is written, </i><i> ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God'."<br />
<br />
Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle
of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw
Yourself down. For it is written: </i><i>‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and,</i><i> ‘In </i><i>their </i><i>hands they shall bear you up, </i><i>Lest you dash your foot against a stone'."<br />
<br />
Jesus said to him, “It is written again, </i><i> ‘You shall not </i><i> tempt the LORD your God'."<br />
<br />
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed
Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him,
“All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
<br />
<br />
Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you,<sup> </sup>Satan! For it is written, </i><i>
‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve'."
Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.</i></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”</i> (Matthew 4:1-11; 17)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Notice that none of the things used to tempt Jesus were in themselves illegitimate.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God
created us to enjoy food, but Jesus was in a God-inspired fast that
required a season of self-denial. God didn't want to withhold sustenance
from His Son, but it was not yet <i>time </i>for Him to eat again.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God was going to raise His Son from the dead in spite of fatal wounds, but it was not <i>time</i>.
The Cross was God's way. Jesus would validate His claims to the world
by saving others. He was not in the world to please or prove Himself.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
was going to win back what Adam forfeited to the devil, but not by
bowing to the enemy. He was going to die instead, rise from the dead,
then triumphantly, <b>openly </b>strip satan of the keys to death and the grave! </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He stuck to the Father's plan, although the end result took longer and was certainly not as easy.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus understood the <b>WILL</b>
(or plans) of God for His life. He was not in His season of Kingship.
He was to first come as the suffering servant, the sacrificial Lamb.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus relied on the Holy-Spirit inspired <b>WORD</b> of God to keep Him in God's Will (see His response to the devil's temptations).</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus accepted the <b>WAY</b> of God as to how the Father's plan of redemption was to unfold and be fulfilled--the how's and when's.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What season are you in as it relates to God's will for your life?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
is the Living Word. We are hidden in Him (Colossians 3:3). He is our
armor (Ephesians 6). Abiding in Him enables us to resist the enemy and
bear the fruit of obedience to the Father's plan.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
surrender to the way the Father has chosen--the how's and when's. Many
frustrated Christians are trying to follow the right plan, but in the
wrong way or time. Some have rejected their calling altogether, thinking
they missed God.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God has promised to meet our temporal needs as <i>El Shaddai</i>,
the God who is "more than enough". He has promised to vindicate every
wrong and be our defense against accusations and insults. We need not
take matters into our own hands to prove anything.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our
loving Father has promised that we have been "given all things that
pertain to life and godliness" in Christ (2 Peter 2:1-4) and that
indeed, we are joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
already sit in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus, "far above all
principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is
named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If
all things are under His feet, then they are under ours as well. He is
our head, we are His body--the FULLNESS of Him that filleth all in all."
(Ephesians 1:21, 23; 2:6)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Beloved,
being in Christ means we not only have unrestricted access to His
divine blessings, but we assent to obtaining them in the same manner as
our Lord--surrendered to the Will, Word, and Way of God at all times. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This may appear impossible until we remember that we are <b>In Christ</b>--abiding in and expressing outwardly the life and power of One who already surrendered on our behalf and won the victory!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"For
we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of
our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin." </i>(Hebrews 4:15)<br />
<br />
Now, we'll look further at the first temptation of Jesus to turn stones
into bread. It falls into the category of "lust of the flesh", or what I
define as <b>self-gratification</b>.<br />
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God
created us with a genuine hunger mechanism--a signal that our bodies
are 'running on empty'. But our heart (the seat of our emotions) also
releases uncomfortable feelings when it is approaching "E".</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God created us with the capacity to give and receive <b>affirmation, attention, and affection</b>. Emotionally healthy people have mostly full tanks, and do not rely on constant input from others to keep them running.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Affirmation says: You're valuable to me.<br />
<br />
Attention says: You're worth my time.<br />
<br />
Affection says: You're desirable; I want to be near you; I am not repulsed by your flaws.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Don't
get me wrong; it's nice to receive these blessings from other people.
We can all benefit from "topping off our tanks", but do you get what I'm
saying?<br />
<br />
Only God can heal and satisfy the heart's complex hunger for
affirmation, attention, and affection. If it's not met in Him first, our
hunger will drive us to look for fulfillment in ungodly people and
places.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pause
for a moment and reflect once again on what affirmation, attention, and
affection means. Do you have the kind of relationship with Jesus
Christ that makes it easy for you to hear and believe these words when
spoken by Him? If not, to whom are you looking for validation?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Deficient
hearts are desperate. They want to end the discomfort NOW! They can't
stand being told "no" or "not yet"; they take it as a personal insult or
attack that screams, "You're not worthy to be gratified."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
vain imagination leads them to desperate choices in their
relationships, finances, business, and ministry--often leading to sinful
ways to try to escape the compounding consequences. Notice in the
temptation passage that satan prods, "COMMAND that these stones become
bread!"</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Indeed, needy people are quite demanding, and insist on getting their way every time...regardless of whom it affects:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Achan in Battle (Joshua 11): He took material blessings out of the timing of God.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
What do we do when God says, "Not yet"?</i> <i>Do we go ahead and buy on credit and extend our debt?</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">King
David with Bathsheba (2 Samuel, chapter 11): He had sex with another
man's wife after seeing her bathe, and the cover-up led to greater
wickedness. Though he had many wives, David lusted after a particular
woman and would not rest until he had<u> her.</u></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
How do we react when God says, "No!" Do we nevertheless keep flirting
with what is forbidden until we reach a point of no return? </i><i>Do we heap more sin unto our account by the way we try to erase our footprints or escape a consequence?</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
King Solomon, who was willing to compromise his faith to please his foreign wives and concubines: (1 Kings 11)</span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
Although God's Word is clear, do we deceive ourselves into thinking that
our anointed gifts, talents, position or wealth makes exceptions for
us?</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Judas and his thirty pieces of silver: (Matthew 26: 14-16)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
What is your price? Can your confession for Christ be exchanged for
money, fame, a certain person's favor or a position of power?</i> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">St. Paul observed:<i><br />
<br />
"...for I have <b>learned</b> how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> <br />
I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance.<br />
<br />
I have <b>learned</b> in any and all circumstances the secret of facing
every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency
and enough to spare or going without and being in want.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> <br />
I have strength for all things <b>IN CHRIST</b> Who empowers me [I am
ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner
strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]."</i> Philippians 4:11-13 (Amplified Bible)<br />
<br />
Contentment is not automatic. All of us must learn that only living spiritually <b>IN CHRIST</b>
will we be able to, in turn, live in the natural world under any
circumstances--with plenty or little, appreciated or not, loved or
alone.<br />
<br />
Focusing on Christ and His sufficiency prevents us from embracing a
lying vanity that causes us to doubt God's goodness and care for us in
the seasons of "No" or "Not Yet". It prevents us from stepping outside
of Him to meet either a legitimate or a perceived need.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br />
Up Next: Self-Empowerment</span></span></span>Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-85796639441871823802014-03-12T17:33:00.001-05:002014-03-12T17:40:43.161-05:00Your Eyes Will Be Opened<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7960746707964557663" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7960746707964557663" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbL5g48AAYtSB575s0fjJbwzTB9nq8PelMVXWSK321FBckg-2Ub8yFgOLgPoIol-fEbHCv6BYuPdpirPx5W7DUB9nNUHW0lqg1NfTU5Io-gQW7gnLM-0BXYXznHKKklALVNUVHkmHm2M/s1600/Cole_Thomas_The_Garden_of_Eden_1828.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbL5g48AAYtSB575s0fjJbwzTB9nq8PelMVXWSK321FBckg-2Ub8yFgOLgPoIol-fEbHCv6BYuPdpirPx5W7DUB9nNUHW0lqg1NfTU5Io-gQW7gnLM-0BXYXznHKKklALVNUVHkmHm2M/s1600/Cole_Thomas_The_Garden_of_Eden_1828.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbL5g48AAYtSB575s0fjJbwzTB9nq8PelMVXWSK321FBckg-2Ub8yFgOLgPoIol-fEbHCv6BYuPdpirPx5W7DUB9nNUHW0lqg1NfTU5Io-gQW7gnLM-0BXYXznHKKklALVNUVHkmHm2M/s1600/Cole_Thomas_The_Garden_of_Eden_1828.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to
tend and keep it.</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of
the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and
evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely
die.”</i> (Genesis 2:15-17)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Adam's job assignment contained only TWO aspects: tend and guard the Garden.
Isn't it interesting that Adam was not burdened down with volumes of rules and
regulations on <i>how </i>to do his job?</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />Actually, only ONE rule existed: do not eat from
the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. It carried a stiff penalty of sure
death. This forbidden tree was in the middle of the garden--not protected by an
imposing fence or even a "No Trespassing" sign.<br /><br />Adam and Eve could choose from countless
varieties of fare from the abundant vegetation. Although God knew ahead of time
what Adam had done each day, He delighted in stepping into time and walking with
His children in the cool of the day, rejoicing at their progress and patiently
listening to their discoveries. It was the joy of loving and being loved.<br /><br />As the couple grew in knowledge and wisdom, they
were to learn directly from the Creator about the intricate, spiritual dynamics
outside their ever-expanding material world. (Adam had been told to protect the
Garden; therefore, he knew an enemy was on the ground somewhere.)<br /><br />The economy of the Garden ran on <b>relational
stewarding</b>. Adam and Eve were co-trustees of creation--accountable to each
other and to God. The moment the outsider spoke, Eve should have turned to Adam
and told him. Adam, in turn, should have refused further engagements until God
could be consulted. After all, the Creator of all things would know the true
nature of this strange creature and exactly what it wanted.<br /><br />Eve, however, fell under the charm of being
singled out. Flattered by the attention and isolated by her pride, she
unwittingly fell under seduction. Satan systematically wore Eve down by:<br /><br />1. emphasizing the prohibition, not the
provision<br />2. reducing God's command to a question<br />3. casting doubt upon God's sincerity<br />4. defaming His motives<br />5. denying the truth of the consequences<br /><br />Most likely, the enemy has never has spoken to
you directly, but he does use other charming things and people to get you
hooked into engaging him. Look again at his methods above. In hindsight, does
this M.O. look familiar?<br /><br />In essence, satan asked Eve: <i><br />Do you
want God to teach you what He knows, or do you want to learn it yourself?<br />Why do you think God wants you to have to keep coming to Him?<br />Could it be
He desires to keep you under His thumb?<br />If He really loves you, why is He holding something this important and
pleasurable from you?<br />Have you ever wondered if eating from the tree will make you just like
Him, and then you won't need God anymore?<br />Did He say you'd die? Why, I think
you'd become divine!</i><br /><br />It worked. Genesis 3:6 records the downfall:<br />1. Eve "saw that the tree was good for
good" (Lust of the Flesh)<br />2. That it was "pleasant to the eyes"
(Lust of the Eyes)<br />3. And a tree desirable to “make one wise”
(Pride of Life)<br /><br />The book of James tells us the difference
between godly and earthly wisdom:<br /><br />From above--pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to
yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy<br />From below--inspired by the devil; full of
bitterness and envy that leads to self-seeking that produces confusion<br /><br />Envy occurs when a person lacks another's <i>(perceived)</i>
superior quality, achievement, or possession; and either desires it or wishes
that the other lacked it. Regardless of how well the devil spins it for you philosophically, when you
want to be the captain of your soul and the master of your fate, the bottom
line is--you envy God.<br /><br />If we look back at Genesis 2:15, when God said,
"You shall surely die", the literal Hebrews is <i>"in dying, you
shall die."</i><br /><br />It would take hundreds of years for what Adam
and Eve set into motion to steal their physical breath, but their spiritual
death was immediate. How did we know? To be spiritually alive in this realm, a
man or woman must be connected to God, who Himself is a Spirit, and the giver
of all life (John 4:24). To be dead spiritually indicates a person is <u>relationally, intimately</u> cut off from God.
Look at the symptoms:<br /><br />After eating the fruit, Adam and Eve notice they
were naked<b> </b><i>for the first time</i>. A new emotion entered the
garden--<b>shame</b>. They desperately make fig leaves (from the forbidden tree) to <b>cover</b>
the most intimate part of themselves from each other. Next, they <b>hid</b> from God <i>for the first
time</i>, shrinking from the One they normally welcomed into the Garden for
intimate fellowship. Why? Shame was followed by a second emotion: <b>fear</b>.<i><br /><br />"I was
afraid,"</i> said Adam.<br /><br />Finally, <b>blame shifting</b> manifested:<br /><br />The man said, <i>"The woman <b>you</b> put
here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."Then the
LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman
said, "The <b>serpent</b> deceived me, and I ate."</i> (Genesis
3:12-13)<br /><br />Eating the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge
of Good and Evil gave Adam and Eve the shortcut they were looking for--the
power to decide what was good and bad for themselves, but at a tremendous cost.<br /><br />Physical life would go on, but under harsh
conditions. Creation would no longer obey Adam because he disobeyed the
Creator.<br /><br />The earth no longer would acknowledge Adam as a representative of the
Godhead. As a result, it was not obligated to respond to his efforts to subdue and take
dominion over it. Cut off from the divine (the spiritual), man had to rely solely
on his five senses to help him <b>discern, divide, and decide.</b><br /><br />The first humans' sons and daughters have come
into this world ever since with the same amputation. We arrive as spiritual
cripples, despite our intellectual capacities and talents. Our void shows. We don't appreciate the
liberties we DO have as agents of free will; we focus on what our Creator
prohibits and begin to question His motives. We listen to "new"
voices that feed our doubts and fuel our pride.<br /><br />Like Eve, we legalistically <b>add</b> to God's
restrictions to convince ourselves of how enslaving they are. (She added, "We
may not <i>touch</i> it, lest we die")<br /><br />Like Eve, we <b>diminish</b> the consequences in
our mind by removing "surely" from before the word "die".
(Genesis 3:2)<br /><br />We may still be breathing after seizing the
tree, but we're not well. Society reels with one problem after another that can
be traced back to the day we became fig weavers.<br /><br />As a whole, we are people bent on
self-preservation and hiding our true selves. When caught red-handed, we
quickly pass the blame. We are steeped in fear. We don't know what it's like to
live shame-free, nor without the secret delight in shaming others<i>.</i><br /><br />When Adam and Eve finally faced God, He would not, could not wink at their sin.
He didn't grant them a "do over", much as we might to a child who
lands outside the lines in a game of hopscotch.<br /><br />God is holy (perfect). He is just. He is love
and mercy...far beyond anything mankind has been able to fathom or experience.
His attributes cannot be separated, nor can one quality be emphasized to the
exclusion of the others without distorting the real character of God.<br /><br />While allowing the curse to stand, God
nevertheless slaughtered animals in the Garden--another first--using their
innocent blood to temporarily atone (cleanse) for man's rebellion. He then made
each of them clothes from the skins of those animals, which Adam and Eve wore
out of the garden. The animal skins were evidence that a sacrifice had been
made on their behalf.<br /><br />God also promised Eve that her future Seed
(another representative from God) would face the accuser again (Genesis 3:15).
Adam II would be wounded by satan, but would undo the curse and crush demonic
authority once and for all.<br /><br />It happened--just as God promised and just as He
planned.<br /><br />God, the Son assumed human flesh and became Adam
II to make final atonement for what happened in the Garden. Being born of a
human woman, he was fully human yet fully divine. His power was never
diminished-- only restrained for redemption's purpose, which was to suffer and
die in our place.<br /><br />"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God someting to be used to His own advantage;<br />Rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Philippains 2: 5-7)</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />He deliberately limited His humanity in order to
know man's hunger, thirst, need for sleep, tiredness, and emotions. God, the
Son chose to cloak His divinity in order to learn language and social skills as
a child--even carpentry--thereby authentically experiencing and sanctifying
every stage of life.<i><br /><br />"I tell you the
truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his
Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the
Father loves the Son and shows him all he does..."</i> John 5:19-20<br /><br />Given the earthly name Jesus, Christ lived a
life totally dependent upon God, the Father...bypassing the temptation to
partake of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in His humanity.<br /><br />Satan wanted this Messiah to believe that the
Cross was not necessary. Plotting what he thought was another easy ruse, the
veteran tempter told Jesus that all he had to do was bow down in allegiance to
him; then, all the wealth and power of earthly kingdoms that had been
previously forfeited by the first Adam would be returned--no pain, no suffering,
no loss of reputation or life.<br /><br />Jesus wasn't interested.
To Him, the stakes were higher: human souls<i>.</i><br /><br />Adam and Eve would have eventually possessed the knowledge of the universe; but
they chose to seek it divorced from intimacy with God and each other. God only
works relationally. This is a foundational truth we learn by looking into the
profound intimacy, love, and outworkings within the Trinity.<br /><br />What Adam and Eve didn't understand (and neither
do most of their descendants today) is that no one <i>really </i>becomes
his or her own god; It's just a tragic change of allegiance under the <i>pretense</i>
of autonomy. That's another reason God couldn't say, "<i>All right, kids;
since this is your first sin, it doesn't count."</i><br /><br />Adam and Eve had switched allegiance from God to
the fallen prince of rebellion. Thinking they were free unto themselves, they
were slaves of the devil and bound to his ways. They were eternally cut off
from God's goodness and grace. Forgiveness was not enough. They needed a
formidable deliverance!<br /><br />Actually, there was a "do over", but
not by sinful Adam and Eve: It was accomplished by Christ--the final Adam. If
you receive what He has done for you by faith, God will credit this finished
work to your account. You will be legally transferred out of the imprisoning
inadequacy of Adam and into the liberating sufficiency of Christ.<br /><br />So during this season of Lent, God is calling to
the fearful in hiding. He is walking once again into the Garden you soiled by
sin and draped in shame. He’s not out to destroy you!<br /><br />He wants to know if you're interested in making an exchange: your fig leaves
for His Son.<i><br /><br />"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make
no provision for the flesh..."</i> (Romans 13:14)<br /></span></span></span>Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-64906881169649225432014-03-05T08:33:00.001-06:002014-03-05T13:38:52.359-06:00 Along the Canterbury Trail: A Charismatic Discovers the Beauty and Power of Lent<br />
<span style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Today begins the season of Lent. That's Lent with an <i>e</i>, not an <i>i</i>.</span><br /><br />The only "lint" I experienced
as a child was the stuff I had to clean out of the clothes dryer, and the pesky
pet hair we'd have to brush off our "Sunday best" before heading to
service.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Having a menagerie of dogs and cats necessitated having a good lint
brush around, or at least a roll of duct tape.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3L7QaZ4ZYKv8WSDQrTHovlxn9ezZk1kqP4ULRHYIoyC5jh7O-HxiPiVFwiCMQgRnUuTa1og7kW-kS-ZPSMtuQ6KfoWW-Fc3qtfXfpoBwLU6ogO9TQMMhtQ2_Zu0kyP1e5dcFNqeBfzmY/s1600/lenten_cross.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3L7QaZ4ZYKv8WSDQrTHovlxn9ezZk1kqP4ULRHYIoyC5jh7O-HxiPiVFwiCMQgRnUuTa1og7kW-kS-ZPSMtuQ6KfoWW-Fc3qtfXfpoBwLU6ogO9TQMMhtQ2_Zu0kyP1e5dcFNqeBfzmY/s1600/lenten_cross.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I <i>heard</i> the other LENT was
some sort of ceremony practiced by Catholics.<br /><br />I <i>heard</i> they put ashes on
their foreheads and<span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i>acted<i> </i></span>really sorry for being bad.<br /><br />I <i>heard </i>that some of them gave up
their favorite foods right before Easter in order to prove to God they were
serious about doing better.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />Our evangelical church never
practiced Lent. When it was mentioned, it was usually criticized as Roman
rubbish.<br /><br />I recall being at a restaurant after
the mid-week service when some of <i>those</i> people walked in with the smudge
on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. We whispered in eerie tones,
"They do that thing called "Lent." We tried to cover a snicker
or two as we watched them--each with a distinctive blob of dirt above the
nose--eat and chat away as if nothing was out of the ordinary.<br /><br />God's sense of humor contains a
stinging "gotcha!" that all of us need to watch out for when we take
hearsay for facts, and judge others from inside our comfortable, but confining
perceptions<span style="font-size: small;">.</span><br /><br />After attending an Ash Wednesday service a few years back, I was woefully stung
at the Golden Corral following the evening service. A woman and her daughter
brushed by while I was debating between a topping of cottage cheese or chicken
salad. I heard the Mom say as they passed, "Quit staring. She's a
Catholic."<br /><br />"What's a cat tick?" the
little girl asked with fear in her voice, as if the word had terrorist-like
connotations.<br /><br />"I'll tell you later," the
mother replied.<br /><br />Despite my chuckle, that's exactly
what bothers me. What did she tell her child?<br /><br />The same lies...excuse me--<i>misrepresentations</i> I heard at an early age?
The same falsehoods that shaped my belief system for most of my Christian life?
I acknowledge that most of the things I heard were spread by well-meaning, but
misinformed believers who accepted without question what others had passed down
through their denomination or particular church--their little place of Heaven.<br /><br />But let's clear things up to prove
my point.<br /><br />I am NOT a Roman Catholic (nothing
against them). I attend a conservative Anglican church. We are also a
charismatic fellowship, which the mom probably never would have guessed. After
all, how many Pentecostals get ashes rubbed on their foreheads at church?<br /><br />Dancing in the aisles? Maybe. Ashes
from last year's dried and burned Palm Sunday branches? Uh, no. We're on a
roll, so let's clear up a widely believed error right now:<br /><br />There was no Roman Catholic Church
until 1054 A.D., when trouble that had been festering for years finally split
the Church into two expressions--the West (guided by Rome) and the Eastern
Church (Constantinople--Orthodox).<br /><br />Very few Christians today take time
to chew on the glorious truth that there was only ONE church on earth for over
a thousand years after the Day of Pentecost!<br /><br />If a visitor arrived in Corinth, for
example, he would ask, "Where does THE Church meet in your city?"
Although assembling in different cities and homes (and later in buildings), it
was ONE Church which adhered to the doctrine of Christ and His Apostles,
guarded it against heresies from within and persecutions from without, and
worshiped in manifested unity.<br /><br />All of us--Roman Catholic, Orthodox,
and Protestant--owe a lot to St. Athanasius. His explanation and defense of the
Trinity against divisive elements within the early Church helped clarify and
ground the Trinitarian doctrine. Athanasius was also the first person to
identify the same 27 books of the New Testament that other Church leaders later
canonized (made official).<br /><br />We learn from historical records
that Athanasius--<b>in 331 A.D</b>.--was instructing the Church toward a forty-day
period of introspection and repentance in order to properly prepare for
Resurrection Sunday. By 339 A.D., after having traveled to Rome and over the
greater part of Europe, Athanasius wrote in the strongest terms to urge this
observance to be universally practiced. And so it began…when EVERY Christian
was catholic (little "c"--meaning a part of something universal).<br /><br />Really, aren't we <i>all </i>catholics
(little c's)? I trust you believe you are a part of the seamless Body of
Christ--past, present and future--in Heaven and on earth.<br /><br />I agree that there are important doctrinal measures that define the true faith
and cannot be compromised--e.g., the Trinity, the Incarnation of Christ (fully
man and fully God) His bodily resurrection and physical return to
earth--but we must focus on our unity in Christ and not turn minor, <u>non-salvific</u>
traditions into legalistic dogma that breeds suspicion and cripples our
witness.<br /><br />Now you know that Lent was not
invented over in Rome to offend Protestants. Face it. If you were a believer
living anywhere from 330.A.D. onward until the Reformation (1517), you observed
the Lenten Season. That's a long time<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />But guess what? Protestants took the practice with them, too. Today, Anglicans,
Episcopalians, and Lutherans observe the season of Lent, along with many
Methodist denominations. Only the more <i>modern</i> churches have abandoned
the observance. Oops! Doesn't sound like these folks were "on the
fringe" after all! Truthfully, they were smack dab in the center of Church
practice from the beginning.<br /><br />So, where does the word <i>Lent</i> come from and what does it mean?<i><br /><br />Quadragesi</i> is Latin for "fortieth day". No big revelation
here.<br /><br />The season begins on Ash Wednesday
and continues for forty days to the Saturday before Easter. Sundays are not
counted in this season because <i>every</i> Sunday is the Lord's Day and is
celebrated as a joyous, spiritual feast (or should be...Selah).<br /><br /> In the Roman Catholic
Church, Lent ends on the Thursday before Easter.<b> </b>This day is known as
Maundy Thursday, Holy Thursday, or Covenant Thursday throughout
Christendom.<b> </b> It commemorates the “Maundy”
(New Commandment), and the Last Supper of Jesus with His Apostles.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />Now, if you're an evangelical
trodding through unknown territory in this article, then let me digress to give
you a backdrop of information.<br /><br />Not until I joined a
liturgical/sacramental expression of Christ's Body did I realize that the
Church follows its own calendar of worship that revolves around the life and
work of Christ in seven seasons:<b><br /><br />Advent</b>: the two comings of Christ (God keeps His promises)<b><br />Christmas:</b> the Incarnation "God With Us"<b><br />Epiphany:</b> the revealing of Christ to the Gentile Magi and His Baptism
in the River Jordan<b><br />Lenten:</b> repentance, forgiveness, and restoration<b><br />Easter:</b> Resurrection<b><br />Pentecost:</b> the Holy Spirit<b><br />Kingdomtide:</b> (also known as "Ordinary Time") growing in
service and sanctification<br /><br />Combined, these seasons teach the
four doctrines of the Church:<b><br />The Incarnation<br />The Atonement<br />The Resurrection<br />The Holy Trinity</b><br /><br />Oh, before we go any further, imagine my surprise when I also discovered the
concept of such a calendar developed around <b>325 A.D</b>! It's intended to
help us stay focused on the life and ministry of Christ as repeatedly, year
after year, we move rhythmically through the seasons.<br /><br />Kingdom truths are like exquisite
diamonds with multiple facets. The closer we draw to the treasure, the more
details we can behold. Moving around the diamond also gives us perspectives we
could not see from a previous position. We are going "from glory to glory".
The seven seasons of the Church Year, as the diamond, remain unchanged.
However, WE are the ones changing.<br /><br />People can become so familiar with
their liturgy or order of service that it can sadly deteriorate into mimicry--a
corporate "going through the motions"--whether it's standing to sing
Hymn # 429 or getting ready to celebrate Jesus' Resurrection.<br /><br />I visited an Episcopal Church one
Sunday and sat beside a young woman. We exchanged pleasantries as the service
began. I was still rather "new" to liturgy, but I could tell she had
it all down pat. She knew when to make the sign of the Cross and kneel; she
knew the General Confession and Great Thanksgiving (Eucharist) by heart. I was
impressed.<br /><br />Nevertheless, during the homily
(sermon), she took out a file and manicured her nails. When it came time to
receive communion, she bounced up to the rail, received it, and left before the
service ended.<br /><br />May I tell you what she got that
day? A nice-looking set of nails! Despite God being there to minister to her in
a powerful, incarnate reality through His Body and Blood, she missed Him-- even
though she said all the right things at the right time, and even drank the wine
and ate the bread.<br /><br />"Be it unto you according to
your faith", right?<br /><br />You'll only get out of Lent what you
expect…and only if your faith takes you into the experience out of love for
Christ. It bothers me to hear people brag about giving up something for Lent,
as if our sacrifices for forty days of booze, cigarettes, and chocolate leave
God breathless.<br /><br />I'm more patient with those who've
taken it a step further and are willing to lay aside TV time, electronic games,
social networking sites--anything that seems to compete for the time and
devotion that belongs to Christ.<br /><br />But those are only outward
distractions. The whole purpose of Lent is to give God permission to step
across the carefully guarded threshold into where your deepest desires and real
motives dwell...where out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks and
the issues of life flow. It's all there--your sexual passions, insecurities,
lust for power. Greed is there, along with vanity, pride, selfishness, hatred,
bitterness, unforgiveness, lingering offenses, irrational fears, control and
manipulation.<br /><br />Being prepared for the Resurrection
means something had to die. We all want the power that comes with rising from
the dead, but very few of us want to go through the only way to get it.<br /><br />Of course, I'm not talking about
physical death, but a laying down of all self-absorption...the kind that fills
us so full of ourselves that there's little room for the manifested life of
Christ to be wrung out onto the dry places and thirsty people around us!<br /><br />The colors, symbols, signs and
motions of liturgical worship are simply to strike a chord in humanity's five
senses to an inward work of grace that's occurring. For instance, the palm
branch I so joyously waved as I processed into worship last year, has been
neglected--left to dry up and wither. What was once vibrant and supple has lost
its color and breaks at the slightest touch.<br /><br />It is consumed in fire. From the remaining ashes, a mark is placed upon my
forehead to remind me of how easily a creature from the dust can turn on His
Creator. If we remember the gospel story, the same people that took Palms and
welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem were the same people who days later yelled,
"Crucify Him<span style="font-size: small;">"!</span><br /><br />God sees what we wave at Him when
things are going good. He hears the praise reports and thanks. It's what lurks
unaddressed deep inside of us that concerns our Heavenly Father; He knows the
enemy will use it against us. At pivotal moments in our lives, we may betray or
deny Christ. Adultery is betrayal...not only to one's spouse but to the Lord of
that marriage. Refusing to take a stand when it counts because one doesn't want
to sabotage a promotion is denying that Christ who was tortured to end the fear
of man and its tyranny over us.<br /><br />Yes. It's dirty work. When I watched
my dad uproot an old tree stump, a lot of "groans" emerged from the
ground as the deep root system began to surrender to the unrelenting pull of
the chains. Decades of spreading, tangling, intertwined roots finally made
their way to the top as the soil churned and dust flew.<br /><br />Lent prepares you to fix your heart
for <i>your</i> cross; and draw upon the strength and empowerment of the One
who has gone before you with <i>His</i> Cross. You will walk out from some of
your tombs this year. Maybe not all of them at once, but of this I can be
assured:<i><br /><br />"And I am certain that God, who
began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally
finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." </i>(Philippians
1:6)<br /><br />If you lose your resolve along the
way, if you begin to kick at the pricks and hold on instead of letting go,
here's some good news:<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Lent will come again. You can repent
and start anew!<br /><br />I invite you to join me during this
season for a series of messages that will get us ready to rise to a new level
of life in Christ.<br /><br />For each week in Lent, we'll approach
an aspect of God’s forgiveness as it relates to the amazing merge of His holiness
<i>and </i>love at the Cross. Some areas I’ll cover include:<br /><br />1) Why God couldn't say to Adam and
Eve, "Okay. That one didn't count."<br />2) What God did to right the wrong,
and why the plan had to be bloody and brutal<br />3) How to respond to Christ's
already secured gift of redemption<br />4) How to have a "perfect"
heart toward God, as He demands.<br /><br />I'm also planning to post articles taken
from the Gospel accounts of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. His three
temptations--to turn stones into bread, to jump from the pinnacle of the
Temple, and to bow down in allegiance to satan--dealt with the same
prevailing heart attitudes that Adam and Eve faced, but did not overcome.<br /><br />Beloved, nothing has changed. The
devil has no new M.O.'s. The times, places, and platforms are different, but
all temptations known to humanity fall into one of three categories:<b><br /><br />self-gratification, self-protection,
self-empowerment</b>...which are:<br /><br />1) lust of the fles<span style="font-size: small;">h</span><br />2) the pride of life<br />3) lust of the eyes</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-63872517177460842272014-02-24T18:39:00.001-06:002014-02-26T12:47:49.597-06:00PODCAST: Everyday Healing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6wiZMJbYbCO0mGmknhZS80KYpNMiVhX-8KP2ido_BQJPf_waPNIlT86tNd1LUaJgdHznNHDjQlGrjcnzUgzNpccVuLrZLumw-xx5psJ3sn9wfNFNChdHQ5-jEmbamkaNbqeSa-8UNMo/s1600/Philippians+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6wiZMJbYbCO0mGmknhZS80KYpNMiVhX-8KP2ido_BQJPf_waPNIlT86tNd1LUaJgdHznNHDjQlGrjcnzUgzNpccVuLrZLumw-xx5psJ3sn9wfNFNChdHQ5-jEmbamkaNbqeSa-8UNMo/s1600/Philippians+002.jpg" height="272" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://marydianegoin.podomatic.com/">MAKE IT COUNT</a><br /><br />Welcome to another podcast episode of Everyday Healing.<br />
<br />
I composed these thoughts over the Christmas holidays on the beautiful island of Oahu. I visited my son who is stationed at Schofield Army Barracks, and of course, enjoyed my three energetic grandchildren.<br /><br />A big thanks to Jim and Deb, friends who made my dream come true. I ask you to join me in blessing them for their generosity!<br /><br />Beforehand, my oncologist and I discussed taking a much-needed break from chemotherapy for a six-week period. It felt good to have increased energy and a release from a few of the more aggravating side effects from the treatments.<br />
<br />
But now I’m back home--full of great memories and ready to catch up.<br /><br />Today’s Scripture to consider is Philippians 1:12:<br /><br />
</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<i>"But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>gospel." </i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Paul was in chains, imprisoned in Rome when he wrote those words to the believers in Philippi. <br /><br />He de-emphasized his circumstance, however, to assure them that God was using his adversity to further the Gospel. He exhibited the love and victory found in Christ to everyone who guarded and tended to him. In turn, they shared with family and friends what they saw and heard. Thus, all of Rome was coming to know that Paul was held captive because of the Gospel, and the good news continued to be spread abroad despite the Apostle’s confinement.<br /><br />Cancer attempts to box us into an oppressive regulated life--therapy, tests, hospitals, and doctors. Often, we cannot see a future beyond these things. The heaviness of our chains seek to diminish our hope over time and wear down our faith. After a while, we are tempted to give up because the fight is too hard, too painful, too full of side effects that work to rob us of the joys of normal, daily living.<br /><br />Nevertheless, we must make a demand upon what is the full and sufficient grace already residing within us. Although not being as mobile and independent as before…despite having depleted reserves of energy and stamina, we can ask God to turn our situation into opportunities to further the Gospel—WITHIN our limitations—just like Paul. <br /><br />Just click on the title "Make It Count", and enjoy basking with me in the Lord's presence!<br />
<br />
<br />If this message blessed you, please share it freely with family and friends.</span></span></span>Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-20592452264450873412014-02-02T17:27:00.000-06:002014-02-02T17:27:48.452-06:00Simeon and Anna:Discovering God in the Seemingly Insignificant<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: small;">Today, folks watched
Punxsutawney Phil emerge from his burrow in Pennsylvania. Since he saw
his shadow this year, six more weeks of winter weather will supposedly linger across the United States. (Southerners
prefer to let General Beauregard Lee prognosticate their weather from Stone
Mountain, Georgia.)<br />
<br />
However, February 2 is also a significant day for Christians—so important that
earlier believers in some countries did not consider the Christmas Season
concluded until this date.</span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><br />Candlemas was listed on commercial calendars in my childhood, but I rarely
see it noted these days.</span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> Candles are carried in procession before the service, blessed, and distributed
as a symbol of the Church to go forth as the light of the world. It is the
Christian's "Festival of Lights".</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></span> The observance is also known as <i>Christ’s Presentation in
the Temple</i> and <i>The Purification of Mary.</i></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><br />Jesus' ransom in the Temple beautifully foretold the imminent reality of
humanity's long-awaited redemption, rise, and restoration in Christ to divine
heirship. Today, it also challenges us to follow the examples of Spirit-filled
Simeon and Anna, who were able to find God in the small and unassuming.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYn8Qjw7bhB0ErjPs_xATF4z2QGs14XXkpCSRdTWs6cs5JyQXqOt-F69by6ixlaZtQv_XA7ZXjaP9K_OMgYbearHFMcFr8gt07FcUyzL1uarRQ_q38uFok-qdiJ4UOmuyiU7o6Xi4STLM/s1600/Rembrandt_-_Simeon_and_Anna_Recognize_the_Lord_in_Jesus_-_WGA19102.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYn8Qjw7bhB0ErjPs_xATF4z2QGs14XXkpCSRdTWs6cs5JyQXqOt-F69by6ixlaZtQv_XA7ZXjaP9K_OMgYbearHFMcFr8gt07FcUyzL1uarRQ_q38uFok-qdiJ4UOmuyiU7o6Xi4STLM/s1600/Rembrandt_-_Simeon_and_Anna_Recognize_the_Lord_in_Jesus_-_WGA19102.jpg" height="320" width="254" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: small;"><i>Rembrandt's Simeon and Anna</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All first-born males were brought to the Temple for presentation according to
the Law. So nothing appeared out of the ordinary that day to the priests, attendants,
and scores of people flowing in and out of the Temple courts.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />A few visitors
probably nodded at Joseph and Mary as they passed--perhaps noting that the
couple could only bring an offering permitted for the poor (two turtledoves or
two young pigeons).<br /><br />
<i>"And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this
man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy
Spirit was upon him.<br /><br />"And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he
would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.<br />
<br />
"So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the
Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up
in his arms and blessed God and said: <br />
<br />
<b>'Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your
word; </b></i></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared
before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of Your people Israel.'</i></b><i><br />
<br />
"And Joseph and His mother<sup> </sup>marveled at those things which were spoken
of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this
Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign
which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own
soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”</i> <i>(Luke 2:25-35)</i><br />
<br />
Based on a personal word from God, Simeon was assured that he would not die
until he had seen the Messiah; consequently, he lived expectantly surrendered
to the leading of the Holy Spirit.<br />
<br />
The Spirit prompted Simeon to go to the Temple on this particular day where,
with spiritual eyes, he was able to recognize that God was present in an
unusual way. Through all the noise, converse, and rituals, he discerned the
uncommon from the common, the divine swaddled in plain humanity. As a result,
Simeon became a pivotal mouthpiece for God, whose prophecy concerning the
ministry of Jesus continues to be proclaimed thousands of years later. <br />
<br />
Anna had been a widow for eighty-four years. Instead of remarrying,
she lived at the Temple and spent her days in prayers and fastings. Anna was
also easily moved by the Spirit of God, and she walked by at the very moment
Simeon was prophesying over the Savior.<br />
<br />
<i>"And coming in that <u>instant </u>she gave thanks to the Lord,<sup> </sup>and
spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem."(Luke</i><i> 2:38)<br />
</i><br />
Notice she did not have to stop and ask, "What's going on?" She
instantly received a Word of Knowledge and began to prophesy with Simeon.</span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><br />Simeon's and Anna's prophetic words about Christ are significant; they are the
last ones we hear from an old era of salvation by works until Jesus steps out
of the Jordan to begin His ministry. What an honor to hold and bless God, the
Son, and proclaim the arrival of His Kingdom.</span></span><br /><br />Simeon and Anna are two of my favorite people in the Bible. Their lives give me
hope that I, too, can find the divine in the everyday places and people of
life.<br />
<br />
As a whole, the Jewish nation missed their day of visitation because they had
preconceived notions as to how the God-king and rescuer would arrive on earth…how
he would look and live. The people were taken off guard and even offended at
the lowliness, humility, and gentleness of Jesus.<br />
<br />
I'm sure I've missed many days of visitation. That's why I pray for a heart
like Simeon's--so surrendered to the Holy Spirit that I can spot God wrapped in
the smallest and most unpretentious packaging.<br />
<br />
I know I've passed up opportunities to be blessed because I didn't recognize
him in that homeless guy that I use to pass on the way to work. I
should have taken time to look a little closer into the eyes of the rude clerk
at Wal-Mart. I would have seen Jesus through the fatigue of a single mom
standing on her feet hour after hour, only to pick up a screaming child from
the baby sitter's after work and silently wonder if she could put off her car
payment one more time.<br />
<br />
We cry, "God, where are you?" and then go blindly through the day. We
look, as did Elijah, for the dramatic wind, earthquake, and fire for evidence.
We miss Him because we forget that when God came to earth, He chose to do so
incarnate in human flesh. <br />
<br />
Nothing has changed. God continues to work in the world <i>incarnationally</i>--human
to human. You see, the Church is the visible Body of Christ--His heart and His
hands--the continuing ministry of Jesus on earth. And God is at work<i> </i>in the lives of the most unlikely, unfortunate,
and unlovely of humanity. He challenges us to push past the "outer
court" and look deeper.<br />
<br />
<i>"Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed
of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the
world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me
drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I
was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ <br />
<br />
“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry
and feed You,</i> or thirsty and give <i>You drink? When did we see You a
stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick,
or in prison, and come to You?’<br />
<br />
And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as
you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ "</i>
Matthew 25:34-40<i><br />
<br />
</i>Did you know that the final covering used for the Tabernacle in the
Wilderness was porpoise skin? To
the undiscerning, it was just a large, dull-looking tent. However, the outer shell
served an important purpose because it was resilient and waterproof--ideal to
protect the treasure within.<br />
<br />
<i>"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the
power may be of God, and not of us." (</i><i>2 Corinthians 4:7)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Father, help us recognize you in the people we come across in our daily
lives. They bear your image and likeness, though marred and muddied. Help us
see past the unlovely skin to the treasure within.</b><br />
<br />
Unlike Anna, I do not physically reside at church twenty-four hours a day, but
my heart is a home (temple) for the Holy Spirit; there I can continually
commune with Him. I've been praying for some things for what seems like a lifetime, haven't you? However,
we must draw encouragement from Simeon and Anna's "suddenlies". It's never too late and you're not too old. <br />
<br />What did Anna and Simeon have in common?</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />1) They were humble people with extraordinary commitments and sensitivities toward
God.<br />
<br />
2) They allowed the Holy Spirit to interrupt their day (even those noble, <i>religious</i>
duties).<br />
<br />
3) They had pushed aside fleshly expectations and used their keenly exercised
spiritual senses.<br />
<br />No wonder Christians included Simeon and Anna in the Christmas Story!<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></span>Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-54396175795091947802014-01-23T10:44:00.000-06:002014-01-23T10:47:11.514-06:00 It's My Body; It's My Right<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly471y3T0u1qi7ua6.jpg" /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When we discuss the
issue of rights, we need to first distinguish between the natural rights of the
individual and legal rights granted by a government.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>
<br />
A natural right</b> is inherent--existing in someone as a permanent and
inseparable element or quality. Natural rights are universal (exist in all
human beings at all times) and are self-evident (requiring no proof or
explanation to be true). They are inalienable--incapable of being withdrawn,
surrendered, or transferred.<b><br />
<br />
A legal right</b> (also called an artificial, statutory, or positive right) is
one bestowed by a government to its people. It is specific to a culture, time
and sitting government; thus, it is subject to change.<br />
<br />
Human beings precede governments. Man is social, however, and must interact and
contract with other humans within community for sustenance and gain. In doing
so, governing structures arise from within a cooperating populace with the
intent to protect people's rights as they socialize.<br />
<br />
Therefore, the only function of a legitimate civil government should be to
protect the already-existing inborn rights of citizens when disputes or threats
against these rights occur. But as we know, governments formed by flawed men
become centralized centers of expanding greed, deceit, and oppression.<br />
<br />
Rather than take full responsibility for self-rule, most people want others to
assume that responsibility for them and cover any resulting consequences.
Governments become parental, indulging the co-dependent and keeping them
dependent on the federal tit.<br />
<br />
To keep society's creative individuals and freethinkers dwarfed, the State's
parental focus shifts to that of a strict disciplinarian, using stifling rules
and regulations to reward compliance and punish self-reliance.<br />
<br />
In a society where an individual's inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness (property) are protected, there is no need for a complex
web of legal rights.<br />
<br />
Only the sovereign individual has true rights. Any legal considerations granted
to descriptions--race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, creed,
ethnicity, handicaps, etc.--are privileges that create ill will, artificial
classifications, and more problems than they solve.<br />
<br />
People with similar distinctions and interests normally associate together.
These collectives, recognizing power in numbers, then petition their government
for certain rights (privileges and societal powers) because of these shared
distinctions.<br />
<br />
Inevitably, when a government grants a legal "right" to one group,
another collective's place in society suffers, as in the case of affirmative
action. Ultimately, the preeminence of individual liberties are diminished and
threatened.<br />
<br />
The answer does not lie in trying to please everybody with artificially created
equality, but in going back to the fundamental, inalienable rights of the
INDIVIDUAL as sufficient. A government should refuse to grant legal rights to
ANY collective or union of people.<br />
<br />
Similarly, we don't have to pass special "hate crime" laws to protect
the LGBT community. Our society should recognize that all crimes stem from
various forms of hatred. Hate is hate and crime is crime.<br />
<br />
Don't single out the LGBT community for special considerations if you're not
going to do the same for the elderly who are mugged because they're easy
targets or for Down's syndrome girls who are raped. Do you not see the
Pandora's Box?<br />
<br />
Punish the criminal according to the actual damage inflicted upon the
individual and/or his property...not how he thinks.<br /><br />"A group, as such, has no rights. A man can
neither acquire new rights by joining a group nor lose the rights that he does possess.
The principle of individual rights is the only moral base of all groups or
associations. Any group that does not recognize this principle is not an
association, but a gang or a mob . . .<br />
<br />
The notion of “collective rights” (the notion that rights belong to groups, not
to individuals) means that “rights” belong to some men, but not to others—that
some men have the “right” to dispose of others in any manner they please—and
that the criterion of such privileged position consists of numerical superiority."
--<i>Ayn Rand, The Virtue of Selfishness</i><br /><br />That's why inalienable
rights are often called negative rights, while legal "rights" are
deemed positive. <i>Positive rights</i> permit or oblige action, whereas <i>Negative
rights</i> permit or oblige <b>inaction</b>.<br /><br />In other words, in order for me to exercise my inalienable rights to life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (property), no one has to permit or
enable me to do so. In fact, they stay out of my way! (The whole purpose of the
Constitution and the Bill of Rights is to state what the government CANNOT do
as I exercise my natural rights.)<br />
<br />
Positive rights, on the other hand, do not exist prior to some sort of
contract. They must be initiated and implemented from an outside source for
people to take advantage of them; hence, a law and the taxpayer’s money to
enforce it. Those wanting legal rights require powerful people in civil
authority to grant them. Individuals, however, inherently possess--from the
beginning of their human condition--the superior, resident authority to:</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Life: Everyone is entitled to live.</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Liberty: Everyone is entitled to do anything he or she
desires, as long as it doesn't conflict with the first right.</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Estate: Everyone is entitled to own all he or she
creates or gain through gift or trade, as long as it doesn't conflict with
the first two rights.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Against this backdrop of
inborn rights, I remain convinced that in the face of the biological evidence,
we have no civilized choice but to acknowledge that the single-cell zygote is
already a human being; and therefore, a growing person with inherent rights that
should not be denied due to the bearer's location, size, or functional
abilities.<br />
<br />
The person in the womb has a <b>root capacity </b>for functioning (an already
existing <u>nature,</u> which is there from the beginning) that enables <b>active
capacity--(</b>actual functioning; a right-now demonstration of the root
capacity).<br />
<br />
For example, you buy a computer because of certain functions it can perform for
you; still, once turned on, the computer must go through a series of
progressive steps to reach full capacity to execute those tasks. When did
the piece of hardware become a <i>real</i> computer...before or after
performing its program?<br />
<br />
Biological evidence also proves that the single-cell zygote is pre-programmed
and self-contained, taking no tissue or blood from the host. He or she needs no
outside permission, direction, or intervention to develop fully in the womb. He
simply needs to be left alone. The only thing the embryo needs is room (along
the uterine wall) and board (shared nourishment).<br />
<br />
Which brings us to our next question: What about the inherent rights of the
host (mother)?<br />
<br />
Many pregnant women say that carrying an unwanted pregnancy to term is
tantamount to slavery. Some also claim the right to self-defense against an
intruder, thereby justifying aggression against the fetus. Others claim the
unwelcome fetus is parasitical, stealing life from the mother.<br />
<br />
These claims are serious to the libertarian, whose philosophy centers on
non-aggression and freedom from coercion. One person's inalienable right will never
conflict with a true, inalienable right of someone else. Although at first a
dispute appears to exist, the simple gathering of facts, clarifying boundaries,
and the application of sound reasoning will resolve the matter.<br /><br />Libertarianism does not address morality in general. It addresses only one
category of good versus evil: justice versus injustice, non-aggression versus
aggression. To violate another's rights is to be unjust.<br />
<br />
Libertarianism's basic principle is the obligation not to violate rights. This
non-aggression principle is the foundation, the <i>sine qua non</i>, of a moral
society. We owe others non-aggression. People who commit murder, theft,
kidnapping, rape, fraud, or fail to pay their just debts are aggressors.<br />
<br />
Implicit in the non-aggression principle is the right of defense. We have no
obligation to allow others to succeed in attacking us before we react. There is
a related principle: no one has a right to negligently or intentionally
endanger the innocent and then allow the harm to happen.<b><br />
<br />
If we endanger others without their consent, we incur a positive obligation to
prevent the harm. This might be called the non-endangerment principle: you
endanger them — you protect them from the harm.</b><br />
<br />
Non-aggression is an ongoing obligation: it is never optional for anyone, even
pregnant women. If the non-aggression obligation did not apply, then earning
money versus stealing it and consensual sex versus rape would be morally
indifferent behaviors.<br />
<br />
The obligation not to aggress is pre-political and pre-legal. It does not arise
out of contract, agreement, or the law; rather, such devices presuppose this
obligation. The obligation would exist even in a state of nature. This is because
the obligation comes with our human nature, and we acquire this nature at
conception.<br />
<br />
Each of us has this obligation regardless of contrary personal opinions,
consensus, or laws. We have it whether we wish to obey it or not. We have it
even when others are not able to defend themselves. This obligation can neither
be created nor destroyed. It is logically necessary to the concepts of liberty
and property. (Doris Gordon, <a href="http://www.l4l.org/library/abor-rts.html">"Abortion and Rights: Applying Libertarian Principles
Correctly"</a> )</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Let's look closely at
the argument of fetal aggression using the two exceptions to taking another
person's life: self-defense and self-preservation:<br /><br />I. Abortion is not an exercise of the privilege of self-defense,
since the unborn child is not an aggressor.<br /><br />A. <b>Aggression involves an act of
will or an act of negligence.</b> It can never arise from an act that is caused
by existential forces beyond an individual's control. <i>i.e.</i>, there cannot
be aggression if human action, in the sense of purposeful behavior, is not
involved at all.<br /><br />B. The creation of the fertilized
egg and its attachment to the uterine wall are not "acts" of the
unborn child in the sense of being purposeful. They are the result of existential
biological forces independent and beyond the control of the child <b>and
brought into play by the combined acts of the father and mother.</b><br /><br />C. Since the unborn child cannot
rationally be held responsible for its own creation, it cannot rationally be held
to have committed aggression by coming into -- indeed, being <i>brought into</i>
existence. <b>Aggression implies responsibility; and no human being is
responsible for his own creation.</b><br /><br />D. Since the unborn child is not
and cannot be an aggressor, the mother cannot invoke the privilege of
self-defense against its continued existence in the one place in which, at that
stage in its development as a human being, it is both logically and
biologically appropriate for it to be. (<i>Note: </i>Whether the father in a
rape situation is guilty of aggression is another matter. In any event, his
guilt cannot rationally be imputed to the child.)</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />II. Abortion is not an exercise of the privilege of
self-preservation, since, in the usual case, the mother's life is not
endangered by the pregnancy.<br /><br />A. A privilege of self-preservation
arises only in those situations in which the lives of two or more equally
innocent persons are in jeopardy, and not all of them can be saved.<br /><br />B. Pregnancy is not such a
situation in the normal case. Were it so in extraordinary cases, the mother
would have a privilege to defend her own life through abortion, <i>or</i> to
choose to give up her life to save the child (assuming this could be done
medically). In such a situation, neither the state nor even the father of the
child would have any right or privilege to interfere with the mother's
decision.<i><br />
<br />
(Note: Pregnancy complications that threaten the mother's life are extremely
rare and continue to decrease with medical advances. The statistics often reported
by various organizations in this category primarily reflect such mental health
"issues" of the mother as depression, anxiety, and stress--all
permissible reasons in the United States for late--term abortions.)</i><br />
<br />
III. In sum, since abortion does not come within the two recognized exceptions
to the right to life, and is inconsistent with the right as far as the unborn
child is concerned, abortion must itself be a form of aggression repugnant to
libertarian principles. (Dr. Edwin Vieira, Jr., <a href="http://www.l4l.org/library/pers-agg.html">"If
the Unborn Child is a Person Entitled to Rights, Abortion is Aggression”)</a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Unwanted, prenatal
children have been compared to burglars climbing into windows. Who can possibly
believe that the mother is the innocent victim of a crime?<br />
<br />
As much as truth rains on our parades, vaginal sex always carries a risk for
conception and pregnancy--even among the most careful participants. NO
contraceptive is 100% effective 100% of the time--even when consistently used.<br />
<br />
Even the birth control pill’s high rate of
effectiveness (but not absolute) can be compromised by the use of antibiotics,
anti-seizure and anti-fungal medications, as well as OTC herbal supplement
St. John's Wort. (<a href="http://health.msn.com/health-topics/sexual-health/birth-control/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100138980">Source</a>) <br />
<br />
The <a href="ttp://www.guttmacher.org/media/nr/prabort2.html">Guttmacher
Institute</a> reports that<b> nine out of ten women having abortions claim
to use birth control, but confess they do not use it as prescribed.<br /><br />Overall,
58% of the women having abortions claim a contraceptive failure; 31% had used a
method in the past but were not using one during the month in which they
conceived, and 11% had never used any method.<br />
<br />
The majority of the women among the 42% who were not using a contraceptive
method when they became pregnant had most recently relied on either the pill or
the condom. Fifty-three percent of prior pill users and 76% of prior condom
users became pregnant within three months of stopping use.<br />
<br />
</b>By the way, we're not talking about the contraceptive bungling of naive teens.
Most women (56%) having abortions are between the ages of 20-24. They are legal
adults in an information-saturated country whose government has poured billions
of dollars into comprehensive sex education in public schools for years--along
with free condom, pills, and instructions--all surrounded by a sexually driven
culture whose exploits can be accessed with ease 24/7. In other words, there is
no excuse for negligence.<br />
<br />
But let's get back to the uterine burglar analogy:<br />
<br />
Trespass implies an unjustified interference
with the rights of another. It implies some volition on the part of the
accused: the "invader" acted intentionally, recklessly, or
negligently, and could have avoided the "invasion." Mere presence on
another's property, absent more supporting evidence, is insufficient to prove
volition.<br />
<br />
Who among us could have chosen not to begin life or not to inhabit our mother's
body when conceived?<b><br />
<br />
Inhabiting the mother's body is a byproduct of the <i>parents'</i> volitional
act, not the child's. </b>What the prenatal child does, she does <i>by
necessity. </i>This necessity is also a byproduct of the parents' volitional
act.<br />
<br />
Conception and pregnancy are foreseeable consequences of even careful sex. By
causing children to be, parents also cause them to need support--it's a package
deal. <b>When parents mutually enable their sperm and ova to join, the parents
are not enslaved -- they've volunteered.</b><br />
<br />
This may put the needs of a parent and child in
conflict, but it creates no clash of rights between them. This is because
parents owe children support.<br />
<br />
Feeding our own children is not merely something we <i>ought </i>to do under
morality; it's what we <i>owe</i> them under justice. <b>Parental obligation is
not a special obligation,</b> in that acting justly towards everyone else is a
universal obligation. Parental obligation does not arise out of contract or
because a tort or other injustice was committed. The obligation is, basically,
the obligation to avoid injustice in the first place.<br />
<br />
Our unalienable rights to life, liberty, and property, can be boiled down to
one central unalienable right: to be free from aggression, the initiation of
force or fraud. With this right comes the unalienable (i.e., non-optional)
obligation not to aggress.<br />
<br />
Non-aggression is a negative obligation -- do not hit first. Yet because of it,
we can incur positive obligations. For example, we don't aggress by entering
contracts; yet, by doing so, we can incur debts. We also can incur debts apart
from contract or harming others.<br />
<br />
We do this by threatening harm, by endangering others without their consent. If
harm results, we not only caused the danger, we caused the harm and initiated
force. Since we have no right to initiate force, we have no right to endanger
others and then let harm befall them. T<b>he principle is: If you endanger
them, you owe them protection from harm.</b><br />
<br />
The kind and degree of preventative care we must take depends upon the kind and
degree of the risk we've imposed on others. For example, when we drive a car,
at the minimum, we must stay alert and drive carefully. Our right of defense
gives us the right to prevent drunk drivers from using the road.<br />
<br />
Causing a child to be is not, in itself, endangerment (it's a normal, natural
fact of life), because the very fact of pregnancy automatically protects the
child against the possible dangers of an unsupportive environment. But by
conceiving a child, parents give themselves a life-or-death power over her, and
they do this without her consent.<br />
<br />
If parents intentionally or negligently use their power to put her in harm's
way (let her starve, say), they cause the danger. If the child gets harmed,
they caused the harm. They initiated force and violated the child's rights. (Doris Gordon, "<a href="http://www.l4l.org/library/thomviol.html">Comments on Why the Prenatal Child Has the Right under
Individual liberty to be in the Mother's Womb</a>")<b><br />
<br />
I would suggest that the general libertarian principle is that when you impose
something on someone else without his or her consent, and at your free will,
then, yes, you <i>are</i> obligated.<br />
<br />
You <i>do</i> incur particular obligations to that particular individual,
whether it's somebody that you ran down with your car or whether it's a kid
that you brought into the world without their consent. </b>(John Walker, <a href="http://www.l4l.org/library/whyparob.html">"Why
Parental Obligation?"</a>)</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />Again, if the rights of the fetus are
inalienable, they will not transgress the true rights of the mother. Inherent
rights may interfere with preferences, but never another's rights. Is the fetus
legally the property of the mother?</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />It is a biological fact that the embryo is a human being with 46 chromosomes.
Attaching at a suitable place along the uterine wall of his host, the embryo
simply grows. There is an exchange of oxygen, nourishment, gases, hormones, and
fetal wastes between the separate blood vessels of the mother and fetus. This
is accomplished through a remarkable filter that allows for transfers without
any mingling of blood.<br />
<br />
Remember our premise that two natural rights cannot conflict:<br />
<br />
In the early stages of a woman's pregnancy, <b>her body</b> emits a hormone
that prevents her immune system from attacking the zygote as a foreign body
before he can further develop and build his own protective barrier
(placenta).<br />
<br />
Her immune system is also proactive in preparing the uterine lining to
cope with the inflammation associated with implantation. Interestingly, this
hormone, cortocotrophin, is the "master" hormone that commands the
body's response to stress. (Source: <a href="http://www.locateadoc.com/articles/39master39-stress-hormone-prevents-mother-from-rejecting-embryo-696.html">"Stress Hormone Prevents Mother from Rejecting
Embryo"</a> )<br />
<br />
Any other foreign body in the host would trip alarms that would rush white
blood cells from the immune system to devour the invading organism. But the
fetus also emits the same hormone in his distinct immune system to keep Him
from rejecting the host and his own developing organs!<br /><br />Until now, the fetal and infant immune system had been thought to be simply an
immature form of the adult system, one that responds differently because of a
lack of exposure to immune threats from the environment. The new research has
unveiled an entirely different immune system in the fetus at mid-term that is
derived from a completely different set of stem cells than the adult system.<br />
<br />
"In the fetus, we found that there is an immune system whose job it is to
teach the fetus to be tolerant of everything it sees, including its mother and
its own organs," said Joseph M. McCune, MD, PhD, a professor in the UCSF
Division of Experimental Medicine who is a co-senior author on the paper.
"After birth, a new immune system arises from a different stem cell that
instead has the job of fighting everything foreign."<br />
<br />
The team previously had discovered that fetal immune systems are highly
tolerant of cells foreign to their own bodies and hypothesized that this
prevented fetuses from rejecting their mothers' cells during pregnancy and from
rejecting their own organs as they develop.<br />
<br />
The adult immune system, by contrast, is programmed to attack anything it
considers "other," which allows the body to fight off infection, but
also causes it to reject transplanted organs.<br />
<br />
"The adult immune system's typical role is to see something foreign and to
respond by attacking and getting rid of it. The fetal system was thought in the
past to fail to 'see' those threats, because it didn't respond to them,"
said Jeff E. Mold, first author on the paper and a postdoctoral fellow in the
McCune laboratory.<br /><br />"What we found is that these fetal immune cells are
highly prone to 'seeing' something foreign, but instead of attacking it, they
allow the fetus to tolerate it."<br />
<br />
The previous studies attributed this tolerance at least in part to the
extremely high percentage of "regulatory T cells"- those cells that
provoke a tolerant response -- in the fetal immune system. At mid-term, fetuses
have roughly three times the frequency of regulatory T cells as newborns or
adults, the research found. (Source: <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101216165519.htm">"Human Fetal Immune System Arises from Entirely
Different Source than Adult Immune System"</a> )</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><b>If the embryo is indeed a "burglar", then
the mother's body immediately opens all doors and windows as he approaches!<br />
<br />
In addition, unlike a tumor, the embryo is not just a growing mass of his
mother's cells. His DNA is unique. He builds himself and his habitat with
his own cells.<br /><br /> Therefore, his body, as well as the placenta, is HIS property.
The fetus and his belongings are lodging temporarily within a womb that not
only prepared itself for his arrival, but offers room and board for nine
months.</b><br /><br />Let us honestly acknowledge the biological facts, and reason correctly in
regards to the personhood of the fetus and the weight this truth must carry in
society. How we treat other human beings--regardless of their size,
location, appearance, and current functionality--defines the quality of
our humanity and the legacy we'll leave to future generations. <br />
<br />
Although we do not live <i>for</i> others, responsible members of a healthy
society live <i>in consideration of</i> their neighbors. At times, this respect
will surely conflict with our preferences and plans, but never our true
rights and those of another. And this is the distinction of a great people.<br />
<br />
I don't have to like you to uphold your rights as a human being. I don't have
to agree with you to defend your right to life, liberty, and pursuit of
happiness. Despite expected deviations among imperfect humans, most people
embrace the Golden Rule (the ethic of reciprocity) as the maxim of a healthy,
flourishing society. Whereas the principle of the Golden Rule predates New Testament,
times, most people recognize it as a teaching of Jesus:<br />
<br />
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye
even so to them" (<a href="http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bible_%28King_James%29/Matthew#7:12" title="s:Bible (King James)/Matthew">Matthew 7:12</a>,
see also <a href="http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bible_%28King_James%29/Luke#6:31" title="s:Bible (King James)/Luke">Luke 6:31</a>). The common English phrasing is "Do unto others as you would have them do
unto you".<br /><br />This rule of life embodies two forms:<br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">A person should treat others in a manner<span style="font-size: small;"> he or she </span>wants to be treated<span style="font-size: small;">.<br />A person should</span> not treat others in ways<span style="font-size: small;"> he or she </span>would not like to be treated (</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">also called the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Rule" title="Silver Rule">Silver Rule</a>)</span></span></span><br /><br />We look at failing economies and crime rates as
evidence of a declining society, but these are just two cascading effects
from a singular cause--how people in that society treated each other as members
of the larger, human community--particularly the most vulnerable among them.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I once saw a bumper sticker that said,<br />
"I owe, I owe, so off to work I go."<br />
It was a fun way of complaining about having to drag one's body<br />
to work in order to make the car payments.<br />
<br />
And it also taught a fundamental truth:<br />
<br />
<b>The right to control one's own body doesn't justify<br />
the failure to pay one's debts.</b></i><br />
<br />
Doris Gordon, "Abortion, Choice, and Libertarian Principles"<br /><br /><br /><br /><i>I encourage you</i><i> to visit the following sites for pro-life voices that are being heard in diverse communities</i><i>. You may not be aware of these organizations</i><i>.</i><br /><br /> <a href="http://feministsforlife.org/">Feminists for Life</a></span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://secularprolife.org/"><br /><br />Secular Pro Life</a></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.plagal.org/">Pro-Life Alliance of Gays and Lesbians</a><br /><br /><a href="http://democratsforlife.org/">Democrats for Life</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.l4l.org/">Libertarians for Life</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.nationalblackprolifeunion.com/">National Black Pro Life Union</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.nrlc.org/HAL/index.html">Hispanic Americans for Life</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.latinos4life.org/">Latinos for Life</a><br /></span></span></span></div>
Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-35703750336673864742014-01-22T10:55:00.002-06:002014-01-22T10:57:06.926-06:00Roe v. Wade, the Constitution, and Back Alley Abortions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-51832 alignright" src="http://lifenews.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/normamccorvey2.jpg" height="253" title="normamccorvey2" width="400" /></div>
<a href="http://lifenews.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/normamccorvey2.jpg"></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #ffe599;"><i>Norma McCorvey never wanted an abortion — she was seeking a divorce
from her husband — but young, pro-abortion feminist attorney Sarah
Weddington used McCorvey’s case as a means of attempting to overturn
Texas’ law, making most abortions illegal. Weddington took the case all
the way to the Supreme Court, which invalidated every pro-life state law
in the nation protecting unborn children. But most Americans don’t know that McCorvey, who was “pro-choice” on
abortion at the time, is now a pro-life advocate. She is dedicated
to reversing the Supreme Court case that bears her fictitious name, Jane
Roe. (Lifenews.com)</i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Some people</span> refer to the "legalization" of
abortion in 1973 in the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade<span style="font-size: small;">.<span style="font-size: small;"> The </span></span>statement is misleading. Roe v. Wade<span style="font-size: small;"> DIDN'T</span> legalize a<span style="font-size: small;">bortion procedures in the United States. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Women were already obtaining legal abortions in the early stages of pregnancy
in some states, citing rape, incest, danger to their health or damage to the
fetus. A few other states had similar exceptions. By 1970, New York, Alaska,
Washington, and Hawaii were offering unrestricted abortions.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br />
What DID occur because of the 1973 court decision was a federal mandate <i>forbidding</i>
the rest of the states from outlawing abortions during the first twenty-four
weeks of pregnancy.<br />
<br />
It also forced them to allow mental and physical exceptions for abortion during
the last twelve weeks of pregnancy, including questionable definitions for
mental illness during an unwanted pregnancy (such as depression). Subsequent
decisions by the court however, have said that states could not prohibit
abortion at any time for any reason.<br />
<br />
Although many conservatives want stricter <u>federal </u>abortion laws in the
United States, such a measure would be just as unconstitutional as the previous
Roe v Wade decision. What the Supreme Court rendered in 1973 was
flagrantly unconstitutional! I believe this stems from many Americans sadly believing the government grants
their rights.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">The main part of the Constitution simply
establishes the framework for the federal government and its three parts,
defines their respective duties, and establishes what the federal government
can do and what the states can do.<br />
<br />
<b>None of that has anything at all to do with individual rights or with social
issues.</b></span><br /><br /><span style="line-height: 115%;">“The Bill of Rights, which is a set of
amendments added after ratification to reassure opponents of the Constitution
that the new government would not usurp their rights, simply forbids the new
federal government from abusing or abridging <u>already-existing</u> rights.</span><br /><br />“The right to free speech and all others existed <u>prior</u> to the
Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The language of the First Amendment tells
what the intent was: <b>"Congress
shall pass no law."</b> </span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br />
“The Second Amendment did not grant people the right to keep and bear arms.
They already had and continue to have that right. It simply says the
already-existing right cannot be abridged. You can't abridge something that
doesn't exist.” (<a href="http://www.lewrockwell.com/reese/reese223.html">Charley Reese, We are Revolutionaries</a>) <b><br /><br />If you believe that your rights come from your government, then you must also
concede that the government can take them away.</b><br /><br />“The government, by granting a "right" to abortion to a woman for
almost any reason, could do it <i>only </i>by guaranteeing the destruction of
preborn human beings. In other words, government did not <i>expand </i>rights;
it deprived one group of humans a right to continue living in the process of
permitting another group of humans the choice of not carrying their pregnancies
to term. “(William L. Anderson, <a href="http://www.lewrockwell.com/anderson/anderson61.html">On the Anniversary of Roe V. Wade)</a><br /><br />The US Supreme Court claims that the Constitution
contains a "penumbra" of rights. The word <i>penumbra</i> means
"something that covers, surrounds, or obscures". Supposedly, a hidden
"right" to abortion was emanating out of this constitutional cauldron
that only the Supreme Court had special powers to find. In 1973, the Court
brought it forth and gave substance to shadow.<br />
<br />
They awkwardly hinged their decision on the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process
Clause, cleverly spinning a misleading notion of a constitutional "Right
to Privacy":<i><br /><br />No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or
immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any
person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to
any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.</i><br />
<br />
First, there is no mention of the word "privacy". But it does clearly
state that the States shall not deprive ANY person of life, liberty or property
without due process.<br />
<br />
<b>In the case of Roe v. Wade, the Court
favored the stronger over the weaker, the bigger bully over the
defenseless...even to the point of refusing to address the personhood of the
younger and his rights. And all in the name of the aggressor's right to
privacy? Is this justice?<br />
<br />
</b>Then, if we use the Court's own "stretched" interpretation,
doesn't a fetus deserve to be left alone <u>in privacy</u> to grow and develop,
considering he did not ask to be born, but came into being as a result of the
FREE choices (albeit, reckless and perhaps uninformed) of his mother and
father?<br />
<br />
As a libertarian, I value my privacy and do not want the government prying or
interfering into how I choose to live my life. But if, in the enjoyment of my
privacy, I harm other individuals, use them against their consent to further my
pleasure, or coerce others into my pleasures who do not have fully informed
consciences, such as children or the mentally impaired, then <b>I am an aggressor!</b><br />
<br />
If you like porn, that's your business. However, you lose your
"right" to privacy when you force my child against his will to participate
in it or look at pornography. Your freedom ends when your actions harm another
person.<br />
<br />
When plantation owners invoked their legal "right" to do as they
privately pleased with their black property, was it proper for citizens to side
with them?<br /><br />Although legal at the time, owning and abusing imported black Africans was
immoral. Abolitionists worked tirelessly to raise awareness and the conscience
of the American people that led to a significant overruling by the Supreme
Court of the infamous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dred_Scott_v._Sandford">Dred Scott Decision</a>, and then to the eventual end
of slavery in this country.<br />
<br />
I used to teach high school courses at a private, Christian school. The
students were consistently horrified to learn that people of African descent
imported to this country for slavery were once legally deemed
"chattel" (property), and therefore were not citizens (legal persons)
with any Constitutional protections. Slaves could not sue in court, nor could
they be taken away from their owners without due process.<br />
<br />
I often wonder if one day, future generations in America will also find it hard
to believe that we gave protective rights to a host of animals from eagles to
whales, but none to developing human beings!<br />
<br />
“Abortion involves the deliberate, terminal removal of a defenseless human
being from its property (the fetal membranes are part of the zygote's cells; it
takes no tissue or blood from the host), and the destructive dislodging of the
fetus and his property from the womb--a place he "entered" not by
request, but by the free will actions of the host.<br />
<br />
“Thus, is the fetus <i>really</i> the property of the host or a temporary guest
who comes for room and board? Does a landlord <i>own </i>a renter? Should a
renter ever be denied due process?<br />
<br />
“That's why pro-choicers fight so hard against acknowledging the personhood of
the fetus, despite the embryological evidence. If we granted these little human
beings the status of legal personhood, then everything would change. It did for
slavery!<br />
<br />
“Second, the United States Supreme Court is supposed to be restricted by the
Constitution to interpret existing laws, not "discover" new ones.<br /><br />“It (Roe v. Wade) was a flawed decision, not because it legalized abortion, but
because it usurped the authority of 50 state legislatures. Far too many judges,
both federal and state, have taken it upon themselves <u>to legislate rather
than rule on existing law.</u><br />
<br />
“It's important to understand the difference between legislatures and courts. <b>All
of the moral and philosophical decisions are the province of legislatures. It
is in the legislature that the will of the people expresses itself.</b><br />
<br />
“Courts properly have no legislative function. Their function is to look at a
written law and see if it applies to a particular case. In the case of the Supreme
Court, it is supposed to decide if any law conforms to the U.S. Constitution.<b><br />
<br />
“The Constitution is dead silent on abortion and on practically every other
moral and philosophical issue. </b><br />
<br />
“It was a charter authorized by the sovereign states for a federal government
with limited powers. All you have to do is read the document, and you can
plainly see it is simply about the structure of government and the powers
assigned to the various components.<br />
<br />
“Prior to Roe v. Wade, the question of abortion had been left properly to the
50 states. It was legal is some states, not in others. What the Supreme Court
did, without a shred of basis in the Constitution, was to declare its exclusive
right to decide the issue for all 50 states!<br />
<br />
“The excuse was that prohibiting
abortion was an invasion of privacy and that the right of privacy is in the
"penumbra" of the Constitution. That's 200 percent baloney. <b>The
Constitution makes no mention of privacy</b>! The closest it comes is saying
that homes may be searched and private papers seized if due process of law is
followed. That certainly is not a broad grant of privacy.<br />
<br />
“And if prohibiting the murder of an infant in the womb is a violation of a
woman's right to privacy, why is it not a violation of her right to privacy to
prohibit her murder of other children? Indeed, following the illogic of that
court, the whole criminal code is a violation of people's right to privacy.”
(Charley Reese, <a href="http://www.lewrockwell.com/reese/reese85.html">Judges and Solons</a>)<br /><br />In the '60s,
an 1879 law still on the books in Connecticut forbid any use of contraception
or the assisting of anyone seeking contraception. It had not been enforced for
years, and women were easily getting contraceptives over the counter in the
state as "feminine hygiene" products.<br /><br />The law was challenged and first came before the Supreme
Court in the 1961 case, <i>Poe</i> v. <i>Ullman</i>, where a doctor and his
patients claimed they were denied their Due Process rights under the Fourteenth
Amendment. Citing that the law had not been enforced in many years, the Court
dismissed the case on the ground that the plaintiffs lacked sufficient standing
to sue.<br /><br />Next, Estelle Griswold, the Director of the Planned
Parenthood League of Connecticut, opened a birth control clinic in New Haven to
dispense contraceptives. This "hanging out a sign" was designed to
challenge the law<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>.</b></span></i><br /><br />Griswold and C. Lee Buxton, a physician who served as the
Medical Director of the League, were arrested and charged with providing
contraceptive information, devices, and drugs to a married Connecticut couple.<br /><br />They appealed their conviction to the Supreme Court, citing
the law violated the Fourteenth Amendment. This time, the Supreme Court agreed.
Remember the "penumbra of rights and emanations" hocus-pocus?<br /><br />In a gigantic leap of circus-like judicial activism, the
judges in Griswold vs. Connecticut "discovered" guarantees in the
First Amendment, the Third Amendment, the Fourth Amendment, the Fifth
Amendment, and the Ninth Amendment that emanated a “zone of privacy" that
begged to come out into the light of law. This zone, they insisted,
protects the right to privacy in the marriage relationship.<br /><br />A later case established the right of unmarried people to
contraception and opened the door to expanding the definition--on a federal
level--of what is included in a person's privacy. It thereby set the judicial
stage for Roe V. Wade. (source: <a href="http://www.dkosopedia.com/wiki/Griswold_v._Connecticut">Griswold vs. Connecticut</a>)<br /><br />Even one of the dissenting judges in the Griswold case,
Potter Stewart, agreed that the Connecticut law was "silly", but not
a matter for the US Supreme Court to take up because it was NOT a
constitutional issue:<br /><br />“Since 1879, Connecticut has had on its books a law which forbids the use of
contraceptives by anyone. I think this is an uncommonly silly law. As a
practical matter, the law is obviously unenforceable, except in the oblique
context of the present case. As a philosophical matter, I believe the use of
contraceptives in the relationship of marriage should be left to personal and
private choice, based upon each individual's moral, ethical, and religious
beliefs.<br />
<br />
“As a matter of social policy, I think professional counsel about methods of
birth control should be available to all, so that each individual's choice can
be meaningfully made. But we are not asked in this case to say whether we think
this law is unwise, or even asinine. We are asked to hold that it violates the
United States Constitution. And that I cannot do.” (<a href="http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/griswold.html">Griswold vs. Connecticut</a>)<br /><br />From a 1965 Time Magazine article: "All these emanations failed to impress
dissenting Justice Potter Stewart, who could find no constitutional
infringements whatever in the law. In what conceivable way, asked he, did
Connecticut's birth-control law violate the Third Amendment ban against
quartering soldiers in private homes? How could a federal court use the Ninth
Amendment to take away rights assigned to the people's elected state
representatives?<b><br /><br />Stewart's solution? Let Connecticut citizens
persuade their legislature to repeal the law!</b><br /><br />Indeed,<b> by the time of Griswold vs. Connecticut, the birth control pill
was already available in some states to physicians</b>. After the Griswold
case, contraceptives became available to married women in 1965 and to unmarried
women in 1972<br /><br />The point is this: the birth control pill was bringing about
the revolution in contraceptive use and we DID NOT need the federal
government's interference<b><span style="font-size: small;">!</span></b><br /><br />THE PEOPLE--the citizens in each state--would have pressured
for reform in community standards that would have eventually changed their
laws...changes made by the state legislatures, not the federal government!<br /><br />I don't fault Estelle Griswold for opening a clinic and
challenging the law. However, I regret she did not keep her fight inside
Connecticut. That makes me suspicious as to the entire political agenda of
Planned Parenthood from the beginning. Federal mandates translate into federal
funding with our tax dollars (which they now receive in the millions) to not
only offer contraceptives and counseling, but also abortion services
nationwide.<br /><br />What will the national landscape look like if Roe v. Wade is ever overturned? Each state will regain power to
constitutionally regulate the abortion industry within its borders. A few
states would probably ban abortions, but most would retain the freedoms worded
within the <i>Roe</i> decision for first trimester abortions and, more than
likely, put tougher restrictions on second and third trimester abortions, which
would vary from state to state. Still, others would have very liberal laws.<br /><br />Therefore, a woman with an unwanted pregnancy can travel to
a nearby city or state that offers the abortion services she wants during any
stage of pregnancy. The couple in Griswold could have done the same thing, but
they were being "guided" (used is a better word) by Planned
Parenthood's legal team. Women would NOT be <u>forced</u> to revert to "back
alley "abortions, nor would they be arrested as criminals.<br /><br />Mary Calderone, (former Medical Director of Planned Parenthood) and Nancy
Howell Lee (a pro-choice researcher) both investigated the practice of criminal
abortion in the pre-legalization era.<br />
<br />
<b>Calderone estimated that 90% of all illegal abortions in the early 1960s
were being done by physicians.</b><br />
<br />
Calderone further estimated that 8% were self-induced, and 2% were induced by
someone other than the woman or a doctor. Lee estimated that 89% of
pre-legalization abortions were done by physicians, an additional 5% by nurses
or others with some medical training, and 6% were done by non-medical persons
or the woman herself. <br />
<br />
Calderone's numbers came from "43 men and women from the various
disciplines of obstetrics, psychiatry, public health, sociology, forensic
medicine, and law and demography." Lee interviewed women who had undergone
pre-legalization abortions. The discrepancy between Lee's and Calderone's
breakdowns of non-physician abortions is probably due to sampling errors.<br />
<br />
Lee<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>spoke only with women who survived abortions. Therefore, she would not
be exposed to the proportionate number of women who chose the most dangerous
alternative. Lee's sample also included only willing survey participants who
would be more forthright and complete in divulging information.<br />
<br />
Calderone, on the other hand, spoke with those likely to see the botched and
fatal abortions, and therefore they would be exposed to a higher percentage of
the most dangerous, self-induced abortions. In addition, Calderone's informants
would have been investigating botched abortions that could be subject to a criminal
investigation.<br /><br />As a result, women speaking to them would be likely to withhold
the true identity of their abortionists to protect them. Also, should the woman
die, her family and friends might identify the woman herself as the
abortionist, rather than admit their own roles in arranging or performing
abortions.<br />
<br />
Anecdotal data tends to support Lee's research. Stories of abortions by
midwives, orderlies, and chiropractors and assorted lay practitioners like
Harvey Karman and the Jane Syndicate (underground abortion service) are far too
common to represent only 2% of criminal abortions. <br />
<br />
Let’s rely primarily on Lee's numbers and adjusted them slightly to reflect the
slight under-reporting of amateur abortions. Thus, a fair estimate of the
breakdown of criminal abortions would probably look like this:<br />
<br />
90% performed by physicians, 5% performed by trained non-physicians (medical
and lay), 3% performed by an untrained accomplice, and 2% performed by the
woman herself.<br />
<br />
What did pre-legalization abortions look like in practice?<br />
<br />
There were physicians who ran abortion mills, physicians who did selected
abortions on their own patients, and physicians who worked patients<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>through
loopholes in the law. In addition to physician abortionists, there were the
professional non-physicians, often operating with training, equipment,
medications, and back-up provided by physicians.<br />
<br />
Where, then, does the image of the coat hanger come in?<br />
<br />
Lee found a different picture with women who had self-aborted from the women
who had sought professional (however illegal) abortions. These self-aborting women
tended to be less rational and more self-destructive than the women seeking
competent abortionists. Lee also found that the women attempting self-abortion
were likely to have had a death wish at the time of the abortion.<br />
<br />
This finding is in keeping with psychiatric literature of the time, which
treats self-induced abortion as a peculiar manifestation of the self-mutilating
behavior common in patients with certain psychiatric disorders. Self-mutilation
in patients with these disorders can range from superficial cuts and cigarette
burns to self-trepanning (drilling holes in the skull), enoculation (gouging the
eyes out), and amputation of limbs.<br />
<br />
Mutilation of the genitals is not rare in these patients, and self-induced
abortion was often regarded as an extreme form of genital mutilation aimed at
attacking the patient's own femininity. <b>It was in the political context, not
the psychiatric or psychological context, that self-induced abortions were
considered to be the expected behavior of normal women. This politicized view
of self-aborting women eclipsed the reality.</b><br />
<br />
This is not to say that all women who self-induce abortions are mentally ill.
Investigators of post-Roe self-induced abortion injuries and deaths found other
factors, such as distrust of the medical profession, a perception of home
herbal abortion as more "natural," cultural preferences, and
"idiosyncratic" factors nobody could readily explain. <br />
<br />
What of the women turning up in emergency rooms and morgues?<br />
<br />
The things they put into their bodies illustrate that there is something more
going on than just an attempt to dislodge an unwanted fetus: pine oil, drain
cleaner, curtain rods, ice picks, coat hangers, bicycle pumps, turpentine...
Every year or so a self-induced or rank-amateur abortion death will be reported
to the Centers for Disease Control, showing that the problem has not just gone
away with legalization. <b>But the problem
is now swept under the rug because admitting that it exists poses a threat to
the abortion agenda</b>.<br />
<br />
The self-induced and amateur abortions that showed up in the emergency room and
the morgue gave some people a distorted view of criminal abortion. Abortion
proponents capitalized on and magnified that distorted view. But the truth is
that most women who were making a self-interested decision to abort found a
competent person to do the abortion.<br /><br />All that's changed with legalization is
that abortionists have been given a new clientele -- women who would never have
sought abortions had they been illegal. While that's a boon to abortionists,
it's hard to argue that more abortions for ambivalent women are a real gain to
society, or to the women themselves. (<a href="http://realchoice.0catch.com/library/weekly/aa082901a.htm">The Bad Old Days of Abortion)</a><br /><br />Therefore, regardless of any federal or state laws, some
women will not turn to readily available medical clinics or competent physicians
to end their pregnancies--even if the services are free!<br />
<br />
There will <i>always</i> be charlatans who offer assistance at a cut-rate price
or for other insidious favors. They will continue to prey upon women frightened
of doctors and medical procedures. Modern, more sophisticated Snake Oil
"Doctors" still peddle their cures and remedies for everything from
gout to abortifacients. Troubled women, seeking to symbolize their internal
pain with the <i>way</i> they abort, will <i>always</i> make up a small
percentage of the abortive population.<br /><br />If Roe v. Wade is overturned, will these desperate women be arrested<span style="font-size: small;">?</span><br /><br />“...abortion advocates have claimed—without any evidence and contrary to the
well-documented practice of ALL 50 states—that women were jailed before Roe and
would be jailed if Roe falls (or if state abortion prohibitions are
reinstated).<br />
<br />
“This claim rests on not one but two falsehoods:<br />
<br />
“First, the almost uniform state policy before Roe was that abortion laws
targeted abortionists, not women. <b>Abortion
laws targeted those who performed abortion, not women</b>. In fact, the states
expressly treated women as the second “victim” of abortion; state courts
expressly called the woman a second “victim.” Abortionists were the exclusive
target of the law.<br />
<br />
“Second, the myth that women will be jailed relies, however, on the myth that
“overturning” Roe will result in the immediate re-criminalization of abortion.
If Roe were overturned today, abortion would be legal in at least 42-43 states
tomorrow, and likely all 50 states, for the simple reason that nearly all of
the state abortion prohibitions have been either repealed or are blocked by
state versions of Roe adopted by state courts. The issue is entirely academic.<br />
<br />
“The legislatures of the states would have to enact new abortion laws—and these
would almost certainly continue the uniform state policy before Roe that
abortion laws targeted abortionists and treated women as the second victim of
abortion. There will be no prosecutions of abortionists unless the states pass
new laws after Roe is overturned.<br />
<br />
“This political claim is not an abstract question that is left to
speculation—there is a long record of states treating women as the second
victim of abortion in the law that can be found and read. To state the policy
in legal terms, the states prosecuted the principal (the abortionist). And that
will most certainly be the state policy if the abortion issue is returned to
the states.<br />
<br />
“Why did the states target abortionists and treat women as a victim of the
abortionist?<br />
<br />
“It was based on three policy judgments: <br />
<br />
The point of abortion law is effective enforcement against abortionists<br />
The woman is the second victim of the abortionist<br />
Prosecuting women is counterproductive to the goal of effective enforcement of
the law against abortionists.<br />
<br />
“The irony is that, instead of states prosecuting women, the exact opposite is
true. To protect their own hide, it was abortionists (like the cult hero and
abortionist Ruth Barnett when Oregon last prosecuted her in 1968), who, when
they were prosecuted, sought to haul the women they aborted into court. As a
matter of criminal evidentiary law, if the court treated the woman as an
accomplice, she could not testify against the abortionist and the case against
the abortionist would be thrown out.<br />
<br />
“There are “only two cases in which a woman was charged (not prosecuted) in any State with
participating in her own abortion”: from Pennsylvania in 1911 and from Texas in
1922. There is no documented case since 1922 in which a woman has been charged
in an abortion in the United States.<br />
<br />
“Based on this record—spanning 50 states over the century before Roe v. Wade—it
is even more certain that the political claim that any woman might be
questioned or prosecuted has no record in history and will certainly not be the
policy of any state in the future.<br />
<br />
<b>Even pro-abortion historians admit this record</b>.<br />
<br />
<b>The pro-abortion historian Leslie Reagan, in her 1997 book <i>When Abortion
Was A Crime,</i> admits that states did not prosecute women for their abortions
and that women did not face criminal liability as principals, accomplices,
conspirators, solicitors, or murderers, and concedes that the purpose behind
that law was not to degrade women but to protect them.</b><br /><br />“Prolife legislators and pro-life leaders do not support the prosecution of
women and will not push for such a policy when Roe is overturned. This is
demonstrated by abortion regulations enacted in the past 20 years—like the
federal partial birth abortion ban—in which women are expressly excluded from
any possible prosecution. Instead, pro-life legislators are advocating laws
that defend the unborn and protect women from the negative impact of abortion.” <a href="http://www.lifenews.com/2008/10/29/nat-4513/">(States Didn’t Put Women in Jail for Abortions Before Roe)</a><br /><br />This thorough research bears out that abortion
providers--trained or otherwise--will be the focus of any future state laws
restricting abortion procedures.<br /><br />Pro-choicers often cry about "keeping the government
out of our personal lives", but supporting Griswold v. Connecticut and
subsequently Roe v. Wade opened the door for just that very thing--allowing our
central government to address issues for which they have no constitutional
authority<span style="font-size: small;">!</span><br /><br />As a result, we now have the fat and soda police scouring
our nation's schools and fast food restaurants. Regulations abound, including
what kind of light bulbs we can use. Our daily electricity consumption (under
the threat of a temporary shut down if deemed excessive) and the water level in
our showers will be monitored soon for 'acceptable' levels<span style="font-size: small;">.</span><br /><br />Our eligibility for healthcare will be determined by our liability to
society--not our ability to pay. The federal government has become both Big
Brother and Nanny--surveilling, assessing, and deciding what's best for its
citizens<span style="font-size: small;">.</span><br /><br />The notion that an all-powerful, centralized state should provide monolithic
solutions to the ethical dilemmas of our times is not only misguided, but also
contrary to our Constitution.<br /><br />Remember, federalism was established to <u>allow</u>
decentralized, local decision-making by states. Today, however, we seek a
federal solution for every perceived societal ill, ignoring constitutional
limits on federal power. The result is a federal state that increasingly makes
all-or-nothing decisions that alienate large segments of the population<br /><br />Why are we so afraid to follow the Constitution and let state legislatures
decide social policy?<br /><br />“Surely, people on both sides of the abortion debate realize
that it's far easier to influence government at the state and local level. The
federalization of social issues, originally championed by the left but now
embraced by conservatives, simply has prevented the 50 states from enacting
laws that more closely reflect the views of their citizens. Once we accepted
the federalization of abortion law under <i>Roe</i>, we lost the ability to
apply local community standards to ethical issues.” (<a href="http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul301.html">Statesman Ron Paul)</a><br />
<i><br />
</i></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
</i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><i>In
our final article in the series, we will
look at the difference between natural and legal rights, and the tension that
exists between the rights of the fetus and the host.<br />
<br />
Does the host have a right to evict? Is continuing an unwanted pregnancy
tantamount to slavery? Is the "It's my body" claim valid under such
circumstances? <br /></i></span></span></span></span>Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-50934216053258799952014-01-21T13:57:00.000-06:002014-01-21T14:02:34.671-06:00 Human Life, Human Being, Personhood<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>I used to write frequently on political and social issues
from the viewpoint of a Libertarian Christian. During that time, I wrote a
four-part series on abortion that looked at the issue from the core belief of
libertarianism that promotes the freedom of self-ownership. I’m re-posting these
articles as we approach another anniversary of Roe V. Wade.<br /></i></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Part Two.</span><br /></i></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<img src="http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/fetal_development_slideshow/phototake_photo_of_12_week_fetus.jpg" height="217" id="il_fi" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="320" /></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Understanding the science of embryology can be
imposing to non-scientists<span style="font-size: small;">.</span><br /><br />As a layperson, I will attempt to break down its terminology
for the purpose of enabling us to discuss the issue with greater confidence and
skill.<br />
<br />
There is no excuse for Christians to remain ignorant of these facts. We must strive
to communicate the pro-living message more effectively…and not just from
theology. <br /><br /><br />Our vocabulary of life must reflect a basic, yet adequate grasp of
science and philosophy. Moreover, I am convinced that if we use the latter
viewpoint in civil discourse--coupled with the compelling inherent rights
defense--we have the high ground.<br /><br />Abortion debates usually begin with the
question, "When does human life begin?" Actually, that question can
be answered easily if we separate the terms "human life" and
"human being".<br />
<br />
The sperm contains human life, and so
does the oocyte (egg). <b>However, these
parts cannot produce a human being until they mature and are united. </b>Alone,
they <i>each</i> contain 46 chromosomes.<br />
<br />
In the male, his sperm cells began maturing in puberty. Female oocytes are
produced in the fetus' ovaries around the fifth month (about 7 million). By
birth, only 700,000 to 2 million remain. By puberty, about 400,000 are left.
The oocytes that are shed monthly during the menstrual period still contain 46
chromosomes. 1<b><br />
<br />
Only at fertilization by the sperm does the oocyte reduce its number of
chromosomes through a halving process known as Meiosis.</b> Thus, for fertilization to be accomplished...<br /><br />"A mature sperm and a mature human oocyte
are needed. <b>They each possess "human life," since they are parts of a
<i>living</i> human being; but they are not each whole living human beings
themselves.</b> They each have only 23 chromosomes, not 46 chromosomes — the number
of chromosomes necessary and characteristic for a single individual member of
the human species.<br />
<br />
Furthermore, a sperm can produce only "sperm" proteins and enzymes;
an oocyte can produce only "oocyte" proteins and enzymes; neither
alone is or can produce a human being with 46 chromosomes." 1<b><br /><br />The fusion of the mature sperm with the
mature oozyte results in a human zygote (being) with the number of chromosomes
characteristic of an <i>individual</i> member of the human species.<br />
</b><br />
<b>From this point on, the zygote directs his or her development (not the
mother)</b><b>. He or she produces human
proteins and enzymes. Nothing else needs to be done for growth to occur. <br />
<br />
The single-cell human embryo doesn't change into something else or become some
other kind of thing. The embryo only divides and grows bigger. He or she is now
biologically an individual member of the human species. <br />
</b><br />
Some scientists, in an attempt to reduce the status of the embryo, have coined
a term "pre-embryo", stating that the zygote is not developmentally
complete until after fourteen days (when they claim twinning no longer can take
place).<span style="font-size: small;">T</span>hey also look for the appearance of what is known as the primitive
streak (the beginning of the neurological system). In other words, the zygote
is considered void of inherent individuality and distinct spatial orientation.<br />
<br />
As the zygote divides, a hollow ball of cells develop called the blastocyst,
which attaches to the lining of the uterus between 5 to 8 days after
fertilization.<br /><br />"The wall of the blastocyst is one cell thick except in one area, where it
is three to four cells thick; and it is the inner cells in the thickened area
that develop into the embryo, and the outer cells burrow into the wall of the
uterus and develop into the placenta.<br />
<br />
"The wall of the blastocyst takes on the function of becoming the outer
layer of membranes (chorion) surrounding the embryo. An inner layer of
membranes (amnion) develops by about day 10 to 12, forming the amniotic sac,
filled with a clear liquid called amniotic fluid that expands to envelop the
developing embryo, which floats within it." 2<br /><br />Clifford Grobstein, a frog embryologist, and
Richard McCormick, S.J., invented the misleading term "pre-embryo" in
1979. Both men thought there could be no individual prior to 14 days because
twins may form. They also postured that only the inner layer of the blastocyst
would become a human adult because the outer layer is "all discarded"
after birth. <br />
<br />
These "pre-embryo" proponents said there is absolutely no
relationship or interaction between these two cell layers of the blastocyst.
The facts, however refute their claim:<br /><br />"The chorion, the amnion, the yolk sac, and the allantois...<u> <b>develop from the zygote</b></u>, but do not
participate in the formation of the embryo or fetus — except for parts of the yolk sac and allantois.<br />
<br />
Part of the yolk sac is incorporated into the embryo as the primordium of the
gut.The allantois forms a fibrous cord that is known as the urachus in the fetus and
the median umbilical ligament in the adult. It extends from the apex of
the urinary bladder to the umbilicus." (Keith L. Moore and T.V.N.
Persaud, The Developing Human) 1<b><br />
<br />
In other words, they (the blastocyst cells) are genetically a part of the
individual and are composed of the same germ layers</b>." (Ronan O'Rahilly and Fabiola Müller, Human Embryology and Teratology) 1<br /><br />Therefore, since the concept of a "pre-embryo" is not scientific, can
it be a cleverly fabricated political tool?<br />
<br />
Remember, a zygote is a newly created human with 46 human chromosomes--23
contributed from the mother and 23 from the father. Already the sex is
determined, thanks to the father.<br />
<br />
If his spermatazoon contained 22 autosomes and an X chromosome, the embryo will
be female. If it contains 22 autosomes and a Y chromosome, the embryo will be male.<br />
<br />
The zygote's eye color, natural hair color, height, shoe size, propensities to
disease, and other genetic factors are present.<br /><br />"..it now seems that the mammalian embryo's spatial orientation is largely
determined <b><u>during the first days of
development</u>,</b> perhaps by signals in the outer cell wall or trophoblast.<br />
<br />
The most recent findings based on mouse embryos even suggest that "two
axes of the blastocyst become specified in the single-cell embryo"; that
is, that the embryo's axes determining right and left, up and down, are
determined by the point where a sperm first penetrates the egg, and that
important patterning information for this event may already be present in the
egg before fertilization.<br />
<br />
"Differentiation into cells with different roles and functions also <u>begins
with the very first cell division</u> of the early mammalian embryo. These
first two cells already have different roles in embryonic development--with one
largely devoted to making the embryo proper, the other to developing the
support structures (placenta etc.) needed for long-term survival.<br />
<br />
Further development proceeds from this first differentiation along a definite
plan – with one of the two cells dividing first, in accord with its distinct
function, so that the embryo develops three cells, then four, then eight, and
so on." 3</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br />
<b>[Note: The<span style="font-size: small;"> human</span> embryo <u>does not</u> divide
synchronously like a frog.]</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
"At each stage this is no mere colony or aggregate of cells – much less a
mere envelope full of genes – but an integrated, developing organism of our
species. <br />
<br />
"So radically different are our new findings about the embryo that a major
science journal notes that they were "heresy" only a few years ago.<br />
<br />
<b>Human and other mammalian embryos were once thought to become organized and
give their constituent cells definite fates only after implantation in the womb…<br />
<br />
…now it is found that the embryo begins differentiation, and develops a
"top-bottom axis" guiding future development <u>almost immediately
after conception</u></b><u>.</u><br />
<br />
The journal notes that from now on, "developmental biologists will no
longer dismiss early mammalian embryos as featureless bundles of
cells." 3</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Let's try to summarize what scientific research is telling us:<br />
<br />
1) The zygote being has 46 chromosomes--23 contributed from the human life of
the mother, 23 from the human life of the father.<br />
<br />
2) The Zygote is now completely human and self-directing; he or she only needs
a secure place to grow and receive nourishment. He and his habitat are one.<br />
<br />
3) One cannot ethically continue to use the 13 to 14 day appearance of the
primitive streak as a time marker, for its indicators are <u>already determined
and operative</u> within the single-cell zygote and as we now know, twinning
can indeed occur <u>after </u>14 days.<br />
<br />
In addition, the outer wall--once considered the separation point--develops <i>from
</i>the fertilized zygote and interacts with the inner wall as one, complete
organism. Some of these outer wall cells grow into permanent tissue.<br />
<br />
Now that we've separated human life from a human being, here's the follow-up
question:<br /><br />"When does the being become a person?" At this point, the
debate gets heated because we must move more from science to a branch of
philosophy known as ethics.<br />
<br />
Some scholars claim personhood is recognized at viability--when the fetus can
live a meaningful life on its own outside the womb. Others say at "brain
birth", but that term is scientifically invalid. "Brain birth"
is the very gradual acquisition of the functions of a developing neural system.
This developing neural system is not a brain.<br /><br />"Although it is customary to divide human development into prenatal
(before birth) and postnatal (after birth) periods, <u>birth is merely a
dramatic event during development resulting in a change in environment.<br />
</u><br />
<b>Development does not stop at birth<i>.</i></b>
Important changes, in addition to growth, occur after birth (e.g., development
of teeth and female breasts). The brain triples in weight between birth
and 16 years; <i>most developmental changes are completed by the age of 25</i>." 1<br /><br />Other people claim only the exercise of rational attributes or self-awareness
denotes personhood. Yet we immediately see that these characteristics are
variables, not constants. Who gets to define "meaningful" for the
fetus? Won't that definition be subject to change in fluctuating political and
cultural landscapes?<br /><br />Furthermore, there are degrees of rationality and self-awareness. Again, who
will set these standards for "good, better, and best"? Doesn't
history warn us not to even entertain such ideas?<br />
<br />
Can our capacities to think, feel, choose, and relate to the world around us
change due to age, disease, or injury? Of course! If an adult begins to lose
these capacities, is personhood also diminished? If he or she is no longer a
person, do they lose their rights?<br />
<br />
Don't we see the notion of diminished personhood already argued and played out
in our society? The idea of there being a difference between a human being and
a human person has frightening consequences.<br />
<br />
I cannot address the issue of personhood any clearer or more convincingly than
Doris Gordon, founder of <a href="http://www.l4l.org/">Libertarians
for Life</a>:<br /><br />"How should we define "person"? A definition that is accepted
even by many abortion proponents, especially among libertarians, is that a
"person" is an animal with the capacity for reason and choice. This
capacity, this rational nature, is what establishes us as beings with the
obligation not to aggress.<br />
<br />
"Given this definition, the argument is:<br />
<br />
1) animals with the capacity for reason and choice are persons;<br />
2) human zygotes are animals with that capacity; <br />
3) therefore human zygotes are persons.<br />
<br />
"Many would respond: Nice syllogism, but in reality, it's impossible for
human zygotes to have the capacity for reason and choice. Such skeptics
apparently are using one meaning of "capacity" and are failing to
notice it has two meanings:<br />
<br />
1) <b>root capacity </b>for functioning (a thing's already existing nature,
which is there from the beginning of its existence)<br />
<br />
2) <b>active capacity,</b> actual functioning (a right-now demonstration of the
root capacity).<br />
The meaning of "capacity" relevant to the syllogism--and sufficient
for human zygotes to be persons--is root capacity.<br />
<br />
Another fact about the nature of personhood can help show why root capacity
works, so let's digress to consider it.<b><br />
<br />
Personhood: developmental or a constant?</b><br />
<br />
Since the human body is a thing that develops and grows, many people assume
that therefore, so does personhood. The fact is, however, <b>personhood is not
developmental; it's a constant</b>.<br />
<br />
If personhood were developmental, then the right not to be killed (commonly
called the right to life) would have to be developmental, too. But how can this
right be developmental? Think of it this way: A human being cannot be partially
killed and partially not killed. To be a person is to have the right not to be
killed. This right cannot be put on a scale of degrees; it is an either/or,
just as alive or dead is an either/or.<br />
<br />
A "developmental" approach to personhood makes no sense. If the
so-called "potential person" may be killed at whim, it is simply a
non-person. If it is a person, we may not choose to kill it on a whim. A
potential, partial, or lesser individual right not to be killed that can be set
aside is, in effect, a non-right. <u>A being is a person or not; there is no
in-between moral, or even logical, class of beings.</u><br />
<br />
<b>In <i>Roe</i>, however, the Court assumed that there is another category of
human offspring: "potential life,"</b> which lies somewhere between
"non-person" and "person." In the Court's view, with the
increasing physical development of human beings, comes an increasing moral
standing and, therefore, an increasing level of rights, until at some point in
our development, we acquire "full rights".<br />
<br />
Since human beings do not mature until adulthood, why not permit infanticide?
Apparently seeking a time to start applying the brakes, Blackmun wrote,
"With respect to the State's important and legitimate interest in
potential life, the 'compelling' point is at viability. This is so because the
fetus then presumably has the capability of meaningful life outside the
mother's womb."<br />
<br />
But what is meaningful? By whose standard? In ordinary language,
"viable" means "capable of living or developing in normal or
favorable situations." To abortionists, "viable" requires
survivability under hostile conditions. <u>Either way, what does viability have
to do with what an entity is, or with the right not to be killed?<br />
</u><br />
<b>The principle the Court advanced here is
that if you need help, you can be killed, but if you can manage, you cannot be
touched. Under viability, the <i>more</i>
a child needs the womb, the <i>less</i> right she has to stay there.</b><br />
<br />
Moreover, viability is not a stable point. Since <i>Roe</i>, the age at which
prematurely born children survive in incubators has been lowered. As Justice
Sandra Day O'Connor wrote, "The <i>Roe</i> framework, then, is clearly on
a collision course with itself."<br />
<br />
Given current medical technology, we can talk of viability at both ends of
prenatal development. Zygotes in petri dishes and embryos in cold-storage are
clearly living outside the mother's womb. Indeed, if artificial wombs are
eventually perfected, many children might not ever reside in a woman's
body..."<b><br />
<br />
Viability is not a test of personhood; it is a test of the level of medical
technology and of the competence of medical personnel. The fact that they lack
the ability to maintain a life does not give them or anyone else a right to
take that life.</b> <i>Their</i> inability is irrelevant to whether <i>another's</i>
death is a homicide or not.<b><br /><br />Two meanings of "capacity"</b><br />
<br />
Let us return to "the capacity for reason and choice." Abortion
choicers often insist that "capacity" refers only to the second
meaning given above--to the ability to demonstrate reason and choice right now.<br />
<br />
If this were its only meaning, then what about people generally recognized as
persons, such as people who are profoundly retarded, people in coma, stroke
victims, and the senile? They might not be able to reason or choose at a given
moment. In fact, under such a definition, we all have grounds to worry if we
sleep too soundly.<br />
<br />
Most abortion choicers probably oppose equating fetuses with comatose and
retarded humans. "[W]e all agree that they [retarded humans] are persons
and we cannot justifiably kill them," the Association of Libertarian
Feminists took care to say.<b><br />
<br />
Everyone begins life "mentally incompetent."</b> But if life-long
"mentally incompetent" humans are persons, why not humans whose
incompetence is temporary? Immaturity is no libertarian test for rights. The
Libertarian Party platform states: "Individual rights should not be denied
[or] abridged...on the basis of...age." It has also opposed "government
discrimination directed at any...artificially defined sub-category of human
beings."<br />
<br />
True, in one sense, capacity means a power that can be demonstrated right now.
In another sense, however, capacity means a power that needs time to "warm
up" or be "repaired."<br />
<br />
Think of a computer program. It might have to undergo 167 steps before it can
perform the task it was designed for. Still, we say this program has the
capacity to function right from the beginning.<br />
<br />
Capacity can refer to a being's natural, underlying power to actualize reason
and choice. When a talent is undeveloped, it is still an actual talent. More
strongly, even when one's capacity for reason and choice is undeveloped, one
still has an actual capacity, an actual power.<br />
<br />
Human beings begin life with the capacity to actualize reason and choice; this
capacity is in our genes. To kill human beings early in life is to destroy
their capacity for reason and choice as well as their lives.<br />
<br />
However much we change during life, our rational <b>nature</b>, our personhood,
is a constant. Such a position is Aristotelian. Consider what Ayn Rand, an
admirer of Aristotle, saw fit to quote approvingly when reviewing John Herman
Randall's book on him. Once again, it shows what views Rand held when not
addressing abortion:<br />
<br />
"Objecting to 'the...[view that] "anything may be followed by
anything,'" Professor Randall writes: 'To such a view...Aristotle answers,
No! Every process involves the operation of determinate powers.<br />
<br />
“There is nothing that can become anything else whatsoever. <b>A thing can become only what it has the
specific power to become, only what it already is, in a sense, potentially</b>.
And a thing can be understood only as that kind of thing that has that kind of
a specific power; while the process can be understood only as the operation,
the actualization, the functioning of the powers of its subject or bearer.”<br />
<br />
Making judgments and free choices are activities of persons. If only the <i>present</i>
capability to do these things counted, then personhood would be, in the words
of one abortion choicer, "a state humans grow into, perhaps months or even
a few years after birth."<sup> </sup>Most abortion choicers, however, are
not willing to admit even the mere possibility that choice on infanticide is a
logical consequence of their argument...<br />
<br />
<b>What sets the <i>person</i> aside from
the <i>non-person</i> is the root capacity for reason and choice. If this
capacity is not in a being's nature, the being cannot develop it. We had this
capacity on Day One, because it came with our human nature</b>.<br />
<br />
<b>In other words, to be an actual person,
human beings need do nothing but be alive.</b><br />
<br />
<b>We were all very much alive at
conception. One-celled human beings are not "potential persons"; they
are persons <i>with</i> potential</b>.<br />
<br />
<b>When do human beings <i>become</i>
persons? The answer is, human beings do not become persons; human beings simply
are persons from Day One.<sup>"</sup></b><sup> </sup>4<br /><br />
<br />
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<i><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Future posts will look at the history of
abortion in the United States prior to 1973. What changed after the Roe decision?
What if individual states once again regulated abortion procedures?
Additionally, we'll examine the host's claim to her own body and the right to
aggress (evict), and the difference between inherent and legal rights.<br /><br /><br />Have you read Part One? <a href="http://www.themarydiane.blogspot.com/2014/01/christian-libertarian-and-pro-life-new.html">Christian, Libertarian, and Pro Life: A New Look at an Old Issue</a></span></span></span></i></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 115%;"><br /><br /><br /> </span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 115%;">Resources:<i><br />
<br />
1. <a href="http://www.l4l.org/library/mythfact.html"><span style="line-height: 115%;">"When do Human Beings Begin? Scientific<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"> </span>Myths and Scientific Facts<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"> </span>by Dianne N. Irving,
M.A., Ph.D</span></a></i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
2. <a href="http://www.pregnancy-period.com/stage_of_pregnancy_development.html"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Stage of
Pregnancy Development: The Baby's Growth from Cell to Individual</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/bioethic/embryo/appendix61203.shtml"><br />
<br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">3.</span>
Richard M. Doerflinger "Modern Embryology and the 'Pre-Embryo"</span></a></span></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: x-small; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></i><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
</span></i></span></span><i><span style="color: blue; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4.<span style="color: #e69138;"><a href="http://www.l4l.org/library/abor-rts.html">Abortion and rights: Applying Libertarian Principles Correctly by Doris Gordon<br /><br /></a></span></span></span></span></i></span>Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-52784101561167874452014-01-20T09:30:00.001-06:002014-01-20T09:42:48.038-06:00Christian, Libertarian, and Pro Life:A New Look at an Old Issue<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>I used to write frequently on political and social issues
from the viewpoint of a Libertarian Christian. During that time, I wrote a
four-part series on abortion that looked at the issue from the core belief of
libertarianism that promotes the freedom of self-ownership. I’m re-posting these
articles over the next three days.<br /><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXNWuGtMAEkH1Pv1IYKzXy7BQQHMJr2DxNQ4i1GPIUP3bBzWJRBjxo5gJ4W_YCSMCpFojs7oN7vDYP17TOfFRClkUNhIsI5e2qU-IXQtLFc2jXAsn08uGA6M9ArbEsw3IVH4YkIRCHOw/s1600/fetus20weeks.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXNWuGtMAEkH1Pv1IYKzXy7BQQHMJr2DxNQ4i1GPIUP3bBzWJRBjxo5gJ4W_YCSMCpFojs7oN7vDYP17TOfFRClkUNhIsI5e2qU-IXQtLFc2jXAsn08uGA6M9ArbEsw3IVH4YkIRCHOw/s1600/fetus20weeks.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Every year about this time, the voice of the pro-life movement intensifies as
America approaches the 22nd--the day in 1973 when the Roe Court deemed abortion a fundamental right under the Constitution.</span></span><br /><br />As a
former conservative, I was heavily involved in pro-life organizations from
sidewalk protests and vigils, counseling, education and legislative action. My
participation stemmed not only from Christian convictions, but also from
personal experience. I had an abortion in 1978 before I returned to the faith
of my childhood. <br />
<br />How am I different today as a libertarian? Well, I am just as passionate about
the life of the pre-born, but I just don't tote around an arsenal of preaching Scriptures.<br /><br />My<span style="font-size: small;"> circle of<span style="font-size: small;"> friends</span> ha<span style="font-size: small;">s</span> widened to </span>include folks who don't sing in conservative or Christian choirs, so I'm honing
my skills on topics such as personhood, biology, feminism, viability, and right
to aggress in order to speak outwardly to more diverse audiences.<br />
<br />
All libertarians agree that the Supreme Court had no business hearing the Roe
case in 1973. Abortion is not a constitutional issue; hence, jurisdiction over
any prohibitions or allowances should have remained within the states,
according to the Tenth Amendment.<br />
<br />
Many libertarians, however, will argue against legislation even at the state
level. They will point out that libertarian philosophy centers around a
person's rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of property; but for
now, there is no legal consensus on when the fetus actually becomes a
person. Therefore, the fetus does not qualify for unequivocal protection and
remains the property of the host.<br />
<br />
Nobody wants government at any level monitoring their personal choices and
doling out consequences. Our tax money can be better spent if we divert it from
criminal prosecution of voluntary, victimless pursuits. We should be able to
eat as much fat as we crave, smoke whatever we want, drink sodas in New York, and
marry whomever we desire in our non-theocratic state.<br />
<br />
Notwithstanding, I believe the issue of abortion is critically different
because it is not a victimless procedure. My position is that abortion
puts into tension the <i>equal</i> rights of two individuals to life, liberty,
and the ownership of property (their bodies). Inalienable rights cannot be
transferred or taken away based on someone’s size, location, appearance, or
level of function.<br />
<br />
In this series, I'd like to zero in on certain topics within the abortion
debate. I want to be a better libertarian, able to speak intelligently to both
sides of the issue WITHOUT automatically resorting to the Bible. Let me
explain:<br />
<br />
I spent years on the front lines of the Christian pro-life movement in the ˈ80s. We hurt our cause when fellow
workers would frequently fall back on "Well, God says it's wrong, that's
why" when asked to explain their position. Our credibility suffered even
more when someone in the ranks would start bashing the morals of their
pro-choice opponents.<br /><br />I am certainly not ashamed of the Holy Scriptures, and I
know very well the passages that speak of the sanctity of life. However, all
pro-life Christians must educate themselves to speak the message in other
arenas besides their personal faith.<br />
<br />
Aside from my religion, I am compelled to give the fetus the benefit of the doubt
after examining the scientific information we have so far regarding human conception.
Abolitionists took a similar stand when the Supreme Court in 1857 declared
slaves to be chattel (property). This meant that society could legally view
slaves as non-persons, devoid of any rights to be acknowledged and subsequently
protected.<br />
<br />
This court decision did not stop abolitionists from speaking out and working
within and (at times) against the system to free the slaves, despite the
plantation owner's assertion that he could do what he willed with his property
and no one had the right to invade his privacy (the pivotal point of the Roe v.
Wade case). Normally, such a claim is honored, especially by libertarians, <i>unless</i>
aggression is committed against innocent people while one is exercising his
freedoms!<br />
<br />
Thus, the entire debate seems to center on whether or not the fetus (Latin for <i>young
one)</i> is already a person in utero.<br />
<br />
In this series, we'll look at scientific evidence for life at conception, along
with the interesting hormone the host's body naturally secretes to stop it from
rejecting the fetus as foreign tissue. We'll delve into the issue of
viability and potentiality. (Is the fetus biologically complete at
conception, or is something added along the way to make “it” human? Does
something happen at some critical point that gives us an "aha!"
moment?)<br />
<br />
The idea of the fetus as the ultimate immigrant and the host's claimed right to
aggress at any stage of pregnancy will be explored. I'm eager to query the
feminist reasoning on abortion when, after years of monumental,
historical struggles, a woman will aggress the basic rights of another woman
who has yet to win her fight for equal status and opportunities under the
law.<br />
<br />
What has been the time-honored libertarian position on responsible parenting
and the rights of the child? What about abortion and the free market principle?<br />
<br />
Why was Roe v. Wade unconstitutional, and exactly how was the decree worded?
What were the laws before 1973, and what would the abortion landscape look like
across the United States if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned?<br />
<br />
At some future point, I'll post parts of my personal story that speaks more to
the Church. A report from the Guttmacher Institute indicates that although the
overall abortion rate in the United States<span style="font-size: small;"> was drop<span style="font-size: small;">ping until recently</span></span>, the rates for Christian
women, which have yearly been proportionate with the rest of the abortive
population, have NOT declined:</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">37</span>% of abortive women identify themselves as Protestants<br />
2<span style="font-size: small;">8</span>% indicate they are Catholics<br />
13% of abortions (approx. 170,000 per year) are performed on self-described<br />
“Born Again” or Evangelical Christians<br />
<i><br />
Alan Guttmacher Institute and Physicians for Reproductive Choice,<a href="http://www.guttmacher.org/presentations/abort_slides.pdf"><br />“An Overview of Abortion in the United States,” 2011</a></i></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
I'm convinced Christians must strive to model a more consistent, pro-life
message across the board if we want to be taken seriously about our cause for
the pre-born; and we must stop distorting facts and relying on
scaremongering tactics.<br />
<br />
As a whole, the Church has done a great job with crisis pregnancy support,
aftercare, and adoption, but we can do more and do it better--particularly when
it comes to helping women find educational and career opportunities that will
enable them to make responsible choices for the future.<br />
<br />
That brings me to another topic altogether. What about birth control? No, I
don't intend to meddle. I simply want to ask, "Aren't we libertarians all
about taking responsibility for our own actions and insisting others do the
same?"<br />
<br />
The<span style="font-size: small;"> Guttmacher Institute </span>additionally reports that
nine out of ten women having abortions claim to use birth control, but <b>confess they do not use it as prescribed</b>.
Overall, 58% of the women having abortions claim a contraceptive failure; 31%
had used a method in the past but were not using one during the month in which
they conceived, and 11% had never used any method.<br />
<br />
The majority of the women among the 42% who were not using a contraceptive
method when they became pregnant had most recently relied on either the pill or
the condom. Fifty-three percent of prior pill users and 76% of prior condom
users became pregnant within three months of stopping use.<br />
<br />
By the way, we're not talking about the contraceptive bungling of naive teens.
Most women (56%) having abortions are between the ages of 20-24. They are legal
adults in an information-saturated country whose government has poured billions
of dollars for years into comprehensive sex education in their public schools--along
with free condoms, pills, and complete instructions--all surrounded by a
sexually driven culture whose exploits can be accessed with ease 24/7. In other
words, there is no excuse for negligence.<br /><br />Uncle Sam's track record is disappointing. In addition, faith-based abstinence
programs are successful (depending on which poll you use) in only <i>delaying</i>
the onset of sexual activity (usually by two years). However, even Guttmacher
reports that once sex is initiated, religious young people are just as likely
as their non-religious counterparts to use contraceptives.<br />
<br />
So, here we are, America. Billions in government dollars later, thousands of
innocent fetuses still pay for someone else's carelessness every day. What is
libertarian about that?<br />
<br />
Many women say that being forced to carry an unwanted fetus to term is
tantamount to slavery--a very un-libertarian idea. Yet, if the authority to
regulate abortions returned to the states, statutes would better reflect a
community's conscience and vary widely. A clinic offering the kind of abortion
procedures a woman desires would never be too far away. <br />
<br />
By the way, the hype about returning women to the mercy of back alley abortions
is a dishonest <a href="http://www.abortionfacts.com/online_books/love_them_both/why_cant_we_love_them_both_27.asp">scare tactic</a>.<br />
<br />
Between 1965 and 1966, the period right before states began to legalize
abortion, the numbers of total deaths were down to 120 per year--thanks to
penicillin. (The majority of deaths weren't from botched procedures, but common
infections. Abortive women today are given prescriptions for antibiotics after
the procedure to ward off post-op complications.)<br />
<br />
There is a difference between a self-induced or "back alley" abortion
and an illegal one. According to a 1960 Kinsey study in 1960, 84 to 87 percent
of all illegal abortions in the United States were performed by reputable
physicians! Planned Parenthood once went on record to say that the percentage
was as high as 90%.<br />
<br />
Here's another topic to bring to light: if abortion laws returned to the
states, would we have to fear women being arrested as murderers or is there
precedence for them to be treated as co-victims? More on that in an upcoming
post.<br />
<br />
I know. Perhaps many of my anarchist friends will shake their heads in disgust
and claim I haven't changed much at all because I still advocate government
involvement--just on a smaller level. However, even in a voluntary community
with mutually supported, private police and courts, there would still be
standing laws that serve to protect people and their property when harmed.<br />
<br />
Other libertarians will be in my corner. Conservatives may find me too
legislatively weak. That's okay. The bottom line is that libertarianism, and
its unswerving respect for the sovereign individual and his or her inherit
freedoms--regardless of outward distinctions, limitations, or
circumstances--has provided a clear call to my pro-living platform that will
prove impossible to shake.<br />
<br />
The Declaration of Independence, that enduring document that defines individual
freedom civilly, states that all men (humankind) are <i>created, </i>not born
equal.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>"We
hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,</i><i> that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."<br /><br />
</i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Is there a difference between human life and a human being? That’s
where we’ll go next.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span>Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-83775529440400876072014-01-18T11:39:00.000-06:002014-01-18T12:01:15.174-06:00Understanding the Significance of Jesus' Baptism...and Yours!<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrfg9jJWsyUWGu4Jg18KNH59Ae1TinfkeSdWAB157WO1ldN81TCoMfYfyY-f9Fr_cprtpzJ8o6XzJ_7r0zdb84KVKShy0pWtMhZOSRaxc5MAOzJot7ltNAUIvochKTcXeQeKu-0REGTU/s1600/baptism-jesus.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrfg9jJWsyUWGu4Jg18KNH59Ae1TinfkeSdWAB157WO1ldN81TCoMfYfyY-f9Fr_cprtpzJ8o6XzJ_7r0zdb84KVKShy0pWtMhZOSRaxc5MAOzJot7ltNAUIvochKTcXeQeKu-0REGTU/s200/baptism-jesus.jpg" height="175" width="200" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> This past Sunday (January 12), many churches around the world observed "The Baptism of
the Lord Jesus".<br /><br />The Christmas season began by us celebrating the
birth of a babe in a manger.<br /><br />The Season of Epiphany focuses on the growing child
who was worshiped by the Magi and revealed in His adult baptism to
be God, the Son.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /><br />The Godhead manifested at the Baptism: God, the Holy Spirit alighted on Jesus
as a mantle and God, the Father spoke from Heaven--the <u>first time</u> the
distinct Persons of the one essence of the Trinity were made visible to humankind: </span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Matt-3-13">Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.</span><sup> </sup><span class="text Matt-3-14" id="en-NIV-23207">But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Matt-3-15" id="en-NIV-23208"> Jesus replied, <span class="woj">“Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”</span> Then John consented.</span></span></span></span><span class="text Matt-3-16" id="en-NIV-23209"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> As
soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment
heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove
and alighting on him. And a voice from Heaven said, "This is my Son,
whom I love; with him I am well-pleased. (Matthew 3: 13-17) </span></span></span></span></i></blockquote>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ritual cleansing with water was well known to the Jews. Even today, Orthodox
men immerse themselves before the Sabbath and holidays. Scribes do so before
writing a Torah scroll. Jewish women often follow the <i>Mikvah</i> prior to
marriage. Ritual immersion symbolized a renewed commitment to purity and
devotion to God. People considered it very important during major transitions
of life such as ministry (age 30) and marriage.<br /><br />John began to preach during
human history's greatest transition--from shadow to substance, promise to
fulfillment, from works to grace.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>
</i></b><i>In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
and saying, .Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!' For this is he who
was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the LORD; Make
His paths straight.'<br />.</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
</i></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
Now John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around
his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem, all Judea,
and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him
in the Jordan, confessing their sins.</i> (Matthew 3:1-6) </span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
As the 400 years of prophetic silence were drawing to a close, John preached
repentance and its accompanying fruits in order to prepare people for Christ's
arrival. Obviously, those who had been baptized by John were made ready for the
message of the Kingdom. It enabled them to better recognize and respond to
their Messiah. <b>That’s what real repentance does. It makes you a ready vessel
for God; its corresponding fruit is an amended life</b>.<br />
<br />
When John saw Jesus, he questioned why the Sinless O<span style="font-size: small;">n</span>e was coming to be
baptized. Note Jesus' answer: "It is fitting for us to fulfill all
righteousness".<br />
<br />
Jesus already possessed righteousness, but it was important to publicly
demonstrate that right standing. In doing so, He established a standard for
those who were to follow Him.</span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<i>For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.</i> (1 Peter
2:21)</span></span></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Prior to this event, the locals knew Jesus only as an ordinary man, the carpenter,
son of Joseph and Mary--perhaps wise beyond his years--even a prophet. But when
He emerged from the water, Jesus' full identity and purpose was revealed to
those who had readied ears to hear and eyes to see!<br />
<br />
John had been instructed ahead of time to watch for this sign as confirmation:</span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<i>The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold!
The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said,
‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for HE WAS BEFORE ME.' I did
not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came
baptizing with water."<br /></i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
</i></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven
like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me
to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and
remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have
seen and testified that THIS IS THE SON OF GOD."</i> (John 1:29-34)</span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Ceremonial Law was meant to be a lesson in the futility of man's own
efforts to become righteous. When he inevitably failed, God's mercy
allowed the innocent blood of animals to stand in humanity's stead for judgment.
The sights, sounds, and smells of the animals being sacrificed all added to the
compounding pain of of man's estrangement from God. But the
coming of Jesus changed all of that! </span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<i>"I (John) indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who
is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
</i></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
<br />His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His
threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the
chaff with unquenchable fire." </i>(Matthew
3:11, 12)</span></span></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
John’s baptism unto repentance didn’t save those who went into the water. It made them ready for what was to come. John clearly proclaimed that those
who were baptized into the coming Christ would be saved—cleansed to the deepest
levels of the heart—by the fiery, transforming power of the Holy Spirit.<br />
<br />
If Jesus is our pattern, then let's look at our own baptisms to get a better
understanding and appreciation for what God has done for us.<br /><br />Upon genuine repentance* (<b>conversion</b>),
God forgives you for your <b>personal sins</b>.
<br />
<br />
By the "fire" of the Holy Spirit, you are <b>regenerated</b> into a new creature in Christ--out of obligation to Adam's deficiencies and dysfunctions and <i>into </i>Christ-- thereby removing you from the damning indictment of </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Original Sin</b>. This
is being "born again".</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then you are instantly <b>justified</b>--having Christ's righteousness credited
totally, permanently as yours.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Next, because of belonging to Christ, you are <b>adopted</b> by God as His
son or daughter with full benefits and privileges as an heir and joint heir with Christ. All of this is accomplished
from start to finish by grace as you place your active faith in the finished
work of Jesus Christ.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally, with Jesus as your pattern, you follow through and also make your
'appearing' to the world and validate who you are by baptism. Folks may have
known you for years as the sad drunk, wayward son, abusive father, or drug
addict, but now the Godhead declares you to be brand new and devotedly THEIRS!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our baptism is meant to be earthly evidence of our Heavenly status, where our
names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Adoptees on earth have legal
proof of their new identity and home and so do we. Earthly adoptions cannot be
formalized in solitude; neither can Heavenly ones. BOTH must be public.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some people say baptism is not necessary for Salvation; they are right. But it
IS necessary to fulfill all righteousness! Jesus was sinless, yet went into the
water to demonstrate the importance of baptism.</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /><br />A genuine convert already has imputed righteousness, but still must follow
through in baptism in order to not complete the righteousness, but 'fill"
it (Greek-<i>Pleroo</i>..."to fill, as a house with perfume or a net with
fish.)<br /><br />Both vivid examples of perfume and fish indicate evidence that can be weighed
with one or more of our five earthly senses. The house or net is already
yours--now fill it!<br />
<br />
</b>Did you know that the Father spoke over you at your baptism? What did He
declare? If Christ is our pattern, then here it is:</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"This is my beloved son (daughter), in whom I am well pleased."<br /><br />God's
acceptance of you is not based on your performance. He loved you from the
foundation of the world. Now that you are restored to right standing, there is
nothing that remains in the way of you walking in that love as His adopted
child. What you could not become by human nature, He made you by divine grace.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In fact, you are as righteous now as you ever will be! As you grow in Christ,
the reality of what you have been given will manifest more and more here on
earth, but your standing with God cannot increase through good works or
decrease through faith's struggles.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Holy Spirit anointed Jesus, launching Him into His public ministry:</span></span></span><br />
<blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with
power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the
devil, for God was with Him.</i> (Acts 10:38)</span></span></span>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">At your baptism, you were also anointed to go about doing good and continue the
earthly ministry of Jesus with particular gifts and callings. Some abilities
may have already been evident or<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>in use.
However, following your obedience into baptism, the Holy Spirit anoints
all your gifts (even the dormant ones that will surface as needs
arise), placing a special grace of favor and effectiveness upon
them that you cannot achieve on your own. God’s purpose for your life
becomes
clearer!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In summary, at your baptism:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God, the Son affirms you have been legally redeemed out of corrupt Adam and
safely into Him.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God, the Father officially receives you into the family and places you under an
“Open Heaven” whereby “His Kingdom can come and His will be done” in your earthly
life. He identifies you as His beloved child.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God, the Holy Spirit begins to equip and prepare you unto service in the world
and unto sanctification for Heaven.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Did you realize all of this?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Growing up as an evangelical, I recall that the act of baptism seemed to center
around what the people were doing. Very little thought was given to God’s
perspective. Some of my friends have been re-baptized in order for the experience to be more
'meaningful'--even traveling to the Holy Land’s Jordan River--as if the setting
or their later maturity in Christ makes it really count.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I say, God got it right the first time!</span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is
God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a
deposit. </i>( 2 Corinthians 1:21) </span></span></span></b></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the
gospel <a href="http://www.bible-knowledge.com/Sealed-with-the-Holy-Spirit.html" target="undefined"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></a>of
your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy
Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption
of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. </i>(Ephesians 1:13)</span></span></span></b></blockquote>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Proof of this sealing is baptism. You do not seal the commitment--God does!
What do repeated baptisms say of the integrity of God's sealing power? Can it
be eroded through the ups and downs of the Christian life or stolen by the
devil? No!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Consequently, we must be careful to faithfully represent God and His intents to
a watching world. Is the focus more on what we want, think, or feel, rather
than on what God has said and done through our baptism?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hank Hanegraaff, in his excellent article on baptism, notes that Charles Hadden
Spurgeon, often referred to as the Prince of Preachers, said that he was afraid
to confess Christ before his baptism. </span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thereafter, he lost all fear of man and never hesitated to boldly profess his
faith. He likened his baptism to "burning the boats". "No retreat
was possible after that,” he said, "nor have I ever wanted to go back to
the world from which I then came out." <i>(Spurgeon at His Best, Baker
Book House)</i></span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
</i>Hanagraaff reminds us that while baptism is not essential to salvation (nor
its modes), the mandate of baptism is essential to obedience. <b>Although it is
not the means by which we are saved, it is the means by which we are set apart.</b>
<a href="http://www.equip.org/articles/the-importance-of-baptism">Read the entire article</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Are you a believer who has yet to be baptized? Fulfill all righteousness, make
the path straight, and be baptized. Show yourself publicly to be set apart from
the world and unto Christ. Show your “legal papers”, so to speak, of being
adopted out of doomed Adam and into the abundant life in Christ. Baptism,
if properly understood, can become the anchor that steadies us.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Are you a baptized believer? Seek to understand and appreciate your outward
sign of an inward grace. The next time you’re tempted to doubt your salvation,
be reminded of your baptism and what reverberated through the Heavenlies as you
came up out of the water:<b> “This is my beloved!”</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
A few notes on true repentance, and the problem with altar calls for salvation:
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Repentance
differs from mere regret or remorse. We are normally regretful when our
behavior brings difficulties upon others or ourselves. We might experience
profound remorse when the consequences of our actions result in horrible pain
or loss.</span></i></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">
"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation..." (2
Corinthians 7:10a)</span></i></span></span></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">
Being exposed, getting caught, or coming to an end of one's means or wits
produces only worldly sorrow. The focus is entirely on how the uncomfortable
consequences are disrupting our lives and pleasures.<br />
<br />
Godly sorrow is experienced when we have come face to face with the goodness
and love of God, and we break for breaking the heart of God. The focus has now
shifted to how God sees the sin and resulting estrangement.<br />
<br />
A crisis can certainly lead us to the place of true repentance, but we often
confuse regret or remorse for repentance. We cut short the conviction process
when we ask others to pray for us so we can simply feel better. There's nothing
wrong with lingering conviction that's allowed to work its way down into the
deepest motives of our hearts.<br />
<br />
Don’t be so quick to always end pain in your life or in the lives of others.
Pray first, and see if God desires to use it for a greater, redeeming purpose!<br />
<br />
**The first altar calls and "sinners' prayers" in the Church were
introduced by Evangelist Charles Finney in the 1800s. Prior to Finney, a person
under conviction would come into the church through the witness and prayers of
others, and arrange for instruction and baptism. It became a relational journey
of prolonged conviction (letting the Holy Spirit do a thorough job), learning,
and readiness to enter the Kingdom. <br />
<br />
For over 1,800 years in the Church, baptism itself was the public renouncement
of the old life, accompanied by the convert's first <u>public </u>profession of
faith.<br />
<br />
His new church family participated from start to finish--much as midwives--in
bringing the new convert along to a successful birth. Baptism was the proof,
not an afterthought. It was not an empty ritual or ceremony; <b>baptism was
(and is) the public signing and sealing of the covenant of redemption between
God and the new believer.</b><br />
<br />
How different from most of our modern altar calls and baptismal services, where
the congregants are mere spectators who often remain relationally detached from
the convert before and after his "decision".<br />
<br />
"Church wide, there's an 84% to 97% "fall-away" rate among those
who make decisions for Christ at the altar. The most logical inference is the
20th century evangelism practice of telling everyone they are saved at the
altar without regard for their true condition is producing a staggering number
of stillborn--not born again Christians." (<a href="http://www.sfee.info/" target="_blank">Society for Effective Evangelism</a>)<br />
<br />
The Society for Effective Evangelism also reports that 90% of those who come to
crusades and evangelistic meetings for conversions do not join themselves to a
church afterward. (It also stands to reason that most people within this 90
percent have not been baptized.)<br />
<br />
Also disturbing is the organization’s revelation that 74% of Americans who once
walked an aisle and shook a pastor's hand claim they are born again and have
been told they are secure for eternity!<br />
<br />
At least Finney (and later D.L. Moody) had inquirers' rooms where
counselors
would spend time with seekers to determine true conviction BEFORE
leading them in the sinner’s prayer. A prayer of commitment was never
spoken at the
altar, and both Finney and Moody believed that only a few of the people
who
filled the rooms were actually ready to be saved (10% or less).<br />
<br />
Those who did make a decision for Christ were assigned a local pastor who
personally followed up with the new convert in discipleship for several years
to make sure the “birthing” process into the Kingdom of God was authentic and
complete.<br />
<br />
All of this changed with Billy Sunday’s meetings in the first half of the
twentieth century. He was frustrated with the labor-intensive inquirers’ rooms
and developed the “prayer at the altar” shortcut without prior assessment of
the seeker’s heart. Everyone who came forward to shake Sunday’s hands at the
altar was considered saved by an act of faith. <br />
<br />
“What I want and preach,” said Sunday, “is that a man can be converted without
any fuss.” He later boasted that he had so streamlined the salvation process
that he could make converts for two dollars a soul.<br />
<br />
At first, Billy Graham brought back the private inquirers’ room prior to the
sinner’s prayer and attempted to strengthen follow-up with local churches.
However, as the crowds attending his crusades grew, Graham, like Sunday,
streamlined by leading those who came forward in a corporate, open sinner’s
prayer before<span style="font-size: small;"> ushering </span>people<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>to the rooms.<br />
<br />
The number of counselors available in Graham’s crusades has often been woefully
inadequate, and many volunteers publicly bemoaned the fact that they’ve watched
as people grew tired of waiting in line and walked away. Yet, those who left
had been assured by the famous evangelist that they were saved and headed for
Heaven!<br />
<br />
Having worked in many follow-up rooms myself, I can personally attest to restless
seekers walking out of the room and the pressure on us as counselors to “hurry
up"<span style="font-size: small;">. </span>I also know how easy it is for names on a card to get lost or carelessly
neglected.<br />
<br />
I am convinced relational evangelism within a community of believers is the
best way to bring someone authentically into the Kingdom of God.
It is neither easy nor convenient. It requires commitment
to attend to the convert from conception to gestation, then on to birth and
into a healthy spiritual childhood. </span></i></span></span></span>Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-5430683663281379372014-01-06T19:56:00.000-06:002014-01-06T23:40:00.257-06:00Do You See What I See? The Feast of Epiphany<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Said the night wind to the little
lamb</span></i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">
Do you see what I see?<br />
Way up in the sky little lamb<br />
Do you see what I see?<br />
A star, a star<br />Dancing in the night<br />
With a tail as big as a kite<br />
With a tail as big as a kite<br />
(From “Do You Hear What I Hear?” by Gloria Shayne and Noel Regney<br /><br /></span></i><img src="http://www.armenianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/magi.jpg" height="255" id="il_fi" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="320" /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><br />Today is
joyous Epiphany! Did you almost miss it? Other people did...long ago. Although God chose to first
reveal Himself to and through the Jews, the religious leaders were so busy
deciding how many steps constitute work on the Sabbath that they didn't seem to care about the unusual star that appeared in the Heavens.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Astrologers from the East, however, were watching. Led only by natural signs, not divine revelation, they were compelled to follow with open
hearts. Hmmm...outright pagans found the Child. And at His feet they emptied their treasures and worshiped. Back in Jerusalem, the religionists still had their noses so glued to the right applications of Scripture that they missed the arrival of the Living Word.</span><br /><br /> Epiphany means "Manifestation; Appearing". The
Twelve Days of Christmas have come to a close as the Church now turns her focus
from the arrival of Christ <i>in</i> the world to His manifestation and
revelation <i>to</i> the world--first, to the Gentile Magi and then at His
Baptism.<br /><br />The<u> season</u> of Epiphany begins tonight at sunset (the time of evening prayer)
through the Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas) on February 2. In
some cultures, the Christmas decorations and greenery are not taken down until<i> </i>Candlemas.<br /><br />I grew up in a non-liturgical church and never heard
of Epiphany, although Christians began observing it in 361A.D. However, it is
important because it helps us understand the significance of the Magi’s
worship, which can enrich our lives and witness in the world.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;">I ask myself during this time,
"What gifts did I give Jesus this past year? Were they the quality of the
Wise Men's?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><b>gold (costly) <br />
myrrh (sacrificial) <br />
and frankincense (a true heart of worship)</b><br /><br />What about <i>this </i>year?<br /><br />Can I leave my status and comfort, as they did, and travel to wherever God
leads? Can I keep looking up, regardless of the difficult road before me? Can
I humble myself before someone who appears "smaller or lesser"
than me? Can I refuse the commands and enticements of a Herod? As a new
year arrives, so does the opportunity to begin a renewed journey.<br /><br />Epiphany also celebrates our Lord's "appearing/manifestation" as the
Son of God as He stepped out of His baptism in the Jordan River and began His
public ministry<i>.<br /><br />"Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by
him.<u><sup> </sup></u>John tried to prevent him, saying, ‘I need to be
baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?'<br /><br />Jesus said to him in reply, ‘Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to
fulfill all righteousness.' Then he allowed him.<br /><br />After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens
were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove
(and) coming upon him.<br /><br />And a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I
am well pleased'."</i> (Matthew 3:13-17)<br /><br />Epiphany observes beautifully Jesus Christ as Son of Man (identifying as one of us by becoming human in every
way) to His unveiling as the Son of God.<br /><br />So, what special celebrations are underfoot in the Goin household?<br /><br />Honestly, I'm not much of a cook. But in years past, I’d call the bakery ahead
of time and order a batch of star-shaped cookies, sprinkled with glittery-good
sugar in three colors:<br /><br /><b>gold</b><br />
<b>red</b> (frankincense-because it burns on coals)<br />
<b>blue</b> (myrrh-although actually brown in appearance, it represents sacrifice. It
was used to anoint bodies for burial; hence, the use of a “colder” color)</span></span><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany_%28holiday%29">Epiphany is celebrated is many colorful ways around the world:</a></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />The <b>Dutch </b>and
Flemish call this day Driekoningen, while German speakers call it
Dreikönigstag (Three Kings' Day). In the Netherlands, Belgium,
Luxembourg and neighboring Germany, children in groups of three
(symbolizing the three kings) proceed in costume from house to house
while singing songs typical for the occasion, and receiving a coin or
some sweets at each door. They may each carry a paper lantern
symbolizing the star.<br /><br />In some places, especially Holland, these troops gather for competitions
and present their skits/songs for an audience. As in France, <i>Koningentaart</i>
(Kings' tart), puff pastry with almond filling, is prepared with a bean or coin
hidden inside. Whoever finds the bean in his or her piece is king or queen for
the day. A more typically Dutch version is <i>Koningenbrood</i>, or Kings'
bread.<br /><br />In <b>Britain</b>, the celebration of the Night before Epiphany is known as Twelfth
Night (The first night of Christmas is December 25–26, and Twelfth Night is
January 5–6), and was a traditional time for mumming (a form of folk
entertainment in which bands of masked and costumed merrymakers roam the
streets singing, dancing, acting out stories, or simply engaging in horseplay)
and the wassail. The Yule log was left burning until this day, and the charcoal
left was kept until the next Christmas to kindle next year's yule log.<br /><br />A traditional dish for Epiphany was Twelfth Cake, a rich, dense, typically English
fruitcake. As in Europe, whoever found the baked-in bean was king for a day. Anything
spicy or hot, like ginger snaps and spiced ale, was considered proper Twelfth
Night fare, recalling the costly spices brought by the Wise Men. Another
English Epiphany dessert was the jam tart, but made into a six-point star for
the occasion to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, and thus called Epiphany tart.<br />
<br />
In the <b>German-</b>speaking lands, groups
of young people called "<i>Sternsinger</i>" (star singers) travel
from door to door. They are dressed as the three Wise Men, plus the leader
carr<span style="font-size: small;">ies</span> a star, usually of painted wood attached to a broom handle. Often
these groups are four girls, or two boys and two girls for the benefit of
singing their songs in four-part harmony, not necessarily three wise men at
all.<br />
<br />
German Lutherans often note in a lighthearted fashion that the Bible never
specifies that the "<i>Weisen</i>” (Magi)<u> </u>were men, or that there
were three. The star singers will be offered treats at the homes they visit,
but they also solicit donations for worthy causes.<br /><br />Germans eat a Three Kings
cake which may be a golden pastry ring filled with orange and spice
representing gold, frankincense and myrrh and forming a crown. Or they may be
made of typical rich Christmas bread dough with cardamom and pearl sugar in the
same seven-bun crown shape. As in other countries, the person who receives the
piece or bun containing the trinket or whole almond becomes the king or queen
for a day. <br /><br />Epiphany is also an especially joyful occasion for the young and young at heart
as this is the day dedicated to <i>plündern</i> – that is, when Christmas trees
are "plundered" of their cookies and sweets by eager children (and
adults)<span style="font-size: small;">, and </span>when gingerbread houses<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>and any other good things left in the house
from Christmas are devoured.<br /><br />The <b>Irish</b> call Epiphany the <span style="font-size: small;">F</span>east of
the Epiphany or traditionally Little Christmas or "Women's Christmas"
(Irish: <i>Nollaig na mBan</i>). On the feast of the Three Kings, the women of
Ireland in times gone by had a bit of rest and celebration for themselves,
after the cooking and work of the Christmas holidays. It has long been a custom
for women to gather this day for a special high tea<span style="font-size: small;">.</span><br /><br />Today, Irish women may spend the day
shopping, take a meal at a restaurant or spend the evening<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>gathering in a
pub. Women may also receive gifts from children, grandchildren or other family
members on this day. Other Epiphany customs are popular in Ireland, such as the
burning of the sprigs of Christmas holly in the fireplace which have been used as
decorations during the past twelve days.<br /><br />In other countries, children leave grass and water by the door for the Magi’s camels
on Epiphany Eve. They awake to find gifts from the travelers. House blessings
are common on this day as well.<br /><br />Johann Sebastian Bach composed two cantatas for the feast:<br /><br /><i>Sie
werden aus Saba alle kommen, BWV 65</i> (1724)<br />
<i>Liebster
Immanuel, Herzog der Frommen, BWV 123</i> (1725)</span></span></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Part VI of his Christmas Oratorio, <i>Herr, wenn die
stolzen Feinde schnauben</i>, was also designed to be performed
during the service for Epiphany.<br /><br />And of course, we’re all familiar with “We Three Kings of Orient Are”, written
in 1857 by Rev. John Henry Hopkins, Jr., an Episcopal deacon. (Wikipedia)</span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Regardless of the activities
associated with the celebration of Epiphany around the world, the most
important thing is <i>why</i> we choose to observe this special day: We are
thankful for the call to "whosoever will" to come from afar and
worship the Messiah.<br /><br />In the middle of the world's turmoil, a light still shines; and as it has been
said many times, "only the wise see it". Epiphany is a time to pray
for wisdom--an ability to see and be led by God. It is a day to examine the goods we bring along on the journey...for just as
gifts were laid at the feet of a lowly Child, so they will be one day be laid at the feet of our glorified King.<br />
<br />
Have a blessed Epiphany! Enjoy your merrymaking, and may the Lord ever increasingly manifest in and
through your lives in 2014!</span></span></span>Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-59803131826883695752013-12-31T12:02:00.000-06:002013-12-31T15:54:43.392-06:00The Eve of the Circumcision of Christ:The First Shedding of Atoning Blood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvY-5QakOSAQY_QA85sywCy9ApFY0dn7zd9U-VJnsuIplLo6wzSKBEd6Ksk6Bp_aW7mFtNYqYXyyBqgXY65Sah7CGQvK539JkQK78cX8vaOuFa0gzTCr3liQE4wTzFfDQOR7PSmS8EyAQ/s1600/fireworks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvY-5QakOSAQY_QA85sywCy9ApFY0dn7zd9U-VJnsuIplLo6wzSKBEd6Ksk6Bp_aW7mFtNYqYXyyBqgXY65Sah7CGQvK539JkQK78cX8vaOuFa0gzTCr3liQE4wTzFfDQOR7PSmS8EyAQ/s320/fireworks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">As I'm writing this, neighbors are out buying fireworks and
snacks to herald in a new year with family and friends.<br /><br />Excitement abounds as
we're given another opportunity to let go of the past and start on a clean
slate.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Many Christians however, acknowledge tonight as the eve of the Feast of the Circumcision
of Christ as recorded in Luke 2:21: It, too, promises a new start--not by the
resolve of man, but by divine will.<br /><br /><i>"And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child,<sup>
</sup>His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was
conceived in the womb."</i><br /><br />The foreskin on the male child was removed, signifying that he was placed in
covenant with God under His parents' obligations to the Law until he was old
enough to assume responsibility for his own behavior (at age 12). The child
also received his name--publicly proclaimed by the father to the priest and all
in attendance. Do you remember the dramatic story of Zechariah naming his son,
John? (Luke 1:57-66)<br />
<br />
<i>A great article at <a href="http://morgue.anglicansonline.org/061231/">AnglicansOnline</a> starts out by rightly noting "The Circumcision of Christ
is elided (omitted) by Bible-readers and many preachers today because it
strikes us as culturally inappropriate, strange, unfamiliarly Jewish, or
something we just don't want to talk about. (The day probably passes unnoticed
on the calendar for most.)" </i><br />
<br />
This is so true! I never heard of this observance until I was over fifty years
of age, although I had often seen it listed on calendars. I naively assumed it
was Roman Catholic in origin, but the Feast was well entrenched by the 500s
A.D. in the early, <i>undivided </i>church. It is even mentioned by St.
Augustine. <br />
<br />
Thus, does this ancient feast hold any significance for modern Christians?<br />
<br />
Yes, for it was not at the scourging and the Cross where Jesus <u>first</u>
shed His blood for us, but at His circumcision!<i><br />
<br />
"Gentle Jesus meek and mild, as a son of Abraham, become a son of the law
through the ritual cutting of his flesh. This was a favourite text for medieval
and renaissance preachers, and as the pioneering, fascinating research of Leo Steinberg
has shown, it was a common motif in pre-modern and early modern Christian art.
It cemented the seriousness, the completeness, the costliness, of God's
incarnation as a Jewish boy. It clarified beyond all question that God really
was here to be with us in every aspect of our lives as a real human
being." (Ibid.)</i><br />
<b><br />
</b>God, the Son assumed human flesh and voluntarily placed Himself under the
tyranny of the Law and its salvation by works. He had to obey it perfectly, not
relying on the blood of bulls and goats but His own. <br />
<br />
The purpose of the Law of Moses has been greatly misunderstood, and thereby
misused in the Church. It was implemented ONLY when the Israelites would not
trust God by faith, as did their father Abraham. It was designed to be a temporary<u>,
external restraint </u>until another Adam would arrive (Jesus) to undo the
curse brought on by the disobedience of the first Adam. <br />
<br />
Given the name JESUS (Savior), Christ lived an obedient life in fulfillment to
all the Law requires. He passed the three tests Adam failed--lust of the flesh,
lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. In other words:<br /><br />1) Self-gratification (command the stone to turn into bread)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2) Self-promotion (worship the devil for power and fame)</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3) Self-protection (jump presumptuously off the pinnacle of
the Temple to "prove" Himself)<br />
<br />
(<i>All temptations faced by humanity today still fall into one of these three
categories)</i></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jesus, fully God and fully Man, did not need the eternal benefits of the
righteousness He won. He gives it, completely and freely, to those who receive
what He did by faith as an act of grace in their lives. He earned it so you
don't have to; He pleased the Father for all in Adam who cannot be good--in all
ways and at all times--no matter how much religious will power is exerted.<br />
<br />
Let's look at it this way:<br />
<br />
Jesus' redemptive work was two-fold: the way he <i>lived</i> and the way he <i>died</i>.
Both aspects were ratified in blood.<br />
<br />
Christ could not morally give you good standing with the Father while your sins
were on the books; therefore, though innocent of any original or personal sin,
He claimed yours, along with all of humanity's as His, and became "as
sin" (bearing the consequences). (2 Corinthians 5:21)<br />
<br />
Until Christ came, bulls and goats had to be continually sacrificed to <i>cover</i>,
but not <i>cleanse</i> the sin problem. At the Cross, Jesus Christ was the
final sacrifice for all time; His blood was powerful to ransom corrupted
humanity's past, present, and future.<br />
<br />
With the bondage to human self-righteousness broken, Christ made His
unblemished standing before God available in its place...not just so we could
be cleared of all charges, but restored to an intimate, ongoing relationship
with the Godhead.<br /><br />Based on Christ's active and passive obedience--in life and death--man is not
only forgiven and justified (declared not guilty), but loved, adopted, and
wonderfully parented by God!<br />
<br />
<i>"Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far
beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on
earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus
Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious
honor of God the Father." </i>(Philippians 2:9-11 The Message)<br />
<br />
In His presence, we are not only clean but also filled with His grace and
goodness; we experience healing from the dysfunctions of being born in Adam and
receive the sufficiency of being born <i>again</i> in Christ. And we keep
ourselves spiritually clean through daily repentance and forgiveness.<br />
<br />
Did you know the number "8" in Jewish symbolism represents new
beginnings? That's why eight days after his birth, on the day of His
circumcision, God, the Son incarnate was given his earthly name, JESUS. It
means "Savior". <br />
<br />
Our given names come from various people and places--aunts, uncles,
celebrities--even flowers. We often get teased and ridiculed as a result. Our
parents can do things to shame the family name. So much of our identity is
shaped in childhood by other descriptive names we are called based on
appearance, ability, or social standing.<br />
<br />
In Revelation 2:17, the Holy Spirit reveals that all of us who have become
God's adopted children by grace have a special name known only to Him. The
day will come, however, when He will make that name known to us face to face--a
name so suitable because it was chosen by the One who knew us <i>before</i> we
were placed in our mothers' wombs!<br />
<br />
I am an adopted child who was legally transferred out of an abusive and
poverty-stricken identity into one of safety and abundance. My adoptive parents
changed my first name and gave me their last name. The court decreed that from
that moment on, I was to be treated and legally acknowledged as if I were their
natural child.<br />
<br />
Jesus made it possible for all in Adam who desire a new life to be adopted by
God with <b>all of the same benefits</b> He enjoys as the begotten Son! As
joint-heirs, we have a new name, identity, and family status that can never be
taken away from us.<br />
<br />
Do we live in the vibrant reality of that truth? If not, we can begin right now
as we approach the first day of 2014!<br />
<br />
Christmas is the biggest celebration of the year for most people, but God
assuming human flesh was not enough to secure our redemption. He had to
personally right the wrongs that man could not. He began the day He was placed
UNDER the Law in order to OVERCOME its curse. Jesus did not fail, but fulfilled
the Law. <br />
<br />
Therefore, I can resolutely face what's ahead with joy and hope. How? Because I
stand before the Father as one who has already fulfilled, not failed the Law,
for I have imputed to me (as genuine ownership) the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST!<br />
<br />
Whatever I need is in His limitless supply; whatever I need to BE in the coming
year as I grow in grace is found in Him and His power, not the ghostly Adam of
my past with its sabotaged resolutions.<br />
<br />
<i>"With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is
resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to
live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation.
The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the
air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin
and death. </i></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> <sup><br />
"</sup>God went for the jugular when he sent his own Son. He didn't deal
with the problem as something remote and unimportant. In his Son, Jesus, he
personally took on the human condition, entered the disordered mess of
struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all. The law code,
weakened as it always was by fractured human nature, could never have done
that. </i></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> <br />
"The law always ended up being used as a Band-Aid on sin instead of a deep
healing of it. And now what the law code asked for but we couldn't deliver is
accomplished as we, instead of redoubling our own efforts, simply embrace what
the Spirit is doing in us." (Romans 8:1-4 The Message) </i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-75360849433628491102013-12-28T18:45:00.007-06:002013-12-28T19:44:32.713-06:00The Incarnation of Christ: Part FourChrist in You!<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The day is winding down and you're exhausted. There are
dishes to wash and wrapping paper to clear from around the tree. You'll
conserve what little energy remains in order to take advantage of all the
"After Christmas" sales around town. Before you have a quiet moment
to absorb the true meaning of Christmas, the decorations will be gone.<br />
<br />
Don't let this happen to you again. Determine to take quality time to embrace
the miracle of the Incarnation as a living reality <i>inside</i> of you that
will sustain you beyond December 25 and its external signs.<br />
<br />
"<b>Emmanuel, God with us!</b>" was heralded to the inhabitants of
the world when Jesus was born.<br />
<br />
He lived among us then died on the Cross. He was Resurrected and afterward
ascended to the right hand of the Father. He was the exact representation of
God. We were able to see, hear, touch and fellowship with Him as He shared in
our humanity.<br />
<br />
<i>Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied."</i><br />
<br />
<i>"Jesus replied, "...Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father</i>
(John 14:8, 9 NLT)<br />
<br />
After returning to Heaven, Jesus sent His Spirit to make the finished work of
redemption a reality in the lives of people who would receive Him by faith.
Each surrendered heart invites the Lord back to earth, so to speak, to continue
His message and ministry through them.<br /></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqR_BjHf_-ITRq88LWpAemuRWy8W-t6KibMN8oQAZJlKrSF0esN6EdqFACC1h7Ix-0CxZx7iLBXc0YjuVzb-OwfZ1N2MW_9Gd8eGz2uDBObe9gKZiBL1iXE6u3mcmep_S2yi_SkVPqRg/s1600/0174d0_377baa37a0e7851ebb80fc793d5eca16.jpg_srz_400_270_85_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqR_BjHf_-ITRq88LWpAemuRWy8W-t6KibMN8oQAZJlKrSF0esN6EdqFACC1h7Ix-0CxZx7iLBXc0YjuVzb-OwfZ1N2MW_9Gd8eGz2uDBObe9gKZiBL1iXE6u3mcmep_S2yi_SkVPqRg/s320/0174d0_377baa37a0e7851ebb80fc793d5eca16.jpg_srz_400_270_85_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srz.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Modern day Philips are asking more than ever, "Show us Jesus!"<br />
<br />
What is our response? Is Jesus still available for humanity to see, hear and
touch?</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /><br />"So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of
unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the
Father's one and only Son." </i>(John 1:14 NLT)<br />
<br />
Is the glory of the Lord visible on earth today? The "glory" is not a
spooky mist or goose bumps, but unfailing love and faithfulness; in other
words, manifested glory is the character of Jesus, the fruit of a Holy Spirit
empowered life.<br />
<br />
<b>"Man fully alive is the glory of God!"</b> (St. Irenaeus)<br />
<br />
You see, the Incarnation didn't end in the Manger. The Church is the ongoing,
visible manifestation of Christ until the Lord’s return!<br />
<br />
<i>"When John heard in prison of the works of the Messiah, he sent his
disciples to him<a href="http://www.cafemom.com/">
</a>with this question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should
we look for another?"</i> (Matthew 11:2, 3)<br />
<br />
People today ask, "Is your Jesus the one or should we look
elsewhere?" For too long, we've left all the Philips unsatisfied with our lofty answers and
disgusted with our hypocrisy. Jesus didn't respond to John's disciples with "Of course I am"! He
replied, "Go tell him what you see me doing as proof!"<br />
<br />
Are our lives proof enough?<br />
<br />
<i>"But we have this wealth in vessels of earth, so that it may be seen
that the power comes not from us but from God"</i> (2 Corinthians 4:7)<br />
<br />
If Christians ever grasp the truth of the Treasure we carry, people will no
longer have to ask for proof of the deity of Christ.<br />
<br />
<i>"...As He is, so are we in this world"</i> (1 John 4:17) Do you
believe this?<br />
<br />
We hear many sermons about us being the "light of the world" and the
"salt of the earth", but do we realize that the light is not
generated by our will power, nor do we produce the salt that savors the world? It is Christ within that shines THROUGH us and flows OUT of us...despite our
imperfections!<br />
<br />
Jesus was the perfect reflection of God. At best, we only <i>refract </i>that
light through our humanness; yet, that is exactly what produces vivid colors--<i>bent
</i>light!<br />
<br />
So what is the key to being a "Christ bearer" in the earth? The same
heart attitude of the first one.<br />
<br />
<i>"And Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me
according to thy word. And the angel departed from her."</i> (Luke 1:38)<br />
<br />
Rather than an immaculate conception, I am convinced that what made Mary's womb
a suitable dwelling for God was not her sinlessness, but her surrender! Is it
not the same for us today?<br />
<br />
In the early Church (and still in the Orthodox), Mary was called the<i> Theotokos</i>--Greek
for "God Bearer". To address heresies, the church fathers made it
very clear that from the moment of conception, Mary carried God in her
womb--not a man that would become divine nor part divinity/part man--but fully
God AND fully man.<br />
<br />
Being born again is also an overshadowing of the Holy Spirit to bring divine life
to that which is barren within. Our "yes" to God regenerates us by
grace into what we could not be by nature--a child of God, making a temple in
which God is pleased to dwell.<br />
<br />
Here is the Scripture passage that gives us insight into Incarnational living<br />
<br />
<i>"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in
the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made
Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant and coming in the
likeness of men.</i><br />
<br />
<i>"And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became
obedient to the point of death, even the death on the Cross." </i>(Philippians
2:5-8)<br />
<br />
You rarely hear a sermon on the Incarnation of Christ in many churches today --even
at Christmas--that proclaims the deity AND humanity of Christ as perfect,
complete, and eternal. Chances are even less you will hear a sermon on how to personally walk out the Incarnation.
That path leads to some convicting truths that we may not want to hear.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus...</i></b>(We are
commanded from the beginning to "take on" the mind of Christ, but
how?)<br />
<br />
<b><i>...who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal
with God, but made Himself of no reputation...</i></b><br />
<br />
Christ left the highest position in Heaven for the role of a servant on earth.
He did this to fulfill the will of the Father (Heb. 10:5-7).<br />
<br />
The Revised King James Version says, "He <i>emptied </i>Himself."<br />
<br />
This translation has caused some to think that when He came to earth, God the
Son set aside His divinity. It means, however, that still fully God, Christ
chose "to empty" Himself of <b>self-interest</b>.<br />
<br />
He did not attempt to hold on to His previous exalted estate, which was
rightfully His. He still possessed all the divine attributes; however, He
operated in self-restricted use of them.<br />
<br />
When God the Father has a plan for your life that requires a
"self-emptying"--perhaps of your status, your honor, your plans or
your riches--what is your response? Can you take on, not just the form of a "servant", but the lowliest
of servants, called a "bondservant" (slave)?<br />
<br />
Paul and Timothy considered themselves bondservants of Christ (Phil 1:1) even
though the Scriptures clearly tell us we are no longer slaves but sons (Gal.
4:7).<br />
<br />
<i>Subordinationism</i> was a heresy that arose in the early Church from an incorrect
understanding of our Philippian text. The belief stated that the Son was
eternal and divine, but inferior to or "subordinate" in being or
attributes to God the Father.<br />
<br />
In the economy of the Trinity, there is at times a subordination of persons;
thus, God the Son becomes the suffering Servant (Isa. 53) who gives His life in
obedience to the Father as a ransom for many.This subordination of God the Son is a subordination of <i>action</i>, not of <i>being</i>.
He is of one substance, nature, and being with the Father and the Spirit.<br />
<br />
Although we are sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus and have been given
"all things that pertain to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3)...can
we voluntarily offer ourselves to step into the role of a servant, suffering if
need be, to fulfill our Father's plan for hurting humanity?<br />
<br />
Can we acknowledge that the Christian life is not about our rights, but all
about the Crown Rights of Jesus Christ, who is the King of kings and Lord of
lords?<br />
<br />
There are no inferior members of God's family. We are all eternal priests and
kings (Rev. 1:6). We are all equal and one in Christ (Gal. 3:28-29), yet we are
also commanded to prefer one another in honor (Romans 12:10).<br />
<br />
In the world--in times, places, and roles chosen by the Father--we MUST
"subordinate" our actions one to another for His higher purposes, not
just living for our own reputations or interests.<br />
<br />
Just as Christ is the exegesis of God to man and man to God, so now this
exegesis continues through the Church, which is a living image of eternity
within time. In other words, the Church as the Body of Christ is the extension
and the "fullness" of the Holy Incarnation. Christianity from the
very beginning existed as a corporal reality--a body indeed--a living organism,
not an organization.<br />
<br />
<i>"And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all
things to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in
all." (</i>Ephesians 1:23)<br />
<br />
<i>"He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease." </i>(John 3:30)<br />
<br />
Jesus humbled Himself. James 4:10 says that if we humble<i> </i>ourselves in
the sight of the Lord, He will lift us up, just as the Son was highly exalted
(Phil.2:9-11). It is much easier to humble ourselves in obedience, than to be
humbled, isn't it?<br />
<br />
<b>HUMBLE</b>: <i>tapeino - "to depress"; meaning not just the action
of "pressing", but the results of such action which causes something to
go lower or become smaller</i><br />
<br />
<i>"...For you loved Me before the foundation of the world...and I have
declared to them your Name, and will declare it, that the love with which You
loved Me may be in them, and I in them." (</i>John 17:24b, 26)<br />
<br />
Jesus' self-humiliation and resulting obedience flowed from total submission.
One can be <i>obedient</i> (going through the motions) without begin <i>submissive</i>.<br />
<br />
Submission <i>(hupotasso)</i> looks at the attitude and the motive of the one
performing the action versus just the act of obedience (<i>hupakoe</i>-compliance).
Obedience without a submissive heart cannot last long. <br />
<br />
Through his agonizing Gethsemane experience Jesus cried: "<i>Nevertheless
not My will, but Yours be done."</i> (Luke 22:42)<br />
<br />
True submission cannot be achieved outside of a genuine love - the <i>Agape</i>
kind - found only in God, which was demonstrated by the Incarnate Christ and
then given to us who believe.<br />
<br />
Religious man seeks to please God through His performance in order to win
Divine love, but God loved us <i>first!</i> Therefore, "<b><i>We love Him
because He first loved us."</i> </b>(1 John 4:19)<br />
<br />
How do we love God?<br />
<br />
<i>"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His
commandments are not burdensome." </i>(1 John 5:3)<br />
<br />
Immersed and living in the extravagant love of God causes us to want to fulfill
the desires of His heart-- wherever that may lead, whatever that may require.<br />
<br />
Whenever I teach on obedience and submission, I hear from believers who have
been abused by immature or wounded leaders in the Church. So many are trapped
in "performance Christianity" that strives grimly to please God.
Consequently, these wounded individuals cannot get past their experience to
truly <i>hear</i> in their hearts what I'm saying.<br />
<br />
First, God is already pleased by the performance of Jesus Christ, which is
credited fully to each of our accounts when we believe. <b>We are as righteous now as we ever will be!</b><br />
<br />
However, displaying that right standing with God does take progressive,
life-long yielding to the will of God. That is called sanctification...and
that's what living the Incarnation is all about.<br />
<br />
Was Jesus righteous? Yes. But look at this Scripture:<br />
<br />
<b>"Although Jesus was the Son [of
God], he learned to be obedient through his sufferings." (Hebrews 5:8)</b><br />
<br />
The Greek word for "learned" is more accurately translated
"mastered". Did Jesus' divinity have to master obedience? NO. His
humanity did--day in and day out. He faced the same choices we do in terms of
the privileges, comforts, time, possessions, status, wealth, and reputations
we'll lay down in order to accomplish the Father's will.<br />
<br />
I found these words of wisdom in Andrew Murray's <i>With Christ in the School
of Obedience</i>:<br />
<br />
"Men connect obedience with the idea of absolute perfection. They put
together all the commands of the Bible, they think of all the graces these
commands point to in their highest possible measure, and they think of a man
with all those graces, every moment in their full perfection, as an obedient
man.<br />
<br />
"How different is the demand of the Father in Heaven! He takes account of
the different powers and attainments of each child of His. He asks of him only
the obedience of each day, or rather, each hour at a time.<br />
<br />
"He sees whether His child has indeed chosen and given himself up to the
wholehearted performance of every known command. He sees whether His child is
really longing and learning to know and do all His will. And when His child
does this in simple faith and love, <b>the obedience is acceptable</b>."<br />
<br />
Often, the Church sadly demands more from its members than God does!<br />
<br />
<b><i>"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."</i></b>
(James 4:6)<br />
<br />
This divine grace is called "sufficient" (2 Cor. 12:9) - <i>arkeo</i>,
meaning "able to raise a barrier, ward off; avail". It also implies
"satisfactory, enough." In this definition, we see that grace carries
the enabling force of the Holy Spirit...bearing down, into, and around our
lives.<br />
<br />
Even when following the Father results in some form of death to <i>our</i>
dreams, plans, or relationships, the will of God can become "a joy set
before us" just as it was to our elder Brother. (Heb. 12:2)<br />
<br />
The Incarnation makes it possible for us to respond to the Father: <b><i>"I
can do all things through Christ who strengthen me."</i></b> (Phil 4:13)<br />
<br />
<i>"One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of
prayer--at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being
carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg
from those going into the temple courts.<br />
<br />
"When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for
money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, <b>"Look
at us!"</b></i><br />
<br />
<i>"So the man <b>gave them his attention, expecting to get something from
them</b>. Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I
have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."<br />
<br />
"Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's
feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk.
Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and
praising God.</i><br />
<br />
<i>"When all the people <b>saw him walking</b> and praising God, they
recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate
called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had
happened to him.</i><br />
<br />
<i>"While the beggar <b>held on to Peter and John</b>, all <b>the people
were astonished and came running</b> to them in the place called Solomon's
Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does
this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness
we had made this man walk?</i><br />
<br />
<i>"The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has
glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned
him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the
Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.<br />
<br />
"You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are
witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, <b>this man whom you see
and know was made strong</b>. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes
through him that has given this complete healing to him, <b>as you can all see</b>."
(Acts 3:1-16)</i><br />
<br />
Look again at the various phrases I highlighted in the above Scriptures. Is
this typical of what unbelievers see of the church today as we go about our
daily lives in the marketplace and in the 'temple"?<br />
<br />
Are we confident enough to tell people to "Look at us"?<br />
<br />
Are they running astonished to Christ or away from Him because of what they see?<br />
<br />
Do you want to know Peter and John’s secre<span style="font-size: small;">t...</span>and the secret of the myriad of men
and women<span style="font-size: small;">--</span>known on earth and no<span style="font-size: small;">t--</span>that walked in the character, joy and power of
Christ that affected everyone around them?<br />
<br />
<b><i>"And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you
assurance of sharing his glory!"</i></b>(Colossians 1:27b NLT)</span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-53156150510324289592013-12-27T12:40:00.000-06:002013-12-27T12:58:33.193-06:00Of Mirth and Martyrdom: The Twelve Days of Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJ7mOLj_d_jLkjOwgVNpvOCmBceiY_1MHqfFTVlFv_G5j-shYwAhHOXTnAh26X9LNfgUk3NolyRwxHkILXG_M7KnAiVUtkVKfgAeXd9BG4bvcYM2uXGC1EBuaKWNhyqraKqO4DGclU7w/s1600/12DaysofChristmas-main_Full.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJ7mOLj_d_jLkjOwgVNpvOCmBceiY_1MHqfFTVlFv_G5j-shYwAhHOXTnAh26X9LNfgUk3NolyRwxHkILXG_M7KnAiVUtkVKfgAeXd9BG4bvcYM2uXGC1EBuaKWNhyqraKqO4DGclU7w/s400/12DaysofChristmas-main_Full.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Are you enjoying these Twelve Days of Christmas? Do you know
how the popular tradition started?<br /><br />Christians sincerely wanted to find the accurate birth date of Christ, but
they faced challenges once they separated from Judaism. The religion followed a
twelve month/thirty day lunar calendar that had to be adjusted every so often
with a new month by the Sanhedrin's decree.<i><br />
<br />
</i>Greek Christians in the East followed their own solar calendar, which put
observance days at odds with their brethren in the West who followed the
calendar of the Roman Empire.<i><br />
<br />
</i>In 300 A.D., the Roman calendar superseded the Greek. However, the Eastern
churches still marked the birth of Christ on January 6.<i><br />
<br />
</i>Although Christians in the Roman Empire began celebrating the Nativity
around 380 A.D., Eastern Christians considered Epiphany to be a greater feast.
To them, the day commemorated <i>two</i> Incarnational appearances--at the
beginning of Jesus' life and at the beginning of His ministry (the day he was
baptized and His divine Sonship proclaimed--Matthew 3:13-17).<br /><br />By the way, though most manger scenes portray the<span style="font-size: small;"> Magi </span>worshiping Jesus right along with the Shepherds, Scripture points to a later time (up to two years) when they arrived<i>. </i>The Bible<i> </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">does NOT mention the number of Magi who visited Jesus, but only three gifts.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />"And when they had come into the <u>house</u> they saw the <u>young
child</u> with Mary, his mother, and fell down and worshiped Him..."
(Matthew 2:11)<b><br /><br />"</b>Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was
exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in
Bethlehem and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under,
according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men."
(Matthew 2:16)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
<br />
</i>Christians in the West eventually embraced the Feast of the Epiphany.
However, since December 25 was already an established date to honor the birth of
Christ, churches in the region commemorated January 6 as the appearing of the star that guided the
arrival of Gentile Magi.<i><br />
<br />
</i><b>Hence, the Twelve Days of Christmas
from The Nativity (evening December 25) to Epiphany (the evening of January 6).</b><i><br />
<br />
</i>This is traditionally a season of great rejoicing for Christians--full of
merriment, food, games and music. Children dress up and put on plays, gifts are
given on each of the days (better than Santa's one night, huh?) and don't
forget the delicious Wassail!<i><br />
<br />
</i>Amid this festive time, however, there are three days that call believers
to what seems a contradictory somberness...observances that at first seem
awkward and out of place.<i><br />
<br />
</i><u>December 26</u>--The Feast of Stephen, honoring the Church's first adult
martyr <br />
(Remember the song, <i>Good King Wenseslaus</i>? He looked out "on the Feast
of Stephen".)<i><br />
<br />
</i><u>December 27</u>--The Feast of St. John, honoring the beloved disciple<i><br />
<br />
</i><u>December 28</u>--The Feast of the Holy Innocents, honoring all the male
children of Bethlehem and surrounding regions, two years old and younger, who
were slaughtered by order of Herod--Christendom's <i>first</i> martyrs.<i><br />
<br />
</i>Church tradition tells us that John was the only disciple to die a natural
death at a ripe old age. So why is he included?<i><br />
<br />
</i><u>The early Church tied them together this way:</u><i><br />
<br />
Stephen- a martyr in blood, will, and love<br />
John-a martyr in will and love<br />
Innocents-martyrs in blood<br />
<br />
</i>The Church notes John's imprisonment, banishment to Patmos, and the
unsuccessful attempts to first poison then burn him alive in a vat of searing
oil. Yet toward the end of his life, his message remained the same: "Love
one another". He was a <i>living </i>martyr!<br />
<br />
In other words:<i><br />
<br />
</i>All believers are called to die <b>UNTO Christ every day </b>(like John).<i><br />
<br />
</i>Many persecuted Christians die <b>FOR</b>
<b>Christ</b> everyday around the world (like Stephen).<i><br />
<br />
</i>Some people die <b>BECAUSE of Christ</b>
(like the Bethlehem children).<i><br />
<br />
</i>Dying because of Christ is often not an act of one’s will. It falls upon a
person(s) in a certain place under extraordinary circumstances because evil
attempts to destroy what is good and innocent in the earth.<br />
<br />
Innocent people, such as the children at Sandy Hook Elementary School in
Connecticut, suffer and die because of the wickedness that for now,
works through sick people who assume power—whether it’s through a
parent’s gun or a corrupt
government.<i><br />
<br />
</i>But God knows and loves every victim, and He keeps records of each deed. At
the end of human history, when not only these acts but the consequences of each
one has rippled through time, He will execute flawless justice on their behalf
for all the world to see.<br />
<br />
Still…why are Christians called to mingle martyrdom and mirth during this
season?<i><br />
<br />
</i>Look at the gifts brought to the Christ child--gold, frankincense and
myrrh.<i><br />
<br />
</i>The Christian life is not<i> <b>either/or</b></i> but<b><i> both/and</i></b>---meaning
we experience joy <i>and </i>suffering, triumphs <i>and </i>tragedies. Christian
author and Pastor Rick Warren once described life as having two train
tracks--opposite, yet always running parallel. Both are necessary or the train
will derail.<i><br />
<br />
</i>We may be celebrating in one area of our life, only to be deeply afflicted
in another at the same time. Life is a blend of the divine gifts to us of gold
(victory and gain), frankincense (joy and peace), and myrrh (bitterness and
loss). <i><br />
<br />
</i>These feast days were not spent in quiet introspection, though.<i><br />
<br />
</i>On St. Stephen's Day, it was--and remains in many parts of the world--a day
for giving food, money, and other items to service workers and the needy. In
some places, it is known as "Boxing Day" since gifts are boxed up and
delivered. The custom follows the heart of a deacon, like Stephen, to serve.<br />
<br />
The blessing of wine is associated with St. John's Feast. The head of each
household takes home a portion of consecrated wine and shares it in the name of
St. John with members of the family. Each person receives affirmation in the
form of a spoken blessing. The wine is then taken to the sick and distressed.<i><br />
<br />
</i>The Feast of the Holy Innocents is also called <i>Childermas</i> (Mass of
the Children).<br />
<br />
It honors our children as little brothers and sisters in the Lord. A fun custom
is for the youngest child to be "in charge" for the day. He or she
decides the day's foods, drinks, music, and entertainments. (If you have more
than one child, it may be wise to divide these honors!)<i> </i>The classic <i>Coventry
Carol, </i>speaks of the Bethlehem sacrifices.<i><br />
<br />
</i>Christians who still observe this feast often include the millions of
aborted babies with the Holy Innocents in their prayers, acknowledging that the
dynamics that drove Herod to infanticide--along with the likes of Pharaoh
(Exodus 1)—still rise up against all that is honest, just, pure, lovely, good, and virtuous in the earth. (Philippians 4:8)<br /><br />It is a time of intercession and spiritual warfare against the
forces that seek to weaken each new generation…robbing a needy world of its
future healers, inventors, musicians, and philosophers.<i><br />
<br />
</i>It saddens the heart to think of the deaths of these innocent children, but
we can be glad that they are now in the presence of God and nurtured by the
Church at rest. One day they will return to earth with Him in glory!<i><br />
<br />
</i>Until then, let's be thankful for the bitter <i>and</i> the sweet! God
works all things out for our good and His eternal purposes. A young man who was
one of the chief persecutors of the church attended the stoning of Stephen and
even held the coat of one of the executioners. He later converted and wrote
most of the New Testament. His name was Paul.<i><br />
<br />
</i>Throughout our lives, we will drink from many cups, but the love of Christ
can overcome the "poison" as it did for John. Therefore, go ahead…dare
to rejoice through the bitter and the sweet! Sing the silly "Twelve Days
of Christmas" and try to remember who leaps, who pipes, and who dances.<br /><br />And
don’t forget to raise a Wassail toast for me!</span></span></span> Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-90748777260464139652013-12-25T18:18:00.000-06:002013-12-25T19:06:11.556-06:00The Incarnation of Christ Part Three: Son of God AND Son of Man<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7960746707964557663" name="2760046522096129630"></a><b>The Incarnation of Christ Part
Three:<br />
Son of God AND Son of Man</b><i><br /><br />Years
ago I taught a series for our church on the Incarnation of Christ,</i> <i>which covered such difficult subjects as the Trinity and
Jesus being both God AND Man.</i></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /><br />To appreciate the astonishing message of Christmas--"God with Us"--we
must first attempt to better understand (better, but not fully, of course) the
Trinity<i>.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br />
<a href="http://www.themarydiane.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-incarnation-of-christ-part-one.html"><i>Part I addressed the Trinity, and how Jesus</i><br />
</a><i><a href="http://www.themarydiane.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-incarnation-of-christ-part-one.html">represents God to man.</a><br /><br />
</i></span></span></span><a href="http://www.themarydiane.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-incarnation-of-christ-declaring-man.html"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i></i></span></span></span></a><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.themarydiane.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-incarnation-of-christ-declaring-man.html">Part II--His representation of Man (Adam II) to God</a><br />
<i><u>Part III--</u>Son of God And Son of Man<br />
</i><br />
<i>Part IV--Christ in You, the Incarnation Continues!</i><br />
<br />
<b><i>"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.</i></b>"
(Colossians 2:9)<br /><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BucLXCMAjQFNFnA3D7rxRYyEt5s5iZ3Q9giVX9gpTLoUxYW4lEXMTHDl9vHk1V7IexES8Y0M9xY2wGd7-IeuyF5C92STc1IktwasDZkfjKgvYKSAmZMHIL6oEP2TacdbOBPL7xBRg2I/s1600/jesus-nazareth-110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BucLXCMAjQFNFnA3D7rxRYyEt5s5iZ3Q9giVX9gpTLoUxYW4lEXMTHDl9vHk1V7IexES8Y0M9xY2wGd7-IeuyF5C92STc1IktwasDZkfjKgvYKSAmZMHIL6oEP2TacdbOBPL7xBRg2I/s320/jesus-nazareth-110.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Church teaching interpreted the above verse to mean that the divine nature
penetrates and perfects every aspect of the human; and the human is diffused by
the divine. (John of Damascus, On the Orthodox Faith, 111.8)<br />
<br />
Jesus' conception was <i>supernatural</i>--exceeding natural explanation. His birth was <i>natural</i>.<br />
<br />
Thomas Oden, Methodist theologian and author, comments: “The deity participated
in the Passion of the humanity and the humanity in the majesty of the deity
without blurring or confusing either.” (Systematic Theology, Vol. II, the Word
of Life)<br />
<br />
Lewis Sperry Chafer, evangelical theologian, stated in his <i>Systematic
Theology</i>: "The Incarnation introduced the unique situation in which
God and man became one without depriving either of their essential qualities...Jesus
Christ was perfect God and became perfect man--being all that God in His deity
and all that man is apart from sin."<br />
<br />
"Jesus did not<i> temporarily</i> become man, but his divine nature was <i>permanently
</i>united to his human nature...<br />
<br />
"And He lives forever NOT JUST as the eternal Son of God, the second
person of the Trinity...but also as Jesus, the man who was born of Mary, and as
Christ, the Messiah and Savior of his people. Jesus will remain fully God and
fully man, yet one person, <u>forever</u>." (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology)<br />
<br />
Theologians call these two natures of Christ occurring together in one Person
the <b><i>Theandric Union. </i></b><i> Theandric </i>is a contraction of
theanthropos or "God-man".<br />
<br />
<b>Christ is one person, two natures. God is three persons, once essence!</b><br />
<br />
His union, contends Oden, was not like a physical union, as when form and
matter are united. Nor is it like a union of friends. "It is a more
profound union than two people in marriage, for the unity of marriages leaves
husband and wife, even after their union, two persons, nor is it one nature
being mingled and absorbed by the other.<br />
<br />
"Rather, Christ's personal union is a union that can only exist in one
distinctive person in who there is an intimate and perpetual conjunction of
divine and human natures in one individual, wherein the human nature was <b>ASSUMED</b>
by the Logos so as to be the <b>WORD IN PERSON</b>." (Systematic Theology,
Vol. II, The Word of Life)<br />
<br />
As mentioned in previous notes, many heresies arose that either rejected
Christ's humanity or deity, or dualized the one person. Here's a
simple breakdown:<br />
<br />
<b><u>Heresies against Christ's humanity:</u></b><br />
<br />
<i>Docetists-Christ as not fully in flesh</i><br />
<br />
<i>Apollinarians-Logos replaces human spirit</i><br />
<br />
<i>Eutychians-Christ as a single mixed nature</i><br />
<br />
<b><u>Heresies against Christ's divinity:</u></b><br />
<br />
<i>Eutychians-Christ not fully divine, but mixed nature</i><br />
<br />
<i>Ebionites-Jesus as the natural son of Joseph and Mary</i><br />
<br />
<i>Arians-Christ as creature, not eternal</i><br />
<br />
<b><u>Heresy that rejects Christ's person union:</u></b><br />
<br />
<i>Nestorians-Christ as two persons</i><br />
<br />
Early Church Father Novatian warned, "He is a man who is <i>of man</i> and
He is a God who is <i>of God</i>...however, when you read about both these
truths, there is a danger that you will believe not both them, but only
one." (Trinity 11)<br />
<br />
In order to attempt to solve the problems raised by the controversies over the
person of Christ, a large church council was convened in the city of Chalcedon
near Constatinople (modern Istanbul) in A.D. 451.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
The result was the <b>Chalcedon Creed</b>, which has been taken as the
standard, orthodox definition of the biblical teaching on the person of Christ
since that day by Catholic, Protestant, and most Orthodox branches of
Christianity.<br />
<br />
The Chalcedonian Definition declares that our Lord Christ is to be acknowledged
in two natures:<br />
<br />
<b><i>Inconfusedly</i></b>--no mixing of the two natures, which remain distinct
even while they are in communion<br />
<br />
<b><i>Unchangeably</i></b>--the deity is not transmuted in humanity, nor
humanity into deity<br />
<br />
<b><i>Indivisibly</i></b>--unable to be divided--the personal union is never at
any point split apart<br />
<br />
<b><i>Inseparably</i></b>--undissolved through eternity and perpetual<br />
<br />
(We must rigorously examine what we believe about Christ in the honest light of
Scriptures and in the clarity brought forth from the early church fathers.
These heresies are STILL around--parading under different names, of course, and
deceiving many well-intentioned converts!)<br />
<br />
<i>"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and
man." (</i>Luke 2:52)<br />
<br />
"Much discussion has arisen in theology over the question of Christ's
self-consciousness.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>How could He know and sense the infinite might and wisdom
of God, and at the same time appear with normal human weaknesses and limitations
apart from complications with immorality?<br />
<br />
"How could He know and not know? How could He be the source of all power
and yet be prone and exposed to human frailty?<br />
<br />
"The answer to the problem is that Christ operated in the human sphere to
the extent it was necessary for Him to accomplish His earthly purpose, but at
the same time continued operating in the divine sphere to the extent that it
was possible in the period of His humiliation." (Chafer)<br />
<br />
<b>As God, the Son knew He was human. As human, He knew that He was God.</b><br />
<br />
Thomas Oden further explains: “The Logos is united not with an individual
person that existed prior to the God/man, but with a human nature that had no
separate identity before union with the divine, for Jesus' human body had not
existed eternally, but was born in time.<br />
<br />
“Hence, there are not two conscious persons, but a single conscious person
uniting the divine and human natures. It is not one or the other nature that
speaks when Jesus Christ speaks, but one person bearing the harmonious imprint
of two natures.”<br />
<br />
<i>I do not think of Christ as God alone, or man alone, but both together.</i><br />
<br />
<i>For I know He was hungry, yet I know that with five loaves He fed 5,000.</i><br />
<br />
<i>I know He was thirsty, and I know He turned water into wine.</i></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br />
<i>I know that He was carried in a ship, yet I know that He walked upon the
sea.</i><br />
<br />
<i>I know that He died, yet I know that He raised the dead Himself.</i><br />
<br />
<i>I know that He was set before Pilate, and I know that He sits with the
Father in His throne.</i><br />
<br />
<i>I know that He was worshiped by angels, yet He was scourged by man."</i>
(John Chrysostom)<br />
<br />
THE TEMPTATIONS OF CHRIST<br />
<br />
"The questions of sin and temptation in Christ from an orthodox point of
view should be answered by the statement that <b>He could not sin</b>. As far
as the divine nature is concerned, it is clear that God could not sin and that
God cannot be tempted.<br />
<br />
"On the human side it is obvious that Christ could be tempted, and the
human nature by itself could sin. But when the human and divine natures were
united in Christ, that left the person of Christ in a situation where the Person
can be tempted but where the Person cannot sin because of the presence of the
divine nature.<br />
<br />
<b>"The doctrine is not simply that Christ was able not to sin but that
Christ was not able to sin because He is God.</b>" (Chafer)<br />
<br />
<i>"Then Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you,
the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for
whatever he does, the Son also does in like manner'." </i>(John 5:19)<br />
<br />
At the sixth ecumenical council (Constantinople III in 681), the undivided
Church confessed that Christ possesses two wills and two natural operations,
divine and human; and they are not opposed to each other, but cooperate in such
a way that Christ's human will submits to His divine will.<br />
<br />
Oden comments that the divine will always went before (lead the way) for the
human will, so that the human will chose freely in accord with the divine will.
The pattern is the Gethsemane prayer, in which is faced and resisted in a way
fitting to the human nature and then freely offered up to God.<br />
<br />
"...And so, the Lord's soul was freely moved to will, but it freely willed
those things which His divine will willed." (John of Damascus, On the
Orthodox Faith, 111.18)<br />
<br />
<i>"For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will
of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He
has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last
day." (</i>John 6:38-39)<br />
<br />
Although Christ has retained His human body, He has not added to the Godhead,
but simply enriched it forever.<br /><br />Part IV will show us how to take
the truths of the Incarnation out of the theology book and into the
practicalities of everyday life as Christians.</span></span></span></span>Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-73721062842725305762013-12-19T21:42:00.001-06:002013-12-20T10:29:16.656-06:00 The Incarnation of Christ Part Two:Declaring Man to God<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Incarnation of Christ Part Two: Declaring Man to
God</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><i>Several
years ago, I taught a series for our church on the Incarnation of Christ. It
covered such challenging subjects as the Trinity and Jesus being both God AND
Man.</i></span>
</span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">
<br />
To appreciate the astonishing message of Christmas--"God with Us"--we
must first attempt to better understand (better, but not fully, of course) the
Trinity<i>.</i></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
<br />
<a href="http://themarydiane.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-incarnation-of-christ-part-one.html">Part I addressed the Trinity, and how Jesus represents God to man.</a><br />
<br />Part II--His representation of Man to God<br />
<br />
Part III--Son of God AND Son of Man<br />
<br />
Part IV--Christ in You, the Incarnation Continues!<br />
<br />
<b>"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one
Man's obedience many will be made righteous." </b></i>Roman 5:19<br /><br /><b>The Word became incarnate not only to manifest God to man, but man to God<span style="font-size: small;">!</span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIrDPJVcNmqNLQ42LYbNbx5ajc6fhBr-7eb5k1hQflmKkGgQP5SZNCKA4XnZff9w38UXIjir2Qkh_U4qk_il-udVJiguqmmvCtFeBYnpLz3bkHRHmClDoFuDu-fC9HUZCVobqyDuRTM8/s1600/Jesus+with+child+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIrDPJVcNmqNLQ42LYbNbx5ajc6fhBr-7eb5k1hQflmKkGgQP5SZNCKA4XnZff9w38UXIjir2Qkh_U4qk_il-udVJiguqmmvCtFeBYnpLz3bkHRHmClDoFuDu-fC9HUZCVobqyDuRTM8/s320/Jesus+with+child+2.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adam failed in the stewardship of his humanity but the last Adam, Jesus Christ, is the all-satisfying ideal of what<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>mankind</span> should be--perfectly tuned to God's
will and living in unbroken, joyful fellowship with Him.</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />God, the Son arrived legally into the world through a human birth canal and
first shed His blood UNDER (or to) to Law, served it flawlessly throughout His
life, and then shed His blood one final time to gain<b><i> </i></b>our freedom
FROM the Law.</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />You see, Jesus had no need to earn righteousness for Himself. He did so out of love
as our representative. </span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He gave us the benefits of His obedient life and substitutionary death. The
sins of all men were paid by one Man…and He did it in a way where justice could
still be served.</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />His payment <i>cleansed</i> and continues to <i>cleanse</i> us from sin; His
unblemished life <i>covers</i> us before the Father.</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> No longer estranged, we can enter into God’s family by grace…<b><i>"that
He (Jesus) might be the firstborn among many brethren."</i></b> (Romans
8:29b).</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /><br />"For it was fitting for Him, for whom all things and by whom are all
things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation
perfect through sufferings.<br /><br />"For both He who sanctifies and those
who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to
call them brethren." </i>(Hebrews 2:10-11)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />The l</span>ate<i><span style="font-size: small;">,</span></i></span> reformed theologian R.J. Rushdoony observed in his <i>Systematic Theology</i>
that the most common title of and reference to Jesus Christ in Scripture is
LORD<i>, "</i>Kurios<i>"</i>.</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />The term is used perhaps 6,700 times; it means absolute property owner,
God, and sovereign. St. Paul ties the Lordship of Jesus Christ to His office as
covenant man, and as head of the new humanity which He, as the second Adam,
generates by grace. (Romans 14:7-9)</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />Here's the bottom-line meaning: We are born in the earth of Adam I, but he does not own us nor is he our lord. <b>We
are born <i>again </i>in Adam II.</b></span></span></span> <span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /><br />"By this you know the Spirit of
God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of
God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the
flesh is not of God." </i>
(1 John 4:2-3)</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In contrast with today, the early church had more difficulty believing in the
full humanity of Christ than in His deity.</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />The Fourth Council of Chalcedon censured the claims of Apollinarius, who taught
that Christ had no human soul. <b>The Scriptures clearly reveal a Savior who
experienced a whole range of human emotions.</b></span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />Therefore, the council affirmed that Jesus was true God, truly human, with soul
and body, of one essence with the Father as touching His Godhead, and of one
essence with us as touching our humanity--like us in all things except sin.</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />The Creed of Epiphanius in A.D. 374 declared that the Logos "assumed a
perfect man--soul and body and mind (spirit), and all that belongs to man,
without sin."</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />"The mediator between God and humanity would have to be nothing less than
God and nothing less than fully human; otherwise, this mediatorship would have
been impossible. How can one mediate in a conflict in which one has no
capacity to empathize with one or the other side?" (Thomas Oden,
Systematic Theology, Vol. II-The Word of Life)</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /><b>Church Father Ambrose stated that since God, the Son was standing in legally as
Adam again..."If He lacked anything as man, then he did not redeem all
(that pertains to our humanity)..." (Letters 48)</b></span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b><br />Indeed, Church Father Gregory Nazianzen remarked, "For that which He has
not assumed He has not healed, but that which is united to His Godhead is also
saved. If only half of Adam fell, then that which Christ assumes and saves may
be half also; but if the whole of his nature fell, it must be united to the
whole nature of Him that was begotten, and so be saved as a whole."
(Epistle 101)</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />Hebrews 4:15, 16 tells us:</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our
weaknesses, but was in <u>all points</u> tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help in time of need."</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Rushdoony cautioned<i> </i>that
stressing <i>only</i> the deity of Christ--His sovereign being, His eternal
decree, His magnificent glory and eternity--can result in an indifference to
history and a lack of cultural consciousness. Similarly, focusing only on
Christ's humanity results in a loss of perspective and a rapid decline into humanism.</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />We must realize there is a delicate, divine balance. Jesus is not just a good
man or wise prophet, nor is He an unapproachable, distant deity. A correct
understanding of the Incarnation helps us worship the Lord in spirit and truth.</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><br /><br />"Remember, Christ was not a deified man, neither was He a humanized God.
He was perfectly God and, at the same time, perfectly man." </i></b>Charles Spurgeon</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />Regardless of postmodern attempts to diminish the deity of Christ
while overemphasizing His human nature, it is still important for us to
acknowledge and rejoice in the <i>full</i> humanity of Jesus Christ.</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><br /><br />"...For the MAN will not rest until He has concluded the matter this
day." </i></b>Ruth 3:18b </span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />The Old Covenant beautifully spoke of our coming Kinsman-Redeemer through the
lives of Boaz, a type of Christ, and Ruth, a stranger in need of a God, a new
life, and a home. She represents fallen humanity.</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />As Kinsman-Redeemer, Christ
fulfilled what the Old Testament required:</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />1. The Redeemer <i>must </i>be
a kinsman (Lev. 25:48-49; Ruth 3:12-13).<br /><br />2. The Redeemer <i>must be
able</i> to redeem (Ruth 4:4-6).<br /><br />3. The redemption <i>must</i> be accomplished by the Redeemer paying the
righteous demands involved<i> </i>(Lev. 25:27)</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gnostics, whose beliefs were condemned in the early church, believe that Jesus
did not have a physical body. Rather, his apparent physical body was an
illusion; hence, His crucifixion was not bodily.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">They consider the human body evil and strive for higher, spiritual
enlightenment that can "free" them from such a prison during their
earthly existence. Most sects practice strict asceticism (body denials and
punishments), while others defile their bodies, believing such indulgences do
not matter since the body is already corrupt.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">During the Dark Ages, even the Church-at-large sadly developed a negative view
of the human body. Many leaders taught that one must tame its God-given
passions and appetites through extreme measures of neglect or abuse<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></b></i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This focus on dualism led to a perceived "split" from that which was
done in the body as natural (and therefore considered ungodly<span style="font-size: small;">) versus the</span>
spiritual (godly). Man was not viewed holistically. Akin to Gnostic thinking,
Christians believed they were shamefully imprisoned in weak, sinful bodies that
could not possibly please God. All the attention, therefore, was focused on
Heaven and the future promise of perfection in a glorified body.</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gradually, the Church<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>returned to a more Biblica<span style="font-size: small;">l </span>view of human
existence.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Flesh"
and "spirit" are not two parts of man, but the
whole man seen from two different aspects. All that man does in his
natural
state is "flesh" and is not necessarily associated with sin. It's the
normal, day-to-day functions of mind, body, and soul which make us
human. All that which man does under the control of the Spirit is
"spiritual". Therefore, even the mundane things can be raised to a
spiritual level if done for the glory of God.<i><br /><br />"Whether therefore ye eat, or
drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians
10:31)<br /><br />"Do you not know that your <u>body</u>
is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you
are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify
God <u>in your body</u>. (I Corinthians 6:15, 19-20).</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><br />"My grace is
sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2
Corinthians 12:9)</i></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Think upon this magnificent truth: </span>It please<span style="font-size: small;">d</span> the Son of God<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>to live in<span style="font-size: small;"> His </span>human body<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">--</span>not only on earth, but </b></span><b>forever</b><span style="font-size: small;">!</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes! </span>The Son of God determine<span style="font-size: small;">d</span> to identify<span style="font-size: small;"> eternally</span> with humanit<span style="font-size: small;">y<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span>In this, He enhances the glory of being human...for "He
chose to be what we are, that He might bring us to be even what He is
Himself." (Irenaeus, Against Heresies)</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"The glory of God is a human being fully alive"!
(St. Irenaeus)</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Part III<span style="font-size: small;"> is the a<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">pex</span> of the series.</span></span><b>"Son of God AND Son of Man"</b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>will examine the expressions of Christ's humanity and divinity during His
earthly life and ministry, and attempt to clear misconceptions about His
self-knowledge and the genuineness of His earthly temptations.</i></span></span></span></div>
Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-22393701058195008102013-12-17T22:46:00.000-06:002013-12-18T09:10:52.387-06:00The Incarnation of Christ Part One: Declaring God to Man<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><b>The Incarnation of Christ Part One :<br />
Declaring God to Man</b><i><br /><br />Several
years ago, I taught a series for our church on the Incarnation of Christ. It
covered such challenging subjects as the Trinity and Jesus being both God AND
Man.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">
<br />
To appreciate the astonishing message of Christmas--"God with Us"--we
must first attempt to better understand (better, but not fully, of course) the
Trinity<i>.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Notes on Part I will address the Trinity and how Jesus represents God
to man.<br />
</i><br />
<i>Part II-His representation of Man (Adam II) to God<br />
</i><br />
<i>Part III-Son of God AND Son of Man<br />
</i><br />
<i>Part IV- Christ in You, the Incarnation Continues</i></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="verse" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><b><i><br />
</i></b><b>"...He who has seen Me has seen the Father." </b>John 14:9<br />
<br />
<b>John
1:18 says that Jesus Christ has "declared God the Father".</b></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"> <br /> </span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiw1CZvC90D0XRzU4h7k4s34t1O9J-G9WKw9WiKfLbZtL8dbDeKROu0rHx_JA1hfdgMAMVPT_mUQviscXGZPikF70IAiqYXNbiXCT3x58I4aRa52oVZY_Vpk_qJSlQc_WygbWk_KegF5o/s1600/520px-Shield-Trinity-Scutum-Fidei-English.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiw1CZvC90D0XRzU4h7k4s34t1O9J-G9WKw9WiKfLbZtL8dbDeKROu0rHx_JA1hfdgMAMVPT_mUQviscXGZPikF70IAiqYXNbiXCT3x58I4aRa52oVZY_Vpk_qJSlQc_WygbWk_KegF5o/s200/520px-Shield-Trinity-Scutum-Fidei-English.svg.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">Basic version of the "Shield of the
Trinity" or "Scutum Fidei"<br />with translated English-language captions (in place of original Latin). </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Greek word "declared"
is <i>exegeomai</i>, related to our word
exegesis.<br /><br />We have seen the love, holiness, and goodness of the Father animated
and demonstrated directly for our benefit in the Person of Jesus Christ (1
John 4:9).<br /><br />Therefore, Jesus Christ is the
"line by line, precept upon precept" of God--the full and perfect
exegesis (declaration, revelation).<b> </b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><b>“In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word WAS God.” (John
1:1)</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><b>John
testified about Him and cried out, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who
comes after me has priority over me, for He was before me. (He takes rank above
me, for He existed before I did'...)".
(John 1:15) </b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><b>"Jesus
said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham I AM."</b> (John 8:58)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">Dr. Thomas Oden puts it beautifully:
"God cannot be fully comprehended, but He can be apprehended." Aren't you glad? Would you really want
to trust your well being and eternity to a deity that you--being finite and
fallen--had totally dissected and understood?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">Although the word, "Trinity" is not in the Bible, the doctrine is
taught from the beginning in the first chapter and verse of the Bible. The
early church had to grow in its understanding of this majestic truth. Church
Father Tertullian was the first to use the word "Trinity" (three in
one) in reference to the Godhead in the first century.<b> </b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><b>Here are two amazing verses:<i> </i></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><b><i>Job 33: 28, 29: "He redeemed my
soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light. God does
all these things to a man--twice, even three times--to turn back his soul from
the pit, that the light of life may shine on him."</i></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><b><i>Proverbs 22:20: "Have not I
written to thee excellent (In Hebrew--"three-fold") things in
counsels and knowledge, that I might make thee know the certainty of the words
of truth...</i></b> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">Indeed, God has communicated to us
throughout creation with the counsel and knowledge of "three-fold"
things:<i><br /><br />Objects have three
dimensions--length, breadth, and height--that are distinguishable, but inseparable,
unified in a single object, yet three-dimensional.<br /><br />We live in three dimensions--time, space,
and matter--unified, yet distinguishable.<br /><br />Humans are body, spirit, and soul.<br /><br />Our "soul realm" is the
mind, emotions, and will.</i><b><br /><br />Our world is full of
"three's" in God's symbolism and instruction:</b><i><br /><br />He created time with a past,
present, and future.<br /><br />"The Spirit, the water, and the
blood," is the divinely perfect witness to the grace of God on earth (1
John 5:7).<br /><br />In Hebraic tradition, a blessing is recited THREE times.<br /><br />Jesus was made a Prophet, Priest,
and King.<br /><br />The Tabernacle had THREE
compartments.<br /><br />The Ark of the Covenant contained
three objects--a jar of manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the Ten
Commandments on stone.<br /><br />Heaven is divided into THREE realms (Paul went to the THIRD Heaven).<br /><br />There is also Gehenna, Hades, and
Sheol.<br /><br />The angels cry, "Holy, Holy,
Holy!"<br /><br />Jesus was tempted three times--the
lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.<br /><br />The husbandman gives the plant three years to bear fruit (Luke 13:6-9).<br /><br />Spiritual man is fed with manna,
milk, and meat (of the Word).<br /><br />The three gifts of grace are faith, hope,
and love.</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><i><br />God expressed Himself in the Old Covenant as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob.<br /><br />Three Major Jewish Feasts: Passover,
Pentecost, and Tabernacles<br /><br />Three parts to the Feast of
Tabernacles: Unleavened Bread, Weeks, and Tabernacle<br /><br />Jesus was raised on the THIRD DAY.<br /><br />Jonah was in the belly of the great fish three days.<br /><br />The Christ Child was given three
gifts-gold, frankincense and myrrh.</i><br /><br />When God said, "Let US make man in our image" (Gen. 1:26), God was
speaking in the first person in plural form. In
fact, God clues us in from the beginning: In Gen. 1:1, at the beginning of creation, Elohim (God) is a<u>
plural</u> noun, linked to a singular verb.<br /><br />Genesis 3:22: And <b>the LORD God</b> said, “The man has now
become like one of <b>us</b>, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to
reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live
forever.”<br /><br />Genesis 11:6-7: <b>The LORD</b> said, “If as one people speaking
the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will
be impossible for them. Come, let <b>us</b> go down and confuse their language
so they will not understand each other.”<br /><br />Isaiah 6:8a: Then I heard <b>the voice of the Lord</b> saying,
“Whom shall <b>I </b>send? And who will go for <b>us</b>?”<br /><br />Look at the Shema: "Hear, O, Israel, the Lord is our
God"—literally, "Our Gods" is "Elohenu...one Lord!
(Deuteronomy 6:4)<br /><br />"Remember your Creator in the days of your youth
(Ecclesiastes 12:1) is literally "Remember your Creators"
(Eth-bor-eka).</span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /><br />2 Corinthians 4:6 tells us that <b>God, the Father</b>
created the world by direct address.<br /><br />The <b>Holy Spirit</b> was hovering (brooding) over the face
of the waters, dark and deep.<br /><br />Then, God the Father released His <b>Son
(The Word-Divine Logos)</b> over the void and empty waste<b>. </b></span><br /><br />John 1:3 tells us "All things were made by him (<b>God,
the Son</b>); and without him was not anything made that was made.<b> </b><b>He (Jesus) is
the image of the invisible God</b>, the firstborn over all creation. For
by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were
created by him and for him.<br /><br />"He is before all things, and in him all things hold
together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and
the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the
supremacy.<br /><br />"For God was pleased to have <u>all his fullness</u>
dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things
on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the
Cross." (Colossians 1:15-20)<b><br /><br />God,
as one Being, expresses Himself through three Persons who have never changed or
ceased, nor been divided or diminished in any time or space.</b><u><br /><br />All three Persons of the
Trinity are represented in Scripture as:</u><br /><br />being addressed by name<br />
possessing divine attributes<br />
engaging in actions that only God can accomplish<br />
being worthy of divine worship<br /><br />God, wholly and simultaneously presents Himself as Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, yet meets us in human history as Creator, Redeemer, and
Sanctifier.<br /><br />The Son fulfilled the Father's plan of Redemption for all of
mankind. The Holy Spirit now continues to work conviction in the earth in order
to impart Salvation to willing hearts, equip and mature believers for service
in the world, and prepare the faithful for eternal life.<br /><br />At <b>Jesus</b>'
Baptism, the <b>Holy Spirit</b> descended
from above and the <b>Father</b> spoke from
Heaven. (Matthew 3:16)<br /><br />Jesus is called God: Matthew 1:23, Romans 9:5, Titus 1:3,
2:13, Hebrews 1:8<br /><br />Thomas Cried, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28)<br /><br />The Holy Spirit is called God: Acts 5:3, 4:1 Corinthians 2:
10b, 11<br /><br />Our baptismal formula, commanded by Jesus, is to baptize in
the NAME (not names) of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew
28:19)<u><br /><br />Beliefs against the Trinity that
were rejected in the early church:</u><b><br /><br />1) Jesus was an ordinary man
who, through obedience and devotion, <u>became</u> the Christ at his baptism,
having been adopted by God.</b><br /><br />Other adherents believed Jesus became the Christ at His
resurrection. This belief, called "Adoptionism", was rejected
church-wide by the third century.<b><br /><br />2) Only one being is presenting
himself in different aspects or roles.</b><br /><br />This is the most common error regarding the Trinity, and it still
lingers deceptively in some components of Christianity, despite the fact that
Sabellius, who first suggested the concept, was quickly excommunicated from the
undivided church in A.D. 220.<br /><br />"Modalism", as it's often called, fails to account
for greater than 70 passages in Scripture where the Father, Son and Spirit are
mentioned together as distinct persons interacting with one another.<b><br /><br />3) The Son is not God, but like
God...existing before creation, but still a creature and different from God in
essence.</b><br /><br />A man named Arius first promoted this idea. His solution
proposed that the Son (Jesus) was somewhere between God and man.Today, two major religions, self-aligned with Christianity,
teach that Jesus was a created being, not God incarnate.<br /><br />In overcoming this particular heresy, the undivided Church
in A.D. 325 said: "He (the Son) is
begotten, <b>not made</b>...of one being with the Father. (Nicene Creed)<br /><br />Michael Houdmann, graduate of Calvary Seminary and founder of the popular gotquestions.org, clearly explains the phrase "only begotten":</span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span itemprop="articleBody"><b></b></span></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">"The phrase “only begotten Son” occurs in <a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="John 3.16" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%203.16" target="_blank">John 3:16</a>,
which reads in the King James Version as, "For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish, but have everlasting life." </span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span itemprop="articleBody"><br /></span></span></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span itemprop="articleBody">The phrase "only
begotten" translates the Greek word <i>monogenes</i>. This word is variously translated into English as "only," "one and only," and "only begotten." </span></span><br /><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span itemprop="articleBody">
<br />It's this last phrase ("only begotten" used in the KJV, NASB and the
NKJV) that causes problems. False teachers have latched onto this phrase
to try to prove their false teaching that Jesus Christ isn't God; i.e.,
that Jesus isn't equal in essence to God as the Second Person of the
Trinity. They see the word "begotten" and say that Jesus is a created
being because only someone who had a beginning in time can be
"begotten."<br /><br />What this fails to note is that "begotten" is an English
translation of a Greek word. As such, we have to look at the original
meaning of the Greek word, not transfer English meanings into the text.</span></span><br /><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span itemprop="articleBody"></span></span><br /><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span itemprop="articleBody">
So what does <i>monogenes</i> mean? According to the <i>Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature</i> (BAGD, 3rd Edition), <i>monogenes</i>
has two primary definitions:<br /><br />The first definition is "pertaining to
being the only one of its kind within a specific relationship." This is
its meaning in <a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Hebrews 11.17" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Hebrews%2011.17" target="_blank">Hebrews 11:17</a>
when the writer refers to Isaac as Abraham's "only begotten son" (KJV).
Abraham had more than one son, but Isaac was the only son he had by
Sarah and the only son of the covenant. Therefore, it is the uniqueness
of Isaac among the other sons that allows for the use of <i>monogenes</i> in that context.</span></span><br /><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span itemprop="articleBody"></span></span><br /><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span itemprop="articleBody">
The second definition is "pertaining to being the only one of its kind
or class, unique in kind." This is the meaning that is implied in <a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="John 3.16" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%203.16" target="_blank">John 3:16</a> (see also <a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="John 1.14" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%201.14" target="_blank">John 1:14</a>, <a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="John 1.18" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%201.18" target="_blank">18</a>; <a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="John 3.18" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%203.18" target="_blank">3:18</a>; <a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="1 John 4.9" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20John%204.9" target="_blank">1 John 4:9</a>). John was primarily concerned with demonstrating that Jesus is the Son of God (<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="John 20.31" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2020.31" target="_blank">John 20:31</a>), and he uses <i>monogenes</i>
to highlight Jesus as uniquely God's Son—sharing the same divine nature
as God—as opposed to believers who are God's sons and daughters by
adoption (<a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Ephesians 1.5" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ephesians%201.5" target="_blank">Ephesians 1:5</a>). Jesus is God’s “one and only” Son.</span></span><br /><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"></span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="color: #f9cb9c;">This truth is reinforced in John 10:30, making it very clear that
the Father and the Son are a <i>monad</i> (single entity) who have been there
from the very beginning, Micah 5:2; John 1:1, 18; 17:5</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Jesus spent forty days instructing His Apostles in the
"things of the Kingdom of God" (Acts 1:1-3). They pastored the early church with
this knowledge and the help of the Holy Spirit.
Their protégés were the men who encountered, confronted, and
judged these early heresies-- based upon the Apostles' doctrine rooted in the
instructions from Jesus. Since a spring is clearer at its source, we must study what
the early Church had to say
about the seductions that attempted to diminish the Lordship of the Trinity.<br /><br />Beware! As I said before, these ancient anti-Trinitarian
doctrines are still around under different names.<b><br /><br />"Whoever denies the <u>Son</u>
does not have the Father either."</b>
1 John 2:23<br /><br />Jesus was God BEFORE, DURING and AFTER the Incarnation!<br /><br />The Trinitarian unity (substance) of the Godhead continued
without interruption...even when God, the Son assumed human flesh, entered
earth's history, and was given the name Jesus<b>.</b> Read what Jesus said while conducting His ministry on earth:<b><br /><br />"If
I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if
I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down
from heaven, that is, the SON OF MAN who <u>IS in heaven</u>." (John 3:12,
13)</b><br /><br />He is God NOW as He sits at the right hand of the Father,
while the Spirit dispenses grace to and through the Church.<b> </b>He has chosen to enrich (not add to) the Trinity by
remaining in His human body--the God/Man Jesus Christ.<span style="line-height: 115%;"> One
day, He will physically return to earth in that glorified body to rule and
reign!</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-13289158147556766292013-12-05T16:08:00.000-06:002013-12-05T18:58:33.708-06:00Ol' St. Nick: Servant of God?<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PMIazLoGspZiEtexkIZlM5n2ZWAMVyRczYuHMS-WHrBMeyWbmqCZuQAETaSThMc3hZJVA5DXnRC1jGpnZiSD5Vj3CxX19KRUZU4FuXrDrwFJgVjW1kyfkW2wGDJ_wic7h4RTSFjvWKM/s1600/first+image+of+ST.+Nick.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PMIazLoGspZiEtexkIZlM5n2ZWAMVyRczYuHMS-WHrBMeyWbmqCZuQAETaSThMc3hZJVA5DXnRC1jGpnZiSD5Vj3CxX19KRUZU4FuXrDrwFJgVjW1kyfkW2wGDJ_wic7h4RTSFjvWKM/s320/first+image+of+ST.+Nick.jpg" width="203" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">Yes, children. St. Nick IS real!<br /><br />On Friday, December 6, the Church honors this man who loved Jesus; and from whom the modern day legend of Santa Claus sprang.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /><br />Nicholas lived from 270-346 A.D. He was imprisoned and tortured for his faith under Diocletian. He also attended
the historical Council of Nicea in 325--the first worldwide council of
Christian bishops called to settle the controversy regarding the divine nature
of Jesus Christ.<br /><br />Nicholas is reported to have argued aggressively against Arius, who
claimed Jesus was not equal to God, the Father. Tradition claims that at one
point, Nicholas arose and slapped the heretic--an act that landed him in jail
for a season under Constantine.</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /><br />Here’s the account of how Nicholas was chosen to be a bishop:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /><br />After the death of the area bishop, the local priests gathered for a time of
prayer and fasting regarding God's selection of a new leader from among them.
However, one of the older priests said that God had spoken to him in a vision
and proclaimed, "The first person to enter the church tomorrow for Morning Prayer is your bishop."<br /><br />Everyone revered the Elder and knew his words to be seasoned and
accurate. The next morning, they gathered discreetly outside to watch.
Nicholas was that person!
What makes this story so amazing is that he was not even a priest;
however,
against all protocol, the men ordained the reluctant young man to the
highest
office in that area. This account reminds me of the Old Testament story
of
Joseph--a young man, faithful to God, who was suddenly promoted out of
persecution and obscurity to the highest office in Egypt.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br />Before he was ordained, Nicholas was faithful in the little things.
Rather than squander his inheritance after the deaths of his wealthy
parents, Nicholas gave the bulk of it to the needy.</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /><br />The famous story, from which sprang the legend of the gift-giving
"Santa", recounts a distraught father who bemoaned how he was unable
to provide a dowry for his three daughters.<br /><br />People who lived in
Europe and Asia
during Nicholas’ time faced famines, ravaging diseases, and wars.
Such deadly scourges put a premium on continuing family lines. As a
result, young girls of lesser status often married into noble families.<br /><br />A dowry was something of value brought into the marriage
contract by the bride’s family. Although abused through the centuries,
its
intent was to ensure the wife against poverty if the marriage was
dissolved for any reason. In those days, there was no such thing as
alimony. Poor girls whose families could not produce token dowries were
often sold into slavery.<br /><br />During his evening walk, Nicholas heard the poor man's prayers from the open
window of his small cottage. Family members in those days hung their washed
stockings to dry overnight on the mantle of the fireplace. Nicholas quietly
returned later that night. As embers from the dying fire softly illumined the
room, he tossed three gold coins through the window into the stockings.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br />Over the years, various cultures have taken this story and made their own
adaptations, resulting in distortions of the real Nicholas. From the more
accurate "Father Christmas" to the commercialized "Santa
Claus"--derived from the Dutch <i>Sinterklaas</i>--St. Nicholas has been
transformed from the symbol of a benevolent Christian into a magical
entity who is <u>conditional</u> in his giving. He is also portrayed as:<i><br /><br />Omniscient (all knowing about the behavior of boys and girls)<br /><br />Possessing supernatural powers over created elements (reindeer, gravity, time)<br /><br />Having non-human servants (elves)<br /><br />Being immortal…no real beginning or end</i><br /><br />Honestly, the above list seems to be referring more to a deity rather than a
very simple, very real servant of God.<br /><br />I've never been one to spoil the imagination and play of children, but I also
don't lie to them--particularly about spiritual things in the name of
"fun". Emphasizing the true story of the man St. Nicholas and his
good works, while downplaying the god-like morph of Santa, seems a healthier
choice for Christians who desire to influence their children toward a life
of compassionate giving.<br /><br />Keeping St. Nick's Day enables Christian children to still enjoy the fun associated
with the Santa "legend" in a diverse culture. They can fully
participate in the play-making, while remaining aware of the richer, truer
origin of the festivities.<br /><br />Traditionally on this night--St.
Nicholas Eve (December 5), families would prepare
baskets of food, toys, and other items for the needy. They would wait
until dark to place the gift on the doorsteps. The fastest child would
then linger
behind to knock on the door, running away before someone answered.<br /><br />After returning home, the children would hang stockings along the fireplace
mantle or place a pair of shoes by the hearth. The next morning, they would
find them filled with fruits, chocolate, and candy.<br /><br />The
festivities continued on St. Nicholas Day (December 6). Families often
held parties, where the children competed for prizes by tossing
coin-wrapped
chocolates into stockings and decorating handmade Father Christmas
ornaments. In many homes, the children would then receive their “Father
Christmas” gift—usually one item they had asked for all year.<br /><br />Our parish in Spartanburg, SC included a yearly visit from "St. Nicholas" on the
Sunday prior to his feast day. He would gather the children around and tell
them why he loved to bless others, and how excited he was to celebrate the
greatest gift of all--Jesus! (John 3:16 IS the Christmas story.)<br /><br />All the kids knew it was Mr. Ron behind the bishop's garb and woolly beard, but
it never dulled their anticipation to hear once again the bells and a hearty "Ho!" from St. Nick, who
always brought a good story and treat-filled stockings.<br /><br />If you’re
thinking this tradition can’t compete with Santa’s glut of gifts on
December 25, just remember that in earlier times, gifts were
given DAILY among families and friends during the Twelve Days of
Christmas that followed Christmas Day. (Soon, I'll post more about how
it's celebrated.)<br /><br />What's important is that children were taught,
through the festivities on St. Nicholas Eve, first to give rather than
receive...to remember the needy ahead of their own wants. But oh, how they bountifully received throughout the <u>Twelve</u><strike> </strike>Days of Christmas!<a href="http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/home/"><br /><br />The St. Nicholas Center</a>
is a wonderful site
full of recipes, coloring pages, crafts, pictures, and stories of how
this feast is observed around the world. It also contains an informative
timeline as to how the image of Saint Nicholas evolved into the jolly
old elf we see today in America. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVq3r2JnTtRsiqMVY_WNHoYbyi0-WPsEXEUE_hXTpfZ5F0NmR40WSHb8-q-CfXr2p2b27Nt7u499BL3Mw8kG1LXzarffnEzfAdsVXB-ubn5yTgrSRg7310xy93-JTX7cBkX6LkX2s4V4I/s1600/St_+Nicholas+standard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVq3r2JnTtRsiqMVY_WNHoYbyi0-WPsEXEUE_hXTpfZ5F0NmR40WSHb8-q-CfXr2p2b27Nt7u499BL3Mw8kG1LXzarffnEzfAdsVXB-ubn5yTgrSRg7310xy93-JTX7cBkX6LkX2s4V4I/s320/St_+Nicholas+standard.jpg" width="216" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">
<br />
Repeat many of the stories about St. Nick to your children or
grandchildren, emphasizing his courage under persecution, his bold
defense of the faith before emperors and
detractors, and his deep compassion for the hurting and needy while
coveting no
personal recognition or reward.<br /><br />You may also want to start collecting "Father Christmas" ornaments
and dolls. I started this delightful tradition years ago. Displaying one
on your desk at work during the holiday season makes for a great conversation
piece, and paves the way for you to light-heartedly explain the real history of
St. Nick and contrast it with his modern counterpart.<br /><br />My tradition centers on where I place my
Father Christmases--on the mantle, tabletops, and around the tree. You can find
these collectibles in all sizes from the simple to the regal. However, an
authentic Father Christmas will always be adorned in a long cloak with a hood.
Some will bear a bishop’s mitre or some adaptation around the head (such as a
wreath), and they will often carry a staff (crosier).<br /><br />George and I decorate
much later than mainstream America. We follow the earlier Christian
tradition of lighting the tree on December 24 and celebrating throughout
the Twelve Days. Accordingly, I'll update this post later in the month with a picture of my Father Christmas collection.<br /><br />Here's a prayer for this wonderful day from a church in Holland:<br />
<br />
<i>Almighty
God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: grant us to perfectly know thy Son
Jesus Christ as the way, the truth and the life, and that, following in the
footsteps of friends like Nicholas who loved the poor, the weak and the young,
and who gave what he had to enrich those who had but little, we may faithfully
walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.</i><br /><br />So how are you celebrating the real St. Nick this year?<br /><br /><i><br /></i></span></span></span>Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-33129941228765192992013-12-04T09:31:00.000-06:002013-12-05T15:21:21.813-06:00 Stagger Not<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span class="text"><i><sup>“</sup></i></span><span class="text"><i>He
(Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong
in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he
had promised, he was able also to perform.</i></span><i>” (Romans 4: 20, 21)<br />
<br />
</i><span class="text">The
Lord has spoken to my heart that I am in a time of “staggering not; and<b> </b>a time<b> </b>of full persuasion”. I am to focus on these two areas now. The
latest scan from November showed that the cancer is still in my body, but not
as pronounced as it was in September’s image.</span></span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin83RJj0HmMQ1Uquz4cGi5mP1nJQLlu2KPzjf2CdfBtTyOMhwn6M95GTJ50X4DDRBN7nY1Z-naAXHyQiS7ZOk5ZrxBuz-zNCXIwm-SwWY87NI1lUGIEn-spvQejLUpKV-Bd9UuX24pZrY/s1600/intraperitoneal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin83RJj0HmMQ1Uquz4cGi5mP1nJQLlu2KPzjf2CdfBtTyOMhwn6M95GTJ50X4DDRBN7nY1Z-naAXHyQiS7ZOk5ZrxBuz-zNCXIwm-SwWY87NI1lUGIEn-spvQejLUpKV-Bd9UuX24pZrY/s320/intraperitoneal.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The peritoneum (from the Greek peri-around + tonos-stretching) is a
thin membrane that forms the lining of the abdomen. It covers all of the
organs within the abdomen and also acts a conduit for blood, lymphatic
vessels and nerves.</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This lining produces a lubricating fluid so the abdominal organs can
slide around easily and prevent them from sticking together.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span class="text">I’ve been told the cancer that spread from my colon to my peritoneum is hard to
locate on scans. Cells from my peritoneum actually float in my abdominal
cavity, thereby moving from one location to another. The good news from this report, however, is that these cells have not found a resting place on any other
organ, nor are they in my bloodstream or bones. No excess fluid was found in the abdomen, which is a barometer for how well the chemo is working.<br />
<br />
As many of you know, I am podcasting a series called<b><a href="http://marydianegoin.podomatic.com/"> “Healing for Everyday”</a></b>—thirty
one episodes featuring the healing Scriptures God has given me since my diagnosis.
One of those is Matthew 15: 13:<br />
<br />
<i>“</i></span><i>But He (Jesus) answered
and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be
rooted up.”</i><br />
<br />
Jesus is addressing the man-made traditions of the Jews, but the
one revelation of Scripture can have many applications. In my case, God gave me
this passage to address something just as dangerous as the letter of the law
that kills: cancer.<br />
<br />
When I wield this Scripture in warfare, I “tell” the cancer that it cannot stay
in my body because God did not put it there. In addition, I say that as it
leaves the peritoneum and abdomen, it will not find any other resting or
nesting (hiding) place in my body.<br />
<br />
In its uprooting, I also declare that it is not just dead by the fruit, but
also by the root. In other words, it’s not just a season of non-bearing—in which
case it will return—but it is dead at the roots.<br />
<br />
Jesus spoke the same thing to the fig tree in Mark 11: 12-14; 19-24: <br />
<br />
<span class="text"><i>“And on the morrow, when
they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:</i></span><i> And seeing a fig tree afar
off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when
he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.</i><br />
<br />
<i>“And Jesus answered and said unto it, No
man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. </i><span class="text"><i>“And when even was come, he went out
of the city.</i></span><i> <span class="text">And in the morning,
as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. </span></i><span class="text"><i>And Peter calling to remembrance
saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered
away.</i></span><i> <span class="text">And Jesus answering
saith unto them, Have faith in God.</span></i></span></span></span>
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span class="text"><i><sup><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“</span></span></sup></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span class="text"><i>For
verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou
removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but
shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall
have whatsoever he saith<sup>. </sup></i></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><i>Therefore I say unto you, What things soever
ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><i><span id="en-KJV-24665"><span class="text">
</span></span></i><span class="text"><br />
Of course, this is in direct contradiction to what my oncologist in Abilene
believes. At least his approach is not like the Doctor of Death in Dallas who
curtly told me in July I had six months to live.<br />
<br />
Despite my high regard for my doctor, who is compassionate and highly skilled,
his words are not the final authority in my life—God is. He alone determines
the number and quality of my days as I live in concert with his Word and
purpose for my life.<br /><br />Dr. Kalla says my condition is incurable, and the best he can do is chase the cancer
with chemotherapy. His best arsenal can only cripple it so that I can have months
(perhaps years) free from the debilitating effects of the drugs before the
cancer cells recover and began to multiply again.<br />
<br />
How many rounds of chemotherapy I can take will depend on how well my body can
hold up under the infusions. At some point, he warns, my body will no longer be
able to withstand the drugs and I will enter palliative care.<br />
<br />
I reminded him how he once said I was an extraordinary patient—one for the
medical journals—because my case never seemed to follow the standard rules for
how cancer acts and patients respond.<br />
<br />
For instance, my blood work remains solid. He told me the numbers are in range
for someone who has NEVER gone through chemotherapy. Thank God!<br />
<br />
I believe it’s because I wield two Scriptures as a sword in regards to my blood
work. These passages declare that God is upholding my bone marrow and its
function:<br />
<br />
<i>“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding. <sup> </sup>In all thy ways
acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.</i></span><i><br />
<br />
<span class="text">“Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">, and depart from evil.</span><sup> </sup>It shall be health to
thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” (Proverbs 3:5-8)<br />
<br />
“…He (Jesus) is upholding all things by the word of his power…” (Hebrews
1:3)<br />
<br />
</i>Notice
that all things are not being upheld by the power of His word, but the WORD of
his power. It is as when God said, “Light, be!” It came forth and is continuing--
expanding throughout the cosmos--because the Lord hasn’t told it to stop.<br />
<br />
Thus, I informed my oncologist that I wasn’t through breaking the medical
profession’s rules. I had a few more planned to surprise them all!<br />
<br />
So now, I must focus on staggering not and being fully persuaded, as the Lord
instructed. He knows, based on this latest report that says the cancer is still
there, that the enemy will try to get me to waver.<br />
<br />
In fact, that’s exactly what the word “stagger” means in the Greek: waver. James
1:5-7 reveals the consequences of repeated wavering:<br />
<br />
<i><sup>“</sup></i><i>If any of you
lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and
upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.</i><i><sup><br /><br />“</sup></i><i>But
let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of
the sea driven with the wind and tossed. <b>For
let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”</b></i></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">
<br />
The wisdom being sought in these
passages refers to seeking instructions from God as what to do in the midst of
an affliction or trial.<br />
<br />
Ralph Martin, noted author and an associate professor of theology at Sacred
Heart Seminary in Detroit, Michigan, comments:<b></b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><b>“If any of you lacks wisdom</b> - The wisdom in context is
specifically regarding what God is accomplishing through the trial(s). James is
making the point that we don't have to be perplexed by the trial and try to
face it with our own natural, fallible wisdom. </span></span></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">
"Instead, James says that if we find ourselves in a trial and lack spiritual
insight, our "reflex" should be to go to our Father and ask Him for
His wisdom, which is the practical application of His Word to everyday
situations.” (Martin, R. P. Vol. 48: Word Biblical Commentary: James. Dallas:
Word, Incorporated)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"></span></span></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">
<br />As a result, the wisdom I pursued has
cautioned me--</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">at this given point in my recovery--to stagger not and make sure I am fully persuaded.<br />
<br />
Right after receiving this insight, I awoke this past Monday morning unable to walk without staggering.
My legs were weak and my gate unsteady
throughout the day. Once again, satan had simply confirmed that I heard from
God correctly. I did not own his attack as truth, but stood against his wiles
with my shield of faith that quenches every fiery dart (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Today as I write this update, my legs are once again strong.<br /><br /> Dr. Kalla's plan is to give me my tenth infusion on Tuesday, Dec. 10; then, perhaps one more
around January 3. After that, George and I are hoping to get to Hawaii to visit
the grandchildren later in the month. My husband can only stay two weeks
because of work, but my intentions are to stay for several more weeks before I
have to return home in March for a follow-up scan.<br />
<br />
These dates are fluid, however, due to my son’s schedule. In the Army, they
often have field maneuvers that keep them away from home for weeks; and as we’ve
learned, the military can schedule these without warning.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, we will get there at some point. And while there, I refuse to
look over my shoulder for another attack. (When I completed my first round of
twelve infusions, the cancer began to multiply again and returned in less than
sixty days.)<br /><br />That was then; this is now. God says my prayers are effectual and
fervent, and that I will have those things I declare…things not presumptuously
claimed, but those precious things purchased for me by the Blood of Christ and
approved by God for me to call forth at this time.<br />
<br />
How do I know this to be true?<br />
<br />
1 John 5:14,15:<br />
<br />
<span class="text"><i>“And this is the
confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his
will, he heareth us:</i></span><i> <span class="text">And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we
have the petitions that we desired of him.</span>”<br />
</i><span class="text"><br />
God’s Will is very clear regarding healing for His children. Even our bodies
were created with a built-in healing mechanism—the immune system. Nonetheless, living under
the effects of the Fall has weakened and compromised its ability to function optimally. But we are not left without help!<br />
<br />
God heals our bodies in three ways:<br />
<br />
<b>spontaneously</b> (through a working
immune system)<br />
<br />
<b>by stimulation</b> (diet and lifestyle
changes, along with natural supplements or medicines that repair and recharge
the immune system, restoring the body to working order)<br />
<br />
<b>supernaturally</b> (usually when the
disease, infirmity, or injury is beyond the healing ability of the immune
system and the gift of science); often coming in the form of a spoken word,
laying on of hands, intercession, a prayer cloth, a prophetic word, etc.—all mentioned
and demonstrated in the Bible.<br />
<br />
So, it was settled from the beginning of this journey: God wanted me well. He made a blood covenant to secure
Salvation for the whole of me—body, spirit, and soul. What I needed was to understand the WAY of God for my situation-- how to walk <i>through</i> to my healing.<br />
<br />
I sought him for answers to such practical questions as;<i> do I take chemotherapy or go an alternative route? Which oncology
clinic is the best for me and where? Which surgery team should I choose</i>?<br />
<br />
The answers came through my patient submission for guidance. He has not failed
me in this pursuit. I could tell you many stories that confirmed my steps are divinely
ordered.<br />
<br />
Go back to the passages in James. When I asked for wisdom regarding my situation,
God was not vague but very detailed. He gave me specific words (Rhemas—right now,
God-breathed words) to stand on from His Word (All the Scriptures--the Logos).<br />
<br />
He was not condescending or judging. He has generously given me everything I
need to know for my situation, including the enemy’s intents and the faith of
His Son to resist them.<br />
<br />
Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians, verses 12-14:<br />
<br />
</span><i>“Now, brethren, I desire you
should know, that the things which have happened to me, have <b>fallen out rather to the furtherance of the
gospel</b>:<br />
<br />
“So that my bands are made manifest in Christ, in all the court, and in all other
places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, growing confident by my bands,
are much more bold to speak the word of God without fear.”<span class="text"><br />
</span></i><span class="text"><br />
This thing concerning me is also falling out for the furtherance of the Gospel.
My story is being read around the world. Can you believe it? From my little
laptop in Comanche, Texas, my website is getting visits from people in China,
Malaysia, Russia, and all over the United States. Praise God!<br />
<br />
And it is the prayer of my heart that those who read my posts, and those who
pray with and for me, will grow more confident in Christ; seeking and speaking
a “right now” Word of God that begins to dispel darkness and disease from their
lives.<br />
<br />
It is also my desire that they not stop with themselves; but dare to look—even before
their personal prayers are answered—into the desperate eyes of a world famished
for the Words of Life...then open their mouths.<br />
<br />
<i>“…</i></span></span><i><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.” (Psalm 81:10)</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-7456242251831553202013-12-01T12:42:00.000-06:002013-12-01T12:45:33.977-06:00Much Ado About Christmas: Inappropriate for Christians in a Greedy, Commercialized Culture?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fkOwgQftDU4KdEGeEtDSkvbcrhfhjgetlZuvymA16q1mx1oXjeFpdq3tHsuOkThSMuZC9n0sKa_fZnM4A311kN_EirhS7DyGnA6aNqrZsOmNf8vCnHHq1bJz18PMmEoNoAEznbPCr-E/s1600/Outdoor-Christmas-Decoration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fkOwgQftDU4KdEGeEtDSkvbcrhfhjgetlZuvymA16q1mx1oXjeFpdq3tHsuOkThSMuZC9n0sKa_fZnM4A311kN_EirhS7DyGnA6aNqrZsOmNf8vCnHHq1bJz18PMmEoNoAEznbPCr-E/s320/Outdoor-Christmas-Decoration.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Critics of the celebration of
Christmas within the Church find the holiday offensively wrapped in earthy
materialism.<br /><br />They claim Resurrection Sunday should be the primary focus of
Christians.<br /><br />I say the birth of Christ—even amid the tinsel and
excesses—deserves to be gloriously celebrated with His Resurrection. We cannot separate the Manger from the Cross.<br /><br /><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br />What should Christians shout from their decorated housetops this season? The beloved Christmas carol says it best<b>: "Joy to the World, the Lord is come!"</b><br /><br />To
help us better appreciate what this phrase means, grab your favorite
brew and sit down with me for a little informal, coffee shop theology.<br /><br />During a probationary period between the fall of humanity’s representative on
earth (Adam) and the arrival of humanity’s redeeming representative (Christ), innocent
animals bore the penalty of humanity's sins. Their blood provided a temporary
covering, but not a final remedy.<br /><br />When God determined the time was right, His Son assumed human flesh and stepped
into the limitations of our time and space. He was given the earthly name Jesus. He allowed His humanity to be tempted in every
way so that He could identify with our needs and struggles. Yet, He
remained sinless--qualifying Him as the final, <u>innocent</u> sacrifice to bear the
sins of all people. <b>The remedy had come!</b><br /><br />The humanity that
tragically broke fellowship with God was reconciled through
the redeeming work of Christ. The estranged children were brought home
through
the perfect obedience of another. Salvation is a done deal for everyone.
It is universally
offered, but its benefits are limited to those who embrace Jesus and the
work He accomplished at the Cross for them. No one is coerced. God
created us with one of His greatest attributes--free will.<br /><br />Once
someone receives this gift, they are instantly regenerated and
justified. Regeneration means that by grace—undeserved favor--a person
becomes alive unto
God for the first time by the power of the Holy Spirit. He or she is
able to contain God’s indwelling
presence for the first time.<br /><br />Justification means that although clearly guilty,
the person has been legally cleared of all charges before God in the highest of courts. The condemning record of
wrongdoings is permanently wiped clean. (Jesus took the place of the guilty
party and fully bore the consequences unto death as forensic evidence that justice
had not been thwarted.)<br /><br />Both the Father's holiness that could not wink at wrongdoing and His
extravagant love met at the two beams of the Cross. Justice AND mercy were satisfied
as the Son willingly stood in humanity's stead.<br /><br />Therefore, I fully understand why the Church was compelled to set a date to
call Christians throughout history --in one voice and mind--to honor<b> </b>a
yearly, renewed
proclamation of the Good News that the all-powerful, transcendent God of
the cosmos is also intimately available to human hearts.<br /><br />There's
been a great deal of controversy surrounding the December 25 observance
of the birth of Christ because it coincides with a pagan feast. Truth
is, early church documents reveal that the birth of Christ was already
being observed on various dates by Christians as early as 200 A.D.<br /><br />I'd
like to quote from <a href="http://www.orlutheran.com/html/chrmas_pagan4.html">"Christmas Is NOT Pagan"</a>--a very thorough and scholarly work from Dr. Richard
P. Bucher, former pastor at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Lexington, KY:</span></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"The Romans, like many other cultures at the time of the winter solstice,
had various festivals. Saturnalia, was a festival that honored Saturn,
the god of agriculture, from Dec. 17-24. It was the most popular
festival of the year and did involve merrymaking, gift-giving, relaxed
morality, and temporary freedom for slaves, who were allowed to do and
speak whatever they wanted.<br /><br />"But not unlike many of our Christmas feasts
today, by the early Fourth Century, the religious aspect of Saturnalia
had faded, and the secular merrymaking had come to the fore. It is not
likely, however, that Christians chose Dec. 25 to celebrate Christ's
birth on the basis of Saturnalia.<br /><br />"By the time that Chrysostom was
Bishop of Constantinople (398-404), Christ's birth was being observed on
Dec. 25 <u>throughout Christendom</u>, though the Church in Armenia observed
it on January 6.<br /><br />"But how did it happen that the early Christians began
observing Christmas on December 25? Why this date? There are two
theories about why December 25 was chosen:</span></span></span>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">" (1) The first theory holds that after careful
research, Julius (337-352), Bishop of Rome, determined that Christ had
been born on December 25; or at least he determined that December 25 was
the best authenticated date in the Tradition. John Chrystostom states
this in one of his writings (John Chrysostom, Homil. Diem Natal., 2; PL,
49, 552ff.).<br /><br />"Chrysostom claims that Julius, after he had been requested
by Cyril of Jerusalem, had the official records of the Roman census
examined and determined that December 25 was the correct date. As Weiser
points out, however, there is no evidence to back this up; in fact, "it
was expressly stated in Rome that the actual date of the Saviour's
birth was unknown and that different traditions prevailed in different
parts of the world" (F. Weiser, Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs
- New York: Harcourt, Brace, and Company, 1958, 61.).<br /> </span></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"The second theory states that the Church of Rome deliberately chose
December 25 as the date of Christ's birth to turn people away from a
pagan feast that was observed at the same time. Since the time of the
Roman emperor Elagabulus (218-222), the god Sol Invictus (he Unconquered
Sun god), had been one of the chief deities worshiped by the Romans.<br /><br />"When emperor Aurelian (270-275) came to power, he sought to restore the
worship of the Sun god to prominence and make him the chief deity. In
the last years of his reign, Sol was hailed as "The Lord of the Roman
Empire." Sol, along, with Jupiter, appeared on the coins Aurelian had
minted. In 274, the emperor built a magnificent temple to Sun god, and
established a new college of senators which he named "the priests of the
Sun god." Finally, December 25 was observed as "the birthday of the Sun
god" (natalis solis invicti). <br /><br />"Because the Sun god was identified with
Mithra, a popular Persian god that also was viewed as the Sun god, pagan
celebrations occurred throughout the empire on Dec. 25 (see Clement A.
Miles, Christmas, New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1912, 23).<br /><br />"The
Church at Rome seems to have chosen this date to counteract this pagan
feast of the sun god and turn people instead to the "Sun of
Righteousness with healing in His wings" (Malachi 4:2; Luke 1:78). <b>Or
put another way, Julius chose December 25 so that the Son of God rather
than the Sun god would be worshiped.</b><br /><br />"Though there no direct evidence
that proves that the Church of Rome deliberately chose December 25 so
that Christ's birth would replace "the birthday of the sun," we do have
sermons from fathers of the church who soon after this used this line of
reasoning. For example, Augustine (354-430) in his sermon 202 and Leo
the Great (440-461 -- PL 54 Sources chrtiennes 22) gives this line of
reasoning."</span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A pagan-inspired conspiracy to corrupt the faithful? Hardly! Many
churches in America offer alternatives to Halloween, such as Harvest or
Hallelujah events on October 31. Will Christians years from now seek to
ban these church celebrations are being rooted in evil paganism, using
the same points as their unskilled predecessors?<br /><br />In my opinion,
getting the EXACT date right is not as important as
choosing to set aside a time to ponder the wonders of the birth of
Christ. In America, we've moved observances of several historical dates
to coincide
with weekends, making participation easier for working families. The
meanings
of these events have not diminished. Why the fuss about the accuracy of
the Nativity?<br /><br />Our calendars are full of activities, but I don't mind a<b> </b>symbolic<b> </b>reminder on March 25 (the Feast of the Annunciation) to halt my busy schedule and examine my heart for a suppleness like that of
a young teen named Mary. She dared to trust God at the risk of being ostracized and even
stoned.<br /><br />Nine months later, on December 25, I love the idea of ending <i>my </i>year by celebrating what gives me hope for
the new one--"Christ in me the hope of glory!" (Colossians 1:27)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gp2k3LVHkVjr52V2TqhSzR3EvagwDcvu2kBI2PhTzd3cXtVTU7E687IU2Ypl6a0bA_20b8uQs9AumZ0qgeE8XUy1BC2qU0kSRtos4OZQrL1-tLuzFhSUgHeIKUmF9Aja_Vs0ka_a2Ng/s1600/nativity-scene.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gp2k3LVHkVjr52V2TqhSzR3EvagwDcvu2kBI2PhTzd3cXtVTU7E687IU2Ypl6a0bA_20b8uQs9AumZ0qgeE8XUy1BC2qU0kSRtos4OZQrL1-tLuzFhSUgHeIKUmF9Aja_Vs0ka_a2Ng/s1600/nativity-scene.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />The word "Christmas" is really two words put together: <i>Cristes
Maesse</i>--the "Mass of Christ". It was not a day, but something you
attended on the 25th. That day was known as <b>The Feast of the Nativity</b>.<br /><br />On
this holy day, Christians would traditionally attend one of three
masses, attesting in a very tangible way to the truth of the
Incarnation: <b>"The
Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us..."</b> (John 1:14)<i><br /><br />Mensa</i> is the Latin word for 'table', and the word <i>Mass</i> denotes a
'sending forth" from the Lord's table to serve the world as the visible
Body of Christ. Another closely related word is the Spanish MESA, also meaning
"table".<br /><br />The first Mass was observed at midnight on Christmas Eve. Called <b>"The
Angels' Mass"</b>, it focused on divinity taking the initiative to reach
down to redeem man in an extraordinary act of love. (Other religions focus on
man striving to reach God.)<b><br /><br />"The Shepherds' Mass"</b> was celebrated at dawn. Its purpose was to honor
Christ's willingness to be exposed to human needs and suffering from the
womb to the grave in order to fulfill the Father's redemptive plan. His
arrival was announced to ordinary men at work whose names we do not know--men
of no import to the wealthy or noble. It pleased God to invite them first to see the
Christ Child!<br /><br />The final service on the Feast of The Nativity was usually held during the day
and was known as <b>"The Mass of the Divine Word"</b>. Christians
worshiped the eternal God/Man Jesus Christ--fully God and fully man--a
faithful, compassionate High Priest who is acquainted with our infirmities <i>AND</i>
the King of Kings who reigns forevermore.<br /><br />Many churches do not schedule Christmas Eve or Day services,
preferring to let their congregants celebrate with family and friends. Although
historic churches may have multiple masses on the 25th, they are often
scheduled to accommodate larger crowds rather than designed to present the three-fold
revelation of the Incarnation.<br /><br />Does this mean that Christians who
go to church on Christmas are holier than those
who don't? No, far from it! Saints and sinners gather alike in a
building and
go through the motions, but only God knows who is really His. Again,
it's not about how many times you go to church, what church you attend
at Christmas or that you even go to church on December 25! It's about
the
receptivity of your heart toward the Incarnate Christ and how that
affects you the other 364 days of the year.<br /><br />If, after immersing yourself in holiday shopping, decorations, presents,
and all that delightful food, you still find yourself secretly asking at the end
of another Christmas Day, "Is this it?"<br /><br />And...if you have an
unexplainable emptiness in spite of the family and material blessings of the
season, then I encourage you to explore beyond just knowing it's Jesus'
birthday.<br /><br />Delve deeper to understand what it cost God to come to
earth to be sacrificed for people who did not know, much less love Him.
Yet, rejoice in a Love so strong that it would spill its blood for the
redemption of the whole world--past, present and future.<br /><br />As we approach The Feast of the Nativity, I plan to re-post a series of articles on <b>The Incarnation of Christ</b>. These insights began as teaching notes for<span style="font-size: small;"> folks</span> at my church who missed crucial foundation blocks in their faith. However, you must know that these truths have changed MY
life as well!<br /><br />In these articles, I try to explain, in easy language, concepts
that puzzle many people—even Christians—when they hear the phrase “God with Us”:<br />
<br />
<i>How can Jesus be God when the Bible calls
Him God’s Son?<br />
<br />
How can Jesus be both God AND human at the same time?<br />
<br />
If Jesus is God, then who was in Heaven while He was on earth?<br />
</i><br />
We’ll start with a basic apprehension of the Trinity. One doesn't have
to have full comprehension of God in order to apprehend Him. Whew!
Aren't we thankful?<br /><br />In another informal, coffeeshop-like setting, we'll take a closer look at God who wholly and simultaneously
presents Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, yet meets us in human history
as Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. (As Sanctifier, the Holy Spirit makes
hearts ready for God through revelation and conviction, equips and matures Christians
for better service in the world, and prepares
them to meet Christ.)</span></span></span>Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-41124141393860068202013-11-16T16:42:00.000-06:002013-11-17T16:47:02.682-06:00Serving Our Generation with Purpose: David's Legacy<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Episode 2 of Healing for Everyday is ready--Serving Our Generation with Purpose: David's Legacy.<br /><br />Everybody wants to
leave some mark in the earth that says, “I was here; and in some small way, I made a difference."<br /><br />Despite
that desire, many people wander aimlessly through life without a sense of
purpose—a hit and miss kind of life. They’ve never asked, “Why am I here?” They develop and use their strengths and
talents mostly for personal gain.<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /><br />Christians also can miss the mark in life if we don’t ask the same question:
“Why am I here”?</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]--><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /></span>
<br />
<center>
</center>
<center>
<object height="85" width="440">
<param name='wmode' value='transparent'></param>
<param name='menu' value='false'></param>
<param name='movie' value='http://marydianegoin.podomatic.com/swf/joeplayer_v20a.swf'></param>
<param name='flashvars' value='minicast=false&jsonLocation=http%3A%2F%2Fmarydianegoin.podomatic.com%2Fentry%2Fembed_params%2F2013-11-16T11_26_04-08_00%3Fcolor%3D40c700%26autoPlay%3Dfalse%26facebook%3Dtrue%26height%3D85%26minicast%3Dfalse%26objembed%3D1%26width%3D440'></param>
<param name='allowFullScreen' value='true'></param>
<param name='allowscriptaccess' value='always'></param>
<embed src='http://marydianegoin.podomatic.com/swf/joeplayer_v20a.swf'
flashvars='minicast=false&jsonLocation=http%3A%2F%2Fmarydianegoin.podomatic.com%2Fentry%2Fembed_params%2F2013-11-16T11_26_04-08_00%3Fcolor%3D40c700%26autoPlay%3Dfalse%26facebook%3Dtrue%26height%3D85%26minicast%3Dfalse%26objembed%3D1%26width%3D440'
wmode='transparent'
menu='false'
type='application/x-shockwave-flash'
allowscriptaccess='always'
allowfullscreen='true'
version='10.0.0'
width='440' height='85'></embed>
</object></center>
Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-42747008050263539962013-11-05T18:34:00.003-06:002013-11-12T07:34:06.887-06:00What I'm Not by Nature, I Am by GracePart 1<div class="post-header">
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4546350441098077338">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZv99IbtJ1hL6Glgl2varNYNgXr6wSQwwP-1GPvsfZH_-MZ5xUw5mA9oxOYDXyHK25jtGrPCDDk-5jmIqJZkiQcy9CW76HU2h4uo6n1Li0kX5TfF8znTzhqtRjATdjyanUgYNPWjOsWBU/s1600/lovebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZv99IbtJ1hL6Glgl2varNYNgXr6wSQwwP-1GPvsfZH_-MZ5xUw5mA9oxOYDXyHK25jtGrPCDDk-5jmIqJZkiQcy9CW76HU2h4uo6n1Li0kX5TfF8znTzhqtRjATdjyanUgYNPWjOsWBU/s320/lovebook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I want to focus on the reality of an important part of our
Salvation--being adopted in Christ--and what it really means to be
called children of God.<br /><br />Not all human beings are granted this
privilege, though you hear it tossed around quite frequently by
unbelievers.<br /><br />All of mankind is His beloved creation, nurtured under
grace; however, only those people who receive by faith the finished work
of Christ are adopted by God and legally--in terms of
inheritance--called His children.<i><br /><br />"How blessed is God! And
what a blessing He is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and
takes us to the high places of blessing in Him. Long before he laid down</i> <i>earth's foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by his love.<br /><br />"Long,
long ago He decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ.
(What pleasure He took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the
celebration of His lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son."
(Ephesians 1:4-6 Message Bible)</i><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Imagine standing in a
courtroom, ready to hear the verdict against you. This is unlike any
other court: it is the court of the Most High God. His decisions are final. There is no appeal.<br /><br />You never contested your guilt. In fact, you eventually turned yourself in, unable to live under the escalating torment.<br /><br />The
prosecutor is alarmingly accurate in profiling you. He gleefully points
a finger in your direction. With embarrassing, relentless evidence, the
accuser demands the death penalty. His twisted eloquence<i> </i>surely
has everyone convinced there's no hope for you. Remarkably, your defense
attorney makes no effort to counteract the claims of the devil. Well,
you are guilty. Yet, you expect him to mount some arguments in your
favor.<br /><br />The verdict rings throughout the courtroom. "Guilty as charged!"<br /><br />Suddenly,
your attorney stands before the judge and asks that the sentence that's
about to be imposed upon you be transferred to him instead. What? Is he
playing a cruel joke? Why would someone do such a thing for a stranger?<br /><br />You
are so astonished that you stagger and reach for the table to steady
yourself just as the judge drops His gavel and says, "Done!" You watch
horrified as they handcuff your advocate and take him away to be
executed in your place.<br /><br />He looks back with piercing eyes that
slice through every pretense you've ever had. No one has ever been able
to look that deeply, that truthfully into you before. Yet strangely, you
feel no condemnation from his gaze.<br /><br />"Do not fear, "he says, "I make all things new."<br /><br />Your heart is breaking. A muffled cry escapes your lips. "Please...wait!"<br /><br />Your savior, your substitute never looks back. The door slams behind him, then locks...sending a dreadful echo through the room. </span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's an uneasy silence. Enveloped in a confusing swirl of emotions, you turn to face the bench.<br /><br />The judge
speaks. "This decree was settled before the foundation of the world.
Your debt, as far as I'm concerned, is paid. You and this court are at
peace. You are free to go."</span></span></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God could have ended the matter right there.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the Salvation process, this astonishing legal declaration of "not guilty" is called <b>Justification</b>. The Judge of the Universe declares you cleared of all charges. But how, if you're<i> </i>still clearly guilty?</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God
can't go against His own principles or He'd be unjust. Therefore, His
Son Jesus willingly took the sins that estranged you from your Creator
and paid for them with His own life. But that's not all. He also left
you something wonderful in its place so you wouldn't stand empty before
God--the benefits of His having lived a pleasing life on earth before
His Heavenly Father<i>.</i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"...being justified FREELY by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:24 KJV)</i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Therefore,
we see that the obedience of Jesus in life AND death secured justice,
AND restored the possibility of a relationship with God for all
humanity. All of this...and you never really knew Him!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="text Rom-5-8" id="en-NIV-28056">"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8 NIV)</span></i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, back to the courtroom.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trembling, you gasp. "How could you allow that?"<br /><br />The judge was straightforward. "He was insistent. He wouldn't have it any other way."<br /><br />"But...but he doesn't even know me!"<br /><br />The judge steps down from the bench. "Yes, yes he does. And he loves you...always have."<br /><br />"Loves me?"<br /><br />"Even
before you were born, dear."<br /><br /> The judge comes over and puts his arm
around you. "By the way," he asks, "do you have anywhere to go?"<br /><br />You're
fumbling for words as he continues. "Out there, you'll wander like an
orphan. You're pardoned, but now you need a home--a family. I've
arranged for you to come live in my house...that is, if you want to."<br /><br />Your head is spinning in disbelief. "Wha...Why would you do all this for me?"<br /><br />With
a warm smile, the judge whispers. "The man who took your place was my
only son. I, too, have known and loved you before you were born. I want
you to join our family. Through My son's sacrifice, you can receive a
fresh start in life with a new name, identity, and a secure home."<br /><br />But what about your son," you stammer through tears, "your only son?"<br /><br />The Judge smiles as he walks you out of the courtroom and into the fresh air of a beautiful day. <br /><br />"Everything will work out for good," he confidently replies.<br /><br />You ask, "What did your son mean about making all things new?"<br /><br />"I'll explain along the way," he replies. <br /><br />It's the beginning of a long and fruitful journey home.</span></span></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">Salvation has several components: <b>Conversion</b> (faith and repentance), then <b>Regeneration</b> (better known as being "born again").</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
conversion, you surrender to the conviction of the Holy Spirit of your need for Christ. With His
enabling grace, you then make a decision. He awakens faith in
your heart and you are able to believe and turn around (repent).</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
believe that conversion and regeneration happens simultaneously. Being
born again means that because of your repentance from sin and faith in
Christ, God transfers you out of the Adamic life with its consequences, and into Christ's life and benefits.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"But how many ever received him, he
gave to them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in
his name." (John 1:12-Wycliffe)</i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">But you can't enter the Kingdom (or be "born anew") with the sins of your Adamic nature still on the books;
that is, the sin nature you inherited from him as part of the the human
race, along with your personal acts of sin that followed.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">Consequently,
Jesus offers you the gift of His passive obedience (a life lived on
earth without sin and thereby righteous), and His active obedience (His
death) as the payment to settle the accounts and eternally clear the
evidence against you.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">Based on what Christ did, God declares you <b>fully justified</b>. It's the Great Exchange!
It's a wonderful feeling to know that you are at peace with God because
of Christ's extraordinary gift, but is that all Salvation means?</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sadly,
many Christians live as if it is...truly thankful for the justification
based on Christ's substitution, but devoid of the intimate relationship
that comes with it. It's like settling a legal dispute with a neighbor,
but never reconciling the previous friendship.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's another part of the Salvation experience that we don't hear too much about--<b>adoption</b>.
If we did, we would enjoy God and each other a lot more, and be better
able to grow under Father's nurturing as royal siblings.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adoption
is becoming by grace what you could not become in your fallen nature--a
son or daughter of God. Justification gives us right legal standing
before God that the devil cannot dispute.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adoption, however, is
having a personal relationship with God. Yet in this area, the devil has
done a good job at keeping us at arm's length from the Father. He comes
to us with all kind of lies about how bad we are. He
puts our sins smack dab in our face when we try to pray. He even
convinces us that Father God is like our fallen, earthly father. He
baits us with myriads of offenses that keep us injured and unwilling to
forgive one another.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
have always believed that the world mirrors the Church, not the other
way around. In other words, if it's happening in the world, look for the
principle behind the behavior to have first run unchecked through the
church.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">We have head but not "heart" religionists; kids have
all kinds of sex that does not require face-to-face "I can look you in
the eyes without shame" unions. We are a society that lacks intimacy.
I've heard some post-modernists insist David and Jonathan were gay,
along with such characters as Frodo and Sam in "Lord of the Rings". No
they weren't. We live in a time where such depth of commitment between
two people of the same sex seems strange unless it's also sexual.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">Believers
want to praise God, but grow restless when the worship gets intense and
the atmosphere changes. God is too near for comfort. We read in the New
Testament of the love and unity within the primitive Church, yet we
struggle to recreate that same reality in our modern churches and
fellowships.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our Christian marriages, which are supposed to
refract the love, unity and intimacy that exists within the Trinity,
thereby giving the unsaved a small, but tangible example of life within
the Godhead's family, fall so desperately short of that glory. We go as often as unbelievers into divorce courts.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many
believers live like orphans--wandering from church to church,
relationship to relationship--broken, sad, fearful. They seem
continually offended and stay out of sorts with their brethren over
small matters. They live far beneath their status as God's adopted
royalty.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
was adopted here on earth. An older couple welcomed me into their lives
after the dad of my underage birth mother signed me away.They gave me a
new name, a new identity, and a loving home.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">I met my birth
mother twenty-eight years later, and we remain good friends today.
However, I am aware that if I had stayed in her environment, I would not
be a writer today nor would I have entered the broadcasting profession.
Please
don't misunderstand; I'm not belittling my natural mother's situation.
From her genes, I have an inner strength to persevere and survive.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">God
orchestrated my adoption, placing me into the home of a woman who had a
great love for the English language and theater. Early on, she
introduced me to many activities that thrust me in front of the public.
As much as I dreaded piano and dance recitals, God was shaping me for my
calling. In school, I served on the newspaper staff and joined the
journalism and drama clubs.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">Being transferred out of Adam and into Christ removes the limitations of the natural man;
living in the Kingdom gives us the right opportunities and cultivation
to fulfill our potential in character and Christian service.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">My
first mother named me April because I was born in that month. My
adoptive mother changed it to Mary Diane. We are all given earthly names
that define something about us, honor someone important in the family
tree, or represent a favorite of the parents--from celebrities, athletes
or creation. (I had friends named "Sky" and "Star".)</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the
other hand, when we finally see our Heavenly Father face to face, the
Bible says each of us will have a new name known only to us...so
perfectly suited because no one knows us like Father God. (Revelation
2:17)</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not all earthly adoptions in this fallen world have happy endings, but God cannot be anything but a good parent.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"Don't
bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn't a
cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your child asks for
bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare
him with a live snake on his plate?</i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"As bad as you are, you
wouldn't think of such a thing. You're at least decent to your own
children. So don't you think the God who conceived you in love will be
even better?" (Matthew 7:9-11 Message Bible)</i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">God neither abuses nor abandons His children. He is not unpredictable or moody. He keeps His promises.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">Understand
that He chose to create you before the foundation of the world.
God--who sees the past, present, and future simultaneously--saw you in
Christ (Ephesians 1:4). He did not favor you based on your earthly
appearance, performance, or value to man--you had yet to be born! You
were just passionately, extravagantly, unconditionally loved.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">Man,
however, decides there is something about you to love (usually
fleeting), and then chooses to want you. God's love is just the
opposite--He chose you without you doing anything to earn His love.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
was placed into the arms of a couple that already loved me. Actually,
they said "yes" over the phone. They were good friends with the doctor
who delivered me. My birth mother's father wanted to take care of the
matter quickly and quietly, so the doctor personally placed the call and
the paperwork followed days later.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">Blessed to grow up in an
affirming, affectionate home, I was never made to feel different or
inferior. God won't do that to you, either. He will never bring up your
background and use it against you! There is always a forward-facing seat
around His table.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let's
say you're running late for a much-anticipated family reunion at a
restaurant. You walk in to a hearty reception and discover an empty seat
waiting just for you. You didn't have to call ahead and beg your father
to save you a place; you didn't journey anxiously to the restaurant
wondering if there will really be a seat. You are secure in your
relationship with your Father. Unfeigned love assures you that what was
promised will be done.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"For all who are led by the Spirit of
God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to
fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as
sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:14-15 NLT)</i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Aramaic word "Abba" is translated best as "Daddy".
Does the thought of this kind of closeness with God seem strange and
uncomfortable to you? Yet, this is the kind of relationship He desires.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">Take
a few moments and honestly confront yourself. What has robbed you of
this remarkable closeness with your Heavenly Father? He is eager to heal
and deliver you from whatever keeps Him at a painful distance from all
aspects of your life.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"The Spirit Himself bears witness with
our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then
heirs-heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ...: (Romans 8:16, 17a
KJV)</i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">A joint-heir doesn't split the inheritance 50/50; it's
shared together as One-without keeping score, without counting. Whatever
Christ has is also fully yours!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"But when the right time
came, God sent his Son who was born of a woman and lived under the law.
God did this so he could buy freedom for those who were under the law
and so we could become his children.</i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"Since you are God's
children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and the
Spirit cries out, "Father (Abba)". "So now you are not a slave; you are
God's child, and God will give you the blessing he promised, because you
are his child." (Galatians 4:4-7)</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />In
the second grade, our assignment was to learn how to tell time. I just
wasn't grasping the concept. Our teacher informed us that we had a week
to review. By Friday, each student would be required to stand up and
tell time based on where she moved the big and little hands on the teaching clock.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">Such
fear gripped me that I just shut down and didn't try to learn. Mom put
me to bed on Thursday night as usual, but I tossed as the thought of the
test loomed over me.
Finally, I crept out of bed and noticed the light still on in daddy's
makeshift office. I heard his old hand-pulled calculator
cranking away as he worked on the bills for his business. I slowly made
my way up the steps and stood there for a long time. Stopping for a
moment, he caught me out of the corner of his eye.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Doodles, what are you doing up? It's way past your bedtime."</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">I burst into tears. "Daddy," I cried, "I can't tell time! I can't tell time!"</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
was already late. Daddy had worked all day as an electrician and still
had a batch of statements on his desk. Nevertheless, he called me over
and swept the paperwork to the side. I guess maybe an hour passed...I'm
not sure (Remember, I couldn't tell). However, when I crawled out of his
lap, I knew how to tell time.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://themarydiane.blogspot.com/2013/11/what-im-not-by-nature-i-am-by-grace.html"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: small;">Please continue with Part 2</span></span></a></i></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-48347196818076999222013-11-05T18:29:00.000-06:002013-11-05T21:58:05.964-06:00What I'm Not by Nature, I Am by GracePart 2<div class="post-header">
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4833914496430203587">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTqVNBCwhXfTZnciIy_imozoHVu8_wo3clYw29Uuaz1YfSbzP4mSSH6xBSPBCtSQ1PsFGxqwmzyFdjDAnqlg62lSkxZRrnHz8j3t55MoKhyphenhyphenKSBBUddaF403cSEiMwI3RgLBQNq415BDg/s1600/lovebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTqVNBCwhXfTZnciIy_imozoHVu8_wo3clYw29Uuaz1YfSbzP4mSSH6xBSPBCtSQ1PsFGxqwmzyFdjDAnqlg62lSkxZRrnHz8j3t55MoKhyphenhyphenKSBBUddaF403cSEiMwI3RgLBQNq415BDg/s320/lovebook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I want to focus on the reality of an important part of our
Salvation--being adopted in Christ--and what it really means for you and
me to be called the children of God.<br />
<br />
Not all human beings are granted this privilege, even though you hear it
tossed around quite frequently by unbelievers.<br /><br />All of mankind is His
beloved creation--nurtured under grace; however, only those people who
receive by faith the finished work of Christ as their redemption from
sin and self are adopted by God and legally (in regards to inheritance)
called His children.<br />
<br />
</i>This is Part 2 of the message (<a href="http://themarydiane.blogspot.com/2013/11/what-im-not-by-nature-i-am-by-grace_5.html">Please Read Part I</a>)<a href="http://www.cafemom.com/journals/read/1549286/What_I_m_Not_by_Nature_I_Am_by_Grace_Part_I" target="_blank" title="Please read Part I"><br />
</a><br />
My father died in 1986. Mother sadly passed two
years later. As the only child, I was the executrix of the estate.
Immediately, I could pay bills and take care of what was left, simply by
signing my name on mom's checks. Mom and Dad
provided a good life for me while they were alive, but I did not get
access to the full benefits of their inheritance until they passed<i>.</i><i><br /><br />"Therefore,
since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.. (Hebrews 4:14
NAS)</i><br />
<br />God
revealed Himself in history and worked first through the nation of
Israel to bless humanity, but mankind did not have access to all the
blessings and benefits of the Kingdom until the death of Jesus Christ.<br />
<br />
Even now, only kids adopted into the family with <b>legal evidence </b>can be executors and executrices of His estate.<br />
<br />
There are so many unclaimed inheritances around the world because beneficiaries have never showed up to make a declaration of ownership.<br />
<br />
Some Christians aren't convinced of the goodness of their Heavenly
Father and the bountiful blessings already designated for them LEGALLY
in Christ. They don't even bother to check the will (His Word). If they do, they make up excuse after excuse as to why they can't have what is LEGALLY theirs.<br />
<br />
I Peter 1:4 reminds us that we have an inheritance--incorruptible, undefiled and unfading--- kept by the power of God!<br />
<br />
Other believers don't think they're good enough, assuming
more godly siblings can access the benefits of the will. One must
always remember that God's acceptance of us is not based on our religious
performance, but on the performance of Christ. YOU unequivocally
qualify as benefactor and executor of the Kingdom--all because of your
faith in Christ and His finished work.<i><br /><br />"See how much the
Father has loved us! We are called God's children. It is true, we are
God's children. People in this world did not know him and so they do not
know us. My dear brothers, we are God's children NOW..." (John 3:1-2a
NLT)</i> <br />
<br />We have "two witnesses" to our adoption-one in Heaven and one in Earth.<br />
<br />
1) Our names are recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life, written there when we exercised our FAITH to believe. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus... (Galatians 3:26)<br />
<br />
2) Our following in baptism by OBEDIENCE, wherein we demonstrate on
earth and before witnesses the reality of the Heavenly document.<br /><br />In
my process of earthly adoption (see Part I of this article), there had
to be a legal release from one family before I could be adopted into
the new.<i><br /><br />(Jesus) ..."having canceled the charge of our legal
indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it
away, nailing it to the cross" (Colossians 2:14 TNIV)</i><br />
<br />I love this part from my actual adoption papers:<br /><br /><i>"By
law, the said infant would have the same rights and privileges afforded
to her that a child of the bodies of George O. Milford and Mary Ellen
Milford would have under the law."<br /><br />"It is furthered order that
the name of the said infant child be, and the same hereby is changed
from "Baby Girl Griffin" to Mary Diane Milford, and she shall hereafter
be known as Mary Diane Milford.<br /><br />AND IT IS SO ORDERED."</i><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span>
</blockquote>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
Stop and consider that no matter what man has called or labeled you, God
has given you a new name that defines you from His perspective;
and your Heavenly Father has given you powerful permission to legally
use power of attorney (the name of Jesus Christ) in all spiritual
transactions and disputes.<br />
<br />
Stop and think again: by God's decree, you have the same rights and privileges as His only begotten Son!<br />
<br />
Most adoptions today are "open", meaning that the natural mother works
out a legal arrangement with the adoptive parents to maintain contact
with her child or receive information through the formative years. My adoption records were sealed. My birth mother and I didn't meet until twenty-eight years later, after I initiated a search.*<br />
<br />
More adoption agencies are working with the birth mothers to involve
them in every aspect of the process, including interviewing and even
selecting the adoptive parents. Such cooperative methods respect the
dignity and desires of both mothers and hopefully avoid heartaches and litigation down the road.<br />
<br />
However, this was not the case years ago. Adoption records were--for the
most part--always sealed. Many natural mothers later on agonized about
the whereabouts and welfare of the children they released. Additionally,
many of these hand-written records were not filed or stored properly,
so both natural mothers and adoptees seeking later reunions were
encountering innumerable frustrations and dead ends.<br />
<br />
I'm thankful for the growing number of adoption search sites on the
internet. It is my prayer that hundreds, even thousands of reunions can
become a reality from these years of closed records.<br />
<br /><b>However, God <u>ALWAYS</u> seals His
adoption records! We are "in the Secret Place of the Most High" (Psalm
91:1) and "hidden in His pavilion (lair) " (Psalm 27:5).</b><br />
<br />
We often fall back into Adamic behavior because taking on the characteristics and behaviors of our new family is, after all, a learning process; nevertheless, you need never fear the devil coming to claim you. He would have to break the Blood seal and such a feat is impossible!
<i><br /><br />"You also became believers in Christ. That happened when you
heard the message of truth. It was the good news about how you could be
saved. When you believed, he marked you with a seal. The seal is the
Holy Spirit that he promised.</i><i><br /><br />"The
Spirit marks us as God's own. We can now be sure that someday we will
receive all that God has promised. That will happen after God sets all
of his people completely free. All of those things will bring praise to
his glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14 TNIV)</i><br /><br />Here's the Message translation:<i><br /><br />"It's
in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this
Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free-signed, sealed,
and delivered by the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />This signet from God is the
first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything
God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life."</i><i><br /><br />"Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30 NAS)</i><br />
<i>
</i> <br />
I like how the Amplified Bible brings out the meaning of the same verse:<i><br /><br />"And
do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden
Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God's own, secured)
for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil
and the consequences of sin).</i><br /><br />I didn't need a legal document as proof of my adoptive parents' love and commitment, but if anyone outside the family ever questioned the validity of the adoption, the earthly document was undeniably clear.<br /><br />What is the believer's earthly proof of adoption? Baptism!<br /><br />Here's a great word from Rick Warren in <i>The Purpose Drive Life</i>:<i><br /><br />"Baptism
is not some optional ritual, to be delayed or postponed. It signifies
your inclusion in God's family. It publicly announces to the world, "I
am not ashamed to be a part of God's family." Jesus commanded this
beautiful act for all in his family:</i><i><br /><br />"For
years I wondered why Jesus' Great Commission gives the same prominence
to baptism as it does to the great tasks of evangelism and edification.</i><i><br /><br />"Why
is baptism so important? Because it symbolizes one of the purposes of
your life: incorporation into the fellowship of God's eternal family. "</i>
<br />
<br />Have you been baptized? Do you have a record of that day? If so, pull it
out and keep it close to your Bible so that you (and the devil) may be
reminded of it often.<br />
<br />
If you are a believer but haven't been baptized, don't delay having earthly evidence of your Heavenly status.<br />
<br />
A pastor told me years ago that baptized members of his congregation,
who fully understood its importance and meaning, had a tendency to become more stable and fruitful in their Christian walk.<br />
<br />
As a child, I was teased a time or two about being adopted. But Mom explained that what made me different was that I was wanted--personally
chosen by my parents. Her positive spin helped me silence most kids
when I said, "Yeah? Well, your mom had to take what she got!"<br />
<br />
But guess what? We've got to "take" who we get in our spiritual family. We are indeed stuck with each other.<br /><br />Although I don't have any brothers or sisters in my earthly, adoptive family, I have millions in Christ. Understanding God's heart of adoption changes how I relate to them.<br />
<br />
I must never forget:<br />
<br />
1) My Father wanted them or they wouldn't be here; therefore, my siblings are of immeasurable value to Him (and as a result, equally as valuable to me).<br />
<br />
2) They are extravagantly, eternally loved by the Father--even when they act unlovable. (Just like me!)<br />
<br />
3) They chose to love Him back...and for this shameless confession, they are worthy of my respect.<br />
<br />
4) They live in the same house with me--a house Christ is building and deems holy.<br />
<br />
5) They have something important to do for the Father, and their ability to serve Him depends a great deal on me.<br />
<br />
And...I will be chastised for mistreating my family!<i><br /><br />"And have
you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children?
He said, "My child, don't make light of the Lord's discipline, and don't
give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.</i><i><br /><br />"As
you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as
his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by
its father?</i><i><br /><br />If
God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means
that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all."
(Hebrews 12:5-9 NLT)</i><br /><br />Our growing into the image of Christ is the progressive, ongoing part of our Salvation called <b>SANCTIFICATION.</b> The Holy Spirit helps me in this process by often using others in the family.<br />
<br />
This growth is not without pain, but the Bible says that Christ's gift
to me was Salvation. What I do with it--and what I become because of
it--is my gift to Him.<br /><br />
Our "works" (The word in the Greek also denotes "moral conduct"), will
pass through His holy fire.Those things that are not of God will burn
as wood, hay, and stubble. What remains is the reward I get to lay at
the feet of Jesus, my Elder Brother.<i><br /><br />"For
no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is
Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver,
precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident;
for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and
the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.</i><i><br /><br />"If
any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a
reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he
himself will be saved, yet so as through fire" (1 Corinthians 3:11-15
ASB)</i><br /><br />So often we speak to each other out of our own injuries, ignorance, or immaturity. I've learned to ask
the Father to redeem something out of every encounter--whether highly
encouraging, strongly corrective or plain bad--that will make me more
like Christ and add to my rewards for Him. <br />
<br />
Like me, were you naturally adopted? If you're also a Christian, then you're "doubly blessed" to have been chosen twice! Yet, whenever the topic of adoption comes up, every believer has a great conversation starter that can shake out a little salt.<br />
<br />
You can casually mention, "Oh, I'm adopted."<br /><br />
Your friends and co-workers, a little startled, will probably respond, "Really? We didn't know that about you!"
<br /><br />
You smile. "Well, let me tell you my story!"
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">* <a href="http://www.cottonbutterflies.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><i>Cotton Butterflies</i></a> tells the story of my teen birth mom's pregnancy, her resulting adoption, and how we met 28 years later.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960746707964557663.post-76272385720881596462013-11-03T20:53:00.000-06:002013-12-18T10:10:58.797-06:00 All Saints, All Souls, All Hallow's EveThe Druids, the Christians--What Should We Believe?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgwn4KI2QBuHl4Oc7Y67_j6puSG1WAXtezr6qYOoKfslDfZxlWJl0tBZWM8QMG0sWOzNu-Ql8feKVUE9H5M4CZRNZKt0aZXVCi1Lgj1mrNLUBXOJYWRbnzjcBCrcMMpEkrU_bIO3zA1c/s1600/01259_All_Saints_Day_Sanok%252C_2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgwn4KI2QBuHl4Oc7Y67_j6puSG1WAXtezr6qYOoKfslDfZxlWJl0tBZWM8QMG0sWOzNu-Ql8feKVUE9H5M4CZRNZKt0aZXVCi1Lgj1mrNLUBXOJYWRbnzjcBCrcMMpEkrU_bIO3zA1c/s320/01259_All_Saints_Day_Sanok%252C_2011.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I didn’t think I would say much about The Feast of All Saints this year, but
someone asked me a question about it and two coffee cups later the keys were
clicking.<br /><br />Within the feast, Friday, Nov. 1 is All Saints Day and Saturday,
November 2 is the Commemoration of All Souls. Several historic communions are
observing the feast this Sunday in their churches, which means I’m officially
on schedule until midnight central—about the time my procrastination disorder
will kick back in.<br /><br />Here’s a loose definition of the Feast: November
1 honors those deemed saints by the Church—Christians who were so sanctified in
life that they passed purgatory altogether and went on the express cloud to
Heaven. Usually miracles are associated with them after their passing. Martyrs are
automatically added to this category. November 2, All Souls Day, honors
everyone else that eventually made it.<br /><br />Historic Protestant churches usually combine these days into one because in the
Pauline Epistles, all believers are called saints: (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians
1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1 and 15; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2,4
and 14.) The word “saint” simply means someone who has been <i>set apart, consecrated, and is holy.</i><br /><br />I wrote a companion article expounding more on the sainthood of the believers,
sanctification, and the judgment seat of Christ. I also give my perspective on
purgatory. Link here to <a href="http://www.themarydiane.blogspot.com/2013/11/saints-sanctification-and-judgment-seat.html">“Saints, Sanctification, and the Judgment Seat”.</a><br /><br />Early Christians always honored their departed loved ones on the anniversaries of
their deaths, particularly if they were martyrs. Unlike today, believers were not
fettered by the morbidity of death or accompanying superstitions. It was a
positive time of celebration and feasting.<br /><br />The tradition was so common that the early church fathers decided to set aside
dates on the calendar during the Easter season for remembering those who were
resting in the Church Triumphant, as it was called. Those on earth were (and
still are) in the Militant Church, signifying our command to fight the good
fight in a fallen world.<i><br /><br />“Fight the good fight for the true faith.
Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have
confessed so well before many witnesses.” (I Timothy 6:12)</i><br /><br />Pope Gregory III officially moved the feast to November after consecrating
a chapel to all martyrs, then ordering an annual celebration to be observed
church-wide.<br /><br />We need not read anything sinister into this change, although it does coincide
with the pagan holiday known as Samhain, which eventually became known as Halloween.
Yep. But let’s get a bit of scholarly research on the subject before raising
that famous ire against things non-Christian.<br /><br />Samhain was an agricultural holiday
celebrating the beginning of a new yearly cycle and for feasting, parliaments, and
formal games. Evidence suggests from an old ballad that the holiday was
originally observed on November 11.<br /><br />In some Celtic countries, this date is still regarded as "Old
Samhain". There is NO evidence of a deity known as Samhain, the
supposed Druid god of the dead. The word simply means summer's end. The Celtic
gods of the dead were Gwynn ap Nudd (British) and Arawn (Welsh).</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We ended up with the October 31
date <b>after</b> the Gregorian Calendar
was implemented by another Pope in the <b>1500s</b>—Gregory
XIII—long after the Gregory III died (A.D.
741).</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Most historians agree that Gregory III changed the date of the feast for
economic reasons. Rome was swamped with pilgrims coming in the spring right after
Easter, which meant supplies were low. It’s much like a Southern run on bread
and milk when snow is forecasted. Get to
the store late, and all you’ll see are bare shelves with only a bag or two of
hot dog buns.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Other researchers, while agreeing with the springtime economic strain, point
out that Gregory’s decision may have been a deliberate attempt to move the
Christian feast to coincide with Samhain. Wait! Hold your tongue before saying, “See,
I TOLD you…another Christian holiday with pagan roots!”<br /><br />I've noticed the Church has no problem introducing alternative parties
on Halloween. In my home state of South Carolina, these events are called
'Hallelujah Parties".<br /><br />Imagine 150 years from now if October 31 becomes the date for a strictly
Christian holiday known as "Hallelujah Night". Still, controversy reigns
because folks will point out that in "ancient" times, it was a pagan festival
about demons, witches, and ghosts.<br /><br />Yet, all the church did was start alternative celebrations that allowed children
to enjoy getting candy, dressing up, and having a good time. There was no insidious
plot to mix a godless religion with Christianity.<br /><br />Hence, think this through logically. The pagan observance of Samhain existed
before the Feast of All Saints. All Romans throughout the empire, including
Christians, were given time off from work for the festivities, but believers did
not enjoin themselves to all the pagan revelry.<br /><br />Wise old Gregory provided a Christian “alternative” in the midst of the
celebrations—just as we do today for Halloween. Not only could the faithful enjoy
their days off and feast like everybody else in town—but also their alternative
was a great calling card to the unsaved. (And the two observances have much in
common, which I’ll explore later in this article.)<i><br /><br />"Live wisely among those who are
not believers, and make the most of every opportunity." (Colossians
4:5)</i><br /><br />Historians point to Julius Caesar and other Romans for stirring up
misinformation about the people they wanted to conquer so that the populace
would rally behind them and fill up the war chest.<br /><br />Caesar was the one who mentioned
Celtic sacrifices, using it as a justification for: <b>"why we have to
conquer these people." </b>(<i>Commentarii de Bello Gallico </i>(Commentary on the
Gallic War)<br /><br />Did the Celts practice human sacrifice? Maybe. Many cultures at early stages of
development did--including Rome. Human sacrifices to gods were abandoned by
Romans <u>only</u> after 113 BC. But let's not forget the legal and celebrated
Roman Coliseum games--replete with gladiatorial fights to the death and Christians
being mutilated by lions to the cheers of the 'civilized' crowd!<br /><br />Bones found in peat bogs that were initially thought to be evidence of Druidic
human sacrifices are now considered by archaeologists to represent judicial
killings instead.<br /><br />Animals were culled during harvest time so that the stronger ones in the herds
would make it through winter. No doubt, these animals were used for feasting
and as offerings to Celtic gods.<br /><br />You must be advised that the Romans spread nasty propaganda about us, too:<br /><br />Here's a portion of dialogue between two characters in Menicus Felix's
first-century work, <i>Octavius</i>,
that reflects the typical Roman beliefs that existed about the new 'cult':<i><br /><br />"As for the initiation of new members, the details are as disgusting as
they are well known. The novice himself, deceived by the coating of dough
(covering a sacrificial infant), thinks the stabs are harmless. Then, it's
horrible!</i><i><br /><br />They hungrily drink the blood and compete with one another as they divide
his limbs. And the fact they all share knowledge of the crime pledges them all
to silence. On the feast-day they foregather with all their children, sisters,
mothers, people of either sex and all ages.</i><i><br /><br />Now, in the dark, so favorable to shameless behavior, they twine the bonds
of unnamable passion, as chance decides. Precisely the secrecy of this evil
religion proves that all these things, or practically all, are true."</i><br /><br />Notice the last line: "...or practically all, are TRUE." What were
the Germans told about the Jews prior to World War II? Now, will you admit that
perhaps what we've been told about the history of Halloween is not true?<br /><br />One damaging book, written in 1873, is <i>Two Babylons or the Papal Worship,</i>
by Alexander Hislop. It attempts to tie the Catholic Church to ancient Druidism
and is full of "shocking rituals and beliefs". Hislop never intended
for his work to be historically accurate. It was a cleverly disguised treatise
for his hateful bigotry. Witnessing tracts by shock
pencil "Christians" such as Jack Chick, use works like Hislop's to
deliberately spread misinformation, fear, and judgment to satisfy their
prejudices.<br /><br />And we wonder why modern-day Wiccans and pagans rarely convert or return to the
faith of their childhood! We Christians claim to know-it-all, disperse hearsay
as gospel, and gleefully sit in judgment over those who dare not believe as we
do.<br /><br />Okay. I’m off my soapbox…for now. So, just how did the early Christians
celebrate the Feast of All Saints? As I mentioned before, our ancient ancestors in the faith did not look
at death the way we do today—full of dread and spooky superstitions.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1i6lTQBfJUqY6PHx2_DlXGc0iprLwqIAVWzYiAsjo3BpvFD-nsmrznezfS6NSc6A284fvNxhxxAbVImhg835GgtP-lY44GYRG-gxSS13L492EsiJd7OPm7V_IA1OyUJB5GYCyxEPtwE/s1600/Agape_feast_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1i6lTQBfJUqY6PHx2_DlXGc0iprLwqIAVWzYiAsjo3BpvFD-nsmrznezfS6NSc6A284fvNxhxxAbVImhg835GgtP-lY44GYRG-gxSS13L492EsiJd7OPm7V_IA1OyUJB5GYCyxEPtwE/s320/Agape_feast_03.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fresco in a Roman Catacomb of Christians feasting and<br /> honoring a departed loved one</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">They would gather and make a pilgrimage to the grave or burial site of their
dearly departed, complete with picnic baskets and elements for the Lord’s
Supper. They would actually feast in the graveyard or catacomb while sharing
memories and recalling aspects of a loved one’s faith in Christ. Afterward,
they would take Communion and place candles at the site to burn throughout the
night.<br /><br />Pagans burned the bodies of the departed and Romans cremated their dead. Christians
preferred burial of the entire body, if possible. In their minds, they were
lovingly storing and overseeing a precious treasure that would one day be
resurrected unto glory. However, please don’t feel bad if you favor cremation. Customs
and beliefs aside, here’s the reality:<br /><br />Even
a well-embalmed body eventually decomposes and becomes part of the earth's
cycle of life and decay. As we know, some bodies are torn, burned, and even
vaporized in this world full of violence and tragedy; yet, the souls of these
individuals remain intact and housed by God. The day will come when He will
resurrect and unite each body with its existing, fully aware spirit/soul—unto
either everlasting glory or regret.<br /><br />No body maintains its continuity, even in life. Every seven years we get a
"new" body as cells regenerate and die. What IS constant, however, is
our genetic coding. In the Christian Resurrection, the person’s physical body
will rise, but it will function differently-- as Jesus demonstrated in His
resurrected body prior to the Ascension.<br /><br />Understanding this truth helps us realize that burial customs are only for the
benefit of those left temporarily behind...a comforting way to say good-bye
while at the same time holding on to what remains of our loved ones.
Embalmment, a grave, a headstone, an urn--these things help us stay tangibly
connected until we are reunited.<br /><br />Thus, be comforted with these words
from Tatian: 'I am laid up in the storehouse of a wealthy Lord."<br /><br />Earlier Christians understood they remained tied to their departed loves ones
by their placement in Christ. Those alive on earth and those alive in Heaven
were IN Christ together. Christians who had pierced the veil were nevertheless,
still very close to their loves ones on earth:<b><i><br /><br />But you have come</i></b><i> to Mount Zion, to the heavenly
Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You
have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly<b>, to the church of the firstborn, whose
names are written in heaven.</b> You have come to God, the judge of all men, <b>to
the spirits of righteous men made perfect,</b> to Jesus the mediator of a new
covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood
of Abel.</i> (Hebrews 12:22-24)<br /><br />The writer of Hebrews is saying that when someone accepts Jesus, he or she
becomes a citizen of a spiritual community that encompasses not only believers
on earth, but a city of angels and of Christians in Heaven. We will not one day
"come" into its reality--we
have already arrived!<br /><br />Early Christians were taught properly that they remained united to the departed
in Christ through His atoning sacrifice and blood, and demonstrated this
profound truth by taking Communion every time they gathered. They believed, as
I do today, that while partaking of the Body and Blood of Jesus, a holy
intimacy is shared with our loved ones as at no other time.<br /><br />Could it be that when we worship, they are worshiping with us? When we pray, are
they adding their amens? When we are in sorrow, could they be making
intercession to encourage us? And when we are tempted, do their petitions
before the Throne lend us strength?<br /><br />I am convinced Heaven is closer than anyone has ever imagined. I don't think of
my home in God in geographical terms anymore, but dimensional. A friend of
mine, a former nuclear physicist, said scientists are aware of 10 dimensions so
far that occupy the <u>same space</u>.<br /><br />We live in three of these spatial realities: up, down; forwards, backwards;
left, right--with time as the fourth dimension. Don't ask me to explain any
further. It already blows my mind! As a result, angels don't travel here...they
simply step into our world.<i><u><br /><br />“...since
we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses</u></i><i>,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,
and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1)</i><br /><br />The word “cloud” in classical Greek, Latin, and Hebrew is a metaphor for
a great multitude. The word “witnesses” means <i>witnesses to the sincerity and the reward of faith.</i><br /><br />However, what’s exciting is the meaning of the word “surrounded”: We know our Heavenly family is witnessing us
as well because the word literally means <i>surrounding
us on all sides, like the witnesses in a circus or a theatre!</i><br /><br />I love this quote on the occasion of the feast by John O’Donahue, Celtic
Christian poet and priest:<br /><br /><i>“<span class="usercontent">Hallowtide - All Saints' and All Souls' is that time
of year when we honour our ancestors .... <br />
"... one of the great storehouses of blessing is the invisible
neighbourhood where the dead dwell. Our friends among the dead now live where
tim</span><span class="textexposedshow">e and space are transfigured. They behold
us now in ways they never could have when they lived beside us on earth.<br /><br />“Because they live near the source of destiny, their blessings for us are
accurate and penetrating, offering a divine illumination not available
according to the calculations of the given visible world. Perhaps one of the
surprises of death will be a retrospective view of the lives we lived here and
to see how our friends among the dead clothed us in weave after weave of
blessing.”</span></i><br /><br />You see, the ancient Celts also believed in honoring their departed during
their harvest festival. Celtic life
revolved around the land, and the people were totally dependent upon the
harvest<br /><br />Samhain was considered a divide between the season of cold and warm.
Beltain, signaling the start of summer, was celebrated six months later. These
days were looked upon as "non-days"--divides between what was and
what is to come.<br /><br />As a result, they believed that
the veil between the two worlds--the living and the dead--was thinnest during
this brief period. Celtic life was not only tied to the land, but to family.
Quality of life and continuance of the tribe depended upon this cohesive,
harmonious bond.<br /><br />Having primarily an oral tradition, the Celts gathered around the bonfires to
tell stories of old warriors and leaders to inspire future generations to take
up their mantles within the tribe. At Samhain, it was believed the spirits of
the ancestors were able to pierce the thin veil and lend their presence to the
festivities. It became customary to put out symbolic gifts of fruit for them.<br /><br />There
is just NO credible evidence of ritualistic, Druidic channeling or calling
forth demons to roam the earth, although it does appear the Celts believed they
could receive guidance from their ancestors at this time.<br /><br />Celts had nothing in their religious beliefs akin to the classical, Christian
concept of Hell; consequently, there was no doctrine about a devil and his
demons and no place of eternal punishment. The ideas of bad ghosts, witches,
gnomes, and elves are seen much later in Irish folklore--interestingly AFTER
the Christianization of these lands. (Watch the video below.)<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /><br />While our loved ones in Christ never return to earth, nor are we permitted to </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">“</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">channel</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">”</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">
them for guidance, there are at times when we sense their nearness--a familiar
smell or song will turn our attention to their memory. They have not been
conjured up by an Endorian witch nor have they crossed the divide. I believe it
is simply God</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">’</span>s
way of reminding us that our loved ones who died in the faith are safe with
Him—joyful, productive, and eagerly awaiting our reunion.<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /><br />Pagans look for </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">“</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">thin</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">”</span>
places in the earth where they can commune with the spirit world. To the
Christian, however, every place is thin. Being able to connect spiritually to
Christ and the Host in Heaven is not determined by a certain spot on the earth,
but by our fixed residency in Him.<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /><br />One Sunday at church, I was despondent over a personal issue. As hard as I
tried, I could not remove the worry of the matter from my mind during praise
and worship. At one point, I managed to lift my hands and look up. For a brief
moment, I </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">“</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">saw</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">”</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> my
parents, both deceased, through the eyes of faith. Each one reached a hand in
my direction. Together they said, </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">“</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">If you could see what we see, and know what we know!</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">”</span><br /><br />The vision ended quickly; but in those few seconds, I became energized and the
heaviness left. I lifted my hands in
adoration and joy with tears streaming down my face. Now I focused on Him, not
me. I had put on a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61: 2,
3).<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /><br />What happened to me was not about wandering ghosts, demons, or mediumship. I
didn</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">’</span>t
seek it; it came to me. And the encounter drew me closer to the Lord. I never
obsessed over the vision or tried to make it happen again. My parents, who
passed from the earth in the 1980s, are in the same place as I am today--secure
and safe in Christ!<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /><br />Truth be told, they are more alive than I am right now, for they live
unhindered and free from the effects of the fall. They behold the face of God,
and are the most productive and fruitful they have ever been. They will return
with Him to be united to their physical bodies as we who are alive are
transformed. Then together, we will all be glorified and join in the rule of
our King in a once again seamless Heaven and Earth. We</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">ll
receive our rewards and get on with the Father</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">’</span>s business throughout His vast domain.<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /><br />All right, let</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">’</span>s
wrap up. How can a family today practically celebrate the Feast of All Saints?<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /><br />I think at the evening meal on November 1, a discussion of favorite saints from
the Bible would be fun. Have each person draw a name and see if they remember
what he or she did to be included in the Bible</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">s </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">“</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">Hall of Faith</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">”</span>. The next night could be a remembrance of personal
loved ones that have passed--recalling favorite memories, photos, and their
faith in Christ. There are time-honored liturgies that include prayers and
Bible readings in the Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox, and Celtic traditions (available
easily online). Our children need more heroes within their families, rather than looking to athletes and entertainers as role models.<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /><br />You don</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">t
have to eat a meal at the graveside, but it would be nice to visit, say a
prayer, and light candles to burn throughout the night, showing that even in
our darkest moments of separation and grief, Christ is our light.<br /><br />The candles
also signify that morning will soon come</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">…</span>and those found in Christ will no longer have need of
the sun, neither the moon to shine among us: the glory of God and the Lamb
(Jesus) will be our everlasting light.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/LyfXTBdegQM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So there you have it. The CHURCH is where the idea arose in Medieval times of making fun of the forces of evil on All Hallow's Eve--</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“All Hallows” (holy saints)--later contracted into Hallow-e'-en, then into the modern Halloween.</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />It's true: most of the symbols of Halloween--the jack o' lantern, black cats, and trick-or-treating arose after the Christianization of Celtic lands.</span></span></span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Ps-2-4" id="en-AMP-13950"><br /><br />Even the great Protestant Reformer, Martin Luther weighed in on the matter:</span><br /><br /><i>“Whenever the devil harasses you, seek the company of men or drink more,
or joke and talk nonsense, or do some other merry thing..." </i></span></span></span><br /><br />And why not? How appropriate...that on the night before honoring our loved ones who have passed, we make fun of death and all of its representative minions--both mortal and immortal--that took them away from us.<br /><br />We mock and laugh at their attempts to envelope us in a hopeless darkness because we know they were stripped of their authority to hold us in death and sorrow. We know the sting and tyranny of death has been removed, and Jesus--not satan--has the keys to death and the grave. Yes, we laugh like God does:<br /><br /><i><span class="text Ps-2-2" id="en-AMP-13948">The
kings of the earth take their places; the rulers take counsel together
against the Lord and His Anointed One (the Messiah, the Christ). They say,</span><span class="text Ps-2-3" id="en-AMP-13949"> Let us break Their bands [of restraint] asunder and cast Their cords [of control] from us.</span></i><span class="text Ps-2-4" id="en-AMP-13950"><i> He Who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision [and in supreme contempt He mocks them]. (Psalm 2: 2-4)</i><br /><br />The devil was stripped of his authority at Calvary. However, he still wields power through deceived, fallen mankind to steal, kill, and destroy. At the return of the Lord, sin and satan's power will be taken away for good.</span><span class="text Ps-2-4" id="en-AMP-13950"> There will be no more sickness, disorders, or accidents; no sorrow, no tears, and no more separations. No more death--ever!</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>Mary Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08273285977852058011noreply@blogger.com0