Posted by admin on March 9th, 2010 — Posted in Education Resources, Misc, Religion Tips
RENEW International programs serve the needs of parishes and followers. Parishioners ascertain how to practice their faith and the foundations of Catholicism to daily life and be connected to the greater Catholic community. RENEW International shows parishioners how to live the Gospel and find miraculous strength in their revitalized allegiance to themselves and God.
RENEW International is a non-profit Catholic organization, which is based in the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ and reaches people in spiritual need all over the world. It originated from the compassionate vision of Msgr. Tom Kleissler and Msgr. Tom Ivory. They had the idea of a revitalized Church with laypersons deeply involved and committed to parish, civic, and multinational issues. The leadership of RENEW International believed people would be better supported if divided into small communities and this model became the foundation for many highly successful curricula. Small groups furnish the opportunity for parishioners to discover to live the gospel, as individuals and together as a community.
RENEW International grants people the gift of greater knowledge. They form lasting relationships with others and experience religious replenishment. Participants of RENEW International become more in touch with their trust and become a more committed member of the Catholic community.
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Posted by admin on September 29th, 2009 — Posted in Religion Tips
Church on mission is definitely a popular saying that is all over the place these days. the notion that we have to categorize church buildings, missional, has forever been somewhat strange to me. please, shouldnt all churches be missional in their very character? why cant a church, at its very nature, yearn to introduce their culture and neighborhood with the gospel as a missionary would in a different country? Isnt that what the bodies of Christ is encouraged to do in the last challenge from Jesus in Matthew 28:19? Our own hometown begs for this kind of church. Missional church in Austin is slowly moving to what our Creator instructed in the Bible.
The Son of God gives the command in Acts 1:8 saying, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 justifies this topic as, right before Jesus Christ leaves to go to Heaven, He directs the disciples on a story that would initiate right in their local community. He begins with their local place of Jerusalem, and then broadens the call to the outer parts of the earth.
As Christians, we are not moved to isolation, but to be missional followers of Jesus who are passionately going out and meeting people right where they are with the good news. We have noticed this throughout history: God motivated Abraham on a mission to exit his home and his people and go to the place that God would show him (Gen. 12:1), God motivated Moses on a story to restore an enslaved people and lead them to joy (Exodus 3:8-10), God sends Jesus on a story to globe to reconcile all things to Himself through the crucifixion (Colossians 1:20). And now God is sending the church on a exploration to engage areas, cities, peoples, and even nations with the story of Christ(Matt. 28:19 Mark 6:7 Luke 10:1 John 20:21 Acts 1:8). If we abandon this call and continue to see the places of worship like a members only country club ” encouraging that people clean up their performance, pay their deposit, and visit to our place of worship God will continue His journey without us.
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Posted by admin on May 21st, 2009 — Posted in Religion Tips
Imagine finding a planet where robots are programmed so that they can make other robots just like themselves from raw materials.
Now, imagine an alien visitor coming to the planet and, after many years of studying these robots, coming to the conclusion that since science can explain how these robots work, function, and reproduce there’s no reason to believe that there was an ultimate intelligent designer behind them.
The analogy above certainly is not perfect but it is sufficient to reveal the fallacious thinking of those who attack intelligent design behind life and the universe.
Chance physical processes can produce some level of order but it is not rational to believe that the highest levels of order in life and the universe are by chance. For example, amino acids have been shown to be able to come into existence by chance but not more complex structures such as proteins which require that the various amino acids be in a precise sequence, just like the letters in a sentence. A single cell has millions of proteins.
There is no innate chemical tendency for amino acids to bond with one another in a sequence. Any one amino acid can just as easily bond with any other. The only reason at all for why the various amino acids bond with one another in a precise sequence in the cells of our bodies is because they’re directed to do so by an already existing sequence of molecules in our genetic code. Without being in a proper sequence protein molecules will not function.
The sequence of molecules in DNA (the genetic code) determines the sequence of molecules in proteins. Furthermore, without DNA there cannot be RNA, but without RNA there cannot be DNA. And without eiether DNA and RNA there cannot be proteins, and without proteins there cannot be either DNA or RNA. They’re all mutually dependent upon each other for existence!
If humans must use intelligence to perform genetic engineering, to meaningfully manipulate the genetic code, then what does that say about the origin of the genetic code itself!
If the cell had evolved it would have had to be all at once. A partially evolved cell cannot wait millions of years to become complete because it would be highly unstable and quickly disintegrate in the open environment.
The great British scientist Sir Frederick Hoyle has said that the probability of the sequence of molecules in the simplest cell coming into existence by chance is equivalent to a tornado going through a junk yard of airplane parts and assembling a 747 Jumbo Jet!
Considering the enormous complexity of life, it is much more logical to believe that the genetic and biological similarities between all species is due to a common Designer rather than common biological ancestry. It is only logical that the great Designer would design similar functions for similar purposes and different functions for different purposes in all of the various forms of life.
What if we should find evidence of life on Mars? Wouldn’t that prove evolution? No. It wouldn’t be proof that such life had evolved from non-living matter by chance natural processes. And even if we did find evidence of life on Mars it would have most likely have come from our very own planet - Earth! In the Earth’s past there was powerful volcanic activity which could have easily spewed dirt containing microbes into outer space which eventually could have reached Mars. A Newsweek article of September 21, 1998, p.12 mentions exactly this possibility.
Contrary to popular belief, scientists have never created life in the laboratory. What scientists have done is genetically alter or engineer already existing forms of life, and by doing this scientists have been able to produce new forms of life. However, they did not produce these new life forms from non-living matter. Even if scientists ever do produce life from non-living matter it won’t be by chance so it still wouldn’t help support any argument for evolution.
We also know from the law of entropy in science that the universe does not have the ability to have sustained itself from eternity. The existence and complexity of the universe point to a Supreme Designer and Creator!
Those advocating the teaching of intelligent design are not demanding that Darwinian theory no longer be taught. Rather, the advocates of intelligent design want the merits of both theories taught side by side when the issue of origins is covered in science classes and textbooks. This is only fair.
Science cannot prove we are here by either design (creation) or by chance (evolution), but students should have full information available to decide which position science best supports.
What we believe about life’s origins does influence our philosophy and value of life as well as our view of ourselves and others. This is no small issue!
Just because the laws of science can explain how life and the universe operate and work doesn’t mean there is no Maker. Would it be rational to believe that there’s no designer behind airplanes because the laws of science can explain how airplanes operate and work?
Natural laws are adequate to explain how the order in life, the universe, and even a microwave oven operates, but mere undirected natural laws cannot fully explain the origin of such order.
An organization of highly qualified scientists, known as the Institute for Creation Research (www.icr.org), has published some excellent books and material supporting faith in intelligent design for life and the universe.
Books published by ICR cover various issues such as the origin of life, genetic and biological similarities between species, the limits to biological variation and natural selection in nature, the fossil record, the age of the earth, etc.
Sincerely,
Babu G. Ranganathan
(B.A. Bible/Biology)
Other helpful resources:
www.creationscience.com
www.ChristianAnswers.Net
www.religionscience.com
Scientific Evidence for a Young World: http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=articles&action=view&ID=1842
The author, Babu G. Ranganathan, is an experienced Christian writer. He has his B.A. with academic concentrations in Bible and Biology. As a religion and science writer he has been recognized in the 24th edition of Marquis Who’s Who In The East. The author has a website at: http://www.religionscience.com
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Posted by admin on May 21st, 2009 — Posted in Religion Tips
Today’s Christian Evangelists, Teachers, and Preachers Are Grossly Misleading America And The World, Concerning Money Contributions.
It has been said that: ‘Money is the Root of All Evil’…well that statement is no more true than in the way it pertains to the message given to the seekers of God, by today’s misleading Christian leaders, most of whom are from America. These misleading evangelists and preachers are telling people that money is the ’seed’ that must be sowed, in order to receive blessings from God. This is in direct opposition to the Word of God, and to the teachings of Jesus and the Prophets.
The root of any plant grows from a seed of that plant, through a germination process; likewise, these false prophets are sowing a false seed of ‘Money’, the root of which has produced ‘Evil’ (false doctrine) in the world, all through the instigation of Satan.
Today’s leaders (many seen regularly on TV) are being held in bondage to ‘darkness’, meaning: lack of Knowledge of the Truth of God. These leaders do not know that as they live the ‘good-life’, and that as they build up their treasures here on earth, they will not have a good life on the ‘other side’ (in the Hereafter), because they will not have stored up treasures in Heaventhey will have had their ‘heaven’ here on earth, while living a life of deception. How can these blind Christian leaders guide others out of ‘darkness’ when they, themselves are totally engulfed in this darkness, due to their arrogance and to their love for money (gold) and material possessions?
Irrespective of all the hype going around, coming from today’s evangelists, pastors, teachers, etc., promoting prosperity for individuals by their investing money into someone’s ministry; I rebuke these gestures, as they are used by many only to get people’s money for their own personal gain. God does not need money, and neither Jesus, nor any other prophet of God collected money, or was in the business of receiving from needy people; they were in the business of giving. The true prophets of God did not condone the living of lavish lifestyles, as many of the TV evangelists do. These evangelists also preach false doctrine in many other areas of God’s Word.
Money is among the dirtiest of items that are handled by people, as it contains on its surfaces: all types of contaminants, from human excretions and drugs, to viruses and many other pollutants; yet, it is among, if not the, most sort after substance in the world. American money even has a symbol for the ‘god of this world’ on it, and a slogan commemorating trust in this god. Money is totally of the ‘world’ and it has no spiritual value. So all of these false prophets, who lust after money by using false promises and divinations, are only conforming to the world, because they are of the world, and not of God.
To sow a Seed for God is to sow the Truth, to sow the Truth is to sow the Word. Therefore, the Seed is the True Word of God, sown in righteousness, out of love for God only. It is not money given to someone’s ministry, for something in return. Jesus wants us to use our love to bring more people to the Knowledge of the True Kingdom of God; that is our increase: the numbers of souls we help save from that Day of destruction, through our testifying of and our acting on God’s Word.
Jesus said about the Seed and the Word:
“Become earnest about the Word! For as to the Word, its first part is faith, the second love, the third works, for from these come life. For the Word is like a grain of wheat: when someone had sown it, he had faith in it; and when it had sprouted, he loved it because he had seen many grains in place of one. And when he had worked, he was saved because he had prepared it for food, and again he left some to sow. So also can you yourselves receive the kingdom of heaven: unless you receive this through knowledge, you will not be able to find It.” - TCJ: II 91-G.
“For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.” - Matt. 13:17.
“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.” - Matt. 13:22.
“But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” - Matt. 13:23.
“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” - Luke 8:11.
Jesus and the Bible says about Money:
“Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.” - Prov. 16:8.
“How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” - Prov. 16:16.
“Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.” - Zeph. 1:18.
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” - Mark 8:36.
“Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” - Mark 8:37.
“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” - Mark 8:38.
“And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” - Luke 18:24.
“For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” - Luke 18:25.
“Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.” - James 5:1.
“Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.” - James 5:2.
“Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.” - James 5:3.
“Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.” - James 5:4.
“Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.” - James 5:5.
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” - Rev. 3:17.
“Then Jesus wept and said: ‘Even so, verily, are the lovers of the world. For if they lived according to reason, which holdeth a middle place in man, they would follow the law of God, and would be saved from eternal death. But because they follow the flesh and the world they are frenzied, and cruel enemies of their own selves, striving to live more arrogantly and more lasciviously than one another.’” - GB: 141.
“Whoever finds the world and becomes rich, let him renounce the world.” - TCJ: V 173-F.
To please God, our efforts are to be focused on the relief of pain and suffering of the poor and the deprived, and not on spreading false doctrine, or building elaborate temples and churches, or financing the perpetrators of these false practices. So the giving of money into these TV ministries (and other organizations) for them to spread a false gospel is fruitless and a waste of resources, when this money could be used properly in the God ordained service of helping the poor.
Remember we cannot take love nor money with us when we depart this life; we must expend them both during our lifetime in the service of God. Jesus’ parable about the talents (money), revealed that the talents is ‘love’ and ‘the neighbor is God, who has given to man all that he (man) hath, with life itself, so that, (man) living well (righteous) in this world, God may have praise, and man the glory of paradise.’ Also remember Jesus’ instruction to the rich man: to sell all that he has and distribute it to the poor, this is how we build-up treasures in heaven, which assures us a home in heaven.
More is revealed on this subject of: Money and False Prophets, as well as on the subjects of: God’s Knowledge and Worship, and the Judgments of God, in the Guide Book: ONE GOD ONE WORD: The TRUTH About The KNOWLEDGE and WORSHIP of GOD.
Visit:
http://OneGodOneWord.com/ for additional information.
Clarence G. Wilson was called of God over twenty-five years ago, by the Grace of God, to be a servant of God. God has chosen to use Clarence in the service of propagating the true Word of God amidst all of the falseness that is so prevalent in America and in the world today. Clarence’s upbringing, which exposed him to the true Faith of God, and his life circumstances have played a major role in his God given mission. Through the Spirit of God, Clarence has been shown the Truth about serving God. The faith in, and love of God that Clarence learned in his early childhood, now help him to see these deceptions that are today being so heavily preached. His life’s assignment and mission is to reveal this Truth to all of those souls who desire the Knowledge and the fulfillment of pleasing God in this life, which translates into Eternal Life for those sincere souls, when this life is over.
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Posted by admin on May 8th, 2009 — Posted in Religion Tips
What is knowledge? What does it mean to know? Can people know the world as it really is? Are there true things we humans can know with absolute certainty? Are there things that we can never know? Stop dear reader. Do not start to think already, for we do not want your answer; not now anyway. It is a very high possibility that it may consist of an individual belief expressed with closed eyes and a smile, or worse, a minuscule form of an expressed individuality we people like to define as ‘opinion’. Just in case you still did not recognize us, we go around by the name ‘anarchistic epistemology’.
Welcome to Earth (Yes! We are polite enough to skeptic forms of life like you who did not stop reading after the fifth sentence). We seek knowledge and its foundation, the relation between knowledge and truth, the roles played by reason and the human senses in acquiring knowledge. We are the ones who let Buddha smile, science experiment and observe, Christianity hate and ‘educate’, Islam exist. Yet, we are everyone’s enemies, even ourselves. Why? Because knowledge is the knowing of that we cannot know.
The term ‘epistemology’ comes from the Greeks. ‘Episteme’ meaning ‘knowledge’ and ‘logos’ meaning ‘reason’, therefore, we proudly qualify in the study of knowledge. We have been around for an undefined amount of ‘time’, but we know we have been around for ‘long’. You may be surprised to know that even you are one of us. Even though with a different interpretation, you ask questions (sometimes unaware of their purpose or importance), therefore, you may state that you too want to know; meaning you seek truth, or as we say it: ‘Want to know what knowledge is?’ just like us. We are pretty sure that now you got the message of what epistemology is about (note: repeating is not always ‘good’, neither ‘bad’), but you may want to know what anarchistic means in our epistemological worldview. It ca be many things, but it helps to achieve progress in anyone of the senses one cares to chose.
If you are continuing to read, congratulations! It means you passed the first two tests. You may take a breath and enjoy a moment with the modest fact of being ‘curious’ and ’skeptic’. After you have done so, it is highly recommended you continue to read more. It has something to do with more than an introduction and biographical sentences.
Of course you were right! Science and religion. What do we have to say about that? Maybe it is not ‘a big deal’, but it is a fact that it has got something more than intro and biographies… Either way, we do not care. After all, ‘I think’ is a very weak word for us nowadays. Let’s introduce you to a new concept about opinions, beliefs and knowledge. Imagine an infinitely tall pyramid (supposing you understand well the underlined keywords in the sentence). We have ‘opinions’ at the very bottom, ‘Beliefs’ somewhere in the middle, and ‘Knowledge’ at the very top. Exactly like you, we consider opinions to be the very last reliable statements. You have many examples in everyday life, and never forget that we humans are always naturally born as individuals.
Beliefs are somehow considered by us more reliable than opinions. Why? For the simple fact that they are individual opinions (roughly speaking) with more than one supporter. But be very careful with the words ‘I know that…’ when you are around us. You may find yourself under a whole lot of critical questions that usually have a very big probability to mute you. Therefore, knowledge is at the top, and it is the most reliable than any opinion or a statement of belief. We hope you did not guess now what we consider about science and religion, when you know religion is pure belief and you never hear the words ‘I think’ or ‘I believe’ in science.
Take now a glass of water and a stick. The stick is straight. Place the stick inside that glass of water. What is your comment about the appearance? One thing it is obvious, you agree too. The stick appears to bend. If you never saw a stick before, and for the first time you see it to be ‘bend’ in water, would you use the words ‘I believe’ or ‘I know that the stick is always bend.’? How do you know?!
Another option is: ‘No, the stick is straight; the refraction of the light through the water makes it look ‘bend’. And that is when we strike in search of the truth and knowledge: ‘How do you know the stick is straight? How do you know the stick is bending? Is that a belief? Consider the following statements:
- I do not think that God exists.
- I do not believe that the Universe has a beginning.
- I do not know much about Islam.
An anarchistic epistemologist is blind to the two first statements. We do not care about what religion think or believes; we do not care what science thinks or believes. We care about what they know and how do they know.
Anarchistic epistemologists cannot be based on claims, beliefs or opinions, but only on knowledge. Science is the most reliable statement we confirm as being closer to the top of the pyramid, but science itself has many unanswered questions. Anarchistically speaking, and we do not beg your pardon, we do not give a shit about religion which is a completely belief-based world. We can shut them down indifferently just by asking a simple question: How many different religions exist today in our world, and how many more are still in the creating process? (They have our permission to call Satanists as much as they want; does not make much difference, an opinion stays an opinion to us).
Opinions come and go, beliefs remain beliefs. We seek knowledge.
Born in Albania, now living in Toronto Canada. Freelance web designer. Graphic artist and photographer.
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Posted by admin on May 6th, 2009 — Posted in Religion Tips
These lessons are designed to be easily used for personal Bible Study or as a guide for group Bible Studies. Each of the lessons will include a set of discussion questions at the end of the lesson, which can be used either privately for introspection or in a group setting as provocative discussion builders.
In the same way as God gave us life, gave us food to eat, and gives us the daily needs to maintain our life, he has also given us eternal life. The state of that eternal life will be a reflection of our response to His given, while we are here on earth. You see, for those of us who recognize His Creatorship, His Godship, and worship Him as such, we will spend that eternal life with Him, in His presence. O, what a beautiful time that will be! Forever, with the Creator of the Universe!
For those who reject His Creatorship and Godship, He has ordained a place for them in eternal isolation from Him. This eternal isolation is so intense that it is referred to in the Bible as a Hell, as a place of eternal torment. It will still be eternal life, but it will be eternal life in seclusion from our Lord and Maker.
Have you ever been alone? Really alone? You think no one cares? No one wants to talk? Imagine a place on this earth of isolation. Imagine the prisoner of war who is put into an earthen cell, and fed once a day. But even that prisoner, as alone as he may feel, is not truly alone. Perhaps he can see the soldiers when they come to bring his daily food. Perhaps the rats and cockroaches visit him in his cell. Perhaps he hears the tortured screams of other prisoners. Perhaps he converses with his God. He is not truly alone.
But nevertheless, he is experiencing a type of living hell. Now imagine what that same cell would be like with no food, no rats, no soldiers or fellow prisoners, and worst yet, no God. That is Hell.
You see, when God created us, He created us for Heaven, not Hell. He created us to always have communion, fellowship, and communication with Him. Starting with the first man and the first woman, Adam and Eve, man as a race has chosen to ‘eat of the forbidden fruit’, to sin, or turn away from God. Everyone who has ever lived to the age of understanding has done it, turned away from God, and failed to recognize Him as God and Provider. Not only failed, but purposely tested Him to show that they are in control of their own lives. The Book of Romans tells us: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3: 23).
Once we have sinned and rejected the promises of God, His life-giving power, once we eat of the forbidden fruit, so to speak, once we firmly establish that we own our lives and our futures, we effectively tell God that we no longer need Him, that we can do it on our own. And the natural and fair end of that decision is that God gives us exactly what we ask for and desire: eternal separation from Him. Because He is Holy, he cannot tolerate the presence of the unholy, of sin. The natural and normal result of the choice to sin, to refuse to accept His Creatorship and Lordship, is eternal separation from Him, which is effectively death (Rom 6: 23).
Fortunately, God in His infinite mercy has crafted a plan, one which He set into motion before He even created the earth, knowing what His creation would do. He ordained that His own Son would die to bridge the gap between God Himself, from whom every man chooses to separate, and man, the creation. By being God Himself and taking on the nature of man, when Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was put to death, his death was able to pay the penalty, not of His own sins, because He had none, but our own sins, because He was pure in His death.
You see, the acceptance of His death for our sins is the same difference as not eating of the forbidden fruit (which we have all done, in one form or another). It is the same difference as paying a tithe of our property and our yearly increase. It is the ultimate form of recognizing that God created everything, including us, and that He gave us everything we have. It is simply saying that I cannot, as man, do it on my own; I need a mediator, someone to stand in the gap for my rebellion, and prevent eternal isolation from the Creator of the universe.
Questions for discussion:
Describe your view of the nature of God and His redemption plan.
Have you struggled with what you perceived as God’s wrathful and vindictive nature?
Does this lesson help you see that eternal separation is a direct result of our sin, not His vindictive nature?
Have you sinned (rebelled against the Creator of the universe)?
Can God, in His holiness, permit sin in His presence?
Have you accepted His loving plan to keep you from eternal separation?
Sean Mize is a Christian Entrepreneur and Christian internet Marketer, and the author of “The Christian Guide to Maximizing Your Time”, which can be ordered via
Christian Success Network
He also co-publishes a Christian Article Directory. To read articles or submit articles for inclusion in the directory, click here:
Christian Article Bank
You have my permission to reprint and distribute this article as long as it is distributed in its entirety, including all links. © Sean Mize 2006
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Posted by admin on March 31st, 2009 — Posted in Religion Tips
Over the last few months hundreds of thousands of people have reached out with genuine concern and hard cash towards the people of SE Asia. The tsunami was no respecter of a person’s religion in an area where Muslims and Christians, Hindus and Buddhists, have been killed or traumatised. Our respective religions are an integral part of our self identity but so is the common spirituality that we share as human beings. Surely now is the time to reach out in a new way, with the same love and respect, in order to get to know one another better. Integral to this process is getting to know more about our different religions and learning how to honour each one. We need shared sacred space to help do this.
Anglican Christians throughout Britain in particular are ideally placed to help facilitate such a process, primarily because we already have buildings in every community, sacred spaces set apart for communal use, our ‘parish churches’. I see this as part of the unique ethos of Anglicanism. One of my own churches has the prophetic words from Isaiah above its main entrance: ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples’. This is our way of saying ‘Welcome’ in addition to the religious objects from other faiths that adorn the church and the copies of their holy books available in the sanctuary. In addition, prayers from all faiths are used regularly in our Christian worship. After all, Paul made it quite clear in one of his letters that Christians are meant to be committed to ‘the fellowship of reconciliation’ (2 Corinthians 5).
Space can and should be made available for regular interfaith gatherings in all our churches and with an increasing number of churches becoming redundant and converted for community use, religious leaders need to meet as a matter of urgency to make sure that one room at least is set apart for use by faith-communities. Many hospitals of our land already have such spaces. Furthermore, the thousands of small rural churches in Britain are also ideally placed to offer living quarters for holy men and women, contemplatives from a wide range of faith-communities, who can pioneer new ways of celebrating our common spirituality in an increasingly secular age. I hope that my Anglican colleagues worldwide share the exciting potential of such an inter-faith project.
Complementing this kind of practical spirituality is the Indian ashram movement, another catalyst to help us think and behave globally with our spirituality. The tsunami has reminded us of the reality of ‘Oikumene’, the Greek word for ‘one world’. An authentic ecumenism is no longer just about different types of Christians coming together but about members of all religions making a fresh start on working together and celebrating their unity-in-diversity.On 1 February 2005, “Hagia Soffia”, our Ashram of the Divine Wisdom, was dedicated to the memory of Fr Bede Griffiths of Shantivanam in India. An Anglican who became a Benedictine monk, Fr Bede spent most of his life bridging the great traditions of Hinduism and Christianity. His vision of an inclusive, open church is served by a sangha (community) of men and women committed to the search for truth at the heart of all religions. It is a vision with a long and noble pedigree. One of the early Christian sages, Clement of Alexandria, wrote in the 2nd Century AD that ‘One indeed is the Way of Truth, but into it, as into an ever-flowing river, streams from everywhere flow.’ Raimon Panikkar, the octogenarian Spanish priest-theologian, puts its even more succinctly ‘Truth is many faceted.’
An ashram is about ordinary religious people coming together and although it is not as structured as a monastery, being open and flexible in its orientation, the daily pattern of an ashram is the same the world over. It is as simple as it is profound. People share a sacred space that is dedicated to every religion: they take part in common prayer and share meditation; they listen to each other’s scriptures and study them; they share that silence that our world craves, listening to the Divine Wisdom deep within as well as to the needs of our world. They enjoy being together, sharing table fellowship, as well as service in the community at large.
Candlemass Eve this year (01.02.2005), was an extra special one in Pennal, as we re-dedicated Hagia Soffia (burnt to the ground eighteen months ago), the small inter-faith chapel that serves the Ashram. Members of faith-communities came together with lanterns and candles, for the dedication. In the words of Jalalu’l-Din Rumi: ‘The lamps are different but the light is the same …. Fix thy gaze upon the light.’
The words above the doorway into our chapel are in Welsh and come from our ancient native literature ‘The Mabinogion’: “a fo ben bid bont” (the one who’d be a leader must be a bridge). As 2005 gets underway, the challenge to faith communities in Britain is to craft a new kind of sacred space and community to combat religious ignorance, bigotry and tyranny worldwide.
Fr Geraint ap Iorwerth
Geraint Ap Iorwerth
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Posted by admin on March 18th, 2009 — Posted in Religion Tips
There are two different types of Heart Disease, the disease of the flesh and the disease of the spirit. For a moment I would like to talk to you about the Heart Disease of the flesh. In 1999 I had a massive heart attack, in fact I had three. On the first one I was pronounced dead by a Doctor from a prestigious Hospital. God in His mercy raised me up to continue my ministry, but He also allowed my body to maintain the Disease.
I understand what many go thru when their hearts fail them. I know the pain and sometimes the despair that follows the attack. Fear wasn’t with me but was rebuked. I was ready to leave this world and be with my Saviour. Living with this disease is sometimes difficult because the symptoms don’t show outwardly. Have you ever heard people say, ” I don’t see a thing wrong with you.?” I have.
Heart disease is a silent killer that gives little or no warning just as Cancer. There sometimes is no outward sign that a person has the disease. I have experienced, nights without sleep, pains that come and go and depression that I have to rebuke. Yes, ministers also are attacked by Satan. I know how it affects family and friends. Many friends walk away from you, because they don’t want to deal with it.
The best friend I have is my wife Juanita. She is always there with words of incouragment and comfort. This reminds me of the times Jesus sent out the disciples by twos, one would be able to lean on the other and help each other. Thats how I feel about my wife, she is my best friend.
To be able to live with this dibilitateing Disease, I turned to the Bible for my answers, the first question I had for God was,
1. Why Me? The answer I received was, 1Pe 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. But the most surprising of His answers was, “Why Not You, My Son also had to suffer.” I accepted these answers and went on.
2. How will I continue on with my ministry? 1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 2Co 8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. The key word here was grace. His Grace would be sufficient for me to continue in His path. Unlike the Scientologist, I accepted the help of my doctors, took my medication, blessed each pill by the grace of God and trusted in Him. I don’t think about dieing, for its up to the Lord. I learned one thing real fast, I have no controll over my time to die, so why worry about it. The Joy of the Lord is my strength.
The best example that God showed me was the life of Job. Job 1:6-12 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
So I put myself in Jobs shoes. Satan have you considered my servant Anthony? So put yourself in Jobs shoes. Satan have you considered my servant ………………?
To live with Heart disease,
1. Live. Don’t let the disease rule you.
2. Grace. Let Gods grace fill you with understanding of why you. For God Grace is sufficient.
3. Faith. Let your faith in God deliver you thru all the pain and suffering that you go thru.
4. Believe. Believe that God has a reason that you are allowed to be inflicted.
5. Show. Show the world what your God can do.
6. Witness. Be a witness to His majesty and Power.
7. Rebuke. Rebuke the spirit of infirmity.
8. Stand. Stand, and when you’ve done all, stand on Gods word.
9. Don’t Fear. Don’t fear or fret about the body but consider the soul and the one who has power over body and soul.
10. Read. Read Gods word daily, it comforts the Body, Mind and Soul. Remember this one thing, Prayer isnt automatic. Many Christians believe that God will answer all prayers because of the statment by Christ. Mat 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. This statment has a condition that goes along with it, “If it be Gods Will !”
Mat 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Praying in the will of God is important,” not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Luke 21:25-26 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Now to the Spirit.Rev 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. Mans heart is a complex thing not just in the flesh but especially in the spirit. Man has come from the creation of God in His image to a creature that is being killed in spirit by the cancer that has taken over this world. I just want to share with you a letter that I received today from a good friend of mine.
“Dear Brother Smith, It has been a long time you never heard from me, an incident occurred that completely took me off my feet. My wife was shot by armed robbers on september 10th, over $30,000 collected from her as she was working on her new clinic site, 8 bullets has so far been removed from her head, the rib’s were broken by bullets and the right leg. She will be injected for 28days and no one is permitted to see her during these period. Brother it’s a tormenting period for me, help me in prayers please. Bishop Dr.Joseph Rankin”
This world is dieing. Many are calling for peace, but peace is unattainable in this life. Prostitution, Homo-sexuality, Rape, Murder, Theft, Unrighteousness, war, rumors of war, Earthquakes, Floods, Fires, And man still fails to repent or to see the signs of the times. There are many that say that they belong to God, but which god do they belong to. John 8:44-47, Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
The cancer of mans spirit is growing each and every day. Many worldwide are calling for an alliance of Christian, Judaism and Islam, to bring about world peace and prosperity. They want to join all three under one universal name. But there can only be two that can align themselves together, Judaism and Christianity, for the Jews and Christians are brothers. All other, so called religions that denigh the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not of God but of that spiritual cancer. You cannot make an alliance with the Devil. His promises to you are worthless and misleading. Death and destruction are in the paths of man, for he knows not the God of our fathers.
Rejection has become the norm around the world. Many are ignoring the signs of the times, many are being cautious stating that the things that have are are going to happen are fulfillment of prophecy. The cancer in man has blinded him from the truth. He no longer sees the suffering of others, he no longer sees the signs of the times, the signs in the heavens, the signs in the earth and the signs on the earth. Hell enlarges its boarders daily and is never full. Man is on a course that puts him in the number that will have not only one death but will die a second time.
Heb 3:10-12, Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 1Jo 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
Apostasy; An abandonment of what one has professed; a total desertion, or departure from one’s faith or religion. Rev 18:7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 2Pe 2:14-22; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. Apostasy; An abandonment of God for the lust of the flesh, power, coruption,instability, hipocrits all. Lost and dieing without hope of a resurection in Glory.
Falling as a tree in the woods with no sound to be heard, falling with cancer without any truth within them. False teachers, flase preachers, false prophets, without understanding, without knowledge, without wisdom. As a tree falls, so shall it be raised. My words are nothing compared to the words of God.
Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries
A.R.Smith Sermons International
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/
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Posted by admin on March 9th, 2009 — Posted in Religion Tips
Mother Nature is showing us who is boss with her massive Hurricanes during this 2005 recorded breaking Tropical Storm Season. We need to harness some of her power and fury and turn it to the common good. Quite frankly we need to learn how to steer Hurricanes, prevent droughts and occasionally put out a wildfire or two.
We must be proactive with weather research, control and slight manipulations with our weather, as this is the answer to the problems, which face us now and in the future. One could say that instead of manipulating and controlling our environment it is best to conserve and not touch those things that we do not understand yet.
I hear this argument and I understand the basis for it both from the Christian belief system perspective and looking at mankind’s performance as a steward for his environment. Whereas there maybe points to this argument; the basis for it comes from a basic flaw in thinking starting with our belief in the belief that has been adopted by most human beings on the planet towards a certain religion of their choosing which indicates that a god or gods created everything we see perfectly and that should remain to so. I do not wish to enter such a fundamental debate as no one would change their views and “A person convinced against their will, is of the same opinion still.”
I would like to point out if we do not modify our weather, people will die and we can play victim over and over again and thank god for that? Think on it.
“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
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Posted by admin on March 5th, 2009 — Posted in Religion Tips
Acts 19:5
5 When they heard [this,] they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7 Now the men were about twelve in all.
Acts 19:5
5 When they heard [this,] they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7 Now the men were about twelve in all.
The Bible records that Jesus received the Holy Spirit in “Full measure.”
(KJV) John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure [unto him].
(CEV) John 3:34 The Son was sent to speak God’s message, and he has been given the full power of God’s Spirit.
Coloss 1:19
For God in full measure was pleased to be in him;
Well, it appears to me, that the Spirit of God is distributed in measured amounts as determined by God himself.
Should I be afraid to ask God for what some people call ” The Holy Spirit baptism?”
Philippians 4:6~7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
(GodsWord) Luke 11:11
“If your child asks you, his father, for a fish, would you give him a snake instead?” 12 “Or if your child asks you for an egg, would you give him a scorpion?” 13 “Even though you’re evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children. So how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Proverbs 28:1
“A wicked person flees when no one is chasing, but righteous people are as bold as lions.”
Acts 2:17
‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.
Romans 8:14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Galatians 4:6
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”
Romans 8:15
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:26
In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don’t know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words.
I feel that one thing that we must remember is that “Gifts” are to be used for glorifying God’s Son, Jesus by up building His chosen body ~ the church. Some are for personal prayer and building oneself up, but they are not given for personal boasting or showing off.
I feel it it is important to remember that just because some claim to have spiritual gifts, or even heal others, it doesn’t mean they are necessarily in tune with God.
Perhaps this section of Matthew Chapter 7 will put some of this and other scriptures above into perspective?
12 “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. 13 ” Enter by the narrow gate; for wide [is] the gate and broad [is] the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 “Because narrow [is] the gate and difficult [is] the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. 15 ” Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 “Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor [can] a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 “Therefore by their fruits you will know them. 21 ” Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ 24 ” Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 “and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 “and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
Well, I have been saying some things that may not be embraced by everyone who reads this. This is all right because I trust some good seeds have been planted. It is up to my Lord Jesus Christ to see that they grow, if they are ~ in fact ~ good seeds. If they are not, I pray for a crop failure.
Now, I must look at ~ what might be considered ~ another sacred cow. With some trepidation, I realize that, like my understanding of Spiritual gifts, this one might cause others to wonder if I am a Christian at all. I ask that you examine the scriptures before passing judgment.
Wey NT
2 Cor 13:1
This intended visit of mine is my third visit to you. (”On the evidence of two or three witnesses every charge shall be sustained.”)
1 Peter 1:2
You were chosen according to the purpose of God the Father and were made a holy people by his Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be purified by his blood. May grace and peace be yours in full measure.
(TEV) Philippians 2:6 He always had the nature of God, but he did not think that by force he should try to become equal with God.
Deuteronomy 6:4 (ASV & Darby))
Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah:
John 5:15 The man left and told the leaders that Jesus was the one who had healed him. 16 They started making a lot of trouble for Jesus because he did things like this on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus said, “My Father has never stopped working, and that is why I keep on working.” 18 Now the leaders wanted to kill Jesus for two reasons. First, he had broken the law of the Sabbath. But even worse, he had said that God was his Father, which made him equal with God. 19 Jesus told the people: I tell you for certain that the Son cannot do anything on his own. He can do only what he sees the Father doing, and he does exactly what he sees the Father do. 20 The Father loves the Son and has shown him everything he does. The Father will show him even greater things, and you will be amazed. 21 Just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants to. 22 The Father doesn’t judge anyone, but he has made his Son the judge of everyone. 23 The Father wants all people to honor the Son as much as they honor him. When anyone refuses to honor the Son, that is the same as refusing to honor the Father who sent him. 24 I tell you for certain that everyone who hears my message and has faith in the one who sent me has eternal life and will never be condemned. They have already gone from death to life.
Mark 12:29
Jesus answered, “The foremost is, `HEAR, O ISRAEL ! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD;
James 2:19
You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God: and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus:
So, what about the “Trinity?” Well, when I study it, it appears that the teaching was not practiced in the early church. Shouldn’t something as important as dividing God into three parts or personages be addressed in the scripture? Certainly history records Constantine, not a believer then himself, forced the bishops to accept duality of God and Jesus in the 2nd century. The Holy Spirit was added later.
Perhaps a good determinant of how much “Peace” one has can be evidenced by how much one submits to God.
Romans 3:17
And the way of peace they have not known.”
Romans 8:6
For to be carnally minded [is] death, but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace.
1 Peter 3:11
Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.
Hebrews 12:11
Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Ephesians 2:14
For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,
Ephesians 2:15
having abolished in His flesh the enmity, [that is,] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man [from] the two, [thus] making peace,
Philipp 4:7
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philipp 4:9
The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
2 Peter 1:2
I pray that God will be kind to you and will let you live in perfect peace! May you keep learning more and more about God and our Lord Jesus.
1 Peter 1:2
You were chosen according to the purpose of God the Father and were made a holy people by his Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be purified by his blood. May grace and peace be yours in full measure.
What about feeling guilty about our old sins, and reminding others about their past mistakes and sinful ways?
Hebrews 8:12
For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”
Hebrews 10:17
then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their misdeeds no more.”
Heavens, If God doesn’t remember our sins and misdeeds, what right do we have to?
(NASB) John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
The Bible records that Jesus received the Holy Spirit in “Full measure.”
(Romans 8:15
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:26
In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don’t know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words.
I feel that one thing that we must remember is that “Gifts” are to be used for glorifying God’s Son, Jesus by up building His chosen body ~ the church. Some are for personal prayer and building oneself up, but they are not given for personal boasting or showing off.
I feel it it is important to remember that just because some claim to have spiritual gifts, or even heal others, it doesn’t mean they are necessarily in tune with God.
Perhaps, it is our job to continue to search the scriptures and ask God for his wisdom that we may understand His will for us in our lives?
Russ Miles maintains his own website MilesBooks.com. Rus is an author who writes books and articles on a variety of subjects. Russ invites you to visit MilesBooks.com and send comments on this or any of his articles to http://MilesRuss@gmail.com
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