Many of the things we learn to do to show that God is love and that we have that love in ourselves is taught by Jesus. One thing Jesus mentioned was in response to a question about which commandment was the most important. Jesus mentioned that we should love our God with our whole heart, soul, and mind. And the other was Love our neighbor as ourselves. Were these actual commandments in the commandments?
Yes they were. What Jesus did was reduce the 10 commandments written by God's finger into two catergories. First was the love for our God. The second was Love we show to others. This blog deals with the first tablet. Remember there were two.
1. Do not place anything that exists as a god in front of God's face. I attempt to follow this by keeping a check on things that may sway my loyalty to him. I don't do it perfectly but this is important in my theological operations.
2. Do not create anything as a god or idol for worship. I create very little in this big big world but I try to stay mindful to not become heavily involved with my own creations to the point of neglect of him. A person can begin to place himself or his skill into a place that overrides the need of God. This doesn't show proper respect to God. Your gifts or skill only exist become of him and should be considered a blessing everyday.
3. Do not take the name of God in vain. I do this by taking a firm stand on the name of God. Jehovah is a close guess at this name. The Jehovah's witness know and is documented that actually Yahweh is closer but still promote the Jehovah version because it is widely known. Widely known because they have been promoting it themselves. That is not a good reason. Also the letter J didn't come into full use until the 1700's. It was derived from the Y sound. As well the only documentation of God's name is a place marker YHWH. Plus in the documentation of occultist the name Jehovah is actually used for the name of their God. I would rather call on God the way that Jesus did. "My father."
4. Hold the Sabbath sacred. This is the most controversial because it has been attacked so venomously; especially by the Catholic church. I have researched because it is not my custom to consider this. I was amazed that I hadn't considered before. I just figured Sunday is natural day to get dressed up and do the church thing. Well after research I believe I may have been duped into thinking this is natural when actually it is very unnatural. The argument against bringing importance to this was because Jesus nailed all the law to the cross so thus all of Moses law didn't apply anymore. Well that is true. Moses law. Who wrote the first 10 commandments? God himself wrote them. The finger of God. Moses hand written portion was the ceremonial guidance that led directly to Christ. Once Christ died for that, the ceremonial part ended. The first 10 are God's not Israel's commandments. They were in effect for him before Israel and on into the eternal future. Now that I understand after research and prayer, I have decided to recognize God's holy day which is Saturday. I don't do this to adhere to law. I do it to show how much I love God over what is the prevelant thought surrounding Sunday worship. Look at the parts of the word Sunday. Sun and day. Sun worship. I am surprised I didn't see it before.
9/8/08
8/6/08
MBTI Personality Type Test
I have discovered another little chart thing that is really interesting to me. It appeals to my inquisitive mind in the realm of human interaction and personality. It is called the Myers Briggs test. It asks you some questions which you answer and it comes up with your personality type. 1 of 16 different configurations. You can then take that information and see what jobs fit your personality best, what person type matches you, and other neat things. For me since I am Asperger, I appreciate just knowing more about people I come into contact with. So here is a chart that I made at a particular site. I am an INFP.
7/27/08
Obama
Due to the fervor of this coming election and the presence of this seeming phenom Mr Barak Obama, I must put in my 2 cents.
Due to my background I have only lightly followed politics. Followed just enough to know what is happening and to state my position. Although no longer a JW, I tend to still side on politically neutral. I cannot support this system of ongoing corruption.
This brings me to Obama.
I admit that he is an enigmatic figure. I honestly have not listened to any of his speeches all the way through. I cringe from anyones political rhetoric.
What I am doing is observing the reaction of the masses in relation to what the powers that be seem to want to direct us.
People want a change and Obama is so far different from what the world is used to as a US President that this change is more than obvious.
I am also not naive to think that the personal and educational backgrounds of the past presidents don't play into all of this someway.
Bush has in essence destroyed our foreign relations and ignored the race relations at home. As far as race relations go at home, any of the emotions from the 60's & 70's that polarized our nation have gone underground. Anything can re-polarize this nation again. This includes the appointing of a Black President. There are some blacks that question Obama's skills for leading the US. Probably for good reason. I know of no black that would not have a little sense of pride if he did actually become president. Black grandparents who are advanced in age would never have thought they would see this in their lifetime. This just trickles down the family line to the younger ones coming up.
The powers that be want the ultimate direction for this world to be a tyranical and Godless world. This is seen if you search for a few things. Jesuits, Kazaria Jews, Transatlantic Slavery and Jews, Catholicism and the Reformation, Illuminati, Freemasonry, Satanism.
Now what if we get the next 4 years with Obama. What will probably be the mental effects on the populace if open minded? Well for a whole population of young black males without the proper male role models at home, they now have a black man as leader of the free world. For a population of young black females, they are going to expect a whole lot more out of their gold grill wearing, big gold chain having, dreaded up hair doin counterparts. For the young white population, they will probably look to their more immediate role models and get into family building and business establishing. The older black and white generations will want what he promises. They will just be more critical of his moves and everything he does because he is black. If Obama were to do the same things that Bush has done, I think white and black alike would be like "that man done gone crazy. Kick him out". Yet Bush has made it almost his full 2 terms with just bad press and a cool cartoon on Comedy Central.
The alternative is 4 more years with someone who kinda sounds like Bush and in many peoples eyes will continue the Bush legacy.
The question is with the state the world is in with the Peak Oil, codex alimentarius, North American Union and etc, will we make it another 4 years. I don't know. There is definitely a climate of change afoot. Obama maybe a light but he is definitely not a savior.
I also hold my breath when everyone starts to get behind someone or some cause in "this" day and age. We just don't know completely who is pulling the strings.
Here is an interesting question. Please leave a comment if you know.
Has there ever been a movie where a black actor plays the US president that the earth was "not" in impending doom?
Due to my background I have only lightly followed politics. Followed just enough to know what is happening and to state my position. Although no longer a JW, I tend to still side on politically neutral. I cannot support this system of ongoing corruption.
This brings me to Obama.
I admit that he is an enigmatic figure. I honestly have not listened to any of his speeches all the way through. I cringe from anyones political rhetoric.
What I am doing is observing the reaction of the masses in relation to what the powers that be seem to want to direct us.
People want a change and Obama is so far different from what the world is used to as a US President that this change is more than obvious.
I am also not naive to think that the personal and educational backgrounds of the past presidents don't play into all of this someway.
Bush has in essence destroyed our foreign relations and ignored the race relations at home. As far as race relations go at home, any of the emotions from the 60's & 70's that polarized our nation have gone underground. Anything can re-polarize this nation again. This includes the appointing of a Black President. There are some blacks that question Obama's skills for leading the US. Probably for good reason. I know of no black that would not have a little sense of pride if he did actually become president. Black grandparents who are advanced in age would never have thought they would see this in their lifetime. This just trickles down the family line to the younger ones coming up.
The powers that be want the ultimate direction for this world to be a tyranical and Godless world. This is seen if you search for a few things. Jesuits, Kazaria Jews, Transatlantic Slavery and Jews, Catholicism and the Reformation, Illuminati, Freemasonry, Satanism.
Now what if we get the next 4 years with Obama. What will probably be the mental effects on the populace if open minded? Well for a whole population of young black males without the proper male role models at home, they now have a black man as leader of the free world. For a population of young black females, they are going to expect a whole lot more out of their gold grill wearing, big gold chain having, dreaded up hair doin counterparts. For the young white population, they will probably look to their more immediate role models and get into family building and business establishing. The older black and white generations will want what he promises. They will just be more critical of his moves and everything he does because he is black. If Obama were to do the same things that Bush has done, I think white and black alike would be like "that man done gone crazy. Kick him out". Yet Bush has made it almost his full 2 terms with just bad press and a cool cartoon on Comedy Central.
The alternative is 4 more years with someone who kinda sounds like Bush and in many peoples eyes will continue the Bush legacy.
The question is with the state the world is in with the Peak Oil, codex alimentarius, North American Union and etc, will we make it another 4 years. I don't know. There is definitely a climate of change afoot. Obama maybe a light but he is definitely not a savior.
I also hold my breath when everyone starts to get behind someone or some cause in "this" day and age. We just don't know completely who is pulling the strings.
Here is an interesting question. Please leave a comment if you know.
Has there ever been a movie where a black actor plays the US president that the earth was "not" in impending doom?
7/15/08
A Christian Plan?
I found this book the other day that was pro reform for the systems in Islam religious society. It said the following:
Bernard Lewis suggests another, more intriguing possibility. He points out that early Islam was egalitarian and nonhierarchical, in contrast to the Christian pyramid of priest, bishop, archbishop, cardinal, and pope. Much later, the Turks appointed a series of religious officers, culminating in the grand mufti, who was roughly the archbishop of Istanbul. IN the past few decades the Iranians have created out of thin air an entirely new bureaucracy of ayatollahs that imitates almost exactly the modern Catholic apparatus. Perhaps, hopes Lewis, "They may in time provoke a Reformation." The Birth of Plenty by William Bernstein
I found this surprising because the author seems to think that "pyramid" setup is a positive thing. When it obviously works in contrast with how God's system works. Whats more is that the book goes on to relate that modern societies will have elements of this pyramid as its structure. Top down. Makes you think if a modern society will help or hurt us spiritually if that is the case.
Bernard Lewis suggests another, more intriguing possibility. He points out that early Islam was egalitarian and nonhierarchical, in contrast to the Christian pyramid of priest, bishop, archbishop, cardinal, and pope. Much later, the Turks appointed a series of religious officers, culminating in the grand mufti, who was roughly the archbishop of Istanbul. IN the past few decades the Iranians have created out of thin air an entirely new bureaucracy of ayatollahs that imitates almost exactly the modern Catholic apparatus. Perhaps, hopes Lewis, "They may in time provoke a Reformation." The Birth of Plenty by William Bernstein
I found this surprising because the author seems to think that "pyramid" setup is a positive thing. When it obviously works in contrast with how God's system works. Whats more is that the book goes on to relate that modern societies will have elements of this pyramid as its structure. Top down. Makes you think if a modern society will help or hurt us spiritually if that is the case.
7/9/08
You may be Christian and not know it
I believe the definition of "Christian" has been defined so specifically over the ages that people have unknowingly eliminated what true Christianity means.
The crusades for instance. Completely unchristian but the history books accept it as Christian. But why is it not? Conversion by force is not Christian. I don't care how you cook it.
Jesus told us that the Law(Mosaic Law and thus the new covenant) hangs on the fact that we "love our neighbor as ourselves". We also know that Jesus taught of a "Way" of living.
Why was this "Way" so different? It was because it was contrary to the system of living that was going on in Jesus day. This "Way" was living to lift your fellow man up and not take advantage. This is the very heart of the Christian "Way". Jesus of course being our ultimate example of this.
Can a person act in a Christian fashion and not know Jesus? Yes indeed. If what they are practicing is in the spirit of "loving your neighbor" unselfishly, then yes that would qualify as Christian.
It doesn't take conversion. It takes a state of mind that will allow us to give of ourselves to another individual to see them do better.
A friend of mine was concerned that this whole "servitude, servant" thing means others will be making decisions for you. No. Actually if you seek to help someone, you actually are being proactive in assistance and not reactive which is the current mode of events for most of the developed world. "A reluctant servant is a waste. But an enthusiastic servant, a blessing."
We are heading into an unprecedented change of circumstances for the whole world. The four horseman of the bible are beginning to ride and it is about due time for some prophesies to be fulfilled. We will need to know of the better "way" to deal with one another on this planet to not repeat our past mistakes. This "way" is described in the bible.
Since the bible is seen as a "holy book", a lot of peoples eyes start to glaze over and think they are being converted. Expand your point of view for a second. You can see practical application of events and responses that really show us a better way to interact with each other on this planet in the bible. It just so happens that it is inspired of God. When you use it and it works, it will confirm in your heart that it is the "Word of God". Don't take my word or anyone else's word for it. Discover it for yourself.
To sum up. Christianity is much bigger than people think it is. It can be in the simple gesture of helping an old lady across the street. Or heading up a racial equality movement. Developing a workers union for better conditions. Helping the girls in your neighborhood deal with teen pregnancy. Bringing attention to inequalities in our justice system for a specific set of individuals. There are many examples across many cultures across many lands where people give of themselves to help others. This is how universal Christianity is.
Some may not have known Jesus. But Jesus knows them.
The crusades for instance. Completely unchristian but the history books accept it as Christian. But why is it not? Conversion by force is not Christian. I don't care how you cook it.
Jesus told us that the Law(Mosaic Law and thus the new covenant) hangs on the fact that we "love our neighbor as ourselves". We also know that Jesus taught of a "Way" of living.
Why was this "Way" so different? It was because it was contrary to the system of living that was going on in Jesus day. This "Way" was living to lift your fellow man up and not take advantage. This is the very heart of the Christian "Way". Jesus of course being our ultimate example of this.
Can a person act in a Christian fashion and not know Jesus? Yes indeed. If what they are practicing is in the spirit of "loving your neighbor" unselfishly, then yes that would qualify as Christian.
It doesn't take conversion. It takes a state of mind that will allow us to give of ourselves to another individual to see them do better.
A friend of mine was concerned that this whole "servitude, servant" thing means others will be making decisions for you. No. Actually if you seek to help someone, you actually are being proactive in assistance and not reactive which is the current mode of events for most of the developed world. "A reluctant servant is a waste. But an enthusiastic servant, a blessing."
We are heading into an unprecedented change of circumstances for the whole world. The four horseman of the bible are beginning to ride and it is about due time for some prophesies to be fulfilled. We will need to know of the better "way" to deal with one another on this planet to not repeat our past mistakes. This "way" is described in the bible.
Since the bible is seen as a "holy book", a lot of peoples eyes start to glaze over and think they are being converted. Expand your point of view for a second. You can see practical application of events and responses that really show us a better way to interact with each other on this planet in the bible. It just so happens that it is inspired of God. When you use it and it works, it will confirm in your heart that it is the "Word of God". Don't take my word or anyone else's word for it. Discover it for yourself.
To sum up. Christianity is much bigger than people think it is. It can be in the simple gesture of helping an old lady across the street. Or heading up a racial equality movement. Developing a workers union for better conditions. Helping the girls in your neighborhood deal with teen pregnancy. Bringing attention to inequalities in our justice system for a specific set of individuals. There are many examples across many cultures across many lands where people give of themselves to help others. This is how universal Christianity is.
Some may not have known Jesus. But Jesus knows them.
7/7/08
Revised and simplified Diamond
This is a simpler version of the same. This can relate to what sort of life you may be making as your goal. A fleshly life can be the same as a selfish life. A spiritual life is a life lived for others. The arrows on the sides are the paths we take.
7/6/08
Diagram of the pyramid and pyranot
I had to go ahead and create the thing that was in my head. This is a simple representation of how this "Morality chart" might look. It has helped me in the reading of the bible and seems to tie in with how the first century disciples were referring to human activities and where the focus should be. Please let me know what you think.
I Explain this in greater depth HERE.
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