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Seems like the culture today is more interested in painting God as a cosmic bully than a merciful God. Most media, elite schools, and staunch atheists claim that the God of the Bible is cruel and ruthless deity who caused mass genocide in the Old Testament. Here are some debated passages in the Old Testament that supposedly back up this view of God.


Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven (Gen. 19:24).


You must devote them to complete destruction (Deut. 7:2).


Then they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword (Jos. 6:21).

Now go and strike Amalek and devoted to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and women, child, and infant, ox, and sheep, camel and donkey (1 Sam. 15:3).


By simply isolating these Old Testament passages, it's no wonder people think God as a brutal monster. Bearing in mind that these incidents did occur, we need proper precautions and examination of the context before drawing any conclusions. Each of these passages needs to be interpreted in it's proper context, and not taken out of context to try to prove a point.


As to God commanding Israel to destroy the Canaanites and six other nations, it is noteworthy to mention that, these passages reveals something in regards, to the holiness of God. It shows that God's character is absolutely holy, and as such, He must punish sin and rebellion (Hab. 1:13). He's a righteous judge (Ps.7:11), and that's undeniably part of who He is. His character is also merciful (Deu.4:31).


As for the Amalekites, they were far from innocent. Far from it. These were not nice people. In fact, they were utterly and totally depraved. Their mission was to destroy Israel. In other words, to commit genocide. They were relentless in their attempts to murder the people of Israel, and yet you don't hear people complaining about that!


As if that were not evil enough, think about what was hanging in the balance. The Israelites were the chosen people through whom God would bring salvation to the entire world through Jesus Christ. The destruction of their nation was necessitated by the gravity of their sin. Had some hardcore remnant survived, they might have resumed their aggression against the Israelites and God's plan. These were a persistent and vicious and warring people. They wanted to wipe out every last one of the Israelites off the face of the earth. God could have dealt with them through a natural disaster like a flood, but instead He used Israel as His instrument of judgement. He took action not only for the sake of the Israelites, but ultimately for the sake of everyone through history whose salvation would be provided by the Messiah (Jesus Christ) who was to be born among them.


As for the children, socially and physically the fate of children throughout history has always been with their parents, whether that's for good or for ill. You need to understand the situation among the Amalekites. In a thoroughly evil and violent and depraved culture, there was no hope for those children. This nation was so polluted that it was like gangrene that was taking over a person's leg, and God had to amputate the leg or the gangrene would spread and there wouldn't be anything left. In this sense, God's action was an act of mercy. According to the Bible, every child who dies before before the age of accountability goes to heaven to spend eternity in the presence of God.


Isaiah 7:16 talks about an age before a child is morally accountable, before the child knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right. King David spoke of going to be with his son who died at birth (2 Sam. 12:23). Jesus said, ' Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these (Matt.19:14), which indicates they will go to heaven...

I longed for a “somewhere” and a sense of community rather than the heaven of “nothingness” that some creeds promised. So even though I found a measure of peace by living a semi-hermit’s life, I realized that the peace I found in nature was only temporary, and it would soon fade when I returned to the city. I needed to find a more lasting peace when I was confronted by the harsh realities of everyday life—a peace that was not dependent on external circumstances, someone or something that could still the tempestuous waves of life. I had gone to church occasionally and was a nominal believer, but did not have much of a heartfelt understanding of what Christianity was all about or how it applied to me.

It was then that my sister told me about Jesus. Not the traditions or the rituals, but the man. I discovered that Jesus was much more. He was the man who lived the perfect “simple life,” going everywhere doing good. He not only talked about love, but gave His life for it and rose again three days after His death, giving us eternal life in the bargain. In my mind, in the context of that time, He was the perfect “flower child” without the bummers of drugs and all the other hang-ups I had experienced. I received Him into my heart, and a seed was sown that grew and grew as I watered it with His Word, prayer, and sharing my faith with others.

A few months later while on vacation in Canada, I waded into a lake and cut my feet on the sharp rocks in the shallows. As I lay on the shore trying to nurse my wounds, I looked up at the turquoise sky. Being on the verge of a life-changing decision, I wondered if this incident had some significance for me, so I instinctively asked the Lord to speak to me about what had happened.

It came not in audible words, but via what the Bible calls “the still small voice” to the heart.1 It said, “Jump in all the way, or stay on the shore. But if you wade in, you’ll get cut.” I knew this meant that I was to go ahead and make my decision with boldness, doing what I knew to be right and not worrying about the consequences. As the saying goes, “Make sure that you are right, and then go ahead.”

I took the jump and decided to devote my life to the Lord’s service in many ways and in many lands. And here I am some 40 years later, glad I did. Proverbs says, "The Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.”2 He has certainly done that in my life many times.

It was in Jesus that I found the peace of mind that I was looking for. Not in running away from the world, but being in the world yet not fully of the world. Sure, we sometimes need quiet and to get away from it all—even Jesus had to leave the multitude to get alone and talk with His Father. How much more do we need to have peace and quiet for our souls? But we shouldn’t forget that there is a world waiting in need of that peace that we have received from Him—the peace that passes all understanding.3

Looking back on my crossroads decision, I can say that I have no regrets. Jesus is the truth and the way to life. He has led me to green pastures beside still, clear mountain waters.4

1 1 Kings 19:12.
2 Proverbs 3:26 NKJV.
3 Philippians 4:7: And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
4 Psalm 23:2.





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Atlanta Archibishop Wilton Gregory did the right thing when he sold his $2.2 million Atlanta home. He was so wrong, from the start. His first act of wrongness was building the mansion. His second act of wrongness was his initial statement that he “would consider selling the mansion.” If he was at all in tune with Pope Francis, his first statement would have been, “I will sell the property.” He eventually sold it.

Reportedly, Joseph Mitchell, nephew of Margaret Mitchell who authored the book, “Gone with the Wind,” bequested $15 million to the Archdiocese. Gregory openly used some of the funds for his personal dwelling. And, there is at least one other archbishop who committed a similar act. Reportedly, Newark Archbishop John Myers was crucified by his parishioners for spending $500,000 to beautify and upgrade his retirement home. Amazingly, these two men made such expenditures despite the position of the pope! And, thats not all. The Vatican forced German Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst to submit his resignation for the same type of “unholiness.” This man spent $31 million euros ($43 million) on his own residence. German people were outraged. Reportedly, the mansion had conference halls, a museum, private apartments, and a chapel.

Where is this nonsense coming from? The new pope is clear. The pope don’t play that. Upon his appointment he clearly showed his expectations for respecting and uplifting families and individuals who were poor and disenfranchised. The blueprint for the issues that were to define the pope’s expectations were forthright and in some instances “shocked the world.”

He criticized capitalism and called upon the rich to share their wealth and challenged the media to refocus on priorities. Let’s recall some excerpts from the pope’s speech, following his appointment:

“How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it’s news when the stock market loses two points. Today, everything comes under the laws of competition and the survival of the fittest, where the powerful feed upon the powerless.”

He commented on the idolatry of money. He said:

“I prefer a church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confirmed and clinging to its own security.”

Before any Protestants start throwing stones, take a look at Protestant ministers. Joel Osteen, senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. He has a private residence valued at $10.5 million. Osteen boasts that he does not take a salary from his church. He really doesn’t need the church’s money as he makes his money selling books. However, the congregation made him rich before he sold one book. He has made millions on his publications with book advances as high as $13 million. Osteen pastors the largest congregation in America. And, there are others who are reportedly multi-millionaires living in mansions. Chris Oyakhiome has a net worth of $50 million, Benny Hinn $42 million, and Creflo Dollar (pardon the pun) $27 million, to name a few. These men sport BMWs, Rolexes and mansions, while most of us have trouble keeping our cars in running condition, while wearing mickey mouse watches, and paying mortgages on average priced homes which are badly in need of repairs.

Osteen’s on-going verbiage is, “You are entitled to a life of abundance God intended for you.” If God intended for all of us to have financial abundant lives then why are there millions of faithful, dedicated poor Christians? If the wealthy ministers have millions of dollars tied up in cars, why not sell a few and buy some of the carless worshippers Impalas? And, what about those faithful worshippers who give their last dollars in collection plates, through faith, in lieu of paying their utility bill, and have no heat the next week?

Hi everybody,
God bless us all Catholics or not


During Lent, pope offers handy tips for preparing for confession
Carol Glatz Catholic News Service | Feb. 27, 2015 The Francis Chronicles
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VATICAN CITY
As Catholics are encouraged to make going to confession a significant part of their lives during Lent, Pope Francis offered some quick tips to help people prepare for the sacrament of penance.
After a brief explanation of why people should go to confession -- "because we are all sinners" -- the pope listed 30 key questions to reflect on as part of making an examination of conscience and being able to "confess well."

The guide is part of a 28-page booklet in Italian released by the Vatican publishing house. Pope Francis had 50,000 free copies distributed to people attending his Angelus address Feb. 22, the first Sunday of Lent.

Titled "Safeguard your heart," the booklet is meant to help the faithful become "courageous" and prepared to battle against evil and choose the good.

The booklet contains quick introductions to Catholic basics: it has the text of the Creed, a list of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes. It explains the seven sacraments and includes Pope Francis' explanation of lectio divina, a prayerful way of reading Scripture in order to better hear "what the Lord wants to tell us in his word and to let us be transformed by his Spirit."

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The booklet's title is based on a line from one of the pope's morning Mass homilies in which he said Christians need to guard and protect their hearts, "just as you protect your home -- with a lock."

"How often do bad thoughts, bad intentions, jealousy, envy enter?" he asked. "Who opened the door? How did those things get in?"

The Oct. 10, 2014, homily, which is excerpted in the booklet, said the best way to guard one's heart is with the daily practice of an "examination of conscience," in which one quietly reviews what bad things one has done and what good things one has failed to do for God, one's neighbor and oneself.

The questions include:

- Do I only turn to God when I'm in need?
- Do I take attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation?
- Do I begin and end the day with prayer?
- Am I embarrassed to show that I am a Christian?
- Do I rebel against God's plan?
- Am I envious, hot-tempered, biased?
- Am I honest and fair with everyone or do I fuel the "throwaway culture?"
- In my marital and family relations, do I uphold morality as taught in the Gospels?
-Do I honor and respect my parents?
-Have I refused newly conceived life? Have I snuffed out the gift of life? Have I helped do so?
-Do I respect the environment?
- Am I part worldly and part believer?
- Do I overdo it with eating, drinking, smoking and amusements?
- Am I overly concerned about my physical well-being, my possessions?
- How do I use my time? Am I lazy?
- Do I want to be served?
- Do I dream of revenge, hold grudges?
- Am I meek, humble and a builder of peace?

Catholics should go to confession, the pope said, because everyone needs forgiveness for their sins, for the ways "we think and act contrary to the Gospel."

"Whoever says he is without sin is a liar or is blind," he wrote.

Confession is meant to be a sincere moment of conversion, an occasion to demonstrate trust in God's willingness to forgive his children and to help them back on the path of following Jesus, Pope Francis wrote.

Sacrament of Penance
Francis

According to the Bible story, Jesus first appeared on this planet as a baby. A hybrid birth of human and extra terrestrial conception. Why was he not fast tracked to adulthood so that he could start his preaching and miracles quickly, and spread his news to his audience? Nothing much is known of his life growing up, so appears to be a waste of time.
Alternatively, why not be introduced to the planet as an extra terrestrial adult and begin his magic then? He could have made up a story to explain his sudden appearance. After all, he was a performer of miracles.

"Pope Declares No Hell?"

So ran the riveting headline on the Drudge Report of Holy Thursday.

Drudge quoted this exchange, published in La Repubblica, between Pope Francis and his atheist friend, journalist Eugenio Scalfari.

Scalfari: "What about bad souls? Where are they punished?"

Bad souls "are not punished," Pope Francis is quoted, "those who do not repent and cannot therefore be forgiven disappear. There is no hell, there is the disappearance of sinful souls."

On the first Holy Thursday, Judas betrayed Christ. And of Judas the Lord said, "Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man shall be betrayed; it were better for him if that man had never been born."

Did the soul of Judas, and those of the monstrous evildoers of history, "just fade away," as General MacArthur said of old soldiers? If there is no hell, is not the greatest deterrent to the worst of sins removed?

What did Christ die on the cross to save us from?

If Francis made such a statement, it would be rank heresy.

Had the pope been speaking ex cathedra, as the vicar of Christ on earth, he would be contradicting 2,000 years of Catholic doctrine, rooted in the teachings of Christ himself. He would be calling into question papal infallibility, as defined in 1870 by the Vatican Council of Pius IX.


Questions would arise as to whether Francis is a true pope.

John 5: 17 - 30
17 But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working still, and I am working."
18 This was why the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but also called God his Father, making himself equal with God.
19 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever he does, that the Son does likewise.
20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all that he himself is doing; and greater works than these will he show him, that you may marvel.
21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.
22 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son,
23 that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
25 "Truly, truly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself,
27 and has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of man.
28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
29 and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.
30 "I can do nothing on my own authority; as I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

Today I say all glory be to God, the All Mighty. I give thanks for this new day, I will rejoice and be glad in it. The Word of God tells us not to be ashamed or even be scared to spread His word, I am going to use this blog as often and as much as possible to motivate myself and possibly others in Gods goodness, a Godly thought is a positive thought. I love these words from a song I sing daily "satan the blood of Jesus is against you" and YES satan you have been DEFEATED. God blesses us all with his love, His love endures forever. God bless



What a beautiful day, glorious rain yesterday, which we have not had in a long time, more rain on the way. That is worth being thankful for. As the words in a song go, "let the love of Jesus rain down on you." Thank you Lord Jesus for all your love and care, I know that Your Love is eternal and knows no boundaries.

Wow another week has passed, I give thanks and praise to God for giving us these days. This last week I have been meditating on His goodness towards us. God's word tells us not to judge others, it's sad to say where ever we go, we tend to pass judgement on others, I pray this day that we start to renew our minds in Jesus Christ, let us put aside our thoughts and differences, and forgive. It is certain that the time will come where we will be judged by our Heavenly Father, a question will be asked "what did you do with the life I gave you on this earth?" Can we receive forgiveness if we ourselves cannot forgive

“...Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you”.
(Matt. 5:44)


One of the most challenging things that God has told us to do is to “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). How does one do this without appearing to be a hypocrite? I mean, really? If someone has hurt me deeply how could I love, bless, do good to and pray for him/her, when I know that all I really want is justice? And that justice can only come when I’m satisfied that he/she has suffered enough for wronging me.

So you see my dilemma. If I do what God says, I am not only depriving myself of the justice that I seek, but also, I have to do so ‘with love’. Now tell me that that isn’t hard to do.

A few years ago I heard a song by a Country Western singer about praying for your enemies (or something along that line) and in it he sang that he took the advice of the Preacher at his church, and decided to pray for his ex-girlfriend who had broken his heart. The thing was, He prayed that awful things would happen to her, and that made him feel so good that he resolved to do it again.

I laughed when I heard it, and the words made me feel good because someone understood how much easier it was to seek justice, than to offer forgiveness. Now that is being real.

Unfortunately for us, God is more concerned with our obedience to His Will, not because He’s mean and uncaring, but because He knows that the way He has prescribed is the best way for us to heal. Revenge disguised as ‘justice’ is not what God wants us to focus on. “...For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God”, says His Holy Word (Js 1:20). So, if healing is truly what we want, then we have to do it His way, a little at a time, as sincerely as we can. And that is being obedient.

How to love your enemies? Don’t doubt the remedy. Use the formula that God has prescribed.

I've tried it, and I can testify that it works.

By Curtis Peter van Gorder Jan 20, 2016

It is said that our life hinges on four main decisions that lead us to become what we are: what career we choose, who we marry, what friends we make, and what we believe in. I would say that what we believe in is the most important of the four, as that will largely determine what happens with the other three.

Each one of us likely has a story of some pivotal moment that helped shape our belief system. These experiences are part of what is known as our testimony. Our life story speaks volumes. It tells the listener that if it happened to us, then it just might work for them. You can read how Paul told his story in Acts chapter 22. Perhaps your story is still in the making. Here is mine:

I was nineteen when I decided to spend the summer on my family’s abandoned farm out in the middle of the Pennsylvania wilderness in America. It could hardly be called a farm anymore. Only the shells of a few buildings remained. Forty years earlier it had been a bustling farm for my father and his family of seven rowdy brothers and sisters, but a tractor that was strip mining in the area ran over a fuel line that ignited, reducing the house to ashes. No one bothered rebuilding the house, and the surrounding property reverted back to its natural wild state. Away from everything and everybody, it was the perfect distraction-free place to chart my path for my future. Nineteen is a pivotal age and a time many make important crossroads-type decisions—and so it was with me.

My dog and I lived for six weeks in complete simplicity. Taking long walks through the forest, swimming in the river, meditating, and writing poetry. I lived on wild strawberries, granola, and soybeans. I nicknamed this place my “Strawberry Fields Forever” after the popular Beatles’ song that romanticized an idyllic eternal world that I hoped to find in this natural simplicity.

My life previously had been anything but simple, and I longed for some peace of mind. My girlfriend had gotten pregnant. I had asked her to marry me, but it didn’t work out. The child was given up for adoption. (Just as a footnote, I have since met my son, and he told me that he is thankful for the gift of life. I am thankful that he has done well as a successful financial adviser and has a happy home life.) To know that I had brought a child into the world was truly sobering, to say the least.

At the time I sought to express myself by writing in the “stream of consciousness” style, and my photography was equally as confusing. Just to show you how confusing it was: some friends and I had put together an exhibition of our “art,” which we had dubbed “Weirdism” in the hopes of starting a new art movement. It was short-lived, though, as we found our exhibition in the trash the next morning. The janitor had mistaken it for garbage.

At this time in my life, I was taking LSD and marijuana occasionally and it was messing my head up badly, giving me a very distorted sense of reality. All of this was happening against the background of the turbulent ‘70s, with the Vietnam War, race riots, the civil rights struggle, and a nation of searching youth all thrown into the mix. I longed to find a simple life to reconnect with nature and try to find my spiritual roots.

I thought perhaps I could find it in Zen archery. I was in awe of the great masters that I had read about, who could shoot an arrow and hit the bull’s eye, then with the second arrow split the first arrow in half. I tried and tried to hit the bull’s eye, but I spent most of my time searching for the arrows. It would take me a few lifetimes to master this art, I figured. Now I knew why they had pictured the masters with long beards and bald heads—it took them that long to learn to shoot straight. But I was in a hurry to find enlightenment.








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