"When we face our fears and let ourselves believe in the power within us, we are r then able to tame and transform our self love, self acceptance to see the beauty of All our imperfections, thus leaving a feeling of authenticity within ourselves.......transform ur dragons into butterflies.... be free.......dream as if you'll live 4ever and live as if you'll die today"
Thanks for your comment. I respect and admire your faith.
However, it is strange that there is no significant comment about the life of Jesus in the Bible between the ages twelve to thirty which is a major part of his life preceding his ministry.(It is more than half of his adult life). One cannot help but wonder about his experience during that period in relation to his ministry.
ek When I was in my early teens, I took a correspondence course on the Bible. One of the questions asked was: "Who wrote the Bible?" I can still recall the answer which was based on 2 Peter 1:21 - "Holy men of God spake as they were guided by the holy ghost"(KJV) I honestly accepted and believed it at that time. I also believed that the books of the Bible were selected by God. However, after learning about the council of Nicaea, it appears now, that it was a matter of politics.
The main issue here is the use of performance enhancing drugs in competitive sports. I do not think you would be frowned upon if you used some drug that would be helpful to you with your ms. I also wish you a wonderful day.
The picture you posted of Getafix made me recall the cartoon "Asterix". Getafix is described as "the only individual able to produce the “magic potion” upon which the villagers rely for their strength" which is similar to a performance enhancing "drug". Nice comparison!
Special thanks to all who contributed to this blog, especially SistaCallie and calmheart. It showed quite clearly that Jesus was not rich materially as claimed by several preachers of the "prosperity gospel" message and that their message is not in keeping with the true message of Jesus in the gospels.
Based on the the biblical evidence presented in this blog, Jesus was not rich in the material sense of the word. Yet, according to the blog: "There are many today who are teaching that Jesus was rich (materially). Among those who teach Jesus and the apostles are rich are Creflo Dollar and Kenneth Hagin. John Avanzini attacks and mocks theologians for teaching that Jesus was poor."
Why do these persons teach otherwise? What do you think of their message?
I agree that all here, so far, expressed the view, that Jesus was not financially rich. What about Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Hagin and John Avanzini? Why do they teach otherwise?
I think it should be obvious to all that the question refers to "material" riches.
Of course, Jesus was rich "spiritually" and these are the riches he promises and gives to his true followers. The main question here was Jesus rich "materially" and "financially"?
If he was, why did he have to borrow so many things? If I recall correctly, the only thing Jesus owned was his clothes which were gambled for by the soldiers who crucified him. (I stand to be corrected on this).
According to Matthew 23:19, as stated in the blog, the "seed" to which Jesus refers is the "word". Somehow, this "seed" is now being interpreted as "money". "Planting a seed" is now being taken to mean "giving money".
Do riches prove God's blessings? Nothing could be further from the truth. Their are many a heathen and atheist who are rich despite their disbelief. Prosperity is not an absolute to show Gods hand in ones life, it might in fact show the opposite.
Kenneth Hagin claims not only for himself but for the Bibles written promise, "He wants His children to eat the best, He wants them to wear the best clothing, He wants them to drive the best cars, and He wants them to have the best of everything.
Jesus explains the parable of the sower by saying in Mt 23:19 the seed is the word and before that he explains how the people need ears to hear so they can understand and be fruitful. In vs. 37 he explains further that the sower of the good seed is the son of man which is either Jesus himself or those who preach the same message of his word. The good seeds are the sons of the kingdom. In other words those born of incorruptible seed which is the word of God 1 Pt.1:23 are in the world as a growing plant to produce fruit of the spirit.
Luke 12:15-21: And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."
Those who want to become rich now suffer a loss in faith, as Jesus said you can’t serve two masters. There’s nothing wrong with having money but there is a lot wrong with money having you. How can you tell the difference, just listen to the message and find out where they fit it in. Look at what they teach, Godliness means more blessing = money.
Kenneth Copeland writes, "Do you want a hundredfold return on your money? Give and let God multiply it back to you. He urges his supporters, "Invest heavily in God; the returns are staggering, ... "Every man who invests in the Gospel has a right to expect the staggering return of one hundredfold." (Laws of Prosperity , pg.67) This may be true but it may not be in your bank account.
This is why Creflo Dollar and Kenneth Copeland can lead the congregation in a affirmation "Money come unto me NOW" three times. (Dec.4, 1999 Voice of victory telecast).Creflo Dollar says “Yo’all better obey the prophet and reap the prophets reward, my prophet is rich and I’m gonna be rich too” “I call in the money, I found me a preacher, this is my first million and to it, do you all hear what I’m saying,…I’m going to have what I say, what I say, what I say, what I say, what I say”(and the people cheered madly).
Poverty is from the devil and God wants all Christians prosperous." (Benny Hinn, TBN, 11/6/90).
James 2:5 "Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?" The very opposite is being said today, "has not God chosen the rich because they have faith for their wants!"
Nowhere can you find a passage in the New Testament where Jesus Christ or His Apostles discipled believers to get money or be rich? Jesus Christ taught the opposite, He told the rich man to sell all that he had and give to the poor.
Real riches that Christ is concerned with are spiritual ones, our self righteous rags will never do from a church that is self empowered. Until we have God's eye salve applied to our eyes we will continue to look at the outward, and ignore our spiritual bankrupt condition on the inside.
Though we may like to think of ourselves as behaving in a certain way in certain circumstances, we can never know with certainty how we will actually behave in those circumstances. Only undergoing the experience itself will actually determine this. As someone said: "We only know ourselves insofar as we have been tested". Believing in "unconditional love" and practising "unconditional love" are two very different things. JMO.
"religious" and "non religious" are merely terms. Some may refer to Buddhism as a religion. This would include Tibetan Buddhism. In fact, it is listed as one of the world's major religions. I tried to clarify my use of the term religion in the blog. I think the statement in the blog, "Others transcend all religious dogma and relate to this essence directly" makes reference to those who may be considered non religious. I would like to know the basis of your claim that you are non religious. Best wishes!
I have some idea of Buddhism in general but I need to know more of your position as a Tibetan Buddhist. I shall attempt to answer your question after I know where you stand on what I have posted in this blog.(I need to hear it from you).
You are probably aware of the following quote (in reference to Genesis 1:27): "God created man in his own image. And man, being a gentleman, returned the favour." (I remember it as being attributed to George Bernard Shaw. There are claims that it is also attributed to Mark Twain and Jean Jacques Rousseau.) It is in agreement with your comment.
"Only difference is the name they gave it but seems like that is enough to kill each other for." I think your statement reflects the message of John Lennon's "Imagine"
"Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people Living life in peace..."
I respect your wisdom on matters of religion, race and culture. "Treat people as you would want to be treated. With respect." RESPECT is the key word. Sadly, though, as you said, "Some people doesn't even know what respect means. And some want to receive respect. But! does not give respect towards others in life."
"A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." -Albert Einstein
Some seek to impose a form on this divine essence through the creation of dogma and religion Others transcend all religious dogma and relate to this essence directly
online today!socrates44 Blog Comments (1,088)
RE: "PROCESS OF THOUGHT"
butterflies"When we face our fears and let ourselves believe in the power within us, we are r then able to tame and transform our self love, self acceptance to see the beauty of All our imperfections, thus leaving a feeling of authenticity within ourselves.......transform ur dragons into butterflies.... be free.......dream as if you'll live 4ever and live as if you'll die today"
Well Said!
Brilliant! Just simply Brilliant!
Keep Well!