"Illogical, Captain," spoke Spock in almost every, if not every, episode of the original Star Trek. While the world is still grieving the recently deceased, Ravi Zacharias, Apologetics has been at the forefront of Christianity's mind. Apologetics, the reasoned argumentation or justification of a theory, especially religious doctrine, is the responsibility of every believer. Every single Christian is called upon at some point to defend that person's faith.
Apologetics and science is not my strong point and will probably never be. Science is a wonderful field of study and incredibly helpful. Some people need to know how the universe began, why the dinosaurs are gone, and how the earth sustains all of God's creatures. I tend to think, "I don't need to know all that." The need to explain how the Spirit of God volcanically erupts and flows around the land faster than light eludes me. I accept and experience it out of a relationship with the Helper and Healer God I believe in; however, the view that Replacement Theologians claim that Jesus' crucifixion replaces all other views and understandings in the world is a place that orthodox (right believing and right practicing) Christians should defend against. It is more logical for me to do so.
Minimally, other than forgiveness of all sin and salvation for believers, the resurrection of Christ has not replaced all other understandings or worldviews with Christianity. The beauty of being in the remnant post-resurrection is that we have the Helper (John 14:26) with us as a full replacement has not happened. Had a replacement of the worldviews taken place, then there would not be any unreached people groups. The Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20) would have not ever taken place.
Scripture leaves Christians with the understanding that Jesus knew He was to be crucified. He chose to complete the journey as the sacrificial lamb for all sin for all eternity -- the sin debt paid in full. The unblemished sheep and doves were no longer needed. These had been replaced by the Blood of the Lamb -- Jesus. However, even the Blood of Christ, the sacrifice of God the Father, did not replace the unreached people groups or their worldviews. What I love about evangelism and apologetics is getting to share the love of God. What I love about meeting people and taking part in the community is the love of God.
Many would say that I should love sharing the scriptures and trying to get people to convert to mainstream Christianity wants people to move to. I don't accept that the evangelist's job is to convert people. The Helper does that. It is the only way that that happens. I have little desire to push someone towards Jesus or to tear them down. God calls us all to Him. I don't need to help with the restlessness; it just is. Unfortunately, apologetics and evangelism are needed, contemporarily, more for professing believers than unreached groups.
The only thing other than my kippah that I have been considered an apostate and asked to leave groups, even churches for, is my professed apologetic. Once a Christian is a heretic to other professing believers that person has found a right relationship living in Christ. God is well served when we praise what He has done in or lives and the relationships that we have been given.
Without our relationships, we would not be sharpened into the believers that God would like Christians to be. I am able to embrace my German-ness, my Irish-ness, my border-ness, and my Jewishness because I have loved Ravi Zacharias' Indian-ness. His belief and love for God was brought through India. He never left it out. It is what I loved first about him as I was struggling, and still do from time to time, with my Jewishness. It was so ingrained in me that even Paul left his Jewishness behind, which he did not. I love my "ness-es" just as Ravi loved his that our loving God gave him.
After his "nesses," I found apologetics for the first time. We are blessed that other worldviews were not replaced. That people are able to converse about, defend, and embrace for what it is -- a relationship with a loving God. The Church Militant -- the prayer warriors -- are all evangelists and apologists. It may seem that worldviews have been replaced in contemporary theology. The extreme sides of both liberal and conservative theology seem to accept the replacement in agreement with one another finally on something, except Scripture.
The resurrection of Christ doesn't replace worldviews. The Great Commission works on it. However, the Helper left to guide and guard us in and around the world professing faith, welcoming believers, and reviving those in the Body is what heals and replaces the harm done in the world by those who haven't accepted the peace of God. The moment of salvation is not the last moment of belief; it is the first. Still, even with the loss of a great evangelist, apologist, and gratefully praise-filled Child of God -- dear Ravi -- the Helper is still here to guide and guard as we go into the world just as he did. To "stand on the shoulders" of the ones who came before us as we have been prompted to do.
I have envisioned the homecoming of Dr. Zacharias. I hope that I will be greeted with the same "well done, my good and faithful servant," and be able to tell God that even with the work I've done, the souls that I've helped, and the love of God that I have been able to share that I am most thankful for my time in His presence with praise -- that I stood on the shoulders of those who came before me and spent time "helping thinkers to believe and believers to think." I believe Dr. Ravi flew into Glory with a winged beaming light and praise from Christ while wanting to have done more for people here. Praise God for Dr. Ravi Zacharias; his memory will be for a blessing to all of us.
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Monday, May 18, 2020
Picking Lives: Serving vs. Slavery
More and more people are beginning to serve more than in other places. All of a sudden, during this pandemic, people are more focused on communities around them instead of themselves as they have had time to think about the community time that they are not receiving. It's been difficult to be removed from people within the places that we frequent. As places open up again, it seems that the daily grind will continue again. However, it will not be the same. The question is: what will have been replaced?
Sometimes, it seems as though the need for one person or companies to replace individual rights with whatever they want is paramount to the actual contracts that they hold. The Torah is God's contract with the people. A marital certificate is a contract between the two people. Renters have a contract with a company or landlord to agree upon the ways that the two parties will interact with one another. Everything from entry into the apartment, use of utilities, maintenance, conditions upon leaving, and pest control are all a part of the contract as are break lease fees. The terms and length of the contract are a part of the agreement. If it is not in the contract, then it cannot be done by either party without liability. If a tenant damages the apartment, then the tenant is liable. If the landlords or companies don't provide the services, including notice before entry or adding people to the entry is a cloak and dagger fashion, then the landlord is also liable for that.
Services have to be provided according to the contract. If the rent is not collected, most landlords are not slow to begin an eviction process. Stipulations for late rent are often included in the terms of the lease. Even if a tenant is late with rent and pays the fees, then the rent is still paid and services still have to be rendered, regardless of the emotional involvement of the staff or leadership in the company. Rental agreements are not one-sided; the tenant is not automatically at fault. Attempting to remove a tenant by creating a hostile environment by not rendering services creates a liability for the company as the contract is for a specific length of time. The company can sue for the breach of contract and the tenant can file a countersuit, even if the employees don't like it.
Likewise, sin does not cancel out God's covenants with the people. The Torah is an agreement. Once it is received, then it is binding. For Christians, once the person accepts Jesus as Lord, then that relationship is also binding. God doesn't get to ditch the people. God is always there, even if the person are wrong. Conversation can take place. Things can be reconciled. However, the covenants are not removed from the relationship. God has not been replaced by the pandemic. Work positions may have been replaced, but human freedoms have not been replaced. The pandemic does not replace the country's responsibility to care for the people.
It is one thing to chose to serve other people at this point in time, to include donating blood or plasma, making masks, continuing to deliver food and goods, continuing to work in medical environments, or having switched over to online teaching environments, has taken on a different civic service awareness to the global populace. Those whom have price gouged, to include refusing to fixed apartments and refuse to wear masks (others' lives have a price), are refusing civic responsibility and the ability to save lives. Even though God freed the slaves, Christ freed people's sin debts, and allowed for captivity to happen, the attempt to enslave is unethical and immoral.
I don't adhere to a theology of predestination. While others think that I am Israeli because I accept my Hebrew lineage, I am an American. I have not received dual citizenship and haven't removed my rights as an American. Those, recently, whom have decided that I have to adhere to Israeli law in the United States, are greatly mistaken. I don't even know Israeli law. I have no idea. I had no idea that they spend their time dickering for everything until it was just mentioned by someone (several someones) else. The second someone serving of his or her own accord is required to do that for free by anyone, enslavement is at hand. Choosing to pick another's life is not a call to service; it is an attempt at enslavement. Contrary to popular belief, God does not force anyone to do anything. The situation may be unbearable to a person; however, it is still a choice to adhere to God's exit from it.
We have a duty and a right to stand against slavery. It is quite simple if someone is required to give or be punished in any way, then it isn't service that is being asked for. It is enslavement that is required. There are covenants between companies and individuals for a lot of things. Companies, like religious institutions and non-profit organizations, and individuals like to get what they want without cost. We like freebies, including people lives. So, remember that sound bites can be played in full in court. Splicing sound can be found out. Demanding the services from another without pay with not free offerings or service. When people cannot give or not give freely without a form of sanction or punishment, slavery is at hand. Those whom work to stand against it are the believing patriots that the country and the world need to have. Slavery is not an appropriate replacement for service. Standing against slavery is heroism.
Sometimes, it seems as though the need for one person or companies to replace individual rights with whatever they want is paramount to the actual contracts that they hold. The Torah is God's contract with the people. A marital certificate is a contract between the two people. Renters have a contract with a company or landlord to agree upon the ways that the two parties will interact with one another. Everything from entry into the apartment, use of utilities, maintenance, conditions upon leaving, and pest control are all a part of the contract as are break lease fees. The terms and length of the contract are a part of the agreement. If it is not in the contract, then it cannot be done by either party without liability. If a tenant damages the apartment, then the tenant is liable. If the landlords or companies don't provide the services, including notice before entry or adding people to the entry is a cloak and dagger fashion, then the landlord is also liable for that.
Services have to be provided according to the contract. If the rent is not collected, most landlords are not slow to begin an eviction process. Stipulations for late rent are often included in the terms of the lease. Even if a tenant is late with rent and pays the fees, then the rent is still paid and services still have to be rendered, regardless of the emotional involvement of the staff or leadership in the company. Rental agreements are not one-sided; the tenant is not automatically at fault. Attempting to remove a tenant by creating a hostile environment by not rendering services creates a liability for the company as the contract is for a specific length of time. The company can sue for the breach of contract and the tenant can file a countersuit, even if the employees don't like it.
Likewise, sin does not cancel out God's covenants with the people. The Torah is an agreement. Once it is received, then it is binding. For Christians, once the person accepts Jesus as Lord, then that relationship is also binding. God doesn't get to ditch the people. God is always there, even if the person are wrong. Conversation can take place. Things can be reconciled. However, the covenants are not removed from the relationship. God has not been replaced by the pandemic. Work positions may have been replaced, but human freedoms have not been replaced. The pandemic does not replace the country's responsibility to care for the people.
It is one thing to chose to serve other people at this point in time, to include donating blood or plasma, making masks, continuing to deliver food and goods, continuing to work in medical environments, or having switched over to online teaching environments, has taken on a different civic service awareness to the global populace. Those whom have price gouged, to include refusing to fixed apartments and refuse to wear masks (others' lives have a price), are refusing civic responsibility and the ability to save lives. Even though God freed the slaves, Christ freed people's sin debts, and allowed for captivity to happen, the attempt to enslave is unethical and immoral.
I don't adhere to a theology of predestination. While others think that I am Israeli because I accept my Hebrew lineage, I am an American. I have not received dual citizenship and haven't removed my rights as an American. Those, recently, whom have decided that I have to adhere to Israeli law in the United States, are greatly mistaken. I don't even know Israeli law. I have no idea. I had no idea that they spend their time dickering for everything until it was just mentioned by someone (several someones) else. The second someone serving of his or her own accord is required to do that for free by anyone, enslavement is at hand. Choosing to pick another's life is not a call to service; it is an attempt at enslavement. Contrary to popular belief, God does not force anyone to do anything. The situation may be unbearable to a person; however, it is still a choice to adhere to God's exit from it.
We have a duty and a right to stand against slavery. It is quite simple if someone is required to give or be punished in any way, then it isn't service that is being asked for. It is enslavement that is required. There are covenants between companies and individuals for a lot of things. Companies, like religious institutions and non-profit organizations, and individuals like to get what they want without cost. We like freebies, including people lives. So, remember that sound bites can be played in full in court. Splicing sound can be found out. Demanding the services from another without pay with not free offerings or service. When people cannot give or not give freely without a form of sanction or punishment, slavery is at hand. Those whom work to stand against it are the believing patriots that the country and the world need to have. Slavery is not an appropriate replacement for service. Standing against slavery is heroism.
Monday, May 11, 2020
Heartstrings: The Work of Guardian Angels
The quarantine and the restarting American society has been pulling at the heartstrings of the populace. During a point in time when society is working on trusting one another again, it seems that guardian angels are needed more now than before. Some people may understand guardian angels as the same as Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy. I fully accept the existence of guardian angels. As my life has progressed, I have grown more resilient which I attribute to my guardian angel. I would not be able to fully address the things that I have lived through regardless of what other people have thought about them.
People are created to trust other people. We are designed innately to work with one another and to work with what we have been given by God. When life pulls at our heartstrings, it is with the help of our guardian angels that we can be stabilized or even comforted a bit. Whether someone wants to attribute this comfort and understanding as the Spirit of God or not is that person's decision; however, our guardian angels keep us company in life. Angels are charged with being messengers and guardian angels are charged with God's message of protection for the individual and the Kingdom.
Our guardian angels help to remind us that when we were created God's intention was to pour out all of His blessings and riches upon us such that we would have prosperous, long lives. He wanted people to to know and enjoy beauty, to be strong, to live in wisdom, to embrace pleasure, and to be honored and live honorably. This Loving Creator wanted the best for His creation. The very best to Him was a relationship with Him. Some people like acts of service, words of affirmation, physical touch, or receiving gifts much more than quality time. A relationship with God -- what concerned Him the most during the imago dei creation process, was loving interaction with His newly formed people. God's love language is quality time.
During this tumultuous time of Covid-19, people have lost material things while others have stood around spouting that they should have saved, prevented, being willing to lose these things for God's plan, or even that they are learning to be grateful for those creature comforts like -- shelter, food, and clothing, safety, and employment. Some relationships have been torn apart over smaller things than the Covid-19 pandemic, but this was not what God intended life to be. He mourned the possible loss of a relationship with his creation and refrained providing secure rest to us. He wanted us to be designed to need Him. If we did not need God, then we would not seek Him at all while finding contentment in the things that we have and not in the Creator that provided them.
We were given the ability to be blessed with riches beyond imagination yet weariness for what really fulfills our souls. Comfort within our daily lives while still living points of mundane activity. We have blessings with agitation and anxiety during times of turmoil. We have our humanity with which we embrace the divine. People are designed this way such that neither God nor the people lose the most precious jewel of all -- a relationship with God.
In this relationship, God's guardians help us to have what we need for our own protection. They are the messengers of God's protection. Perhaps, a person at work likes to play power games in Zoom meetings and outside of the meeting, you receive an email accepting responsibility for the error on the other side and not your own without the knowledge of the others. This is the guardian. Perhaps, a leader wants to manipulate a situation in the person's favor and evidence is found of the manipulation. This is the guardian at work. Perhaps, someone wants the house and car you own, so there is an attempt to economically dis-empower your family leading to the termination of the individual due to EOE violations. This is the guardian at work. When people try to punish you through forms of public humiliation and demean the divine spark within all of us, their deceit is found out through investigations. This is the guardian's protection -- the bringer of the shelter of peace and not creating human puppets through enslavement.
Often, the problems of another towards you can be minimized by others stating that is the Evil One causing it to excuse the works of those in a hierarchy or in the name of safety -- the safety of social manipulation. The Evil One -- nor the demon liquor -- didn't cause others to chose the way that they did. The desires of their hearts did. The desire of God's heart is for the protection of His people, so we were given the blessing of the angels -- the bearers of Good News.
We are pulled around by both good and evil. Since we have been prohibited from inner rest and regardless of material or character possessions, we are drawn into a relationship with God and one another. A hedge of protection or a shelter of peace raised over us to guard and guide from those around us intent upon personal gain and the wealth of their own power gives us another reason to live in the warmth and love of God. Allow it to be wrapped around you as it is done to me through the guardians of peace.
People are created to trust other people. We are designed innately to work with one another and to work with what we have been given by God. When life pulls at our heartstrings, it is with the help of our guardian angels that we can be stabilized or even comforted a bit. Whether someone wants to attribute this comfort and understanding as the Spirit of God or not is that person's decision; however, our guardian angels keep us company in life. Angels are charged with being messengers and guardian angels are charged with God's message of protection for the individual and the Kingdom.
Our guardian angels help to remind us that when we were created God's intention was to pour out all of His blessings and riches upon us such that we would have prosperous, long lives. He wanted people to to know and enjoy beauty, to be strong, to live in wisdom, to embrace pleasure, and to be honored and live honorably. This Loving Creator wanted the best for His creation. The very best to Him was a relationship with Him. Some people like acts of service, words of affirmation, physical touch, or receiving gifts much more than quality time. A relationship with God -- what concerned Him the most during the imago dei creation process, was loving interaction with His newly formed people. God's love language is quality time.
During this tumultuous time of Covid-19, people have lost material things while others have stood around spouting that they should have saved, prevented, being willing to lose these things for God's plan, or even that they are learning to be grateful for those creature comforts like -- shelter, food, and clothing, safety, and employment. Some relationships have been torn apart over smaller things than the Covid-19 pandemic, but this was not what God intended life to be. He mourned the possible loss of a relationship with his creation and refrained providing secure rest to us. He wanted us to be designed to need Him. If we did not need God, then we would not seek Him at all while finding contentment in the things that we have and not in the Creator that provided them.
We were given the ability to be blessed with riches beyond imagination yet weariness for what really fulfills our souls. Comfort within our daily lives while still living points of mundane activity. We have blessings with agitation and anxiety during times of turmoil. We have our humanity with which we embrace the divine. People are designed this way such that neither God nor the people lose the most precious jewel of all -- a relationship with God.
In this relationship, God's guardians help us to have what we need for our own protection. They are the messengers of God's protection. Perhaps, a person at work likes to play power games in Zoom meetings and outside of the meeting, you receive an email accepting responsibility for the error on the other side and not your own without the knowledge of the others. This is the guardian. Perhaps, a leader wants to manipulate a situation in the person's favor and evidence is found of the manipulation. This is the guardian at work. Perhaps, someone wants the house and car you own, so there is an attempt to economically dis-empower your family leading to the termination of the individual due to EOE violations. This is the guardian at work. When people try to punish you through forms of public humiliation and demean the divine spark within all of us, their deceit is found out through investigations. This is the guardian's protection -- the bringer of the shelter of peace and not creating human puppets through enslavement.
Often, the problems of another towards you can be minimized by others stating that is the Evil One causing it to excuse the works of those in a hierarchy or in the name of safety -- the safety of social manipulation. The Evil One -- nor the demon liquor -- didn't cause others to chose the way that they did. The desires of their hearts did. The desire of God's heart is for the protection of His people, so we were given the blessing of the angels -- the bearers of Good News.
We are pulled around by both good and evil. Since we have been prohibited from inner rest and regardless of material or character possessions, we are drawn into a relationship with God and one another. A hedge of protection or a shelter of peace raised over us to guard and guide from those around us intent upon personal gain and the wealth of their own power gives us another reason to live in the warmth and love of God. Allow it to be wrapped around you as it is done to me through the guardians of peace.
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